1826 - 1888 Topics: Adoration; Afflictions Deliverance from; Christ Conqueror; Christ Grace and Love of; Christ Providences of; Church Saved by Grace; God Adored and Exalted; God Creator of All; God Kingly Character of; God Love and Mercy; God Source of All Good; God Works of; Gospel Freeness of ; Gospel Fulness of ; Gospel Invitations of ; Grace Abiding; Mercy of God Everlasting; Miracles; Nations Rebuked in Wrath; Nature Revelation of God in; Praise Calls to; Praise for temporal blessings; Praise For Works of Creation; Praise For Works of Providence; Providence of God Over His Creatures; The Redeemed; Retribution Inflicted; Royalty of Christ Providential; Royalty of Christ Universal Domain of; The Sea; Thanksgiving Declared; Thanksgiving For God's Mercies; Worship Call to Composer of "BETTER LAND" in The Psalter Sherwin, William Fisk, an American Baptist, was born at Buckland, Massachusetts, March 14,1826. His educational opportunities, so far as schools were concerned, were few, but he made excellent use of his time and surroundings. At fifteen he went to Boston and studied music under Dr. Mason: In due course he became a teacher of vocal music, and held several important appointments in Massachusetts; in Hudson and Albany, New York County, and then in New York City. Taking special interest in Sunday Schools, he composed carols and hymn-tunes largely for their use, and was associated with the Rev. R. Lowry and others in preparing Bright Jewels, and other popular Sunday School hymn and tune books. A few of his melodies are known in Great Britain through I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, where they are given with his signature. His hymnwriting was limited. The following pieces are in common use:—
1. Grander than ocean's story (1871). The Love of God.
2. Hark, bark, the merry Christmas bells. Christmas Carol.
3. Lo, the day of God is breaking. The Spiritual Warfare.
4. Wake the song of joy and gladness. Sunday School or Temperance Anniversary.
5. Why is thy faith, 0 Child of God, so small. Safety in Jesus.
Mr. Sherwin died at Boston, Massachusetts, April 14, 1888.
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Sherwin, W. F., p. 1055, i. Another hymn from his Bright Jewels, 1869, p. 68, is "Sound the battle cry" (Christian Courage), in the Sunday School Hymnary, 1905, and several other collections.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
William F. Sherwin