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Be a Helper

Author: Eliza E. Hewitt Appears in 3 hymnals First Line: Be a helper in life's journey Refrain First Line: Be a helper, willing helper

[Be a helper in life’s journey]

Appears in 2 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Jno. R. Sweney Incipit: 34555 55517 66512 Used With Text: Be a Helper

Instances

Published text-tune combinations (hymns) from specific hymnals

Author: E. E. Hewitt Hymnal: Showers of Blessing #110 (1888) First Line: Be a helper in life’s journey Refrain First Line: Be a helper, willing helper Lyrics: 1 Be a helper in life’s journey; Let your sympathy In the joys, the ills of others True and heart-felt be; Oh, the word, the look of comfort, For the falling tear; Oh, the ready smile for gladness, How they soothe and cheer. Refrain: Be a helper, willing helper, Be a helper ev’ry day and ev’rywhere; Seek God’s blessing, seek God’s blessing, Then let others in your blessing share. 2 Be a helper in life’s journey; If your sight be dim, Ask the Master to direct you In your work for him; By his side so closely keeping, Walking not alone, Thou canst give a hand to others When he holds your own. [Refrain] 3 Be a helper in life’s journey, Tho’ in simple ways, Trifles show the loving Spirit, speak the Master’s praise; Drawing ever from the fulness Of his heart of love, Giving, to your own enriching, Treasures from above. [Refrain] Tune Title: [Be a helper in life’s journey]

Be a Helper

Author: E. E. Hewitt Hymnal: Sacred Trio #422 (1889) First Line: Be a helper in life’s journey Refrain First Line: Be a helper, willing helper Tune Title: [Be a helper in life’s journey]

Be a helper in life's journey

Author: E. E. Hewitt Hymnal: The Sacred Trio #422 (1892) Topics: Work

People

Authors, composers, editors, etc.

E. E. Hewitt

1851 - 1920 Person Name: Eliza E. Hewitt Author of "Be a Helper" Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds. Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church. Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916)

John R. Sweney

1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[Be a helper in life’s journey]" in Showers of Blessing John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission