Hymns 38 and 40 and “walk transparent like some holy thing”

The note for Hymn 38 (City of God, how broad and far) is unusual, in that it speaks of a woman, Lady Selina, Countess of Huntington, as being the patroness of the composer.  She appointed chaplains and founded a college to train them.  Interesting!  This was back in the 1770’s.

The Note for Hymn 40 (Come, ye disconsolate) marries with Miscellaneous Writings.  The author of the words here, Thomas Moore (1779-1852), also wrote the poem “Lalla Rookh” cited in Mis. 51:22, which begins “When from the lips of Truth one might breath...”.  

It surprises me to read that his poems “Oft in a stilly night” and “ ‘Tis the last rose of summer” have been being sung for so long.

I remember when praying for someone with a foot problem being particularly inspired by the last line of this verse: Shall walk transparent like some holy thing.

Interestingly, Mrs. Eddy does not tell us who composed the verse.  Perhaps it was so well known in her day that everyone would recognise it.

Joyce Voysey