SOMETIMES A LIGHT SURPRISES – EMHB 527
Author: William Cowper (1731-1800)
Tune: Petition by F. J. Haydn (1732-1809)
Introduction:
William Cowper came of a distinguished literary and ecclesiastical family. His father was a Chaplain to King George II and his mother a descendant of John Donne, the metaphysical poet and dean of St. Paul’s. William is the most honoured poet between Pole and Shelley and is viewed by some as one of the finest of all English writers.
Cowper was born in Great Berkhamstead England on November 15, 1731. He was know to be physically frail and emotionally sensitive. Contributing to his instability was the death of his mother when he was only six years old.
He studied Law at an early age at the direction of his father. However, the prospect of appearing for his final examination before the Bar frightened him that it caused a mental breakdown and even an attempted suicide. Later he was placed in an insane asylum for a period of eighteen months.
After his conversion and mental recovery in 1764, Cowper made friends with the family of Reverend Morley Urwin. After Reverend Urwin’s death in 1767, John Newton persuaded Mrs. Urwin and her family along with William Cowper to move to Olney England where Newton was Pastor at an Anglican Church. It was here Newton and Cowper combined talents and produced the famous Olney Hymns Hymnal in 1799. It was a collection of 349 Hymns of which 67 were written by Cowper of which the above is one of the most popular. Throughout his life Cowper suffered periodic melancholia and contemplated suicide on these occasions. It is however interesting to note some of his most meaningful Hymns were written after these times.
On his death bed, however it is said that his face lit up as he uttered these words. “I am not shut out of heaven after all”.
EMHB 527
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
And find it ever new,
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E’en let the unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may.
It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed:
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.
Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither
Nor flocks nor herds be there,
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.
Author: William Cowper (1731-1800)
Tune: Petition by F. J. Haydn (1732-1809)
Introduction:
William Cowper came of a distinguished literary and ecclesiastical family. His father was a Chaplain to King George II and his mother a descendant of John Donne, the metaphysical poet and dean of St. Paul’s. William is the most honoured poet between Pole and Shelley and is viewed by some as one of the finest of all English writers.
Cowper was born in Great Berkhamstead England on November 15, 1731. He was know to be physically frail and emotionally sensitive. Contributing to his instability was the death of his mother when he was only six years old.
He studied Law at an early age at the direction of his father. However, the prospect of appearing for his final examination before the Bar frightened him that it caused a mental breakdown and even an attempted suicide. Later he was placed in an insane asylum for a period of eighteen months.
After his conversion and mental recovery in 1764, Cowper made friends with the family of Reverend Morley Urwin. After Reverend Urwin’s death in 1767, John Newton persuaded Mrs. Urwin and her family along with William Cowper to move to Olney England where Newton was Pastor at an Anglican Church. It was here Newton and Cowper combined talents and produced the famous Olney Hymns Hymnal in 1799. It was a collection of 349 Hymns of which 67 were written by Cowper of which the above is one of the most popular. Throughout his life Cowper suffered periodic melancholia and contemplated suicide on these occasions. It is however interesting to note some of his most meaningful Hymns were written after these times.
On his death bed, however it is said that his face lit up as he uttered these words. “I am not shut out of heaven after all”.
EMHB 527
Sometimes a light surprises
The Christian while he sings;
It is the Lord who rises
With healing in His wings;
When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.
In holy contemplation,
We sweetly then pursue
The theme of God’s salvation,
And find it ever new,
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E’en let the unknown to-morrow
Bring with it what it may.
It can bring with it nothing
But He will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing
Will clothe His people too;
Beneath the spreading heavens
No creature but is fed:
And He who feeds the ravens
Will give His children bread.
Though vine nor fig-tree neither
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither
Nor flocks nor herds be there,
Yet, God the same abiding,
His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in Him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.
Adesegun Akitoye
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