Thomas Hastings, musician and teacher, who in his long life composed 1000 hymn tunes and 600 hymn texts and whose son became president of Union Theological Seminary, died in New York City on this date in 1872.



Gently Lord, O gently lead us,

Pilgrims in this vale of tears,

Through the trials yet decreed us,

Till our last great change appears.

When temptation’s darts assail us,

When in devious paths we stray,

Let Thy goodness never fail us,

Lead us in Thy perfect way.



In the hour of pain and anguish,

In the hour when death draws near,

Suffer not our hearts to languish,

Suffer not our souls to fear;

And, when mortal life is ended,

Bid us in Thine arms to rest,

Till, by angel bands attended,

We awake among the blest.