In a few weeks, we'll mark the anniversary of the birth of Augustus Montague Toplady, born on 4 November 1740 and best known as the author of the great hymn Rock of Ages, written in 1776. The tune to which we sing the hymn is named Toplady in his honor and was composed in 1830 by Thomas Hastings, who was born in Connecticut on 15 October 1784.



Hastings, who in his long life wrote dozens of books and musical treatises, trained the voices of scores of choirs, and composed many hundreds of hymn texts and melodies, is far less known and remembered than his contributions warrant.



His memoirs, A History of Forty Choirs, published in 1854, remain well worth reading and are the record of a disciplined and productive Christian life during formative years for America.



Here is the text of his hymn Gently Lord, O gently lead us.



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.