At even when the sun was set

1
At even when the sun was set,
The sick, O Lord, around Thee lay;
O in what divers pains they met!
O with what joy they went away!
2
Once more 'tis eventide, and we
Oppressed with various ills draw near;
What if Thy form we cannot see?
We know and feel that Thou art here.
3
O Savior Christ, our woes dispel;
For some are sick, and some are sad,
And some have never loved Thee well
And some have lost the love they had;
4
*And some have found the world is vain,
Yet from the world they break not free;
And some have friends who give them pain,
Yet have not sought a friend in Thee;
5
*And none, O Lord, have perfect rest,
For none are wholly free from sin;
And they who fain would serve Thee best
Are conscious most of wrong within.
6
O Savior Christ, Thou too art Man;
Thou hast been troubled, tempted, tried;
Thy kind but searching glance can scan
The very wounds that shame would hide.
7
Thy touch has still its ancient power;
No word from Thee can fruitless fall;
Hear in this solemn evening hour,
And in Thy mercy heal us all.
Vv. 4 and 5 may be omitted if hymn is sung for physical healing.
1
Steve Miller

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Lowell Mason, composer of the music for this hymn, is often called the "Father of American Church and Public School Music". He spent his early life in Savannah, Georgia. In 1827, he moved to Boston and while residing there founded the Boston Academy of Music for the purpose of reaching and teaching the masses with music. In 1838, Mason was instrumental in formally introducing music education into the public school curriculum in Boston. Later, Lowell made a trip to Europe to study teaching methods there. Upon his return to this country, he began promoting musical conventions, which had wide acceptance and influence. In 1851, Mason moved to New York City, where he began publishing hymnals and choral collections. In all, Lowell Mason is credited with composing and arranging approximately 700 hymn tunes. In 1855, New York University conferred upon Mason the degree of Doctor of Music, the first such degree ever granted by an American school. - Kenneth W. Osbeck in "101 Hymn Stories".