Abide with me! fast falls the eventide

When I turn inward there's a lot to make me be afraid, dispair, wear out but my saviour Christ Jesus comforts me through this hymn"i fear no evil with thee at hand to bless"Amen.

Henry F. Lyte, an obscure English pastor wrote the text for this hymn in 1847, shortly before his passing on to be with his Lord and Savior. It has since rendered comfort to Christians during times of sorrow and distress

Henry F. Lyte was born in Scotland on June 1, 1793. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, and was a member of the Church of England all of his life. Henry had a frail constitution, battling asthma and tuberculosis but was strong in spirit. He was an established poet, musician and minister and coined the phrase, “It is better to wear out than to rust out. ” Wherever he ministered, he was greatly loved and admired by those he ministered to.

The last twenty-three years of his life were spent in a poor parish church among a finish congregation at Lower Brixham, Devonshire, England. During these years his health became progressively worse and as a result traveled to Italy in search for a warmer climate. It is said that during his last sermon to his parishioners on September 4, 1847, Lyte nearly had to crawl to his pulpit and his message came as from a dying man. His final words impacted his poor parishioners when he said it was his desire to “induce you to prepare for the solemn hour which must come to all by a timely appreciation and dependence on the death of Christ. ” He died in Nice, France on his way to Rome, Italy and was buried in the English cemetery on November 20, 1847.

Lyte is said to have written this text along with his own tune shortly before his last sermon at the Lower Brixham Church. It became widely used after a was published in a book, “Lyte’s Remains, ” in 1850, London. Its first appearance in America was in 1855, with Henry Ward Beecher’s “Plymouth Collection” with the notation that “this hymn was meant to be read and not sung. ” Later it was discovered by William Henry Monk, music editor of the Anglican Church hymnal, “Hymns Ancient and Modern, ” and it was included in the first edition of that hymnal published in 1861.

William Monk contributed fifty original tunes for the hymnal. It is said that it took him less than half an hour to compose for Lyte’s text named “Eventide. ” He was inspired by the beauty of a beautiful sunset while experiencing a deep personal sorrow. In addition to his work as editor of the hymnal, he was also choir director and organist at King’s College, London.

Henry Lyte’s text for this hymn was taken from the account of Christ’s appearance with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus and what they told the Lord, “Abide with us: for it is toward evening and the day is far spent” (Luke 24:29).

Thanks You Jesus for bringing this Hymn back to me and Finding the Lyrics here to Sing it to my Heart's Content. Bringing back memories when we use to sing it in the Assembly in Primary school and Secondary school days. Thank You Lord!

I am glad always to abide in his presence with this hymn,

I need Thy presence every passing hour:

What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?

I'll triumph still if thou abide with me 🙏

When other helpers fail and comfort flee

Help of the helpless Lord abide with me... This line gives me hope it strengthens me 😍

*I triumph still if thou abide with me*

This brings so much comfort because I know He is always with me . I triumph always!! Halelujah!

Aww! Such soothing hymn especially in times as these. May God continually abide with us!

At times like we are going through now, when all around us things are changing, possibly forever, what wonderful, inspirational words to remind us there is still hope. There will be a future because covid 19 is NOT the ultimate power of the Universe. The love of God remains with us always, through life and death.