Aaron Roberts Wolfe was a 19c Presbyterian educator and hymn writer, born in Mendham, New Jersey, on September 6, 1821. he was the son of Peter Wolfe and Mary Robarts. He received his formal education at Williams College, graduating in 1844, before pursuing theological studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, which he completed in 1851. On April 9 of that same year, he was formally licensed by the Third Presbyterian of New York making the beginning of a career that would blend pastoral ministry with a dedication to education.
Wolfe’s professional life was largely defined by his commitment to the education of young women. He initially took charge of a school in Tallahassee, Florida, before returning to the Northeast to establish The Hillside Seminary for Young Ladies in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1859. Despite his focus on academia, his literary contributions to the church were significant. In 1858 he contributed several original hymns to Thomas Hastings’s collection, Church Melodies, under the humble signature of “A. R. W. ”
Among his most enduring works, is the hymn “Complete in Thee, no work of mine, “ which focuses on the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness, and was originally published in the New York Evangelist around 1850. His other notable contributions include : “A hymn of joy we sing at Thy table Lord, ” “ Thou Maker of our mortal frame, ” “ I bless the Lord for sorrows sent” and “A parting hymn we sing. ”
Wolfe’s writing was characterized by a focus on the inner spiritual life, exploring themes such as: glorifying the cross, comfort in trials, and salvation.
Robinson Charles Seymour writes about Aaron R. Wolfe in his Annotations upon Popular Hymns. N. Y. Hunt and Eaton, 1893:
The devout spirit of the man is fittingly illustrated by the account he once gave his friends of an incident which shaped his after- career somewhat seriously.
When he left Florida in the summer of 1855, he put all his effects — library, notes, and things of that sort— on board a sailing vessel at Saint Mark’s and with a simple grip-sack returned North by way of Nashville and Chicago.
Reaching New York, after some two weeks spent in journeying, he sought his goods at the commission house to which they had been consigned.
There he learned that, on the day appointed for sailing, the vessel had been struck by lightning, the mate killed at the foot of the mast, and the vessel, laden with turpentine burnt to the water’s edge. Books, papers, notes, everything of past treasure had gone up in smoke.
He looked upon this as a special providence of God, shaping his life, and fixing his home, for it made him a teacher of the young rather than a pastor of a church; and soon the way was open for the beginning of one of the most useful engagements with Dr. Abbott, and so his life was fashioned … Thus the Lord made up his petty losses by a rich reward.
Wolfe retired in 1872 but continued to be active until his death in October 6, 1902 in Montclair, New Jersey. He is buried at Rosedale Cemetery, West Orange, New Jersey.
Lovely hymn brimming over with gospel truths. Jesus name above all names. He is our living head. Wise men follow and put into practice what he teaches us. Hallelujah what a Saviour.
This is an amazing hymn! I absolutely love it! Every year at my church camp we would sing this! It is truly one of my favorite Songs to sing! Thank you so much! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What does it mean that we have been made full in Him?
This hymn reminded me of these verses in Colossians which are renewing and enlivening me to realize what a rich inheritance we have in Christ. May we believers take heed to Paul’s warning and by faith in God’s Word enjoy the rich inheritance we have in Christ!
"Beware that no one carries you off as spoil through his philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ; For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, And you have been made full in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority. In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, Buried together with Him in baptism, in which also you were raised together with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, though dead in your offenses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our offenses; Wiping out the handwriting in ordinances, which was against us, which was contrary to us; and He has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. Stripping off the rulers and the authorities, He made a display of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:8-15) Recovery Version
Just found this sweet through the hymns radio!
So sweet ❤️
Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!
This was a favourite hymn of a dear brother who passed away this day last year. His life was a true testimony of love and faithfulness; he lived and died unto the Lord. What he wanted most was to not only be an overcomer but that all the saints in our locality would overcome together. “Dear Saviour! When before Thy bar, all tribes and tongues assembled are, Among Thy chosen will I be, At Thy right hand- complete in Thee”
I was reading the book of Philemon and we read in this epistle about a brother called Onesimus. He was a bad slave before and caused damage to the well respected Philemon in Colossus, his master. But by God's arrangement he met Paul during his imprisonment in Rome and received the Lord there. After this happening, Paul sent him back with Tychicus to Colossus (Colossians 4:9) telling Philemon to receive Onesimus in his behalf - “Receive him as you would me”—reckon to him my merit; “If he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account”—reckon to me his demerit. This is imputation. Just as Abraham was accounted righteous by believing, Onesimus was being accounted as a merited person. This is quite our story with God as well. The Lord Jesus justified us by His atoning and blessed sacrifice and we are in a new position now before God. This is so blessed. I wish I can have more grace and faith to experience this. No longer a slave of sin, but a righteous and new man before God, through the Lord Jesus. - Complete in Thee.
From the training on Job this winter: as long as I am somebody He can’t be everything. This song reminds me in His body we are complete. The Body is just Christ.