Guide me, O Thou gracious Savior (Alternate Tune)

This was my father's favorite and it was stained in my childhood memories till date I'll ever love this hymn

William Williams was born in 1717 in a farmhouse at a remote place named Cefncyoed, Carmarthenshire, Wales. One writer says “ The house is still standing, a low lying stone building in an open field some distance from the highway.

When he was twenty years old and about to take up medicine, he learned about the preaching of a man named Howell Harris. His curiosity made him go to hear him but when he got to the churchyard he found Harris preaching to people once they came out of the regular service. He stood on top of a flat tombstone in a graveyard. Harris was a 24 year old Methodist preacher. His words reached William’s heart and conscience. It was said of him, “His conviction of sin was deep and alarming, but the subsequent joy was proportionately higher. ”

Instead of medicine for the body William dispensed healing for the soul by preaching the gospel. He worked arduously and incessantly for about fifty years. He is best known for his hymn “Guide me Oh Thou great Jehovah,

Pilgrims through this barren land, ”

He died on January 11, 1791 at the same place where he was born. He was in a happy state when he went home be with the Lord:

“In Thy presence we are happy;
In Thy presence we’re secure
In Thy presence all afflictions we can easily endure;
In Thy presence we can conquer,
We can suffer, we can die.
Wondering from Thee, we are feeble.
Let Thy love, Lord, keep us nigh. ”

Here's the hymn with more verses.
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong Deliv'rer, strong Deliv'rer,
Be thou still my strength and shield

When I tread the verge of Jordan
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises,
I will ever give to thee.

Musing on my habitation,
Musing on my heaven'ly home,
Fills my soul with holy longings:
Come, my Jesus, quickly come;
Vanity is all I see;
Lord, I long to be with Thee!