by Pastor Clinton Macomber
William Walford (1772-1850) was a lay preacher in England who owned a trinket shop. Being blind, he asked another visiting pastor (Thomas Salmon) to write down a poem he had been composing in his mind. Three years later when Salmon was visiting the United States, he showed it to the editor of the New York Observer. It was published September 13, 1845. In 1859 it appeared in a Baptist hymnal.
William Bradbury
In 1861, the tune we use was made for the poem and called "Sweet Hour" by William Bradbury (1816-1868). He wrote the music to many hymns still used today. For more on him, click on his name. Some of the hymns he wrote are:
- "Depth of Mercy"
- "The Solid Rock"
- "He Leadeth Me"
- "Jesus Loves Me"
- "Just as I am."
This hymn refers to "Mount Pisgah" the place where Moses viewed the land of Israel before being taken to heaven, Deuteronomy 3:27. The reference is to the day when we will not need the time of prayer because we will be in God's very presence.
Resource:
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories, (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985). Page 259
