October 4

On October 4, 4 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Charles Coffin was born in 1676; Harriet Auber was born in 1773; Dorothy Frances Gurney was born in 1858; Mary D. James died in 1883.

Each date below is given only where two independent sources — Hymnary.org and Wikidata — agree on the year, and the day itself comes from Wikidata. Dates before the 1750s are given as they were recorded at the time, in the Old Style calendar where that was in use.

Charles Coffin, who was born on this day in 1676, is remembered in this library for the hymn “On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry”.

Harriet Auber, who was born on this day in 1773, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Our blest Redeemer”, “Hasten, Lord, the glorious time” and “With joy we hail the sacred day”.

Dorothy Frances Gurney, who was born on this day in 1858, is remembered in this library for the hymn “O perfect Love, all human thought transcending”.

Mary D. James, who died on this day in 1883, is remembered in this library for the hymns “All for Jesus!” and “Sweetly Resting”.

Follow a name to read about the writer or composer and to sing their hymns, with the words, chords where we have them, and free accompaniment.