Lyricist: William Walsham How
From HymnsWithoutWords
William Walsham How (1823 - 1897) was the first Bishop of the Diocese of Wakefield in England, created in 1889. The son of a Shrewsbury solicitor, How was educated at Shrewsbury School, Wadham College, Oxford and University College, Durham. He was ordained in 1846, and for upwards of thirty years was actively engaged in parish work at Whittington in Shropshire and Oswestry becoming Rural Dean, 1860. In 1879 he became a suffragan bishop in London, under the title of bishop of Bedford, his province being the poor East End.
There he became the inspiring influence of a revival of church work. He founded the East London Church Fund, and enlisted a large band of enthusiastic helpers, his popularity among all classes being immense. He was particularly fond of children, and was commonly called the "Children's Bishop".
Bishop How once burnt a copy of Thomas Hardy's novel Jude the Obscure calling it "garbage. The burning took place during the summer and Hardy, noted for his thrift, was said to have been outraged that the bishop wasted the firewood rather than waiting until the winter when the fire would be needed anyway.
