Anglican
Hymn #246,
The father of this writer was also named Hugh and was the Rector at Ballaugh near Ramsey, England. He was born December 3, 1799, at Douglas on the Isle of Man, received education at St. Edmunds Hall, Oxford, where he secured his B.A. in 1822 and M.A. in 1826. Details are missing as to the way in which the Lord brought him to Himself, but we may rest assured that no name on the pages of the Book of Life will ever be erased (Phil. 4:3). He was ordained to the ministry of the Church of England and served first at Shepscombe, Gloucestershire, and later at Huddersfield and Salford. He published hymn books which included his own, some of which were children’s hymns. He got finally to know the place “where glory crowns the mercy seat” on October 8, 1865.
An interesting incident is recorded as to this hymn (#246).. In 1871 while the great Chicago fire raged on, it engulfed the First Baptist Church. Those inside said, “Our house must go, but let us have one more prayer within its walls.” Then rising from their knees they sang together as they left the place,
‘From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat—
‘Tis found beneath the mercy-seat.”
(as originally written).