This prayerful hymn that asks for the Holy Spirit to work in one’s heart was written by Andrew Reed in 1817. Reed was born in London in 1787 and became pastor of the New Road Church in East London in 1811, and ministered there for fifty years. During that time, the church grew from 800 in the congregation to an average Sunday attendance of more than 2,000. Reed’s sermons were followed in both Britain and America. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Yale College.
Reed was concerned about the dismal situation of the orphans in the poor area where he ministered. The orphanages of that day were more interested in profiting from child labor than providing for the welfare of the children, many of whom were left on their own on the streets. Reed founded orphanages and hospitals to help children and the mentally disabled.
Andrew Reed also wrote many hymns. In 1841, he published a revised “Supplement to Watts” that included twenty-seven of his own hymns and nineteen by his wife, Elizabeth Holmes Reed.
Reed’s hymns reflected his kind personality. This hymn initially had eight stanzas and was called “Prayer in the Holy Spirit.” It expresses a desire for a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s ministry in one’s life. The fitting tune “Mercy,” arranged for the hymn by Connecticut minister Edwin Parker, was based on a piano piece by American virtuoso pianist and composer Louis M. Gottschalk.
“Holy Ghost, With Light Divine” was a reality in Andrew Reed’s life. He died in 1862 and was buried in London. When his health began to fail, he was asked by his son what to write in his father’s biography. Reed responded: “I was born yesterday; I shall die tomorrow; And I must not spend today in telling what I have done, but in doing what I may for Him, Who has done all for me.” For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (II Corinthians 4:6).
1.Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn the darkness into day.
2. Let me see my Saviour's face,
Let me all his beauties trace:
Show those glorious truths to me,
Which are only known by thee.
3. Holy Ghost, with pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine:
Long has sin without control
Held dominion o'er my soul:
4. Oft I of its pow’r complain,
Yet I live beneath its reign:
In thy mercy pity me,
From this bondage set me free.
5. Holy Ghost, with joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Bid my many woes depart,
Heal my wounded, bleeding heart;
6. Yield a sacred, settled peace,
Bid it grow and still increase;
Till each anxious thought expires,
Till my joy to heav’n aspires.
7. Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev’ry idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.
8. See, to thee I yield my heart,
Shed thy life through ev’ry part;
A pure temple I would be,
Wholly dedicate to thee.
All rights reserved. Without the express written permission of the publisher, this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted, whether in whole or in part, in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, storage retrieval system, recording, or any other.
Subscribe to our emails