Hymn #571: O God of Love, O God of Peace | First Congregational Church

Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877) wrote this hymn during the mid-nineteenth century when both England and the United States were involved in or threatened by war. It was included in Hymns Ancient and Modern, which Baker edited in 1861.

Henry W. Baker, a High Church Anglican priest, remained celibate throughout his life. Aside from his pastoral duties, he compiled Hymns Ancient and Modern, which became the standard English hymnbook from 1861 into the twentieth century. The work took twenty years to complete.

Henry Williams Baker called this tune WHITBURN for a small town in England where he wrote it in 1854. It was renamed HESPERUS, meaning “Evening Star,” when set with the text “Sun of My Soul.” Other names found in hymnals for this tune are ELIM, QUEBEC, and VENN.

Henry W. Baker was born in London, England, on May 27, 1821. A celibate High Churchman, he served only one parish during his career. He was the editor of the monumental work Hymns Ancient and Modern, which was the best-selling hymnal ever published. He died at Monkland, England, on February 12, 1877.