This morning's processional hymn at Christ Church Cathedral, Whitehorse. (Hymn #200 in the Anglican Church of Canada's hymn book, Common Praise.)

We sing the praise of him who died,
of him who died upon the cross;
the sinner's hope let men deride;
for this we count the world but loss.

Inscribed upon the cross we see
in shining letters, God is love:
he bears our sins upon the tree:
he brings us mercy from above.

The cross: it takes our guilt away,
it holds the fainting spirit up;
it cheers with hope the gloomy day,
and sweetens every bitter cup.

It makes the coward spirit brave,
and nerves the feeble arm for fight;
it takes its terror from the grave,
and gilds the bed of death with light.

The balm of life, the cure of woe,
the measure and the pledge of love,
the sinner's refuge here below,
the angel's theme in heaven above.

Words: Thomas Kelly, 1815
Music: Bow Brickhill

Thomas Kelly (1769-1855) was a very prolific hymn-writer, composing 765 hymn texts in about fifty years, and is also remembered as a forceful evangelistic preacher.  The son of an Irish judge, he entered Trinity College, Dublin, intending to study law.  He decided to pursue holy orders instead after being converted to Christ.  In 1792, he was ordained a priest in the (Anglican) Church of Ireland.  However, his powerful gospel preaching, often focusing on justification by faith, was unpopular with many in the church establishment, and he was soon dismissed from the Anglican Church.

For most of his life he associated himself with the dissenting Congregationalists and gained a reputation as a captivating preacher, spiritual poet, scholar, and sympathetic and generous pastor.  He was especially loved as a man of gracious and kind spirit, always ready to help and give to those in need.

As a hymn writer, he is often considered the equal of John Newton or Isaac Watts.  He also composed the music for many of his hymns.

Among his best-known hymns are: