John Samuel Bewley Monsell
1811 - 1875
Church of Ireland and Church of England
Biography
John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811–1875) was an Irish-born Anglican priest, poet, and prolific hymn writer. Born at St Columb's in County Londonderry, he studied at Trinity College Dublin, graduating B.A. in 1832, and was ordained deacon in 1834 and priest in 1835. His early ministry included service as chaplain to Bishop Richard Mant, chancellor of the Diocese of Connor, and rector of Ramoan in County Antrim.
Monsell moved to England in 1853, serving as vicar of Egham, Surrey, and later, from 1870, as rector of St Nicolas, Guildford. He published devotional poetry and hymn collections throughout his ministry. His books included Parish Musings (1850), Spiritual Songs for the Sundays and Holidays throughout the Year (1857), Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church's Year (1863), and The Parish Hymnal. Hymnological reference works credit him with about three hundred hymns. Among the texts that continued in congregational use are “Fight the Good Fight,” “O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness,” “My Sins, My Sins, My Saviour,” “On Our Way Rejoicing,” and “O Love Divine and Golden.”
Monsell's hymns often combine direct devotional language with the rhythms of the church year and practical Christian discipleship. He died at Guildford in 1875 from injuries sustained in a fall while his parish church was being rebuilt.
Monsell moved to England in 1853, serving as vicar of Egham, Surrey, and later, from 1870, as rector of St Nicolas, Guildford. He published devotional poetry and hymn collections throughout his ministry. His books included Parish Musings (1850), Spiritual Songs for the Sundays and Holidays throughout the Year (1857), Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church's Year (1863), and The Parish Hymnal. Hymnological reference works credit him with about three hundred hymns. Among the texts that continued in congregational use are “Fight the Good Fight,” “O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness,” “My Sins, My Sins, My Saviour,” “On Our Way Rejoicing,” and “O Love Divine and Golden.”
Monsell's hymns often combine direct devotional language with the rhythms of the church year and practical Christian discipleship. He died at Guildford in 1875 from injuries sustained in a fall while his parish church was being rebuilt.
Hymns by John Samuel Bewley Monsell
O Love Divine and Golden
Role: Lyricist
On Our Way Rejoicing
Role: Lyricist