This is a hymn of four eight-line stanza, each of which is divided into two parts. The first four lines express amazement and wonder at the “why” and “how” of Jesus’ coming to earth from heaven; the final four lines form an affirmation of faith in the success of Jesus’ rescue mission — in spite of our lack of understanding of the mystery.

      William Young Fullerton was born March 8, 1857, in Belfast, Ireland, and reared a Presbyterian. Moving to London in 1875, he attended the Metropolitan Tabernacle, where the great Charles Spurgeon was the preacher, and became a Baptist. Answering a call to the ministry, he attended Pastor’s College now Spurgeon’s College) and held evangelistic campaigns in Britain for 15 years before the settling down to be a pastor at Melbourne Hall, Leicester. At various times he held several important positions in the church, and recognized as one of the most prominent Baptist personages of his time in Britain. He wrote a biography of Spurgeon, and devotional and expository books. He died at Bedford Park, Middlesex, on August 17, 1932.

       LONDONDERRY AIR is familiar to nearly everyone as an Irish folk song. It has been arranged and sung to different sets of words countless times. A.P. Graves used it with two Irish songs, “Erin’s Farewell” and “Erin’s Apple Blossom.” Perhaps the most well-known in America is “Danny Boy,” written by F.E. Weatherly in 1912. The natural flowing beauty of the tune; its overall style, which is in keeping with a sacred atmosphere; and the way the words and music fit so well together, furnish the reasons this hymn was chosen by the SDAH Committee. 

     John Barnard, the arranger of this tune, was born April 20, 1948, and educated in England, becoming organist and choirmaster at Emmanuel Church, Northwood, Middlesex, England, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organist. His main occupation, however, is that of teacher of French and German at the John Lyon School, Harrow.