A Hymn

In memory of The Saviour’s love
We keep this simple feast,
Where every consecrated heart
Is made a welcome guest.

By faith we take the bread of life
Which this doth symbolize;
This cup in token of the blood,
His costly sacrifice.

This cup shall e’er recall the hour
When Thou didst set us free;
Soon with new joy in Kingdom power
We’ll drink it, Lord, with Thee.

What rapturous joy shall then be ours,
For ever, Lord, with Thee!
Clothed with our resurrection powers,
Thine endless praise shall be.

Bible Students Hymnal

This ancient hymn is about 200 years old having been written by Thomas Cotterill who was born in Cannock in 1779 and died in 1823. He was an Anglican minister in the county where he was born and later in Sheffield. He found time to be a prolific writer of hymns and was published firstly in 1810.

Here are some verses which may have inspired the writer:

John 6:33-35 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger.

Luke 22:14-20 ...when the hour was come...he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me”. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”

1 Corinthians 11:25-26 This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

1 John 3:16 (Diaglott) By this we have known Love. because he laid down his life on our behalf, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him...For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

John 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am. there ye may be also 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

1 Cor.4:5 Until the Lord come...then shall every man have praise of God.

Common tunes are St. Flavian and Winchester Old.