A Blessed Trinity

"The Trinity," circa 1616–1617, by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. Public Domain

Minister and hymn writer Reginald Heber dreamed of publishing a collection of his original hymns. However, his dedication to spreading the Christian gospel remained his top priority, taking time away from his personal pursuits.

In 1827, Heber’s wife Amelia published a collection of his songs to honor his legacy. Released posthumously after his death, the book gave the Christian faith one of its most essential hymns, “Holy, Holy, Holy.”

The beloved song remains one of Christianity’s most influential hymns. It is found in most traditional hymnals and has become a cornerstone of church sermons.

A Promising Poet

A portrait of Reginald Heber dressed in episcopal robes with St John's Church, Calcutta, in the background, circa 1822, by Thomas Phillips. Oil on canvas. British Library, London. Public Domain

Born in April 1783 in Cheshire, England, Heber was part of a close-knit family with deep spiritual conviction. The Heber family had inherited an estate in Shropshire, England after a family member’s passing in 1766. Known as Hodnet Hall, the property was named after their local county’s parish.

Heber’s parents fostered in him a love of poetry and biblical teachings. His father, a local clergyman, significantly influenced him. During his formative years, Heber worked dutifully on his poetic ambitions.

In the fall of 1800, Heber was accepted to Brasenose College, one of Oxford’s educational institutions. There, he continued to study poetry and won the university’s top prize for his poetic work involving Latin verse.

While at Brasenose, Sir Walter Scott, prior to his fame for writing the classic novel “Ivanhoe,” helped Heber develop his poetry skills. He worked with the budding student on a poem titled “Palestine,” and their collaboration paid off. “Palestine” was entered into the Newdigate Prize contest and its positive reception garnered Heber more popularity among his peers and professors.

Select pages from "Palestine," 1803, by Reginald Heber. Internet Archive. Public Domain

Philanthropist and popular public personality Moses Montefiore described Heber’s “Palestine” as “the most successful and popular piece of religious verse of the first half of the [19th] century.” Due to its popularity, the longform piece was later set to music by acclaimed English composer William Crotch.

Heber won several awards while attending college. Once he graduated, however, he followed in his father’s footsteps. He turned his attention to religious studies and became a minister and was ordained in the Anglican church.

A Pioneering Composer

As a minister, Heber’s poetic talents and dedication to the gospel created a unique blend. He has been described as a brilliant thinker, talented speaker, and authoritative poet. Montefiore once said Heber was “a star whose lustre was as steady as it was clear.”

In 1807, Heber was appointed as rector of Hodnet at St. Luke’s Church. For the next 16 years, he dedicated himself to the leadership position and wrote prolifically. Influenced by hymnists like William Cowper and John Newton, Heber tried his hand at hymn writing. The change suited him. From 1811 to 1821, he wrote around 57 hymns.

St. Luke's Church in Hodnet, Shropshire. Amanda J Jackson/Shutterstock

Hymn singing was prohibited in early 19th-century Anglican churches—unless the music was considered to be a metrical psalm. Heber became one of the earliest “High Church Anglicans” to compose original hymns.

He approached church authorities in 1820 to talk about the possibility of having his hymns published in partnership with the church. His proposal was turned down, but leaders encouraged Heber to publish them on his own, without an official stamp of Anglican approval.

He began the arduous self-publishing process, but never completed it. More important matters took him away from his musical endeavors.

Bishop of Calcutta

Bishop's College was founded by the first bishop of Calcutta, Thomas Middleton, in 1820. A lithograph of Bishop's College, 1822, published by Ackerman. The British Museum, London. Public Domain

In 1823, Heber accepted a new ministry position. Traveling from his British village to British controlled India, he became the second Bishop of Calcutta. His jurisdiction stretched throughout India and included parts of Africa and Australia. His wife Amelia followed him: They traveled extensively while Heber performed sermons and completed mission trips. During their travels, the Hebers logged their experiences and thoughts in journals.

Heber aspired to build a school for Christian teachings in India. He felt this would give future ministers and clergymen a safe place to preach after he was gone. While appointed as Bishop of Calcutta, he worked tirelessly. His efforts paid off: His sermons sometimes drew crowds of 1,300 or more.

For one of these sermons, Heber remarked, “For the last ten years I have longed to witness a scene like this, but the reality exceeds all my expectation. Gladly would I exchange years of common life for one such day as this.”

Eventually, the rigorous schedule and extensive travel took a toll on his health. In April 1826, Heber suddenly passed away after returning home from a long, hot day of sermons. Some historians believe a combination of his failing health and heat exhaustion caused a stroke.

The word of his passing caused an outpouring of tributes. Sir Charles Grey, Heber’s longtime friend and Chief Justice of Calcutta remembered him for his “cheerfulness … good humor, patience, and kindness.”

Though Heber passed away in his early 40s, his work continued.

Celebrating the Holy Trinity

"The Trinity," circa 1616–1617, by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino). Public Domain

Amelia searched for a way to honor her late husband and turned to his extensive unpublished material for inspiration. Over a three-year span, she edited and published several of his posthumous works. These books included “Narrative of a Journey” (1828), which chronicled their extensive travels throughout Europe, and a two-volume biography,  “The Life of Reginald Heber” (1830), which was very well-received.

However, the book that gained the most attention was her first release “Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year.” Amelia remembered Heber’s dream of publishing a collection of his own hymns. Her 1827 publication of Reginald’s hymns completed his lifelong aspiration.

The collection featured many of Heber’s original works, but one in particular stood out from the rest: “Holy, Holy, Holy” became one of the Christian faith’s most prominent hymns.

Heber's hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy!" from Trinity Sunday in “Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year,” 1827. Internet Archive. Public Domain

Heber wrote “Holy, Holy, Holy” for Trinity Sunday, which marks the first Sunday after Pentecost. The hymn recognizes the importance of the holy trinity, which glorifies “God in three persons”: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The first verse reads:

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

The melody of the hymn was set to English clergyman John Bacchus Dykes’ enduring song, “Nicaea.”

"The Holy Trinity," 17th century, by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (Guercino) in the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Bari, Italy. Renata Sedmakova/Shutterstock

By fulfilling her husband’s dream of being a published hymn writer, Amelia introduced Herber’s poetic psalms to countless Christians around the world.

Heber was a beloved minister and decorated wordsmith. When the poet John Betjeman talked about the late Bishop’s artistic and ministerial legacy, he said that Heber’s “poetic imagery was as important as didactic truth.”

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