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While Edward Hopper was pastor of the Church of Land and Sea in New York, he wrote the famous hymn text, “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me.” The theme was from Matthew 8:23-27, where Jesus calmed the raging sea.
Matthew 8:23-27
- And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
- And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
- And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
- And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
- But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
The poem first appeared as an “anonymous” poem in the Sailor’s Magazine of New York in 1871.
Shortly afterwards, John E. Gould took the poem and put it to music, while suffering from ill health. Later that year it was published in The Baptist Praise Book.
Rev. Samuel Hall of Newark, secretary of the Seamen’s Friend Society, asked Dr. Hopper for an anniversary hymn. Dr. Hopper sent him the first two and last verses of the poem. These were printed, and sung by the congregation at the Broadway Tabernacle where W.M. Taylor was pastor on May 10, 1880.
Soon after, Dr. Rev. C.S. Robinson contacted Dr. Hopper and informed him that he had published it in his Spiritual Songs book in 1878. He had taken the poem from another hymnbook that had stated the words were by “Anonymous.” Rev. Robinson was glad to know the author.
Soon after, at a large gathering of ministers and teachers at Memorial Church, Dr. Robinson noticed Dr. Hopper in attendance, and read the poem and announced the author’s name.
The hymn proved to be very popular and soon became widespread. Other music has been tried, but John Gould’s tune is the only one that works well.
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The poem originally had six stanzas and today the first, fifth and sixth stanzas are most commonly sung. Two of the omitted stanzas are:
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Sources
Samuel W. Duffield, English Hymns: Their Authors and History (New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 1886), p. 295.
Paul Eckert, Steve Green's MIDI Hymnal: A Complete Toolkit for Personal Devotions and Corporate Worship., Electronic ed. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1998).
Kenneth W. Osbeck, 101 More Hymn Stories (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985), p. 165.
Osbeck, K.W. Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1990) page 21.
