Above: Elizabeth C. Clephane
Image in the Public Domain
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ELIZABETH CECILIA CLEPHANE (JUNE 18, 1830-FEBRUARY 19, 1869)
Scottish Presbyterian Humanitarian and Hymn Writer
Elizabeth C. Clephane comes to this, A Great Cloud of Witnesses: An Ecumenical Calendar of Saints’ Days and Holy Days, via her contributions of hymnody, mainly “Beneath the Cross of Jesus.”
Clephane, who had a weak constitution, had a relatively brief life, which she spent well. She and her sisters, Anna Maria and Anna Jane, were daughters of Anna Maria Douglas and Andrew Douglas Clephane, the Sheriff Principal of Fife and Kinross. Our saint, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on June 18, 1830, grew up in Melrose, near Abbotsford, England, after her father died. She and her sisters met their needs then donated their excess income to the poor. Beneficiaries called Clephane “the Sunbeam.” Our saint wrote at least eight hymns, which appeared posthumously in The Family Treasury (1872-1874), a publication of the Free Church of Scotland. Clephane died in Bridgend, Wales, on February 19, 1869.
Clephane’s literary legacy continues to bless people.
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF AMOS NIVEN WILDER, U.S. CONGREGATIONALIST MINISTER, POET, LITERARY CRITIC, AND BIBLICAL SCHOLAR
THE FEAST OF BERNHARD W. ANDERSON, UNITED METHODIST MINISTER AND BIBLICAL SCHOLAR
THE FEAST OF ELIZABETH KENNY, AUSTRALIAN NURSE AND MEDICAL PIONEER
THE FEAST OF FRANCISCO DE PAULA VICTOR, BRAZILIAN ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST
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Dear God of beauty,
you have granted literary ability and spiritual sensitivity to
Elizabeth C. Clephane and others, who have composed hymn texts.
May we, as you guide us,
find worthy hymn texts to be icons,
through which we see you.
In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 44:1-3a, 5-15
Psalm 147
Revelation 5:11-14
Luke 2:8-20
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
APRIL 20, 2013 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINTS AMATOR OF AUXERRE AND GERMANUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS; SAINT MAMERTINUS OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC ABBOT; AND SAINT MARCIAN OF AUXERRE, ROMAN CATHOLIC MONK
THE FEAST OF JOHANNES BUGENHAGEN, GERMAN LUTHERAN PASTOR
THE FEAST OF SAINT MARCELLINUS OF EMBRUN, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP
THE FEAST OF OLAVUS AND LAURENTIUS PETRI, RENEWERS OF THE CHURCH
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What a lovely heart she and her sisters had! We should all be more like her!