Born: March 6, 1802, Bunhill Row, Finsbury, London, England.
Died: December 23, 1872, Hackney, London, England.
Buried: West Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth, London, England.
Henry descended from the De Voeux, a Huguenot family. He was the husband of Mary Hunt Piper.
A popular writer of hymns for children, he worked as a timber merchant, and for the greater part of his life wrote poetry. His hymns were mostly written 1856–64.
Just as Thou art—my Savior, Lord, and King!
Of all true blessedness and peace the spring,
Full treasure house of every glorious thing,
Be ever, Lord, to me!
Just as Thou art the source of purest joy,
With never passing shadow or alloy,
Heart’s ease and rest—thought’s most serene employ,
Be ever, Lord, to me!
Just as Thou art! through all life’s worst distress,
Its often sorrow and much weariness,
The Comforter divine, to soothe and bless,
Be ever, Lord, to me!
Just as Thou art—in loneliness and grief,
When worldly solacings are scant and brief,
The strong, kind hand to help with quick relief,
Be ever, Lord, to me!
Just as Thou art—dear Lord, of all things best,
The soul’s delight, God’s goodness manifest,
Time’s sweetest solace, life’s glad hope and rest,
Be ever, Lord, to me!
Henry Bateman
Fret Not, and Other Poems, 1869
If you know where to get a good photo of Bateman (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),