To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge.
1 Corinthians 12:8
Words: Charles Kingsley, 1871. Kingsley wrote these words when asked to compose a hymn that would be sung by a thousand-voice choir at a ceremony to lay the cornerstone for a new block at Queen’s Hospital in Birmingham, England (see original leading verses at end of this page).
Music: St. Peter (Reinagle) Alexander R. Reinagle, 1836 (🔊 pdf nwc).
From Thee all skill and science flow,
All pity, care and love,
All calm and courage, faith and hope;
O pour them from above.
And part them, Lord, to each and all,
As each and all shall need,
To rise, like incense, each to Thee,
In noble thought and deed.
And hasten, Lord, that perfect day
When pain and death shall cease;
And Thy just rule shall fill the earth
With health, and light, and peace.
When ever blue the sky shall gleam,
And ever green the sod;
And man’s rude work deface no more
The paradise of God.
The original version of this hymn started with these verses:
Accept this building, gracious Lord,
No temple though it be;
We raised it for our suffering kin,
And so, good Lord, for Thee.
Accept our little gift, and give,
To all who may here dwell,
The will and power to do their work,
Or bear their sorrows well.