Edward Mote was a pastor and hymn writer. Born in London on January 21, 1797, his parents managed a pub and often left Edward to his own devices playing in the street[1]. He was trained as a cabinet maker and worked in London for many years[2]. Later he entered the ministry was pastor at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex for 26 years[3]. Whilst there he penned his most famous work 'My Hope is Built on Nothing Less' which is best known for the refrain 'On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand'. He was well liked by the congregation in Horsham and they offered him the church building as a gift. Mote replied "I do not want the chapel, I only want the pulpit; and when I cease to preach Christ, then turn me out of that." [4] He died on November 13, 1874 and is buried in the church yard at Rehoboth Church.
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
(Refrain)
'On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.'
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
(Refrain)
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
(Refrain)
References
- ^ Price, Milburn, "Edward Mote," in Handbook to the Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: Convention Press, 1992), 411.
- ^ http://articles.christiansunite.com/article6027.shtml
- ^ Terry, Lindsay L., "The Day the Cabinet Shop was Closed," in Stories Behind Popular Songs and Hymns (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990), 178.
- ^ http://articles.christiansunite.com/article6027.shtml
