Elizabeth C. Clephane

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Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane (b. June 18, 1830, Edinburgh, Scotland - d. February 19, 1869, Bridg­end House, near Mel­rose, Rox­burgh­shire, Scot­land) was the author of the hymn Beneath the Cross of Jesusand :The Ninety and Nine.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Elizabeth was the third daugh­ter of An­drew Cle­phane, Sher­iff of Fife and Kin­ross. She lived most of her life in Me­lrose, Scot­land, about 30 miles south­east of Ed­in­burgh. She spent most of her mon­ey on char­it­a­ble caus­es, and was known lo­cal­ly as “The Sun­beam.”

Clephane’s hymns ap­peared post­hu­mous­ly, al­most all for the first time, in the Fam­i­ly Trea­sury (1872), un­der the gen­er­al ti­tle of “Breath­ings on the Border.”


Clephane's hymns have seen a resurgence of popularity in present day gospel.

[edit] The Hymn

Below are the lyrics of the hymn Beneath the Cross of Jesus done by Elizabeth.


1.      Beneath the cross of Jesus 
        I fain would take my stand, 
        the shadow of a mighty rock 
        within a weary land; 
        a home within the wilderness, 
        a rest upon the way, 
        from the burning of the noontide heat, 
        and the burden of the day. 

2.      Upon that cross of Jesus 
        mine eye at times can see 
        the very dying form of One 
        who suffered there for me; 
        and from my stricken heart with tears 
        two wonders I confess: 
        the wonders of redeeming love 
        and my unworthiness. 

3.      I take, O cross, thy shadow 
        for my abiding place; 
        I ask no other sunshine than 
        the sunshine of his face; 
        content to let the world go by, 
        to know no gain nor loss, 
        my sinful self my only shame, 
        my glory all the cross.
  • Music: Frederick C. Maker, 1844-1927
  • Tune: ST. CHRISTOPHER, Meter: 76.86.86.86

[edit] External links

  • Elizabeth Clephane - Page contains a photo of Elizabeth Clephane and a MIDI file with the music to the hymn

[edit] Sources

  • Bailey, pp. 456-7
  • Julian, pp. 238, 1162
  • Stulken, p. 206