The Story Behind Break Thou the Bread of Life
This beautiful devotional hymn wa s wr i t t en in 1880 a s a " s tudy song" for a group of students gathe r ed for conf e r enc e a t Lake Chaut auqua , New York, a mos t f i t t ing s e t t ing for such a song.
I t s author wa s the daught e r of a Me thodi s t mini s t e r . Ea r ly in l i f e she showed evidenc e of unusua l poe t i c t a l ent . One day God' s Spi r i t spoke to he r , "Remembe r , My chi ld, you have a gi f t for wr i t ing ve r s e ; cons e c r a t e thi s to Me a s you do your inmos t spi r i t . "
Having he a rd the c a l l , she gave up he r t e a ching of a r t and devot ed he r -s e l f to edi tor i a l work and wr i t ing for Sunday s chool pe r iodi c a l s . The r e -sul t of he r cons e c r a t ion brought untold bl e s s ing to many- - - e spe c i a l ly by me ans of thi s hymn and anothe r , "Day i s Dying in the We s t , " a l so written in 1880 for Chaut auqua a s a ve spe r song.
Arise, all souls, arise! The watch is past; A glory breaks above the cloud at last. There comes a rushing mighty wind again! The breath of God is still the life of men; The day ascending fills the waiting skies, All souls, arise!
It comes the breath of God through all the skies! To live, to breathe with Him, all souls, arise! Open the windows toward the shining East; Call in the guests, and spread a wider feast, The Lord pours forth as sacramental wine His breath divine!
It comes a larger life, a deeper breath; Arise, all souls, arise, and conquer death! Spread forth the feast, the dew and manna fall And angels whisper, “Drink ye of it all; Drink of His truth, and feed upon His love, With saints above!”
Arise, all souls, arise, to meet your Guest! His light flames from the East unto the West. The Lord of earth and Heaven is at the door, He comes to break His bread to all His poor; Arise and serve with Him, His moment flies; All souls arise!
Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me, As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee; Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall; And I shall find my peace, my all in all.
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me, Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me; Give me to eat and live with Thee above; Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
O send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me, That He may touch my eyes, and make me see: Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word, And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.
Refrain
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heav’n and earth are full of Thee! Heav’n and earth are praising Thee, O Lord most high!
Lord of life, beneath the dome Of the universe, Thy home, Gather us who seek Thy face To the fold of Thy embrace, For Thou art nigh.
Refrain
While the deepening shadows fall, Heart of love enfolding all, Through the glory and the grace Of the stars that veil Thy face, Our hearts ascend.
Refrain
When forever from our sight Pass the stars, the day, the night, Lord of angels, on our eyes Let eternal morning rise And shadows end.
Refrain
O Shepherd of the nameless fold, The blessèd Church to be, Our hearts with love and longing turn To find their rest in Thee; “Thy kingdom come,” its heav’nly walls Unseen around us rise, And deep in loving human hearts Its broad foundations rise.
O holy kingdom, happy fold, The blessèd Church to be, Our hearts in love and worship turn To find themselves in thee! Thy bounds are known to God alone, For they are set above; The length, the breadth, the height are one, And measured by His love.