O Christians Haste
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History & Background
Unable to locate established hymnological data for this title.
About her writing of this text, Mary A. Thomson (b. London, England, 1834; d. Philadelphia, PA, 1923) stated: Scripture References st. 1 = 2 Pet. 3:9 I wrote the greater part of the hymn “O Sion, haste” in the year 1868.1 had written many hymns before, and one night, while I was sitting up with one of my children, who was ill with typhoid fever, I thought I should like to write a mission 697 THE PSALMS, BIBLE SONGS, AND HYMNS ary hymn to the tune of “Hark, hark my soul! angelic songs are swelling,” as I was fond of that tune; but as I could not then get a refrain I liked, I left the hymn unfinished and about three years later finished it by writing the refrain which now forms a part of it. I do not think my hymn, “O Sion, haste,” is ever sung to the tune for which I wrote it. Mr. Anketell told me, and I am sure he was right, that it is better for a hymn to have a tune of its own and I feel much indebted to the author of the tune TIDINGS for writing so inspiring a tune to my words. —'William B. Bodine, Some Hymns and Hymn Writers, p. 224 Thomson’s text was published with the tune TIDINGS in Charles Hutchins’s Episcopal Church Hymnal (1892). Of the original six stanzas, 1,4, and 5 are included. The text boldly urges the church to its missionary task to “every people, tongue, and nation.” The third stanza clearly indicates what the missions commitment involves: we must send missionaries from among us and support them with our wealth and prayers. The heart of the Christian gospel is announced in the refrain. Born in England, Thomson moved to the United States as a girl and married John Thomson, the first librarian of the famous Free Library in Philadelphia. The Thomsons were members of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in Philadelphia, where John served as treasurer. Mary wrote poetry and some forty hymns, which appeared in religious magazines such as New York’s The Churchman and Chicago’s The Living Church.
Hymnal Appearances
- Chalice Hymnal — 480
- Glory to God — 295
Liturgical Use
Regular Sunday worship; Epiphany and Pentecost seasons; All Nations Sunday; mis sions festivals; ordination/commissioning of missionaries to home or foreign fields.
Bulletin Note
A hymn of Christian urgency and engagement, calling believers to active witness and service. Its straightforward exhortation reflects the evangelical zeal of hymn-singing traditions centered on Gospel response.
Preaching Connection
This hymn transforms the Gospel's proclamation of Christ's finished work into an imperative for active Christian life, showing how grace creates willing workers rather than burdened servants.
Catechism & Confessional Connections
- The Definition & Command of Baptism Small Catechism — Holy Baptism