James Montgomery lived a very unique and interesting life and still impacts the Christian church today over 170 years after his death. Here is the story of a missionary child turned journalist who is remembered as a hymn writer.
James Montgomery was born to missionary parents John and Mary Montgomery in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland in the year 1771. In 1778 around the young age of seven, Montgomery was sent by his parents to Fulneck Seminary, located in Yorkshire, where he would stay for nine years. Here he would learn several different languages plus other subjects. It was here that Montgomery would discover his love of writing poetry at a young age, which he would carry with him throughout his life.
After leaving seminary, traveling to England, and being unable to find an enjoyable job for himself or a printer for his poetry, 21-year-old Montgomery became the assistant of Joseph Gales, editor of The Sheffield Register. However, due to political persecution, Gales fled to Philadelphia in 1794, leaving the editorial position for James Montgomery to fill. This led to Montgomery's own persecution and even imprisonment twice, but he used the prison time to his advantage by writing short poems that proceeded to be published and lead to even more publishing opportunities for his writings.
It was not until 1814 that Montgomery decided to fully and publicly profess his faith and begin writing hymns. Though he remained involved in the editorial business, teaching on poetry, and other ventures, in his free time he wrote roughly 400 hymns and versions of the Psalms. It was on April 30, 1854, that Montgomery passed away after struggles from two strokes.
Although many of his hymns may not be familiar to most church-goers, one Montgomery hymn can be heard every year and has brought joy to many hearts. Each Christmas you are likely to hear what is possibly one of Montgomery's most popular hymns: Angels from the Realms of Glory!
Piano solo sheet music for hymns by James Montgomery:
- Angels from the Realms of Glory Medley (Advanced)
- O Holy Night! / Angels from the Realms of Glory (Late Intermediate)
Information adapted from:
https://hymnary.org/person/Montgomery_James
https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/james-montgomery
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/m/o/n/t/montgomery_j.htm
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