Elizabeth C. Clephane

Elizabeth Cecelia Douglas Clephane b. June 18, 1830 at Edinburgh, Scotland; d. February 19, 1869 at Bridg­end House, near Mel­rose, Rox­burgh­shire, Scot­land, was the author of the hymns Beneath the Cross of Jesus and The Ninety and Nine.

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. Folklore claims that Elizabeth wrote The Ninety and Nine for her brother, George Clephane, who had "returned to the flock" only a short time before his death. As the story goes, he fell from his horse and struck his head upon a rock and was killed instantly. His grave site at Fergus, Ontario, Canada has become a pilgrimage of sorts for those who admired Elizabeth's hymns.

The Hymns

Beneath the Cross of Jesus by Elizabeth Clephane.

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

The Ninety and Nine by Elizabeth Clephane

1. There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold; But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare; Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. 2. “Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine Has wandered away from Me. And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.” 3. But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry; ’Twas sick and helpless and ready to die. 4. “Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way, That mark out the mountain’s track?” “They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back.” “Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?” “They’re pierced tonight by many a thorn.” 5. And all through the mountains, thunder-riv’n, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a glad cry to the gate of heav’n, “Rejoice! I have found My sheep!” And the angels echoed around the throne, “Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”

External links

* [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/c/l/clephane_ecd.htm Elizabeth Clephane] - Page contains a photo of Elizabeth Clephane and a MIDI file with the music to the hymn

ources

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