Mr. Benjamin George Hardingham was a schoolmaster and used his time to visit small gatherings in Scandinavia. He compiled texts for the Day Dawn Calendar which was much in favour amongst the Brethren and also in many Christian homes. When it was banned by James Taylor, jun., Mr. Hardingham re-published it after he left the Taylor company.
Mr. Hardingham's hymn in 'Spiritual Songs' is no 83, "Lord Jesus, how our souls adore That perfect love of Thine". A beautiful hymn and the many appreciations of the love of the Lord Jesus are calculated to lead to worship.
These notes are given by his son, Mr. Peter Hardingham.
Born on 25th. December 1894 at Naveby, about 10 miles south of Lincoln. Married in 1918 Evelyn Alice Barr of Leamington Spa. One daughter and two sons. Died on 6th November 1973 at Cheltenham.
He came of Norfolk stock. (There is a small village named Hardingham about 15 miles to the west of that city). His great grandfather, who lived to the south of Norwich, was involved in the linen industry, and was reputedly one of the relatively few educated workers of that time. His grandmother, who was sister to the Debenham who founded the well-known business, was a strong-minded lady who had a large Victorian family.
Independent-minded as befitting his East Anglian ancestry, he had very definite opinions on most subjects. He was versatile in matters both practical and intellectual. He secured an external B.Sc.(Econ) degree from London University, taught Geography and Mathematics, and was the author of no fewer than 15 Geography textbooks for schools.
His father left the Church of England for the Brethren as a young man in the 1880's. He himself came into fellowship with them at the early age of 12, and continued in this path throughout his life.
In the 1920's he composed two much valued hymns:
"Lord Jesus, how our souls adore That perfect love of Thine" and
"Father, to Thee a joyful song we raise With all Thine own".
These hymns were first published in the 1932 edition of 'Hymns for the Little Flock', and they found a place later in other hymn books.
He was also the author of a number of poems on spiritual subjects. Those on record include:
"The King of Glory" (Ps. 24) and "The Mountains of Zion" (Ps. 133)
— both extolling Christ and looking to His coming
"Today" — the privilege of personal devotion
"God's Ways" — a wartime meditation on the Wheels of Ezekiel 1.
His oral ministry amongst the brethren presented similar themes connected with Christ as our Object. Subjects that are recorded include:
Under the heading 'What is for Christ', includes:
Under the heading 'Personal Devotion' includes:
Under the heading God and His Purposes includes:
He was editor and distributor of the monthly magazine "Help and Comfort" from 1962 to 1969, and compiler of the 'Day Dawn' Scripture Text Block Calendar from 1962 to 1973.
His hymn in 'Spiritual Songs' is no. 83, "Lord Jesus, how our souls adore That perfect love of Thine!"
Another, not in 'Spiritual Songs' but a good hymn, is:
Father to Thee a joyful song we raise
With all Thine own.
And in Thy presence sound a note of praise
To Thee alone;
Brought nigh, brought home to Thee — O wondrous grace,
That gives us now with Thine own Son our place!
How deep the holy joy that fills that scene,
Where love is known:
Thy love, our God and Father, now is seen
In Him alone;
As, in the holy calm of Thine own rest,
He leads the praise of those Thy love has blessed.
He leads the praise! How precious to Thine ear
The song He sings!
How precious too, to Thee — how near, how dear —
Are those He brings
To share His place: 'twas thus that Thou didst plan;
Thou lovedst Him before the world began.