“More Than Close of Day”
Given by Lloyd Newell

For 24 years, Henry Francis Lyte dedicated his life to serving his congregation of humble English fishermen in the coastal village of Brixham. He lived with his wife and two children in the rectory overlooking the tumultuous but life-giving sea. Devoted to his hearty parishioners, Lyte was known to climb a high lookout to warn the fishing fleet of approaching storms.

In 1847, with failing health, Lyte preached his last sermon and then retired to his study, watched the sun slip below the horizon, and penned the words in his soul: “Abide with me! fast falls the eventide; the darkness deepens. Lord, with me abide!”¹ He died just weeks later.²

His poem was later put to music and now is considered one of the greatest of all hymns. It speaks of more than close of day; it tells of trust in the Almighty.

The words comfort many in times of trial, when disappointment, rejection, loneliness, or simply a string of very bad days bring darkness. In our hurried lives, when storms arise, do we turn to the One who will bring true peace and calm? “When other helpers fail and comforts flee,” do we plead, “Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me”?³ For the Lord’s promise is sure: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”⁴

The last words uttered by Henry Lyte are telling. With arms uplifted he exclaimed, “Peace, joy.”⁵ At the end of the day, that’s what we all want. When we reach for such solace, may it be there. When we hope for serenity, may it come. And when we seek the joy of life everlasting, may we find it and abide in the Lord’s infinite love.

1. “Abide with Me!” Hymns, no. 166.

2. In George D. Pyper, Stories of Latter-day Saint Hymns (1939), 124–5.

3. “Abide with Me!”

4. John 14:27.

5. Stories of Latter-day Saint Hymns, 125.

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