The Comforter Has Come Hymn Story

“The Comforter Has Come” is a hymn that was written by Francis Bottome. It is a song that celebrates the presence of the comforter, the Holy Spirit. Christ promised to send the Holy Spirit when he left earth.

John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

Francis Bottome was born on 26th May 1823 in Derbyshire England. He later emigrated to America where he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopalian Church.

Some comments about the lyrics:

Oh, spread the tidings ’round,– It is a response to the call – Go ye therefore, preaching the gospel everywhere. Just as the disciples did once they had received the Holy Spirit, we too must go everywhere and proclaim the good news. We are saved to serve!

Wherever human hearts and human woes abound” – Wherever man is found is a good description of the world because that is where people live.  Wherever. Means do not choose where to spread the tidings. In any place where a human being abounds. In hospitals, prisons, on the plane on the bus wherever.

Where human woes abound.  The troubles of man are many – they are simply fit to be called human woes. Crimes indescribable.  Man breaths sin in every breath and has caused woes to himself. The place where the tidings must be spread includes the most sinful dungeons. In the midst of troubles where weeping and trouble is found to bring peace and comfort to the world. There go and spread these tidings.  In those woes there is good news i.e. the Comforter is here. He has come. The Holy Spirit our Comforter is available any time, any place, any where.  He is right there in the middle of abounding woes.  Providing grace.  Providing peace.  And yes, providing comfort.

Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound –There is no one exempt from proclaiming the joyful sound. Every toungue of a Christian should do so. You do not need special talents. Just the fact that Jesus has saved you is enough message to take round. It is a joyful sound so it must be proclaimed. Just as we often will not keep quiet when we have interesting news, so is it with salvation in Christ.

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last – We have waited long in our sins and for companion on this pilgrim way. Finally when Christ is come into our hearts and the Holy Spirit resides in us, we rest from the weary burden of since and look forward to the final redemption when he comes.

O boundless love divine! What a challenge to realise that the magnitude of the love of God is beyond my own comprehension. It is boundless. This love is limitless, without boundaries it can reach to the highest mountain and go to the lowest valleys to find any sinner in need of God.

How shall this tongue of mine – To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine –Now how shall this mouth of mine ever begin to explain the great love of God. Thank God for the Holy Spirit, He gives us utterance and ability to do what any human being cannot do. Speak of the wonderful love of God which is beyond human comprehension

That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine! – This is hard for me to comprehend – how that as a person who was destined for hell, I should now shine in the righteousness of Christ although not my own and be acceptable in the sight of God. Oh Lord help me understand it what it meant to you to take away my sin. That me who is only fit to go to hell because of my sin, God is able to make me shine like I never sinned before. The old is past and the new has come? Yes, God is infinitely loving, infinitely merciful, and infinitely compassionate. God wants to find a way to save everyone. That is the work of the Comforter the Holy Spirit. I can not comprehend it. How can this be! Just how!

Through the vacant cells – The story of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail comes to mind when reading this line.  The Holy Spirit was with Paul and Silas that night. How else could they be praising God in the midst of dirty prison cell after being beaten almost to death.  But by the power of the Holy Spirit, they praised God.  By the comfort of His presence, they were able to praise God in spite of their circumstances.  And then, they were freed from prison.  They were set free by the power of God.  The cell that once contained them as prisoners was now vacant.  The same is true for us.  We have been set free by the grace of God.  We have been ransomed by His blood.  And now, through the vacant cells, we hear the triumphant praise of God’s redeemed people.