E. S. Elliot

Full Name: Emily Steele Elliott
Birth/Death: 1836–1897

Emily Steele Elliott was a prominent English hymn writer, born on July 22, 1836, in Brighton, England, as the third daughter of the Rev. E. B. Elliott, author of the renowned Horae Apocalypticae. From an early age, she displayed a strong devotion to the Church and a deep interest in sacred poetry, which shaped the trajectory of her life and work. Her commitment to spiritual education and hymnody was reflected in her careful compositions that combined doctrinal depth with lyrical elegance.

Elliott contributed extensively to church music, writing hymns for choir manuals and special collections, including the Additional Hymns of 1866, prepared for St. Mark’s Church in Brighton. She also edited the Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor for six years, guiding young readers in both devotional life and biblical understanding. Among her notable publications is Chimes of Consecration (1873), a volume containing seventy hymns and poems, and Chimes for Daily Service (1880), which included seventy-one hymns in two parts. The second part of this work, titled Under the Pillow, was designed as an affordable, large-type hymnbook for hospitals and infirmaries, providing comfort and encouragement to the sick and the elderly.

One of Elliott’s widely recognized hymns, “Let us keep the feast,” written for Holy Communion, first appeared in The Feast of Sacrifice and The Feast of Remembrance in 1865. Her texts were notable for their clear devotional focus, musical adaptability, and accessibility, allowing them to be sung in diverse congregational and institutional settings. Several of her additional hymns later gained common use, including “Brothers, sisters, pray for us” (Missionaries’ Farewell, 1896), “Rabboni, Master, we have heard” (Consecration of Self to Duty, 1895), “Full consecration! heart and spirit yielded” (Hymns of Consecration and Faith, 1902), and “They come and go, the seasons fair” (Second Advent, 1891). These hymns were often first performed at events such as the Gleaners’ Union Anniversaries and were subsequently included in broader hymn collections, reflecting their lasting spiritual and musical value.

Elliott lived much of her later life in London, where she continued her work in writing, editing, and promoting hymnody until her death on August 3, 1897, at Mildmay, London. Her hymns remain significant for their thoughtful integration of biblical teaching, pastoral concern, and poetic skill. By combining devotional depth with accessibility, Elliott contributed to the spiritual nourishment of countless congregations, particularly in missionary, hospital, and educational settings. She is remembered as a writer who dedicated her life to the service of the Church, leaving a legacy of hymns that continue to inspire reverent worship and heartfelt devotion.