About the hymn tune...

There's a Wideness in God's Mercy has been sung to many tunes, but my favorite by far is Lizzie Tourjée's "Wellesley."

Lizzie Tourjée Estabrook (1858-1913) was the daughter of Eben Tourjée, who founded the New England Conservatory of Music. She wrote this tune for her Newton, Massachusetts, high school graduation song! The name came from nearby Wellesley college, which she later attended briefly.

"Wellesley" does not sound like a hymn. It sounds like a high school graduation tune, a bright song of joy. Would Frederick Faber have liked it? I think so.

Lots of information on hymns and hymnists can be found on The Cyber Hymnal. You can also listen to the tunes, in four-part harmony, but the "synthesized" music is not very appealing.

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Above are the first two measures of "Wellesley."