Spirit of holiness, wisdom and faithfulness

Spirit of holiness, wisdom and faithfulness. Christopher Martin Idle* (1938- ). Written in 1975, when the author was vicar of Poplar, East London. It was modelled on the song ‘Blow the wind southerly’ made famous by a recording of the great contralto Kathleen Ferrier, and the reference to the Holy Spirit as ‘wind of the Lord, blowing strongly and free’ is an echo of the song. It was first published in HFTC (1982). It was written to fill a gap: there were many hymns inviting the Holy Spirit to come, but few proclaiming that it had come. It is based on John 14: 26. It has appeared in books in many countries: in Britain in Sing Glory, A&MCP, Praise! (2000), and some editions of Mission...