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photo: © Antonio Gravante - Fotolia.com

photo: © Antonio Gravante – Fotolia.com

Mary Lathbury wrote the words to the 3rd and 4th verses to this hymn, Break Throu the Bread of Life.  She wrote quite a few other hymns as well but the most well known of the others is probably Day is Dying in the West.

She was born in Manchester, NY to a Methodist minister and his wife.  She was educated in art.  During most of her life, she taught art and French.  Writing hymns was what she did on the side!

She died in East Orange, NJ in 1913.

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me, 

As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;

Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;

My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!

~~~

Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me,

As Thou didst bless the bread by Galilee;

Then shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall;

And I shall find my peace, my all in all.

~~~

Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,

Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;

Give me to eat and live with Thee above;

Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.

~~~

Oh, send Thy Spirit, Lord, now unto me,

That He may touch my eyes, and make me see:

Show me the truth concealed within Thy Word,

And in Thy Book revealed I see the Lord.

by Mary A. Lathbury 1841-1913     written 1877