Educator, Poet, Hymn Writer, Religious Leader. He will be best remembered for "O Jesus I Have Promised," which was written on the occasion for both his son's and daughter's confirmation. He was born in London, England, to William Bode and his wife Mary Lloyd Bode, on February 23, 1816. He was baptized at the Old Church in St. Pancras, London, England, on April 15, 1816. He was educated locally and at the distinguished Eton College in Windsor, England, from January of 1827 to August of 1829. He was also educated at the distinguished Charterhouse School in London, England, from 1829 to 1833, and at the distinguished Christ Church in Oxford, England, in 1835. He received a Hertford Scholarship in 1835, a Bachelor of Arts in 1837, and a Master of Arts in 1840. He was a student and a tutor who taught at Christ Church in Oxford, England, beginning in 1841, was made a Deacon and Priested in the Church of England in Oxford, England, in 1841, and then was appointed a censor in 1844, and continued to tutor until 1847. He was also a Rector in Westwell, Oxfordshire, England, from 1847 to 1860. Besides, "O Jesus I Have Promised," which was written on the occasion for both his son's and daughter's confirmation, his many other published works include, "Ballads From Herodotus," "Hymns From The Gospel Of The Day For Each Sunday And Festivals Of Our Lord, And Short Occasional Poems," "Sweetly The Sabbath Bell," "God Of Heaven Enthroned In Might," and "Spirit Of Truth, Indwelling Light." His popular, "Wedding Ballad," which was written in 1858, goes as, "Within the old cathedral walls a bridal train is met; And many a mingled glance is there, of pleasure and regret; While blushing at the altar stands, her chosen by her side, To pledge th'irrevocable vow, that young and lovely bride. Oh! gaze but for a moment, for, methinks, you soon may trace, The pledge of future happy years in her soft yet thoughtful face; And if a tear perchance may dim the brightness of her eye, A tear for old familiar things—that tear will soon be dry! And who unmoved could quit the scene of childhood's joyous hours, Where kindred hands have vied to strew her early path with flowers? And her, beneath whose watchful love those happy years have flown, And that fair sister bud; that now must bloom awhile alone? Not hers the look that beauty wears of early conquest vain, That loves to weave for every heart a momentary chain; But true affection 's glance that speaks, in tones devoid of art, The gentle thoughts, and blissful hopes, of a young and happy heart. And now the holy words are said and pledged the solemn vow, And she must quit her much-loved home—she is thine for ever now— And she must know another name, and bless another hearth. With her gentle voice, and graceful mien, and her smile of quiet mirth. But thou, on whom her willing hand her virgin heart bestows, Who from its own familiar bower hast borne this budding rose, Oh! guard it faithfully and well, nor e'er forget the hour Which gave to grace thy favored home that bright and lovely flower! Forget not, that for thee she leaves her childhood's happy home, Through many a new and chequered scene of life with thee to roam; The haunts of youth's unclouded hours, from every sorrow free, And many a dear domestic tie—she has left them all for thee! I need not speak—full well I know that thou wilt aye repay The glance of fond confiding love that met thy gaze today; That memory 's voice will oft recall the sweet yet solemn tone With which she spoke the blissful words that made her all thy own. Yet, though the future seem of naught but joy and hope to tell, We lingering still regret to speak that parting word Farewell, And pray that, when again we meet, we may greet thee, e'en as now, With the smile of happiness and love on thy fair and cloudless brow! And thou, methinks, wilt not disdain, e'en on this happy day, The gift that early friendship brings my tributary lay; And though all unadorned the song, and harsh the notes may be, They yet, perchance, may hope to win a favoring smile from thee." He also delivered his Bampton Lectures in 1855, a series of annual lectures which takes place at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. A letter which was written by him in support of the English cleric, academic, and influential tutor at Christ Chuch in Oxford, England, Osborne Gordon (1813-1883), is held in the Papers of Osborne Gordon Collection at Oxford. He passed away in Castle Camps, England, on October 6, 1874, at the age of 58, and he was buried in All Saints Churchyard in Castle Camps, England. He was married to Hester Charlotte Lodge Bode (1809-1892), at St. Nicholas in Guildford, Surrey, England, on July 22, 1847, and they had five children together, John Ernest Bode (1848-1933), Alice Mary Bode (1850-), Edith Eliza Bode (1851-1930), The Reverend Charles Lloyd Bode (1853-1885), and The Reverend Clement William Louis Bode (1854-1929).