# The Holy Spirit — Olney Hymns character guide > The Holy Spirit in Olney Hymns by John Newton. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** the Spirit, the Holy Ghost **First appearance:** 0000-olney-hymns ## Snapshot The indwelling Comforter who brings a cordial from the word when the feeble spirit faints, reviving the soul to sing. ## Who they are The Spirit works quietly throughout these hymns as the inward power that sustains faith, supplies comfort, and turns complaint into song. When the believer's spirit faints and words fail, the Spirit brings some cordial from the word — a healing remedy applied to the soul. This ministry of comfort is essential to the collection's pastoral aim: keeping weary pilgrims walking when their own strength is gone. ## In the story ### [Walking with God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/3-walking-with-god) Addressed as the 'holy Dove' and 'sweet messenger of rest,' whose departure is mourned and whose return is sought. ### [David’s Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/29-david-s-fall) Mentioned as grieved when David sins, leading to loss of strength and guard. ### [The Lord Is My Portion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/69-the-lord-is-my-portion) The guide who leads the believer and supplies daily needs. ### [The Resurrection and the Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/116-the-resurrection-and-the-life) Implied in the request for the Lord to put forth His Spirit with the word to cause the dead to hear. ### [Ephesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/136-ephesus) The Spirit who speaks to the churches, as referenced in the final stanza. ### [Smyrna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/137-smyrna) The Spirit speaks to the churches, promising escape from the second death for those who overcome. ### [Philadelphia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/139-philadelphia) The Spirit who speaks to the churches, as referenced in the final line. ### [The Little Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/141-the-little-book) Seals the promises, giving sweetness to the longing soul. ### [I: Seasons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/i-seasons) The one who must reveal the Saviour's work and worth, and who brings about the new birth and spiritual renewal. ### [Before Annual Sermons to Young People on New-Year’s Evenings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/before-annual-sermons-to-young-people-on-new-year-s-evenings) Invoked to be sent down from above to teach, convict, and give life to dry bones. ### [Prayer for a Blessing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/7-prayer-for-a-blessing) Asked to be sent down from above to enable love for God. ### [Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/8-another) Referred to as 'the Spirit's power to teach,' essential for early spiritual growth. ### [Preaching to the Dry Bones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/15-preaching-to-the-dry-bones) The heavenly wind that breathes life into the dry bones. ### [A Prayer for Power on the Means of Grace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/18-a-prayer-for-power-on-the-means-of-grace) Implored to be poured out on the assembled youth, granting the unction needed for spiritual transformation. ### [After Sermons to Young People on New-Year’s Evenings, Suited to the Subjects](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/after-sermons-to-young-people-on-new-year-s-evenings-suited-to-the-subjects) The Spirit is described as the one who reveals the Savior's work and brings about the new birth in believers. ### [Waiting at Wisdom's Gates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/23-waiting-at-wisdom-s-gates) Asked to seal the speaker with faith, securing them for the Lord. ### [Asking the Way to Zion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/24-asking-the-way-to-zion) Mentioned as waiting to guide the faithful on the road to Zion. ### [Another](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/33-another) Referred to as the Spirit whose gentle rain revives the heart and causes grace to spring forth. ### [Summer Storms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/34-summer-storms) The Spirit whom believers grieve when they fall into sin, but who is no longer grieved in the eternal state. ### [The Close of the Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/the-close-of-the-year) Mentioned as grieved by the people's sins. ### [Ebenezer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/41-ebenezer) Mentioned as grieved by the people's sins and failures. ### [II: Ordinances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/ii-ordinances) The Spirit who breathes upon the Word, brings truth to sight, and sanctifies believers. ### [On the Scripture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/on-the-scripture) The Spirit breathes upon the word and brings truth to sight. ### [The Light and Glory of the Word](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/62-the-light-and-glory-of-the-word) The Spirit breathes upon the word, bringing truth to sight. ### [The Word More Precious Than Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/63-the-word-more-precious-than-gold) The Spirit's sword is the Word, used to overcome spiritual enemies. ### [Fast Day Hymns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/fast-day-hymns) Invoked to make Christian fellowship sweet and to cause hearts to burn with love. ### [A Welcome to Christian Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/70-a-welcome-to-christian-friends) Invoked to send His presence and make the communication among believers sweet. ### [IV: Creation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iv-creation) Imparts knowledge of the Saviour's love and warms the frozen heart. ### [The Thaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/89-the-thaw) The Spirit's kindly heat is requested to warm frozen hearts. ### [The Loadstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/90-the-loadstone) The one who imparts knowledge of the Savior's love, fixing the wandering heart. ### [Book III: On the Rise, Progress, Changes, and Comforts of the Spiritual Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/book-iii-on-the-rise-progress-changes-and-comforts-of-the-spiritual-life) Sent by Christ to move and conquer hearts, transforming enemies into friends. ### [III: Conflict](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iii-conflict) Implied in the work of conviction and comfort, though not explicitly named. ### [Questions to Unbelief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/38-questions-to-unbelief) Mentioned as the guide of the believer, a further evidence of God's commitment. ### [IV: Comfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/iv-comfort) Referenced as the one who brings the word of promise and touches the soul in communion with God. ### [Retirement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/45-retirement) His touch on the soul enables communion with God. ### [True Pleasure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/49-true-pleasure) Brings the word of promise near, causing delight. ### [True Happiness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/66-true-happiness) Referred to as the Spirit's sword, which is to slay rebellious thoughts. ### [Abuse of the Gospel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/72-abuse-of-the-gospel) Implied as the 'Spirit's seal' that marks true pardon, in contrast to those who steal pardon without it. ### [VII: Praise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/vii-praise) Sent to move stubborn souls, to make enemies into friends, and to apply the teaching power of God. ### [Praise to the Redeemer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/87-praise-to-the-redeemer) Sent by Christ to move stubborn hearts, making enemies into friends and conquering them by love. ### [Short Hymns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/viii-short-hymns) Mentioned as the Spirit by whom believers are sanctified and taught. ### [After Sermon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/after-sermon) Mentioned as the Comforter and the Spirit whose favor is sought in the closing blessings. ### [2 Corinthians 13:14](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/101-2-corinthians-13-14) Implored for His favor to rest upon believers. ### [Chapter 102](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/102) Referred to as 'the Comforter' in the Trinitarian blessing. ### [Gloria Patri](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/gloria-patri) The Spirit of love and power, by whom believers are born again, sanctified, and taught. ### [The Father We Adore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/104) Mentioned as the Spirit of God's love and power. ### [Hymn 105: To the Trinity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/105) Acknowledged as the one by whom believers are born again, sanctified, and taught ### [Chapter 106](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/106) The Spirit is praised for sanctifying our souls. ### [Chapter 107](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/107) Third person of the Trinity, included in the doxology. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/characters/the_holy_spirit - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/olney_hymns_se/characters