The meditation is a companion piece to 'The Light of the World'. It is based on the tunes 'Angelus' ('At even, ere the sun was set...') and 'Wonderful Healer'.

Comments by Lieut.-Colonel Dean Goffin (https://samusicindex.com/brass/wonderful-healer/2360)
This composition is a companion number to the meditation 'The Light of the World' (G.S. 1329) written thirty years ago. It is based on the tunes 'Angelus' (T.B. 26) and' Wonderful Healer' (T.B. 678), the associated words being found in songs 547 and 587.

The motif 'touch me again' opens the meditation and recurs throughout. Horns should play confidently with clean articulation, thinking of the associated words. The chord in bar 3 comes with something of a slight shock, establishing the key as C minor. Up to letter B and into the first few bars of 'Angelus' the music should convey something of the feeling of the mystery of suffering but as the tune proceeds and concludes an air of health and peace suffuses the sound ... 'O with what joy they went away'.

Letter C immediately plunges us into a vortex of clamouring need around our Lord ('touch me again...touch me again!'); read St. Mark's Gospel, chapter 1. In all changes between 3/4 to 9/8 continue beating three to the bar, rehearsing this until all players feel the changes naturally. This clamour is conveyed in the fewest possible number of bars before we present our own personal up-to-date petition to our Lord in the music of sections D, E and F ('Lord, here today my great need lam feeling'). Aim for perfect balance here, not allowing the principal melodic line to be obscured; players should think of the words here and throughout the whole composition. This section can be tender and expressive without maudlin sentimentality.

In section G the motif 'The great Physician now is near' should be played with some élan by horns and first baritone but also with restraint. The response following could be a 'Hallelujah!' As the music now moves toward letter H bear in mind the words of verse 5 of song 547:

'Thy touch has still its ancient power; No word from Thee can fruitless fall; Hear in this solemn evening hour, And in Thy mercy heal us all.'

The spirit of joy can surely co-exist with a solemn awe in the presence of the Wonderful Healer.

Let the music of section H flow naturally, aiming again for good balance, this time between the chorale and the cornet obbligato. Bring out slightly the references to 'The Great Physician' and 'Touch me again'. Two bars before letter I ensure, by thorough rehearsal, that the bass motif moves lightly, smoothly and rhythmically in the context of the music - no lumbering!

The final four bars should be well controlled but quite leisurely and quiet, reminding us of the opening four bars but this time remaining in the major key, breathing a spirit of health, joy and peace which only Jesus, the Wonderful Healer, can give to those who ask Him.