UulijuQCIj ffl FROM THE LIBRARY OF REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Divfsioa <£cB Section ^ Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/lyricstudOOdorr y (^ , % JAi\ 16 LYRIC STUDIES: A HYMNAL GUIDE, CONTAINING JStograpbic Sfcetcbes of tbe Hutbors, Zlotes, CEITICAL, HISTORICAL, AND ILLUSTRATIVE, ON THEIR PSALMS AND HYMNS. / by Revs. I. DOEEICOTT and T. COLLIXS. ' 0! attend, Whoe'er thou art, whom these delights can touch Whose candid bosom the refining love Of Jesus warms! 0, listen to these songs. And they will guide thee into blissful walks, And teach thy solitude His voice to hear, And point His gracious features to thy view.' Xonbon : J. TOULQON, 0, SUTTON STREET, COMMERCIAL ROAD, E. T. DANES, 4, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET, E.C. THOMAS DANKS, PRINTER, CRANE COURT, FLEET STREET, LONDON, E.C. PREFACE jpHE fields of hymn-literature are a Beulah-land which |8I§ affords Elysian delights to the student who roams there- * Jllf in. Here he is charmed by exquisite melody, and in* *^* spired by loud choral anthem. Here he sits at the feet of the loftiest genius, and experiences the exalting power of the saintliest lives. Here all may find the i incorruptible seed which springs up in the hearts of the gatherers, developing there in the beauty of holiness and bearing fruit unto life eternal. y And this is true of the hymns annotated in this collection.* Most of them ' are true amaranths and never die, rather increasing than losing the power of their fragrance and loveliness as years, and even centuries pass oiv In the preparation of this book all possible care and fidelity have been exercised. Some hundreds of volumes, ancient and modern, have been examined ; and in ascertaining and verifying facts and dates, original sources have been investigated, whenever attainable. Living authors and specialists in hymnology have, in many instances, been consulted ; and the former have generously furnished us with biographic matter and hymn-notes, whilst the latter have rendered cheerfully every available assistance. We are constrained to specially and gratefully mention here, the Revs. G. Osborn, D.D., F. M. Bird, D.D. (America), C. Bullock, B.D., James Bonar, and James Thin, Esq., for their helpful replies to our letters of inquiry. * Primitive Methodist Hymnal, 1887. IV. PREFACE. Most of the anonymous hymns we have been able to trace •to their 4 quiet resting-places, ' but the hand that inscribed them, which has in many instances lost its cunning, cannot be discovered. In cases where doubt exists concerning the authorship we have recorded our conclusions, rather than the arguments which led to them, in order to economise space. And on the other hand, we have deemed it of service to introduce some incident and other illustrative matter so as to deepen the interest already awakened in hymn-literature. In regard to the several parts of this work, it will be sufficient to mention briefly a few principles which have guided us. (1) We have considered it important for the sake of clearness, to place the biographic matter and the Hymn-Notes entirely apart. In this respect we have deviated from the customary practice of hymnologists. (2) The biographies are necessarily brief ; our limited space demanded this, and our purpose fully warranted it. We have not aimed at general biographies, but at short sketches of the hymn- writers. (3) We have been compelled to omit much inter- esting matter from the Hymn-Notes, but in all cases our aim has been to give the best at our disposal. (4) The Scripture References we have considered an important department, and have expended much time and care on their preparation. To each hymn one or more passages have been assigned ; and in most known instances the author's text is retained. It is by no means assumed that the best selection has been made in all other cases ; for it is frequently difficult to discover any definite and intended relation between the hymn and any one Scripture passage, and in other instances the hymn points equally to several texts. It has been our study to make hymn-reading more general, to increase the charm and value of Christian song, to assist ministers, lay- preachers, choir leaders, and others in their important func- tions, and to place the congregations in a more interested attitude towards this prominent and delightful portion of Chris- tian worship. Wherein we have failed to realise fully our ideal, we leave to the thoughtful reader to decide, having no justifiable reason to complain that we stand at the bar of that inscrutable judge — Public Opinion. It is our most earnest desire that the reader may find a pleasure •and profit in the perusal of these Sketches and Notes, equal to that PREFACE. V. which we have realised in their preparation ; and that our Divine Lord, to Whom the praises of Christian worship are ever rendered, may be pleased by the circulation of the book and glorified in the result. CONTENTS PAGES.. PREFACE iii. — v. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 1—112 HYMN-NOTES :— 113—301 Hymns ox the Deity. The Father — hymns. His Existence and Attributes - 1 — 16 His Works - - - 7—27 His Providence - - - 28—40 His Grace - - - 41—48 His Praise - - 49—72 The Son His Incarnation - - - 73 — 83 His Life and Work - - 84-89' His Sufferings and Death - 90—104 His Resurrection and Ascension 105 — 116 His Priesthood and Intercession 117 — 125 His Kingdom and Reign - 126 — 138 His Names and Praise - - 139 — 164 The Holy Spirit - - 165—190 The Holy Trinity - - 191—201 CONTENTS. Vll. hymns. pa< es. The Holy Scmptures - - 202 -213 On Max. His Fallen State - - 214—222 His Redemption - - - 223—238 Gospel Warnings and Invitations 239 — 2(38 His Repentance - - - 2G9 — 325 His Justification by Faith - 326—337 His Renewal and Adoption - 338—349 His Consecration - - 350 — 398 His Christian Progress - - 399—428 His Declension and Recovery - 429 — 438 Support and Guidance - - 439 — 485 Communion with God - - 486—523 The Communion of Saints - 524—540 Anticipations and Hopes - 541 — 578 Work and Watchfulness - 579—611 Trust in God - - - 612—648 Contentment and Resignation - 649 — 663 Prayer and Supplication - 664 — 673 Mutual Forbearance and Love - 674 — 682 Christian Institutions. The Ministry - - - 683-704 The Church - - - 705—724 Baptism and the Lord's Supper - 725 — 746 The Sabbath - - - 747—769 Public Worship - - - 770—790 Family and Private Devotion - 797 — 811 Places of Worship - - 812—824 Missions - 825 — 850 Sabbath Schools - - 851—867 Various Subjects and Seasons. Commencement and Close of Year 868 —889 Harvest Festival Hymns - 890—904 National Hymns - - 905-915 Mariners and Travellers - 916—929 Marriage and Home - - 930 — 937 Morning and Evening - - 938—964 Vlll. CONTENTS. The Future State. Death and the Resurrection The Judgment - Final Awards - Miscellaneous - APPENDIX INDEX OF FIRST LINES ... SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOREIGN BYMN-LINES ... LIST OF AUTHORS HYMNS. - 965—1001 - 1002—1013 . 1014—1032 - 1033—1052 PAGES. 302—303 304—313 314—319 320-321 322—328 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Adams, Sarah (Flower), the second daughter of Mr. Benjamin Flower, of Harlow, Essex, was born Feb. 22, 1805. Tn early years she displayed a taste for literature, and wrote essays and poetry for various periodicals ; which congenial employment was continued during most of her literary career. In 1834 she became the wife of Mr. William B. Adams, an engineer and journalist. In 1841 she published Vivia Perpetua, a dramatic poem ; and in 1845, a Catechism with Hymns for children. She had a frail body, and her health was undermined by nursing her consumptive sister. She succumbed eventually to the same insidious disease, Aug. 13, 1849. She was a Unitarian by religious profession, and her life's close is beautifully des- cribed by Mr. G. J. Stevenson, M.A., ' She wore away; almost her last breath bursting into unconscious song as the gentle spirit glided from its beautiful frame.' Her name will be held in loving and abiding memory. AddiSCOtt, Rev. Henry, a Congregational minister, was born in the year 1806, at Devonport. He received his theological training at the Western Congregational College. His first pastorate was at Torquay, in 1837. In the follow- ing year he removed to Maidenhead, and in 1843 he accepted a call (his final militant one) to Taunton. In this sphere he wrought for his Divine Master for the space of eighteen years. He was making a northern tour to plead the claims of his alma mater, and made a call at Liverpool. Whilst walking along the street he was taken suddenly un- well, and ere he could be conveyed to his hotel, life was extinct. This occurred Oct. 16, 1860. Addison, Joseph, remembered chiefly for his literary connection with the Tatter, Spectator, and Guardian of the eighteenth century, was born at Milston, May 1, 1672, and died June 17, 1719, at London. He became a Fellow of Magdalen, Oxford, in 1699, but during his term of fellow- A 2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. ship, having obtained a pension from William III. of £300 per annum for a complimentary poem on one of the king's campaigns, he travelled on the Continent. He purposed to take Holy Orders, but his employment as a Whig- writer diverted him from this course. He became Secretary of State, and presented to his age a noble example of a Chris- tian statesman. But he soon retired into private life with an annual pension of £1,500. His excellent hymns first appeared in the Spectator. In 1701 he wrote a poetic epistle from Italy to Lord Halifax, of which Dr. S. John- son said, ' It is the most elegant, if not the most sublime of his poetical compositions.' He was a prolific and clever essavist ; writing chiefly on literature and manners. His pieces may be divided into the comic, the serious, the criti- cal. His principal work was the Evidences of Christianity ; chiefly valuable for its cultured diction. * As a poet he is distinguished for taste and elegance, but is destitute of high poetic genius. His prose is remarkable for its purity, per- spicuity, and simplicity, and for the higher graces of har- mony and richness of metaphor.' When Addison was dying he sent for Lord Warwick, a young man of careless habits, and addressed to him these impressive words : ' I have sent for you that you may see how a Christian can die.' His remains lie in Westminster Abbey awaiting the resurrection of the blessed. Alexander, Cecil Frances, wife of the Eight Rev. W. Alexander, Bishop of Derry, and daughter of Major Humphreys, was born in 1823, and married in 1850. In 1848 she published Hymns for Little Children, many of which are widely and justly popular, and are considered beautiful lyrics. The tenderness of expression and intensity of religious feeling, added to her true poetic genius, give her an almost unique place in descriptive sacred poetry. She also published Poems on Subjects in the Old Testament ; The Legend of the Golden Prayer ; etc. Alexander, Rev. James Waddell, D.D., translator of that remarkable passion-hymn, ' O Sacred Head once wounded,' &c, was born in Virginia, March 13, 1804, and died July 31, 1859. He graduated at Princeton, 1820, became pastor in Virginia in 1824, in Trenton, N.J., 1828, professor of rhetoric and belles-lettres in New Jersey College, 1832, pastor of Duane Street Church, New York, 1844, and professor of Ecclesiastical History and Church Govern- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 3 ment in Princeton Theological Seminary in 1849. But he returned to New York in 1851, as pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. In this sphere his holy life, his great and consecrated talents, his powerful and attractive preaching, rendered him pre-eminently useful. He wrote Plain Words to Young Communicants, a valuable book for young people ; ThouylUs On Preaching, New York, 1861. He made some of the best translations of German Hymns. Alexander, Rev. William Lindsay, D.D., was born in Leith in the year 1808, and educated at Edinburgh High School and St. Andrew's University, graduating MA, During a severe illness he read largely of Christian bio- graphy, and was thus led, especially by that of Robert Hall, to decide to enter the ministry. He was to supply at Newington Congregational Chapel for one Sunday, but con- tinued to minister there for two years. He then travelled in Germany, and attended theological lectures at Halle and Leipsic. When returning he became pastor of North College Street Church, Edinburgh. In exegesis, homiletics, and biography he has laboured assiduously, and rendered eminent service. But the special literary duties of his later years were in connection with the Old Testament revision, of which Company he was an honoured member. In 1878 he was appointed Principal of the Congregational Theological Hall, which post he held till the close of the winter session of 1882-3. After a somewhat brief illness, he passed away to God in peace, Dec. 20, 1884. Alford, Rev. Henry, D.D., dean of Canterbury, one of the most accomplished clergymen of his time, was born in London, Oct. 7, 1810. Being the only child, his father paid earnest and constant attention to his education. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, Oct. 1827, and had a successful University career. On Nov. 6, 1834, he was ordained to the ministry, and the following spring became vicar of Wynneswold. He declined, in two instances, the honour of a bishopric — New Zealand and New Brunswick. In 1853 he accepted the incumbency of Quebec Chapel, London, and in March 1857, Lord Palmerston conferred on him the deanery of Canterbury. It is said that he was once offered a lucrative living by the Lord Chancellor. He called at his Lordship's residence soon afterwards. The butler said that his Lordship was engaged and could not be seen. * But I have called,' said the dean, l not to solicit 4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. but to refuse a gift/ ' Then I am sure his Lordship will be glad to see you ; come in, please/ replied the astute official. In 1835 he published the School of the Heart, and Other Poems, 2 vols. ; in 1841, The Abbot of Muchelnage ; and in 1844, Psalms and Hymns. But his great literary achieve- ment, the work of the best years and ripest powers of his life, was his Greek New Testament. He also originated, and first edited, the Contemporary Revieiv — 1866-70. He was a member of the New Testament Revision Company. His private life was cheerful and attractive ; and whilst he had an almost universal fame, he was a most unassumiDg Christian. He finished his sufferings and earthly labours on Jan. 12, 1871, and went in triumph to the City of God. Allen, James, was born June 24, 1734, and died in the year 1804. His was a strange, erratic life. At one time he joined Benjamin Ingham and his party, then he became a Wesleyan preacher, and next in order a member of the Anglican Church, a Moravian, a preacher of Lady Hunting- don's, and finally built a chapel on his private estate, and became its minister. He edited the Kendal Hymn Book> and wrote a number of its hymns. Allen, Jonathan, believed to be the author of hymn 263. Yery little is known of him. He is said to be the brother of the Bev. B. P. Allen ; and all the information we can obtain is from the Bev. M. H. Le Pla, of Exeter Congre- gational Church, who says of the latter : c A small engraved portrait of him hangs in the vestry, but that is all that re- mains to tell of his ministry here.' Allon, Bev. Henry, D.D., an eminent Congregational minister, was born at Welton, near Hull, Oct. 13, 1818, and educated for the ministry at Cbeshnnt College. In Jan. 1844, he became co-pastor of Union Chapel, Islington, with the Bev. Thomas Lewis, at whose death, in 1852, ho was appointed to the full pastorate. In 1864 he was raised to the high and responsible position of Chairman of the Congregational Union, and filled the exalted post with great credit and ability. Besides meeting the various claims of a public ministry, in one place for over forty years, he has written several works, contributed largely to magazine literature, and since 1865 has edited the British Quarterly Review. In 1871, Yale College, Connecticut, U.S., conferred on him the honorary degree of D.D., and in 1885 he received the same distinguished honour from St. Andrew's University. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 5 A new church was erected at a cost of £41,46G, and opened in December, 1877. In 1881 he was honoured a second time with the chairmanship of the Union, in its jubilee year. Dr. Allon has done good service for song and praise, as it relates to the home, the Sunday-school, and the church. To this the following list of works, which he edited, bears witness : The Congregational Psalmist ; Children's Worship ; Tunes for Children's Worship ; Hymns, Chants, etc. ; Supple- mental Hymns for Public Worship ; Church Music. Ambrose, Saint, of the fourth century, (b. 340 ; d. 397), was of a wealthy and aristocratic Roman family, residing at Treves, He was educated for the bar, and was soon after- wards made consular Prefect. He resided in Milan, and in 374, A.D., a stormy contest was being waged in the election of a bishop. Ambrose was present in the church as magis- trate to preserve order, and whilst he was addressing the multitude.it is said a child cried out, 'Ambrosius Fpiscopus. 1 The crowd seized the thought, and by a unanimous vote placed him in the episcopal chair. He laid all his wealth on the altar of the church, and became one of her greatest teachers, leaders, and defenders. He fought the Arianism of that time most desperately, and no less zealously sought the destruction of the remnants of Paganism and Grecian philosophy. He wrote various works on theology, church government, and law ; fragments of which have come down to our times. His odes are ascriptions of praise to Jehovah ; and several of them point back specially to the saintly ones who had recently testified, in and around Rome, as Chris- tian martyrs. Ambrose introduced congregational singing ; whereas previously the people had only given brief responses to the choral performances. Stevenson says, ' How well he succeeded in promoting the service of song, S. Augustine has left us a record. He says, after visiting the church at Milan, " The hymns and songs moved me intensely ; the truth was distilled by them into my heart, the flame of piety was enkindled, and my tears flowed for joy." ' This practice of singing at Milan began about the year when Justinia persecuted Ambrose. AnatolillS, Saint, was consecrated bishop of Constanti- nople in 449, A.D., and died in 458. The times were tumultuous : the general decadence in piety, the rising claims of the papacy, and the darkening strife between the Eastern and Western Churches for supremacy, rendered his 6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. high position an uneasy one. Charges of heresy, though probably unjust, were flung against him by his vigilant foes. But his life-purpose seems to have been the good of the church. ' He had strong faith in the power of song, and not only wrote hymns, but strove to make them useful in his church.' By means of his delightful hymns he is best known to, and esteemed by, subsequent generations. Anstice, Joseph, does not appear to have been as eminent and celebrated in the realm of poetry as he was in the classics. He was born in the scattered but populous village of Madeley Wood, Salop, in the year 1808, and received his education at Westminster School and Oxford University. His career at Oxford was successful, if not brilliant ; and at the age of twenty-two he was appointed professor of classi- cal literature at King's College, London. But in conse- quence of ill-health he resigned in 1835. He translated from the works of the Greek Dramatists, wrote prize essays, poems, etc. He died at Torquay, Feb. 29, 1836, and in the same year a collection of his Hymns (54 in number) was published. Auber, Miss Harriet. Her name is lovingly perpetuated by a few of her sacred Odes. She published anonymously a small volume, entitled, The Spirit of The Psalms, with a few hymns included, in 1829. These productions were generally considered of more than ordinary merit. Miss Auber was born in London, October 4, 1773, lived a quiet, retired life at Broxbourne and Hoddesdon, wrote a considerable number of unpublished pieces, and died peace- fully at the latter place, January 20, 1862. Bahnmeier, Johann Friedrich, was born in 1774, at Wurtemburg. His father, a German pastor, paid great regard to the upbringing of his children. Johann was entered as a student in theology at Tubingen, and eventually became assistant-minister to his father ; in which post he continued till the latter's death in 1803. In 1806 he married, and was appointed to the Marbach Church — Schiller's birthplace. He was called in 1810 to preside over the church at Ludwigsburg. Five years afterwards he was appointed professor of theology at the University of Tubingen, a position most congenial, and for which he was well adapted. But in 1819 he was removed, and installed in the deanery of Kirchheim, where he devotedly served his Divine Master till death, Aug. 18, 1841. He was an BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 7 ardent advocate of Bible and Missionary Societies, and wrote Missionary hymns, and hymns for children. Baker? (F.B.P.) Vide Hymn-Note 544. These letters are a matter of hopeless perplexity to literary men. Some interpret them as ' Francis Baker, Priest;' others as ' Francis Baker Porter ;' and all as referring to a Roman Catholic priest and author, who suffered persecution and imprison- ment in the Tower in Queen Elizabeth's reign. In the British Museum is a MS. volume of ballads, sacred poems, (fee, labelled, 'Songs MSS., Temp. Eliz..' but without original title. The pieces are by various authors ; but the one with which we are chiefly concerned is entitled, ' A song made by F.B.P., to the tune of Diana.' Then follows the poem with its antique orthography, containing 26 verses. Baker, Rev. Sir Henry William, has won an important and abiding place in the history of Hymnody, both as editor and writer. He was born in London, May, 1821, his father, Sir Henry L. Baker, bart., being a vice-admiral of the navy. Henry W. was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and ordained deacon in 1814. He was ap- pointed to the vicarage of Monkland, Herefordshire, in 1851. His father dying he succeeded to the baronetcy. He was one of the editors, and the most prominent of the forty compilers, of Bymns Ancient and Modem, to which he con- tributed some twenty-live original or translated hymns. His lyric-pieces are deservedly popular, both in this country and in America. He died at Horkesley House, near Leo- minster, on Feb. 12, 1877. Bakewell, John, was born at Brailsford, Derbyshire, in 1721. He became one of Mr. Wesley's earliest lay preachers, and continued to exercise his gifts for many years. He was intimately acquainted with the Wesleys, Toplady, etc., and was present at the ordination of Rev. John Fletcher, of Madeley. He conducted an academy at Greenwich for a number of years, and introduced the Metho- dist cause there, the first class- meeting being held in his house. He died at Lewisham, March 18, 1819, and was in- terred behind City Road Chapel, near the remains of the Rev. J. Wesley. A tomb, with the following inscription, marks his resting-place : ' He adorned the doctrine of God, our Saviour, eighty years, and preached His glorious Gospel about seventy years. 1 His one hymn in our collection — 8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. s Hail ! Thou once despised Jesus ' — is sufficient to make his memory blessed and imperishable. Balfour, Alexander, was born of poor parents at Nonkie, Forfarshire, in 1767. His education was but meagre, and during his earlier years he engaged in business with alter- nate prosperity and misfortune. This is obviously ac- counted for by the fact that his tastes were literary ; he was by no means a business man. In 1818 he entered upon a new and more congenial career. He became a clerk in the publishing house of Messrs. Blackwood, of Edinburgh. Here he began to develop his powers as an author, and con- tributed essays and poetry to the Edinburgh Magazine. He wrote several works in prose and verse, and died in 1829. Barbauld, Anna Letitia, daughter of Rev. John Aiken, D.D., of Kib worth, Leicestershire, was an assiduous and talented literary worker. She was born Jane 20, 1743, and received from her father, a highly cultured teacher, a good classical training. In early years she displayed taste and talent for poetry, and at the age of twenty-nine gave to the reading world her first production in a small volume of Miscellaneous Poems. Four editions were sold in a year. In 1773 she and her brother, Dr. J. Aiken, of Stoke Newington, published Miscellaneous Pieces in Prose. In the following year she accepted the hand of the Rev. R. Barbauld. Her literary industry after this event did not flag ; for in 1775 her Early Lessons and Hymns for Children and Hymns in Prose were issued and had a successful sale. Her subsequent literary labours were very various : writing essays, selecting and editing English novels and essays of great men, and writing biographical notices of them. In 1785 she and her husband made a tour on the Continent, and in 1812 the last of her books appeared — a poem of merit and popularity — entitled, Eighteen Hundred and Eleven. Mrs. Barbauld finished her life and work, March 9, 1825, at Stoke Newington, leaving many unpublished MSS., in prose and verse. An edition of her writings, with a memoir, was published the year following her death. Baring-Gould, Rev. Sabine, born Jan. 28, 1834, was the eldest son of Edward Baring-Gould, Esq., J. P., of Lew Trenchard, and Deputy-Lieutenant of Devon. He was educated at Clare College, Cambridge, and took his B.A. in 1854. He became curate of Horbury, Yorks., in 1864, and rector of East Mersea, Essex, 1871. In 1881 he became BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 9 rector of Lew Trenchard, N. Devon, being also its patron and lord of the manor. His earlier literary efforts were rather as a compiler than an author, but he did not well succeed. It was the weird stories of Mehalah and John Herring which first revealed his true power, and which have brought him into prominence as an author. Barton, Bernard, generally known in his day as the 4 Quaker Poet,' was born in London, Jan. 31, 1784, appren- ticed in 1798 to a tradesman in Halstead, and in 1810 became a bank-clerk. But whilst filling these posts, he couiposed many poetical pieces, and published, at different times, several works: as, Metrical Effusions, 1812; Poems, 1820; Napoleon, 1822; Poetic Vigils, 1824; Devotional Verses, 1827; Household Verses, 1845. He wrote much and pleasantly, though nothing strong or of the first order ; his poems, however, are marked by purity and simplicity of style. He stood well with the literary men of his day, and was personally acquainted with Byron and Lamb. He ob- tained a pension from the Government, in his latter days, of £100 per year. He died at Woodbridge, Suffolk, Feb. 19, 1849. His Memoirs and Letters were edited by his daughter. Bathurst, Rev. William Hiley, the son of Charles Bragge, Esq., was born at Clevedale, near Bristol, Aug. 28, 1796. He altered his name when coming into possession of his uncle's estate at Lydney Park, Gloucestershire, in 1863. He was educated at Winchester School and Christ Church, Oxford. In 1820 he became rector of Barwick-in- Elmet, Yorkshire. His publications are, The Limits of Human Knoidedge : An Essay ; Metrical Musings ; The Georgics of Virgil Translated ; Psalms and Hymns, etc. He died at Lydney Park, Nov. 25, 1877. Baxter, Rev. Richard, was great in his goodness of life, great as a preacher, a theologian, a writer, and a pastor. But he did not excel as a poet. He was born at Rowton, Salop, Nov. 12, 1615. He had not the blessing of an early liberal education, but he did not allow disadvantages to prevent him becoming a man of learning. Living in those palmy days of Puritanism, his whole mind and life were in- fluenced God-ward, and in 1638 he was ordained by the Bishop of Worcester. Two years afterwards he accepted a 1616, grew up to womanhood with some strange religious and social eccentricities, and was eventually engaged to be married. But thereupon she suddenly fled, and retired to a monastery, near Cambray. Here her old tendencies re- as- serted themselves, and she was expelled for insubordination. She then ' wandered about for the rest of her life in Flan- ders, Holland, and Northern Germany, gathering a number of restless enthusiasts around her, and busily engaged in the propagation of her views, — that the church needed a thorough reformation, that there existed no more true Chris- tians, that all religious rites were superfluous,' and that true worship was confined to an inner mental process. But that is a dark life indeed from which no ray of light ever shines, and by which no other being is strengthened and ennobled. How many have been blessed by the reading and singing of her consecration hymn, eternity alone must reveal. She died at Franeker, Oct. 30, 1680." Bourne, Yen. Hugh, was born at Ford Hays farm, in the parish of Stoke-upon-Trent, April 3, 1772. His parents were of Norman descent, and his ancestry dates back to the period of the Conquest. His father, Joseph Bourne, was a BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 17 farmer, wheelwright, and dealer in timber. Hugh, the third son and fifth child, says, ' When quite a boy, I learned by rote, or committed to memory, the morning and evening prayers of the church, with the Te Deum, Litany, etc. This was done at my father's instance, and evidences a family attachment to the church/ His mother's last words to Hugh were, ' And thou, my beloved Hugh, son of my right hand, let not my affliction and death prevent thee from ful- filling thy appointments. Go on, my son, preach the Gospel.' He obeyed this injunction, and was for awhile engaged as a Wesleyan class-leader ; but being in full sympathy with the revival and camp-meeting movement of Lorenzo Dow, he with other earnest working-men held open- air and other special services, which led to his expulsion from the Wesleyan Society. Then began that course of evangelism which led to the formation of the Primitive Me- thodist Connexion, of which he is justly regarded one of the founders. Amid his varied and incessant activities he was an earnest student, and for many years directed the Con- nexion's literature and edited its hymn books. As early as 1816 he essayed the composition of hymns, but his poetic experiments can hardly be considered successful. He finished his eminently useful career, Oct. 11, 1852, in the quietness of spiritual peace and the strength of conscious triumph. Bowringf, Sir John, was an eminent statesman, an apt translator of poetry from the Spanish, Russian, and other languages, and a considerable writer of original pieces. He was born at Exeter, Oct. 17, 1792, in which city his father was a serge manufacturer. John was sent to Spain, while yet in his boyhood, by an Exeter business firm. He also travelled on business in the south of France, and was there arrested on suspicion of being a political spy. The Foreign Office next employed him to collect statistical information for the furtherance of British trade. In 1825 he became editor of the Westminster Review, and afterwards entered Parliament. In 1849 he was made British Consul at Can- ton, and in 1854 Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary in China, re- ceiving the honour of knighthood. He also held succes- sively several other Government positions. He published, as a result of his travels : The Kingdom and People of biam, and The Philippine Islands. In his earlier years he issued, Matins and Vespers, n, was born at Bristol, June 14, L 837, and w;is edu< at the Grammar School, in the Bame city. He was trained (or mercantile life, and became connected with lan'no Insurance Office in Glasgow. In this city he bo re ide. He wrote lyrics for Hymns Ancient a/nd Modem, and has also issued a volume of poems, Doane, Rev, Can. Washington, D.I)., LL !>., was a Protestant Episcopal bishop <>f America, His birth took place at Trenton, Now Jersey, May 27, I7 ( .» ( .). !!<• was educated at Onion College, where he graduated in 1818. He wan ordained in 1821, was raised to the bishopric of v in 1832, and died April 27, 1859. The name of bishop was notth re and then the synonym of wealth, social power, political distinction, caste, and splendid equipages, it usually is in this country, but more fully represented the apostolic order. Bishop Doane wrote largely, bis pieces in prose and verse being collected and published by bis son with a Memoir, His Songs by the Way were published in 1875. Dober, Anna, nie Bchindler, a German lady, was born at Knnewaldc, Moravia, April 9, 1713. While Still VOOng she found her way to the Herrnhut settlement of Mora- 38 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. vians, with which Zinzendorf was closely associated. Here her talent and piety shone in the pursuit of her Christian work. On July 13, 1737, she was united in marriage to John Leonard Dober, who was for two years engaged in a difficult and perilous mission in the West Indies, and who on his recall filled the responsible post of General Elder or Superintendent. Anna Dober did not publish any work, but composed several fine hymns. These she began to write some two years prior to her death. She died at Marienborn, Dec. 12, 1739. Doddridge, Rev. Philip, D.D., well-known as one of the most eminent ministers of the eighteenth century, of whose piety and ability we cannot speak in unduly high terms. He was the twentieth child of a London merchant, and was born June 26, 1702. In infancy he was of infirm constitution, and for a while received home-tuition ; but eventually became the pupil of a Mr. John Jennings. When his tutor died, young Doddridge took charge of the academy. His first pastoral charge was at Kibsworth, in 1723, and in 1729 he was appointed assistant at Har- borough, and was selected by a general meeting of Dissent- ing ministers to take charge of an academy. But in the same year he went to Northampton and took charge of a Theological College there, having about two hundred students, three fourths of whom entered the ministry. He filled this responsible position with great credit and ability. It was during his residence here that he wrote his chief works : The Family Expositor ; The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, etc. The latter, which he prepared at the suggestion of his friend, Dr. Watts, has been more ex- tensively blessed as a prompter to deep and robust piety than perhaps any other book in the English language. Its place in the book market is akin to that of the i Pilgrim's Progress,' it is never out of print, and can always be had as a new book. Several of his courses of lectures, on Science, Ethics, and Theology, and his Sermons, Letters, Hymns, etc., have been published since his death. His hymns are 364 in number, many of which, like his fragrant memory, will live imperishably. Doddridge was rigidly abstemious, of strict self-discipline, and industrious ; rising at five, a.m., and working arduously through the day, always avoiding controversy, and manifesting a liberality and sympathy towards other churches which subjected him BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 39 to the ridiculous charge of ' trimming and double-dealing/ He was simply a century ahead of his time. Consump- tive tendencies began to appear, and he was compelled to seek a milder climate. He repaired to Lisbon, where, on Oct. 26, 1751, he succumbed to the relentless malady, and was laid in the English graveyard there. Reqidescat in pace. Downton, Rev. Henry, M.A., notable tor his eccentric opposition to teetotalism, was born in the year 1818. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his M.A. in 1843, in which year he became curate of Bembridge, I. \V. His next curacy was Holy Trinity, Cambridge, in 1847, and then perpetual curate of St. John's, Chatham, 1849 ; next chaplain in Geneva, 1857, and afterwards rector of Hopton, Ely diocese, in 1873. His death took place in 1884. He wrote a work on Atheism, and published Hymns and Verses. Doring, Karl August, was born Jan. 22, 1783, at Mark-Alvensteben, near Magdeburg. His father was a head-forester. While yet a pious and diligent student at Halle, he composed several world-famed poems. In 1808, he became a teacher in a monastic school at Bergen. Here he came in contact with some Moravians, through whom he was led to an earnest study of the Scriptures. By means of this he became so full of joyous faith, and so anxious to make converts, that he often provoked much opposition. After the closing of the monastery schools by Napoleon I. in 1810, he became a tutor in a family at Helmsdorf, near Eisleben, and established here the Christian Union, or Colportage Association for North Germany. In 1813 he was actively engaged in the Hospital at Halle ; in 1814 was clergyman at Magdeburg; in 1815 archdeacon at Eisleben; in 1816 preacher at Elberfeld, where he died in 1844. He was widely renowned as a preacher and spiritual counsellor, and won the loving gratitude of multitudes by his indefatigable zeal to warn and advise. He composed the incredible number of nearly 1,200 poems ; but many of these are of inferior merit. DPyden, John, was one of the eminent amongst the literati of the seventeenth century. As an essayist and a poet he had no master. Born of an ancient North of Eng- land family at Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, August 9, 1631, he received his first tuition at Tichmarsh. He was admitted King's Scholar at Westminster, under Dr. 40 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Bushby, and afterwards went to Trinity College, Cambridge. During the term of his education he displayed but little of that poetic talent which subsequently characterised hicn. Although of puritanic parentage, Dry den joined the Royalist party in 1661, and wrote A Panegyric to His Sacred Majesty which brought him into favourable notice. He next began to write for the stage, and was able to eke out a fair living by these and other productions. In 1668 he published his celebrated Essay on Dramatic Poesy. Reaching the height of his fame, Dryden engaged to pro- duce three plays in one year for the king's actors ; and shortly afterwards was appointed royal historiographer and poet-laureate, to which was attached a salary of £200 per annum. Until 1680 he was chiefly occupied with dramatic literature. But immediately after James II. ascended the throne he became a "Roman Catholic, and was received at the perfidious James's court with great cordiality. But his court favours were fleeting and short-lived ; the Revolution of 1688, though directly on behalf of the liberties of the people, was essentially anti-papal, and the new Protestant Government deprived him of his position and pension. His death occurred May 1, 1700. The noble and eminent flocked to his burial. His body was borne in great state to Westminster Abbey, and laid between the resting-places of Chaucer and Cowley. Dryden was a facile and beautiful writer ; a man of great industry and literary power, whose genius was stamped deep on his generation. He was a poet and hymn-writer of high merit, and deserves per- haps a better place than has generally been assigned to him. Duffield, George, son of Rev. Dr. Duffield, of Detroit, was born at Carlisle, Penns., 1818, and died July, 1888. He graduated at Yale in 1837, and was ordained 1840. After periods of ministry at Bloomfield, N. J., and Brooklyn, he removed to Philadelphia in 1852. In 1860 he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dwight, John Sullivan, son of Rev. Timothy D wight, was born at Boston, U.S., May 13, 1812. He was educated at Harvard, and after his University course went to the Cambridge Theological College to prepare for the ministry. He continued in that sacred work for six years, and after- wards entered fully into literary work ; employing his pen chiefly as a musical critic. In 1852 he projected a Journal of Music } and became its editor. This magazine continued BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 41 its useful course for a period of twenty-nine years, and was widely valued both in Europe and America. Dwight, Rev. Timothy, the great American divine, was born at Northampton, Mass., May 14, 1752, his mother being the daughter of Jonathan Edwards. He became a student of Yale, Sept., 1765, and after graduating took charge, for two years, of New Haven Grammar School. He was a man of unusual powers, and so travelled a road of his own making. And it may be interesting to note that whilst in the above position he divided his time as follows : Six hours in school, eight in study, and ten in exercise, meals and sleep. In 1771 he was appointed a tutor at Yale. And in the same year he commenced an Epic poem : The Conquest of Canaan. On taking his M. A. he delivered a Dissertation on the History, Eloquence, and Poetry of the Bible. In 1777 he was licensed to preach, and in the same year became chaplain to tli3 army. He also, for a number of years, and in addition to his preaching, fulfilled the func- tions of a preacher in an itinerary form. In 1783 he was ordained minister of Greenfield, Conn., and at once opened an Academy, to which great numbers flocked, more than one thousand scholars passing through his hands in twelve years. In 1787 he received the hon. degree of D.D. from Princeton, New Jersey, and seven years afterwards pub- lished his poem, entitled : Greenfield Hill. In 1795 he was elected president of Yale College, undertaking also the duties of theological professor. Two years after entering upon these important positions he revised Dr. Watts' ver- sion of the Psalms, adding psalms and hymns as required, a number of which he wrote himself. He died at New Haven, Jan. 11, 1817, taking much ripe and valued fruit into the garner of God. Dr. D wight will evermore be best known on this side of the Atlantic by his Theology Ex- plained and Defended. Nevertheless his successful manage- ment of Yale College gives lustre to his name as an ad- ministrator ; and his hymns add abiding fragrance to his memory as a poet. E. B. — This gifted authoress, who wrote hymn 958, de- clines, at present, to have her name and identity known to the public. EbeP, Paul, D.D., son of Johann Eber, a tailor, was born at Kitzingen, in Franconia, Nov. 8, 1511. His parents, perceiving in him the promise of future greatness, made 42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. considerable sacrifices to supply him with a suitable educa- tion. In 1532 he entered Wittemberg University and pur- sued his studies under Luther and Melancthon, with the latter of whom he formed an intimate friendship. He was, after finishing his educational course, appointed Lecturer on Philosophy, and then Professor of Languages. In 1557 he became Professor of Hebrew and preacher at the Castle Church ; and in the following year was appointed General Superintendent of the Churches in Saxony. He died in the faith, Dec. 10, 1569. Edmeston, James, a London architect, was born in the year 1791, at Hackney. He was brought up among the Independents, but afterwards joined the Anglican Church. He died in Feb., 1867. Edmeston wrote some two thou- sand hymns, a number of which were published in 1821-2, entitled, Sacred Lyrics. He also is the author of The Search and other Poems; The Cottage Minstrel; Patmos, etc. ; The Woman of Shunem ; Sonnets for the Chamber of Sickness ; Closet Hymns and Poems ; Infant Breathings ; and Sacred Poetry. Much of his poetry is scarcely of ordi- nary merit, but some of his sonnets will live and keep his memory green. EllePtOIl, Rev. John, whose hymns are devout and spiri- tual, was born in London, Dec. 16, 1826, and educated for a clergyman, first at King William's College, Isle of Man, and then at Trinity, Cambridge. Taking B.A. in 1849, he be- came curate at Eastbourne in 1850 ; senior curate at Brigh- ton, 1852; incumbent of St. Michael's, Crewe Green, and domestic chaplain to Lord Crewe, 1860 ; rector of Hin- stock, Salop, 1872 ; of Barnes, Surrey, 1879 ; and of White Roothing, Essex. 1885. He edited, in connection with Dr. (now bishop) How, and others, Church Hymns Annotated. He wrote The Holiest Manhood ; The Twilight of Life, a book for the aged ; and Hymns for Schools and Bible Classes, etc. Mr. Ellerton ' is a hymn- writer whose contri- butions have made his name a household word in all sections of the church.' Elliott, Charlotte, the daughter of Charles Elliott, of Clapham and Brighton, was born March 18, 1789. She had kind, cultured, and godly parents, and was therefore reared with great and tender care. She was well educated, had refined tastes and polished manners, but did not experi- ence the value of personal religion until she was thirty- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 43 three years of age. On May 9, 1822, she had a conversa- tion with Dr. C. Malan, of Geneva, then on a visit to her father's house. She at once surrendered to Jesus Christ's claims, and for well-nigh half a century made this spiritual birthday a holy festival. Miss Elliott found a great delight in hymn writing, especially as it contributed to the good and the consolation of other hearts. She published Hoars of Sorrow ; Morning and Evening Hymns for a Week ; Poems by C. E. She also wrote about one hundred and twenty hymns for The Invalid's Hymn Book, and was editor of The Christian Remembrancer. Her earthly life, which was full of good works and potent with holy influences, was brought to a close at Brighton, Sept. 22, 1871. Her name is immortal and her memory blessed by that beautiful and celebrated hymn, ' Just as I am, without one plea.' Elliott, Julia Anne, was the daughter of John Marshall, Esq., of Hallsteads, Ulleswater. About 1827, she accom- panied her father to Brighton, where they attended the ministry of the Rev. Henry Venn Elliott, to whom she was married, Oct. 31, 1833. She exemplified the Christian character in an exceptional manner, had reflned poetical tastes, and was endowed with a highly cultured mind. She died, immediately after the birth of her fifth child, on Nov. 3, 1841. This loss caused inexpressible grief to her beloved husband, and flung the shadow of a great sorrow over a wide circle of relatives and friends. Elven, Rev. Cornelius, was born at Bury St. Edmunds, in the year 1797. He was a member of the Baptist persua- sion, and was trained for the ministry. He afterwards be- came pastor of a church in his native town, to which he ministered for half a century. His death occurred in July, 1873. He appears to have been an intimate friend of the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, who wrote a sketch of his life, and spoke of him as a man of homely attainments, pre-emi- nently practical as a pastor and preacher, and full of faith and good works and of the Holy Ghost. He supplied be- times for Mr. Spurgeon. Evans, Jonathan, was born of humble parents at Coven- try, in 1748 or '9. In youth he worked at a ribbon loom, and became gay and profligate. About 1778 he joined the Rev. G. Burder's church, began with zeal to preach the Gos- pel, and was often persecuted. In 1784 he purchased a building at Foleshill, and fitted it up for services. In 1795 44 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. a chapel was built at Little Heath. Evans was or- dained, Mr. Burder giving the charge. He was ' a man of sense, piety, activity, and fortitude \ a firm and generous friend ; and a kind benefactor to the poor/ He died after a few days' illness, Aug. 31, 1809. Several of his hymns appeared in the Gospel Magazine for 1777 and 1787, signed ' J. E., Coventry ;' and twenty-two in The Christian Magazine, 1790-3, signed, sometimes 'J.E./ and other times ' Foleshill,' or ' Coventry. 7 Everest, Rev. Charles William, M.A., was born at East Windsor, Conn., May 27, 1814. He was an American clergy- man and author, and belonged to Trinity College, Hartford, Conn. He wrote and published Visions of Death and Other Poems, in 1833. He first intended to pursue a literary career, but afterwards chose the ministry, and was ordained in 1842. He became rector of Hampden, New Haven, Conn., and remained there thirty-one years, during which period he also successfully managed an important school. His death occurred at Waterbury, Conn., Jan. 11, 1877. FabeP, Frederick William, of Huguenot extraction, was born at Calverley vicarage, June 28, 1814, his grandsire, the Rev. Thomas Faber, being the incumbent. He graduated at Balliol, Oxford, became a fellow of University College in 1837, and was ordained two years subsequently. During his student days he was brought under the subtle and power- ful influences of the Tractarian leaders, especially John Henry Newman, of whom he was an ardent admirer. Im- mediately after his ordination he travelled on the Continent for the space of four years, during which time that process of development in ecclesiastical thought, through which he had been insensibly passing, was completed. His admira- tion for the Romish system became unbounded. He re- turned to England, and was made rector of Elton, but on Nov. 17, 1845, he followed his great master, John H. New- man, into the shades of the Papacy. After loyally and devoutly visiting Rome, he returned to Birmingham, estab- lished a Religious Society, and in 1849 was placed in charge of the Oratory of S. Philip Neri, London. He died Sept. 26, 1863, having written various works, chiefly Catholic, and a collection of one hundred and fifty hymns. Fanch, Rev. James, was born in 1704, and died in 1768. He was a minister at Rumsey, and possessed considerable literary tastes. He prepared a Paraphrase on a Select Num- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 45 ber of the Psalms of David, and added thereto Some Occa- sional Pieces, 1764. He also wrote Free Thoughts on Prac- tical Religion, etc., 1763; and Ten Sermons on Practical Religion, 1768. FailSSett, Mrs. Alessie, daughter of the Rev. William Bond, rector of Bailee, county Down, was born at the rectory, Jan. 8, 1841. She was married in 1875 to the Rev. Henry Faussett, rector of Edenderry, county Tyrone. She began to write verses at a somewhat early date and published her first volume — Thoughts on Holy Words, — in 1867, for private circulation only. In 1870 her Triumph of Faith, and Other Poems came out ; and this was followed in 1873 by The Cairns of Iona, and Other Poems. In 1880 there was a further illustration of her industrious pen in Rung In, and Other Poems. FaWCett, Rev. John, D.D., a popular hymn writer of the last century, was born at Lidgett Green, Bradford, Jan. 18, 1739. He was brought to the knowledge and love of God under the seraphic preaching of George Whitfield. After due preparation he entered the Baptist ministry, and received a call from a church at Wainsgate, was ordained July 31, 1765, and remained there all his after life, thouoh invited to other spheres. It is said that one of his well- known hymns owes its origin to a circumstance of this kind. He was invited in 1772 to take charge of a London church, but declined, and wrote the hymn, i Blest be the tie that binds.' He was also offered, but did not accept, the presi- dency of the Baptist College, Bristol, preferring to remain with his poor flock. His small income he supplemented by taking pupils. In 1811 he published The Devotional Famil \y Bible. He also wrote Poetic Essays, and a volume of Hymns numbering 166. He finished his earthly course at Brearley Hall, near Wainsgate, July 25, 1817. Flowerdew, Alice, the widow of a Government official in Jamaica, was born in the year 1759. She kept a Ladies' Boarding School in Islington, London, and died at Ipswich in 1830. She is the author of several hymns, written under peculiar circumstances. Respecting their origin, she says, 1 Tbey were written at different periods of my life, some in- deed at a very early age, and others under the severe pres- sure of misfortune, when my pen had frequently given that relief which could not be derived from other employments.' Francis, Rev. Benjamin, was born in the year 1734. 46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. He commenced to preach when only nineteen years of age, went through a three years' training at Bristol Academy, and began his ministry at Horsley in 1757, where in the following year he was ordained a Baptist minister. His success here was so signal that the chapel needed enlarge- ment, and whilst on a London tour collecting funds he had tempting offers to settle in the metropolis, which, notwith- standing a numerous and afflicted family, he positively de- clined. In 1764 his chapel was again found too small, and a more commodious one was erected. He remained faithful to his charge till his death on Dec. 14, 1799. He was a heavenly-minded, happy man, although his life was marked exceptionally with trouble. Freyling'hausen, Jobann Anastasius, was born Dec. 2, 1670, at Gandersheim, Hanover. He received from his mother the rudiments of a godly as well as a secular train- ing, and afterwards passed through a course of divinity studies at Jena. He formed a friendship with Augustus Hermann Francke, founder of the Orphan House at Halle, married his daughter, Anastasia, and in 1727 became Francke's successor at the head of the School. He wrote Fundamental Theology and other kindred works. But he is most widely and permanently known by his devout and inspiring hymns, most of which have been translated by Miss Wink worth in her Lyra Germanica. He published a German Hymn Book at Halle in 1704, which was a new departure for church worship in Germany. Freylinghausen was a leader of the Pietistic movement in Germany. He combined the duties of pastor, superintendent and teacher at Halle, and died there, Feb. 12, 1739. FllPIieSS, Rev. William Henry, was born at Boston, U.S., April 20, 1802. He was educated at Harvard, and gradu- ated in 1820. He afterwards studied theology at Cambridge, U.S., and was ordained minister of the first Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, in 1825. After fifty-five years of ser- vice he became a pastor Emeritus, or Superannuate, but preached occasionally. He had intense sympathy for the slaves, and worked incessantly for their emancipation. His chief writings are, Family Prayers ; Translations from the German Poets, &c. Like most other Unitarian ministers and writers, he has dealt chiefly with the character of Jesus Christ, ignoring or striving to reason away His Deity and vicarious sacrifice, and glorifying His human nature. His BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 47 works nevertheless display deep religious earnestness, as well as refined literary tastes. Gask^ll, Rev. William, was born at Warrington, Lanca- shire, in 1805. After a course of private tuition he was sent to Glasgow University. He here passed through his Arts' course with considerable success and took his M.A. He then proceeded to Manchester New College for theolo- gical preparation for the Unitarian Ministry. He became co-pastor of Cross St. Chapel, Manchester, with Rev. J. G. Robberds, succeeded eventually to the full pastorate, and continued his ministry there till death in 1884 — a term of nearly fifty-six years. In or about 1832 he married Miss Gleghorn Stevenson, who, as Mrs. Gaskill, was so well known as a novel writer. The jubilee of his ministry at Cross Street was celebrated at a great meeting in the Town Hall, when he was presented with £1,750, and a magnificent piece of plate. This money by his own request was applied to founding the Gaskill Scholarship at Owen's College, for students of the Unitarian Home Mission Board. He has made but little mark in the literary world. Gellert, Christian Furchtegott, was a native of Hay- nichen, Saxony, being born July 4, 1715. After studying theology at Leipzig, he was appointed, in 1751, professor extraordinary there. He was a very various litterateur : writing hymns, fables, comedies, and essays on morals and aesthetics. His fables became very popular in Germany, and are now extensively read. His hymns — 991 being a sample — have come into general congregational use, and have been translated into English, French, etc., etc. He died at Leipzig in the midst of his years, much esteemed for his usefulness and goodness, on Dec. 13, 1769. Gerhardt, Paul, was the melodious hymn-poet of Germany in the seventeenth century. He had no compeer in his day. He was to his fatherland, what W. Williams was to Wales and Watts to England in the eighteenth century. Indeed, it is hardly disputable that Germany has not produced another like him. Gerhardt was born at Grat'enhainichen, Saxony, on the 12th of March, 1607, and prosecuted his studies at Wittemberg. He began preach- ing at Mittenwalde in 1651, went to Berlin five years afterwards, but received dismissal in 1666 for refusing to subscribe to the Edicts of June 2, 1662, and Sept. 16, 1664. In 1667 he was raised to the Archdeaconate of Lubben, 48 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. and passed away in 1676. His hymns, which were first collected in 1648, and again more completely in 1843, by Wackernagel (Stuttgart), have continued ever since his day to hold their pre-eminent place among the church lyrics of Germany. Many of his beautiful odes have become English classics, having found translators in Rev. J. Wesley, Miss C. Winkworth, Dr. J. W. Alexander, Toplady, and J. Kelly. Gibbons, Rev. Thomas, D.D., an eminent Noncon- formist minister, and a considerable hymn- writer of the last century, was born at Reak, near Newmarket, May 31, 1720, and educated at Deptford. He was minister at Haberdasher's Hall, London, from 1743 till the time of his death. He was a somewhat voluminous writer \ among his published works being a volume of Sermons ; a book on Rhetoric ; Memoirs of Pious Women ; Memoirs of Br. Watts ; Juvenilia ; The Christian Minister ; and Hymns. He received his degree of D.D. from Aberdeen University in 1764. Dr. Gibbons was on friendly terms with Dr. Watts and Lady Huntingdon. His death occurred in London, Feb. 22, 1785, after five days' paralysis. Gill, Thomas Hornblower, of Eastdown Park, Lewisham, Kent, was born at Birmingham, Feb. 10, 1819, and educated at the Grammar School there. He began to write hymns at an early age ; but his life has been mainly devoted to historical and theological studies. The Rev. F. M. Bird says of his hymns, ' Wesley, in 1739, was scarcely more an innovator on the then established precedents of hymn- writing than was Mr. Gill a few years ago. His hymns will be well known and widely used hereafter.' He has written about two hundred sacred lyrics, which reveal a keen discernment, warmth of feeling, pleasant metre and rhythm, and often profound thought. His pieces have sometimes come * in tides of song.' He has published several works in prose, and the following in poetry : The Fortunes of Faith, An Ecclesiastical Poem, 1841 ; The Anniversaries and Poems on Great Men and Great Events, 1858; The Papal Dawn: A History, 1866; The Golden Chain of Praise, 1869, in which one hundred and sixty- nine of his divine songs are to be found ; and The Triumph of Christ, or Memorials of Franklin Howvrth, 1883. He was brought up a Unitarian ; but of this he says, ' The assiduous perusal of the Greek Testament for many years, showed me clearly that Unitarianism failed to interpret the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 49 Book of Life. As truth after truth broke upon my gaze God put a new song in my mouth. ■ Godeschalk (G-odeschalcus, Gotteschalcus), a monk of the ninth century, was of Saxon extraction, and was educated at the monastery of Fulda. When reaching manhood he desired to be free from a monastic life, but was compelled to continue on account of the paternal vows, which were considered inviolable and equally binding on him. Having removed to Orbais he was ordained a pres- byter, and received the surname of Fulgentius, because of his eminent attainments. A disaffection sprang up between him and his bishop, and he travelled in Italy, Dalmatia, and Pannonia. During the retirement of his earlier years he had drunk deep into the spirit and views of Augustine. The ardent propagation of these views brought him severe persecution. At the Synod of Mentz, A.D. 847, his senti- ments were condemned, and the president, Rabanus Maurus, sent him to the archbishop of Rheims. In the following year he was charged before the Synod of Chiersey, and after being condemned and degraded was incarcerated in the monastery of Hauteville. He suffered twenty-one years' continement and died in prison. The Communion was re- fused him in his latest illness, and Christian burial was denied his body. Godwin, Elizabeth Ayton, daughter of the late Mr. W. E. Etheridge, was born at Thorpe Hamlet, Norfolk. She was married in 1849 to Mr. Christopher Godwin, of Clifton, and now resides at Stoke Bishop, near Bristol. She lives a quiet, unpretentious life ; and amidst many domestic cares has written and published, Songs for the Weary ; and Songs Amidst Daily Life. Many of her sacred lyrics have appeared in different periodicals, and her leaflet, The School of Sorrow, has had a very extensive circulation. Gough, Benjamin, was born at Southborough, Kent, in 1805. After a successful career as a merchant in London, he retired to his estate, Mountu'eld, Faversham. He was a member and a useful layman in the "Wesley an Connexion. He published An Indian Tale, and Other Poems, 1832; The Lyra Sabbatica, 1865 ; said Kentish Lyrics, 1867. The last two works contain numerous hymns, some of which have come into congregational use. He also wrote a poem, 'In Memoriam to Charles Wesley/ commencing — ' Bard ! inspired by love divine.' D 50 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Grant, Sir Robert, wrote, besides other works, twelve Sacred Poems, which were published by his brother, Lord Gienelg, in 1839. These metrical productions are of aver- age merit, and a few of them of the first rank : ' When gathering clouds around I view ; ' ' O worship the King ; ' and ' Saviour, when in dust to Thee/ Grant was born in 1785. His father, Charles Grant, was a statesman and philanthropist of some distinction. Robert, graduating at Magdalen College, Cambridge, was admitted to the bar in 1807. He entered parliament for Inverness in 1826, be- came privy councillor in 1831, and governor of Bombay in 1834. He died in Western India, July 9, 1838. Gray, Rev. George Zabrisky, or Zabriskie, wrote the hymn, ' Led by a kindlier hand than ours/ We cannot say whether he wrote poetry extensively, but this poem does not indicate great talent. He graduated at New York in 1860, and after studying theology, was appointed Chaplain of the Fourth Massachusetts' Cavalry during the latter part of the civil war. He afterwards became successively rector of several parishes in New Jersey and New York. In 1883 he was appointed to the wardenship of Racine College, Wisconsin. Gregor, Christian, was the son of poor but godly par- ents, and born at Dersdorf, Silesia, Jan. 1, 1723. Imme- diately after his mother's death he was received into the family of Count Pful, and had the advantage thus afforded him of a good training. He learned music, and became organist and schoolmaster at the Herrnhut Moravian settle- ment. In 1751 he married Susannah Rasch, who became his faithful helpmeet during half a century. In 1756 he was ordained deacon but still held his position of choir- master. He prepared the Moravian Hymn and Tune-Books, and contributed thereto some excellent original hymns. Knapp has staled him the Asaph of Herrnhut. In 1764 he was appointed a Superintendent of the Moravian Church, officially visiting the stations in North America and Russia; and in 1789 he was made bishop, in succession to Spangen- berg. This office he filled with great fidelity and piety until his death at Bethelsdorf, Nov. 6, 1801. Griggs Rev. Joseph, was born somewhere about the year 1720 ; and when ten years of age is said to have written that widely popular hymn, * Jesus ! and shall it ever be.' When first published it was prefaced by the BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 51 biographic words : ' Shame of Jesus conquered by love. By a youth of ten years.' Grigg's other devout and beauti- ful Gospel ode — ' Behold a Stranger's at the door ' — is much admired and has been eminently useful. Mr. Grigg was a Presbyterian minister in Silver Street, London, 1743-7, and afterwards resided at S. Alban's and Stourbridge, Worces- tershire. He wrote several tracts in prose and verse ; his poems being published by D. Sedgwick, in 1861. He died at Walthamstow, Oct. 29, 1768. GFOSeP, William Howse, whose name is as ointment poured forth in the Sunday-school world, was born in 183-1, and noted in early years for his love of Natural History studies. He was admitted a member of the Geological Society when only twenty years of age. In 1862 he took his B.Sc. at London. He became a partner in the firm of William Groser and Sons. His Sunday-school life and ser- vice seem to have been a heritage ; his father being for many years senior secretary of the Old Bailey Sunday-school Union. For a period of twelve years William H. was gratuitous editor of the Bible Class and Youth's Magazine. He has wrought manfully in elucidating the principles of higher class teaching in Sunday-schools. He wrote with this object in view : Illustrative Teaching ; Bible Months; Our Work; The Teacher' s Model ; The Teachers Manual, etc. More recently he drafted ' The Victoria Reading Circle ' scheme, which is likely to prove an increas- ingly great blessing to our young people. Guyon, Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Mothe, of noble French extraction, wrote considerably during her eventful life. The following are some of her productions : Short and Easy Method of Prayer ; The Song of Songs ; Spiritual Streams ; Translation and Commentary of the Scriptures ; Spiritual Poems, etc. All her writings are deeply imbued with that mysticism which was at the extreme point from the French infidelities of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. She was a writer of great taste and culture, and exerted a powerful influence by her literary productions. Mdme. Guyon was born of wealthy paVents at Montargis, April 13, 1648, and received her early training at the Ursuline and Benadictine convents of her native place. Being surrounded by the subtle influences of a severe ascetic mysticism, and of delicate constitution, she easily imbibed the grave fallacies of conventual life, and at six- 52 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. teen resolved to take the veil. But her parents interfered, and espoused her to M. Guyon, who was then thirty-eight years of age. Her married life was an unhappy one, partly because of the opposite tastes of her husband, and partly through the jealousy and consequent severity of her mother- in-law. Her painful asceticism but the more gloomily be- clouded her troubled and persecuted life. In 1677 she became a widow, and of their five children three remained to her. She lived in troublous times, and pursued a some- what erratic course. But amidst all the suspicion and oblo- quy, her life was devoutly unworldly. She was sincere, and strong in the faith of her convictions. Her death oc- curred at Blois, June 9, 1717. Gunn, Rev. Henry Mayo, was born at Chard, Somerset, March 25, 1817. He was a studious and distinguished scholar; and was at Coward College five years, from 1834. He became assistant minister, first to Rev. Benjamin Kent, at Barnstaple, then to his uncle at Christchurch, Hants, and next to the Rev. J. Wills, at Basingstoke. Several years afterwards he accepted calls successively to Alton, War- minster, and Park Crescent, Clapham. Here, in 1873, his health failed, after three years of incessant toil with a de- pressed cause and numerous difficulties. He next went to Sevenoaks, but was again compelled in 1880 to cease work. He preached his farewell sermon in July. He successfully served his Divine Lord for the space of forty years. His last words were, ' Life, life, life, for Christ ! ' He changed mortality for life at Ealing, May 21, 1886. The Revs. Dr. Stoughton and A. Reed delivered addresses at the funeral, on his work and character. Mr. Gunn was twice married : in 1845, to Anna Maria, daughter of Robert L. Rice, Esq., who died four years after marriage ; and next to Isabella, eldest daughter of W. O. Wills, Esq., of Bristol. She survives him. Gurney, Rev. John Hampden, son of John Gurney, baron of the exchequer, was born in London, Aug. 15, 1802. He was educated ^at Trinity, Cambridge. In 1827 he be- came a curate at Lutterworth, where he remained for seven- teen years. He was next appointed rector of St. Mary's, Marylebone, and prebendary of St. Paul's. His death took place in London, March 8, 1862. He wrote Historical Sketches, Lectures, etc. He also compiled two Hymn Books, published respectively in 1838 and 1851. Mr. Gurney has written some good evangelical hymns. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 53 Hamilton, Rev. James, M.A., son of Mr. Archibald Hamilton, of Glendollar, Scotland, was born April 18, 1819, and educated at Corpus Christi, Cambridge. In 1845 he entered the ministry of the Anglican Church, was curate of St. Barnabas, Bristol, 1866-7 ; and vicar of Doulting, Somer- setshire, since that time. Hammond, Rev. William, joint author of the delightful hymn, 'Awake, and sing the song,' was born in 1719. He studied and graduated at St. John's, Cambridge, and after taking his degree, entered the ministry of the Calvinistic Methodists. In after years he united with the Moravian Brethren. His death took place in London in the year 1783, and he was buried at Chelsea. He published in 1745, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs. HaPt, Joseph, who was born in London in 1712, made proficient advancement in his early education, and became a classical scholar of some distinction. He was forty-two years of age ere any serious awakening of soul took place, and this is the more remarkable as he attended Whitefield's Tabernacle in early years. In the week preceding Easter, 1757, however, he heard Mr. W. preach on the sufferings of Carist, and divine deliverance came. Two years afterwards he commenced preaching in Jewin Street, London, and laboured there until his death, May 24, 1768. Twenty thousand people attended his burial in Bunhill Fields ; and though a century ago, his name is still fragrant. An obelisk, erected in 1875, marks his silent resting-place. Hastings, Thomas, Mus. D., the son of an American physician, was born at Washington, U.S., Oct. 15, 1784. He was a musician from his birth, and commenced to train church choirs at the age of twenty-one. His literary powers and activities in the musical world were very con- siderable. He established and edited a Journal for the advocacy of an improved system of Psalmody ; and was the author of The Union Minstrel for Sabbath Schools. In 1832 he was invited to New York to reconstruct church music and singing. Here he continued to reside till his death, in 1872, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. His musical papers, containing some 1,000 tunes and 500 original hymns, were left in the hands of Philip Phillips, the American singing pilgrim. Havergal, Frances Ridley, the youngest and also the brightest daughter of Rev. Wm. Hy. Havergal, was born 54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. at the rectory of Astley, Worcestershire, Dec. 14, 1836. She had three sisters, Jane Miriam, Maria Vernon, and Ellen Prestage ; and two brothers, Henry East, and Francis Tebbs. 'A pretty little babe/ said her sister Miriam, ' and by the time she reached two years of age, with her fair complexion, light curling hair, and bright ex- pression, a prettier child was seldom seen. At four years old Frances could read the Bible, and any ordinary book correctly/ Her conversion took place in the year 1851, after anxious conversation with Miss Cooke. ' I remember how my heart beat/ said Frances ; ' I left her suddenly and ran away upstairs to think it out. I flung myself upon my knees in my room and strove to realise the sudden hope. I was happy at last. I could commit my soul to Jesus. I could trust Him with my all for eternity.' So she was saved. In 1852 she accompanied her parents to Germany, and was placed at school in Dusseldorf. She made a considerable acquaintance with the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, German and Italian languages. She was also a devoted Scripture student; and knew the whole of the Gospels, Epistles, Revelation, Psalms, Isaiah, and the Minor Prophets. She wrote much and sweetly, both of prose and poetry. Her hymns are sung and admired in all the churches. Her piety was deep and cheerful, and became a great source of good to others. Her saintly life came to a close June 3, 1879, whilst staying at Caswell Bay, Swansea; and a peaceful, blessed termination of a noble Christian life it was. In her dying moments, after a convulsive sickness, she said, ' There, now it is all over ! Blessed rest ! ' Her soul went into her Redeemer's hands, and her body was laid to rest in the graveyard of her native place. The origin of her poems is thus stated : ' One minute I have not an idea of writing anything ; the next I have a poem : it is mine, I see it all/ Havergal, Rev. William Henry, M.A., the worthy and godly father of the above, was born in the year 1793. After graduating at St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, he was ordained by the bishop of Bath and Wells in 1816. He became rector of Astley, Worcestershire, in 1829 ; of St. Nicholas, Worcester, in 1845 ; vicar of Shareshill, near Wolverhamp- ton, 1860 ; and honorary canon of Worcester, 1845. He was the author of several works, among which were Old Church Psalmody ; and History of the Old Hundredth BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 55 Psalm Mr. Havergal died at Leamington, April 19, 1870, aged seventy-seven. ' A faithful minister in the Lord.' Of his earliest musical attempt, his daughter Maria says, ' My father's first published musical composition was a setting of bishop Heber's hymn, " From Greenland's icy mountains." The proceeds amounted to £180, and were devoted to the Church Missionary Society. In 1836 the Gresham prize medal was awarded to him for a cathedral service in A.' HaweiS, Rev. Thomas, M.D., was born at Truro, Corn- wall, in 1733, or 1734. He was educated at Christ's Col- lege, Cambridge, for the profession of a physician ; and after practising some time he entered the ministry of the Anglican Church, and became rector of Aldvvinkle, North- amptonshire He afterwards also accepted the chaplaincy to Lady Huntingdon, and for a considerable period had the general superintendence of her chapels. He is author of the Communicant's Spiritual Companion ; Evangelical Prin- ciples and Practice ; Evangelical Expositor ; Translation of the New Testament ; Life of Romaine ; History of the Church ; Carmina Christo. Many of his hymns are superior and deservedly admired. His life and Christian service terminated at Bath, Feb. 11, 1820. Hawker, Rev. Robert, who like the former first became a medical man and then a minister, was born at Exeter, in 1753. He entered the married estate at the early age of nineteen. Soon afterwards religious convictions grew strong upon him. He recognised a call from God, went to Oxford, was ordained, and became a curate. In May, 1784, he be- came minister of Charles Church, Plymouth, and there exer- cised his gifts till death, on April 6, 1827, at the ripe age of seventy-four. He was author of various works, and also edited a publication of the Scriptures in penny numbers. Heber, Rt. Rev. Reginald, was born April 21, 1783, at Malpas in Cheshire. At the age of seventeen he went to Brasenose College, Oxford. In 1802, he won the Univer- sity prize for Latin hexameters, and the next year wrote a successful English prize-poem, entitled, Palestine. It takes a high rank of quality, and was afterwards set to music by Dr. Crotch. Soon after his election to a fellowship in All Souls College, he travelled in Germany, Russia, and the Crimea, making a careful journal, extracts from which were afterwards published. After his return he was made rector of Hodnet, and married Amelia, daughter of Dean Shipley 56 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. of St. Asaph. In 1815 lie delivered the Bampton Lectures on the Personality and Office of the Christian Comforter, In 1817 he was appointed canon of St. Asaph ; and in 1822 he published his Life of Jeremy Taylor, with a review of his writings. In the following year he took the most im- portant step of his life : accepted the See of Calcutta, and embarked for the East Indies, June 16, 1823. He held this momentous post but a sadly brief period. Three years afterwards, when on a visitation at Tirutchinopoli, he went to bathe on April 2, and was seized with apoplexy, which terminated his useful life. He was a most assiduous and varied worker, establishing educational institutions, com- mencing new mission stations, etc. As a poet, he wrote delightful verses. Many of his hymns have become en- deared to the churches of our land. HeginbOtham, Rev. Ottiwell, wrote a number of hymns, twenty-five of which were published posthumously, in 1794, He was born in 1744, possessed 'uncommon abilities,' and was educated at Daventry. He became the pastor of a congregation at Sudbury, ' made up of two hostile parties, whose disputes drove him into consumption and an early grave/ By no means an uncommon instance this! He died at Sudbury in 1768, just three years after his ordination. HemanS, Felicia Dorothea, was the daughter of a Liverpool merchant, named Browne. She was born in that city, Sept. 25, 1794. She commenced writing poetry in very early years, and published her first volume when four- teen years of age. Her next work, issued in her eighteenth year, treats largely on the domestic affections. In the same year, 1812, she was united in marriage to Captain Hemans ; but six years afterwards they separated, he going to the Continent, and she with her five sons living in England. She was a devoted student and writer ; but her domestic needs demanding the production of short pieces for a liveli- hood, prevented the larger development of those latent powers which she evidently possessed. But whatever the tendency of her powers, she lacked opportunity and leisure for the true and adequate culture of her art. The purity of her poetry, its gentle pathos, its devoutness, and the loftiness of its sentiments none can question. She died in Dublin, May 12, 1835. Herbert, Algernon, was born July 12, 1792, and wrote BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 57 that striking hymn, l Though by sorrows overtaken.' He was a barrister-at-law, and was the author of several re- markable works on Scripture, history, and philosophy. He died June 11, 1848, at the age of sixty-three. He pub- lished Nimrod, 1826-30; and edited Nennius in 1848. HePmannilS, (Contractus, or the lame) was born July 18, 1013. He came of an aristocratic family, and was trained in a monastic institution at Reichenau, on an island of Lake Constance. He possessed considerable powers of mind, was of industrious habits, and became a great scholar for that time ; being well versed in Latin, Greek, Arabic, theology, philosophy, science. He became a monk of St. Gall and of Reichenau when about thirty years of age. He wrote, among various works, a Chronicon de Lex Mundi uEtatibus, which extended from the Creation till 1054, the year of his death. He suffered much affliction ; all his limbs were drawn and contracted by paralysis. He is be- lieved to be the author of hymn 181. HePVey, Rev. James, was born at Hardingstone, near Northampton, Feb. 26, 1713. He went to Lincoln College, Oxford, and there for a time associated with the party called Methodists. He was appointed to the curacy of Dummer, in Hampshire, in 1736, and two years later resigned it to go to Stoke Abbey, in Devon. In 1743, he became his father's curate at Weston Favell, of which living he afterwards be- came rector. He died on Christmas Day, 1758, in the forty-fifth year of his age. He bore a most exemplary character; was entirely disinterested, benevolent, mild in temper and unostentatious. His writings, Meditations Among the Tombs; Theron and A spasia, etc., had an im- mense popularity, were remarkably florid, and thus claimed a large constituency of the less cultivated readers. Hill, Rev. Rowland, M.A., one of the most celebrated Nonconformist ministers of the last century, was the sixth son of Sir Rowland Hill, Bart., and born at Hawkstone Hall, Salop, Aug. 23, 1744. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge, entering St. John's College, 1764. He was a pious youth, and during his stay at Eton was led to Christ, by the correspondence of his brother Richard. Whilst at the University, he came under the magnetic influence of Whitefield and the Methodist worthies, and without waiting for ecclesiastical orders, preached in the prison, the open air, and in private houses. He was restrained by family in- 58 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. fluence, during his earlier years, from becoming a Noncon- formist. But his strong predilections for Whitefield's man- ner of life made it difficult for him to obtain ordination, and he never passed beyond deacon's orders. ' Soon after this man of God determined upon disobedience to earthly statutes and human canons, that he might be obedient to a heavenly vision, and perform a divine and immortal work/ In 1773 he was appointed to the parish of Kingston, Somer- setshire, but continued his glorious open-air work. Ten years afterwards Surrey Chapel was erected, where he exer- cised his sanctified, though eccentric talents for nearly half a century. ' Were I to live my life over again,' said he, 'I would preach just the same.' Sheridan used to say of him, ' I often go to hear Rowland Hill, because his ideas come red-hot from the heart.' He was Calvinistic in his doctrine, and at one time wrote bitterly against John Wes- ley. He was the author of Village Dialogues, a book which in his own style dealt with the religious abuses of his day and with ethical subjects generally. He died in London, April 11, 1833. Hinchsliffe, Joseph, was born at Sheffield in 1760. In tender years he became impressed about eternal concerns,, and yielded his heart to God. He united with the Norfolk Street Methodist Church, Sheffield, and possessing a good voice and a good knowledge of music, became a member of the choir. He had a business as silversmith and cutler, but ill-health led to his removal to Dumfries. He had a large family decidedly musical, and conducted a prosperous busi- ness in Dumfries until his death in 1807. Holmes, Oliver Wendell, M.D., was the son of an American minister, and born at Cambridge, Mass., in the year 1809. After his university course, he devoted himself for a season to the study of law ; but gave it up in the course of a year for that of medicine. He came to Europe in 1833, and for two or three years attended the hospitals and other duties of his profession in Paris. He returned to America, and in 1836 took his M.D. at Cambridge. Two years afterwards he became professor of anatomy and physi- ology in Dartmouth College, and in 1847 was elected pro- fessor of anatomy at Harvard University. But Dr. Holmes's fame has been attained in the realm of literature and poe- try. His Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, and other kin- dred books are a delight to read. George Augustus Sala BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 59 puts him in high rank : ' An illustrious knot they form : Longfellow and Emerson ; Whittier and Whipple ; Holmes, Lowell, and Agassiz. His humour, perhaps, is more thoroughly English than that of any of his contemporaries ; and this is most strongly exemplified in his poems.' HoppS, Rev. John Page, Unitarian minister, was born in London, Nov. 6, 1834, and trained for the ministry at the Baptist College, Leicester, entering in 1853. He undertook his first pastorate in 1856 at Ibstock and Hugglescote. Some time afterwards he became co-pastor with the late George Dawson, of Birmingham, and in 1860 accepted a call to the Unitarian Church, Sheffield. Three years afterwards he undertook the pastorate of Dukinfield, Lane. In 1869 he removed to Glasgow, where he served on the first School Board; and in 1876 he came to Leicester. He has pub- lished somewhat largely : The Church without a Sect ; Prayers for Private Meditation ; The People's Hymn Booh ; etc. He enjoys a considerable popularity ; during six months in the winter he leaves his chapel on Sunday evenings, and holds services in the Floral Hall, addressing some 3,000 people on each occasion. He has written some beautiful hymns, and has become a hymnist of considerable note. HOW, Rev. William Walsham, D.D., was born at Shrews- bury, Dec. 13, 1823, and attended the Grammar School there in his early years. He became a student in Wad ham College, Oxford, where he took his M.A. in 1847. He was curate at St. George's, Kidderminster, in 1846, and at Holy Cross, Shrewsbury, 1848. He was made rector of Whitting- ton, Salop, 1851 ; rural dean of Oswestry, and diocesan in- spector of schools, 1853 ; hon. canon of St. Asaph Cathe- dral, 1860; and proctor of the diocese in 1869; being in the preceding year select preacher at Oxford. In 1878 he became examining chaplain to the Bishop of Lichfield, and in the following year rector of St. Andrew's, London, and suffragan bishop of Bedford (East London). He is the author of several theological and practical works, and has written a number of beautiful hymns. In 1888 he was raised to the new bishopric of Wakefield. Howitt, Mrs. Mary, daughter of Mr. Botham, a member of the Society of Friends, was born at Uttoxeter, Stafford- shire, in 1800. In connection with her sister Anna, she studied Latin and French, and devoted some time to the science of chemistry. But her special taste was towards CO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. literature. She manifested an early love of poetry, and it is said that some of her manuscript pieces came into the hands of young William Howitt, who himself had literary and poetic tastes ; this brought him into closer acquaintance with his future wife. They were united in marriage at the Uttoxeter meeting-house in the spring of 1821, and lived ever afterwards a truly happy life. They published jointly in 1823, The Forest Minstrel and Other Poems ; afterwards a versified story of the Great Plague ; The Book of the Sea- sons ; and History of Scandinavian Literature. She also published, The Seven Temptations ; Sketches of Natural His- tory ; Ballads and Other Poems; The Children's Year ; Hymns and Fireside Poems ; Pictorial Calendar of the Sea- sons ; Popular History of the United States ; Birds and their Nests; Wood Leighton ; besides her many and valuable magazine pieces. They celebrated their ' golden wedding ' in Rome, April 16, 1871. And eight years afterwards she lost her beloved husband, who was buried in the Protestant cemetery. She then went to reside in the Tyrol and lived a life of delightful tranquillity. Years before they had severed their connection with the Society of Friends, and became associated with the Unitarians. In 1873 they be- came converts to Spiritualism. After Mr. Howitt's death she joined the Papal communion, and was present at the Pope's Jubilee celebration, (1887). She died Jan. 30, 1888, and was laid beside her husband in the Protestant burial- place. Hyde, Abigail (formerly Bradley), was born at Stock- bridge, Mass., Sept. 28, 1799, and died at Andover, Conn., April 7, 1872. She became the wife of the Rev. Lavius Hyde in 1818, and resided successively at Salisbury, Mass. ; Bolton and Ellington, Conn. ; Wayland and Becket, Mass. She wrote a few sacred odes, three of which have come into popular use in the Christian churches. Ingemann, Bernardt Severin, was born at Thorkildstrup, on the island of Falster, May 28, 1798. He was an emi- nent Danish poet and romance writer. He travelled exten- sively through Europe, and was appointed in 1822 professor of the Danish language and literature at the Soio Academy, of which institution he afterwards became director. He died in 1862, leaving behind him poems, dramas, and ro- mances of considerable value ; in all 34 vols. Irons, Genevieve Mary, the youngest daughter of Rev. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 61 Dr. Irons, whose biography is given below, was born at Brornpton, Dec. 28, 1855. 'Both my father and my grand- father, (Rev. Joseph Irons, Congregational minister, at Camberwell), were copious hymn-writers, and I am told that from them I inherit a facility for rhyming. The first verses that I ever published were some to St. Augustine, which appeared in the Sunday Magazine, 1876. Later on I des- troyed everything that I had in MS., and for nearly two years I never wrote a line.' The first effusion which Miss Irons, who is a Catholic, afterwards wrote, was, ' Drawn to the Cross,' &c. She has been a poetical contributor to the Sunday Magazine, and is the compiler of a small com- munion manual — Corpus Christi. Irons, Rev. William Josiah, D.D., son of Rev. Joseph Irons, Independent minister, was born at Hoddesdon, Herts, Sept. 12, 1812. He was educated at Queen's College, Oxford, became a member of the Anglican Church, took orders, became curate of Newington, 1835; vicar of Wal- worth, 1837; of Barkway, Herts, 1838; of Brornpton, London, 1842; and afterwards rector of St. Mary Wool- noth, and prebendary of St. Paul's. He was a voluminous writer, published a number of theological works, and a Me- trical Psalter. He also issued Psalms and Hymns for the Church, containing 190 original pieces. He died June 19, 1883. JaCObi, John Christian, was the author of Psalmodia Germanica ; or, The German Psalmody Translated from the High German, 1725. Jenkins, Rev. Ebenezer E., M.A. (London), an eminent minister in the Wesleyan communion, was born at Exeter, May 10, 1820. He was educated in Exeter Grammar School, resided awhile at Teignmouth, and after his theo- logical training, entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1845. He went as a missionary to India, was seventeen years at Madras and one at Negapatam. Returning to England in 1863, he has since ministered at Hackney, Brixton, South- port, and Highbury. He spent a year on a tour to China and Japan, partly for the sake of his health, and partly in relation to the missions. He has published a Volume of Sermons, and the Fernley Lecture for one year. He is one of the secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society. John Of Damascus, the last of the Greek Fathers, and their most reliable theologian, was surnamed Chrysorrhoas 62 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. because of his great eloquence. He was a native of Damascus, a son of Sergius (a wealthy Christian and privy- councillor), and born at the end of the seventh or the be- ginning of the eighth century. John succeeded his father, at the latter's death, in the Saracen court. He wrote in defence of image worship, which led the Emperor Leo, the Isaurian, to accuse him of treason to the caliph, who ordered the severance of his right hand. He is said to have inter- ceded with the Virgin, who restored it the same night. Then the caliph believed in John's innocence, and wished to restore him to office, but he declined and retired into private life, entering the monastery of St. Sabas, near Jerusalem. Here he wrote his learned works on science and theology. These were issued as Orations, Letters, Tracts, etc. His principal work was The Fountain of Knowledge, the third part of which was Orthodox Faith — ' a complete system of theology derived from the Fathers/ He also wrote Homilies^ Expositions of the Pavline Fpistles, and many excellent hymns. The date of his death is unknown. Jones, Rev. Edmund, ' prophet of the Tranch,' was born at Penllwyn, near Abertillery, Mons., April 1, 1702. He did not receive a liberal education, but was ' exception- ally intelligent,' and able to read his Welsh Bible at nine years of age. He was serious-minded, and early marked out for the ministry. In his nineteenth year he joined his father's church, and three years subsequently began to preach. In 1739, he became pastor of Ebenezer church, near Pontypool, at that time worshipping in private houses. Here he was successful and built a chapel. He was ' short and slight ' in build, but had a large soul. He lived in a humble cottage on the hill side, known as the Tranch, never receiving more than £10 a year ; and yet he was buoyant and cheerful. In his lowly abode Lady Huntingdon is said to have visited ' the dear old prophet ' more than once, and George Whitefield spent many a happy night under the hospitable roof. He wrote a History oj Aberystruth Parish, and a History of Apparitions in Wales. These works are chiefly records of death-warnings, phantom-funerals, ghostly appearances, and supernatural sounds. In his eighty-seventh year he preached over four hundred times. The good prophet died Nov. 26, 1793, in his ninety-second year and the sixty-ninth of his ministry, saying, ' The heavenly land is in sight, and there is not a single cloud between me and its glory.' BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. G3 Joseph Of the Studilim, was a native of Sicily, and born near the end of the eighth century. After various adventures and cross-currents of experience he retired to the Abbey of the Studium at Constantinople. He was afterwards made archbishop of Thessalonica, but was de- posed A.D. 809, exiled, and died subsequently to 816. He was an industrious and voluminous writer, and composed a number of hymns, few of which, however, have found their way into modern Hymnals. Joyce, Rev. James, M. A., was born at Frome, Somerset- shire, Nov. 2, 1766. He was a clergyman of the Anglican church, and vicar of Dorking until his death at that place, Oct. 9, 1850. He was the author of A Treatise on Love to God, published in 1822; The Lay of Truth, in 1825; also a number of useful hymns. Keble, Rev. John, M.A., the celebrated author of the Christian Year, was born at Fairford, Gloucester, April 25, 1792. His early education was directed by his father, who was a clergyman. In 1806 he went to Corpus Christi, Ox- ford, had a successful university career, and became fellow of Oriel, 1811. Here he found as associates such men as Whateley, Arnold, Newman, Pusey ; which powerfully in- fluenced his future thinkings and course of life. Ordained in 1816, he was curate of East Leach and Burthorpe ; curate of Hursley, Hampshire, in 1825, and ten years after- wards its vicar, which he held the remainder of his godly life. He also held, from 1831 to 1841, a professorship of poetry in Oxford. His life terminated at Bournemouth, March 29, 1866. He was ardently associated with the tractarian and ritualistic movement of that time. The Christian Yea.r first appeared in 1827 (2 vols., Oxford), anonymously. Perhaps not fewer than a million copies have been circulated. Many of the pieces had a strange and adverse origin, ' were written on the backs and edges of letters, in old account books and pocket books.' He also published A Metrical Version of the Psalter ; Lyra Innocentium, a collection of poems for childhood ; an edition of the Works of Richard Hooker, involving six years' labour ; Lectures on Poetry ; Life of Bishop Wilson ; and posthu- mously came out his Occasional Papers and Reviews; and eleven volumes of Sermons. Keene, R. — See Hymn-Note 485. Kelly, Rev. Thomas, an Irish clergyman, was born near 64 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Athy, Queen's County, July 13, 1769, being the son of Chief Baron Kelly. After his Arts' course in Dublin, and the study of law in London, he consecrated his life and powers to the ministry of the Gospel, being ordained in 1792. He became a devout evangelist, and was encouraged in this course by the Rev. Rowland Hill's visit to Ireland. But the bishop of Dublin inhibited him from preaching within the diocese, and he became a dissenting minister at Athy, Wexford, Waterford, and other places. He pub- lished in 1804, a volume of Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture, of which enlarged editions afterwards appeared. Kelly died May 14, 1855, saying, ' Not my will, but Thine be done ; ' i The Lord is my everything' Ken, Thomas, a pious, devout, and brave bishop of the seventeenth century, was born at Berkhampstead, Herts, in July, 1637. He was educated at Winchester School and Oxford University, becoming a Fellow of Winchester Col- lege in 1666. He was a zealous protestant, and in 1679 was appointed chaplain to Mary, wife of William of Orange, at the Hague. Having returned to England, he was re- quired to give up his room for the accommodation of Nell Gwynn, the mistress of Charles II. ' Not for the king's kingdom,' was his brave answer. Soon afterwards he was made bishop of Bath and Wells, the king exclaiming, ' Who shall have Bath and Wells but the little fellow who would not give poor Nelly a lodging ! ' He refused to read the Declaration of Indulgence issued by James II., and with six other mitred heads was thrown into prison. He was deprived of his see in 1691 for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to William III., retired into private life, and in 1703 declined to be reinstated in the bishopric. His lyrics were published as Morning, Evening, and Midnight Hymns. His doxology is, perhaps, the noblest ever written. Ken carried his shroud about in his portmanteau, saying, ' it might be as soon wanted as any other garment.' He died at Longleat, March 19, 1711, and was buried at From e, by his own request, just as the sun was rising; the friends at the burial singing his * Morning Hymn.' Kennedy, Rev. Benjamin Hall, D. D., was born at Sum- mer Hill, Birmingham, Nov. 6, 1804, and educated at King Edward's school of that town, and at Shrewsbury Grammar School, graduating at St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1827. Three years afterwards he was appointed assistant BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 65 master at Harrow, and in 1836 head master of Shrewsbury. In 1841 he was installed prebendary of Lichfield. In 1866 he resigned the head-mastership of Shrewsbury, and became regius professor of Greek at Cambridge, and in the follow- ing year canon of Ely. He was elected member of the University Council in 1870, and hon. fellow of St. John's in 1880. Dr. Kennedy was the author of several prose and poetic works. He died at Torquay, April 6, 1889. Kethe, William, of the sixteenth century, and a native of Scotland, was an exile in Geneva with John Knox, in 1553. He became chaplain to the British army at Havre in 1563. He was subsequently minister at Okeford, Dorset. On a sermon preached by him at Blandford in 1571, he is set forth as ' minister and preacher of God's Word.' King*, Rev. John, incumbent of Christ Church, Hull, died Sept. 12, 1858, in his seventieth year. The Psalmist, edited by Revs. H. and J. Gwyther, contains one psalm and four hymns, marked ' J. King.' In a copy having MS. notes by the editor these hymns are assigned to Joshua King, Vicar of Hull, but the person meant must have been the incumbent of Christ Church, as no other person named King held a vicarage in Hull. ' Mr. King published several sermons and other works, and edited a volume of hymns and poems by a lady (M. A. Bodley).' Knowles, Rev. James Davis, a Baptist minister, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, July, 1798. He learned the printing business, and in 1819 became co-editor of the Rhode Island American. In March, 1820, he joined the Baptist Church, and in the autumn of the following year was licensed to preach. Shortly afterwards he entered the Columbian College, Washington, and graduated in 1824. He was appointed one of the college tutors, and held the post till called to the pastorate of the Second Baptist Church, Boston, being ordained Dec. 28, 1825. Impaired health compelled him, in 1832, to resign, and he became professor of pastoral duties and sacred rhetoric in Newton Theological Institute, acting also for a period of two years as editor of the Christian Revievj, a Baptist Quarterly. Mr. Knowles published Sermons ; Addresses ; Memoir of Mrs. A. H. Judson ; and Memoir of Roger Williams, Foun- der of the State of Rhode Island. He died May 9, 1838. KnollyS, Rev. Francis Minden, born 1815, took his B.A. at Oxford in 1836, was ordained in 1838 by the bishop of E 66 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Oxford, and became incumbent of Fitzhead, Taunton, in 1856, where he continued till his death in 1863. He was the author of various published sermons and other works, as ; The Articles of the Church of England with Scripture Proof; The Sunday School Teachers 1 Question Book ; A Gar- land for the School, or Sacred Verses for Sunday Scholars and Masters. Lange, Joachim, D.D., was a native of Gardelegen, Saxony, born Oct. 26, 1670. His father was senior magis- trate of the place. He was on terms of intimate friend- ship with A. H. Franke, the philanthropist and hymn- writer of Leipzig. Lange became college rector at Berlin, and afterwards a professor of theology at Halle and rector of the college. He died May 7, 1744. Much of his life was spent in tutorial work, or in directing educational in- stitutions. He was a literary leader in the Pietistic move- ment, and was the author of several controversial works, and also works on history and theology. Langford, John, of the last century, was in his earlier days associated with the Methodist community. He after- wards went to Dr. Gifford's church, Eagle Street, London. Next, in 1765, he took charge of a church at Blocksfield, and continued there some twelve years. In 1777 he re- moved to Rose Lane, Ratcliffe. After a few years he under- took the pastorate of a small church in Bunhill Bow. This was his last charge. He eventually retired from preaching duties. But in 1790 he delivered a memorial sermon on the death of the Bev. George Whitefield. La Trobe, John Antes, son of the Bev. C. I. Latrobe, secretary of the Moravian Church Missions, was born in London, 1792. He graduated M.A. at Oxford, and became incumbent of St. Thomas's, Kendal, and honorary canon of Carlisle Cathedral Latrobe wrote Sacred Songs and Lyrics, 1850, and other works. He retired from the active work of the ministry in 1863, and entered the perfect life in 1878. LeeSOll, Jane Elizabeth, was a considerable writer of poetry, as the following works attributed to her will show : Lady Ella, 1847 ; Songs of Christian Chivalry, 1848 ; Chris- tian Child's Book, 1848 ; Wreath of Lilies, 1849 ; Margaret, a Poem, 1850; Chapters on Deacons, 1849. She also pub- lished anonymously, Paraphrases and Hymns for Congrega- tional Singing, 1853. This last work was the Scotch Para- phrases greatly altered, and some original hymns added. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. <»7 Longfellow, Rev. Samuel, an American minister, and younger brother of the celebrated poet, Henry W. Long- fellow, was born at Portland, Me., June IS, 1819. He gra- duated at Harvard in 1839, and completed his divinity course in 1846. His first pastorate was at Fall TLiver, Mass., in 1848 ; and he took charge of the Second Unitarian Church, Brooklyn, from 1853. In 1860 he visited Europe in pursuit of health, and after his return settled at Cam- bridge, Mass. He wrote for various magazines and pub- lished a volume of Hymns of the Spirit, and another book for use in Unitarian congregations. He was preparing his brother's biography in 1884 when his death took place. Luther, Martin, has been dead nearly three and a half centuries, but he lives now and evermore in all Saxon hearts and homes. His origin was humble enough : springing from a peasant's cottage-home, he yet struggled upwards through poverty and hardship, and became the greatest man of Reformation times. He was born at Eisleben, Saxony, Nov. 10, 1483. John and Margaret Luther, his parents, were poor, hard-working people, but of ancient and noble lineage, which can be traced back to 1137. Carried in arms to school at Mansfeldt, he commenced his work early in learning the Lord's prayer, the decalogue, the catechism, the Apostles' Creed, and the Latin Grammar. At fourteen years of age, he was on foot along the high road to a Mag- deburg school, knapsack on his back, empty pockets, and hot tears coursing down his face. Here, education and singing mendicancy journeyed side by side, until one chilly eventide in front of Conrad Cotta's house, he was plaintively chant- ing— ' Foxes to their holes have gone, And every bird unto its nest, But I wander here alone, And for me there is no rest.' * Charity, for Christ's sake charity,' he cried as the door was thrown open. And the response was Christ-like; Martin found a home. He afterwards went to Erfurt to study for his degree and the law. One day in the library he found God's Book, read it eagerly, became troubled in soul, and after much profitless searching and many wanderings, he was justified by faith and found peace with God. In 1508, the Elector Frederick conferred on him the chair of philo- sophy at the new University in "Wittemberg, where he lec- tured with great power. The following year he discoursed 63 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. on Biblical Theology. In 1510 he put back the hands of the clock and made a sacred pilgrimage on foot to Rome, but returned a wiser man. And now began, in fiercer character, those battles with papal authorities and institu- tions which more or less continued through his remarkable life, but which we have no space to detail : lecturing, pub- lishing theses, debating with Tetzel, standing before Councils, translating and expounding the Scriptures. On May 25, 1521, the Emperor proclaimed him an outlaw, but he re- mained obedient to the heavenly vision, and God defended him. On June 13, 1525, he was united in marriage with Catherine Bora, a ' runaway nun/ ' I am married,' said he, 1 to please my father, to teach the pope, and to vex the devil. 7 Six children — three sons and three daughters — were given them ; and their home-life was a ' scene of love, peace, and happiness of the highest Christian type/ His great work, the translation of the Scriptures into German, was published in 1542, and is now in all its main features the Bible of the German people. He preached his last sermon at Eisleben ; and on Feb. 18, 1546, about four o'clock, a.m., his sanctified soul went away to his beloved Saviour. His loving, mourn- ing, widowed Kate wrote : — ' To have lost a princedom, to have lost an empire, would not be such a loss as I deplore/ ' Luther's hymns deserve special mention. He not only re- stored sacred song to the church, but was himself a hymn- writer. The greatest of his hymns, " A safe stronghold our God is still," is based on Psalm xlvi. This hymn is Luther in song. Bugged and majestic, trustful in God, and confi- dent, it was the defiant trumpet blast of the Reformation.' Lynch, Rev. Thomas Toke, the gentle and cultured pas- tor of Mornington Church, was born July 5, 1818, at Dun- mow, Essex. He spent his early years at Islington, and commenced his ministerial duties at Highgate in 1847. Two years afterwards he went to Mortimer Street, and in 1852 to Fitzroy Square Chapel. In 1862 he began his re- markable ministry at Mornington Church, Hampstead Road. He did his work through much physical infirmity, and in later years could only preach on Sunday mornings. His earthly sojourn and work ended May 9, 1871. His publi- cations are various, and were widely appreciated at the time of their issue : Memorials of Theophilus Trinal ; Essays on Some Forms of Literature ; Lectures in Aid of Self Improve- ment ; Among Transgressors ; A Group of Six Sermons ; BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 69 The Mornington Lecture ; Sermons for My Curates ; The Rivulet, a Contribution to Sacred Song. This last-mentioned brought him into trouble : James Grant, in the Morning Advertiser, and Dr. Campbell, in The British Banner, at- tacked it violently. But it also secured him many excellent, powerful, and valued friends. The book contains much rare and exquisite poetry, and is largely an exposition of some uncommon experiences. Most modern Hymnals have been enriched from its pages. Lyra Davidia. Vide Hymn-Note 109. Lyte, Rev. Henry Francis, was born June 1, 1793, at Kelso, Ireland. After his graduate course at Trinity Col- lege, Dublin, he was ordained in 1815. In 1823, after other brief appointments, he was made perpetual curate of Lower Brixham, Devon, and remained here till his death, at Nice, in the autumn of 1847. It was not till the year 1818 that he realised spiritual conversion. A dying clergy- man, in a similarly dark state, sent for him. They studied prayerfully the Divine Word, and both obtained light and peace. And after this he commenced a life of intenser acti- vity for Jesus Christ, and was made very successful among the sailors and fishermen of his parish. He had consider- able poetic gifts, and on these chiefly his fame is built. He published: Tales Upon the Lord's Prayer ; Poems, Chiefly Religious; The Spirit of the Psalms; Poems of Henry Vaughan, with a Memoir. Macduff, Rev. J. R., D.D., was the second son of Alexander Macduff, of Bonhard, Perthshire. He was born in 1818, and received his earlier training at the Edinburgh High School. In due time he entered the University, and was a successful student. In 1843 he was ordained and ap- pointed minister of Kettins parish, Forfarshire. Six years afterwards he undertook the parish of St. Madres, Perth- shire. His next removal was to the new church of Sandy- ford, Glasgow, where his unusual talents found wider scope. Dr. Macduff has wielded an unwearying pen, and has mani- fested a rare mastery of the English language. His numerous writings have secured an immense sale both in Scotland and England. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and New York. He spent fifteen years in ministerial work in Glasgow, and then re- tired to Chislehurst, Kent, where he is completely occupied with literary labours. 70 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Malan, Rev. Csesar Henri Abraham, a Swiss clergyman, was born July 7, 1787, at Geneva. He studied theology in his native city, but held rationalistic views till 1817. Under the influence of Robert Haldane and Rev. Dr. J. M. Mason he became an evangelical Trinitarian and a strong Calvinist. But when attempting to advocate his Calvinistic views, he was strictly forbidden by the Pastors' Association. He persisted, and the pulpits were closed against him. He then held meetings in his own house and subsequently in a chapel ; made missionary tours in various Protestant countries; and died at Geneva, May 18, 1864. He pub- lished among other works, Chants de Sion, a volume of three hundred hymns of considerable beauty and value. Mant, Richard, D.D., an Irish clergyman and bishop, was born at Southampton, Feb. 12, 1776. Educated at Ox- ford, he became curate of Southampton in 1802, and rector of St. Botolph, London, in 1816. FourJ years afterwards he was ordained bishop of Killaloe and Kilfenora, Ireland. In 1823 he undertook the duties of the See of Down and Connor. His publications are, Booh of Common Prayer, with Notes ; History of the Church of Ireland, 2 vols. ; Bible Commentary (in connection with D'Oyly) ; and The Booh of Psalms in an English Metrical Version. He died at Balleymoney, Nov. 2, 1848. Marckant, John, author of Verses to Divers Good Pur- poses, published 1580. Vide Hymn-Note 288. Marriott, Rev. John, born at Cottesback, near Lutter- worth, in 1780, was educated at Rugby School, hard by, and Christ Church, Oxford, taking honours in 1802 — the first year in which public honours were awarded by that university. He was private tutor in the Duke of Buccleuch's family, received ordination in 1803, and after several curacies, was appointed rector of Church Lawford, War- wickshire. In consequence of domestic affliction he resigned his living, and went with his family to reside in the village of Broad Clyst, near Exeter, for the sake of the milder and more genial climate of Devon. He died in 1825 at a com- paratively early age. Marsden, Rev. Joshua, was born at Warrington, 1777, and converted at a Methodist chapel in Manchester. In 1800 he went as a Wesleyan missionary to British North America, and was very successful. He next went to Bermuda, but returning in 1814 to England through failing BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 7l health, he laboured as a circuit minister till 183G. He afterwards resided in London as a supernumerary. Death came Aug. 11, 1837, and had no sting for him. He wrote largely and somewhat pretentiously as a poet : as, The Back- slider; Amusements of a Mission; Lines on the Death of Dr. Coke ; The Evangelical Minstrel ; The Narrative of a Mission to Nova Scotia ; Sketches of Wesley an Methodism ; Forest Musings, etc., etc. MatSOll, Rev. William Tidd, a Congregational minister and hymn- writer, was born in London, Oct. 17, 1833. He was educated at several private schools, finishing at a Ken- sington College. In youth he was an ardent politician, en- joyed the friendship of Joseph Mazzini, and was secretary to the European Freedom Committee. At twenty years of age he realised a great spiritual change, joined the New Connexion Methodists, and became a local preacher. But influenced by the late Rev. W. Spencer Howard, he joined the Congregationalism, passed through his theological course, and accepted the pastorate of the Havant Church, Hants. In 1862 he became minister of the Gosport congregation ; in 1870 he removed to Sleaford, Lincolnshire ; afterwards to Rothwell ; thence to Portsmouth ; and in 1885 to the neigh- bourhood of Southampton. He married in 1854 and has a family of seven children. Prior to his first pastorate he published a volume of poems : A Summer Evening Reverie ; afterwards, Poems, a book of five hundred pages, and well received by the press ; then came successively, One Hun- dred Hymns and Sacred Lyrics ; The Priest in the Village, and other works. His hymns have been reproduced in some forty separate publications. Maude, Mrs. Mary Fawler, the daughter of G. H. Hooper, Esq., of Stanmore, Middlesex, and Shoreham, Sussex, was born in London, Oct. 25, 1819. In 1841 she became the wife of the Rev. Joseph Maude, M.A., curate of Newport, I.W. He afterwards became the vicar of Chirk, N. Wales, and lion, canon of St. Asaph. She is also the mother of the Rev. Samuel Maude, M.A., vicar of ISTeedham Market. MaUPUS, Rabanus, was of French extraction, a native of Mayence, born A.I). 776. He studied in a cloister- school at Fulda, and became a deacon in 801. He then removed to Tours, and had the celebrated Alcuin as his tutor. He was afterwards a most successful teacher at Fulda. In 822 72 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. he was made abbot, and engaged ardently in literary pur- suits. He was appointed to the Archbishopric of Mayence (Mentz) in 847, and proved to be an excellent administrator. He died in the year 856 or 857. He was the author of Commentaries on the Old Testament and parts of the New ; also Hymns, Sermons, Letters, Tracts, Text-books, and various controversial works. He influenced the intellectual life of Germany and France more than any other man of his age. — See Hymn- Note, 188. McCheyne, Rev. Robert Murray, was born at Edin- burgh, May 21, 1813, and like many other Scotchmen of note, was educated at the High School and University of his native city, and distinguished himself in both places. He then studied at the Divinity Hall under Chalmers and Welsh, having as fellow-students such men as Alexander Somerville, Horatius Bonar, and Andrew Bonar. His ministry commenced at Larbert, near Falkirk, Nov. 7, 1835. In the following year he was transferred to St. Peter's Church, Dundee, and remained there till his death on March 25, 1843. He entered earnestly into the great ecclesiastical upheaval known as ' The Ten Years' Conflict/ but ere it reached its crisis he had entered on the restful and perfect life of the church triumphant. His Memoir and Bemains, by Andrew Bonar, had, in 1880, passed through one hundred and sixteen English editions, with perhaps as great a sale in America. The savour and unction of his life were very powerful, as the circulation of his Memoirs testifies. He belonged to the same saintly class as Henry Martyn and David Brainerd ; ' for all three had both the fire and the holiness of the seraph.' Medley, Rev. Samuel, was born at Cheshunt, Herts, June 23, 1738. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a London oilman, but three years afterwards became a midshipman in the navy, and being wounded in 1759, he was in a little while afterwards converted. Henceforth Medley began to live a totally different life ; he taught a school for about six years and thus improved his own edu- cation ; and in 1767 he received a call to the pastorate of Watford Baptist Church, Herts, and to Liverpool in 1772. In each place he prosecuted a faithful, evangelical, and suc- cessful ministry. His first volume of Hymns was published in 1789, and his next in 1800. He died at Liverpool, July 17, 1799. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 73 Meillhold, Johann Wilhelm, born 1797, in the island of Usedom, belonging to Pomerania. He studied theology at Greifswalde, and after holding pastorates in various parts of Pomerania, he removed to Charlottenburg. Here he finished his earthly toil and died, Nov. 30, 1851. He is the author of a volume of poems, a number of which in- dicate true poetic power. Merrick, James, ' one of the best of men and most emi- nent of scholars,' was born at Reading, Jan. 8, 1 720. After his graduate's course at Trinity, Oxford, he became a fellow, but devoted his somewhat brief life to literary work. He wrote -and published Annotations on the Psalms and on The Gospel of St. John ; Poems on Sacred Subjects ; The Psalms Translated, or Paraphrased in English Verse. His some- what lengthy lyrics on The Providence of God, and The Ignorance of Man, are pieces of high merit. He died at Reading, Jan. 5, 1769, Midlane, Albert, youngest son of a large family, was born at Newport, Isle of Wight, Jan. 23, 1825, two months after his father's death. Concerning his lyric and ode writ- ing he says, ' Remarks which fell from my Sunday-school teacher first prompted me to poetic effort, and marked the outline of my future career. Most of my hymns have been written during walks around the ancient and historic ruins of Carisbrook Castle.' From infancy he was connected with the Sunday-school, and ere he had attained his majority was a constant contributor to religious periodicals. He is an honoured member of the ' Brethren ' community, and takes great delight, not only in the Sunday-school, but also in preaching the everlasting Gospel. He has published, Poetry for Sunday-school Teachers, 1844 \ Leaves from Olivet, 1864 \ Gospel Echoes, 1865 \ and a remarkable poem on the evils of capital punishment. Mr. M. is rejoiced that the catholicity of his hymns has secured them a place in various hymnals, in this and other countries. Miles, Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of Nathaniel W. Apple- ton, was born in Boston, U.S., March 28, 1807. She was the wife of Solomon P. Miles, at one time Principal of Bos- ton High School. After her husband's death she went to live in Brattlebard, Vermont, with her son who conducts a military school. Milman, Rev. Henry Hart, D.D., son of Sir Francis Mil man, physician to George III., was born in London, 74 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Feb. 10, 1791, educated at Oxford, took the Newdigate- prize for poetry there in 1812, was ordained in 1816, and became vicar of St. Mary's, Reading, until 1835. He was then made rector of St. Margaret's and canon of Westmin- ster ; and became dean of St. Paul's, London, in 1849. He died at Sunninghill, near Ascot, Sept. 24, 1868. Dean Milman wrote largely as a poet and a dramatist ; a com- plete edition of these writings were published as, Poetical and Dramatic Works, London, in three vols. But his chief works are, The History of the Jews ; The History of Chris- tianity ; and The History of Latin Christianity. He also edited Horace's Works, and Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Two other works of his, Annals of St. PauVs Cathedral, and Savonarola, Erasmus, and other Essays, were published posthumously. He had a racy and pleasant style, and wrote interesting though ephemeral poetry. He belonged, as a theologian, to the Broad Church School. Milton, John, was born in Bread Street, London, December 9, 1608. His grandfather, John Milton, a bigoted Papist, disinherited his son for becoming a Pro- testant. This second John Milton settled in London and became a scrivener, or copying lawyer. He was also skilled in music, both as a composer and a performer. He married an exceHent woman, but of what family is un- certain. Two sons were born, of whom John, the third of that name, and the famous poet, was the elder. After being under private tuition he was sent to St. Paul's School, and made excellent progress, especially in the classical and some modern languages. He was admitted to Christ's College, Cambridge, Feb. 12, 1625, remained there seven years, and took his B.A. and M.A. degrees. His friends desired him to become a clergyman, but he regarded subscribing to the Articles as a bondage. In 1634 his Comns was presented at Ludlow Castle, on Michaelmas night, and in 1637 his Lycidas was written. Immediately afterwards he travelled on the Continent. In 1643 he married the eldest daughter of Mr. Bichard Powell, of Forrest Hill, Oxfordshire, but under pretext of visiting her friends she left him and refused to return. But she eventually repented, and Milton after much entreaty received her back. She died in 1652. He married twice afterwards, leaving the third wife a widow. During the Protectorate he became Latin secre- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 75> tary. Prior to the king's return, however, he lost this post, and was afterwards imprisoned for awhile because of some of his published opinions. It was about the year 1655 that he began to construct the framework of his Paradise Lost ;■ it was finished in 1665. And what then? After much difficulty he sold the copy to a publisher for £5, with the condition attached that he should receive a like sum after the sale of each impression of 1,500. In 1670 his Para- dise Regained and Samson Agonistes were completed, and published in the following year. Of his prose writings and minor poems we have not space to speak, further than to say that as a hymn-writer he was not successful. It is somewhat remarkable that the one sacred ode of his, ' Let us with a gladsome mind,' is said to have been written when he was fifteen years old. It is also worthy of note that the great and important portion of his writings were produced after his affliction of blindness came upon him. He died from gout at his house in Bunhill Row, on Nov. 8 or 10, 1674, and was buried near the grave of his father, in the chancel of St. Giles's Church, Cripplegate. A monument was erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey in 1737. Monod, Pastor Adolphe, whose suffering and saintly life closed in Paris on April 6, 1856, was born in Copenhagen, Jan. 21, 1802, and was the fourth of twelve children of Jean Monod. He received his secular education at the College Bonaparte, Paris, and afterwards studied theology at Geneva, graduating in 1824. He founded, and was pastor of a Protestant Church in Naples. In 1827 he was called to Lyons, but was subject to persecution and deposed through his faithful preaching. He then retired to a Hall and witnessed abiding results. From 1836 he was a theo- logical professor for eleven years at Montauban, spending much of his time in evangelising. He next became for nine years a pastor in Paris, preaching to crowded and enthusi- astic congregations. He was pure in heart, powerful in intellect, vivid in imagination, sympathetic in nature, and eloquent in speech. But his melodious voice ceased in public, and on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 14, 1855, he began a series of dying addresses to those who gathered in his own room, these being followed by the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, presided over alternately by various evangelical ministers. ' May my life,' said he, ' terminate only with 76 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. my ministry, and may my ministry end only with my life.' And so it was ; God graciously heard his prayer. Monsell, Bev. John Samuel Bewley, LL.D., one of the most attractive and beautiful hymn-writers of the present century, was born at St. Columbs, Derry, March 2, 1811. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, taking B. A. in 1832. He took * holy orders' in 1836, and was appointed examining chaplain to Bishop Mant. In 1853 he became vicar of Egham and rural dean, and rector of St. Nicholas', Guildford, in 1870. Besides various prose works he is the author of Hymns and Poems ; Parish Musings ; Hymns of Love and Praise, etc. ; Spiritual Songs ; The Parish Hymnal, etc. He died suddenly, April 9, 1875, from in- juries received during the erection of a new church at Guildford. Montgomery, James, a brave and true patriot, as well as a delightful poet, was born at Irvine, Ayrshire, Nov. 4, 1771, and schooled at Fulneck, a Moravian settlement in England (his father being a Moravian missionary). He shrank from the ministry and became a grocer's apprentice. Settling in Sheffield in 1792 he became proprietor and editor of The Iris. He had previously been imprisoned for three months, and fined <£20, for printing a poem — ' The Bastille ' — headed by an objectionable woodcut ; and shortly afterwards was again condemned to the cell for the space of six months for reflections on a military colonel. But he was held in much honour by the people. He was forty- three years old ere he made a profession of religion, and then he joined the Church of his father. Professor Wilson says : ' Montgomery, of all the poets of this age — and we believe also out of it — is in his poetry the most religious man. All his thoughts, sentiments, and feelings are moulded and coloured by religion. A spirit of invocation, prayer, and praise pervades all his poetry, and it is as sincere as it is beautiful.' Some of his literary works are : Prison Amusements ; The Ocean ; The Wanderer of Swit- zerland ; The West Indies ; The World Before the Flood ; and Greenland. Some of his hymn-volumes are entitled : Tlie Songs of Zion ; The Christian Psalmist; Original Hymns for Public, Private, and Social Devotion. He lived an unmarried life, and died at Sheffield, April 30, 1854. He has well and for ever enriched the Church song of these world-loving days with his beautiful hymns. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 77 Moore, Thomas, was born in Dublin in 1779, in which city his father was a wine merchant. As a boy he revealed an imaginative and fertile mind, and wrote verses while yet young. He was a student at Trinity College, graduated in 1798, and went to London to study for the bar. But ode- writing — not always of the purest kind — turned the current of his life. His means became slender, but by that aristocratic patronage which it was his weakness to seek, he obtained a registrarship in Bermuda. This not being very lucrative, he returned, leaving a deputy, whose defalcations, however, deeply involved Moore. Hereafter he became a man of letters, writing chiefly for the current magazines. In 1811 he married Miss Dyke, for a brief time an actress, and went to reside in a cottage near Ashbourne, Derby- shire. In 1835 the Government under Lord Melbourne granted him an annual pension of £300. He finished his eventful career in the early part of 1852. He is re- membered by his Sacred Songs published in 1816. More, Rev. Henry, M.A., was born Oct. 12, 1614, at Grantham, and died at Cambridge, Sept. 1, 1687. He was educated at Eton and Christ's, Cambridge, and acted after- wards as a private tutor in the University — declining suc- cessively the mastership of his college, the rectory of Worthington, provostship of Trinity College, Dublin, the deanery of St. Patrick's, and a bishopric. For a brief period he was a prebend at Gloucester. He was a godly man, but passed through many phases of theological belief. He belonged to a select coterie known as the Cambridge Platonists, and regarded Christianity as ' the deepest and choicest piece of philosophy that is.' Morris, Eliza Fanny, nee Goffe, was born in London, in 1821. Owing to delicate health she was brought up in the country. During her early years she received a prize from the Band of Hope for a poem on Kindness to Animals. This gave her encouragement to make further literary efforts, and she published in 1858 The Voice and the Reply. She also contributed, in her day, to various periodicals. In 1849 she united in marriage with the sub-editor of a pro- vincial paper. Morrison, Bev. John, D.D., was a native of Aberdeen- shire, born in 1749. He entered the ministry in 1780, and spent all his years at Canisbay, Caithnessshire. He belonged to the committee appointed to revise the Scotch 78 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Translations and Paraphrases, and also contributed various original pieces thereto. He is the author of several good hymns, and died in 1798. Moultrie, Rev. Gerard, M. A., son of the late Rev. John Moultrie, was born at Rugby Rectory, Sept. 16, 1829. Of his early years his gifted and poetic father wrote an ode, of which the following is an extract : 4 1 have a son, a little son, a boy just five years old, With eyes of thoughtful earnestness, and mind of gentle mould. Strange questions doth he ask of me, when we together walk : He scarcely thinks as children think, or talks as children talk. He kneels at his dear mother's knee : she teacheth him to pray ; And strange and sweet and solemn then the words which he will say. O should my gentle child be spared to manhood's years, like me, A holier, wiser man, I trust that he will be.' The second son, George William, has grown up to ripe years, and is now manager in the Bank of England, in Manchester. And all who know him are satisfied that his father's prayer was not in vain : ' God grant his heart may prove as sweet a home for heavenly grace as now for earthly love.' Gerard was educated at Rugby, under Dr. Tait, and at Exeter College, Oxford, taking his M.A. in 1856. He was ordained deacon in 1853 by the Bishop of Lichfield. Eor three years he was one of the masters of Shrewsbury School, then head-master of Bernard Gilpin School, at Hough ton-le- Springs. In 1864 he was made curate to the Donative of Barrow Gurney, Somerset, and five years afterwards he became vicar of Southleigh, Oxford, which post he held till his lamented death, April 25, 1885. He has written : Elizabethan Primer ; Hymns and Lyrics ; Espousals of St. Dorothea; The Devout Communicant; Six Years' Work at Southleigh, &c. Mudie, Charles Edward, was born Oct. 18, 1818, of Scotch parents. When twenty-four years of age he started the well-known ' Mudie's Select Library/ which has proved a great factor in the intellectual progress of the nation. He is a Congregationalist, and was for many years one of the Directors of the London Missionary Society. For more than forty years Mr. Mudie was engaged in mission work in the neighbourhood of Vauxhall Bridge Road, Westminster, a work which he has had to relinquish in consequence of failing health. In 1872 he published the volume of poems BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 79 ■called Stray Leaves, of which the greater number were written during a long and severe illness. Muhlenberg', Pev. William Augustus, D.D., LL.D., an American clergyman of the Episcopal Church, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 16, 1796. He was received by baptism into the Lutheran communion, but afterwards made choice of the Anglican Episcopacy. After his University course at Philadelphia he was appointed to the rectorship of St. James's, Lancaster, Penn., giving his best energies to the advancement of Christian education, and to Church unity and brotherhood. His beautiful life was a remarkable exemplification of Christlike charity : he was born affluent, but spent all in works of benevolence, not leaving enough to meet the expenses of his burial. He died in St. Luke's Hospital, New York, April 8, 1877. He was an ardent promoter of Church hymnody, and wrote several hymns. Neale, Pev. John Mason, D.D., conspicuous as a trans- lator of sacred Latin poetry, was born in London, Jan. 24, 1818, being the only son of Pev. Cornelius Neale. He was educated at Trinity, Cambridge, and ordained in 1841. His first incumbency was Crawley, Sussex, and in May, 1846, he became warden of Sackville College, and continued there till his death, Aug. 6, 1866. He was a most in- dustrious and prolific writer. Amongst many other works, he produced History of the Eastern Church ; Commentary on the Psalms; Readings for the Aged; Ecclesiological Notes on the Isle of Man ; Voices from the East, etc., etc. He was an ardent devotee to High Church principles, and most of his writings were intended to illustrate this fact. To him ' religion was the solidest of all realities ; ' but he considered religion and the Church as identical. He wrote a number of prize poems, and won eleven times the Seatonian prize. He published Songs and Ballads for the People, etc. ; Hymns for the Sick ; Hymns for Children. But his renderings of St. Bernard, and his Hymns of the Eastern Church, are his most loved and enduring works. Neele, Henry, a heraldic engraver's son, was born in the Strand, London, Jan. 29, 1798. He was sent to school at Kentish Town, whither his father had removed. He was inattentive as a schoolboy, but became, in after years, a successful student. On leaving school he was articled to an attorney, and ultimately commenced business as a solicitor. In Jan., 1817, during his clerkship, he published a volume 80 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. of Poems, the expenses of which were defrayed by his father. He issued, in 1820, a new edition, with considera- ble additions ; in 1823, Dramatic and Miscellaneous Poetry ; in 1827, Romance of English History, three vols. He also contributed to the Monthly Magazine, the Forget-Me-Not, and other periodicals. He lectured in 1827 on English Poetry, at the Russell Institution. On the morning of Thursday, Feb. 7, 1828, he was found dead in bed, with clear evidence of suicide through insanity arising from over- work. Newman, John Henry, D.D., born in London, 1801, was educated at Ealing School and Trinity College, Oxford. He took his B.A. with classical honours in 1821, and was elected Fellow of Oriel. Four years afterwards he was appointed vice-principal of St. Alban's Hall, under Dr. "Whately. He next became tutor of his college until 1836, when he was made incumbent of St. Mary's, Oxford, with the chaplaincy of Littlemore. At the latter place he esta- blished an ascetic community, on a mediaeval model, exer- cising great influence over the younger members of the University. He became the recognised leader of the High Church party, in conjunction with Dr. Pusey, and took a prominent part in the publication of the Tracts Jor the Times. He wrote the final issue (No. 90), which was severely censured by the University authorities as practi- cally annulling the clear distinction between the Anglican and Romish churches. In Oct., 1845, he passed over to the Papal communion, was re-ordained, and appointed to the Bir- mingham Oratory. In 1854 he was made rector of the Catholic University, Dublin, but resigned four years after- wards, and established a school at Edgbaston, Birmingham, for the sons of Roman Catholic gentry. He was elected an honorary Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, Dec. 28, 1877; and in 1879 was created and proclaimed a Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. He is the author of various theological works, and has wielded an eloquent and powerful pen. His domestic habits are of the simplest and most self-denying character, and his dietary the plainest and most frugal. Newton, Rev. John, was born in London, July 24, 1725. In his early years he became a sailor, and led a disreputable life, so much so that in his latter days he styled himself ' the old African blasphemer/ On a return voyage, in the year 1750, a terrific storm arose, and he became BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 81 alarmed. In deep penitence he sought and found mercy. He soon afterwards began to prepare for the ministry, and was ordained in 1764. He became curate of Olney, and here formed the acquaintance of Cowper. His Olney Hymns were published during his friendship with Cowper. He was made rector of St. Mary's, Woolnoth, London, in 1780. He lived to the age of eighty-two, and exerted a potent and extensive influence. His death took place in London, Dec. 31, 1807. His epitaph, written by himself, reads thus : ' John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and liber- tine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.' NitSChmann, Anna, was born at Herrnhut, in 1715. She was a woman of deep and attractive piety, and in 1730 was made a female elder of the Moravian Church. In 1741 she went to America with her father, but afterwards returned to Germany, and the year following the death of the Countess Zinzendorf she was married to the Count. After about three years they died, in May, 1760, within twelve days of each other, and are buried side by side in the Herrnhut cemetery. Her portrait is preserved at the settlement, and was published in the Century Monthly Magazine, as an engraving, in 1882. NitSChmann, John, son of David Mtschmann, of the Moravian settlement at Herrnhut, was resident minister of the church there, in May, 1760, when Count Zinzendorf died. He read the burial service at that good man's grave, although two bishops were present. He was joint author with the Count and Anna Nitschmann, of that glorious hymn which John Wesley translated : 1 1 thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God.' Nyberg*, Lorenz Thorstansen, was born in the year 1720, and died 1792. He was a Moravian, and wrote for the Brethren's hymn book. Oakley, Rev. Charles Edward, M.A., B.C.L., was edu- cated at Pembroke College, Oxford, and ordained by the bishop of Manchester, in 1856. He became Examiner in the School of Jurisprudence and Modern History, Oxford, 1859 60 ; and for degrees in Civil Law, 1850 to 1860. He was Special Preacher at Oxford in 1860 and 1862. He be- F 82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. came rector of Wickwar, Gloucestershire, 1856-63 ; and of St. Paul's, Covent Garden, London, 1863. He died in 1866 or 1867. Olivers, Rev. Thomas, was born at Tregonan, Wales, in 1725. In his younger years he lived an ignorant and god- less life, but was awakened under the powerful preaching of George Whitefield. He joined the Wesley an movement, became an active and useful preacher, and filled an impor- tant literary place in that community. He entered eagerly into the great controversy between the Calvinists and Arminians, and was from 1775 to 1788 John Wesley's chief corrector of the press. In 1791 he wrote an elegy on Wesley's death, and died in London, March, 1799, after a life of ardent service for his Divine Master. Onderdonk, Rev. Henry Ustic, D.D., LL.D., was born in New York, March, 1789. He pursued his Arts course at Columbia College, studied medicine in London, took his M.D. at Edinburgh, was ordained in 1815, and in 1820 be- came rector of St. Ann's, Brooklyn. In 1827 he was made assistant-bishop of Pennsylvania, and succeeded to the bishopric in 1836. He was suspended in 1844, but re-in- stated, 1856. He was for a time co-editor of the New York Medical Journal, and wrote Episcopacy Examined and He- examined. He also assisted the compilers of a hymnal of 212 hymns, which were bound up with the Prayer Booh. He re-wrote several of the hymns of this collection and composed ten original ones. Several of his hymns have become very popular. He died at Philadelphia. Dec. 6, 1858. Osier, Edward, M.E.C.S., F.L.S., was born at Falmouth, Jan., 1798. After his preparatory training, he became resi- dent surgeon at the Swansea Infirmary ; then at London and Bath in the service of the S.P.C.K. ; and in 1841 he removed to Cornwall, and edited the Boyal Cornwall Gazette. He is the author of The Voyage, a Poem ; Life of Lord Exmouth ; and Church and King. He also wrote a number of hymns which have appeared in various Church Hymnals. He died at Truro, March 7, 1863; and the clergy of Cornwall have placed a stained-glass window to his memory in Kenwyn Church. Oswald, Henry Sigismund, was born in Silesia, June 30, 1751, became a Prussian Privy Councillor, and died in 1827. He was educated at Schmiedeberg, and in 1765 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 83 entered the office of his elder brother, who held a govern- ment position. Seven years afterwards he became secretary to the Landgrave of Glatz, but illness compelling his resig- nation, he returned to Schmiedeberg, and entered the ser- vice of a merchant. He next commenced business at Breslau, but not succeeding he again became a merchant's clerk. On Nov. 18, 1782, he married the daughter of Rev. H. D. Hermes. Eight years afterwards he was honoured with the personal acquaintance of King Frederic William II., who appointed him a Court Councillor. After the king's death he received a pension, and retired to Hirschberg with his family, and afterwards to Breslau. He died Sept. 8, 1837. His later years were employed in the production of religious, musical, and poetical works. Palgrave, Francis Turner, the eldest son of Sir Francis Palgrave, was born at Great Yarmouth, Sept. 28, 1821. He received his education at the Charterhouse School, and Balliol, Oxford. After taking his M.A. he was elected to a fellowship in Exeter College ; he was also, for a period of five years, vice-principal of Kneller Hall Training College for School-masters. Palgrave was next appointed to a position in the Education Department, and for some years was private secretary to Earl Granville. In 1878 he re- ceived the hon. degree of LL.D. from Edinburgh University, and was created professor of poetry at Oxford in 1886. He is the author of several works : Idylls and Songs, 1854 ; Essays on Art. 1866 ; Lyrical Poems, 1871 ; The Golden Treasury of English Lyrics, 1861 ; Original Hymns, 1867. Palmer, Rev. Ray, D.D., passed peaceably from the earth on Tuesday, March 29, 1887. For three years he was partially disabled by paralysis, but retained his mental power after the attack, and died eventually through a general breaking down besause of advanced age. He was born at Little Compton, Rhode Island, U.S., Nov. 12, 1808. At thirteen he was sent to a business house in Boston to prepare for commercial life ; but opportunities were also afforded him for attending a school in order to complete his education. Two years afterwards he was transferred to Phillips' Academy, Andover, to prepare for the university. About the age of eighteen he proceeded to Yale, where he graduated in 1830. For about two years he acted as teacher, and then accepted a call to the Central Congrega- tional Church, Bath, Me. His public life seems to have 84 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. been divided into four periods : Fifteen years at Bafch ; fif- teen at Albany, N. Y. ; fifteen as secretary, etc., of the American Congregational Union ; and then for the last nine years he lived in retirement at Newark, but pursuing his literary duties. As a pastor, preacher, adviser, he is still lovingly remembered 5 but his title to lasting honour in the universal church rests chiefly on his delightful hymns. Perronet, Rev. Edward, son of an evangelical clergy- man of Shoreham, Kent, was born in 1693. He joined the Wesley s, and for a time was a preacher in the Connexion ; but his widely different views on church polity led to his secession. He next laboured for a while in Lady Hunting- don's denomination, and afterwards became an Independent minister. He died in Canterbury in the year 1785. He published in that year, Occasional Verses, Sacred and Moral. This work, now scarce, contains his universally popular hymn, which five years before had appeared in the Gospel Magazine. His dying words were, ' Glory to God in the height of His Divinity ; Glo^y to God in the depth of His humanity ; Glory to God for His all-sufficiency. Into His hand I com- mend my spirit.' Peters, Mrs. Mary, daughter of Mr. R. Bowly of Cirencester, was born 1813. She became the wife of Rev. J. McWilliam Peters, rector of Quennington, Glos., and died at Clifton, July 29, 1856. She published in 1847 Hymns Intended to Help the Communion of Saints. Pierpoint, Folliott Sandford, son of William H. Pier- point, was born in Bath, Oct. 7, 1835. He is a tutor at present in Torquay. Pierpoint, John, was born April 6, 1785, at Litchfield, Conn. After his preparatory training, he graduated at Yale in 1804. He was a teacher for a few years, but in 1812 was admitted to the bar. Then he entered into business at Bos- ton and Baltimore, but did not succeed. He next attended the Cambridge Divinity School, and became a Unitarian minister, and an ardent advocate on the slavery and temper- ance questions. At the outbreak of the war, in 1861, he was made chaplain of the army, going with it to Virginia. He died at Medford, Mass., Aug. 27, 1866. He published Airs of Palestine, in 1816, and another edition with addi- tional poems in 1840. He styles these sacred poems as, 1 Mostly occasional, the wares of a verse-wright, made to order.' If we may take * O Thou, to Whom in ancient BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 85 time/ as a sample, we need not be troubled about this busi- ness feature of his productions. Plumptre, Rev. Edward Hayes, D.D., dean of Wells, was born Aug. 6, 1821. He graduated B. A., at University College, Oxford, in 1844, and took M.A. three years after- wards. He was made a fellow of Brazenose College in 1844; Chaplain at King's College, London, in 1847, and professor of Pastoral Theology there in 1853; prebendary of St. Paul's in 1863, and professor of New Testament Exegesis in 1864 ; assistant preacher at Lincoln's Inn 1851 to 1858 ; select preacher at Oxford 1851-3, 1864-6, and 1872-3 ; Boyle Lecturer in 1866-7. He became rector of Plunckley, Kent, in 1869, and vicar of Bickley in 1873. He was also one of the Old Testament Company of revisers, 1869-74. After filling various other important posts he became dean of Wells, Dec. 21, 1881, having received the hon. degree of D.D. in 1875. Dr. Plumptre has been of eminent service to theological students and the Christian church as a Biblical expositor, as his notes on Ecclesiastes, the General Epistle to James, the Epistles of Peter and Jude in the Cambridge Bible series ; and on Matthew, Mark, Luke, Acts, and //. Corinthians in Ellicott's Commentary, will fully testify. And he has written no less ably on the Messages to the Seven Churches and The Spirits in Prison. Pollock, Rev. Thomas Benson, M.A., born 1836, was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his B. A. 1860. He was ordained in the following year, and became curate at Leek. In 1863 he was appointed to the curacy of St. Thomas's, Stamford Hill, Middlesex ; and two years after- wards was made curate of St. Alban's, Birmingham, where he still ministers. Pope, Alexander, a celebrated British poet, born in Lom- bard Street, London, May 22, 1688. He had a delicate frame, inherited from his parents, was a sickly child, an ail- ing, feeble man, deformed like his father, and never exceed- ing, it is said, four feet in height. He learned to read and write at home, and at the age of eight years was placed under a Catholic priest, who taught him the rudiments of Latin and Greek. Early in his teens he was left to direct his own studies ; and about this time appeared his Ode on Solitude. From this time he wrote poems on various sub- jects of great merit, and became one of the most distin- guished literary men of his time. His notable Essay on 86 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Man was first published in 1733, and was soon followed by his Imitations of Horace, Moral Epistles or Essays, etc. Asthma and consumption eventually set in, and during seve- ral months he sought preparation for the great change, which came peaceably, May 30, 1744. His Rape of the Lock and Epistle from Eloisa to Abelard give him high rank among English poets ; and his Messiah, his Universal Prayer, and Dying Christian to his Soul, award him an honoured place in sacred poetry. Pott, Rev. Ker Francis, was born in 1832, and educated at Brazenose, Oxford, taking B.A. in 1854. After his ordina- tion in 1856, by the bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, he became curate of Bishopworth, Somerset ; of Ardingly, Sussex, 1858; and of Ticehurst, Sussex, 1861. In 1866 he was made rector of Norhill, Bedfordshire, which office he still holds. He well deserves the warm gratitude of the church for the production of his beautiful ode, ' Angel- voices ever singing/ Potter, Rev. Thomas J., was born 1827 and died in 1873. He was a Roman Catholic priest. He has translated a number of ancient hymns, and is the author of The Two Victories, a Catholic story ; The Rector's Daughter ; Sacred Eloquence, or The Theory and Practice of Preaching, and some other works. Procter, Adelaide Anne, born in the year 1835, was the daughter of the poet, Bryan W. Procter, and largely in- herited her father's poetic faculty. She was a somewhat regular contributor to various periodicals during her brief literary career. She died Feb. 2, 1864, scarce twenty-nine years old. Punshon, Rev. William Morley, LL.D., one of the greatest masters of cultured oratory which this century has produced, was born at Doncaster, May 29, 1824. He was educated at Doncaster Grammar School, but his distinguish- ing trait was in eagerly reading and mastering the speeches of the leading orators of the day. Leaving school he be- came junior clerk in his uncle's counting-house at Hull. He was converted to God through the ministry of the Rev. S. R. Hall, and commenced preaching at eighteen years of age. Soon afterwards he was bereaved of both his parents, and his grandfather arranged for him to go to Richmond Theological College ; but his stay there was brief. Early in 1845 he undertook the charge of a new Wesleyan Society at BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 87 Marden, Kent, formed by a number of seceders from the Established Church. In the same year he was received as a probationer in the Wesleyan ministry. He next was sent to Whitehaven, then to Carlisle, and then to Newcastle-on- Tyne. He was ordaiued in 1849 and married Miss Vickers of Gateshead. About the year 1854 he commenced his lecturing career. In 1859 he became a member of the Legal Hundred ; and in 1868 went to Canada, and was four times president of the Conference there. In 1873 the Coburg University honoured him with its LL.D. ; and in the follow- ing year he was made president of the English Conference. In 1875 he became a Secretary of the Missionary Society, which office he filled with great skill, fidelity, and zeal. Meanwhile he pursued his much- loved work of preaching and lecturing to immense audiences in all parts of the land. He suffered acutely from chronic dyspepsia and sleeplessness, and went for relief with his devoted wife to the Mediterra- nean shores, but it was ordered otherwise, and he returned home to die. His last words were : ' I feel that Jesus is a living, bright reality,' and so he passed away to Cod, April 14, 1881, and lies buried in the Norwood Cemetery. Raffles, Rev. Thomas, LL.D., was born in London, May 17, 1788, and studied for the ministry at Homerton College. He was ordained in 1809, and commenced his pastoral life at Hammersmith. In 1812 he accepted the charge of Great George Street Chapel, Liverpool, and held it with fidelity and success for a jubilee of years. He finished his earthly course at Liverpool, Aug. 18, 1863. His published works are : Life and Ministry of Thomas Spencer ; A Tour on the Continent ; Lectures on Christian Faith and Practice ; and various sacred poems, several of which have found a per- manent place in Church Hymnals. RawSOn, George, an eminent ' Leeds layman,' was born in Park Square, Leeds, June 5, 1807. He received his education at a private school (Dr. Clunie's), Manchester, and then trained for a solicitor with a Leeds firm. He became a member of the East Parade Congregational Church, and took an active and prominent part in the preparation of the Leeds Hymn Book, published in 1853, and also in Psalms and Hymns, for the use of the Baptist Churches. To this latter work he contributed twenty-seven new hymns. He has lived a devout and thoughtful life. His Bible is well sprinkled with MS. notes — musings of his own, often poetic. 88 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. His pieces have been published as, Hymns, Verses, and Chants, 1877 ; and Songs of Spiritual Thought, 1885. Mr. Kawson went to reside at Clifton, and was associated with Highbury Chapel there, and died March 25, 1889, aged 82 years. Reed, Rev. Andrew, D.D., great as a philanthropist and eminently useful as a minister, was born in London, Nov. 27, 1787. He was apprenticed to a watchmaker, but the work of the ministry became a passion with him. He studied at Hackney College, and was ordained in 1811. Two-thirds of his life was spent in one pastorate, in the East-end of London. He founded institutions for orphans, idiots, and incurables. He went to America as a deputation to the churches in 1834, found them in the midst of a great re- vival, received a Divine baptism himself, which afterwards proved a great blessing to his church. He is the author of No Fiction ; Narrative of Visit to the American Churches, 2 vols. ; Narrative of Revival of Religion in Wy cliff Chapel ; Advancement of Religion the Claim of the Times ; Sermons. He compiled a Supplement to Watts, and The Hymn Book ; about twenty of his own hymns being inserted in these. This great and good man died in the Lord, Feb. 25, 1862. Richter, Christian Frederic Gottlieb, M.D., was born at Sorau, Silesia, Oct. 5, 1676. He studied medicine and divinity at Halle, and then was made medical adviser by Francke over his academy, and afterwards became physician of the great Orphan House. He discovered a remarkable medicine, which procured him a considerable revenue for benevolent purposes. His habits were plain and simple. He wrote a number of useful and popular hymns ; and also a work on the physical sufferings of Jesus Christ. He died at Halle, Oct. 5 (his birthday), 1711. Rinekart, Martin, born at Eilenburg, April 23, 1586, was the son of a copper-smith. He studied at Leipzig University, providing his support, like the greater German (Luther), by his musical skill. Taking orders, he became pas- tor at Eisleben and Eudeborn, and then in 1617 at Eilenburg. Here he continued till his death in 1649 ; his ministry being exactly simultaneous with the Thirty Years' War, beginning and ending in the same years. In the year 1637, when the direful plague destroyed more than eight thousand people, he was a ministering angel in their midst, and none the less so in the ensuing year, when a great famine overtook them. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 89 And when the victorious Swedes demanded a ransom price for their city of 10,000 dollars, Rinckart's prayerful inter- vention got it reduced to 1,000. He died deeply mourned on Dec 8, 1649. Ringwaldt, Bartholomew, was born at Frankfort-on-the- Oder in the year 1530. For a number of years he was pastor of the Lutheran Church at Langfeld, Prussia, He died at this place in 1598, after a long life of trial and suffering from pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other calamities. He found much comfort in composing sacred odes, which for simplicity and power much resemble those of Martin Luther. Rippon, Rev. John, D.D., who displayed considerable taste as a hymhist, was born at Tiverton, Devonshire, April 29, 1751. He became a Baptist minister of considerable note, and had the charge of one church in London for sixty- three years. He published An Arrangement of Psalms, Hymns, etc., of Dr. Watts, and A Selection of Hymns, 1787. He was also editor of the Baptist Annual Register. Dr. Rippon died in London, Dec. 17, 1836. Robert II., King of France, was born at Orleans, A.D. 970. He married, in opposition to the church canons, Bertha, the widow of the Count of Chartres and Blois, she being his fourth cousin. Pope Gregory V. ordered his divorce, excommunicated him, and laid the kingdom under interdict. After some resistance Robert yielded and gave up Bertha. He was, perhaps, as much a monk as a king • founded monasteries, erected churches, was full of good works, and was fond of poetry and music. This devout king died at Melun, Jan. 20, 1031, and is buried in the church of St. Dennis, where he had taught the monks to sing his own hymns. Robinson, Rev. Robert, was born at Swaffham, Norfolk, 1735. He became a clever but eccentric Baptist minister at Cambridge ; and died a pervert to Socinianism in 1790, thus belying in his later life what he had written in his own beautiful hymn, ' Come, Thou Fount of every blessing.' Rosenmoth, Christian Knorr von, son of pastor Rosen- moth, was born at the village of Altrandein, July 15, 1636. Having made a special study of chemistry and Oriental languages, at Leipzig and Wittemberg, he travelled in Hol- land, France, and England. In 1668, he became privy councillor and prime minister to Count Christian Augustus 90 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. of the Palatinate at Salzbach, where be died, May 8, 1689, having, it is said, predicted accurately the hour of his death. He was well skilled in philosophy and theology, and pub- lished various works. Knapp attributes to him 75 hymns, which are of a highly spiritual, devotional, and enthusiastic character. Rothe, John Andrew, born id 1688, was for a number of years a friend of Count Zinzendorf. He became pastor of the Moravian Church at Hernhalt, and died in the year 1758. He wrote and left as a legacy to the church some forty-nine hymns. Russell, Rev. Arthur Tozer, was born at Northampton, March 20, 1806. He was educated in London, at York, and at St. John's, Cambridge. In 1829 he*was ordained, and became vicar of Caxton, Cambridge, the next year ; vicar of Whaddon, Royston, 1852 ; and in 1863 he removed to St. Thomas's, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. He had the offer of other preferments, but his choice was literary pursuits, in which he has been largely successful. He ministered for some time as a chaplain in Paris, and died Nov. 18, 1874. Ryland, Rev. John, D.D., was born at Warwick, Jan. 29, 1753. He became an eminent Baptist minister, his first pastorate being at Northampton, 1781. He removed to Bristol in 1794, to undertake the charge of a Baptist church; he also in 1794 became president of the Baptist College, and held this honoured post till his death, May 25, 1825. He is the author of a volume of Sermons and one or two other works. He wrote nearly a hundred sacred poems, which D. Sedgwick collected and published as Hymns and Verses. To this is prefixed a Memoir of Dr. Ryland by Dr. Hoby. Sanders, William, was a Primitive Methodist minister, and contributed to the early numbers of the denominational Magazine. He had some literary and poetic talent, and wrote some really good hymns. After several years of use- ful work in this country he was stationed at Pottsville, U.S.A., in 1838. In Feb. 1881, the Rev. J. H. Acornley wrote : ' The good old veteran is still living, and although deprived of his natural eyesight, is anticipating the time when he will see the King in His beauty.' During the later years of Sanders' life he resided on a farm somewhere in the vicinity of Lawrence ville, Troga Co., Penn., and was in some way connected with the Philadelphia branch of the Methodist Episcopal Book Establishment. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 91 Scheffler, Johann (who subsequently changed his name to Angelus, of Silesius, on account of being a native of Breslau, Silesia), was born in 1624. He was a student in medicine, and ultimately took his M.D. He became dis- satisfied with the Lutheran creed, and in 1653 joined the Papal Communion. He then became a mystic and a con- siderable hymn-writer, publishing his first volume in 1657. Many of these are in constant use in the Protestant churches. He died July 9, 1677, at Breslau. Schenk, Henry Theobald, was head- master at the school in Geissen, and subsequently became chief pastor there. He died in 1727. Schmolck, Benjamin, was born at Branchitchdorf, Silesia, Dec. 21, 1672. Being the son of a poor pastor, he wrote poetry to earn money for his daily wants, even after he was pastor of the church at Schweidnitz. In this way he was perhaps led to write more than was good : he fa- voured the public with eleven hundred and eighty-eight pieces. Those most cherished by the Christian church were composed in suffering and want. He died Feb. 12, 1737. Scott, Elizabeth, was born at Norwich, about 1708. Having refused an offer of marriage from Dr. Doddridge, she was united to Col. Elisha Williams, in 1751, and went to Connecticut. She married her second husband, Hon. W. Smith, in 1761. He died eight years afterwards, and she went to live with her first husband's relatives. She wrote a considerable number of useful hymns. Her death occurred at Wethersfield, Conn., June 13, 1776. Scott, Rev. Thomas (not the Commentator), was the son of a dissenting minister. He was born at Norwich early in the eighteenth century, ar^d entered the ministry at Lowestoft in 1733. He became co-pastor to a Mr. Baxter at Ipswich 1737 ; and in 1740 succeeded him, remaining there until 1774. He then removed to Hupton, Norfolk, and preached occasionally till called to his reward in 1776. He was a * Presbyterian with Arian views.' He published several works, among them a translation of the Book of Job into English verse, 1771, and Lyric Poems, 1773. Scott, Sir Walter, a sickly and an incurably lame child, was born in the old town, Edinburgh, Aug. 15, 1771, being a younger son of Mr. Walter and Anne Scott. His first school was in Kelso, and in 1779 he entered Edinburgh High School. In his sixteenth year his harder studies were 92 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. interrupted by a serious and lengthened illness, and this af- forded him an ample opportunity for miscellaneous reading, and for the education of those remarkable literary tastes which he evinced in later life. On his restoration to health he studied law, and was admitted to the Scottish bar in 1792. In his leisure hours he studied German, which resulted in several translations. His power as a poet was revealed somewhat late in life. He was thirty-four years of age when he published his Lay of the Last Minstrel. This led him on to fame. In 1808 he sent forth his Marmion, which procured him one thousand guineas. In this year also he issued an edition of Dryden's Works. The Lady of the Lake came out in 1810, Don Roderick in 1811, Rokeby in 1813, and The Lord of the Isles in 1814. But at this time he commenced the trial of his powers in prose romance, and published his Waverley, which was followed in 1816 by Guy Mannering ; then came the Antiquary, the Black Dwarf Old Mortality, Rob Roy, etc. Thus his literary toil pro- ceeded at the rate of from three to eight volumes a year. But his connection with a business house which failed in 1826, leaving him responsible for debts amounting to ,£120,000, and his purchase and adornment of Abbotsford to the expense of between £50,000 and £100,000, hope- lessly involved him. But it must be said to his lasting honour he absolutely refused any ignoble arrangement with his creditors, and worked through the following years heroi- cally and successfully. In 1830 he retired, with a pension, from his government duties, and in July, 1832, he was once more found residing in his much-loved Abbotsford ; but na- ture was exhausted, and on the 21st Sept. following, after intense suffering, he ceased to live. His remains found a resting-place in the family vault, amid the picturesque ruins of Dryburgh Abbey. SeagTave, Rev. Robert, a native of Twyford, Leicester- shire, was born Nov. 22, 1693. He completed his education at Clare Hall, Cambridge, and became a clergyman. But having the spirit of a true reformer, he sought to bring his church into a better condition, and failing this he left her. He was a zealous and successful minister, and became an earnest co-worker with George Whitefield. He published Sermons and pamphlets, and in 1742 a small volume of Hymns, which was re-issued in 1860. He died about the year 1760. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 93 SeaFS, Rev. Edmund Hamilton, D.D., was born at Sandis- field, Mass., in 1810, and was educated at Union College and Cambridge (U.S.) Divinity School. He became minister successively at Way land \ Lancaster, Mass. ; and Weston. Though a Unitarian, he held as an important tenet the Deity of Jesus Christ. He wrote Regeneration ; Pictures of the Olden Time ; Athanasia, or Foregleams of Immor- tality ; The Fourth Gospel the Heart of Christ ; Sermons and Songs of the Christian Life. Most of his productions indi- cate great spiritual force and beauty. He died at Weston, Mass., Jan. 14, 1876. Shirley, Rev. Walter, the friend of Whitefield and Wesley, was born in 1725, was a cousin of Lady Hunting- don, and became rector of Loughrea, Ireland. He was an earnest promoter of the great Methodist revival, and preached in various parts of England. In 1774 he edited a Collection of Hymns, adding six of his own. He died, after great suffering, in 1786. Shepherd, Mrs. Anne, daughter of the Rev. Edward H. Houlditch, for many years clergyman at Speen, Berkshire, was born at Cowes, Isle of Wight, Sept. 11, 1809. She was married in 1843 to Mr. S. Saville Shepherd. She wrote Hymns Adapted to the Comprehension of Young Minds; Ellen Seymour ; and Reality — two works of fiction. She died at Blackheath, Kent, Jan. 7, 1857. ShrubSOle, William, was a native of Sheerness, Kent, born Nov. 21, 1759. He held an important post in con- nection with the Bank of England. He was a godly man, active in the service of Jesus Christ, and was closely asso- ciated with, the London Missionary Society and with the Religious Tract Society. He wrote several useful hymn^, and died at Highbury, Aug. 23, 1829. Simpson, Jane Cross, daughter of James Bell, Esq., advocate, was born in Glasgow. She contributed to the Edinburgh Literary Journal, of which her brother was editor. Her nom-de-plume, in which she reproduced her poetical writings in April Hours \n 1838, was ' Gertrude.' She is author of The Piety of Daily Life, 1836 ; Woman's History, 1848 ; and Linda, a metrical romance, 1859. Smith, Rev. Samuel Francis, D.D., an eminent Baptist minister, was born at Boston, Mass., Oct. 21, 1808, and graduated at Harvard in 1829. He was a prominent con- tributor to the Encyclopaedia Americana. He and Baron 94 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Stow compiled The Psalmist ; A New Collection of Hymns for the Baptist Churches, 1843. From that date till 1849 he was editor of the Christian Bevieiv ; and for many years he occupied the post of editor to the American Bap- tist Missionary Union. StallybraSS, James Steven, was born 1826, at Selinginsk, Siberia, where his father was for twenty-five years a mis- sionary. He was educated at Homerton for the ministry of the Congregational Church, and held a brief pastorate at Shanklin, Isle of Wight. He then pursued a literary career and was a gifted man. Besides writing some original hymns he translated many from the German. Several of these came out in the Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, 1859. He also translated Grimm 's Teutonic Mythology. He resides at present at Stoke Newington. Stammers, Joseph, was born at Bury St. Edmunds, in 1801. He was educated for the legal profession, was a student of Gray's Inn, and practised for some years as a London solicitor. He afterwards, in 1833, was called to the bar, joining the Northern Circuit, and was still practising in 1885. Stanley, Arthur Penrhyn, D.D., son of Rev. Dr. Edward Stanley, afterwards bishop of Norwich, was born Dec. 13, 1815. In early life he had a powerful memory, but was deficient in mathematical talent. In Jan. 1829, he went to Rugby, and became the hero of Tom Brown's School Days. He made a lasting impression here both on the master and the boys. When receiving the last of five prizes the master said to him, < Thank you, Stanley, we have no- thing more to give.' He went to Balliol, Oxford, and there graduated with distinction. In 1840-1 he made a tour in Greece, studying nature there in its beautiful and various aspects. Afterwards he became College tutor. In 1846 he published Sermons and Essays on the Apostolic Age ; the way being prepared for a good reception of these re- markable discourses by his Life of Arnold, which had been published two years previously. In 1851 he was made canon of Canterbury. Whilst here his pen was busy with his Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians, his Memorials of Canterbury, and his Sinai and Palestine. In 1863 he became dean of Westminster, and married Lady Augusta Bruce, who becoming ' the light of his dwelling/ enlarged ever after the varied power of his usefulness. His BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 95 Lectures on the Jewish Church were issued in three succes- sive vols, in 1863, 1865, 1879. Memorials of Westminster Abbey came out in 1868 ; Essays on Church and State in 1870 ; and nistory of the Church of Scotland in 1872. He went to America in 1878, was enthusiastically received, and came back inspired anew for his great work. But in the summer of 1881, after delivering a discourse on the beatitudes, he was taken ill, and after a few days, expired on Monday, July 18. He was a Broad Churchman, had large sympathies, was friendly to Nonconformists, and was followed to his grave by all ranks and conditions of men. Steele, Anne, daughter of a Baptist pastor at Broughton, Hampshire, was born 1716. Owing to an accident in child- hood she was a life-long invalid ; but she nevertheless spent her days in loving service for her Divine Master, to whom she had given her heart in her fourteenth year. She was engaged to be married, and the auspicious day was fixed. But ere the hour came her lover was drowned while bathing. She wrote : Poems on Subjects chiefly Devotional ; and Mis- cellaneous Pieces in Verse and Prose. She died peacefully in Nov., 1778. Stennett, Rev. Joseph, was born at Abingdon, Berks, in 1663. He became a Baptist minister in Devonshire Square, in 1690, and served here till his death, July 11, 1713. He published Hymns for the Lord's Supper ; A Ver- sion of Solomon's Song with the Forty-Seventh Psalm ; and Hymns on the Believer s Baptism. An edition of his entire writings was published in 1732. Stennett, Rev. Samuel, D.D., grandson of the above, was born at Exeter, in 1727. He first assisted his father as pastor of Little Wild Street Baptist Church, London, and in 1758 succeeded him in the pastorate. In 1763 Aber- deen University honoured him with their D.D. He held an eminently influential position among Dissenters, and fre- quently had John Howard as a hearer. He wrote an im- portant work On Personal Religion. His hymns have been extensively used. He finished his earthly course in London, Aug. 24, 1795. Stephen, the Sabaite, born 725, was placed when ten years of age in the Greek monastery of Mar Saba, situate in the wildest part of the Judean desert. Here he spent his long life, and after being a monk for sixty years, died in his cell in 791. He was a contemporary in this retreat with 96 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. John of Damascus, his uncle ; both distinguished as writers of sacred poetry. Stone, Rev. Samuel John, was born in 1839, and gradu- ated at Pembroke, Oxford, 1862. In the same year he be- came curate of Windsor ; and in 1870 curate of St. Paul's, Haggerston. Four years afterwards he became its vicar, succeeding his father. He has composed some hymns and poems ; among them being the ( Thanksgiving Hymn/ sung at St. Paul's Cathedral, on the recovery of the Prince of Wales. StOWe, Harriet Beecher, daughter of Dr. Lyman Beecher, and sister of the late Rev. H. W. Beecher, was born at Litchfield, Conn., June 15, 1814. She was an ardent scholar, and afterwards in a larger sense, a devoted student. At the age of twenty-one she became the wife of the Rev. Calvin E. Stowe, professor ■ of Biblical History at Lane Seminary, of which Mrs. Stowe's father was principal. In 1850 she sent forth her remarkable story of Uncle Tom, which quickly passed through many editions, made a great sensation, and largely aided in the liberation of the slaves. Soon afterwards appeared her Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin ; a very valuable work as evidence of the veracity of her slave story. In 1859 she published her charming work : The Ministers Wooing. StOWell, Rev. Hugh, a clergyman of distinguished ability in the Anglican Church, was born at Douglas, Isle of Man, Dec. 3, 1799. After his school-boy days he entered St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, and graduated in 1822, being ordained the following year. He first undertook a curacy in Yorkshire, and next became incumbent of St. Stephen's, Salford, where crowds flocked to hear the powerful gospel he preached. In this period of popularity he promoted the erection of Christ Church, Salford, where his evangelical ministry became an untold blessing. In 1845 he was made hon. canon of Chester, and subsequently rural dean of Salford, and died there, Oct. 8, 1865. His active pen pro- duced : The Pleasures of Beligion, with other Poems ; Trac- tarianism Tested ; A Model for Men of Business. He also edited A Selection of Psalms and Hymns, and wrote the ' Jubilee Hymn ' for the British and Foreign Bible Society. Straphan, Joseph, of whom we know but little, wrote that almost universal Sabbath-school hymn, ' Blest is the soul BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 97 whose love expands. 1 He is also the author of two others, all three appearing in Rippoo's Selection, published in 1787. Swaine, E J ward, born in London, Sapt. 21, 1795, was a delicate child, and received memorably bad treatment at the school at Peckham. In 1823 he became one of the first members of the Church which built Craven Chapel, and was chosen one of its first deacons — an office he filled honourably for forty years. He was also a director of the London Missionary Society. He was the author of ' The Hand of God, A Fragment, with Poems, etc., and also several Tractates. He likewise wrote some pleasing family and sacred epics. Shortly before his death, which transpired April 22, 1862, he awoke from a sleep and murmured the words, ' Salvation — grace ! ' and then passed peacefully away. Swain, Rev. Joseph, whose parents died when very young, was born at Birmingham, 1761. The orphan boy was apprenticed to an engraver, and soon found his way into gay, dissipating company. He had the gift of songr, and composed some popular airs. But ere long he was arrested by serious thoughts, and purchased a copy cf the Scriptures. He became terribly alarmed about his spiritual condition, but by reading and prayer realised a new life. ' I saw and believed,' said he, ' that He died for me, and that I should soon be with Him in glory.' He was baptised by Dr. Rippon, in May, 1783. He entered the ministry, and commenced a pastorate at Walworth, London, in June, 1791. His church rapidly increased from 27 members to 200. He died, after a brief ministry, on April 14, 1796. His Walworth Hymns appeared in 1792. Swift, James Frederick, was born in Manchester, Dec. 28, 1817. The family, when he was four years of age, re- moved to Liverpool, and he was educated at the Commercial School of University College there. When twelve years old he made his first public appearance as a pianist, and at sixteen was appointed an organist. Pie abandoned com- mercial life, and made music a profession ; this was wise, as his eminent position in the city has subsequently proved. He has composed upwards of one hundred songs, marches, and pianoforte pieces, and also a number of hymns and sacred odes. He was for ten years organist of St. An- drew's Church, Liverpool, and at present fills that post at St. Bride's. May his eminently useful life be long spared ! G 98 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Mr. Swift's publications have appeared under the nom de- jilume ' Godfrey Marks.' Tate, Nahum, was born in Dublin, 1652, being the son of Faithful Tate, D.D. He was educated at Trinity, Dublin, afterwards came to London, and became, through patronage, the poet-laureate to William III., in 1690. He was a writer of dramas, and produced poems in great number, which are now no memorial to him. He is best known by A Neiv Version of the Psalms of David, which he and Nicholas Brady, D.D., jointly made. He held, during a, considerable part of his London life, a valuable position at the Mint. He died Aug. 12, 1715. — Brady, Nicholas, D.D., Tate's co-worker, was born at Bandon, Ireland, Oct. 28, 1659, and died at Richmond, May 20, 1726. He was trained at Christ's, Oxford, and Trinity, Dublin, settling in London after the Revolution of 1688. He held various cures, and was chaplain to William III. TaylOP., Rev. Thomas Rawson, a Congregational minister, was born at Ossett, Wakefield, May 7, 1807. He was, for a short period, a pastor at Sheffield, and afterwards became tutor at Airedale College, where he died, March 7, 1835. He composed a few hymns of value. His Afemoir and Remains were published in the year following his death. Tennyson, Lord Alfred, son of the Rev. George •Clayton Tennyson, rector of Somersby, Lincolnshire, was born at the rectory, Aug. 6, 1809. He was educated at Trinity, Cambridge. In 1850 he was created poet-laureate. He has written much, and some of it high-class poetry : chiefly lyrical and a few dramas. He has also written some absurdly poor things — a glaring case of which may be found in his Jubilee Ode, 1887. He was created baron in 1884, and the next year received the honorary diploma of D.C.L. from Oxford University. TePSteeg'en, Gerhard, a mystic and hymn-writer of the Reformed Church, was born at Meurs, in Rhenish Prussia, Nov. 2b, 1697. He was educated in his native city, aid having great talents, made rapid progress. In 1713 he was apprenticed to a merchant, but finding it too much engross his attention and draw him from divine things (for he was converted at the age of sixteen), he decided, in 1719, to learn the ribbon weaving. He led a devoted, secluded, even ascetic life, giving away most of his earnings to the poor. He began to preach, travel, translate, and BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 99 'write when about twenty-seven. He published several works, and a number of profoundly thoughtful and inspiring hymns. His varied toils and suffering life ended at the age of seventy-three, by an attack of dropsy, at Miilheim, in Westphalia, April 3, 17G9. Thomas, Of CelanO, monk of the thirteenth century, and author of two hymns on the Judgment, is named after the place of his birth, a small town in the northern part of the province of Naples. He was a scholar and an intimate friend of Francis of Assisi, and one of the eleven who formed the first nucleus of the Franciscan Order in 1208. He enjoyed the entire confidence of his master Francis, and was appointed guardian of the branches established in the Rhenish provinces. After the decease of Francis, Thomas, by command of the Pope, went to Rome, and wrote an account of his master's life, this biography being still deemed the most authentic record of this remarkable man. Thomas excelled, however, as a hymn-writer, as his * Dies Irse' — (Day of Wrath) testifies. He died in 1255. Threlfall, Jeannette, was born in 1822, and died Nov. 30, 1880. From about twelve years of age her education was very much left to care for itself, but her great love of reading, combined with delicate health, prevented this being any great disadvantage. She lived, from an early age, first with Mr. and Mrs. Eccles, her relatives, at Park Place, Blackburn, and Golden Hill, Leyland, and next with their daughter, the late Mrs. S. A. Aston, at 3, Dean's Yard, Westminster. She was very useful as a district visitor and Sunday school teacher, and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. She was a gifted writer, and pub- lished Woodsorrel, 1856 ; The Babe and the Princess, 1864 ; Sunshine ami Shadow, 1873 \ and two little prose works. Her death was the consequence of a carriage accident, rendering amputation of the right leg necessary, and in- volving more than two years of patient and saintly suffer- ing. Thring", Rev. Godfrey, was born in 1823, and gradu- ated B.A. at Balliol, Oxford, in 1845. Being ordained in the following year, he became curate of Stratford-Turgis ; in 1850, of Strathfieldsaye ; of Euston, Norfolk, 1856 ; and of Arborheld, Berks, 1857. He was made rector of Horn- blotter, Somersetshire, in 1858 ; rural dean of Cary, in I867j and a prebendary in Wells Cathedral in 1876. He 100 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. has written some beautiful hymns, and is the author of three Hymn Books. Toplady, Rev. Augustus Montague, son of Major Top- lady, was born, Nov. 4, 1740, at Farnham, Surrey. He was educated at Westminster School, and received much valuable training from his godly mother. In 1755 he was convinced of sin in a barn in Ireland, under a layman's preaching, and three year3 after realised the grace of adoption. He was ordained in 1762, and in 1768 was made vicar of Blagdon, Somerset ; then obtained the living of New Ottery, and in 1768 became vicar of Broad Hem- bury, Devon, which he retained till his death. But in 1775 he went to London, and though of feeble frame and consti- tution, he preached with great earnestness for two years in the French Reformed Church, Leicester Square. He pub- lished his first Poems on Sacred Subjects, in 1759, when but nineteen years old. He also wrote The Church of England Vindicated from the Charge of Arminianism. He had a keen and active mind, considerable talents, a tantalisingly controversial spirit, and was not studious about decorum and charity. ' Mr. Wesley,' said Toplady, ' is the only opponent I ever had whom I chastised with a studious dis- regard to ceremony I only gave him the whip when he deserved the scorpion. 1 Mr. Wesley said, ' They have defended their dear decrees with arguments worthy of Bedlam and language worthy of Billingsgate/ Yet Top- lady lived a holy life when away from the arena and the strife of tongues. When approaching his death the doctor informed him that his pulse grew weaker. ' That,' said he, ' is a good sign that my death is at hand ; and, blessed be God, my heart every day beats stronger and stronger for glory.' He died at Knightsbridge, Aug. 11, 1778, and was buried at the Tottenham Court Boad Chapel, Bowland Hill delivering a memorial oration on the occasion. Tllttiett, Bev. Lawrence, was born in 1825, and after being educated at King's College, London, was ordained in 1848 by the bishop of London, and became curate of St. Barnabas, Pimlico. In 1854 he was appointed vicar of Lea-Marston, Warwickshire, and in 1870 incumbent of St. Andrew's, in the diocese of St. Andrew. In addition to his living he was made a prebendary of St. Ninian's Cathedral, Perth, in 1880. He is the author of several devotional works. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 101 TwellS, Rev. Henry, born in 1823, graduated at St. Peter's, Cambridge, in 1848, and took his M.A., 1851. In 1849 he became curate of Great Berkhampstead, and in 1851 sub vicar of Stratford-on-Avon. He was successively master of St. Andrew's House School ; head-master of Godolphin School, Hammersmith ; rector of Baldock, Herts ; select preacher at Cambridge \ rector of Waltham-on-the- Wolds, Peterborough diocese, and in addition hon. canon and proctor of Peterborough. His name will ever be remembered in the Christian Church by means of his beau- tiful Sabbath hymn, ' At even, ere the sun had set.' TymmS, Rev. Thomas Vincent, Baptist minister, was born in Westminster, 1842. After his early education he was articled to a lithographic artist. He was led to Jesus Christ under the devoted and saintly ministry of Samuel Martin, of whose church Tymms' parents were members. Under the guidance of Dr. Landels he resolved to devote his life to the Christian ministry, and spent four years in Pegent's Park College. In 1865 he took charge of the Baptist Church at Berwick on-Tweed. Whilst here lie married a noble and godly woman, who has since gone to the grave. In 18G8 he accepted a call to Accrington, and a year afterwards to form a new church at Clapton, where he experienced gracious success, having erected a chapel at Woodberry Down at a cost of <£10,000, and two mission halls in the poorer parts of the district. In 1881 he was president of the Baptist Association, acting also for the late Pev. C. Stanford in 1882. His work on the Mystery of after a pause, ' See what ? ' ' Come and see — what % I do not ask you to see the preacher, or to hear the voice of thunder, but to come and see yourselves — your sins — your Saviour — " See all your sins on Jesus laid." ' HYMN-NOTES. 139 143. All hail the power of Jesu'sname ! — Rev. xix. 16. By Edward Perronet. The first verse appeared in the Gospel Magazine for Nov. 1779, set to the tune ' Miles Lane ' which was written expressly for the hymn. It was afterwards published in full in the same periodical in 1780, and was in- cluded in Perronet's anonymous work — Occasional Verses ,. Moral and Sacred, 1785. Verse nine was added by Dr. Bippon in his Selection of Hymns, 1787. It is founded on Rev. xix. The second line of verse eight is altered from * That bound creation's call.' It is a grand hymn, and has been the creator of much incident. Some years ago * Billy ' Dawson, an extraordinary preacher, was delivering his wonderful discourse on the offices of Christ. He had portrayed the Saviour as Teacher and Priest, and then proceeded to set forth His glory as King in His own right, over saints and angels. Kindling at the thought he drew the picture of a coronation pageant. Prophets, patriarchs, apostles, martyrs, moved on in the grand procession \ the vast temple was filled. The preacher then suddenly broke forth into song with marvellous effect : — ■ All hail the power of Jesu's name,' &c. The power was overwhelming. The crowd sprang to their feet and sang the whole hymn with remarkable enthusiasm. — The Rev. E. P. Scott, an Indian Missionary, one day met a strange- looking native of a murderous mountaineer tribe. He decided to visit them, taking with him a violin. After two days' travel he was suddenly confronted by men of the tribe who pointed their spears at his heart. Though expecting instant death, he drew forth his violin and began to play and sing this hymn. Their ferocity was softened, and it was the commencement of a two and a half years' residence among them, the results being very gracious. — ' A good man was dying. As he lay propped up with pillows, they asked him if Christ was precious to him, and he said, "Yes." And it seemed as though he had exhausted all his power in uttering the word and telling out the truth. After a time they asked him the question again, and his lips failed to utter a word. At length he whispered, " Bring, bring." They looked around to see what he desired, and what they might bring. He said, " Prop me up a little," and he was able to make them understand he wished to repeat, " Bring forth the Royal Diadem, And crown Him Lord of all." 140 HYMN-NOTES. There is the key-note of the music we pray may thrill through all the world, till the earth shall be Christ's, and be filled with His glory, and echo with His praise.' 144. Where shall my soul begin to sing. — 1 Pet. i. 12. By W. Sanders, and appeared first in Bourne's Collection of Hymns for the rise of the Primitive Methodists, 1821. It is a lyric of sterling value, and contains some delightful stanzas. John Coulthard, of Springfield, Weardale, who became a Chris- tian when seven years old, and died in 1885, sang the day before his death with a heavenly ecstasy, verses 4, 5, — • My feeble song I cannot raise,' &c. 145. Jesus ! the name high over all. — Gen. iii. 15. One of C. Wesley's best Gospel poems, which appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It has twenty-two verses, and begins, ' Jesu, accept the grateful song ; ' and is entitled, * After preaching in a church.' The facts suggesting its com- position are supposed to be recorded in the author's Journal, Aug. 6, 1744. Preaching in a small church, in Cornwall, against the revelries of the people, and urging them to repent, one of the congregation opposed and blasphemed. Wesley asked, ' Who is he that pleads for the devil % * ' The reviler stood boldly forward, and the preacher fearlessly exposed his iniquity.' This hymn usually commences with verse 9. Its history is full of incident and marvel. It has wrought blessed results in the exorcising of demons, in awakening sinners, in leading penitents to Jesus Christ, and in soothing dying saints. Good old ' bishop ' Stockton of the Market Drayton circuit said when dying, * Happy, if with my latest breath,' &c. 146. How sweet the name of Jesus sounds. — Psa. viii. 1. John Newton's sweetest lyric, appearing in Olney Hymns, 1779, entitled, ' The name of Jesus,' and based on Solomon's Song i. 3. The fourth verse is omitted, commencing, 1 By Thee my prayers acceptance gain,' &c. Chas. Wesley and Dr. Doddridge have composed similar hymns, and not unlikely have all drawn from good St. Bernard's 1 Jesu, dulcis memoria.' 147. We sing to Thee, Thou Son of God.— Rev. v. 9. By J. Cennick, and appeared in his Hymns, 1743. It is an altered form of a part of his rendering of the Te Deum Lau- damus ; the changes being made by Toplady, and inserted in his Psalms and Hymns, 1776. HYMN-NOTES. 141 148. Jesus, King most wonderful. — Phil. ii. 11. Translation of a part of St. Bernard's (of Clairvaux) l Jubilus Rhythmicus de nomine Jesu.' By E. Caswall, and inserted in Lyra Catholica, 1849. It belongs to the same Latin poem as, 'Jesus, the very thought of Thee.' Yerse 4, lines 1-3 are altered from, * May every heart confess Thy name, And ever Thee adore ; And seeking Thee, itself inflame,' &c. 149. Jesus, I love Thy charming name. — 1 Pet. ii. 7. By Dr. Doddridge, and came out in 1755, in a posthumous volume of his Hymns. It was composed fco be sung after a sermon on 1 Peter ii. 7. This delightful and inspiring hymn has been precious to thousands of saints, living and dying. It was often used in public by a loc-il preacher, Mr. J. Dorri- cott. We were at his bed-side when death was nigh. Weary and struggling for breath he was raised from his pillow, and impressively said, ' I'll speak the honours of Thy name,' &c. 150. Come, let us join our cheerful songs. — Rev. v. 12. By Dr. Watts, in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, with the title, ' Christ the Lamb of God worshipped by all creation.' This most popular hymn is an invitation to the militant church to join in the praises of the Church Tri- umphant. In ' Adam Bede ; there is a description of a death- bed scene taken from the life of ' Dinah Morris,' whose real name was Evans. It was in her closing moments, having reached a great age, that she exclaimed, ' How good the Lord is ; praise His holy name ! ' Not being able to lie down, a friend supported her and she began to repeat this hymn, ending her life and words with, 1 Worthy the Lamb that died, they cry,' &c. 151. There is a name I love to hear. — Phil. ii. 10. This beautiful hymn by Rev. Fred. Whitfield first appeared as a leaflet in 1855, and afterwards in the author's Sacred Poems and Prose, 1859. Its intrinsic merits have claimed for it a place in many modern Hymn Collections, both for schools and congregations. ' There is a peculiar gentleness without weakness, and sweetness without sameness, in all his writings, which endear them greatly to all quiet loving Christians.' 152. Awake, and sing the song. — Rev. xv. 3. This melody by W. Hammond came out in his Psalms, 142 HYMN-NOTES. Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, London, 1745, with the title, 4 Before singing of Hymns by way of introduction.' The original has 14 verses; but the hymn has been considerably altered by M. Madan and others. Stanzas 5 and 6 are new ; the former perhaps by Madan ; and the latter was altered by Toplady from a verse in Watts' hymn, — * How strong Thine arm, O mighty God ! ' and was first added in Toplady } s Psalms and Hymns, 1776. 153. 'Tis for conquering kings to gain. — Phil. ii. 9. A translation from the Paris Breviary (Latin author un- known), by John Chandler, and was published in his Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837. 154. Shall hymns of grateful love. — Rev. v. 12. By James J. Oummins, and appeared in his Poetical Medita- tions and Hymns, 1839, and in his Hymns, Meditations, and other Poems, 1849. 155. Let earth and heaven agree. — Acts iv. 12. This inspiring and popular hymn by C. Wesley appeared in his Hymns on God's Everlasting Love, 1741, and was re-printed in the Arminian Magazine, 1778, entitled 'The Universal Love of Christ.' Three verses are omitted. The writer was never weary of insisting on the truth contained in the last two lines of this hymn. In another hymn published in the above- named volume, he exclaims, 1 Take back my interest in Thy blood, Unless it streamed for all the race.' The thought probably being conveyed to his mind by the re- markable words of Moses : ' Now if Thou wilt forgive their sin — ; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book.' For the last hundred years this hymn, both when sung and read, has been bearing unspeakable blessing to saints and sin- ners. It has led to the conversion of many, and to the deeper consolation of others, both in life and death. 156. My heart and voice I raise. — Heb. xiii. 15. This pleasant and attractive hymn, by Benjamin Rhodes, is a portion of a poem of his on The Messiah. It was composed in 1787. 157. O Saviour, precious Saviour. — 1 Peter i. 8. Frances R. Havergal's, written Nov., 1870, and headed, *Our King/ The refrain is founded on Psalm xlv. 11, 'Wor- ship thou Him.' It was inserted in her Under the Surface, 1875. HYMN-NOTES. 143 158. With hearts in love abounding. By Harriet Auber, and came out in her Spirit of the Psalms, 1829. It is a rendering of Psalm xlv. ; and is a lyric of fine sentiment, of royal and martial spirit. 159. Jesus, Sun and Shield art Thou. — Col. iii. 11. By H. Bonar, D.D., and appeared in the author's Hymns of Faith and Hope, second series, 1861. It had as title, ' The First and the Last/ 160. God the Father's only Son. — John xx. 28. By S. J. Stone, first appearing in the author's Lyra Fide- Hum : Twelve Hymns on the Twelve Articles of the Apostles' Creed, 1865. 161. Look, ye saints ! the sight is glorious. — Heb. ii. 9. This splendid hymn by Thomas Kelly appeared in his Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture, 1809, and is based on Rev. xi. 15 : 'And He shall reign for ever and ever.' 162. To the Name that brings salvation. — Psa. lxxii. 17. This hymn is translated from the Latin (G-loriosi Salvatoris) by John M. Neale, and appeared in his ALediaval Hymns, 1851. The author and precise date of the original are unknown ; but Neale supposes it to belong to the 15th century. It was com- posed for the ' Festival of the Name of Jesus,' and printed from an ancient Meissen Breviary, dated 1510, in the Halle library. The Rev. John Ellerton also made an excellent trans- lation of this hymn for Church Hymns. 163. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing! — 1 Sam. vii. 12. This remarkable and useful hymn has been the ground of considerable controversy, chiefly in relation to its authorship. Some assigned it to the Countess of Huntingdon, while others, with valid ground, declare it to be the work of Robert Robin- son, a celebrated but eccentric Baptist minister. It is found in Hymns used by the Church of Christ in Angel Alley, Bishops- gate, 1759. A discussion in Notes and Queries — July to Dec., 1858 — Leaves little doubt that the hymn is Robinson's. Be- sides, thf^ Rev. Dr. Belcher relates that, in the latter part of his life, Mr. Robinson was somewhat frivolous in his conduct, and unspiritual in his ideas. Travelling in a stage-coach, he encountered a lady who constrained him to acknowledge his acquaintance with religion. Eventually she quoted this hymn, * Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,' &c, and spoke of the blessing it had brought to her life. Deeply 144 HYMN-NOTES. agitated in soul, Robinson said, c I am the poor, unhappy man who composed that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds, if I had them, to enjoy the feelings I then had.' 164. Saviour, blessed Saviour, listen whilst we sing. — Phil, iii. 13, 14. By Godfrey Thring. Written in 18G2, it appeared in his Hymns Congregational and Other, 1866. It was afterwards published in a slightly altered form in his Church of England Hymn Book, 1880. It contained ten stanzas of fine poetry, two of which are omitted. 165. Our Jesus is gone up on high. — Luke xxiv. 49. 1 A Hymn for the Day of Pentecost/ by C. Wesley ; printed in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. The original contains 12 verses, and commences, — 1 Rejoice, rejoice, ye fallen race.' 166. Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly Dove. — Rom. viii. 13. By Simon Browne, and was included in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1720 (designed as a Supplement to Watts). This is the best known hymn in the Collection, and is headed, ' The Soul giving itself up to the Conduct and Influence of the Holy Spirit.' It has been subjected to considerable alterations, which began as early as Ash and Evans's Collection, 1769 ; but has been of eminent service in the church of Christ. 167. Great was the day, the joy was great. — Acts ii. 3, 4. A jubilant ode, by Dr. I. Watts ; and appeared in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. Title, ' The Effusion of the Spirit ; or, The Success of the Gospel.' 168. O Spirit of the living God.— Joel ii. 28-32. This grand pentecostal hymn, which breathes the true mis- sionary spirit, is by James Montgomery, and appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for August, 1823. It was afterwards altered and included in his Christian Psalmist of 1825, en- titled 'The Spirit accompanying the Word of God/ It is a vigorous and truly catholic hymn, and is suggested by Psalm lxvii. 2. 169. On all the earth Thy Spirit shower. — Isaiah xliv. 3. The latter part of a long poem, by Henry More, entitled, 'Upon the descent of the Holy Ghost at the Day of Pente- cost. 7 It was published first in the author's Divine Dialogues, 1668; and afterwards in More's Works, London, 1708. The HYMN-NOTES. 145 hymn was considerably altered by John Wesley, who gave to it a more strongly Arminian sentiment, and published fifteen verses in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. An account of this spirited and useful lyric may be found in the Wesleyan Magazine, 1867, p. 23. 1 70. Jesus, we on the word depend. By C. Wesley, entitled, ' For Whit-Sunday.' It was pub- lished in Hymns of Petition and Thanksyiving for the Promise of the Father, 1716, being founded on John xi v. 25-27 : ' These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you. But the Comforter,' etc. 171. Spirit Divine, attend our prayers. — Ezek. xxxix. 9. By Dr. Andrew Reed. It appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for 1829, as a ' Hymn to the Spirit, sung on the late day appointed for solemn prayer and humiliation.' It afterwards underwent some alterations and improvements, and was inserted in Reed's publication — The Hymn Book, 1841. It is a noble hymn — one of the finest in the whole range of sacred poetry on the Pentecost. 172. When God of old came down from heaven. John Keble's Whit-Sunday hymn in The Christian Year, published 1827. It is headed with Acts ii. 2-4 : ' And sud- denly there came a gound from heaven,' etc. Also Hebrews xii. 18, etc. Verses 2, 5, and 8 of the original piece are omitted. 173. Spirit of truth, on this Thy day. — 1 Cor. xiii. 13. This choice and beautiful hymn is from the pen of the gifted and saintly Bishop Heber, and appeared posthumously in a volume of his Hymns, 1827. * Unlike some of his suc- cessors in the church,' says G. J. Stevenson, ' in claiming apostolic authority and power, the wricer of this hymn gives a standing rebuke to all such assumptions; the devout bishop rejoices in the privilege of spreading the Gospel simply as a man called of God.' 174. Why should the children of a King. — Rom. viii. 14. By Dr. Watts, and appeared in his Hymns and Spiritual So?iys, 1709, being headed, ' The Witnessing and Sealing Spirit.' Mr. Wesley was once conducting an open-air service in the market-place at Chesterfield. A constable interfered, and required him to appear before a magistrate. As Wesley was leaving the assembly he said, ' Friends, sing a hymn whilst I am gone, I shall soon be back.' He then gave out the couplet, K 146 HYMN-NOTES. ' Why should the children of a King Go mourning all their days 1 ' This hymn was sung through, and begun again, and ere it was concluded he was back in their midst. 175. Enthroned on high, Almighty Lord. — John xvi. 7. By Thomas Haweis. It first appeared in the author's Car- olina Christo (' Hymns to the Saviour'), 1792, bearing the title, ' Day of Pentecost.' 176. Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove. — Psalm cxix. 25. Dr. Watts' hymn, taken from Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, having as title, * Breathing after the Holy Spirit; or, Fervency of Devotion Desired.' Lines 1, 2 of verse 4 read, 4 Dear Lord, and shall we ever live At this poor dying rate ? ' This hymn has been of eminent service in awakening the care- less. Here is one instance : — A youth of good social position attended a Scripture reading, and came under deep conviction. He went to a public-house to spend the evening in revelry, and thus stifle his feelings. He had talent for singing, and thus was heartily received. Whilst singing a song, the words of it suddenly passed from his memory ; and instead, the only lines he could call to mind were, the last verse of this hymn : ' Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, With all Thy quickening powers,' etc. He returned home humbled and sad ; sought Divine pardon, obtained peace, and dedicated his life and powers to Jesus Christ. 177. Lord God, the Holy Ghost.— Acts ii. 1-4. By James Montgomery : a noble Whitsuntide hymn ; com- prehensive, instructive, inspiring. It appeared first in CotteriWs Hymn Book, Sheffield, 1819; next in the author's Christian Psalmist, 1825 ; and more recently in his Original Hymns, 1853, having as title, * Descent of the Spirit.' 178. Granted is the Saviour's prayer. — Rom. viii. 26. By C. Wesley, entitled, i Hymn for Whitsunday.' It appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, and contained ten verses ; the last four being omitted. But as these are the marrow and application of the poem we insert the last here. ' Pain, and sin, and sorrow cease, Thee we taste, and all is peace ; Joy Divine, in Thee we prove Light of truth and fire of love.' HYMN-NOTES. 147 179. Holy Spirit ! pity me. — John xvi. 8. By William. M. Bunting ; published in the Memorials of the author, 1870, and in the Supplement to the Wesley an Hymn Book, 187G. 180. Away with our fears. — John xx. 22. This is one of C. Wesley's most expressive and spirited odes ; powerful in sentiment and attractive in metre. It is founded on, ' They were all filled with the Holy Ghost,' Acts ii. 4, and is from Hymns for the Promise of the Father. 181. Come, Holy Ghost, in love. — John xiv. 2G. A translation by Dr. Ray Palmer of the Latin hymn — 4 Yeni Sancte Spiritus,' — which appeared in the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858. It has generally been assigned to Robert II. of France ; but has recently been claimed for Hermannus (Contractus). Archbishop Trench spoke of it as, * The loveliest of all the hymns in the circle of Latin Sacred Poetry.' It is called ' The Golden Sequence,' and is in metrical form. 182. Thou that hearest prayer. — Matth. vii. 11. An excellent, well-known, and useful hymn, by John Burton. It appeared in the Baptist Magazine of 1824. 183. Eternal Spirit, come. — 1 Cor. iii. 16. By Chas. Wesley. This hymn is composed of parts of two other hymns published in Hymns for the Promise of the Father, 1746. It has been attributed, though wrongly, to A. M. Toplady. 184. Come to our dark nature's night. — John xv. 26. One of George Rawson's beautiful and expressive hymns which appeared in Psalms, Hymns, etc., 1853, (commonly called The Leeds Hymn Book), where the first line reads : — 4 Come to our poor nature's night.' The substitution of dark for poor was by Bishop Bickersteth in the Hymnal Companion. The author, in his Songs of Spiritual Thought, (R.T.S.) has omitted the seventh verse. ' It is a hymn one prizes greatly.' ' Perhaps Mr. Rawson's best- known hymn.' 185. Gracious Spirit, dwell with me ! — 1 Cor. iii. 16. By Rev. T. T. Lynch. It appeared in the author's Rivulet : A Contribution to Sacred Song, 1855. This publication created a great stir ; and hereupon arose ' The Rivulet Controversy,' 148 HYMN-NOTES. which ' was aggravated and assumed greater importance/ says Miller, ' because seven eminent London ministers of the same denomination, put forth a statement in vindication of their friend and brother minister. ' The poems of Lynch, as well as his prose works, display great culture, taste, independence of thought, and devoutness of spirit. This hymn was brought into congregational use through the Baptist Psalms and Hymns, 1858. 186. Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed. — John xiv. 26. By Harriet Auber ; published in her Spirit of the Psalms, &c, 1829. Mr. Lyte published a volume with a similar title in 1834, with which this must not be confused. Miss Auber's book contains several original hymns, of which this, entitled ' Whitsuntide/ is one. Bickersteth says it is a ' most beautiful hymn, the very rhythm of which is peace.' In verse 5, line 3, ' fault ' is put in place of i thought.' 187. Holy Ghost, dispel our sadness. — John xiv. 17. Translated from Paul Gerhardt's German hymn, by John Christian Jacobi, and was published in his Psalmodia Ger- manica, 1725. It was afterwards amended by A. M. Toplady, and published in the Gospel Magazine, June, 1776, containing six verses. 188. Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire. —John xv. 26. This important hymn is a translation by Bishop Cosin, and appeared in his Collection of Private Devotions, 1627. In the revision of the Book of Common Prayer, in which Cosin took a considerable part, this hymn found a place ; being for use in the service for the ' Ordering of Priests,' etc. It is ' thus the only metrical hymn sanctioned by the authorities both of church and state for use in the Church of England.' The authorship of the original (Yeni Creator) has been a ground of much speculation. It has been attributed variously to Gregory the Great, to St. Ambrose, to Charlemagne, to Charles the Fat, (fee. But it remains, and is likely to, an unsettled ques- tion. The Rev. S. W. Duffield has recently assigned it to Maurus Babanus, and has dealt exhaustively with the question in his Latin Hymn-Writers and Their Hymns. 189. Father, if Thou my Father art. The sighing of a yearning soul for the pardon, light, and love of God, by Chas. Wesley, and appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. It bears the title, 'Groaning for the Spirit of Adoption.' H YMN-NO TES. 149 190. Creator Spirit, by whose aid. — Gen. i. 2. This hymn is another rendering of ' Yeni Creator Spiritus ' (see Hymn 188) by John Dryden. These verses are selected from Dryden's hymn of 39 lines, published in his Miscellanies, Vol. III., 1693. This is perhaps the best and most acceptable version of this Latin ode. 191. Father of heaven, whose love profound. — Psa. cxlv. 1. By Edward Cooper : in a Uttoxeter Selection of Hymns, edited by Thomas Cotterill, 1805. The hymn is there anony- mous, but is attributed to Cooper by a clergyman — Rev. J. Wakefield, rector of Hughley — who knew the author person- ally. ' It was from his son, Henry, vicar of Barton-under- Needwood,' writes Mr. W. to us, ' that I learned that his father was the author of the hymn.' 192. To God be glory, peace on earth. — Luke ii. 14. A translation of Gloria in Excelsis (see No. 78). It ap- peared in a Supplement to Tate and Brady's New Version of the Psalms, 1700 ; headed, 'The Thanksgiving in the Church Com- munion Service.' The hymns in this Supplement are said to be by Tate. 193. Father, in whom we live. — Rev. vii. 10. By C. Wesley, and appeared in Hymns for those that seek and those that have Redemption, 1747, entitled 'To the Trinity.' 194. Father, throned on high. — 1 John v. 7. The first three verses of this composite hymn are by John Antes La Trobe, and appeared in his Psalms and Hymns, &c, new ed., 1852. The last verse is a translation from Lorenz T. Nyberg's German Hymn. This hymn has been much altered. 195. Come, Thou Almighty King. — 2 Cor. xiii. 14. This hymn, without good data, has been frequently attri- buted to C. Wesley. It was printed on a leaflet with two of ( !. Wesley's hymns, and has therefore been supposed to be his. But if his, why did he never claim it ] Moreover, the metre is altogether unlike any used in Wesley's hymns. The Rev. Martin Madan published it in his Collection of 1763, and also gave Walter Shirley permission, it is said, to use it. But if Wesley's, why did Madan claim it ] and if Madan's, why was it printed with Wesley's hymns six years previously ? Most probably it does not belong to either of them. It appeared in G. Whitefield's Collection, about 1760 or 1761. It is written in imitation of the ' National Anthem,' and would not have 150 HYMN-NOTES. suffered in Christian sentiment had the second verse been omitted. — During the Revolutionary War in America, the British had taken possession of Long Island, and a body of troops had invaded a place of worship one Sunday morning, and insisted that the congregation should sing, ' God save the King/ In reply the people sang this hymn to the same tune. 196. We give immortal praise. — Psa. xxix. 1. By Dr. Watts, appearing in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, with the heading, 'A song of praise to the blessed Trinity. , The original hymn was constructed for private use ; the pronouns being in the singular. These have been changed to the plural in order to adapt it to public worship. 197. Mighty Father, blessed Son.— John iii. 9. This devout and prayerful ode by Bev. J. S. B. Mouse! 1, entitled ' Mystery/ was published in his Spiritual Songs, 1857. It comes to us unaltered, except line 3, verse 3, which origin- ally read, * Nor my head without my heart.' We have here only a portion of this profound and beautiful hymn, it being from a sacred piece of 81 lines. 198. Heavenly Father, all creation. — Bev. xix. 5. By Arthur T. Bussell, and was included in Kennedy's Hymnologia Christiana, 1863, being No. 1282. Line 4, verse 1 reads, ' Maker of the sea and land.' In each stanza the fourth line is followed by, ' Alleluia, Alleluia ! ' 199. God of life, whose power benign. — Psa. xxx. 4. This hymn was written by Arthur T. Bussell, and inserted in Mr. Ernest Bunsen's Hymns for the use of the London Ger- man Hospital, 1848. 200. Infinite God, to Thee we raise. — Isa. vi. 3. C. Wesley's version of the * Te Deum ' was first published in Hymns for those that seek and those that find Redemption, 1747. It is entirely distinct from John Dry den's version, although it has sometimes been ascribed to him. Seven verses are usually omitted. 201. Holy, holy, holy ! Lord God Almighty.— Isa. vi. 1-7. This sublime ascription of praise by Bishop Heber appeared in a posthumous volume entitled, Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Church Service, 1827, edited by his widow and HYMN-NOTES. 151 Dean Milman. It is founded on Rev. iv. 8, and has the grand swell of an anthem. Its popularity has been increased by the appropriate and inspiring tune — ' Xica3a,' composed by Dr. Dykes — to which it is sung. It appears to have been made expressly for Heber's ' Trinity' hymn, and the name of it has a direct historic reference. Nicsea, in Asia Minor, was the place where an ^Ecumenical Council was held in 325, A.D. ; at which the Arian controversies were dealt with, and the doc- trine of the Trinity became a recognized dogma. Ver. 1, line 2, orig. read, 'Early iu the morning,' &c. Ver. 2, line 4, ' Who ' is inserted in place of ' which.' 202. The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord. This admirable version of Psalm xix., by Dr. T. Watts, may be regarded as one of his finest Psalm-renderings. It is in his Psalms, 1719, headed, ' The Books of Nature and of Scripture Compared ; or, The Glory and Success of the Gospel.' 203. O God, who didst Thy will unfold. — 1 Sam. xxviii. 6. By Josiah Conder ; in the Congregational Hymn Book, 183G, which he edited for the Congregational Union. This hymn was afterwards included in his Choir and Oratory, 1837. 204. How precious is the book divine. By John Fawcett, and is found in his Hymns Adapted to the Circumstances of Public Worship and Private Devotion, 1782. Title, ' Thy Word is a lamp,' etc., Psalm cxix. 105. The original has only six verses ; one being inserted after the fifth, as found in the Congregational Hymn Book, 1859. 205. A glory gilds the sacred page. — Psa. cxix. 130. By William Cowper. It was inserted in the Olney Hymns, 1779, with the title, 'The light and glory of the Word.' The third verse originally stood first, and certainly presented thus a more natural order and sequence of thought; the source of the ' light and glory ' being first made known. The hymn is a true transcript of the poet's own experience. From Dec. 7, 17G3 to July 1764, he seems to have been under deep convic- tion of sin and in despair of mercy. He even made some attempts to destroy himself, but was graciously preserved. He believed he had committed ' the unpardonable sin.' In July 17G4 he found a Bible on a bench in the garden, and opened it to what happened to be John xi. He was much moved, and searched the sacred pages with deep interest. He came upon Rom. iii. 25. Here the light broke upon him, and 152 HYMN-NOTES. he ' received strength to believe.' ' I believed/ said he, * and I received the Gospel. ' In this way the grateful and heavenly- light, which he describes in this hymn, filled and blessed Cowper's soul. 206. Before Thy mercy-seat, O Lord. — Col. iii. 16. The prayer of an earnest soul ' For an understanding of the Scriptures.' It was written by William H.Bathurst, and appeared in his Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use, 1831. Alterations have been inserted in two of the verses as follows: — Yerse 3, line 3, ' And teach us as we read to feel.' Yerse 5, lines 2-1, ' may we safely go To those fair realms where love provides A final rest from woe.' 207. Father of mercies, in Thy Word. — Psa. xix. 7-10. Entitled, ' The excellency of the Holy Scriptures.' Written by Anne Steele, and published about 1760 in a volume of Poems, etc., by ' Theodosia.' The original has 12 verses. 208. Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace. — Psa. cxix. 105. This striking hymn by Bernard Barton, containing a number of images or metaphors of the Divine word, was published in the author's Devotional Verses Founded on Texts of Scripture, 1826. The original has 11 verses. 209. Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire. — 2 Pet. i. 21. Chas. Wesley's choicest Scripture chant, found in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, bearing the title, ' Before Beading the Scripture.' No hymn in our language, perhaps, has been more fully and sacredly devoted to its original purpose, and none better fitted for it. It has probably held its place as a chant, especially in Methodist sanctuaries, as no other hymn or Psalm has done. Line 1, ver. 3, originally read, ' Expand Thy wings, prolific Dove.' 210. Almighty God ! Thy word is cast.— Mark iv. 20. By John Cawood ; no date is given in the author's MSS., but his son considers it was written about the year 1815. It is in Cotterill's Selection of Hymns, 1819. In Lyra Britannica it is entitled, ' Hymn after Sermon.' It has undergone im- portant variations. 211. Spread, O spread, thou mighty word. — 2 Thess. iii. 1. From a German hymn by Johann F. Bahnmaier, which is HYMN-NOTES. 153 frequently sung at missionary meetings in Germany, especially in Wiirtemberg. The translation is by Catherine Wink worth, and is in the second series of her Lyra Germanica, 1858. 212. O Word of God incarnate. — Pro v. vi. 23. By Bishop W. W. How. It is a hymn of great power and beauty, and is taken from the Supplement to Morrell and How's Psalms and Hymns, 1866. It is remarkable for its choice ex- pressions, and for the largeness of its prayerful utterances. 213. Holy Father, Thou hast given. — Psa. cxix. 130. Written by William Bruce ; and printed in the Presbyterian Hymnal from the manuscript furnished by the author. He afterwards inserted it in his Hebrew Odes, 1874, headed, ' Thy word giveth light.' 214. Deep in the dust before Thy throne. Entitled, ' The First and Second Adam/ and based on Romans v. 12, etc. The hymn is by Dr. I. Watts, and ap- peared in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. 215. Arise, my tenderest thoughts, arise. By P. Doddridge; dated in the MSS., June 10, 1739 ; and entitled, * Beholding transgressors with grief, ' Psalm cxix. 136, 158. It was published in the author's Hymns, 1755. 216. What shall the dying sinner do. — Rom. i. 16. By Dr. I. Watte ; published in his Hymns and Spiritual S^ngs, 1709, and bears the title, ' The Gospel the Power of God to Salvation.' The original contains 6 verses. 217. How helpless guilty nature lies. — 1 Cor. vi. 2. By Anne Steele, and was published in the third volume of her Poems, etc., by her friend, Dr. Caleb Evans, 1780. There is a short metre modification of this hymn in the Methodist Episcopal Hymnal. It has six verses and its title is : ' The Necessity of Renewing Grace.' 218. How sad our state by nature is. — Rom. vii. 24, 25. By Dr. I. Watts ; appearing in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, with the title, ' Faith in Christ for Pardon and Sanctification/ verse 5 being omitted. This hymn has a re- markable history, and has borne Gospel blessing to many lives. Dr. Spencer, in his admirable Pastor's Sketches, relates the case of a young woman in deep spiritual anxiety for a long time. He called one evening on his way to church : * I would aid you most willingly,' said he, ' but I can do you no good.' ■ I do not think you can,' said she calmly, ' but I hope you will still come 154 HYMN-NOTES. to see rue/ In the church they sang the hymn with the closing verse — * A guilty, weak, and helpless worm.' Next day she said, ' The way of salvation all seems to me per- fectly plain. My darkness is all gone. All is light to me. I see my way clear ; and I am not burdened and troubled as I was. I saw that I had nothing to do but trust in Christ. I sat all the evening just looking at that hymn. It is so light and makes me so contented.' — Dr. P. Doddridge, conversing one day with his pupils at Northampton on the various waya in which Christians meet death, said, ' I wish that my last words may be those lines of Watts : — " A guilty, weak, and helpless worm, On Thy kind arms I fall." ' 219. Enslaved to sense, to pleasure prone. — Gen. iii. 17. Chas. Wesley's, entitled, ' Grace Before Meat,' and appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. 220. Long have I seemed to serve Thee, Lord. — Psalm li. 17. From C. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, headed, 1 The Means of Grace. 7 It was composed at the time of the disputes between the Wesleys and the Moravians, some of the latter having accepted Antinomian doctrines, whilst some of the Wesleyan adherents unduly exalted the means of grace. 221. How heavy is the night. By Dr. I. Watts ; in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. It is suggested by 1 Cor. i. 30 : ' Who was made unto us,' etc. 222. Father of omnipresent grace. — John vi. 44. This hymn, by C. Wesley, first appeared in Hymns for the Use of Families, 1747. Although it cannot be said to be of high poetic order, still it is valuable as setting forth clearly and pungently the utter sinfulness and needs of mankind. 223. Father, whose everlasting love. — Pom. v. 8. Found in C. Wesley's Hymns on God's Everlasting Love, 1741.. It appears to have been written during the Calvinistic contro- versy, and originally consisted of 27 verses. It is a most ac- ceptable hymn in Methodist circles, and is beautiful in senti- ment, as well as powerful in doctrine. 224. Shepherd of souls, with pitying eye. — Psalm cxlii. 4. By C. Wesley, entitled, ' For the outcasts of Israel.' It HYMN-NOTES. 155 was published in Hymns for those that seek and those that have Redemption^ 1747. Some of its lines exhibit a dark picture of English heathenism a century ago, as well as now. Stanza 3 (omitted) begins, * Wild as the untaught Indian brood, The Christian savages remain,' &c. 225. When I survey the wondrous cross. Entitled ' Crucifixion to the world by the cross of Christ/ by Dr. I. Watts. It is based on Gal. vi. 14, and appeared in the author's Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, containing five verses. A writer in the Oxford Essays says, and perhaps with good reason, ' It is Watts' finest hymn.' It is a beautiful ex- pression of a saintly soul's entire consecration to God ; although multitudes sing it who never intend its sublime truths to be realised in their lives. It has been fruitful in fiscal anecdotes, but these we deem altogether unsuitable for these pages. The sublime teachings of the hymn carry the thought into a higher and purer realm than that of finance. 226. Jesus, Thou all-redeeming Lord. — 1 Cor. xvi. 9. In Chas. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems , 1749. It con- tains 18 verses in the original, and appears to have been writ- ten in anticipation of one of those great open-air demonstra- tions which brought such unspeakable good to the careless mul- titudes of that day. It is headed, ' Before Preaching to the Colliers in Leicestershire.' 227. Plunged in a gulf of dark despair. — Rom. v. 6. Dr. Watts', with the title, ' Praise to the Redeemer.' It ap- peared in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. Three verses are omitted, but this does not impair the usefulness of the hyn n. Of this and several others, the author says, ' I hope the reader will forgive the neglect of rhymes in the first and third lines of the stanzas.' This hymn is sufficient to prove that such rhyme is not necessary to the loftiest poetical composition. It has been a source of great comfort to the penitent seeker and to the dying saint. 228. Infinite, unexhausted Love. — Eph. iii. 19. Entitled, ' After a Recovery,' by Chas. Wesley, and appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Potms, 1749. The original has 18 verses, the first commencing, 4 what an evil heart I have,' kc. 156 HYMN-NOTES. 229. Approach, my soul, the mercy-seat. — Heb. iv. 16. This expressive hymn is by John Newton and was published in the Olney Hymns, 1779, with the title, ' The Effort.' < New- ton's compositions are clear and evangelical in their senti- ments.' 230. Praise to the Holiest in the height. — Psa. cl. 1. By John H. Newman. It is part of a mystical but remark- able dramatic poem : The Dream of Gerontius. It purports to contain the experiences of Gerontius after death; and this hymn is a choral part sung by angelic spirits. The poem ap- peared in the author's Verses on Various Occasions, 1868. 231. Not all the blood of beasts.— Heb. ix. 12-14. By Dr. I. Watts, entitled ' Faith in Christ our Sacrifice,' and appeared in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. This expres- sive and spirited hymn has been of great benefit during the 180 years of its history. Mr. G. J. Stevenson, M.A., records the following incident : — A colporteur was one day offering Bibles in the Jews' quarter, East London, when a Jewess in- formed him that if any of their people bought one, and became converts to Christianity, they would again return to, and die in the faith of Abraham. The Bible-man said, that when a city missionary, he was induced to call on a dying Jewess. She had once been wealthy and kept her carriage, but was reduced to poverty by becoming a Christian. One day a hymn-book leaf came to her house around some butter; and she read thereon, * Not all the blood of beasts, On Jewish altars slain,' &c. The words haunted her ; she could not dismiss them. She fetched out of her box a copy of the Bible, and read it till she found Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. She became a convert to Christianity. Her hus- band divorced her, went to India, married again, and died. She lived in much poverty, did not renounce her faith in the crucified Lord, but died triumphing in the precious thought that, * — Christ, the heavenly Lamb, Takes all our sins away.' 232. Now begin the heavenly theme. — Eph. v. 19. The authorship of this hymn is an uncertain matter. It appeared in a Selection of Hymns, edited by J. Edwards, of Leeds, 1756. It has been assigned to John Langford, because HYMN-NOTES. 157 it appears in his Hymns, 1783. But it is not there marked as his ; though in the preface he intimates that he has marked those composed by himself. It has likewise been attributed to Dr. William Langford [1701—1775], but without a tittle of evidence. 233. Cling to the Crucified !— 1 John ii. 28. By Horatius Bonar, D.D., and was published in his Bible Hymn Book, 1845. It also came out in the first series of Hymns of Faith and Hope, 1857. The original of line 8, ver. 2, re-ads, — ' That love shall never change.' 234. O Jesus, Thou art standing. — Kev. iii. 20. A beautiful and most suggestive hymn by Bishop How. It was published in 1866, in the Supplement to Morrell and How's Psalms and Hymns. Dr. Bickersteth says, ' This hymn has won its way by its pleading pathos/ And Rev. James King predicts that it will become classic. Holman Hunt has a celebrated picture : ' The Light of the World. 7 It repre- sents the Saviour knocking at the door (Sol. Song v. 2). He stands, with bowed head, listening. Across the door vines have grown ; it is long since it was unclosed. He holds in His hand a lantern from which the rays fall on some fruit which has dropped ungathered. His back is toward the light of the rising moon. This hymn is a striking comment on the picture. 235. Hail, Thou once despised Jesus ! — Mark xv. 18. By John Bakewell. This hymn appeared in a fragmentary form in Hymns Addressed to the Holy, Holy, Holy Triune God, 1757. Also in an enlarged edition of Madan's Hymn Book, 17 60. The author, according to Duffield, gave the hymn to Toplady, who was an intimate friend, and who after making several al- terations published it in his Psalms and Hymns, 1776. A somewhat heated controversy raged for awhile in America, at the time of the publication of the Methodist Episcopal Church Hymn Hook, over the term ' Galilean King,' in the second line. * Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! ' 236. See the blessed Saviour dying. — Matt, xxvii. 50. By Albert Midlane. Written Oct. 5, 1856, during a walk amid the pensive shades and ancient ruins of Carisbrooke Castle, the quiet scenery of this famous spot being in beautiful harmony with the meek and quiet spirit of the Suffering Lamb. Tiiis piece appeared in the author's poems — Leaves from f/livet, : —containing seven verses, and entitled, ' The Willie* 158 HYMN-NOTES. Victim.' The hymn here given consists of the last three stanzas of the poem, arranged so as to be suitable for public worship ; the alterations being published by the author in his Gospel Echoes, 1865. 237. Would Jesus have the sinner die 1 — Luke xxiii. 34. One of Chas. Wesley's most powerful odes, included in his Hymns on GooVs Everlasting Love, 1741, with the title, * Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all men.' The original contains 18 verses, the first four being hymn 267. In the Primitive Me- thodist Hymn Book, 1853, the Rev. John Flesher inserted 'Jesus ' for 'Adam ' in second verse. The Hymnal Committee have scarcely improved it by going all the way back to Adam, even on Mr. Wesley's authority. This hymn, with many others, grew out of the fierce Calvinian controversy of Wesley's times. 238. The voice of free grace cries, 'Escape to the mountain.' — Cen. xix. 17. The first verse and the refrain are from a hymn by Richard Burdsall ; written about 1796, and inserted in his Memoirs, edited by Dr. John Lyth, 1884. ' Passing a public-house one day he overheard a song, the air of which so much struck his fancy that, although not gifted with the genius of poetry, he composed the following lines, which in a modified form have since acquired considerable popularity.' It has three verses, the second one being the first of our hymn. Verses 1, 3, begin respectively, 1. * Now Jesus is risen, — the serpent's head bruised,' etc. 3. ' Our hearts filled with praise, and our mouths with thanksgiving,' etc. These verses are totally unlike, except in metre, any of the remaining four in the Hymnal. And it is probable therefore that the hymn, as we have it, was reconstructed either for Lorenzo Dow's book of Spiritual Songs (Liverpool), 1806; or for some early edition of Hugh Bourne's Hymn Books. 239. Say, sinner, hath a voice within. — Gen. vi. 3. By Abigail (Bradley) Hyde, who said of it that it was ' written down from my lips by a young sister, when I was not able to hold up my head from the pillow.' It appeared in Nettleton's Village Hymns, 1824, with the inspired words, ' And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever.' 240. Why will ye lavish out your years. — Luke x. 42. By Dr. P. Doddridge, and was published in his Hymns, 1755, HYMN-NOTES. 159 bearing the title, 'The care of the soul, the one thing needful.' 1 Doddridge's hymns are distinguished by their unaffected piety and engaging sweetness.' 241. Deep are the wounds that sin has made. Anne Steele's popular hymn, published in her Poems Chiefly Devotional, by Theodosia, vol. I., 1760, afterwards embodied in the Bristol Hymn Book,'by Ash and Evans, 1769, initialed ■ T.' The hymn has six verses, and is entitled, ' Christ, the Physician of souls ; ' founded on Jer. viii. 22 : ' Is there no baltn in Gilead ] is there no physician there ] why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?' 242. While life prolongs its precious light — 2 Cor. vi. 2. This impressive sacred poem by Timothy D wight, D.D., is to be found in the author's edition of Watts Psalms, with the preface-date, 1800, and title, ' Life the only Accepted Time.' It will be seen that the hymn here closes with a repetition of the second stanza. This is the device of some editor. The author closed the hymn with two verses which are omitted. 243. Come, sinners, to the Gospel feast. Entitled, 'The Great Sapper,' based on Luke xiv. 16-24. The original poem by C. Wesley has 24 verses. It is said that when Jesse Lee found all the churches of Boston (U.S.) closed against him, July, 1790, he borrowed a table and 'carried it himself to the friendly shade ' of a historic elm on Boston common. There standing he sang this glorious Gospel invitation, and preached to thousands of eager listeners. It was published in 1747 in Hymns on Redemption. 241. Ho ! every one that thirsts, draw nigh ! By C. Wesley. The original is a pungent paraphrase on Isaiah lv., and contains thirty-one verses. It was printed in the author's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. 245. Sinners, obey the Gospel word. — Luke xv. 12, ifcc. By C. Wesley ; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It offers a present salvation to every penitent, and represents the Triune Deity as waiting to welcome every comer. Its epigram- matic form of expression, and its simplicity and pathos, im- part much beauty to the hymn. 246. Behold ! a Stranger's at the door ! — Rev. iii. 20. An expressive and impressive appeal to the sinner to receive the gracious Saviour as a Guest, by Joseph Grigg. It 160 HYMN-NOTES. appeared in the author's Four Hymns on Divine Subjects, 1765, and contains 11 verses. 247. Return, O wanderer, to thy home ! — Luke xv. 18, (fee. By Thomas Hastings, first appearing in his Spiritual Songs, 1832. It was ' written at Utica after hearing a stirring revival sermon on " The Prodigal Son," where two hundred con- verts were present. The preacher at the close exclaiming with tender emphasis, " Sinner, come home ! come home ! come home ! " ' 248. Let every mortal ear attend. — Isa. lv. 1-3. A solemn appeal by Dr. Watts, found in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709, headed, ' The Invitation of the Gospel ; or, Spiritual food and clothing/ 249. why should gloomy thoughts arise. — Jer. viii. 22. 1 Believe, and be at peace,' written by Thomas Hastings. It appeared in Hymns for the Use of the Methodist Episcopal Church (U. S.), 1849. The third verse is a variation from the original, first introduced by Rev. J. Elesher, in P.M. Hymn Book, 1853. 250. The Spirit in our hearts. Bv Bishop Henry U. Onderdonk ; contributed to Hymns in the Protestant Episcopal Prayer-book, 1826. It was suggested by Rev. xxii. 17, 20, which also maybe regarded as an ancient hymn of the Apostolic church. The last line of this hymn stood originally — ' Jesus, my Saviour, come ! ' 251. Welcome, welcome ! sinner, hear ! — Luke xiv. 17. One of Josiah Conder's excellent pieces. It is found in the first Congregational Hymn Book, 1836 ; and also in the author's Choir and (Oratory, 1837. 252. Why unbelieving? — Matt. xiv. 31. Taken from an American Revival Hymn Book, but the authorship of the hymn cannot be traced. It is a pathetic ap- peal, conveyed in pleasant rhythm, noble thought, and choice expression, and ought to come into extensive use. 253. To-day, the Saviour calls. — Matt. xi. 28. By Samuel F. Smith and Thomas Hastings. The latter per- son wrote to Rev. W. P. Stevenson that this hymn was offered to him in a ' hasty sketch,' which he ' retouched ' and printed in Spiri tual Songs, 1831-3. HYMN-NOTES. 161 254. O comfort to the dreary. — Matt. xi. 28. Composed by Josiah Conder, and first printed in the Congre- gational Hymn Jiook, 1836. It is also in his Choir and Oratory, 1837. 255. Come unto Me, ye weary. — Matt. xi. 28. Written in 1864, by W. C. Dix, and contributed to The Peoples Hymnal, edited by Littledale and Vaux, 1867. It is a composition of considerable poetic excellence, and, aided per- haps by its metre, is likely to become increasingly popular. 256. Dying souls, fast bound in sin. — Acts iv. 20. This hymn is ascribed to Thomas Hastings, in consequence of it being in his Spiritual Songs, 1831-2. But Professor Bird informs us that it is not to be found in Hastings' MSS. ; the matter is therefore very doubtful. 257. Weary souls, that wander wide. — Matt. xi. 28. By C. Wesley, and appeared in Hymns on Redemption, 1747, having as title, ' The Invitation.' Dr. A. Clarke, in his earlier ministry, frequently made use of this noble hymn. 258. From the cross uplifted high. — John vii. 37. On the same theme and in the same metre as the last, by Thomas Haweis, and printed in his Carmina Christo, 1792. 259. Sinners, turn, why will ye die? Chas, Wesley's, in his Hymns on Gods Everlasting Love, 1711, based on Ezek. xviii. 31 : ' Why will ye die, house of Israel ? ' 260. What could your Redeemer do? — Ezek. xxxiii. 11. A hymn on the same theme, and by the same celebrated author, as the preceding one. 261. Souls of men. why will ye scatter. — Isa. xxxv. 4. By F. W. Faber, with the title, ' Come to Jesus.' It was published in his Hymns, 1862. Some Hymn Books begin at verse 3, and others omit verses 3, 4, 5. 262. Hark ! the Gospel news is sounding. — Rom. v. 21. By W. Sanders and H. Bourne. It appeared in the Large Hymn Booh for the Use of the Primitive Methodists 1824. It has sometimes been called ' The Primitive Methodist Grand March,' from being much used at out-door processions. It was once being sung, at the dusk of eventide, in a little hamlet. A young man, full of spiritual anxiety, was leaning on a wall in the distance, and heard the joyous strains of the refrain, L 162 HYMN-NOTES. 1 None need perish.' A responsive faith awoke in his soul, peace came, he dedicated his life to Jesus, and is now a minis- ter of the Connexion. 263. Sinners, will you scorn the message? — Isa. lv. 3. This hymn is said to be Jonathan Allen's. It appeared in Richard Pearsall Allen's Hymns Adapted to Public Worship, Collected jr om Various Sources, Exeter, 1801. Mr. Sedgwick, in his marked copy of Dobell's Collection, 1806, assigned it to Jonathan Allen ; but he stated no reason for doing so. It is an excellent Gospel hymn, and its fervent and eloquent appeals have reached many hearts, and led them to a new life. 264. Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched. — Matt. ix. 12. By Joseph Hart ; published among his Hymns, etc., 1759, headed, ' Come and Welcome to Jesus.' This is a homely, but strong and touching hymn of appeal. The fourth line in the original is, 'Full of pity joined with power.' The hymn has several other verbal and literary alterations. The ven. Thomas Scott, the commentator, a little while before dying, quoted im- pressively the consolatory words, * None but Jesus, can do helpless sinners good.' 265. Come to Calvary's holy mountain. — Joel iii. 18, Written by James Montgomery, and appeared in CotterilVs Hymn Book, 1819, and in the Christian Psalmist, 1825, where it is entitled, l A Fountain Opened for Sin and Uncleanness.' It also came out in Original Hymns, 1853. 266. Just as thou art, without one trace. — Rev. xxii. 17. By Russell Sturges Cook ; appearing in the American Mes- senger, March, 1850. Dr. Hellock states that Mr. Cook put it in his hands for insertion in the above-named publication. It reads not unlike a sequel to Charlotte Elliott's celebrated hymn. 267. See, sinners, in the Gospel glass. — Matt. xi. 28. It is found in Chas. Wesley's Hymns on God's Everlasting Love, 1841, and taken from the same poem as hymn 237. 268. Come, come, thou vilest sinner. — Jer. viii. 22. The author is unknown. It appeared in Hugh Bourne's General Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs, enlarged and improved, 1818. But it is not in his former issue of 1812. Three quaint stanzas are omitted. This old-fashioned piece has been the birth-song of many souls. In 1828, Thomas Fairley read this hymn, and its ' Come, O come ! ' and * Welcome, wel- come ! ' were a balm to his wounded soul. He found rest in HYMN- NOTES. 1G3 the Saviour. His brother William visited him and he sang his ' Welcome, welcome ! ' etc., to him. Thus William found peace. — Rev. W. Clowes preached in Leeds in a Mr. Sampson's warehouse. l Here the devil and Sampson gained a temporary advantage over me.' The false cry that the building was fall- ing caused many to rush to the door, to fall one over another, and to attempt to jump through the windows. ' Yet all were preserved from harm, and restored to composure by my singing, " Come, come, thou vilest sinner,"' etc' 269. Wherewith, God, shall I draw near ?— Micah vi. Q-8. By C. Wesley \ published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. The hymn has several variations, and 4 verses are omitted. It is a fine lyric, possesses considerable poetic power, and sets forth, with great impressiveness, the sinner's lack of merit and the loving Saviour's atonement and effectual pleading. 270. When, gracious Lord, when shall it be J — Col. ii. 9. By the same author, and appeared in the series of Hymns and Sacred Poems, dated 1742, entitled, ' Come, Lord Jesus.' The original piece contains 13 verses. Here, as in other of Wesley's hymns, there are some verbal alterations, many of which were introduced by John Wesley. Milton in his Sam- son Ayonisies has the following line, 1 dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon ! ' which undoubtedly suggested lines 3 and 4 in verse 2. — The wife of the Rev. Daniel Isaac was a saintly woman. She passed through a painful illness, but was uncomplaining and patient. During her last suffering night, she was heard quietly repeating, * When, gracious Lord, when shall it be, That I shall find my Home in Thee ? ' 271. My God, my Father, dost Thou call? — Ezek. xvi. 8. It was composed by E. H. Bickersteth for the London Church Mission, 1874, and afterwards appeared in the Hymnal Companion, enlarged ed., 1880, which the author edited. 272. God of my life, what just return ! — 2 Kings xx. 1-11. G. Wesley's; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, bearing the title : ' After a Recovery from Sickness.' The hymn, which contained 17 verses, appears to have been suggested when recovering from a severe and dangerous illness at Oxford in 1738, the year of his conversion. There was, perhaps, be- fore his grateful mind the case of Hezekiah. ' These stanzas, 164 HYMN-NOTES. in sublimity of thought and strength of expression/ says Stevenson, ' surpass Addison's fine hymn, written under similar circumstances, which commences, " When rising from the bed of death." ' 273. Show pity, Lord ; O Lord, forgive. It is found in Dr. Watts' Version of the Psalms, 1719. It is a rendering of Psalm li., entitled, ' A Penitent Pleading for Pardon.' The original of verse 2, line 1, reads, ' My crimes are great, but don't surpass.' A young man once complained of the hardening effect of a severe sermon on sin which he had heard. He was requested to read this hymn. Soon his feelings overpowered him and he could proceed no further than the words, ' I am condemned, but Thou art clear.' He burst into tears, left the room, and became a totally changed life. 274. Thou that hear'st when sinners cry. By Dr. Watts ; the second part of the metrical version of Psalm li., Hymn 273 being the first part. 275. O that my load of sin were gone ! Published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, by C. Wesley, and based on Matthew xi. 28. It contained fourteen verses. 276. Lord, I was blind ! I could not see. — Luke vii. 22. By William Tidd Matson, and appeared in his Inner Life, 1867, written during his ministry at Gosport. 277. With broken heart and contrite sigh. — Luke xviii. 13. By Cornelius Elven ; composed Jan., 1852, whilst holding revival services in the Baptist Chapel, Bury St. Edmunds. It is founded on the Publican's prayer. The people sang it, and it became popular. In 1858 it appeared in Psalms and Hymns for the Use of the Baptist Denomination. 278. Jesus, the sinner's Friend, to Thee. One of C. Wesley's penitential hymns, published in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. It contained 13 verses, and is based on Gal. iii. 22. The strong doctrinal teaching and pungent language of verse 3 is supposed to be borrowed from divines like Bishop Hall, who said that i man, when left to himself, is half a fiend and half a brute;' or William Law, who styled man 'a motley mixture of the beast and the devil/ 279. Come, O Thou all- victorious Lord. — Jer. xxiii. 29. Prom C. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, headed, 1 Written before preaching at Portland.' It was composed HYMN-NOTES. 165 during the author's visit to Portland, Jane, 1746. The chief occupation of the residents is that of quarry men, and the hymn was designed specially to attract their attention. This is par- ticularly seen in the words, ' Strike with the hammer of Thy word,' kc. 280. Come, let us to the Lord our God. By John Morrison, and appeared in Scotch Paraphrases, 1741. It is founded on Hosea vi. 1-3. 281. Out of the depth of self despair. By C. Wesley ; a metrical version of Psalm cxxx. It has 8 verses in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. 282. that Thou wouldst the heavens rend. — Isa. lxiv. 283. Jesus, Redeemer, Saviour, Lord. — Mark x. 26, 27. These two grand hymns form one poem, by C. Wesley, in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740; entitled, 'A Prayer against the power of sin.' These powerful lyrics, discoursing as they do on one grand theme in continuous thought, should be read together in order to realise their full value. 284. Come, humble sinner, in whose breast. — Esther iv. 16. By Edmund Jones, written about 1777, and published in Rippon's Selection of Hymns, 1787, with the title, ' The Suc- cessful Resolve.' Yerse 2, line 2, originally read, ' Hath like a mountain rose.' The author, who resided in a humble cottage at the base of a mountain, surrounded by other hills, would naturally put this simile of the mountain into the mind of the penitent, in rela- tion to his sinful difficulties. 285. Alas ! and did my Saviour bleed ] — Luke xxiii. 44-46. By Dr. I. Watts ; in his Hymns and Spiritual Sonys, 1709. It has the title, ' Godly sorrow arising from the sufferings of Christ.' The hymn is much improved by the omission of verse 2, and by the alteration of line 3, verse 3, from 1 When God, the Mighty Maker, died.' It is a deservedly popular hymn, and has been much used by Methodists at Communion services. 286. Jesus, if still Thou art to-day.— Mark i. 40. 287. While dead in trespasses I lie. — Eph. ii. 1. By C. Wesley; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. These two hymns form one poem containing 21 verses, two being here omitted. The poem takes a clear, trustful view of the sav- ing and sanctifying power of the Lord Jesus. 166 HYMN-NOTES. 288. O Lord, turn not Thy face away. — Psa. lxi. 1, 2. This is a kind of cento ; a modernised version, by Heber and others, of John Marckant's hymn (about 1560). It came out in the first complete edition of Sternhold and Hopkins' Psalter, 1561. In its present form it appeared in Heber s Hymns, 1827, and is a general favourite during the Lenten services in the Anglican Church. Doubt exists as to the authorship, some assigning the hymn to John Mardley. 289. Lord, like the publican, I stand. Written at Seacombe, Oct. 4, 1831, by Thomas Raffles. It is in the author's Selection of Hymns, 1853 ; with the text : ' God be merciful to me a sinner/ Luke xviii. 13. It was probably first used after Dr. Raffles had preached from the motto- text. 290. When, wounded sore, the stricken soul. — Psa. cxlvii. 3. A pathetic hymn by Cecil F. Alexander, touchingly expres- sive of the deep trouble of the contrite soul while yet unpar- doned and uncleansed. It appeared in her Hymns Descriptive and Devotional, 1858. Its title is, 'Touched with the feeling of our infirmities.' 291. O for that tenderness of heart. Chas. Wesley's ; in his Short Hymns on Select Passages oj Holy Scripture, 1762. It is suggested by 2 Kings xxii. 19, 20. 292. Mercy alone can meet my case. — Psa. vi. 4. A deservedly valued hymn, by James Montgomery ; in his Christian Psalmist, 1825 ; also in his Original Hymns, 1853. 293. Let the redeemed give thanks and praise. — 2 Cor. ix. 15. By C. Wesley; in Hymns for the Use oj Families, 1767. The hymn, containing 10 verses originally, has been re- arranged. 294. O that I could my Lord receive. — Psa. lxi. 2. This also comes from C. Wesley's Hymns for the Use oj Families, 1767; two verses being omitted, and the last one altered. ' Numberless examples,' says H. Moore, in his Life of Wesley, ' might be given of the genius and taste of Rev. C. Wesley ; but, however unfashionable it may appear, I cannot but give the palm to his Family Hymn Booh. 1 A Mr. S. Bellamy, of Nottingham, at eighty years of age and completely prostrate by feebleness, was asked if he wanted anything. He answered, ' Hey, bless thee, HYMN-NOTES. 107 1 " Nothing I ask or want beside, Of all in earth or heaven, But let me feel His blood applied, And live and die forgiven." ' 295. O Thou, whose tender mercy hears. — Psalm li. 4. The fervent and expressive outbreathing of a contrite soul by Anne Steele ; included in her Poems by ' Theodosia,' 1760, entitled, ' Absence from God.' In the Meth. Epis. Church Hymnal, America, the metre has been changed from common to short. 296. Behold a sinner at Thy feet. — Jer. xvii. 14. This hymn is made up of 493 and 118 in the P. M. Large Hymn Book, 1824, the last verse of the former being here omitted. It is of the joint authorship of Hugh Bourne and William Sanders. 297. Ah ! whither should I go? Suggested to Chas. Wesley's mind by 1 Tim. ii. 4, — ' God will have all men to be saved.' The original has 16 double- verses, and was published in Hymns on God's Everlasting Love, 1741. 298. When shall Thy love constrain. — Psalm cxvi. 7. By some means this has become one of Chas. Wesley's most popular hymns. It appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, entitled, ' Resignation ; ' having 22 verses, and com- mences, — 1 And wilt Thou yet be found,' etc. 299. Oppressed with sin and woe. — Psalm xxv. 2. This hymn appeared in Wuthering Heights and Agnes Grey, by Ellis and Acton Bell (Emily and Anne Bronte), sisters of Charlotte Bronte. It is Anne's hymn, and was revised, with biographical notes, by Charlotte, in 1850. In giving a brief sketch of her sisters, she supplies this and several other poems by Anne. This is entitled ' Confidence,' and contains 6 verses. Charlotte's note appended is, ' My sister had tasted the cup of life, as it is mixed for that class termed " Governesses." ' 300. O that I could repent. — Jer. xiv. 7-9. It bears the title, l For one Fallen from Grace.' It is by Chas. Wesley, and appeared in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. Many of Wesley's hymns impress us with the idea, historically correct, that there was a lamentable amount of backsliding in those days. Numerous lapses would be likely 168 HYMN-NOTES. to ensue after great religious excitements. The original poem contains twelve verses. 301. Out of the deep I call. — Psalm cxxx. By Sir Henry W. Baker, bart. It was published in the Appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modem, 1868. ' This and 907 are two exquisite examples/ says B/ev. J. Ellerton, ' of the Christian use of the Psalter.' 302. Jesus, Lover of my soul. — Psalm xci. 4. The finest, the most widely popular, and the most warmly admired of all the Wesley an hymns. It is found in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, entitled, 'In Temptation.' It is somewhat remarkable that John Wesley did not include this splendid hymn in his large Hymn Booh For the Use of the People called Methodists, 1780. But the Rev. G. Osborn, D.D., remarks that this omission must by no means be interpreted to imply that Mr. Wesley deemed it inferior to those which he did insert. For when he published his Pocket Hymn Book> 1785, in which this hymn found a place, he states that the hymns therein contained were ' no way inferior ' to those in the Book of 1780, and were only kept out by want of room ; or by his fear that they were too deep for ordinary congrega- tions. Yerse three, usually omitted from Church Hymn Books, we here take the liberty to insert. In the Hymnals it would duly follow verse 4 : — ' Wilt Thou not regard my call ? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer ? Lo ! I sink, I faint, I fall — Lo ! on Thee I cast my care. Reach me out Thy gracious hand ! While I of Thy strength receive, Hoping against hope I stand, Dying, and, behold, I live ! ' i The one central, all-pervading idea of this matchless hymn,' says G. J. Stevenson, M.A., ' is the soul's yearning for its Saviour. The figures of speech vary, but not the thought. In one line we see a storm- tossed voyager crying out for shelter until the tempest is over. In another line we see a timid, fearful child nestling in its mother's arms, with the words faltering on its tongue — " Let me to Thy bosom fly ! " The whole hymn is at once a confession and a prayer. It is a prayer in metre. And no man is prepared to sing these words aright unless his soul is filled with deepest and most earnest HYMN-NOTES. 100 longing after the Lord Jesus. Millions have sung it, and will be singing it when the millennial morn breaks.' H. W. Beecher once said, 1 1 would rather have written that hymn than have the fame of all the kings of the earth, or than hold the wealth of the richest man in New York. That hymn will go on singing until the last trump brings forth the angel-band ; and then I think it will mount up on some lip to the very presence of God.' — One Sabbath eventide, near the close of the Eev. C. G. Finney's life, he was walking in the College grounds with Mrs. Finney. Evening service in the adjoining church was commencing. All around was calm, peaceful, in- spiring. But now the silence was delightfully broken, and music, with the voice of song, pours forth in enchanting strains. The familiar words of this * lay of holy love ' came to Finney's saintly soul with a new and fuller meaning. He devoutly joined in spirit the congregation of worshippers. The night came, but before the next morning's dawn, the prayer was fully answered, and he was for ever in the Saviour's bosom ! — Some years ago a godly mother lay dying, and almost breathless began to repeat, ' Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Till the storm ' The daughter by her bed-side continued the words, — Till the storm of life is past ; Then into the haven guide, receive my soul at last ! ' * Yes, yes,' said the mother, ' Now into the haven ! ' And peacefully her spirit passed home to God. — A vessel was on tire in the Irish Channel ; and in the confusion a father got separated from his wife and child. He was rescued from drowning and carried to Liverpool. The mother and child were carried overboard, but she clung to a fragment of the wreck. That same afternoon a vessel from Newport (Mon.) to America was passing along. The sea was calm and the passage slow ; and just now the captain observed what appeared a floating human life. A boat was sent out and was watched with intense interest. Coming within hearing distance of the object they heard a gentle voice sweetly singing, 4 Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,' etc. The All- protecting God answered the prayer. She was rescued, and borne by the vessel safe to America, where her rejoicing husband soon afterwards joined her. — In The Story Lizzie Told, by Mrs. Prentiss, Westminster Abbey appears as a ' big church,' ' just as full as it could hold.' ' Then all of a sudden, they burst out a-singing. Father showed me the card, with 170 HYMN-NOTES. large letters on it, and, says he, " Sing, Lizzie, sing." And so I did. It was the first time in my life. The hymn said — " Jesu, Lover of my soul, Let me to Thy bosom fly ;" and I whispered to father, " Is Jesus God % " " Yes, yes," said he, " sing, Lizzie, sing." ' 303. Sinful, sighing to be blest. — Luke xviii. 13. For 'The Penitent/ by John S. B. Monsell ; appearing in his Spiritual Songs, etc., 1857. The original has 6 verses, commencing, 1 Holiness ! I've none to plead.' It is a most expressive and touching penitential hymn. Apter uninspired words could not be put into the contrite seekers lips. 304. Jesus, I rest on Thee.— Matt. xi. 28, 29. Written by James Deck, and has some slight alterations in verse 2, lines 3, 4 ; but these he sanctioned. It appeared in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1842. It is a consolatory and inspiring hymn for the penitent. 305. I could not do without Thee. — John xv. 5. Written May 7, 1873, by the beloved Frances R. Havergal, and published in Under the Surface, 1875, consisting of 6 verses. Bishop Bickersteth, with her approval, altered lines 7, 8, verse 2, from ' And weakness will be power, If leaning hard on Thee.' < Loneness,' verse 4, line 3, replaces ' loneliness ' for the pur- pose of metre. The hymn is a wonderful transcript of her saintly life and early death. 306. I lay my sins on Jesus. — Isa. liii. 4. By Dr. H. Bonar, and inserted in his Bible Hymn Book, 1845. This beautiful poem re-appeared in Hymns of Faith and Hope, 1857, having as title, ( The Substitute.' It is founded upon portions of a Latin hymn of about the fourteenth cen- tury. 307. Let the world their virtue boast. — 1 Cor. ii. 2. This well-known penitent's hymn is by Chas. Wesley. It was inserted in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. The writer's intense convictions of the sinner's total unworthiness are ex- pressed here with great force, and much emphasized by the re- petition of the last two lines of each verse ; but the abundant comfort of this refrain is that it recognises a loving Saviour. HYMN-NOTES. 171 The author's only daughter, when dying in her mature years at Bristol, realized the value of this couplet. When unable to converse with her friends, she was repeating, 4 I the chief of sinners am, But Jesus died for me.' When near his death, John Wesley made frequent and varied use of the same expression, and this influenced many others. The Rev. James Methley, Methodist minister, as he lay dying (Oct. 31, 1861) said, ' I know the import of the couplet which Mr. Wesley quoted when heaven flooded his soul with supernal light.' 308. Lamb of God, for sinners slain. — Heb. xii. 2. Another of Chas. Wesley's penitential pleas; found in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, with 6 verses, entitled, ' Look- ing unto Jesus/ 309. God of my salvation, hear. — 1 Pet. iii. 18. From the same author and source as the above ; and entitled, 1 After a Relapse into sin.' Three verses are omitted. 310. God of pity, God of grace. — 1 Kings viii. 30. By Eliza F. Morris ; appearing in her volume, The Voice and the Reply, 1858, with the title, ' The Prayer in the Temple. 1 It was written Sept. 4, 1857. 311. Rock of Ages, cleft for me. — Exod. xxxiii. 22. By xVugustus M. Toplady. Four lines of this remarkable hymn appeared in the Gospel Magazine, Oct., 1775, as a por- tion of an article entitled, ' Life a Journey ; ' and the whole came out in the same periodical in the following March, with the title, ' A Living and Dying Prayer for the Holiest Be- lievers in the World.' This hymn, so universally loved, so blessed to multitudes of souls, was, perhaps with its title, de- signed as an attack upon Wesley's doctrine of ' Christian Per- fection.' It has several verbal alterations. The originals are here given : — Yer. 3, line 5, ' Foul I,' &c. Yer. 4, line 1, ' Whilst I,' etc. j line 2, ' When mine eye-strings close,' &c. ; line 3, * Soar through tracts,' ko,. ' The imagery in this hymn merits a Bible-Reading of its own. Cf. Ps. xxvii. 15 ; Exod. xvii. 5, 6 ; Num. xx. 11 ; Exod. xxiii. 22 ; Ps. xxvii. 5 ; Isa. ii- 10; 1 Cor. x. 4 ; John xix. 34 \ 1 John v. 6 ; the metaphors of which will read in the order generally in which they are found in the hymn.' Its language is highly figurative ; but the figures are in some cases confused and incongruous : Thus the Rock and the pierced side are a mixing of figures ; the cleft is 172 H YMN-NO TES. a hiding-place and a cleansing ; the cleansing and curing are made one act, etc. Yet it is a grand poem. It is, as Dr. Pusey says, ' the most deservedly popular hymn, perhaps the very favourite/ It has been voted by 3,500 readers of the Sunday at Home, as the most valued hymn in the English lan- guage, receiving 3,215 votes, and has created more incident than any other sacred song except, perhaps, ' Jesu, Lover of my soul/ The Prince Consort found its first lines a solace in his dying hours. Dr. Pomeroy visited an Armenian Church at Constantinople. The congregation were singing, many being in tears, and all in earnest. They were using a Turkish trans- lation of this hymn. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone made an excellent Latin translation, and afterwards a Greek one. The last man that left the i London,' which was lost in the Bay of Biscay, Jan. 11, 1866, was eagerly asked what the passen- gers were doing. ' Singing,' said he, ' as many as could, " Bock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee." ' Mrs. Lucy Bainbridge, who, with Dr. Bainbridge, made the tour of the world for the study of Christian Missions, tells a most beautiful incident in connection with this hymn. The Chinese women are so anxious to i make merit ' for themselves, that they will perform any labour to escape the painful trans- migrations of the next world. One whom she met had dug a well 25 feet deep, and ten to fifteen feet across. After this achievement she learned of Christ, and the free Gospel of sal- vation. Now an aged woman of eighty, she stretched out her crippled fingers and sang with her visitor, * Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.' The Be v. A. McKenzie, of Cambridge, Mass., has eloquently said, ' I know that beautiful line of the hymn ; I would not take a note from its divine and blessed melody. It is true, but like most single lines, it is bub a fragment of the truth : " Simply to Thy cross I cling." Yes, with the arms of a clinging faith. But what did Christ ever say, what did the Apostles ever teach, which warrants you in saying, " All I have to do is to cling to the cross % " What did Jesus say about the cross? He said, "Take up thy cross, and go about obeying the will of God." Cling to the cross then, not as one who is weary and is finding rest alone ; not merely as one who is guilty, and is there finding pardon alone. . HYMN-NOTES. 173 Cling to it, doing the will of God. You have God to serve, and a man cannot do all the will of God sitting in a sanctuary, kneeling in a closet, clasping his arms around a sacred tree, or laying his cheek against the wood that is red with the blood of the Christ of God. By Christ alone are we saved, and Christ we are to follow. Cling to the cross, but not " simply." Cling to the cross, but go about clinging to it ; bear it ; obey God ; glorify Him upon the earth ; finish the work He has given you to do. Follow Christ whithersoever He leads you. Cling, until the eternal glory comes.' 312. Saviour, when in dust to Thee. — Psa. lxxxvi. 1. This reiterative and plaintive petition-hymn, by Sir Robert Grant, first appeared anonymously in The Christian Observer, Nov., 1815, and was slightly altered in a posthumous volume, entitled, Sacred Poems, 1839, edited by Grant's brother, Lord Glenelg. It is one of the best of its kind, and beautifully ex- hibits various incidents in the life of Jesus. 313. Lord, I hear of showers of blessing. — Ezek. xxxiv. 26. By Mrs. Elizabeth Codner, written in 1860, and published the following year as a leaflet. It has seven verses ; the fifth being usually omitted, which thus reads — * Have I long in sin been sleeping, Long been slighting, grieving Thee ? Has the world my heart bee n keeping ? Oh, forgive and rescue me, Even me ! ' Several verbal alterations occur, generally with the author's assent. Her own deeply interesting account of its origin is stated in the following words : ' A party of young friends over whom I was watching with anxious hope, attended a meeting in which details were given of revival work in Ireland. They came back greatly impressed. My fear was lest they should be satisfied to let their own fleece remain dry ; and I pressed upon them the privilege and responsibility of getting a share in the outpoured blessing. On the Sunday following, not being well enough to get out, I had a time of quiet communion. Those children were still on my heart, and I longed to press upon them an earnest individual appeal. Without effort, words seemed to be given to me, and they took the form of a hymn. I had no thought of sending it beyond the limits of my own circle, but, passing it on to one and another, it became a word of power, and I then published it as a leaflet. Of its future history, I can only say, the Lord took it quite out of my own 174 HYMN-NOTES. hands. It was read from pulpits, circulated by tens of thou- sands, and blessed in a remarkable degree. Every now and then some sweet token is sent to cheer me in a somewhat iso- lated life, of its influence upon souls.' It contains a twice- re- peated appeal to the Adorable Trinity for blessing : first, in vers. 2, 3, 4, and again in ver. 5. 314. Light of those whose dreary dwelling. — Isa. ix. 2. Charles Wesley's, in his Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord. The first edition (about 1744) has no name, date, or place printed on the title-page. The second edition was printed and published in 1746. It is an excellent hymn, of noble and pathetic thoughts, written in easy flowing metre, and couched in forceful and beautiful language. 315. Out of the depths I cry to Thee. By Dr. Martin Luther, based on Psalm cxxx. It was writ- ten in 1524, in the midst of his fierce and protracted conflicts with the papal authorities, and published in his Spiritual Songs, 1527. At the Diet of Augsburg in 1530, being one day overdone with fatigue he fainted. When restored, he said to his friends, ' Come, let us defy the devil and praise God by singing the hymn, " Out of the depths I cry to Thee.' : ' 1 It has ever been one of the funeral hymns of Germany ; and it was sung by the vast concourse who, in 1546, attended the body of Luther to the grave.' 316. O Thou who hast our sorrows borne. — Zech. xii. 10. By Chas. Wesley, appearing in Hymns for the Use of Families, 1767, having 6 verses. There is no stanza, perhaps, in hymno- logy more finely expressed than the third in this hymn. 317. Still, Lord, I languish for Thy grace. — Job xxiii. 3. Similar in sentiment to the above, and by the same author ; but published in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It had as title ' Desiring to Love ; ' verses 2 and 4 being omitted. 318. Thee, Jesus, Thee, the sinner's Friend. — 1 Tim. vi. 12. From the same celebrated pen as the two preceding, and in- serted in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, having the same title as 317. The original hymn in two parts has 19 verses. It is an impassioned plea of the penitent soul for the love of Jesus. 319. Jesus, let me bless Thy name ! — Ezek. xi. 19. By Chas. Wesley, found in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, HYMN-NOTES. 175 1749. It is among the cluster of hymns headed, ' Desiring to Love/ and has 7 verses. What devout and daring pleading in the last two verses ! 320. O Lamb of God ! that tak'st away.— John i. 29. By Alessie Faussett. It was written in 1865, having 8 verses, and appeared in her Triumph of Faith, 1870, entitled 'Thy Peace.' It is in the Irish Church Hymnal, 1873. 321. Drawn to the cross which Thou hast blessed. — John xii. 32. Composed by Miss G. M. Irons, in May, 1880, entitled ' Conversion,' and published in the Sunday Magazine, Oct., name year, containing 10 verses. It has since been re-printed in a work, entitled, Corpus Christi, 1881. c l always feel,' says she, ' that hymn is part of me So far as I am aware it has never been noticed by any Catholic hymnologists. It contains expressions and allusions which to my mind are only capable of a catholic meaning ; but I am interested and gratified in knowing that the hymn speaks to the hearts of many who would probably differ from me on most points of doctrine.' The hymn is unaltered in expression. 322. Just as I am, without one plea. — John vi. 37. By Charlotte Elliott, and published in The Invalid's Hymn Booh, Dublin, 1835. It came out in 1836 in her Hours of \Sorrow Cheered and Comforted. It is, indeed, a wonderful hymn and has had a remarkable range of evangelical influences which owns no mere nationality or dialect. America, the dis- tant colonies, the South Seas, the African jungles, the Asiatic and European nationalities, have all listened to its melodious notes and received its saving truths. The Rev. H. Y. Elliott, the author's gifted brother, said, ' In the course of a long minis- try, I hope I have been permitted to see some fruit of my labours, but I feel that far more has been done by a single hymn of my sister's.' Incidents abound in connection with this penitent's song. — A little fellow went to a city missionary in New York, and presented a dirty and torn piece of paper, S;l ying, ' Please, sir, father sent me to get a clean paper like this.' The missionary found that it was a leaflet containing Miss Elliott's hymn, which the boy's dear sister had, during life, loved to sing. It was found crumpled in her pocket after death. — Miss Elliott's physician, on one of his visits, brought her a leaflet containing the hymn, and saying, (most probably [without knowing its author), ' I know that this will please 176 HYMN-NOTES, you.' May it go on evangelising and blessing till the millennial age appears ! ' It is one of the divinest of heart-utterances in song that modern times has bestowed upon us.' 323. Father of lights, from whom proceeds. — James i. 17. Chas. Wesley's, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, entitled, ' A Prayer under Convictions/ It originally contained eight verses, but the last three are usually left out. 324. Jesus, if still the same Thou art. By Chas. Wesley, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. It is suggested chiefly by three of the beatitudes : Matthew v. 3, 4, 6. 325. The harvest of my joy is past. Found in Chas. Wesley's Short Hymns on Select Passages of Holy Scripture, and is a meditation on Jer. viii. 20. It is a brief, but impressive hymn, and has been used by the Gracious Spirit in many conversions. 326. Author of faith, Eternal Word.— Heb. xi. 1. A finely conceived hyran by C. Wesley, in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1 740. with the long and somewhat awkward title, 'The Life of Faith Exemplified in the Eleventh Chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Hebrews.' It is based chiefly on the first verse. There is, however, a paraphrastic poem of eighty- five stanzas on the entire chapter. 327. Jesus. Thy blood and righteousness. — Isa. liii. 10, 11. Composed by Count von Zinzendorf, in 1739; and trans- lated by John Wesley from the German, during a voyage from the West Indies to England, after visiting some missionaries. It appeared as a hvmn of 24 verses in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, entitled, ' The Believer's Triumph.' It was sub- sequently condensed to 16 verses and slightly altered, appear- ing in Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1753. — It is not generally known that the first two lines of the original are taken literally from a hymn by Paul Eber, which is very popular in Germany. The largeness of faith in which this hymn originated speaks in ver. 5. It was a favourite ode of Rowland Hill's, and was sung when his sacred remains were laid in the tomb. It has comforted thousands of Christians in their final hours of suffering. The Rev. Samuel West, of Kings wood, when nearing death, in Jan., 1867, confidently said, — d ^^ * Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress,' &c. HYMN-NOTES. 177 328. There is a fountain filled with blood. The hallowed work of the godly but melancholy William Cowper, and published in Olney Hymns, 1779, entitled, ' Praise for the Fountain Opened.' It expounds Zech. xiii. 1, and had previously appeared in Dr. Conyer's Psalms and Hymns, 111 '2. Mrs. Oli pliant aims to quietly set the hymn aside by saying it * still finds a place amid the familiar utterances of piety ; but we cannot think it is often used by any congregation of wor- shipping people in these days.' Dr. Ray Palmer, on the other hand, says in his ' Voices of Joy and Gladness/ * This (hymn) has been pronounced by some, gross and repulsive in its con- ception and language, or, to say the very least, highly objec- tionable in point of taste. Such criticism takes the words as if intended to be a literal prosaic statement. The inner sense of the soul, when its deepest affections are moved, infallibly takes these metaphors in their true significance. A cold critic of the letter misses that significance entirely.' James Mont- gomery recast the first verse, which appeared in Cotterill's Selection, as follows : — ' From Calvary's cross a fountain flows, Of water and of blood ; More healing than Bethesda's pool, Or famed Siloam's flood.' But the Christian Church has declined this version. — It was a special blessing to Dr. John Mason Good, who frequently repeated it as he walked along the street; and in death he dwelt especially on the fourth verse, ' E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream,' &c. During the great revival in Belfast, a curate visited one of the factories in company with the manager, who was an infidel. On their entering a young woman commenced to sing, ' There is a fountain filled with blood,' etc. The other hands took up the melody, and the entire premises resounded with the strains. They needed no books for that hymn. The manager was completely overcome by the fervent and harmonious outburst. He afterwards said to the curate, 1 I was never so hard put to it as this morning ; it nearly broke me down.' It is everybody's song, and suits everyone's case. It has been sung by the soldier in his barrack-room, on his march, on the battle-field, and on his furlough ; by the miner in the coalpit, the labourer in the field, the mechanic at his bench ; by the servant in the kitchen, and the mistress in M 178 HYMN-NOTES. the drawing-room ; by children in the Sunday-school, strong men and women in the ' hush and rush ' of life ; by the aged and dying in the solemnities of life's eventide ; and by the sceptic on his repentance. Dr. Dashiell, in his Pastor s Recol- lections, relates an affecting incident : He was visiting a family where a little child had just died. The father, a sceptic, was violently prejudiced against clergymen. But the Doctor per- severed in securing an influence over this unpromising man. His first success was with this hymn. The man's early associa- tions had made it dear to him. Then came an accident which led to the amputation of his arm. It was doubtful for awhile if he would rally ; but he was speaking in undertones, and the Doctor bending over him heard to his great joy, ' The dying thief rejoiced to see,' etc. It was a confession of faith, which led him to the Saviour's precious love and glorious service. 329. Spirit of faith, come down. — 1 Cor. xii. 3. A hymn for Whit-Sunday, by Chas. Wesley, in Hymns of Petition, etc., for the Promise of the Father, 1746. Eight lines are omitted from the original hymn. It is a useful and devout hymn, often sung, and few Hymnals are without it. 330. My faith looks up to Thee.— Psalm xxxiv. 5. This universally admired hymn, by Dr. Ray Palmer, was written in 1830, under the following interesting circumstances. The author was in New York city, in poor health, but en- gaged as a teacher in a Ladies' School. ' I gave form,' said he, ' to what I felt, by writing, with little effort, the stanzas. I recollect I wrote them with very tender emotions, and ended the last line with tears.' The MS. was then placed in a pocket- book, where it remained for some time. Between two and three years afterwards Dr. Lowell Mason, the musician, who was preparing a new book of hymns and music, asked Mr. Palmer if he had any suitable hymn or hymns. This ode was then brought from the pocket-book ; Mason liked it, and made a copy. On rending it again he was so much interested that he at once wrote for it the tune of ' Olivet,' to which it is usually sung. A few days later, meeting the author, he said, 'Mr. Palmer, you may live many years and do many good things, but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of " My faith looks up to Thee." ' Its title is ' Self Consecration ; ' and it appeared in Hastings HYMN-NOTES. 179 and Mason's Spiritual Songs for Social Worship, 1832. For awhile it received but scant attention in America, except a reprint in some religious newspapers. From one of these Dr. A. Reed secured it while on a visit to that country. He in- troduced it here as a nameless waif, inserting it in his Hymn Book, 18:1:1. 'It had/ said Dr. J. E. Rankin, ' several years of transatlantic life before it was much known in America ; and possibly was indebted to its foreign and uncertain origin for its first recognition here, as many another native production has been.' It originally had six stanzas ; but the first two are omitted. Penitents of many lands (it has been translated into various foreign tongues), while reading or singing it have realised healing and Divine peace. In how many prayer- meetings has it been sung through tears of gratitude ; to how many dying ones has its music been like a melody from the heavenly land ! Its poetry is as perfect as its theology. Its structure closely resembles that of ' Rock of Ages.' It begins in penitence, it ends in praise ; it commences in heart-broken sorrow, it concludes with the most glorious assurance of hope. In the first verse the suppliant bows before the Crucified One, crying— ' Now hear me while I pray ; Take all my guilt away.' Strength, love, peace, light, come to the pleading one ! Then looking on to the term of life, he hymns with a holy, restful confidence, — ' bear me safe above — A ransomed soul ! ' Mrs. L. Barakat, a Syrian and native teacher, related, while in America, that she had been permitted to see the conversion of her whole family, who were Maronites, of Mount Lebanon. Her mother she had taught this hymn in Arabic ; so they would sit together on the roof of the house and repeat it. Thus in the daughter's absence it became a great support. 331. Arise, my soul, arise. — John xix. 5. Graphically entitled, ' Behold the Man,' by Chas. Wesley, in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. This inestimable hymn has been blessed beyond measure to multitudes : to the penitent, to the suffering saint, to the joyous believer, to the Christian worker, to the dying one. The Rev. M. Cranswick, of the West Indies, says, * I have a record of upwards of two hundred persons, young and old, who received the most direct 180 HYMN-NOTES. evidence of the forgiveness of their sins while singing that hymn. After ascertaining, as far as possible, that the professed sorrow of the penitent was godly sorrow, we then commenced singing that hymn, requesting the penitent to join. Some of them would hesitate to sing the last verse ; in that case I would begin to sing the whole or part of the hymn again, until the penitent had obtained courage to sing every part. I have never known one instance of a sincere penitent failing to re- ceive a joyous sense of pardon while singing that hymn.' But one of the most striking accounts of the use of this hymn is in connection with the establishment of missions in South America. When Dr. Richard Williams and Captain Allen Gardiner attempted in Dec, 1850, to carry the Gospel to Patagonia, they encountered a series of heart-rending disasters, which culminated in the death of the whole party, consisting of seven Christian men. From the diaries of Williams and Gardiner, afterwards found, the facts are learned. After a description of their privations and sufferings, Capt. Gardiner in his last entry, Sept. 6, said, ' I neither hunger nor thirst, though fLve> days without food ! Marvellous lovingkinclness to me, a sinner ! ' John Badcock, lying by Williams' side in the narrow, leaky cabin of the ' Speedwell/ asked his companion to sing this hymn with him, and in a few minutes passed away. The outcome of this self-sacrifice was the establishment in 1872 of a permanent mission station at Ushwia, and operations in Patagonia and among other Indian tribes. R. Young, in Light in Lands of Darkness, 1884, says, 1 The Fuegians are now kind to all shipwrecked crews/ 332. My soul is now united. — John xv. 5. A song of great power in ancient Primitive Methodism. By William Sanders and Hugh Bourne. Sung in the streets, the prayer-meetings, class-meetings, lovefeasts, preaching ser- vices, and homes of the people. It first appeared in A Collec- tion of Hymns for the Use of the Primitive Methodists, 1821; it contained six verses, and was divided in two equal parts. Our present hymn consists of the first part and the last verse of the second part. — By the singing of this soul -stirring hymn at a ' Lovefeast/ near Pocklington, in 1822, eighteen souls sur- rendered to Jesus Christ and found peace ! 333. Author of faith, to Thee I cry. -Eph. ii. 8. From amongst Chas. Wesley's hymns, entitled, ' For One Convinced of Unbelief/ and inserted in Hymns and Sacred HYMN-NOTES. 181 Poems, 17 49. It previously appeared, with others, at the end of a tract, in 1745 : A Short View of the Differences between the Moravian Brethren in England and J. and C. Wesley. 334:. Lord, I believe Thou wilt forgive. — Mark ix. 24. Taken from C. Wesley's Short Hymns on Select Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762. It has in the original five verses. 335. Father of Jesus Christ, the Just. — John vi. 44. From Hymns for those that seek and those that have Redemp- tion, 1747, by Chas. Wesley. 336. Where shall my wondering soul begin ] — Rom. v. 8. By C has. Wesley, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, en- titled, ' Christ the Friend of Sinners.' Yerses 3, 4, 6 are omitted. 337. And can it be, that I should gain? — Eph. ii. 4, 5. From the same source as 336, entitled, 'Free Grace.' Verse 5 is omitted. These two hymns were written in 1738, imme- diately after the poet's conversion. In his ' Journal,' under I date, May 23, he says, 'At nine I began a hymn on my con- version, but was persuaded to break it off for fear of pride. ! Mr. Bray coming urged me to proceed, in spite of Satan. I prayed Christ to stand by me, and finished the hymn. Upon my afterwards showing it to Mr. Bray, the devil threw in a fiery dart, suggesting that it was wrong, and I had displeased God. My heart sank within me ; when casting my eyes upon a Prayer-book, I met with an answer for him : " Why boastest thou thyself, thou tyrant, that thou must do mischief 1 " Upon this I clearly discerned that it was a device of the enemy to keep back glory from God.' Two days after this event, his brother John was led into the light and peace of the Gospel. They met in their friend Bray's house (a poor brazier he was), and, as Charles records, 'sang the hymn with great joy, and parted with prayer.' But it is now impossible, perhaps, to determine which of these two noble hymns — both so vividly descriptive of their new-found joy — was sung on this memor- able occasion. 338. Happy the man that finds the grace. Derived by Chas Wesley from Prov. iii. 13-18, and inserted in Hymns on Redemption, 1747. Three verses are omitted. It is a most valuable lyric, much prized in Methodist circles. 339. Great God, indulge my humble claim. By Dr. Watts, in his New Version of the Psalms, 1719. It 182 HYMN-NOTES. is a rendering of Psalm lxiii., entitled, ' Longing after God ; or, The Love of God better than Life.' It contained eight verses. Yerse 5, striking and impressive, reads, — 1 My life itself without Thy love, No taste of pleasure could afford ; 'Twould but a tiresome burden prove, If I were banished from the Lord.' 340. Glory to God, whose sovereign grace. — Matt. iii. 9. This hymn is a devout thanksgiving-song for the Divine and glorious work of grace among the colliers of Kingswood. It is C. Wesley's, and was published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740 ; its history being suggested in its title : ' Hymn for the Kingswood Colliers. ' The men of the place were notorious, and a terror, for their ignorance, lawlessness, and brutality. George Whitefield and the Wesleys preached there in the open air, tens of thousands came to hear, multitudes were moved to tears and sought the Lord. The entire locality thereby be- came transformed, and led to the composition of this hymn. The original contained ten verses and Bishop Ken's doxology. 341. Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. — Num. vi. 24-26. This is a beautifully expressed and inspiring hymn by Chas. Wesley, in Short Hymns on Select Passages, 1762. There scarcely a more useful hymn in Christian hymnody : expres- sive, instructive, inspiring in a high degree. 342. Come, let us, who in Christ believe. — Rev. iii. 20. Taken from Chas. Wesley's Hymns on God's Everlasting Love, 1741. It had 14 verses. During the Calvinistic con- troversy between the Wesleys on the one hand, and White field, Cennick, and others, on the other hand, the hymns bear- ing the above title were circulated as tracts. There is in this hymn — especially the omitted stanzas — the clarion note. Bui in the battle with sin it has been a greater power, and has won many an alien to Christ. 343. Behold, what wondrous grace. — 1 John iii. 1, 2. By Dr. I. Watts, and appeared in his Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. Title, ' Adoption.' 344. How can a sinner know? — 1 John iii. 14. In Chas. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It has eight double verses, and is entitled, ' The Marks of Faith.' Its metre was a mixture of short and common ; but J. Wesley altered it and adapted it to short metre numbers throughout. Another most helpful hymn for the contrite seeker. HYMN-NOTES. 183 345. Holy, holy, holy Lord.— Matt. vi. 9. A reverent and trustful hymn by Josiah Conder. It first appeared in the Congregational Hymn Book, 1836; and then in the author's Choir and Oratory, 1837 ; being there the first of five hymns on the Lord's Prayer. 346. O Filial Deity.— Is*, liii. 7. Ciias. Wesley's, in his Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739 ; en- titled, ' Hymn to the Son.' The original has 9 verses, but the last is merely a repetition of the first. The hymn sets forth in excellent style the varied titles and gracious relationships of our Adorable Saviour. 347. Since the Son hath made me free. — John xvi. 24. By Chas. Wesley, appearing in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. It had 12 verses, the first commencing — ' Rise, my soul, with ardour rise.' It vas written the year following the author's conversion ; anc expresses the blessedness of conscious sonship with God. *48. Jesus is our common Lord. — 1 John i. 7. Another of C. Wesley's, from Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. It is headed, ' Receiving a Christian Friend,' and had four verses, two being omitted. The first commences — * Welcome, friend, in that great Name.' 349. Thou great mysterious God unknown. — 1 John iii. 1, 2. One of Chas. Wesley's most profound and thoughtful lyrics, antitled, 'Seeking Redemption.' It was published, 1747, in Hymns on Redemption, and contained eight verses. 350. Jesus, Thy far-extended fame. — Heb. xiii. 8. From Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, by Chas. Wesley. It is the second of the hymns headed, ' Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.' It contained 12 verses; and verse 7, lines 1, 2 have been altered from, 1 My sore disease, my desperate sin, To Thee I mournfully confess.' 351. My gracious Lord, I own Thy right. This hymn of fine sentiment is by the saintly Dr. Doddridge, in a posthumous vol. of his Hymns, 1755, entitled, 'Christ's Service, the Fruit of our Labours on Earth.' Based on Phil. i. 22, 'This is the fruit of my work.' 352. I thirst, Thou wounded Lamb of God. — John xiii. 8, 9. A cento from four German hymns ; two by Count von Zin- 184 HYMN-NOTES. zendorf, and one each by John and Anna Nitschmann. It is difficult, if not impossible, to allot precisely the authorship of the verses in this case. John Wesley translated it, and in- serted it in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. Verse 7 is left out. It combines Scripture truth, poetic fervour, and deep religious experience. It is pre-eminently useful in Methodist services, and will always be a favourite with those striving after con- formity to the mind and will of the Infinite Father. 353. He wills that I should holy be. A cento from Chas. Wesley's hymns, made up as follows : — Verses 1, 2, are from Short Hymns on Select Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762, based on 1 Thess. iv. 3 ; verses 3, 4, from an- other hymn in the same work, founded on Deut. xxx. 6 ; veise 5 from Hymns on the Four Gospels, 1762, founded on Matt, xiv. 36. Several words of the hymn are altered. 354. happy day that fixed my choice. Dr. P. Doddridge's best-known hymn in Methodist circles. It came out in his Hymns, 1755, entitled, ' Rejoicing in air Covenant Engagements to God,' 2 Chron. xv. 15. Mont- gomery wrote of it : ' Blessed is the man that can take tie words of this hymn and make them his own from similar ex- perience.' At the confirmation of one of our Queen's children this hymn was used. And a London Correspondent of a pro- vincial paper said, 'At Her Majesty's request a hymn was sung, commencing, — " happy day that fix'd my choice." It was written for the occasion by the poet-laureate' (!). The same sapient penman suggested that if Tennyson could not pro- duce abetter composition he ought not to receive his State pay. 355. My soul, through my Redeemer's care. From Chas. Wesley's Short Hymns on Select Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762. Suggested by Psalm cxvi. 8. 356. t Take up thy cross,' the Saviour said. — Matt. xvi. 24. This hymn by Charles W. Everest, M.A., is an expressive appeal to the Christian, to manfully bear the cross of the Saviour's ordering. In weakness, in scorn, in danger ; to take it up, and to carry it even till death. Then it may be changed for the eternal crown. It was first published in Visions of Death, and other Poems, 1833. Several verbal changes have been made in the original text. And the doxology (ver. 6) does not belong to Mr. Everest. H YMN-NO TES. 185 357. I know that my Redeemer lives. Another of Chas. Wesley's ' holiness ' hymns, entitled, l Re- joicing in Hope/ Rom. xii. 12. It was published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, and had 23 verses. 358. Lord, I believe a rest remains. 0. Wesley's, widely known, from Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. Based on Heb. iv. 9. It has 17 verses; the omitted ones being marked by Wesley for that purpose, as they were considered to contain extravagant expressions. 359. Jesus, these eyes have never seen. — 1 Pet. i. 8. By Dr. Ray Palmer, having the expressively appropriate title, * Unseen — not unknown.' It appeared in the Sabbath Hymn Book, Hartford (U.S.), 1858 : being written in that year at Albany, N. Y. It is suggested by 1 Peter i. 8 ; and is said by Bishop Bickersteth, to be ' a perfect gem of its kind.' Its history is related as follows : ' Dr. R. Palmer was seated at his study desk preparing a sermon which had Christ for its special theme. Needing a volume from his closed book-case he rose and opened the door, when the book appeared just at his hand. It occurred to him that in some such way the face of Christ would be unveiled to us, and the thought so filled his heart that he turned to his desk and composed the hymn.' 360. Jesus, the very thought of Thee. — Psa. civ. 34. A fine translation, by Edward Caswall, from St. Bernard, of Clairvaux — ' Jesu dulcis memoria ' — (1140 A.D.), and pub- lished in Lyra Gatholica, 1849. Canon Sing, R. C. Priest, St. Mary's, Derby, aged seventy-two years, when dying, Oct. 24, 1882, was ministered to by his assistant, who slowly re- peated to him this favourite hymn of his. The canon followed each line eagerly, and at the end exclaimed, ' Amen ! ' In a few moments afterwards he peacefully died. 361. joyful sound of Gosppl grace ! By Chas. Wesley, entitled, ' The Spirit and the Bride say, Come,' Rev. xxii. 17 \ and included in Hymns and Sacred Poems. 1742. The poem contains 22 verses ; the first com- mencing — ' Lord, I believe Thy work of grace.' 362. My God ! I know, I feel Thee mine. — Isa. xii. 2. 363. O that in me the sacred fire. — Isa. liv. 1. The two are one, by C. Wesley, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740, headed, ' Against hope, believing in hope.' This hymn 186 HYMN-NOTES. is a true indicator of the power that enabled the Wesleys to> present a free and full salvation to the perishing multitudes. And a myriad times has 363 been sung in evangelistic services- with glorious, converting energy. 364. What is our calling's glorious hope. Based on Titus ii. 14, by Chas. Wesley, and published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. It had 14 verses, and began, * Jesus, Kedeemer of mankind.' John Wesley made some alterations for his collection of 1780. 365. O for a heart to praise my God. — Psa. Ii. 10. One of the most widely used and generally acceptable of Chas. Wesley's Christian songs, in Hymns and Sacred Poems,. 1742. Two verses are omitted. In ver. 2, line 2, c great' has been substituted for i dear 7 ; in ver. 6, line 1, ' gracious * for ' dearest/ Mr. Fletcher, of Madeley, wrote of this ex- cellent hymn, ' Here is undoubtedly an evangelical prayer for the love which restores the soul to a state of sinless rest and scriptural perfection.' And Mr. Christopher tells of an old Congregational minister and his wife, who, after much debating of the question of ' Christian Perfection,' resolved that if it consisted in singing this hymn with the whole heart, they and the Methodists were not far asunder. 366. Jesus hath died that I might live. Founded on Acts xvi. 31, by C. Wesley, in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, having 13 verses and commencing, — 4 What shall I do, my God, my God V It is a noble and explicit hymn, full of Gospel teaching, of holy fire, and of sanctified confidence and daring. 367. For ever here my rest shall be. i Christ our Righteousness : ' 1 Cor. i. 30. Another of C. Wesley's glorious hymns of grace, in Hymns and Sacred Poems f 1740. Its first two verses are omitted. The hymn also refers to John xiii. 8, 9, and has been of peerless value in evangelistic meetings. 368. I love the Lord, He lent an ear. 1 Gratitude for Redemption,' by James Montgomery. It is published in the author's Songs of Zion, 1822, and also in his Original Hymns, 1853. It is a version of Psalm cxvi.> and contained eight verses. HYMN-NOTES. W 369. Jesus, the all-restoring Word. — John xvii. 17. 'A Morning Hymn,' in C. Wesley's Bymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. It had six stanzas. 370. God of eternal truth and grace. By same author, but made up thus: The first two stanzas from Short Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture t 1762: Micah vii. 20; stanzas 3 and 4 from Hymns on the Four Gospels, 1762 : Matt. xv. 28 ; 5 and 6 from same work, based on Mark ix. 23. 371. Jesus, my Life ! Thyself apply. Same author ; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1710, headed, 1 Christ our Sanctification : ' 1 Cor. i. 30. 372. I ask the gift of righteousness. Chas. Wesley's, from Hymns on the Four Gospels, 17G2. Based on Mark xi. 24. It is a poem of eight verses. 373. A charge to keep I have. — Lev. viii. 35. By the same author, in Short Hymns on Select Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762. Written when the author was tem- porarily laid aside from active duty. It is impressive in thought, brings vividly before the believer his personal ac- countability, and has borne large and extensive fruit. 374. Jesus, my strength, my hope. — 1 Pet. iv. 7. From the same prolific pen, and bears the sad, emphatic title: ' A Poor Sinner.' It appeared in Hymns dud Sa Poems, 1742, containing 7 eight-lined verses. The second has been transposed, and makes verses 11 and 12. 375. Thine for ever : — God of love. — Psa. cxix. 94. By Mary F. Maude, appearing in her* Twelve I on Con- firmation, &c, 1848. This work, an early publication of the Church of England S. S. Institute, was written for the author's Bible Class, at Newport, Isle of Wight, which she was pre- paring for confirmation. In ver. 4, line 1, ' Saviour ' I put in the place of ' Shepherd.' A bungling and unsanctioned alteration, of which the author most righteously complains, saying, ' The word u Shepherd " has, in many cases, been un- warrantably altered to " Saviour " — thus destroying the proper connections between the lines.' 37G. Jesus, all-atoning Lamb. — 1 John iv. 1G. From C. Wesley; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It commences, in the original, — ■ Gentle Jesus, lovely Lamb.' It appears to have been suggested by Psalm lxxiii. 188 H YMN-NO TES. 377. Take my life, and let it be. — Psa. cxvi. 12-18. It was written at Arley House, Feb. 4, 1874, by Miss Frances R. Havergal, and may be found in her Loyal Responses, 1878. This delightful and universally admired ' Consecration Hymn ' came into being in the following interesting manner, as related by herself : ' I went for a little visit of live days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, " Lord, give me all in this house ! " And He just did! Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration, and these little couplets formed them- selves and chimed in my heart one after another till they finished with, " Ever, only, ALL for Thee ! " ' A prayer ! A Divine response ! Ten souls saved and blessed ! No wonder the saintly author was too happy to sleep. 378. I lift my heart to Thee.— Sol. Song ii. 16. By Charles Edward Mudie ; written Oct., 1871, and ap- peared the following year in the author's Stray Leaves, en- titled, ' His and Mine.' 379. I bring my sins to Thee. Written June, 1870, by Miss F. R. Havergal, and published in her Under the Surface, 1875, with the title, 'To Thee.' It is suggested by the words of Simon Peter : ' Lord, to whom shall we go 1 ' John vi. 68. This touching and beautiful hymn, written some time after her, ' I gave My life for thee,' appears to have been designed as a companion-hymn. That was a solemn and forcible appeal ; this is the soul's reply. 380. None is like Jeshurun's God. — Deut. xxxiii. 26, etc. Written by Chas. Wesley ; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. The fifth and last three verses are omitted. In ver. 2, line 5, ' Israel ' happily takes the place of ' Sinner.' Line 7, same verse, originally read — ' God hath underneath thee spread,' and is a more euphonious reading. The hymn is rich, both with Christian sentiment and Scripture teaching. 381. Yain, delusive world, adieu. — 1 Cor. ii. 2. By C. Wesley ; and found in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, consisting of 9 verses. Mr. Wesley sent Adam Clarke, then only twenty-three, as a supply to Trowbridge circuit. HYMN-NOTES. L89 At the close of a village service, in a crowded room, they were singing this hymn with great effect. Mr, Clark.' stopped and made an earnest appeal to the young people to follow out the teaching of the hymn, and give them selves to God. Thirteen yielded their lives to Christ Fifty years afterwards one of them called on Dr. Clarke, at Frome, and reminded him of the incident. 382. Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. — Rom. xi\ 8. By Chas. Wesley ; published in Hymns on the LorcCs Supper, 1745. It is a hymn of consecration, entitled, ' Concerning the Sacrifice of our Persons.' 383. When this passing world is done. — Luke xvi. 5. By R. M. M'Cheyne, and forms a part of a hymn of 9 stanzas, entitled, 'I am Debtor.' It appeared in the Scottish, Chris- tian Herald, May 20, 1837. It is an appropriate expression, as well as a memorial, of the heavenly-mindedness in which the author lived, and which he displayed in seeking the salva- tion of others. 384. O Thou God of my salvation. — Rev. xix. 1. This hymn is attributed to Thomas Olivers, but only on in- ternal and circumstantial evidence. It first appeared appended to a short account of the death of a Mary Langson, at Tax all, Cheshire, Jan. 29, 1769 ; Olivers being stationed on that circuit. Title, ' An Hymn of Praise to Christ.' 385. Love Divine, all love excelling. — 1 John iv. 16. By Chas. Wesley, and found in Hymns on Redemption^ 1747. In the Wesleyan Hymn Book, verse 2 is omitted, in consequence, Mr. Stevenson thinks, of the doctrinal inaccuracy of two lines — ' Let us find that sccojuI rest. Take awa} T ouvjjotver of sinning. 1 Of the first line Mr. Fletcher, of Madeley, wrote, — ' M r. Wesley says second rest because an imperfect believer enj first, inferior rest.' Concerning the second line that saintly and acuce critic wrote, — ' Is not this expression too Btrongl Would it not be better to soften it by saying, " Take away the love of sinning?" Can God take away from us the povx sinning without taking away our power of free obediei. 386. Saviour, on me the want bestow. — Matt. v. 5-1 1. In C. Wesley's Hymns on the Four Go9\ ■ b, etc., 1762. It is composed of verses selected from the author's ' Hymns on 190 HYMN-NOTES. the Beatitudes/ It is a devout and excellent hymn, well adapted to strengthen and help the earnest seeker after God. 387. O Love Divine, how sweet Thou art ! — John xiii. 23. One of 0. Wesley's hymns, entitled, ' Desiring to Love.' It appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, and contained seven verses. ' To estimate duly what was the influence of this rare gift of song, and to measure its importance, one should be able to recall scenes and times gone by, when this hymn woke up all ears, eyes, hearts, and voices in the crowded chapel. It was indeed a spectacle worth gazing upon. It was a service well to have joined in, when words of such power, flowing in rich cadence, and conveying with an intensity of emphasis the loftiest, deepest, and most tender emotions of the divine life, were taken up feelingly by an assembly of men and women, to whom, very lately, whatever was not of the earth earthy, had neither charm nor meaning. 7 They were once singing ver. 3 of this lovely hymn in one of Mr. Dawson's crowded congregations, when he cried, * Stop, friends ! If angels, the first-born sons of light, cannot understand the height, the breadth, the depth, the length of the love of God, how can we expect to fathom it here below 1 " God only knows the love of God ! " Let us sing it again, friends, for we shall have to sing it in heaven. 7 388. O glorious hope of perfect love ! — Deut. xxxiv. 1-4. ' Desiring to Love,' in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742, by 0. Wesley. The original has 19 verses, and is of two parts, from the second of which this hymn is taken. It is a great favourite, and gives a descriptive and vivid contrast between the earthly Canaan and that above. 389. Lord, Thy heavenly grace impart. — Deut. v. 32-33. A translation, by Lucy Wilson, from an anonymous French hymn, admired greatly by Jean F. Oberlin. Mrs. Steinkopff gives an account of attending Oberlin's church, at Waldbach, on Sunday afternoon, July 11, 1820. The text was Isa. liii. 11. After an earnest appeal to his hearers, Oberlin read some verses of a hymn on entire devotedness to God, and said, * My dear friends, may these be the feelings of our hearts, and as such let us sing them. 7 F. W. Bodemann, in Oberlin's Life and Works, says that he often enlivened public worship by his own harmonious hymns, and then gives this excellent one as an example. Still there is no evidence that this is Oberlin 7 s. HYMN-NOTES. m 390. Saviour from sin, I wait to prove. — John xv. 13, 11. From along poem in four parts, entitled, ' Groaning for Re- demption,' by C. Wesley ; published in Hymns I Poems, 1712. This hymn is the fourth part. 391. Jesus, Thy boundless love to me. — Eph. v. 2. Paul Gerhardt's beautiful lyric — 'O Jesu Christ, mein Schonstes Licht ' — translated from the German by J. \V» and inserted in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, entitled, * Living by Christ.' It has 16 verses, the half being omitted One of Gerhardt's biographers says that he constantly had John Arndt's Prayer and Paradise Garden before him at his life's close, and that he wrote ' several hymns on its contents. 5 It is not unlikely, therefore, that Arndt is the real source of the thought or this hymn. — Thomas Walsh, the great J riah evangelist, was an ardent student and a learned man. Often in the severest strain of his work he would rise and pace the room, singmg- 4 Love, how cheering is Thy ray ! All pain before Thy presence flies,' & 392. Thou hidden love of God, whose height. — 1 John iv. 16. From Gerhard Tersteegen's hymn, translated by John Wesley, and published in Psalms and Hymns, 173S, and in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, bearing the title, 'Divine Love.' It was rendered by Wesley while at Savannah, in Georgia, 1736, but was not included in the Collection of Psalms, which he published in Charlestown, U.S., the following year. The original was written by Tersteegen in 1731, con- taining 8 verses. Wesley's rendering only covered six of them. No hymn in any Hymnal is weightier in thought or more searching in language than this. 393. Prisoners of hope, lift up your heads. Originally containing 13 verses, by C. Wesley, is based on Isa. xl. 8, and has as title, ' The Word of God shall stand for ever.' It caoie out in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. 391. My soul, inspired with sacred love. A version of Psalm cxlvi., containing originally eight stanzas, by C. Wesley. It appeared in the Arminian Magazine^ 1798. 395. All things are possible to him. — Mark ix. 23. In C. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 17 19; founded on Mark ix. 23, and consisted of 8 verses. 192 HYMN-NOTES. 396. Come, Holy Ghost, all-quickening fire ! — Acts ix. 31. Entitled, * Hymn to God the Sanctifier/ by C. Wesley, and published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740. It was com- posed the second year of his converted life, and is a plea for that grace and power which would make him, as a servant of Christ, ' Humble, and teachable, and mild. 7 397. Behold the servant of the Lord !— Acts ii. 46, 47. By C. Wesley, entitled, ' An Act of Devotion.' It first ap- peared in 1744, in John Wesley's Further Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion. Afterwards it came out in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. Its Scriptural character will appear in an incident connected with this hymn. A Wesley an minister once requested a young ladies' Bible-class to trace the Scriptural allusions. The response produced 24 Scriptures as referred to in the 24 lines of the hymn. 398. O God, what offering shall I give? — Rom. xii. 1. Dr. Joachim Lange's German hymn is here beautifully rendered by John Wesley, and was inserted in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739, entitled, ' A Morning Dedication of Ourselves to Christ.' The first verse, which is omitted, commences, — ' Jesu, Thy light again I view.' 399. Ye faithful souls, who Jesus know. Based on Col. iii. 1-4, by C. Wesley, and published in Hymns on Selected Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762. 400. O blessed Life ! the heart at rest. — John i. 4. One of Mr. W. T. Matson's chaste and thoughtful hymns; rendered the more impressive by the reiterative thought of Christ, as the Blessed Life. It came out in the author's Inner Life, 1867. 401. Shepherd of souls, the great, the good. A version of Psalm lxxx., by C. Wesley, appearing in Psalms and Bymns, 1743. It has 26 stanzas, and is in three parts; this hymn being taken from the first and third part. It does not find a place in the Wesley an Hymn Book. 402. Awake, our souls ! away, our fears ! Entitled, ' The Christian Race/ suggested to Dr. Watts, the author, by Isa. xl. 28-31. It was inserted in his Hymns, 1709, 403. Jesus, my All, to heaven is gone. — Isa. xxxv. 8. John Cennick's hymn, expressing largely the poet's own ex- perience. It is entitled, ' Following Christ, the Sinner's Way to God ; ' and appeared in the author's Hymns for the use of HYMN-NOTES. 193 Religious Societies, 1743. It has a few variations from the original, and two verses are omitted. 404. Come, my God, the promise seal. — Mark xi. 2 L 1 This hymn,' says Mr. Banting, ' might be taken as an ex- pression of the first triumph of a new-born believer.' It is by C. Wesley, and was published in 11 ' ymns on the Four Gospels, 17G2. The first and fourth verses are much altered. 405. Lord, as to Thy dear cross we flee. — Gal. vi. 14. By John H. Gurney, appearing in the Lutterworth Hymns for Public Worship, edited by the author, 1838. The subject is, ' Imitation of Christ.' And the writer of the hymn said, ' he felt how deficient many of our Hymnals were on the sub- ject of which it treats.' 406. Let Him to whom we now belong. — 1 Cor. vi. 20. From C. Wesley's Hymns on the Lord's Supper, 1745, en- titled, ' Concerning the Sacrifice of our Persons.' This grand thought is summed up in the oft-quoted couplet : — ' The Christian lives to Christ alone, To Christ alone he dies.' 407. Rejoice, believer, in the Lord. A poetic talk by John Newton, on ' Perseverance ; ' and based on Col. iii. 3, and Isa. xl. 29. It was included in Olney Hymns, 1779. 408. Jesus ! exalted far on high. By Thomas Cotterill ; founded on Phil. ii. 9, 10. It is in the author's Selection of Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Worship, 1810. But it had also appeared in the'Ut- toxeter Selection, 1805, which the author edited. 409. Supreme in wisdom, as in power. A re-cast of Dr. I. Watts' hymn — ' Whence do our mourn- ful thoughts arise' — which appeared in his Hymns, 1709. It was made by William Cameron, and appeared in Scotch Para- phrases, 1781, as a rendering of Isa. xl. 27-31. It contains 8 verses, and commences in the original, — ' Why pour'st thou forth thine anxious plaint V 410. Thou say'st, < Take up thy cross.' — Mark x. 21. An ode of a pensive heart • yet one trustful, and desirous to follow whither He shall lead, manfully bearing the cross. The path is strange ; the mysteries of life perplexing ; yet he s lys, 'Go, Lord,— we follow Thee.' 194 HYMN-NOTES. It is a hymn of rare teaching, by Francis T. Palgrave, entitled, ' Faith and Sight in the Latter Days.' Found in his Hymns, 2nd ed., 1868. 411. Grace, 'tis a charming sound. — Tsa. lix. 16. By Dr. P. Doddridge ; in his Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scripture, 1755; entitled, ' Salvation by grace : ' Eph. ii. 5. It is a hymn of great blessing ; much ad- mired and much sung in the Church. It is not unlike one by the Moravian hymn-writer, Esther Griiubeck (1717-1796), beginning — 1 Grace ! grace ! oh, that's a joyful sound.' 412. Hark ! my soul, it is the Lord. William Cowper's, in Maxfield's Appendix, 1768, and Gospel Magazine, Aug. 1771; signed ' Omega.' It is also in Olney Hymns, 1779, entitled, ' Lovest thou M.eV John xxi. 15. The third stanza is a metrical rendering of Isa. xlix. 15. A Latin translation by Professor Hales was published in the Academy, 1883, and an Italian one the same year by lit. Hon. W. E. Gladstone, in the Nineteenth Century. 413. Brightly gleams our banner. — Psa. xx. 5. A material alteration of, but founded on, Thomas J. Potter's hymn, which was inserted in Holy Family Hymns, 1860. The second verse stood first in the original. The hymn also ap- peared with editorial changes in the People s Hymnal, 1867, and with further changes in Appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868. 414. Jesus, I have promised. — Luke ix. 57. By John E. Bode ; appearing in New Appendix to Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, 1869. Verse 4 is omitted. The hymn was written on the occasion of his son's confirma- tion. 415. Cast on the fidelity. — Psa. lv. 22. In C. Wesley's Hymns for the Use of Families, 1767. * In the second verse,' says Stevenson, ' there is a spirited personi- fication of mercy, death, pain and sorrow.' 416. Happy soul that free from harms. — Psa. xxiii. By Chas. Wesley; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, among those entitled, ' Hymns for those that wait for full Re- demption.' One verse is omitted, and a few alterations have been made. 417. In heavenly love abiding. — Psa. xxiii. 4. By Ann L. Waring ; appearing in her Hymns and Medita- HYMN-NOTES. 196 lions, 1850. Like all Miss Waring's hymns, it is characterized by a beautiful simplicity, and a child-like, but rational faith. 418. Jesus, Lord of life and glory. — Psa. cxix. 170. By James J. Cummins ; published in his Poetical Meditations and Hymns, 1839. It is suggested by the Anglican Church Litany. One verse is omitted. 419. Through good report and evil, Lord ! — Mark x. 28. In Hymns of Faith and Hope, third series, 18GG, by Hora- tius Bonar, having as title the refrain after each three-line verse. 420. Come on, my partners in distress. — Rom. viii. 17. In Chas. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749 ; among those entitled, ' For the Brotherhood.' It is a spirited and in- spiring hymn ; peculiarly suited to those in trial and suffering. It places us just on the verge of heaven, ' and is written almost in the spirit of the Church triumphant.' It has been sung by the Methodist people with glorious effect and unspeakable benefit, for the past sixty-five years \ and it will still have its own extensively useful place in our song-service. 421. Be it my only wisdom here. — Job xxviii. 28. By Chas. Wesley, and published in Short Hymn.-, o Passages of Holy Scripture, 1762. It is a beautiful gem of thought; and has frequently proved to be a warning in temp- tation, and an encouragement to the faint-hearted. 422. Children of light, arise and shine. — Heb. xii. 2. Sir Edward Denny's, in his Miscellaneous Hymns, 1839. It bears the title, c Looking unto Jesus.' 423. Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All. — Psa. lxxiii. 25. By Henry Collins \ published in his Hymns for A fissions, 1854. Yer. 4, line 4, ' blest Saviour' has been inserted in place of 'sweet Saviour.' And the refrain is undoubtedly adapted, as Mr. Ellerton states, from Faber's ' Corpus Christi,' which reads, — ' Sweet Sacrament ! we Thee adore, Oh make us love Thee more and more.' 424. Thee will I love, my Strength and Tower. — Psa. xviii. 1,2. From the German of Johann (Angelus Silesius 8cl ffler, trans, by John Wesley, and inserted in Hymns and S Poems, 1739, entitled, 'Gratitude for our Conversion.' — The great and godly Richard Cobden found much comfort just 196 HYMN-NOTES. before his death in repeating the first verse of this beautiful hymn. 425. Jesus, to Thee our hearts we lift. — Psa. cxlv. 18-20. By C. Wesley ; appearing in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, with the title, ' At Meeting of Friends/ Some verbal alterations were made by John Wesley in 1780. 426. Saviour of all, what hast Thou done ?— 1 Pet. iv. 12, 13. By same author and in same work as 425 ; entitled, ' The Trial of Faith.' Stevenson says of this lyric, ' There is a mighty power of poetic imagination in this fine hymn, particu- larly in the closing lines, — " I take my last triumphant flight From Calvary to Sion's height." ' 427. Lead us, O Father ! in the paths of peace. — Psa. xxiii. 3. By W. H. Burleigh ; published in Cleveland's Lyra Sacra Americana, 1868, entitled, 'A Prayer for Guidance.' The editor states that i most of Mr. Burleigh's hymns were given to him in MS. for this work.' 428. Though faint, yet pursuing, we go on our way. — Judges viii. 4. This hymn has been assigned, though mistakenly, to J. N. Darby. He informed the Rev. Josiah Miller that he was not the author. It has also been claimed for B. Beddome, but without justification. We have not traced it beyond the Bap- tist Psalms and Hymns, 1858, where it is anonymous and contained 5 eight-lined stanzas. 429. Return, O wanderer ! return ! By William B. Collyer ; appearing first in the Evangelical Magazine, May, 1806 ; and afterwards in his Collection of Hymns, 1812, with the title, 'The Backslider:' Jer. xxxi. 18-20. 430. Stay, Thou insulted Spirit, stay. — Gen. vi. 3. 1 A Penitential Hymn,' by C. Wesley ; in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. Alterations occur in verses 2 and 6. The whole hymn, except the last verse, is a retrospective and self-con- demning outlook. But in the sixth stanza, Gospel hope is again in the ascendant in the poet's soul. One verse omitted. 431. O for a closer walk with God. — Gen. v. 24. One of William Cowper's choice hymns, written in 1772, and contributed to Dr. Conyer's Collection of that year. Also included in Olney Hymns, 1779, entitled, ' Walking with God. HYMN-NOTES. 197 This hymn and number 36, were written in the twilight of departing reason \ for in 1773 Cowper sank into despondency and continued therein for five years. Yet how persistently the rays of spiritual hope struggle 'neath the mental cloud ! The fact that this hymn is found in all important Hymnals, usually without alteration, and that Judge Lawson has made a Latin version of it, is the highest possible praise. 432. My God, my God, to Thee I cry.— Matt. viii. 2. By C. Wesley, entitled, ' After a Relapse into Sin,' and inserted in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 17-40. It is the ardent, hopeful prayer of a distressed soul, weary of its wanderings, and returning to the light and peace of its home. 433. Depth of mercy ! can there be. — Hosea xi. 8, One of Chas. Wesley's most valued hymns ; from the same source as the preceding, and contains 14 verses. — An actress once overheard singing in a cottage \ the words arrested her, as the assembled worshippers sang, — ' Depth of mercy ! can there be,' >s:c. She was invited in and remained during prayer. Then she left, but the Gospel words entered her soul. She gave her heart and life to God, and sought at once to sever her engage- ment with the manager. He ridiculed the thought, S2t forth the loss he would sustain, and begged her to take her place in the next performance. She promised to appear. The curtain rose, and she was to sing a song. The accompaniment was commenced, but she stood motionless. The band began again, but with the same result. Then a third time ; but now, with tearful eyes and a deeply moved heart, she sang, — ' Depth of mercy! can there be Mercy still reserved for me I ' The performance terminated ; some to scorn, some to wonder, some to think and pray. Her loyalty to Christ was abiding ; and she ultimately became the wife of a Gospel minister. 434. Jesus, Friend of sinners, hear. — Hos. xiv. 4. 1 A Prayer for Restoring Grace,' by C. Wesley ; published in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742. The thought, and partly the expression, of ver. 3, — very similar also to verse 5 in hymn 228 — appears to be borrowed from Mason's Songs of PraiiSj 1682,— ' My sins have reached up to the skies ; But mercy these exceeds,' kc. 198 HYMN-NOTES. The refrain — ' And bid me sin no more ' — is an undoubted- reference to John viii. 11, — 'Go thy way ; from henceforth sin no more/ 435. When I had wandered from His fold. — Psa. cxix. 92-94. A hymn full of penitential self-surrender, with a refrain expressive of complete dedication to God, by Rev. John S. B. Monsell. It appeared in the author's Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church's Year, 1863 ; and afterwards in his Parish Hymnal, 1873. 436. Saviour, visit Thy plantation. — Psa. lxxxv. 6. 1 A Prayer for a Revival/ by John Newton ; published in Olney Hymns, 1779. The refrain — ' Lord, revive us/ &c. — is by John Ryland, in RijyporCs Selection, 1787. The imagery of the hymn is noticeable. Newton was formerly employed in planting lime and lemon trees, on his master's plantation, in Africa, where suitable rains were a vital factor. Some would look sickly, others wither, others healthily blossom. He now well knew how churches and professors must be drooping and fruitless without Divine showers and sunshine. Hence this hymn. 437. Weary of wandering from my God. — Hosea xiv. 4. In Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, by C. Wesley, among those hymns entitled, 'After a Recovery.' 'One of the most touching/ says Bishop Bickersteth, ' of penitential hymns. Never, perhaps, were tw T o lines penned more expressive of godly contrition than lines 5, 6, ver. 3.' 438. Weary of earth and laden with my sin. — Isa. i. 18. Rev. S. J. Stone's, in his Lyra Fidelinm, 1865. Written on the Creed article, ' I believe in the forgiveness of sins/ Yer. 7, line 4, originally read : — 'Mine the life won, through Thine the life laid down.' The following account of its use, on a memorable occasion, may be of interest : 'The illness and recovery of the Prince of Wales, was among those things that work together for good. The thoughts of those in high places were led towards the throne of Him who appoints affliction as well as joy ; and the Psalm of thanksgiving to be sung at St. Paul's at the service of praise and gratitude for the Prince's recovery, was taken from Lyra Fidelium, a half- cheering, half- plaintive hymn of penitence.' 439. When Israel, of the Lord beloved. — Exod. xiii. 21. This beautiful hymn, by Sir Walter Scott, extracted from the HYMN-NOTES, 19i> Hebrew incident of the ' cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night/ is part of the ode with which the imprisoned ' Rebecca,' in the author's Ivanhoe, 1820, concludes her evening devotions. The original has 4 eight-lined verses, with some alterations. 440. Feeble in body and in mind. — Psa. lxxiii. 2 1. By C. Wesley ; in the Appendix to Dv. Osborn's edition of J. and C. Wesley's Poetical Works, 1872, bearing the title, 6 In Uncertainty.' It is said to have been published in 17 11). It acknowledges life's many perplexing mysteries; but it also recognises an infinitely wise and supreme Guardian. 441. O Thou, to Whose all-searching sight. — Psa. cxxxix. 11. Count Zinzendorf wrote all this hymn, except verse 4, which came from the pen of John A. Freylinghausen. John Wesley translated it from the German of these two eminent men, and inserted it tirst in his Collection of Psalms and Hymns, 1738, and afterwards in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1739. It is there entitled, i The Believer's Support.' 442. God of my life, to Thee I call. — Psa. xxxii. 6. From William Cowper, in Olney Hymns, 1779, entitled, * Looking upwards in a storm.' 443. Led by a kindlier hand than ours. — Isa. lxiii. 9. By George Z. Gray, with the words ending the last line of each verse, as title : ' It might have been.' It appeared in the Library of Religious Poetry, 1881, by Schaff and Gilman. 444. Jesus, Lord of heavenly grace. — John viii. 12. By John Chandler, in his Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1837. It is a translation from St. Ambrose's hymn of the fourth century — ( Splendor PaternaB gloria? ' — and has eight verses. The old Benedictine and Carthusian monks used the original every day, and the Roman Catholics of the present every Monday morning. 445. Into Thy gracious hands I fall. — Rom. viii. 1. The original German by Wolfgang C. Deszler ; from which J. Wesley translated it, and published it in Hymn* and Sacred Poems, 1739, entitled, ' The Change.' It contains twelve verses, and commenced, ' Jesu, whose glory's streaming rays.' 446. While passing through this vale of woe. — Isa. xliii. 2. By William Sanders and Hugh Bourne, published in the Large Hymn-book for the Use oj the Primitive Methodists, 1824. 447. Thee, Jesus, full of truth and grace. — Dan. iii. 17. In C. Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, headed, 200 HYMN-NOTES. 6 The Trial of Faith,' and founded on the fiery trial of the three Hebrew captives in Babylon. ' The doctrine of a par- ticular providence, which breathes throughout Charles Wesley's poetry, is very forcibly expressed in the second stanza.' 448. O Thou from Whom all goodness flows. — Neh. xiii. 31. By Thomas Haweis, M.D., published in his Carmina Christo, 1792. In the J risk Church Hymnal its title is, ' Remember me, O my G-od, for good,' and its date, 1790. The hymn has been ascribed to other writers, but without any justification, except the unprecedented number of alterations to which it has been subject. These are to be found in every verse. But after all its permutations, it is a useful and instructive hymn, and contributes comfort to many a chequered and tried Chris- tian life. The last verse has been added by Thomas Cotterill, and is a suitable finish to the hymn. 449. Thou Who driest the mourner's tear. By Thomas Moore; first appearing in 1790, then in his Sacred Songs, 1816 ; and in his Poetical Works, 1868. It is founded on Psalm cxlvii. 3 : ' He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.' One verse has been omitted, which begins, — ' When joy no longer soothes or cheers.' In ver. 4, line 1, ' could ' replaces ' would ' ; and in verses 4, 5, 1 His ' and ' Him ' substitute ' Thy ' and ' Thee,' thus breaking the continuity of address to Christ, and seriously impairing the beauty of the hymn. 450. Thou very present Aid. — Isa. xxvi. 3. This helpful hymn was written by Chas. Wesley, and appeared in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749, among those entitled, ' Hymns for Widows.' Yer. 7, line 3 originally read, — ' In vain the creature-streams are dry.' 451. O Everlasting Light. — Rom. x. 12. This hymn by Horatius Bonar was published in the second series of Hymns of Faith and Hope, 1861, entitled ' Christ is all ' : Light, Truth, Strength, Love, Rest, All ! It contains ten stanzas. 452. Heavenly Father ! to whose eye. — Luke xi. 4. By Josiah Conder ; published in Congregational Hymn Book, 1836; and in his Choir and Oratory, 1837. * And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.' HYMN-NOTES. 201 453. Day by day the manna fell. By the same author, and found in the same works as the preceding hymn. Based on Luke xi. .'>. 454. Jesus, still lead on. — Luke v. 11. From Count von Zinzendorf's German hymn ; — translated by J*ne Borthwick (H.L.L.), and appeared in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1853. It was composed, 1721, and is well-known in most religious homes in Germany. 455. In the hour of trial. — Luke xxii. 32. This composition is by James Montgomery ; except ver. 3, which is by Frances A. Hutton, and is a recast of an original verse. Montgomery's hymn was composed for and written in a lady's album, Dec. 8, 1834, and inserted in the author's Original Hymns, 1853, with the title, ' Prayers on Pilgrimage.' 456. Thy way, not mine, O Lord. — Psa. cxix. 32. A declaration of the soul's submission to, and trust in, the Divine guidance, by Horatius Bonar, in first series of Hymns of Faith and Ilojje, 1857. Title, ' Thy way, not mine.' 457. When our redeeming Lord. A version of Psalm cxxvi. by Chas. Wesley, appearing in Psalms and Hymns, 1743. Yerse 5 is omitted. 458. Now thank we all our God. — 1 Chron. xxix. 13. From Martin Rinkart's German hymn, translated by Miss C. Wink worth, and inserted in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd series, 1858. The hymn was written, says the translator, near the opening of 1644, on receiving the news of peace, after the * Thirty Years' War.' It has been called the German Te D> ">,/, having been frequently sung on great occasions. It was used July 28, 1817, in Stuttgart, after a year of great famine, when the first load of new wheat, decorated with flowers, entered the town. It was sung, May 31, 1850, on the occasion of un- veiling the statue of Frederick the Great, at Berlin. And Mendelssohn has introduced it into his Hymn of Praise. It is a ' simple but noble expression of trust and praise.' The first two stanzas are a metrical version of Ecclesiasticus li. 22-24, ' Now therefore bless ye the God of all, who only doeth wondrous things everywhere, and dealeth with us accord- ing to His mercy. He granteth us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel for ever ; that He would confirm His mercy with us, and deliver us at His time.' 459. In the dark and cloudy day. — John xiv. 18. By George Bawson ; based on the words of Jesus, — ' I will 202 HYMN-NOTES. not leave you desolate ; I will come to yon/ and published in the Leeds Hymn Book, 1853. It is a hymn which those in adversity, in bereavement, in temptation, in affliction, will welcome and often ponder. The prayerful refrain has in it immeasurable solace. 460. Lord, Thy children guide and keep. — Matth. vii. 14. From the pen of Bishop How ; appearing in Morrell and Hows Psalms and Hymns, 1854. A useful prayer for the anxious Christian, intensified by the live- times repeated refrain, whose larger thought covers the entire ground of the hymn. 461. My Saviour, 'mid life's varied scene. — Tsa. 1. 10. Written for a friend in trouble, by Elizabeth A. Godwin, while the authoress was yet a girl. It appeared in the Evan- gelical Magazine, and afterwards in her Songs for the Weary, 1865. 462. Art thou weary, art thou languid? — John xii. 26. St. Stephen, the Sabaite, wrote the original of this beauti- ful hymn of eager questionings, which dates back to the eighth century. It was rendered into English, in a free translation, by John M. Neale, and inserted in Hymns of the Eastern Church, 1862. Neale entitled it, 'Idiomela ' (its own strains). That is, the hymn had a metre and rhythm quite peculiar; it consisted of ' stanzas which are their own models.' In his Hymns, etc., 1866, Neale states, ' There is so little here that is from the Greek, that in future it will be put in the appendix/ Ver. 7, line 3, in original translation read, 'Angels, apostles, prophets, virgins? It is noteworthy that the Rt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone has made a Latin translation of this lovely ode, and says of it : ' Dr. Neale was the translator, St. Stephen of Saba the author. Being of the Eastern Church, his name does not appear in the Latin hagiologies. I imagine the hymn to have been composed in the Servian tongue.' And Miss S. P. McLean in her Cape Cod Folks gives the story of the duet sung by George 01 ver and Benny Cradlebow. Capt. Arkell thus tells it : — ' By and by him and George 01 ver struck up a song. I've heern 'em sing it before, them two. As nigh as I calc'late, it's about findin' rest in Jesus, and one a askin' questions, all fa'r and squar', to know the way and whether it's a goin' to lead thar straight or no, and the other answerin'. And he — he was a tinkering 'way up on the foremast. George 01 ver and the rest of us was astern, and I'll hear to my dyin' day how his voice HYMN-NOTES. came a floatin' down to us thar — chantin'-like it was— cl'ar I fearless and slow. So he asks for findin' Jesus, ef that 's any marks to foller by ; and George, he answers about them bh edin' nail-prints, and the great one in His side. Bo then that ? comes down agin, askin' if thar's any crown, like other kii to tell Him by; and George, he answered, straight about that crown of thorns. Then says that other voice, floatin' so Btl and clear, and if he given up all and folk-red, what should be have % What now % So George, he sings deep o' the trial the sorrowin'. But that other voice never shook a askin', and what if he helt to Him to the end, what then should it be — what then % George Olver answers, " Forevermore the sor- rowin' ended — Death gone over." Then he sings out, like his mind was all made up, " And if he undertook it, would he likely be turned away 1 " " And it's likelier," George answi him, " that heaven and earth shall pass." So I'll hear it to my dyin' day — his voice a floatin' down to me from up above thar, askin' them questions that nobody could ever answer like, so soon he answered 'em for himself.' 463. Father, I know that all my life. This trustful lay, recognising as it does the source of over- coming grace in life's bitterest lor, is by Anna L. Waring, and appeared in her Hymn* and Meditations, 1850, with ihe title, 1 My Times are in Thy Hand ' — Psa. xxxi. 15. 464. Thou art near, yes, Lord, I feel it. — Psa. xxxiv. 1 v . By John S. B. Monsell. It graphically sets forth the varied conditions of want and adversity which the soul feels ; and it equally recognises an ever present and helpful Lord. The hymn appeared in the author'.- Parish Hymnal, 1873. 465. Gently, Lord, gently lead us. — Psa. xxiii. 2. By Thomas Hastings this prayerful and consolatory hymn was penned, and found a place in Spiritual Songs for < v Worship; the words and music arranged by T. Hasting Utica, and Lowell Mason, of Boston, 1832. 'The title of the hymn is, ' Pilgrimage.' It has some unimportant alterations. 466. Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us. — Psa. cvii. 7. This sweet-flowing hymn, by James Edmeston, well deserves a place in any collection of church songs. It was published in the author's Sacred Lyrics, 2nd. ser., 1821, and was written for the Infant Orphan Asylum, then at Hackney, but now at "VYanstead. 204 HYMN-NOTES. 467. Guide me, Thou great Jehovah ! — Exod. xiii. 21. This famous pilgrim-ode was composed in Welsh by William Williams. The first verse is a translation by Peter Williams in 1771, and the second and third verses by the author in 1772. It became popular, both in Welsh and English, and Lady Huntingdon had it printed in English, as a leaflet, headed as follows : — ' A Favourite Hymn, sung by Lady Huntingdon's young Collegians. Printed by the desire of many Christian Friends. Lord, give it Thy blessing ! ' It next appeared in George Whitefield's Hymn Book, 1774, entitled, « Christ a Sure Guide.' One remarkable verse is omitted, — * Musing on my habitation, Musing on my heav'nly home, Fills my soul with holy longings : Come, my Jesus, quickly come ; Vanity is all I see ; Lord, I long to be with Thee ! ' 468. Saviour, through the desert lead us. — Psa. lxxviii. 53. This hymn, similar in sentiment and purpose to 467, but more varied and wealthy in its imagery, is by Thomas Kelly. It appeared in bis Hymns, 1804, in seven stanzas. 469. If our God had not befriended. Suggested by Psalm cxxiv. It appeared in the Psalter of Englisli Verse, 1860. The author is Benjamin Hall Kennedy. 470. Why those fears'? behold, 'tis Jesus. — Mark iv. 40. Written by Thomas Kelly ; appearing in his Hymns, 1820. Mr. Christopher gives the following story of a sea voyager : * I was once on my way to the antipodes. The vessel was a transport ; but a number of troops were also on board. All went on safely, however, till one night, the horrors of which I can never forget. I was fast asleep in my berth, when, about the middle of the night, I was startled by a shock, then alarmed by a strange hubbub of creaking timbers, shuffling feet, and hoarse voices, striving with the whistling, roaring wind. Then came a thundering crash; down went the vessel on her beam-ends ; and down came the rushing sea, all but filling the cabins, and putting out the lights. There was an awful hush for a moment, but soon broken by an officer, who, leaping from an adjoining berth, cried, " This is like hell when the fire is put out ! " But just then some gentle spirit seemed to touch my tremulous heart ; and a sweet calm came over my HYMN-NOTES. 205 soul. Then I felt as if voices from the better land were sing- ing to me that beautiful hymn : — 44 Why those fears ? behold, 'tis Je8Ufl Holds the helm and guides the ship/ 7 ice. We lived to outride the storm, but as long as I live, I si mil feel that the experience of that night ever hallowed to me the memory of Thomas Kelly. His long life was not spent in vain, if that hymn alone had been all its fruit. 7 471. O Lord, how happy should we be. — 1 Pet. v. 7. This hymn is founded on the apostle's comforting words, ' Cast- ing all your care upon Him/ by Joseph Anstice ; and was published in a posthumous volume of his Hymns, 1836, which was privately printed by his widow. 472. O God, Thy faithfulness I plead !— Exod. xxxiii. 13. A lyric for the perplexed, short-sighted, but eager soul, by C. Wesley, entitled, ' In Temptation.' It was sent forth in Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749. It has some variations : as, ver. 4, line 1, orig. read, ' rich in grace ; ' and ver. 5, line 2, 1 Shall every obstacle.' 473. How happy are the little flock. — John x. 26. When Chas. Wesley wrote this confiding poem an earthquake had recently overthrown Lisbon, and troubles were also immi- nent with the French nation. But the poet rests quietly in the Divine guardianship. It appeared in Hymns for the Year 1756, particularly the Fast Day, Feb. 6. 474. Why should I fear the darkest hour. — Job xiii. 15. Entitled, ' Jesus my All/ by John Newton, appearing in the Gospel Magazine, June 1771, and in Olney Hymns, 1779. 475. Lo ! the storms of life are breaking. — Matt. viii. 23,