Class _L Book_±_j Go{pglit]^"_ COIVRIGHT DEPOSir. THE POETS OF THE CHUBCH. SAEAH FULLER [FLOWER] ADAMS. 1805-1848. Saeah Fuller was the second daughter of Ben- jamin Flower, "one of the fathers of English journal- ism." He was the son of George Flower (1715-1778), a wealthy tradesman of London, and one of the deacons of the dissenting congregation (Rev. Edward Hitchins), wor- shipping in "White's Row, Spitalfields, and was an intimate friend and correspondent of Toplady. The wife of George Flower was a sister of Richard and William Fuller, for whom two of her sons were named. The summer residence of the family was at Tooting, Surrey. There they became attached to the society under the care of the Rev. Samuel Wilton, D.D., and when in 1776 he became the pastor of the Weigh House Chapel, Little Eastcheap, London, they, too, became members of that society. Toplady, Flower, and Wilton all died the same year— 1778. Dr. Wilton was succeeded by the Rev. John Clayton, who, in 1779, married Mary, the elder daughter of Mrs. Flower. Of their children, three— John, George, and William— became Independent ministers, two of them London pastors of much distinction. Benjamin Flower, having been unfortunate in business, for five years served a commercial house at Rotterdam as a travelling agent, and, by his intercourse with politicians of the Continent, became a thorough radical. Returning to England in 1789, he became a resident of Cambridge, and, by the advice and aid of his brother Richard, of Hertford, started the Cambridge Intelligencer, a weekly paper of 2 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. radical principles and of large circulation and influence, highly commended by the Westminster Jiemew (XY. 334). The freedom Avitli which he criticised the Bishop of Llan- daff resulted in a trial before the House of Lords, and a brief imprisonment in Newgate. Shortly after his release, about 1800, he was united in marriage with Miss Gould, an excellent and highly-gifted lady of Dorsetshire. In 1804 the IntellU/encer was discontinued, and he removed to Har- low, in Essex, where he opened a printing office and estab- lished the Political Review, a radical monthly. He had also a publishing office at No. 69 Cornhill, London. Such was the father of Mrs. Adams, and such were the influences that helped in the formation of her character. Her elder sister, Eliza, was born (1803) at Cambridge. She herself was born February 22d, 1805, at Harlow. Her mother did not long survive, and the sisters thus came more directly under the formative hand of their father, a liberal both in politics and religion. At his death, about 1825, they gave themselves to literary pursuits, and soon after removed to Upper Clayton, a suburb of London. The elder sister, in 1831, obtained considerable distinction by the publication of her " Musical Hlustrations of the Waverley Novels." They now attached themselves to the religious society worshipping in South Place, Finsbury, under the pastoral care of the gifted and eloquent William Johnson Fox (1787-1864). This gentleman had separated himself from the Indei3endents, and had taken a j^osition, uncon- nected with any ecclesiastical body, as a preacher or lec- turer in this chapel. Though classed among the Unitarians, he was neither a rationalist nor a sympathizer with Chai- ning or Martineau. He was one of the founders of the Westminster Remew, and, from 1847 to 1862 (with the ex- ception of a few months in 1852), a member of Parliament for Oldliam, Lancashire. Sarah Fuller Flower became, in 1834, the wife of William Bridges Adams, a civil engineer, who, in 1837, distinguished himself as the author of an elaborate volume on " English Pleasure Carriages," and another on " Tlie Construction of SAEAH FULLER [FLOWER] ADAMS. 3 Common Roads and Eailroads." He was also a contributor to some of the principal reviews and newspapers. The union thus formed was most congenial. They resided at St. John's Wood, on Hampstead, London. In 1841 Mrs. Adams gave to the press a dramatic poem, in five acts, on the martyrdom of "Yivia Perpetua." The youthful mother whose faith she thus commemorated suf- fered heroically at Carthage, Africa, a.d. 203, as a devoted follower of Christ (Butler's "Lives of the Saints," March 7). It is more than probable that Mrs. Adams was in full sympathy with the heroine of her drama. At the solicita- tion of her pastor, she also contributed thirteen hymns to the compilation prepared by him for the use of his chapel, published 1840-'41, in two parts, six in the first and seven in the second part. Of these, the two best known—" Nearer, my God! to Thee," and "He sendeth sun, he sendeth shower" — are in the second part. For this work her sis- ter, Eliza, wrote sixty-two tunes. Mrs. Adams' only other publication, a catechism for children, entitled " The Flock at the Fountain," appeared in 1845. Inheriting the feeble organization of their mother, the sisters soon yielded to disease. Eliza, after a lingering, ill- ness, expired December 12, 1846. Worn down by faithful devotion to the invalid, Mrs. Adams' health gradually de- clined, and she closed her earthly pilgrimage August 14, 1848, with entire resignation and joyful hope. " She Avore away," as one of her friends testifies, "almost her last breath bursting into unconscious song as the gentle spirit glided from its beautiful frame." The foUoAving stanza, from one of her own lovely hymns, in " Yivia Perpetua," fitly expresses her trust in Christ : " Part in peace — Chi'ist's life was peace ; Let tis live our life in Him ; Part in peace — Christ's death was peace ; Let us die our death in Him. Part in peace — Christ promise gave Of a life beyond the grave, Where all mortal paintings cease : Brethren, sisters ! part in peace." 4 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Her remains Avere laid to rest in the Forest Street biirial- gronnd, near Harlow, lier native place. Her uncle, Richard Flower, emigrated to America in 1822, and founded the town of Albion, 111. Sir Roundell Palmer was misinformed when he A\Tote that Mrs. Adams also "left England for America." Her hymn, " Nearer, my Grod ! to Thee,'' etc., was introduced to American Christians in the "Service Book," published (1844) by Rev. James Freeman Clarke, D.D., of Boston, Mass., whence it was soon transferred to other collections. JOSEPH ADDISON. 1672-1719. The father and grandfather of Joseph Addison were both clergymen of the Church of England, and each was named Launcelot. The poet was the son of Launcelot Addison, D.D. (1632-1703), and Jane Gulston, the sister of the Rev. William Gulston, D. D. , Bishop of Bristol, England. Joseph was born at Wilston, in Wiltshire, May 1, 1672, the second of five children. Dr. Addison, who had been appointed in 1670 Chaplain to the King, was, in 1683, made Dean of Lichfield. He was the author of several theological works, and in 1699 published a volume of "Devotional Poems, Festival and Practical." Joseph Addison inherited his father's love of learning. He was educated first at home, then at Amesbury and Salis- bury, finishing his preparatory course at the Charter House, London. At the age of fifteen he entered Queen's College, Oxford, of which his father was a graduate. Two years later (1689) he was transferred to Magdalen College. Hav- ing obtained distinction in Latin ver,se, he graduated ]\I.A. in 1693. Several of his minor poems ajipeared (1693, 1694) in the third and fourth volumes of Dryden's " Miscellane- JOSEPH ADDISON. 5 ous Poems." A poem addressed to King William, celebrat- ing one of liis military campaigns, appeared in 1695, and led to his obtaining in 1699 a royal pension of £300 a year. A Latin poem, in 1697, on the " Peace of Ryswick," added to his renown. A year was spent at Blois, in France, and two years in travelling on the Continent. By the death of King William, in 1702, his pension was lost, and he re- turned home to engage anew in literary pursuits. In 1704 he ingratiated himself into the favor of the Ministry by the publication of his poetical " Campaign," a laudation of Marlborough and the battle of Blenheim. The same year he succeeded John Locke, as Excise Commis- sioner of Appeals. His " Remarks on Italy " appeared in 1705. The following year he became Under Secretary of State, and in 1709 Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ire- land, and Keeper of the Records in Birmingham Tower. Another ministerial revolution in 1710 de^Drived him of office for four years. His leisure was employed in literary work. He wrote five essays for the Whig Examiner, and was a frequent contributor to TJie Tatler, edited by his schoolmate and intimate friend, Sir Richard Steele. Tlie Tatler came to an end January 2, 1711, and Tlie Spectator, No. 1, appeared March 1, 1711. It was continued in 655 Numbers, daily (Sundays excepted), until December 6, 1712. It was revived June 18, 1714, and continued in 80 numbers, thrice a week, until December 20, 1714. Of this celebrated series of periodical essays, Addison, as " Clio," was one of the principal editors. He contributed also about fifty papers, in 1713, to The Guardian, and to The Freeholder, 1715, 1716. A volume of his "Poems" was issued in 1712, and his "Cato: a Tragedy," in 1713. Queen Anne died in 1714, and Addison again came into favor and obtained prefer- ment — first as secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, then in 1716 as one of the lords of trade, and in 1717 as Secretary of State and a privy councillor. He held a seat in Parliament from 1708, with the exception of a short in- terval in 1709, until his decease. By his literary fame he 6 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. won the hand of the Countess-Dowager of Warwick and Holland, to whom he was married August 2, 1716, becom- ing thus the nominal master of the famous Holland House, where he died in peace June 17, 1719. An infant daughter survived him. The marriage proved uncongenial, and drove him into indulgences which probably shortened his life. Tickell, to whom was entrusted the publication of his " Works," celebrated his praise in an elegy addressed to his step-son, the Earl of Warwick. In this ode occur the fol- lowing lines : . ..." Of just and good he reasoned strong, Cleared some great truth, or raised some serious song; There patient showed us the wise course to steer, A candid censor and a friend severe ; There taught us how to hve, and — oh ! too high The price for knowledge — taught us how to die." The allusion in the last line is thought to refer to his last interview \\T.th the gay young earl, — " I have sent for you," he said, " that you may see how a Christian can die." The son and grandson of clergymen, Addison had been designed for the Church, but the prospect of political pre- ferment and iDower drew him into another line of life. He never, however, forswore his faith in Christ. The savor of divine truth, and oft of godliness, pervades both his poetry and prose. The five well-known hymns, by which he has endeared himself so greatly to the Christian world, appeared at intervals in The Spectator. The paper (No. 441) for Saturday, July 26, 1712, treats of Man's Depend- ence on the Care of the Almighty, and closes in these words : " David has very beautifully represented this reli- ance on God Almighty in his Twenty-third Psalm, which is a Idnd of Pastoral Hjonn, and filled with those aUusions which are used in that kind of writing. As the poetry is very exquisite, I shall present my readers with the follow- ing translation of it : ' The Lord my pasture shall prepare,' " etc. Eefreshed in spirit, doubtless, by these sweet utterances, he gave his readers, a fortnight later— Saturday, August 9, JOSEPH ADDISON. 7 1712 (ISTo. 453) — another specimen of liis familiarity with the sacred Muse. His theme is " Gratitude," and he says at the close : " I have already communicated to the public some pieces of divine poetry, and, as they have met with a very favorable reception, I shall from time to time publish any work of the same nature which has not yet appeared in print and may be acceptable to my readers." Then fol- lows that precious testimony to the loving-kindness and grace of the Almighty : "When all thy mercies, O my God," etc., in thirteen stanzas. It is worthy of note that ten days after — August 19, 1712 — Addison published a communication from the Rev. Isaac Watts with his version of the 114th Psalm : " When Israel freed from Pharaoh's hand," etc. Addison was but two years older than Watts, and may have been led into the writing of hymns by the publica- tion of Watts' hymns, 1707-1709, with which he had un- doubtedly been made acquainted. Again, at the close of another fortnight — August 23, 1712 — he discoursed (No. 465) of the Means of Confirming One's Faith in God, and, as conducive to it, advises " Re- tirement from the World," and "Religious Meditation." " The Supreme Being," he says, " has made the best argu- ments for his own existence in the formation of the heav- ens and the earth, and these are arguments which, a man of sense can not forbear attending to who is out of the noise and hurry of human affairs." "The Psalmist has very beautiful strokes of poetry to this purpose in that exalted strain, — ' The heavens declare the glory of God,' " etc. "As such a bold and sublime manner of thinking furnishes very noble matter for an ode, the reader may see it wrought into the following one : ' The spacious firmament on high,' " etc. Such was the origin of that ode — so grand, noble, and ma- 8 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. jestic, known and sung everywhere tlirougliont tlie English- speaking workl. Thackeray, referang particularly to the stanza beginning with, " Soon as the evening shades prevail," remarks : " It seems to me those verses shine like the stars. They shine out of a great, deep calm. When he turns to heaven a Sabbath comes over that man's mind, and his face lights up from it with a glory of thanks and prayer." A period of four weeks now intervened, and on Saturday, September 20, 1712, he treated (No. 489) of the Grandeur of the Ocean, as suggestive of the greater Grandeur of the Creation ; alludes to the fact that he had '• made several voyages upon the sea," and often been tossed in storms ; refers to Ps. cvii. 23-30 as giving a better description of a ship in a storm than any he had ever met with : and then says of his essay : " I shall accompany it with a divine ode made by a gentleman upon the conclusion of his travels : ' How are thy servants blessed, O Lord ! ' " etc. It is in ten stanzas. The hymn may have been written in 1 703, when Addison returned from his travels abroad. A month passed, and on Saturday, October 18th (No. .^12), he published an essay on the Apprehension of Death and Judgment, as experienced on a bed of severe illness, and appended to it a hymn that he had composed while thus afflicted : "When rising from the bed of death," etc. In the fifth of his six stanzas Addison wrote, "And hear my Saviour's dying groans, To give those sorrows weight " ; a plea that needs to be considerably qualified to meet the demands of Scriptural orthodoxy. Thackeray well observes : " If Swift's life was the most wTetched, 1 think Addison's was one of the most enviable CECIL FRANCES [HDIIPHEEYS] ALEXANDER. 9 — a life prosperous and beautiful, a calm death, an immense fame, and affection afterward for his liappy and spotless name." CECIL FRANCES [HUMPHREYS] ALEXANDER. Mrs. Alexander is an Irish lady, the daughter of Ma- jor Humphreys, Strabane, County Tyrone, where she was born and educated. At an early age she gave evidence of superior intellectual gifts. In 1846 she became known to the world of song by her " Verses for Holy Seasons for the Use of School-rooms," edited by the Rev. Walter Farquhar Hook, D.D., Vicar of Leeds, Two years afterward (1848) she published, with the imprimatur of the Rev. John Ke- ble, her " Hymns for Little Children," of which more than 250,000 copies have been sold. The " Hymns " are a series of short poems on the clauses .of the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. The same year she gave to the i3ress "The Baron's Little Daughter." Miss Humj)hreys in 1850 became the wife of the Rev. William Alexander, a native of Londonderry, the son of an Irish clergyman and a cousin of the late Earl of Cale- don. Having served for years as rector of several imxDort- ant parishes, in 1864 he was made Dean of Emly, and, in 1807, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. In the midst of her domestic and parochial cares Mrs. Alexander found time to cultivate her poetic gifts. In 1857 she published her "Narrative Hymns"; in 1858, "Hymns Descriptive and Devotional"; and, in 1859, "The Legend of the Golden Prayer, and other Poems." She has also published " Moral Songs," " Poems on Subjects in the Old Testament," and " The Lord of the Forest and his Vas- sals : an Allegory." In 1865 she edited " The Sunday Book of Poetry," one of the " Golden Treasury Series." She resides at Londonderry, Ireland, and devotes the proceed 5 of her publications to the support of a deaf-muto 10 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. school in lier neigliborliood. She has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare of the poor, and especially of the young, for whom nearly all her books and poems have been written. A lovely spirit — devout and heavenly, meek and gentle— pervades all her writings. " May this volume," she says in the Preface to her " Sunday Book of Poetry," " in some measure tend to make Sunday a i)leasant day to children. May it help to teach them to praise God, the Fa- ther, Son, and Sj^irit ; to contemplate life and death and their own hearts as Christians should ; to understand the spirit of the Bible ; and, through this fair creation, to look up to Him who is its Creator. " JAMES WADDEL ALEXANDER. 1804-1859. This accomplished scholar and divine was of Scotch- Irish descent. The home of the Alexanders was the beautiful and romantic valley of Virginia. The father of James, afterward the celebrated theologian of Princeton Seminary— Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D. [1772-1851]— in 1802 married Janetta, daughter of James Waddel, the; eloquent " Blind Preacher " of Wirt's "British Spy." At the residence of her father, on an estate called Hopewell, at the Junction of Louisa, Orange, and Albemarle Counties, Virginia, she gave birth, March 13, 1804, to her eldest son, to whom she gave her father's honored name. In his fourth year, his parents became residents of Phila- delphia, Pa.; and in his ninth year, of Princeton, N. J. At the early age of thirteen, he entered the College of New Jersey, and, having distinguished himself for his scholar- ship, graduated September, 1820 ; entered the Princeton Theological Seminary in 1821 ; was appointed in April, 1824, Mathematical Tutor in the College of New Jersey ; JAMES WADDEL ALEXANDER H was licensed by the Presbytery of N"ew Brunswick, Octo- ber 4, 1825 ; removed at the close of the same year to Vir- ginia, and was ordained to the work of the ministry, March 13, 1827, by the Presbytery of Hanover. He was pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Trenton, N". J., from January 10, 1829, until the end of October, 1832. In No- vember, he became editor of The Presbyterian of Phila- delphia, relinquishing this position at the end of a year, to become Professor of Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres in the College of New Jersey. After nearly twelve years' occupation of his Professor- ship, he accepted a call from the Duane Street Presbyterian Church of New York City, and October 2, 1844, entered once more on the pastoral work. In June, 1849, he accepted tjie Professorship of Ecclesiastical History and Church Government in Princeton Theological Seminary, to which he had been elected by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, and returned again to his beloved Princeton. The summer of 1851 was most profitably spent in Europe, and, on his return, in October, he became the pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church of New York, composed mainly of members of his previous pas- toral charge. In this responsible and influential position, highly honored and greatly useful, he continued until his decease, which occurred very unexpectedly at Sweet Briar Springs, Ya., July 31, 1859. Dr. Alexander belonged to a family of rare gifts and superior scholarship, and in his own person fully sustained the high character of his lineage. As a Christian minister, as a ready writer, as a ripe scholar, as a correct and pro- found thinker, as a pulpit orator, and as a faithful pastor, he had few superiors. His active and versatile mind found frequent expression in the periodical press. His other publications also were numerous, and as popular as they were practical and use- ful. His contributions to the Princeton Quarterly Remew^ through a long term of years, were frequent and powerful. He wrote more than thirty volumes for the American Sun- 12 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. day-scliool Union, including Ms well-known work, "The American Sunday- School and its Adjuncts." Other works that he gave to the press, at vaiious dates, were his " Gift to the Afflicted "; " The American Mechanic and Working- Man's Companion," in 2 vols. ; " Thoughts on Family Wor shij)"; "Consolation: in Discourses on Select Topics, ad- dressed to the Su£fering People of God"; " Memoir of Rev. Archibald Alexander, D.D."; "Plain Words to a Young Communicant," and "Discourses on Common Topics of Christian Faith and Practice." From an early age, he amused his leisure hours with po- etic essays — mainly as a literary recreation. He took a deep interest in Hymnology. In 1845, he contemplated the compilation of " a small Hymn Book, to contain none but unaltered hymns, about 250," An article from his pen in the Princeton Remew for 1850, on " German H^^nnol- ogy," shows how earnestly and successfully he had studied the fascinating and fruitful theme. In the New York Ob- server for April 24, 1830, will be found his translation (under the signature of "Didymus") of Gerhardt's "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden ": " O sacred liead, now wounded," etc. He contributed, also, to the Kirchenfreund, April, 1859, a few months only before his decease, that peculiarly sweet and exquisite version of Bernard's Latin hymn : " Jesu ! dulcis memoria," — beginning with " Jesus ! how sweet thy mem'ry is ! " The last four stanzas are as follows : " If thou dost enter to the heart, Then shmes the truth in every part, All worldly vanities grow vile, And charity hums bright the while. * ' This love of Jesus is most sweet ; This laud of Jesus is most meet ; Thousand and thousand times more dear Than tongue of man can utter here. WILLIAM LINDSAY ALEXANDER. 13 "Praise Jesus, all, with one accord! Crave Jesus, all, your love and Lord ! Seek Jesus, warmly, all below, And, seeking, into rapture glow ! "Thou art of heavenly grace the Fount; Thou art the true Sun o' God's mount; Scatter the saddening cloud of night, And pour upon us glorious light." WILLIAM L^DSAY ALEXANDER. 1808 . The Rev. De. William Lindsay Alexat^dee occupies a position of great eminence among tlie Congregationalists of Scotland. He was born August 24, 1808, at Leitli. At an early age lie was placed under tlie tuition of the Rev. Dr. Jamieson, at East Linton, by whom he was fitted for a collegiate course. He was, for three years, connected with the University of Edinburgh; and, for two years, with the University of St. Andrew's. Among his instructors, dur- ing this period, was Dr. Thomas Chalmers. In 1828, at the age of twenty, he was appointed Classical Tutor in the Independent Theological Academy at Black- burn, England,— removed in 1842 to Manchester, and known as the "Lancashire Independent College." After a brief pastorate— 1832 to 1835— at Newington Chapel, Liverpool, he accepted a call to the pastoral charge of Argyle Square Chapel, Edinburgh, which position he has most ably fiUed for nearly forty years. In 1854, he was appointed Professor of Theology and Church History in the Theological Hall of the Congrega- tional Churches of Scotland, as the successor of the Rev. Dr. Wardlaw, since whose death, in 1853, he has been the acknowledged leader of the denomination in Scotland. As a preacher, a theologian, a scholar, and an author, he ranks 14 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. deservedly among the first men in the land. In 1861. he was appointed Examiner in Philosophy at the University of St. Andrew's (whence came his degree of D.D.); and, in 1870, a member of the Old Testament Revision Company. Tlie publications by which he has acquired his literary fame are the following : " The Congregational Lecture for 1840, on the Connection and Harmony of the Old and New Testaments " (1841) ; " Lectures to Young Men " (1842) ; " Anglo-Catholicism not Ai^ostolical," in reply to " Tracts for the Times " (1843) ; " Memoir of the Rev. J. Watson " (1845); "Switzerland and the Swiss Churches" (1846); " lona, the Ancient British Church " (1852) ; " Christ and Christianity " (1854) ; " Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Ralph Wardlaw, D.D." (1856) ; "Christian Thought and Work " (1862) ; " St. Paul at Athens " (1865) ; and the elaborate Articles in the eighth edition of the " Encyclo- pedia Britannica," on "Moral Philosophy," "Scripture," and "Theology." He has made frequent contributions to the Periodicals of the day, and was the editor of the third edition of Kitto's "Encyclopaedia of Biblical Literature." His interest in Hjniinology is attested by his " Augustine Hymn Book " (1849), and the contribution of several hymns to the Scottish Congregational Hymn Book, and the United Presbyterian Hymn Book. The hymn, " Spirit of power, and truth and love," is a fair sijecimen of his poetic talent. A stanza is also subjoined from his " Last Wish." He longs to hear of the land of rest beyond the skies ; " Oh! yes, let me hear of its blissful bowel's. And its trees of life, and its fadeless flowers ; Of the crystal streets and its radiant throng. With then' harps of gold and their endless song ; Of its glorious palms and its raiment white. And its streamlets all lucid with living light ; And its emerald plains, where the ransomed stray, 'Mid the bloom and the bliss of a changeless day." JAMES ALLEN. 15 JAMES ALLEN. 1734-1804. James, son of Oswald Allen, was of Yorkshire, England, and was born June 24, 1734, at Gayle. He was designed for tlie ministry of the Clinrcli of England, and was fitted for college chiefly nnder the instruction of a Rev. Mr. l^o- ble, at Scorton School, near Richmond, Yorkshire. He entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1751. At the expiration of a year, on a visit to Yorkshire, he was re- ceived into Mr. Ingham's Connection, and, full of zeal, immediately became an itinerant preacher. He is spoken of by Charles Wesley, in his journal, October 17, 17o6, as both " modest and discreet," as well as zealous and faith- ful in his work. He and William Batty, about this time, were aj)pointed the two general elders of the Connection. On a visit to Scotland, in 1761, with Mr. Batty, his views were considerably modified by his intercourse with the societies under the care of Messrs. Glas and Sandeman. Soon after, he left the Ingham Connection, and joined the Sandemanians. "My eyes," he says, "were never fully opened till the latter end of October, 1762. How am I now ashamed of my preaching and the hymn book I was concerned in printing ! Almost everj^ page puts me to the blush." Shortly after, he left the Sandemanians also, and gave up the itineracy. Retiring to his paternal inheritance ' at Gayle, he built a chapel on his own grounds, where he con- tinued to officiate statedly until his decease, October 31, 1804. Seventeen of his later hymns he published at Gayle, with the title of " Christian Songs." A second edition was published in 1805. Many of his hymns, inferior as they were, found a place in the collections of Madan, Lady Huntingdon, Conyer, Toplady, Edwards, and the Moravi- ans. The only one of his hjanns that is worthy of preserva- tion in its original form, is " Glory to God on high," etc. 16 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. The familiar hymn, beginning " Sweet the moments, ricli in blessing," IS taken from Lady Huntingdon's collection (Revised edi- tion of 1774), and owes its present form to the Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley. It is a reconstruction of a hymn by Allen, found in the first edition of the Kendal Hymn Book, beft'inninc; with : ' While my Jesus I'm possessing. Great's the happiness I know. The original has six double stanzas, the last of which is as follows : " May I still enjoy this feeling, In all need to Jesus go : Prove his wounds each day more healing, And from thence salvation draw : May I love the Spirit's unction, Filling me with holy shame ; Still retain a close connection With the person of the Lamb." OSWALD ALLEN. 1816 . " Hymns of the Cheistian Life " was published at London, 1862. The volume contains 148 hymns, by Oswald Allen, a descendant, in the fourth generation, of Oswald, the father of James Allen, noticed on a previous page. John Allen, for more than half a century, has been a suc- cessful banker at Kirkby-Lonsdale, Westmoreland, England, where his son Oswald was born in 1816. An invalid from his boyhood, and a lifelong sufferer from a diseased spine, he was educated tenderly at home, and has, from his child- OSWALD ALLEN. 17 hood, been restricted to a sedentary life. Three years (1843-184G) were spent, with comparative health, in Glas-' gow, with fair business prospects. But the recurrence of his constitutional malady compelled him to return to his home at Kirkby-Lonsdale. Since 1848 he has held an hon- orable position in his father's bank — devoting himself in the intervals of business, as his strength has permitted, to works of benevolence and mercy among the poor, the sick, and the suffering. Secluded at home, during the severe winter of 1859-1860, he found a genial and cheering recrea- tion in the composition of his " Hymns of the Christian Life." In the preface, dated October, 1861, he says : " Hav- ing so often felt and witnessed the soothing and elevating- effect of hymns upon the human heart, the author has been encouraged to hope that the f ollo^ving, which cheered his own spirit, may, with the Divine blessing, be a comfort and a consolation to others." The piety, humility, and tenderness of the unassuming poet may be seen, somewhat, in the following dedication of his book : * ' To Thee, my God, my Saviour, and my Friend, I humbly offer, as I lowly bend. The first famt warblings of my gTateful soul, — Prelude to alleluias soon to roll, When with my harp among the blest on high, I sweep the strains of heaven-born harmony — Oh ! give them power to cheer the lonely way Of some benighted one, and sing of day ; To raise the fallen — wipe away the tear— And tell the desolate that Thou art near. Oh ! grant that they ambassadors may be, Their blessed privilege to speak of Thee ; To show Thy glory — to exalt Thy praise — And hymn the wonders of Thy works and ways. With Thee my humble offering now I leave. For Jesu's sake, this offering, Lord! receive, — Vouchsafe Thy blessing on these simple lays, And Thine be all the glory and the praise." 18 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. HENRY ALLINE. 1748-1785. Mr. Alline, the son of William and Rebecca AUine, was born June 14, 1748, at Ne^^^ort, R. I., whither his parents had removed from Boston, Mass., their native place. In his twelfth year (1760) the family migrated to the neighborhood of Falmouth, Nova Scotia. The rudeness of the country subjected them to many privations a,nd hardships, so that Henry was debarred the privileges of a school education, after his removal from Rhode Island. His parents had early attached themselves to what were- then known as " New Lights," and brought up their seven children in the fear of God. In his 27th year, after a season of deep conviction, he was hopefully converted, ISIarch 26, 1775, and, the fol- lowing year, devoted himself to the work of the ministry. He was ordained, April 6, 1779, by a Congregational Coun- cil, at Falmouth, N. S. Owing to his limited education, he became a travelling rather than a settled preacher, and exercised his ministry with marked success, in Falmouth, Newport, Truro, Windsor, Horton, Cornwall is, Wilmot, Annapolis, Granville, Sackville, Liverpool, Halifax, Lehave, Malegast, Port Midway, and other places in Nova Scotia ; also at St. John, Fort Howe, Magerville, and elsewhere in New Brunswick. He travelled as far west as North Hampton, New Hampshire, where, February 2, 1784, at the house of the Rev. David McClure, pastor of the Congre- gational Church of that town, he closed his earthly career. He was fond of sacred poetry, and wrote 300 or more hymns, " full of love and zeal for Christ, and the salvation of souls." AMBROSE. 19 AMBROSE. 340-397. To Ambeose, Bishop of Milan, is conceded the high honor of being the father of sacred song in the Latin Church. Jerome conii)lains of the introduction of theatrical songs and melodies in the music of the Church of that period. Ambrose not only reformed the prevailing psalmody, but he introduced also the hymnody and antiphonal sing- ing of the Greek into the Latin Church. The earliest Latin hymns are traced to the fourth century. The best of these are attributed to Ambrose. Tliey are modelled after the Latin poets ; are, for the most part, of four-line stanzas ; having lines of equal length in metrical form. To him we owe the six and eight syllable iambics which so commonly prevail in English hymnody. The date of his birth has not been fully determined. Some say that it was a.d. 333 and others a.d, 340 when he was born at Treves in Gaul, his father being at the time the praetorian prefect of the province. He was the youngest of three children. After his father's decease his mother returned to Rome, where, with his brother Satyrus, and his sister Marcellina, he was piously and liberally educated. Bred to the law and excelling in his profession, he was appointed by Anicius Probus prsetorian prefect of Italy — a member of his council. So favorably was Probus im- pressed with his great abilities and moral worth, as to give him the appointment, a.d. 369, of consular prefect of Liguria, the northern portion of Italy, with Milan as his capital. " Go," said he, " and govern Liguria more like a bishop than a judge." His administration confirmed his reputation as a wise, discreet, and righteous ruler. The times were exceedingly turbulent. The old pagan practices in that part of Italy had not wholly been laid aside. Paganism was still struggling for ascendency. The apostate emperor, Julian, had passed away only seven years before. Auxentius, an Arian, was bishop of Milan, 20 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. The poxmlace were divided into three contending factions — Athanasian, Arian, and Pagan. These rival parties at the decease of Anxentins, a.d. 374, made desperate strug- gles to secure the position for one of their own adherents. At the time appointed for the election in the Church, so furious was the contention that the prefect Ambrose deemed his presence and remonstrances necessary to quell the tumult. So effectually did he control the swaying mul- titude, and such confidence had they in his piety and wis- dom, that presently a cry was made all over the house, " Ambrose ! Ambrose ! ! he is the man for us " — and, in spite of his earnest protest that he was neither a priest nor a theologian, he was elected bishop by acclamation. Yielding at length to the popular will he was baptized November 30th and ordained bishop December 7, 374. Thenceforth he devoted all his worldly resources and all his energies of body and soul to the work of purifying and extending the Church. Ambrose was thoroughly orthodox, and was justly claimed as an Athanasian. Of course, the Arian party took sides against him. The queen-mother, Justina, was an Arian, and demanded one of the churches of Milan for the use of that sect. Ambrose refused, and a long and vio- lent struggle ensued. At length, when the bishop was cele- brating divine worship, guards were set by the civil and military authorities about the church. None were suffered to leave. All night they were shut up in the sanctuary. " Then it was instituted," says Augustine, his pupil, " that, after the manner of the Eastern churches, hymns and psalms should be sung, lest the people should wax faint through the tediousness of sorrow, — and from that day to this the custom is retained,— divers (yea, almost all) thy congregations throughout other parts of the world follow- ing herein." The bishop triumphed, and Arianism was overcome. To keep up the custom thus inaugurated, Ambrose A\Tote his stirring hymns. They were taken up by the people as battle-cries, and became immensely popular. Their in- AMBROSE. 21 fluence was mighty. " How did I weep," says Augustine, " through thy hymns and canticles, touched to the quick by the voices of thy sweet-attuned church ! The voices sank into mine ears, and the truth distilled into my heart, whence the affections of my devotions overflowed, tears ran down, and happy was I therein." Again: "When I re- member the tears I shed in the psalmody of thy church, in the beginning of my recovered faith, and how at this time I am moved — not with the singing, but with the things sung, when they are sung with a clear voice and modula- tion most suitable, I acknowledge the great use of this institution." Ambrose himself, in reply to objectors, said : " A grand thing is that singing, and nothing can stand before it. For what can be more telling than that confession of the Trinity which a whole population utters day by day ? For all are eager to proclaim their faith, and in measured strains have learned to confess Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." The number of " Ambrosian Hymns," according to Dan- iel, is ninety-two ; biit many of these were doubtless of a later date, though constructed after the model of Ambrose. Not more than twelve of the whole number have been gen- erally conceded to be from his pen. The authorship) of that wonderfully popular chant, " Te Deum laudamxis, te Dominum confitemur," etc., has been very fully and ably discussed by Daniel, ii. 280- 294. Though attributed to Ambrose, it is more properly classified as merely Ambrosian. Parts of it appear to have been in use among the Greeks at an early day. Ambrose may have given it something of its present shape, and later Latin writers may have perfected it. Of this splendid out- burst of praise, Mrs. Charles, in her "Christian Life in Song," thus writes : " It is at once a hymn, a creed, and a prayer — or rather it is a creed taking wing and soaring heavenward ; it is faith seized with a sudden joy as she counts her treasures and laying them at the feet of Jesus in a song ; it is the incense 22 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of prayer rising so near the rainbow round tlie throne as to catch its light and become radiant as well as fragrant — a cloud of incense illumined with a cloud of glory." Daniel in the 21st verse has " gloria munemvi,^^ instead of " in gloria numerari," as in the received versions. The former is undoubtedly the true rendering, and is, by far, more expressive. Ambrose abounded in labors, not only in the improve- ment of public worship, but in defence of the truth and the enlargement of the Church. His published " Works " ure numerous. Having overcome all opposition and estab- lished himself firmly in the affections of his people he fell asleep April 3, a.d. 397. Al^GELUS SILESIUS. 1624-1677. [See "John Scheffler."] JOSEPH ANSTICE. 1808-1836. A VOLUME of "Hymns by the Rev. Joseph Anstice, M.A.," London, 1836, was privately printed by his widow. It contains fifty- four hymns. He was the second son of William Anstice, Esq., and was born in Shropshire in 1808. In his fourteenth year he en- tered Westminster School, was chosen a king's scholar, and, at the close of his course, elected to Christ Church College, Oxford. In his coUegiate course he gained the two Eng- lish prizes. He graduated B.A. as a double first-class scholar early in 1831. Though but in his twenty -third year he was appointed Professor of Classical Literature, HAERIET AUBER. 23 King's College, London, and delivered his first lecture Oc- tober 17, 1831. In tlie summer of 1832 he married Eliza- beth SjDencer Ruscombe, eldest daughter of Joseph Rus- combe Poole, Esq., of Bridgewater. Three years later he was compelled by the failure of his health to resign his professorship. He then removed to Torquay, where, after a continual decline, he departed this life February 29, 1836, in the twenty-eighth year of his age. His prize poem delivered at Oxford, June 18, 1828, on " Richard Coeur de Lion," was published in 1828, and the following year his English prize essay on " Tlie Influence of the Roman Conquest u]3on Literature and the Arts at Rome." His "Introductory Lecture" at King's College was published in 1831, and in 1832 his " Selections from the Choice Poetry of the Greek Dramatic Writers, trans- lated into English Verse." His hymns " were all dictated to his wife during the last few weeks of his life, and were composed just at the period of the day (the afternoon) when he most felt the oi3pression of his illness — all his brighter morning hours being given to pupils up to the very day of his death." They are not unworthy of the pen of John Keble, to whom several of them have been erroneously ascribed. HARRIET AUBER. 1773-1862. It^ 1829 " The Spirit of the Psalms ; or, a Compressed Version of Select Portions of the Psalms of David " was published at London anonymously. Several of these Psalms were transferred to the " Church Psalmody," Bos- ton, 1831, and other collections, where they were credited to the " Spirit of the Psalms." In 1834 Mr. Lyte's book ap- peared, also entitled " The Spirit of the Psalms." Led sim- ply by the title, and not aware that the two books were 24 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. entirely different, or that there were two books of the same name, subsequent compilers credited these hymns to Rev. Henry Frances Lyte. The earlier work was the production of Miss Harriet Au- ber. She was the daughter of James Auber, of Hackney, and was born October 4, 1773. The family was of French Protestant extraction, and, doubtless, of the same lineage with the eminent musical composer, Daniel Frangois Esprit Auber [1784-1871]. In a quiet and secluded home — first at Broxbourne, and then at Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, with her worthy sisters, and latterly with a greatly endeared friend. Miss Mary Jane McKenzie, a literary lady, — she spent the most of her days on earth. With a fine liter ary taste, she occupied much of her time in poetic compo- sition — the most of which remains unpublished. During a long and useful life she greatly endeared herself to a large circle of relatives and friends. She went down to the ''grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season," dying in great peace January 20, 1862, in the eighty-ninth year of her age, at her residence in Hod- desdon. The only marked incident of her quiet life was the pub- lication in her fifty-sixth year of her book already noticed. It contains a few selections from well-known authors, to some of which the names are attached ; the larger part of the pieces, however, are from her own pen. In one of her hymns she thus speaks of the Holy Spirit : ' ' He came in semblance of a dove, With sheltering wings outspread, The holy balm of peace and love On eai'th to shed. " He came sweet influence to impart — A gracious, willing guest — Where he can fuid one humble heart Wherehi to rest. " And his that gentle voice we hear Soft as the breath of even ; JOHN AUSTIN. That checks each thought, that calms each fear, And speaks of heaven. And eveiy vu'tue we possess, And every conquest won, And every thought of holmess Are his alone." JOHIS' AUSTIN. 1613-1669. John" ArsTiisr was of ISTorfolkshire, England. Bom at Walpole in 1613, lie was fitted for college at Sleeford, and, in 1631, was admitted a pensioner of St. Jolin's College, Cambridge. Here lie continued to reside until 1640, at which time or somewhat earlier he became a Roman Cath- olic. Leaving the university in consequence, he repaired to London and pursued the study of law at Lincoln's Inn. The times were turbulent, especially for Papists, making it difficult for him to practice law successfully. For a time he was emj^loyed as tutor in the house of a Mr. Fowler, of Staffordshire. Having succeeded by the death of a relative to a consid- erable estate, he returned in 16.50 to London, and estab- lished himself as a private gentleman in Bow St., Covent Garden, Dodd, in his " Church History," says : " Mr. Austin was a gentleman of singular parts and accomplish- ments, and so great a master of the English tongue, that his style continues [1742] to be a pattern for politeness. His time was wholly spent in books and learned conversa- tion ; having the advantage of several ingenious persons' familiarity, who made a kind of junto in the way of learn- ing, .... all men of great parts and erudition, who were assistants to one another in their writings." He wrote much under an assumed name and at times in a false guise. The first part of his " Christian Moderator ; 26 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. or, Persecution for Religion condemned by the Light of Nature, Law of God, Evidence of our own Principles" appeared as the worlv of " William Birchley," an " Inde- pendent," in 1651 ; the second part followed in 1652, and a third part in 1653. Under the same pseudonyme he pub- lished in 1651 " The Oath of Abjuration Arraigned." " Re- flections upon the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance " was printed in 1661, "Booker Rebuked" in 1665, and, in 1668, " Devotions in the Antient Way of Offices ; containing Ex- ercises for Every Day in the Week and Every Holiday in the Year. " A second edition of this work was published in 1672 and a third in 1675. He was the author also of "A Letter from a Cavalier in Yorkshire to a Friend, written during the Civil War," also of " A Punctual Answer to Dr. John Tillot- son's Book called ' The Rule of Faith,' " " The Four Gos- pels in One," and several anonymous pamphlets against the Assembly of Divines at AVestminster. He died at his house in Bow St., Covent Garden, in the summer of 1669 ; and, according to Anthony Wood, " was buried in the church of St. Paul there." The editor of one of the issues of his " Devotions " says : " He sweetened a tedious sickness by a perjDetual exercise of Divine love, and welcomed his approaching dissolution with incredible transports of joy." "He gave up the ghost with these re- markable words : ' Now, heartily for heaven, through Je- sus Christ.'" His "Devotions," etc., contain forty- three hymns, some of them of great excellence. A beautiful specimen of his style and spirit is given in a part of one of his hymns as follows : " My God! had I my breath from thee — This power to speak and sing ? And shall my voice, and shall my song, Praise any but their King ? " My God! had I my soul from thee — This power to judge and choose ? And shall my brain, and shaU my \\dll, Their best to thee refuse ? THOMAS WILLIAM B. AVELING. 37 " Alas ! not this alone, or that, Hast thou bestowed on me ; But aU I have, and aU I hope, I have and hope from thee. " And more I have, and more I hope Than I can speak or think, — Thy blessings first refresh, then fill, Then overflow the brink." THOMAS WILLIAM B. AVELING. 1815 . Me. Aveling became personally known to the American people as one of the delegates from Great Britain to the Conference of the Evangelical Alliance that met in New York, October, 1873. On October 11, 1838, he became the pastor of the Independent Chapel at Kingsland, a suburb of London. During the first two years of his pastorate he was the colleague of the venerable John Campbell [1766- 1840], the noted African traveller. Mr. Aveling w^as born at Castletown, Isle of Man, May 11, 1815. He obtained his early training in the school of Mr. James Smith at Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, at which place also, though born in the Church of England, he became a member of the Independent Church. In 1834, with, a view to the ministry, he entered Highbury College, London. He graduated with honor in June, 1838, and immediately afterward was called to Kingsland Chapel. In addition to his pulpit labors and pastoral duties, Mr. Aveling has been a frequent contributor to the religious press. In his youth he was addicted to versification. At the age of nineteen [1834] he published a small volume of poems. He edited for five years [1848-1853] the Jeioish Herald^ a religious monthly ; also for a considerable time the Missionary Soutienlr, to both of which he contributed frequently. 28 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. useful miscellaneous volumes, and of a considerable num- ber of liymns— tlie greater part of whicli were written on the occasion of the several anniversaries of his Sunday- School, or in connection with his annual sermons to the young people of his charge. The hymn, "Hail ! thou God of Grace and Glory," was written for the jubilee of his church, June 16, 1844. Several of his hjanns have appeared in the British " Sunday- School Union Hymn-Book," in the London E-Gangelical Magazine, and the Sunday at Home. The stanzas that follow, taken from a hymn published in the Evangelical Magazine, are a fair specimen of his style : " On, toward Zion, on ! Glory awaits you there ;— ' Crowns for the victor's brow. Robes that the conquerors wear, Thrones for the sons of might, Harps for the sons of song. Welcomes from Heaven's own King, Greetings from Heaven's bi'ight throng. " Be fearless in the fight. Look 'round you ; myi'iads stand Enrobed m glorious light — Earth's star-crowned victor band. They point you to the prize By true hearts surely won : They urge you to advance — On to the field, then, on 1 " LEONARD BACOiST. 1802-1881. The Rev, Dr. Bacon was the son of a missionary, the Rev. David Bacon, who, in 1800, was appointed by the Missionary Society of Connecticut to labor among the In- LEONARD BACON. 29 dians on the south and west of Lake Erie. In order to learn the language of the savages Mr. Bacon and his young wife located themselves at Detroit, then a frontier settle- ment, where their son Leonard was born February 19, 1802. The father left the service of the Missionary Soci- ety in 1805, and subsequently resided in Hudson and Tall- madge, Ohio, of which latter place he was the first settler. He died in 1817, leaving three sons and four daughters. In 1812 Leonard was sent to reside with an uncle at Hart- ford, Conn., where he was fitted for college. He entered the Sophomore Class of Yale College in 1817, and though with one exception the youngest of his class, he ranked high among his fellows as a scholar and writer. He grad- uated in 1820 and entered the Theological Seminary of An- dover, Mass. , the same year. He was ordained at Wind- sor, Conn., to the work of an evangelist, September 28, 1824, and the next Sabbath began to preach as a candidate for settlement in the Centre Church, New Haven. A call was extended to him, and he was installed as the successor of the Eev. Nathaniel W. Taylor, D.D., March 9, 1825, a youth of only twenty-three years. This most influential position he occupied for forty years with eminent ability and marked efficiency. In 1866 he was appointed Acting Professor of Eevealed Theology and Lecturer on Church Polity and American Church History in the Theological Department of Yale College. The latter position he con- tinued to fill till his death, Dec. 24, 1881. Dr. Bacon was one of the most prolific writers of his day. The leading article of the March number of Tlie Christian Spectator (a New Haven monthly) for 1822, " On the Pecu- liar Characteristics of the Benevolent Efforts of our Age," was from his pen. From that date he was almost con- stantly before the public. Every subsequent volume of the monthly, and every volume of the quarterly Christian Spectator, as well as of The New-Englander, contained some article (one or more) from his pen. He was also for some years one of the editors of the New York Independ- ent. He was the author of a large number of essays, ser- 30 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. mons, and lectures in pamphlet form. Not content with this wonderful fecundity, he found time also for the pub- lication of several volumes, many of them requiring a large amount of research and care in their preparation. In 1833 he compiled " A Supplement to Dwight's Psalms and Hymns." The hymn beginning, " Wake the song of jubilee," is found in this compilation. " Hail ! tranquil hour of closing day," is from the "Psalms and Hymns for Christian Use and Worship, prepared and set forth by the General Associa- tion of Connecticut " (1846), of which he was one of the supervising editors. To this collection he contributed eight other hymns, three of which had also appeared in 1833. The following stanzas are from one of his hymns on " The Missionary's Death " : " Weep not for the saint that ascends To partake of the joys of the sky; Weep not for the seraph that bends With the worshiping choi-us on high ; " Weep not for the sphit now crowned With the garland to martyi^lom given ; Oh ! weep not for him; he has found His reward and his refuge in heaven. " But weep for their sorrows, who stand And lament o'er the dead by his grave, - Who sigh when they muse on the land Of their home, far away o'er the wave ;— " And weep for the nations that dwell. Where the light of the truth never shone, Where anthems of praise never swell. And the love of the Lamb is imknown." SIE HENRY WILLIAMS BAKER, BART. 31 SIR HENRY WILLIAMS BAKER, BART. 1821-1877. The volume entitled " Hymns, Ancient and Modern, for Use in the Services of the Church," has had an unprece- dented popularity. No other compilation can compare with it in the rapidity and extent of its circulation. It appeared in 1881 with 273 hymns, and in 1868 with an ap- pendix containing 113 additional hymns. Fourteen " Sup- plementary Hymns " have since been added, making the whole number 400. It has been published in a great vari- ety of forms and sizes, with and without tunes, both in England and America. It is claimed that "nearly five million copies have been sold." Of this Hymnal the Rev. Sir Henry Williams Baker,'Bart., was " one of the editors-in- chief." He was the son of Rear- Admiral Sir Henry Lorraine Ba- ker, whose father. Sir Robert Baker, the youngest son of John Baker, M.D., of Richmond, Surrey, was created by George III., April 30, 1796, a baronet. The family seat is Upper Dunstable House, Richmond, on the Surrey side of the Thames. Sir Henry was the third baronet, and was born at London May 27, 1821. His mother was a daughter of William Williams, Esq., from whom he derived his second name. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and took his degree of B.A. in 1844. Having been de- signed for the Church, he was the same year ordained deacon, and December 20, 1846, he was ordained priest by the Bishop of Rochester at Westminster. He was pre- ferred in 1851 to the vicarage of Monkland ; succeeded to the baronetcy in 1859 ; and died, February 11, 1877. Sir Henry distinguished himself principally in the line of hymnology. Some of his hymns were written as early as 1852. To "Hymns, Ancient and Modern," he con- tributed twelve original hymns and at least ten transla- tions. He developed not only peculiar facility in ver- 32 THE POETS OF THE CHUHCH. sification, but remarkable skill in adapting liis compilation to the prevailing tastes of the Church of England. His advanced churchmanship is everywhere apparent, espe- cially in his hymn on Baptism : ' ' 'Tis done ; that new and heavenly bii'th Which re-creates the sons of earth, And cleanses from the guilt of sin The souls whom Jesus died to wui." Of his translations, four are of permanent value : " On this day, the first of days," etc., is a translation of " Die parente temporum," etc., from the Le Mans Breviary. " Blessed Trinity! from mortal sight," etc., is a successful version of " O luce, quas tua lates," etc., a hymn in the Paris Breviary, credited to Santolius Mag- lorianus. Another Latin hymn by the same author, " Prome vocem, mens canoram," etc., was versified by Chandler and reconstructed by Sir Henry in the form now so extensively in use, " Now, my soul! thy voice upraising," etc. " Jesus! grant me this, I pray," etc., is a version of a Latin hymn of four stanzas, " Dignare me, O Jesu! rogo te," etc., taken from one of the later French missals, and of uncer- tain origin. Among the earliest of his poetical essays is the hymn, "Oh ! what, if we are Christ's," etc. SIE HENEY WILLIAMS BAKER, BART. 33 It was written in 1852, and celebrates the faith of the mar- tyrs. " Oh, praise our God to-day," etc., " There is a blessed home," etc., were written in 1852. Sir Henry was also the author of " Daily Prayers, for the Use of those who have to Work Hard," a "Daily Text- Book," also for hard workers, and a few short tracts. His version of the Twenty- third Psalm is subjoined : " The King of love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness f aileth never ; I nothing lack if I am his And he is mine forever. " Where streams of living water flow My ransomed soul he leadeth, And, where the verdant pastures grow, With food celestial feedeth. " Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, But yet in love he sought me. And on his shoulder gently laid, And home, rejoicing, brought me. " In death's dark vale I fear no ill With thee, dear Lord, beside me ; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me. " Thou spread'st a table in my sight, Thy unction grace bestoweth. And, oh ! what transport of delight From thy pure chalice fioweth. " And so through all the length of days Thy goodness f aileth never ; Good Shepherd ! may I sing thy praise Within thy house forever." 34 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. JOHN BAKEWELL. 1721-1819. Mr. John Bake well, a native of Brailsford, Derby sMre, England, was born in 1721, and we are told it was in 1739, chiefly by the reading of Boston's " Fourfold State," that he was brought from darkness into light. Four years af- terward (1744) he ventured to preach the Gospel to his own neighbors, with much obloquy, and yet with marked suc- cess. Shortly after, he removed to London, where he soon became acquainted with the Messrs. Wesley, was received into their Connection, and recognized as a local preacher. He occupied himself principally as a teacher, and for many years was the principal of Greenwich Royal Park Acad- emy. In his humble way he delighted to i^reach the Gos- pel, especially to the poor and outcast. He exercised his ministry successively in Derbyshire, in London, in Bed- ford, in Kent, and in Staffordshire. In 1815 he removed from Greenwich to Lewisham, a neighboring village, where, at the age of ninety-eight years, he died March 18, 1819, in great peace and in the blissful assurance of a happy immor- tality. Those who knew him best esteemed him as a man of eminent piety and humility. Very little is known of his writings. Besides a few hymns of inferior merit, and a letter that appeared in the July number of the Metliodist Magazine for 1816, nothing has survived but the very popular h^nun, ' ' Hail ! thou once despised Jesus, " etc. It has had a very wide circulation. The original contains five doable stanzas, the last of which seldom appears and is here supplied : " Soon we shall, with those in glory, His transcendent grace relate ; Gladly sing tli* amazing story Of his dying love so gi eat. OHARITIE LEES [SMITH] BANCEOFT. 35 In that blessed contemplation We forevermore shall dwell, Cro^Yned with bliss and consolation, Such as none below can tell." CHARITIE LEES [SMITH] BA]S"CROFT. 1841 . Mrs. Bancroft is a native of Ireland. Her father, the Rev. Sidney Smith, J).T>., Rector of Drnmragh, County Tyrone, Ireland, is not to be confounded with the gifted essajdst and humorist, the Prebend of St. Paul, London. She was born June 21, 1841, at Bloomfield, Merrion, County Dublin. Her talent for poetic comiDOsition was developed at an early period of her life. She has written consider- ably for several serial publications and contributed very pleasing hymns to Ryle's "SiDiritual Songs," "Times of Refreshing," and Rogers' "Lyra Britannica" (1866). The following stanzas are from a hymn, on "Christ Mighty to Save," contributed in 1866 to "Lyra Britan- nica " : " The King of glory standeth Beside that heart of sin ; His mighty voice commandeth The raging waves within ; The floods of deepest anguish Roll backward at his will, As o'er the storm ariseth His mandate — ' Peace! be still.' " At times, with sudden glory. He speaks, and all is done ! Without one stroke of battle The victory is won. While we, with joy beholding. Can scarce believe it true. That e'en our kingly Jesus Can form such hearts anew. THE POETS OF THE CHUEC " Oil ! Clii'ist, his love is mighty- Long suffering is his grace ! And glorious is the splendor That beameth from his far Our hearts up-leap in gladness When we behold that love, As we go singing onward To dwell with hun above." ANNA LiETITIA [AIKIN] BARBAULD. 1743-1825. Mrs, Barbauld was the only daughter and eldest child of the Rev. John Aikin, LL.D,, the eldest son of John Aikin, a linen-draper of London. The family were from Kirkcudbright, Scotland. At an early age the son was sent (1723) from London to the Dissenting Academy at Kib- worth-Harconrt, Leicestershire, England. The Rev. John Jennings, who had founded the Academy, died the same year, and was succeeded by his i^upil, the Rev. Philip Doddridge. From Kib worth, Aikin went to the University of Aberdeen, where he completed his education, and whence in after life he received the honorary degree of LL.D. On his return to England he settled at Market-Harborough, Leicestershire. Miss Jane Jennings, the only daughter of his former teacher, became his wife. At the age of fifteen she had declined the hand of Doddridge. Her mother, Anna Lsetitia Wingate, was the granddaughter of Sir Ar- thur Annesley, the first Earl of Anglesey and Lord Privy Seal under Charles II. Mr. Aikin was speedily compelled, by an affection of the chest occasioned by a fall, to resign his charge. He then returned to Kibworth and revived the Academy, which he conducted with success for several years. Here Anna Lsetitia, his daughter, was born June 20, 1743, ANNA L^TITIA [AIKIN] BARBAULD. 37 where also the first fourteen years of her life were spent. She was a precocious child, with a wonderful aptitude for literature. Her education was conducted by her father, " I have seen," she said at a later day, " a good deal of the education of boys, but in a girls' school I should be quite a novice. I never was at one myself. I have not even the advantage of sisters ; indeed, for the early part of my life, I conversed little with my own sex." Mr. Aikin in June, 1757, removed to Warrington-on-the- Mersey, and there, with Dr. John Taylor, of Norwich, and Mr. John Hiot, of Lancaster (all of them Arians), he estab- lished a theological school. Dr. Joseph Priestley, Dr. Will- iam Enfield, and Gilbert Wakefield subsequently were as- sociated with him as teachers. The place was famed for its literary society, of which Miss Aikin was regarded as one of the principal ornaments. She had been trained in the knowledge of the Latin and Greek classics, and in the ex- act sciences. Her personal attractions were remarkable. " Her person was slender, her complexion exquisitely fair with the bloom of perfect health, her features regular and elegant, and her dark blue eyes beamed with the light of wit and fancy." She had a host of admirers and suitors. Her poetic talent had been early develoiDed. Five of her hymns were contributed to Dr. Enfield's " Hymns for Pub- lic Worship," Warrington, 1772. A volume of her " Poems " was published in 1773, which ran through four editions in a year. At the close of the same year appeared " Miscella- neous Pieces in Prose by J. and A. L. Aikin," to which her brother John contributed the smaller part. She gave her hand the next year (1774) to Rochemont Barbauld, one of her father's pupils. He was of a French Protestant family, and his father had been chaplain at Cas- sel to the Elector of Hesse, son-in-law of George II. of Eng- land. Her niece, Lucy Aikin, says that " her attachment to Mr. Barbauld was the illusion of a romantic fancy," fos- tered, as was thought, by " the baneful influence of the ' Nou- velle Heloise,' Mr. B. impersonating St. Preux." She says further : " Had her true affections been early called forth 38 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. by a more genial home atmospliere, she would never have allowed herself to be caught by crazy demonstrations of amorous rapture set oif with theatrical French manners." It was regarded by her best and truest friends as an " ill- starred union." Mr. Barbauld, though reputed a religious man, and numbered among the dissenting ministry, was every way her inferior. This gave the cynical Dr. Samuel Johnson occasion to say, " Too much is expected from precocity and too little per- formed. Miss Aikin was an instance of early cultivation ; but in what did it terminate ? In marrying a little Presby- terian parson who keeps an infant boarding-school, so that all her employment now is, ' To suckle fools and chronicle small beer.' If I had bestowed such an education on a daughter, and had discovered that she thought of marrying such a, fel- low, I would have sent her to the Congress." The " infant boarding-school " was kept at the village of Palgrave, Suffolk, two miles from Diss, Norfolk. The dis- senting congregation of the latter place had given Mr. Bar- bauld a call, which he had accepted. At Palgrave, to which he had removed with his bride, he opened a boarding-school for boys, in which his wife assisted him. Denied the bless- ing of offspring, she adopted her brother's son Charles, al- most from his birth. For him and her more youthful pu- pils she wrote, and in 1778 published, her "Early Les- sons"; and in 1781 her "Hymns in Prose for Children." In 1775 she had published her "Devotional Pieces com- piled from the Psalms and the Book of Job, with Thoughts on the Devotional Taste and on Sects and Establishments." Tlie school was continued for eleven years with success, but it proved too exhausting for each of them. They bade adieu, therefore, to Palgrave in 1785, spent a year on the Continent and another in London, and then settled at Hampstead, beautifully situated as it then was in the country on the elevated ground to the northwest of Lon- don — Mr. Barbauld having accepted the pastoral charge of ANNA LJETITIA [AIKIN] BAEBAULD. 39 the dissenting congregation there. In 1793 slie made a visit to Edinburgh and met with a hearty welcome from the lit- erary celebrities of that city. She now began to tal^e an active interest in the politics of the day. In 1790 she published "An Address to the Opposers of the Repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts " ; in 1791, "A Poetical Epistle to Mr. Wilberforce on the Rejection of the Bill for Abolishing the Slave Trade"; in 1793, "Remarks on Mr. Gilbert Wakefield's Inquiry into the Expediency and Projiriety of Public or Social Wor- ship"; also, " Sins of Government, Sins of the Nation ; or, a Discourse for the Fast." She contributed fourteen arti- cles to "Evenings at Home," a work published by her brother, in six volumes (1792-1795), for the benelit of the young. In 1795 she contributed eleven hymns to Rees and Kij)pis' collection, five of which had appeared (1772) in the Warrington Collection of Hymns. Her brother, in 1798, had removed from London to Stoke- Newington, a pretty suburban village, a few miles to the northeast of London, where Dr. Watts had passed about forty years of his valuable life. She induced Mr. Barbauld, in 1802, to purchase a house close to her brother's, to which they soon after removed, and where she spent the remainder of her life. In 1804 she published a volume of selections from the Spectator, Tatler, Guardian, and Freeliolder, with an ad- mirable Preliminary Essay ; also "The Correspondence of Richardson," in six volumes, with a Life of the Novelist, and an able Review of his Works. Many of her publica- tions were undertaken as a, refuge from domestic trouble. Her husband had, at an early period, developed a tendency to insanity, which, growing with his years, resulted in fre- quently-repeated fits of frenzy and madness. Her suffer- ings from this sad fact were terrible, yet borne without complaint, and wdth Christian resignation. In one of his paroxysms he rushed upon her with a knife, attempting to take her life. She then separated from him, and he was removed to London, where he was put in charge of a keeper. 40 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. "When the latter was off his guard, March 11, 1808, he es- caped and drowned himself in the New Kiver. She wrote an affecting Dirge on the event. Her brother, in 1796, had become the literary editor of the MontMy Magazine^ and for ten years she occasionally contributed to its columns. She edited also an edition of "The British Novelists," which was published in 1810, with an Introductory Essay, and biographical and critical notices T)refixed to the works of each author. This was followed the next year by "The Female Speaker," a col- lection of prose and verse ; and by her longest and most beautiful Poem, entitled "Eighteen Hundred and Eleven," her latest separate publication. The last fourteen years of her life were passed in retire- ment, with occasional visits to a few literary friends. Even in her old age she "bore the remains of great personal beauty. She had a brilliant complexion, light hair, blue eyes, a small and elegant figure, and her manners were very agreeable." She continued to be the delight of an admir- ing circle of noble friends to the very last. Her only brother, John, died December 7, 1822. In her later days she was afflicted with asthma, which at length put an end to her life March 9, 1825, in her eighty-second year. In extreme old age she wrote a short poem on " Life," beginning with : " Life! I know not what tliou art, But know that thou and I must part." After her death and the publication of her "Works" by her niece, Miss Lucy Aikin, a copy of the book was given to Miss Wordsworth, the sister of the poet. This particu- lar poem was read to Wordsworth, and at his request re- peated, until he had learned it by heart. Tlien, as he paced his sitting-room at Eydal, Henry Crabb Robinson heard him mutter to himself, " I am not in the habit of grudging X»eople their good things, but I wish I had written those lines : ' Life ! we've been long together, Through pleasant and through cloudy weather ; JOEL BAELOW. 41 'Tis hard to part when friends are dear ; Perhaps 'twill cost a sigh, a tear ; Then steal away, give little warning, Choose thine own time ; Say not — Good-night ! — but in some brighter clime Bid me — Good-morning ! ' " JOEL BARLOW. 1754-1812. The Psalms and Hymns of Dr. Watts were reprinted in America as early as 1741. They were introduced gradually into the churches, and were extensively used at the period of " the Revolution." At the close of the war the altered political relations of the "States" necessitated a corre- sponding change in those portions of these lyiics which re- ferred to British authority. By "The General Association of Connecticut," at their Annual Meeting in June, 1785, " it was thought expedient that a number of the Psalms in Doc- tor Watts' version, which are locally appropriated, should be altered and a^^plied to the state of the Christian Churcli in general, and not to any particular country ; and, finding some attempts had been made to alter and apply those Psalms to America, or particular parts of America, tending to destroy that uniformity in the use of Psalmody so de- sirable in religious assemblies, they appointed the Rev. Messrs. Timothy Pitkin, John Smally, and Theodore Hins- dale, a committee to confer with and applj^ to Mr. Joel Bar- low, of Hartford, to make the proposed alterations." Mr. Barlow complied with the request, and the revised book appeared the next year (1786) with this title : " Doc- tor Watts's Imitation of the Psalms of David, Corrected and Enlarged, by Joel Barlow. To which is added A Collec- tion of Hymns ; The whole applied to the State of the Christian Church in General." In his Preface he says: " The author of these corrections has not only avoided all 42 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. local applications, but has made some slighter corrections in point of elegance, where the rules of grammar, estab- lished since the time of Doctor Watts, have made it neces- sary. The Psalms considerably altered are the 21st, 60th, 67th, 75th, 124th, 147th ; those omitted by Doctor Watts are the 28th, 43d, 52d, 54th, 59th, 64th, 70th, 79th, 88th, 108th, 137th, 140th. The Hymns are selected chiefly from Doctor Watts ; some are entirely new." The hjnnns are seventy in number ; and with those that are not from his own pen, great liberties have been taken. Changes were made that gave great ofi'ence, and at length occasioned the later revision (1800) by Dr. Dwight, whose edition of Watts superseded Barlow's. As an illustration of the indignation felt and expressed at the liberties taken by Barlow, it is related, in Miss Caulk- ins' History of iSTorwich, Ct., that Oliver Arnold (a cousin of Benedict Arnold), being " in a bookseller's shop in JN'ew Haven," Ct., "was introduced to Joel Barlow," who pres- ently " asked for a specimen of his talent " as an impromptu rhymer ; " upon which the wandering poet immediately re- peated the following stanza : ' You've proved yourself a sinful cre'tur ; You've murdered Watts, and spoilt the metre ; You've tried the word of God to alter, And for your paixis deserve a halter,' " Barlow was the son of Samuel Barlow and Esther Hull, being the youngest of eight children, and was born at Reading, Ct., March 24, 1754. In 1774 he entered Dart- mouth College, his father having died (Dec. 20, 1773, set. 63), and left him property barely sufficient to defray the expenses of his education. His mother died August 28, 1775, set. 54. Soon after he removed to New Haven, Ct., and entered Yale College, where he graduated in 1778 at the head of his class. The war of the Revolution was in progress, and his brothers were in camp. More than once, before he left college, he had joined them, and borne the brunt of battle. His poetic bent took form at his gradua- JOEL BARLOW. 43 tion in a poem entitled " The Prospect of Peace," wMcli was publislied the same year. He now began the study of law, which, at the urgency of friends, who represented to him the great need of chaplains in the army, he relinquished for a brief course in theology. He was licensed to preach by a Congregational Association at New Haven, Ct., and received a commission as army chaplain in the Third and Fourth Massachusetts Brigades, in which capacity he served (1780-1783) to the end of the war. A part. of the time he was associated with his college friends and fellow poets, the Rev. Timothy D wight and Col. David Humphreys. The trio indulged themselves in poetic recreation, composing patriotic songs and more elab- orate poems. In the latter part of 1780, Barlow wrote and published an elegy in verse, in honor of his friend, the Hon. Titus Hosmer, of Middletown, Ct., and the next year an- other poem, delivered on the occasion of taking his Mas- ter's Degree. He married (January 26, 1781) Miss Ruth, a daughter of Michael Baldwin, the sister of the distinguished statesman, Hon. Abraham Baldwin, of New Haven, and having, at the close of the war, resumed the study of the law, he settled at Hartford, Ct., where he started a weekly gazette, called The American Mercury. He was admitted to the bar in 1785. The next year he published his edition of Watts' Psalms, and in 1787 his first elaborate poem, " The Vision of Columbus." The gazette was now relinquished, and a bookstore started for the sale of his recent publications. He united with Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, John Trumbull, and Col. David Humi;)hreys in producing the "Anarchiad," a satirical poem. As agent of the " Scioto Land Company," he went to Europe, but, discovering the fraudulent char- acter of the scheme, he soon abandoned the agency. He remained abroad seventeen years, residing principally in Paris, and taking an active part, by voice and pen and personal effort, in the stirring events of that most exciting period. In 1791 he published at London his " Advice to the Privileged Orders," and in 1792 his poem called " The 44 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Conspiracy of Kings." His humorous poem on "Tlie Hasty Pudding," published at New Haven in 1798, was written in January, 1793, at Chambery, in Savoy. As Con- sul of the United States at Algiers in Africa he concluded (1795) treaties with the Barbary States and secured the re- lease of more than one hundred captives. Returning in 1797 to Paris, he enriched himself by successful trade, pur- chased an elegant mansion, and for several years exercised a sumx)tuous hospitality. On his return to America in 1805 he purchased a resi- dence at Georgetown, D. C, which he named " Kalorama." He found time at length to complete his great work, " The Columbiad," and to i3ublish it in costly style (1807) at Phila- delphia. He had made some preparations for composing a History of the United States, when he was appointed by President Madison (1810) to succeed Gen. John Annstrong as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to France. Again he took up his abode at Paris and entered into nego- tiations with Napoleon on behalf of the United States Gov- ernment. While the latter was prosecuting his Russian campaign, he sent for Barlow to meet him in conference at Wilna, in Poland. His exposures and fatigues on the journey induced a violent inflammation of the lungs, re- sulting, December 24, 1812, in his death at Zarnawicka, a small village twenty miles north of Cracow, Poland. Dis- tinguished honors, both in France and America, were paid to his memory. His version of the 127th Psalm is regarded as one of the very best. It is as follows : " Along the banks where Babel's current flows, Our captive bands in deep despondence strayed ; While Zion's fall in sad remembrance rose, Her friends, her children, mingled with the dead, " Tlie tuneless harp that once with joy we strimg. When praise employed and mii'th inspired the lay, In mournful silence on the willows hung. And growing grief prolonged the tedious day. HENKY BATEMAN. 45 The barb'rous tyrants, to increase the woe, With taunting smiles a song of Zion claim ; Bid sacred praise in strains melodious flow, While they blaspheme the great Jehovah's name. But how, in heathen chains and lands unknown, Shall Israel's bands a song of Zion raise ? O hapless Salem ! God's terrestrial throne, Thou land of glory, sacred mount of praise !— If e'er my mera'ry lose thy lovely name, If my cold heart neglect my kindred race. Let dire destruction seize this guilty frame, My hand shall perish and my voice shall cease. Yet shall the Lord, who hears when Zion calls, O'ertake her foes with terror and dismay ; His arm avenge her desolated walls. And raise her children to eternal day." HENRY BATEMAN. Me. Batemaist is a citizen of London. Born about the beginning of the century, he has spent a long life in hon- orable and successful business. He is a brother of the Rev. Josiah Bateman, a rector in Southend, Essex, who, in 1833, accompanied Bishop Daniel Wilson as his chaplain to India, became his son-in-law, and, in 1860, published his Memoirs in two volumes. The Bishop was, also, their ma- ternal uncle. Their father was an eminent citizen of the metropolis, and for many years a manager of George Whitefield's Tabernacle in Moorfields. Henry Bateman, by inheritance and conviction, is a conscientious and ar- dent-minded dissenter. The late Rev. Dr. Thomas Binney, Independent, of London, was his brother-in-law, as also is the Rev. Josiah Viney, of the London Independents, High- gate, South Grove. Diligent as Mr. Bateman has ever been in business, he 46 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. has always been ready for effective service in the promo- tion of religious and philanthropic objects. lie was for- merly the Secretary of the Board of Newport Pagnell Col- lege, presided over by his uncle. He has since served on the committees of Cheshunt and New Colleges. He has, also, been a director of the Religious Tract Society and of the London Missionary Society ; also a member of the Home Missionary Committee, and identified from the be- ginning with the Society for the Abolition of Church Rates. Formerly he held the office of deacon in the Holy- well ISIount Chapel, under the pastorate of Rev. Edward Mannering, Shoreditch ; and latterly, since his removal to Upper Clapton, a deacon in the Clapton church, under the care of the Rev. Henry John Gamble. With all this Mr. Bateman has found time for literary pursuits, and the cultivation of the poetic art, in which he has abundantly show^n his x)roficiency. In 1858, after a tour on the Continent, he published " Belgium, and Up and Down on the Rhine"; a book of travels in verse, evincing " a poet's eye, a good man's heart, and great facility and directness in expression." This was followed, the same year, by his " Sunday Sunshine : Hymns and Poems for the Young." Both of these publications were received with much favor. In 1862 he sent forth his " Home Mus- ings : Metrical Lay Sermons," and a few months later his "Heart Melodies: Three Hundred and Sixty-five New Hymns and Psalms for Public Worship or Domestic Use." His latest publication is a beautiful volume, issued in 1869, entitled " Fret Not, and other Poems ; including Hymns, with Music." This charming book is thus introduced by the venerable author : " If it be admitted that to induce a Blade of Grass to grow where never one grew before is to be a World- Benefactor, let me claim for the present volume the aim, at least, to plant some green thoughts in hearts that are arid or sad";— "a book which, in its varied parts, may, I hope, prove helpful and encouraging to Fellow-Travellers on Life's sometimes Dark and often Weary Way." The HENRY BATEMAN. 47 first poem directs the fretful soul to " God's Greatness and Goodness in The Without," to "God's Kindness and Teaching in The Within," to " God's Wisdom and Just- ness in His Providence," and to " God's Mercy in the Gos- pel of the Lord Jesus Christ." The following stanzas are from the latter part of this poem : " But, child of God! when he has filled thy heai't With his sweet love, and taught thee how to live, And thou, in Christ, hast chosen the good part. The hetter part his Spirit waits to give. All shall be well ! thy life and all thy ways, A thaukfiil tribute of unceasing praise. " Happy to live a Life so true and right, So blessed and tranquil, that to thy dear Home A sense of pleasant and suffusive light From every word and act of thine shall come, And all may see how, in thy soul, have met God's grace, and hope of life far better yet. " O blessed Life! O sweet, fair home and rest! Unruffled in its purity of joy : Home ! with enfranchised spirits ever blessed ; God's praise the happy heart's serene employ ! Sin and Time's Fret, and all its troubles o'er ; Heaven's perfect peace — Light ! Light for Evermore ! " Of his hymn, " Jesus! Jesus! come and save us," he says that it was suggested by a rema,rkably fervent and touching prayer that he heard offered " Wednesday, Sep- tember 7, 1862," in a Noon-day Prayer-meeting held in Crosby Hall, London, in which, with inimitable pathos of tone and manner, the suppliant frequently uttered the words : " O Jesus ! Jesus ! " beseeching him " to come, and help, and bless." 48 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. WILLIAM HILEY BRAGGE-BATHURST. 1796-1877. Mr. Batiiuest was a lineal descendant of Sir Benjamin Bathnrst, Governor in 1688-9 of the Royal African and East India Companies. Allen, the eldest son of Sir Ben- jamin, was, in 1711, created Baron, and in 1771, Earl, of Batliurst. Anne, daughter of the Earl's brother, Benja- min, was married to Charles Bragge, Esq., of Cleve Hill, Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire. Her son, the Right Hon. Charles Bragge, M. P. , by the decease of his uncles, Thomas and Poole, without heirs, came, in 1804, into possession of the large Sydney estates, near the Severn, Gloucestershire, and, by sign-manual, took the name of Bragge-Bathurst. He married, in 1788, Charlotte, the daughter of Anthony Addington, M.D., and Mary Hiley. Their second son, William Hiley, was born at Cleve Hill, the seat of the Bragge family, near Bristol, August 28, 1796, and was trained for the Church. His preparatory course was pursued at Winchester school ; his collegiate course at Christ Church, Oxford. He graduated in 1818. The following year he was or- dained deacon by the Bishop of Oxford, and in 1820 priest by Dr. Howley, then Bishop of London, afterward Arch- bishop of Canterbury. In September, 1820, he was pre- sented by his kinsman Henry, Third Earl of Bathurst, to the Rectory of Barwick-in-Elmet, Yorkshire. Faithfully devoting himself to the spiritual welfare of his parishion- ers, he greatly endeared himself to them all by his eminent piety, his great simi^licity of character, his tender love, and his abundant generosity. At the expiration of thirty-two years, owing to conscientious scruples in relation to parts of the Baptismal and Burial services of the Church, he re- signed (1852) his living and retired to private life. He found a congenial home at Darleydale, near Matlock, Der- byshire, where for eleven years he gave himself princii)ally WILLIAM HILEY BRAGGE-BATHURST. 49 to literary pursuits. By the decease of his elder brother Charles in May, 1863, without heirs, he came into posses- sion of his father's estate, and soon after removed to Lyd- ney Park, where he died, November 25, 1877. In the early years of his ministry Mr. Bathnrst improved his leisure time by composing hymns and versifying a large portion of the Psalms. The result was given to the public (1830) in a small volume entitled " Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use." Of the one hundred and fifty Psalms, all but eighteen, and of the Hymns, the whole number (two hundred and six) are from his own pen. At the expiration of nearly twenty years more (1849) he pub- lished a metrical version of " The Georgics of Virgil," the fruit of his leisure hours and of his rural experience, also a volume of " Metrical Musings ; or. Thoughts on Sacred Subjects in Verse." A pleasing specimen, both of his style and of his spirit, appears in the following hymn, on " Christ in You, the Hope of Glory"; " O Saviour! may we never rest Till Thou art formed within ; Till Thou hast calmed our troubled breast And crushed the power of sin. " Oh! may we gaze upon Thy cross, Until the wondrous sight Makes eai'thly treasures seem but di*oss And earthly sorrows light : " Until, released from carnal ties, Our spirit upward springs, And sees true peace above the skies. True joy in heavenly things. " There, as we gaze, may we become United, Lord ! to Thee ; And, in a fairer, happier home, Thy perfect beauty see." 4 50 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. RICHARD BAXTER. 1615-1691. Few men in any age have used the pen more constantly and to better purpose than Richard Baxter. But he was not a poet. He seklom courted the Muses. It was not in his vein. He could not give the time and labor requisite for the skilful and gi'aceful elaboration of his thoughts in verse. And yet he was passionately fond of sacred song. " For myself," he says, " I confess that harmony and mel- ody are the pleasure and elevation of my soul. I have made a psalm of praise in the holy assembly the chief de- lightful exercise of my religion and my life. " Genius and imagination characterized much of what he wrote. But he was too earnest, too practical, too intent on his great work of winning souls to put his glowing thoughts in mellifluous verse. He published, in 1681, a small volume entitled "Poetical Fragments : Heart Employment with God and Itself. The concordant discord of a broken, healed heart, sor- rowing, rejoicing, fearing, hoping, living, dying." Two years later he published " Additions to the Poetical Frag- ments, written for himself, and communicated to such as are more for serious verse than smooth." After the same fashion he versified "The Book of Psalms," which was given to the public (1692), after his decease, by his friend and biographer, Matthew Sylvester, with the title, " Para- phrase of the Psalms of Da^4d, with other Hymns." Of his " Poetical Fragments," Baxter thus writes : " All that I have to say for these ' Fragments ' is — 1. That being fitted to women and vulgar wits, which are the far greatest number, they may be useful to such, though contemptible to those of higher elevation and expectation. 2. And be- ing suited to afflicted, sick, dying, troubled, sad, and doubt- EICHAED BAXTER. ^^ ing persons, the number of sucli is so great in these calam- itous times as may render them useful to more than 1 de- sire. 3. And if my present grief [the death of his vafe] may but excuse the publication, he that needeth them not may let them alone." The renowned author of the " Call to the Unconverted " is too well known and his life was too full of incident to make it necessary to give here more than the merest out- line of his personal history. He was born, of godly par- ents, ]N"ovember 12, 1615, at the village of Rowton, in Shrop- shire, eight miles west of Shrewsbury, England, a village that has no other distinction. At the age of fifteen he was hopefully converted. He entered on public life, as a school- master, first at Wroxeter, and then at Dudley, Worcester- shire. In 1638 he was ordained to the ministry by Bishop Thornborough, at Worcester. He accepted (1639) an invi- tation from the church of Bridgenorth, the second town in Shropshire, to become their pastor. In 1641 he removed to Kidderminster, in the same county. After the breaking out of the civil war he retired, first to Gloucester then to Coventry. In 1642 he became the chaplain of Col. Whal- ley's regiment. Severe illness at length drove him from the army, and he found a home in the house of Sir Thomas Rous at Rous Leuch, Worcestershire. Here he wrote his " Saints' Everlasting Rest " — the abridgment of which has immortalized his name. He returned to Kidderminster in 1646 and entered on the great work of his life. On the restoration of Charles II. (1660) he was appointed one of the King's chaplains, was offered and declined a Bishopric, and, on the passage of the noted "Act of Uni- formity " (1662), became a Non- conformist. Ejected from his pastoral charge, he passed the remaining period of his life in much disquiet and tribulation (2 Cor. xi. 26, 27), employing his brief intervals of repose in the preparation and publication of controversial and practical tracts and larger treatises. He died in great peace, at London, De- cember 8, 1691. The products of his pen, according to Calamy, his biog- 52 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. rajiher, amount to " four folios, fifty-eight quartos (besides single sermons), forty-six octavos, and twenty-nine duode- cimos, with occasional sheets and prefaces to other men' s books." In his pastoral work he has probably never been excelled. Wlien he began his ministry at Kidderminster " there was scarcely a house in a street where there was family worship ; when he left it, there was scarcely a fam- ily in the side of a street where it was not ; and whoever walked through the town on the Lord's Day evening, heard everywhere the delightful sound of reading the Scriptures and prayer and praise." His well-known hymn, " My whole, though broken heart, O Lord! From henceforth shall be thine," is a song of tribulation ; an utterance of hope in a sea of trouble. Several of the hymns attached to his "Poetical Frag- ments " were written so as to be sung to either L. M. or C. M. tunes, as in the following specimen of his style : " Blest is the man to whom the Lord Imputes not guilt of [aw?/] sin, Nor calls him to a strict account What he hath [thought and] done and been. *' Conscience permits us not to think That any [of us] faultless are; Who then can rigorous justice bear At God's most righteous [dreadful] bar ? " But blessed be our Eedeemer's grace, Who before [rigorous] justice stood ; Did pay our debt, our guilt deface, And washed us in his [precious] blood." BENJAMIN BEDDOME. 53 BENJAMIN BEDDOME. 1717-1795. Mr. Beddome was a Baptist minister, as was, also, liis father, the Rev. Jolm Beddome (1674-1757). In liis early ministry the father was settled at Horselyden, Southwark, and then at Henly-in-Arden, a market-town, nine miles west of Warwick, England. There Benjamin was born, January 23, 1717. Thence the family removed in 1724 to Bristol, the father having accepted the pastorate of the Pithay church in that town. After a suitable education the son was apprenticed to a surgeon apothecary. He was seriously impressed by a ser- mon on Luke xv. 7, preached August 7, 1737, in his father's church, by Mr. Ware, of Chesham. At the close of his ap- prenticeship, having become a subject of divine grace, he determined to enter the ministry, and became a student in Bristol College, under the tuition of the Rev. Bernard Fos- kett. Thence he repaired to London, and put himself un- der the instructions of the learned Rev. John Eames, of the Independent Academy, Tenter Alley, Moorfields. He was baptized, in 1739, by the Rev. Samuel Wilson, of the Little Prescot Street Church, Goodman's Fields, and was licensed to preach, February, 1740, by the church of the Rev. Joseph Stennett. At the expiration of three and a half years he was ordained (September 23, 1743) the pastor of the Baptist church, in the village of Bourton-on-the- Water, in Glouces- tershire. He married, in 1749, Elizabeth Boswell, of Bour- ton. Though urged to become his father's colleague at Bristol, and afterward to become the pastor of the largest Baptist church in London (the one where he was baptized), he declined every invitation from abroad, devoting himself to the interests of his country charge, with perfect content- ment, and with the happiest results. One of his sons died in 1765, another in 1778, and a third in 1784. At length, after a most faithful ministry of fifty-two years (eighteen with a colleague), he departed this life September 3, 1795. 54 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Witli the exception of the Circular Letter of fhe Midland Association for 1765, liis only publication (1752) was "A Scriptural Exposition on tlie Baptist Catecliism, by way of Question and Answer." Ten years after Ms decease two volumes of his seraions were published (1805), each entitled " Twenty Short Discourses, adapted to Village Worship ; or, The Devotions of the Family," A third volume of " Ser- mons " appeared in 1885. " Mr. Beddome," says the eminent Robert Hall, " was, on many accounts, an extraordinary person. His mind was cast in an original mould ; his conceptions on every subject were eminently his own." " Favored with the advantages of a learned education, he continued to the last to cultivate an acquaintance with the best writers of antiquity, to which he was much indebted for the chaste, terse, and nervous diction, which distinguished his compositions both in prose and verse." "He was eminent for his colloquial powers, in which he displayed the urbanity of the gentleman, and the erudition of the scholar, combined with a more copious vein of attic salt than any person it has been my lot to know." Many of his hymns which have long been in familiar use are selected from " Hymns adapted to Public Worship or Family Devotion, Now first published from the manu- scripts of the late Rev. B. Beddome, A.M. With a Rec- ommendatory Preface by the Rev. R. Hall, A.M. London, 1818. " More than fifty of these had been contributed (1787) to Dr. Rippon's " Selection," and so had found their way into other Collections and periodicals. The volume con- tains 822 hymns and 8 doxologies, all original. The most of them were written to be sung in connection with the author's discourses, after the manner of Drs. Watts and Doddridge. Montgomery speaks of his hjmms as " very agreeable as well as impressive, being for the most part brief and pithy. A single idea, always important, often striking, and some times ingeniously brought out, not with a mere point at the end, but with the terseness and simplicity of the Greek NATHAN SYDNEY SMITH BEMAN. 55 epigram, constitutes the basis of eacii piece." His name would deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance if lie had left no other memorial of the excellent sj^irit which was in him than the few humble verses : " Let party names no more," etc. A single specimen — the 557tli of his book — will abundantly confirm these commendations : " Jesus, my Saviour ! bind me fast, In cords of heavenly love ; Then sweetly draw me to thy breast, Nor let me thence remove. ' ' Draw me from all created good, Myself, the world, and sin, To the dear fountain of thy blood, And make me pure within. " Oh ! lead me to thy mercy-seat, Attract me nearer still — Draw me, like Mary, to thy feet, To sit and leai'n thy will. *' Oh ! draw me by thy providence, Thy spirit and thy word, From all the things of time and sense, To thee, my gracious Lord ! " NATHAN SYDNEY SMITH BEMAN. 1785-1871. The Rev. Dp.. Bemats^ was born in the town of Canaan (now New Lebanon), Columbia County, New York, Novem- ber 27, 1785. His father, Samuel Beman, was of German descent, highly respectable, of good intellect, a man of business, a gentleman of old-school manners and habits, wearing breeches and buckles to the last (1845), and an 56 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. adherent of the Episcopal Church. His mother, Silence Douglas, was of Scotch Presbyterian origin. His parents removed in 1790 to Hampton, Washington County, ISTew York. Nathan remained on the farm until his fifteenth year. He then entered an academy, taught by Mr. BoUes, of the University of Dublin, in Poultney, Vt., — one-half of his father's fann lying in this town. Two years afterwards (1802) he was sent to the grammar school at Williamstown, Mass., and entered Williams College in 1803. He was transferred to Middlebury College, Vt., in 1804, where he graduated in 1807. While in his junior year he became a subject of divine grace, and, at his graduation, he relin- quished his original design of becoming a lawyer, and re- solved to seek the Christian ministry. He accei3ted an in- vitation to become the Princijial of Lincoln Academy, New- castle, Maine, and at the same time pursued a course of theological study with the Pev. Kiah Bailey, the pastor of the Congregational church of that town. At the expira- tion of nearly two years, June 14, 1809, he was licensed by the Lincoln and Kennebec Association to preach the Gos- pel. In the autumn of the same year he became a Tutor of Middlebury College. Shortly after, he accepted a call from the Third Congregational Church of Portland, Me., and was ordained their pastor March 10, 1810. At an early period he developed symptoms of pulmonary disease, which compelled him to relinquish his x)astoral charge. He was dismissed in October, 1812, and immedi- ately sought a milder climate. He found a home in Han- cock County, Ga., where he gathered a Presbyterian church and established a classical school for both sexes, and speed- ily acquired a high reputation as a teacher. This position he held for ten years, with the exception of the year 1818, when he served as President of Franklin College, Athens, Ga. In 1822 he returned to the North, and in SejDtember was invited to preach in the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, N. Y. He received soon after a call to be its pastor, and was installed June 17, 1823. In this post, which by NATHAN SYDNEY SMITH BEMAN. 57 his superior abilities and Ms eminent faithfulness lie greatly adorned, lie remained for forty years. Then, at his own request, he was released, June 16, 1863, from the active work of the pastor, and retained as " Pastor Emeritus." He was twice married — first to a Vermont lady, and then to a Southern lady, whom also he survived. The last few years of his life were silent with his daughter at Carbon- dale, 111., where he died August 8, 1871, in his eighty-sixth year. Dr. Beman was no ordinary man. As a preacher, a the- ologian, a debater, a counselor, a philanthropist, and a reformer, he occupied the very first rank. In fact, he had very few peers, scarcely any superiors. He was a mighty champion in the cause of Temperance and of Anti- Slavery. He favored, with his whole heart, the work of Revivals of Religion, and his preaching was peculiarly adapted to pro- mote them. Everywhere he was acknowledged as a most effective leader, as " a master in Israel." Williams College conferred on him, in 1824, the honorary degree of D.D., and Middlebury College, Vt., in 1852, the honorary degree of LL.D. He was the Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly of 1831, and took a foremost part in the debates that led (1837-1838) to the dismemberment of the Church, pleading the cause that he loved with a force of argument and a loftiness of eloquence that challenged universal ad- miration. He was the acknowledged peer of the greatest statesmen of the land. Pulpits of the first class and presi- dencies of colleges were repeatedly offered him, but he de- clined them all. He lived to witness the two darling de- sires of his heart — the Abolition of American Slavery and the Reunion of the Presbyterian Church. His publications were few. His " Four Sermons on the Doctrine of the Atonement, Troy, 1825," excited great in- terest, and their publication had a marked efl'ect on the theological controversies of the period. His " Sacred Lyr- ics," or " Select Hymns, particularly adapted to Re\dvals of Religion, and intended as a Supplement to Watts, by Na- than S. S. Beman ; Troy, 1832," was followed in 1841 by a 58 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. much larger compilation, with the same name, " intended to be a complete Collection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of the Sanctuary." A second and revised edition, to which he gave the name of " The Church Psalmist," was published in 1843, and received the endorsement of the [N. S.] General Assembly of that year. It has had an ex- tensive circulation, and, until recently, was largely in use. The only hymns from his pen are the following three, which first appeared in " Sacred Lyrics " with his initial [B.]: " Jesus ! I come to thee," etc, — " Jesus ! we bow before tliy throne," etc. — " Hark ! the judgment-trumpet sounding." ERASTUS CORNELIUS BENEDICT. 1800-1880. Me. Benedict was an honored counselor of the city of New York. He was a descendant of Thomas Benedict (1617- 1690), of Norwalk, Conn. His great-grandfather, Peter, son of Deacon James, of Ridgefield, Conn. , settled early in the last century at Salem, Westchester Co., N. Y. His grand- father, Abner (1740-1818), was the brother of the Rev. Joel Benedict, D.D. (1745-1816), an eminent biblical and classi- cal scholar, of Plainfield, Conn., and was himself a minister of the Gosjoel, and pastor successively of the Congrega- tional churches of Middlefield, Conn., and New Lebanon, N. Y., a preacher subsequently in Morris Co., N. J., and Roxbury, N. Y., — having graduated at Yale College, in 1769. His father, Joel Tyler Benedict (1772-1833), born at Middlefield, Conn., began life as a lawyer in Connecti- cut ; but, having been converted in his thirtieth year, he was licensed, June 15, 1802, by the Morris County Presby- tery, and ordained November 16, 1803, as an evangelist, at Blooming Grove, N. Y. He was eminently blessed in his EEASTUS COENELIUS BENEDICT. 59 ministry as a laborer for many years in reidvals of religion, and subsequently as a pastor at Franklin, N. Y,, and Chat- ham, N. Y. In 1816 he removed to Philadelj)hia, and for many years, until his death, October 23, 1833, he was the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Tract Society. His piety was of a high order. Erastus was born, March 19, 1800, at Branford, Conn. He graduated at Williams College in 1821, and in 1824 was admitted to the bar, at New York, where he resided until his death, October 22, 1880. During his extended profes- sional life, he acquired a well-earned reputation for legal skill, eminent integrity, and accurate scholarship. Long a pronounced Christian in connection with the Presbyterian and the Reformed churches, he was known as a wise coun- selor and earnest friend of the Church, ever ready to pro- mote its interests. He took quite an active and iDrominent part in advancing the cause of education. At various times, he served as a trustee of the public schools of the city, a member and President of its Board of Education, and, from 1855, as a Regent of the University of New York. On several occasions, also, he was elected a member of the City Council and of the State Legislature, as Assembly- man and as Senator. In 1865 Rutgers College, New Jer- sey, conferred on him the honorary degree of LL. I). Besides several pamphlets, reviews, and addresses pub- lished at various dates, he brought out in 1838 his " Pres- byterianism : a Review"; in 1850 his "American Admiral- ty "; in 1863 " The Beginning of America " — an anniversary discourse before the New York Historical Society, of which he had long been an active member. In 1867 he brought out, in a beautiful form, " The Hymn of Hildebert, and other Mediaeval Hymns, with Translations " from his own pen — "the agreeable labor of occasional hours of leisure. Several of them," he says, " have at different times, during the last fifteen years, appeared in public journals — literary and religious." The translations are remarkably true to the original ; the stanza, metre, and double rhymes being faithfully preserved. 60 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. The closing portion of tlie hymn of Hildebert, beginning with that beautiful strain, " Urbs coelestis! iirbs beata," fairly exhibits his style and poetic ability : " Heavenly city ! happy d welling'! Built upon that stone excelling: City safe in heavenly keeping ! Hail ! m distant glory sleeping ! Thee I hail, for thee am sighing — Thee I love, for thee am dying. How thy heavenly hosts are singing — And their festive voices ringing — What the love then' souls conforming — What the gems the walls adorning — Chalcedon and jacinth shining Know they all, those walls confining. In that city's glorious meeting Moses and Elias greeting — Holy jjrophets gone before us — Let me sing the heavenly chorus." HENEY BENNETT. 1813-1868. The year before his death, Mr. Bennett, of London, published an unassuming volume -vvdth the simple title, " Hymns by H. Bennett, London, 1867." Mr. Bennett was born at Lyme Regis, on the sea-coast of Dorsetshire, England, April 18, 1813. His hymns were the fruit of his leisure hours, and many of them appeared occa- sionally in various publications. His death occurred No- vember 12, 1868, at Islington, London. The last two double stanzas of the hymn, "I have a Home Above," are sub- joined : "But more than all I long His glories to behold, EICHAED MEUX BENSON. 61 Whose smile fills all that radiant throug With ecstasy untold. That bright, yet tender, smile — My sweetest welcome there — Shall cheer me through the little while I tarry for him here. ' Thy love, thou precious Lord ! My joy and strength shall he, Till thou shalt speak the gladdening word That bids me rise to thee. And then, through endless days, Where all thy glories shine. In happier, holier strains I'll praise The grace that made me thine." RICHAED MEUX BENSON. Me. BEif sot^ was a scholar of Christ Church College, Ox- ford, and graduated, B.A., November, 1847. He was the successful competitor for the Kennicott Hebrew scholar- ship. He was ordained deacon June 18, 1848, and priest June 3, 1849, by the Bishop of Oxford. In 1850 he was preferred to the perpetual curacy of St. John's Church, Cowley, a living that he still continues to hold. In 1865 he was visited by the Hev. Charles C. G-rafton, of Boston, Mass., on which occasion was organized, under the patronage of Mr. Benson, because of his " high social posi- tion, wealth, and literary attainments, the Society called ' The Cowley Fathers.' " This Society pledge themselves to renounce the world and devote themselves to mission work. " They have all things in common ; accept no salaries, only a provision for actual support in an economical way ; do not marry ; take their meals in silence ; and follow daily rules of devotion." Their principal stations are Oxford, 62 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. England, and Boston, Mass. Mr. Benson in 1870 returned " Father " Grafton's visit, and officiated frequently in sev- eral of the Episcopal dioceses of the United States. He contributed to " Hymns, Ancient and Modern," " Praise to God wlio reigns above," etc., and the following translation of " Jesu, Redemptor onini« um," etc. : ' ' O thou whose all-redeeming' might Crowns every chief in faith's true fight, On this conunemoration day- Hear us, good Jesu, while we pray. "In faithful strife for thy dear name Thy servant earned the saintly fame, Which pious hearts with prayers revere In constant memory year hj year. " Earth's fleeting joys he counted naught. For higher, truer joys he sought. And now, with angels round thy throne, Unfading treasiwes are his own. ' ' O grant that we, most gracious God ! May follow m the steps he ti'od : And, freed from every stain of sin, As he hath won may also win. "To thee, O Christ, our loving King! All glory, praise, and thanks we bring ; Whom with the Father we adore, And Holy Ghost, for evermore." As an author he is favorably known by the following works: "The Wisdom of the Son of David," Pro v. i.-ix. ; " Redemption : some of the Aspects of the Work of Christ, considered in a Course of Sermons " (1861) ; " Tlie Divine Rule of Prayer " ; " The Manual of an Association for Prayer on Behalf of the Unconverted " (1862) ; " Lays of Memory, Sacred and Social, by a Mother and Son"; besides several single Sermons, and a Manual of Confirmation. BERNARD, OF CLAIRVAUX. 63 BERNARD, OF CLAIRVAUX 1091-1153. Bernard's hymns are among the purest, sweetest, and richest of Latin hymnology. His master-piece, " De Nom- ine Jesu," as found in Daniel's "Thesaurus Hymnolo- gicus," contains forty-eight four-line stanzas. Wacker- nagel, in his "Das Deutsche Kirchenlied" (1862), gives eight additional stanzas. Bernard was born in 1091 at Fontaine, Burgundy, a vil- lage of which his father, Tecelin, was lord. His i)arents were both of high birth, his father being a knight of the house of Chatillon, and his godly mother, Alix, or Alethe, a daughter of Count Bernard, of Montbar. He was educated, with great strictness and care, at Chatillon on the Seine and at the University of Paris. Tlie loss of his mother, in his twentieth year, determined his choice of a monastic life. He had live brothers, all of whom, and twenty-five other young men, by dint of faithful and per- severing eifort, he induced to enter with him, 1113, the monastery of Citeaux, near Dijon, of the Order of Cister- cians, founded 1098. A rigid comjoliance "udth the rigorous rules of the Order soon reduced him almost to a skeleton. Tliis very haggardness, however, gave him fame. At the end of two years he was sent forth, with twelve other monks, to found a new monastery. He chose a wild gorge, known as " The Yalley of Wormwood," in Cham- pagne, diocese of Langres, a noted robber haunt. He gave it the name of " Clara Vallis," whence " Clairvaux " — " The Beautiful Valley." As Abbot of Clairvaux, he soon be- came known and noted throughout Christendom. Disci- ples flocked to him from all quarters. Not less than seven hundred novitiates, at one time, were attached to the mon- astery. Of his pupils, one became a Pope ; six. Cardinals ; and thirty. Bishops. Not less than seventy-two branches of the Order were founded by himself in France, Spain, and 64 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Britain. At his deatli, the Order nmnbered one hundred and sixty monasteries. By his learning, his energy, his austerity, and his re- puted sanctity, he acquired an immense influence. His ad- vice and counsel were universally sought, and his i3reaching welcomed with enthusiasm. He was summoned repeatedly to the great Councils of the Church, where his opinions were hailed as the perfection of wisdom. The great schism in the Fallacy was healed, mainly by his interj^osition, in behalf of Innocent II. At the Conference in Sens, 1140, he confronted and confounded the rationalizing Abelard. The great crusade of 1147 was undertaken, chiefly at his instigation, by Louis VII., King of France. Worn down by his great austerities and abundant labors, he died, August 20, 1153, at the Abbey of Clairvaux. His literary remains were published, 1515, at Venice, in two quarto volumes, and, 1645, at Paris, in five folios. They include 439 Letters, 340 Sermons (princiiDally on "The Song of Solomon," to the study of which he was greatly addicted), and 12 Treatises. Seven considerable Poems are claimed as his, written, it is thought, about 1140. Twelve years after his death he was canonized by the Pope, and, in 1174, he was piiblicly enrolled among " THe Saints." Luther said of him: "If there has ever been a pious monk who feared God, it was St. Bernard, whom alone I hold in much higher esteem than all other monks and priests throughout the globe." BERNARD, OF MORLAIX. Beeistaed was born at Morlaix, in Bretagne, of English parents. Of the dates of his birth and death, and of the incidents of his life, nothing is now known, save that the most of his life was spent, in the twelfth century, at Cluny, BEENAED, OF MOELAIX. 65 on the little river Grone, in the Department of Saone et Loire, in a valley between two mountains, about 200 miles southeast of Paris. The Abbey had acquired, in the twelfth century, great renown. Peter, of Cluny, known as "The Venerable," succeeded Hugh II. as General of the Order and Abbot of Cluny, in 1121, at the age of twenty-eight years. He presided over the monastery until his death, December 24, 11.56. He was the intimate friend of Bernard of Clairvaux. The church of Cluny was then regarded as the most magnificent in France, and the monastery itself as one of the most illustrious in Christendom. It was at this period that Bernard, the poet, occujpied one of the cells of Cluny. When not emj)loyed in monastic duties according to the rules of his Order, he occupied himself in the cultivation of his poetic talent. One of the happy fruits of these leisure hours is the divine poem, " De Contemptu Mundi." It is an elaborate production of three thousand lines, peculiarly constructed. Every line is a hex- ameter of five dactyles and one spondee, after the following fashion : " Tunc nova gloria | pectora sobria | clarificabit : Solvit enigmata | veraque sabbata | continuabit. Patria luminis | inscia turbinis | inscia litis, Give replebitur | amplificabitur | Iraelitis. Thus every line is composed of three parts, the second rhyming with the first, and the third with the third of the following or preceding line. It is wonderfully artistic. "Our language," says ISTeale, "would utterly fail to give any idea of the majestic sweetness which invests it in Latin. Its difficulty in that language is such that Bernard, in a preface, expresses his belief that nothing but the special inspiration of the Spirit of God could have enabled him to employ it through so long a poem." The author shows his regard for his superior, " Peter, the Venerable," by commending the work to his favor in a suit- able Dedication. Of its Plan, he gives the following ac- count : " The Subject of the author is— The Advent of Christ to 5 66 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Judgment ; The Joys of the Saints ; The Pains of the Rep- robate. His Intention — To persuade to the Contempt of the World. The Use— To despise the Things of the World ; To seek the Things which be God's. " Neale calls it '• a bitter satire on the fearful corru]3tions of the age. But as a con- trast to the misery and pollution of earth, the poem opens with a description of the peace and glory of heaven, of such rare beauty as not easily to be matched by any medieval composition on the same subject." The first portion of the poem has been happily and beau- tifully put into English verse by the Rev. John Mason Neale, D.D., and published in his " Mediaeval Hjnnns and Sequences." JOHN BERRIDGE. 1716-1793. John Beeeidge was the eldest son of a w^ealthy farmer and grazier of Kingston, Nottinghamshire, England, where he was born March 1, 1716. The greater i)art of his early years he spent with an aunt in the town of Nottingham, where, also, he acquired the rudiments of a common-school education. At the age of fourteen he returned home and was employed on the farm. But such was his inaptness for agriculture as to constrain his father to say to him, — " John, I find you are unable to form any practical idea of the price of cattle, and, therefore, I shall send you to col- lege, to be a light to the Gentiles." About this time he was hopefully converted, mainly by the agency of a pious companion and a godly tailor of the neighborhood. He now gave himself to study and devo- tion. After a suitable preparatory course, he entered Clare Hall, Cambridge, October 28, 1734, where he pursued his ■studies with the greatest avidity. He graduated, A.B. in 1738, and A.M. in 1742. Having been chosen one of the JOHN BEERIDGE. 67 Fellows of his college, he continued his residence at the University for twenty years, devoting himself to literary pursuits, and, for several years, exercising his gifts as a preacher. His remarkable wit and humor made him a great favorite in the University, and disposed him to a familiarity with Hudibras and other humorous publications. At the same time he pursued his classical studies so indefatigably as to compel his college associate. Rev. Henry Venn, with whom he was intimate for fifty years, to say of him, that " he was as familiar with the learned, languages as he was with his mother tongue." During his residence at Clare Hall, he regularly devoted fifteen hours daily to the acqui- sition of knowledge. In his thirty-fourth year (1749), he accepted the curacy of Stapleford, a small village of rustics, five miles south of Cambridge. He served them, for six years, from the Uni- versity, preaching occasionally at St. Mary's Church, Cam- bridge. By the presentation of his associate Fellows of Clare Hall, he was admitted, July 7, 1755, to the vicarage of Everton, an obscure village in the edge of Bedfordshire, about twenty miles soiith-southwest of the University. This humble position he retained for life. Thus far he had seen but little fruit of his ministry. At an early period of his college residence, he had so far im- bibed Socinian views as to intermit private prayer most of the time for ten years. These views, however, he had re- linquished before entering on the work of the ministry. Still he clung to a low Arminianism, and preached mainly a legal righteousness. At a later day he said of himself : " Once I went to Jesus like a coxcomb, and gave myself fine airs, — fancying if he was something, so was I; if he had merit, so had I. And I used him as a healthy man will use a walking-staff — lean an ounce upon it, or vapor with it in the air. But now he is my whole crutch ; no foot can stir a step without him." This change occurred early in 1758. As he sat mourn- fully musing one day, perplexed and anxious about his re- ligious state, a voice seemed to say to him : " Cease from 68 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tliine own works ; only believe." At once Ms burden was gone, and he found " joy and peace in believing." A deep impression was now made on the hearts of his parishioners by the presentation of his ne:Y views. They crowded the church, and not a few were hopefully converted. He burned up all his old sermons, began to preach without notes, and abounded in labors for the spiritual good of his people. At midsummer he began to itinerate among the villages of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Huntingdon- shire, nothing daunted by the rebukes of his bishop, and the opposition of the ungodly. He was greatly encouraged by the kind words of John Wesley and George Whitefield, with whom, soon after, he gladly entered into delightful fellowship. A wonderful work of grace ensued in 1759. No church could hold the crowds that flocked to hear him. " He took to the fields " (May 14, 1759), and preached in the open air to thousands. He extended his circuit to Essex and Hertford, preaching ten and twelve times a week. " Ten or fifteen thousand, at some places, composed his congregation, and he was well heard by all of them. People came to hear him from the distance of twenty miles," reaching Everton in time to attend his morning service at seven o'clock. Four times on the Sunday, and often through the week, he j)reached the word. Four thousand souls, it was computed, were converted mthin twelve months under the preaching of himself and the Rev. Mr. Hicks, of Wrestlingworth, — a convert under Berridge's preaching. Romaine, Madan, Venn, Fletcher, and Lady Huntingdon visited and cheered him. Opposition showed itself in the most violent forms, but he gloried in tribulation. He now began to make periodical visits to London, Brighton, and Bath, as a temporary supply for White- field's and Lady Huntingdon's chapels. In 1771, he es- poused the distinctive doctrines of Calvinism, and became a frequent contributor, both in i:)rose and verse, to 77ie Gospel Ifagazine, associating with Newton, Toplady, Sim- eon, and men of like sjoirit. He suffered, for twenty-five JOHN BEERIDGE. 69 years, from acute disease, but notliing impeded his work or abated Ms zeal. He died of asthma, January 22, 1793, at his home in Everton. He was greatly addicted to poetical composition, but his verse has but little to commend it to a refined taste. In 1760 he published " A Collection of Divine Songs, designed chiefly for the Religious Societies of Churchmen in the neighborhood of Everton, Bedfordshire." It was a compi- lation, mostly from Charles Wesley, with a few from Watts and other authors (greatly altered), and some originals. After the change in his doctrinal views, he sought to sup- press this publication, buying and burning every copy that he could obtain. In 1785 he published an original work of 342 Hymns, enti- tled " Sion's Songs or Hymns, composed for the Use of them that love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in Sincerity." Of its origin, he says : " Hl-health, some years past, having kept me from travelling or preaching, I took up the trade of Hymn-making, a handicraft much followed of late, but a business I w^as not born or bred to, and undertaken chiefly to keep a long sickness from preying on my spirits, and to make tedious nights pass over more smoothly." " Twelve years ago, these Hymns were composed in a six months' illness." "A few of them occasionally rambled into maga- zines, under the signature of 'Old Everton.'" Their com- position, therefore, is to be referred to the year 1773. The best of these is the poiDular marriage hymn, " Since Jesus freely did appear," and his hymn on the text, Ps. cxxxi. 2 : ■'Jesus ! cast a look on me, Give me sweet simplicity, Make me poor and keep me low, Seeking only thee to know. " Weaned fi"om my lordly self. Weaned from the miser's pelf. Weaned from the scorn er's ways, Weaned from the lust of praise. 70 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " All that feeds my busy pride, Cast it evermore aside, Bid my will to thine submit. Lay me humbly at thy feet. "Make me like a little child, Of my strength and wisdom spoiled, Seeing only in thy light, Walking only in thy might. "Leaning on thy loving breast, Where a weary soul may rest ; Feeling well the peace of God Flowing from thy precious blood. " In this posture let me live. And hosannas daily give ; In this temper let me die. And. hosannas ever cry." The first, third, and fourth of these stanzas are from a hymn by Charles Wesley (altered) on Isa, xxviii. 9, beginning with — " Lord ! that I may learn of thee." Several others of his hymns had a similar origin. He published also, in 1773, " The Christian World Un- masked," an exceedingly quaint and thoroughly evangel- ical book, full of wit, wisdom, and godly counsel. It has had a verv extensive circulation. GEORGE WASHINGTOIS" BETHUNE. 1805-1862. The Rev. George W. Bethune, D.D., the Christian gentleman, the ripe scholar, the graceful poet, and the elo- quent divine, was born in the city of New York, March 18, 1805. His honored father, Divie Bethune, the successful and honest merchant, and the Christian philanthropist, was GEOEGE WASHINGTON BETHUNE. 71 born at Dingwall, Ross-sMre, Scotland, in 1771, and was of Hugnenot descent ; he came to New York in 1792, was an elder in tlie churcli of tlie senior Dr. Mason from 1802, and died September 18, 1824. His no less honored mother, Joanna Graham, was the second daughter of Dr. John Gfraham, of Paisley, Scotland, and Isabella Marshall. Mrs. Graham came, a widow with four children, to New York, September, 1789, and united with the same church. She was " a mother in Israel," and of the highest repute for piety, intelligence, and philanthropy — qualities that were also strikingly exemiDlified in her daughter, Mrs. Bethune. Blessed with such a parentage, George was trained after the model of the word of God. In his iif teenth year (1819), he entered Columbia College, where he diligently prose- cuted his studies for three years. He then entered Dick- inson College, Carlisle, Pa., of which his father's friend, the distinguished John M. Mason, D.D., was then the Presi- dent. There he graduated in 1823, and thence, having been converted the year before, proceeded to Princeton, N. J., where he studied two years in the Theological Seminary. He married, November 4, 1825, Miss Mary Williams, and spent the winter in the West Indies. He was licensed by the Second Presbytery of New York, July 11, 1828. The following November he went to Savannah, Ga. , where he labored as a missionary to the sailors and the colored peo- ple. Having been ordained by the Second Presbytery of New York in 1827, he became the pastor of the Reformed Dutch church of Rhinebeck, N. Y. ; in 1830, he accepted a call to the R. D. church of Utica, N. Y., and was installed November 7, 1830 ; in September, 1834, he became the pas- tor of the First R. D. church of Philadelphia. In the sum- mer of 1836 he visited Europe, and, on his return. May, 1837, he became the pastor of the Third church of the same city. Here he remained until 1850, having visited Europe a second time, in 1841. He now made a third visit to the Old World, and, on his return, removed to Brooklyn, N. Y. , and took charge of the R. D. church on the Heights. The loss of health compelled him to go abroad, in February, 72 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. 1859, and to resign his pastorate in April, 1859. On liis re turn lie was (November 20, 1859) associated with the Rev. Dr. Abraham R. Van Nest, in the pastorate of the Twenty- first Street R. D. church. Again, in the autumn of 1861, he sought health in Europe, but death overtook him, in the shai)e of congestion of the brain, April 27, 1802. He died greatly lamented, as he had been greatly honored and loved. "He stood," says -Dr. Ferris, "in the front rank of minis- ters of the gospel. Originally endowed with a fine mind, and furnished with every possible facility for cultivating and furnishing it, he achieved a very high degree of success in the pulpit and elsewhere. A thorough master of Eng- lish, of finished taste, fertile in thought, rich in illustra- tion, skilled in dialectics, familiar with the stores of the past, yet with a quick eye to the present, a proficient in helles-leUres, he had almost every literary requisite for the composition of sermons. When to this it is added, that he was sound in the faith, and had his heart in the work ; that he had a most musical voice of rare compass and mod- ulation, it is not wonderful that his reputation stood so high. He was a close and diligent student, and never w^as ashamed to confess it. His platform efforts w^ere always Impromptu, but for the pulpit he felt conscientiously bound to make careful and thorough preparation." "He had a nice ear for music, and sometimes composed sacred harmo- nies ; he had a fine taste in painting and sculpture ; he was an accomplished Latinist and Grecian; he was familiar with a number of modern languages, some of which he spoke fluently ; he was well read in the history of philosophy, and his general information was both extensive and accurate. " His i)ublications were numerous. The principal are : "A Word to the Afflicted"; " The Fruit of the Spirit" (1839) ; "Early Lost, Early Saved" (1846) ; "The History of a Pen- itent" (1847) ; " Sermons" (1847) ; "A Commentary on the 130th Psalm " (1847) ; " Lays of Love and Faith, and Other Poems " (1848) ; " Orations and Occasional Discourses " (1850) ; together with two posthumous works — " The Me- moirs of Mrs. Joanna Bethune " (1863), and " Lectures on GEORGE WASHINGTON BETHUNE. 73 the Heidelberg Catechism," in two vols. (1864). He edited, also, an edition of " Walton's Complete Angler " (1847), and a volume of " British Female Poets " (1848), with biograph- ical and critical notices. He was repeatedly honored with invitations to the pas- torate, to professorships, and presidencies of colleges. Many of the published " Orations " were delivered at col- lege commencements. He received the honorary degree of D.D., in 1838, from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bethune, with his characteristic good taste, and keen sense of the beautiful in art, successfully cultivated the poetic Muse. He versified with great ease and much grace. Some of his effusions are admirable specimens of the lyric art. On one occasion, having taken his seat in the pulpit in advance of the time for the opening of the public ser- vice, his longings for a revival of religion prompted him to write, with a pencil, on a scrap of paper, the hymn, begin- ning with " Oh ! for the happy hour ! " The hymn, " Come, let us sing of Jesus," was written for his Sunday-School. " It is not death to die," was suggested by the beautiful hymn, written by Csesar Malan, " Non, ce n' est pas mourir! " His Scotch origin is beautifully attested in a lyric, written after hearing Mr. Dempster sing, two stanzas of which follow : *' Oh ! sing to me the auld Scotch sangs, I' the braid Scottish tongue. The sangs my father loved to hear, The sangs my mither sung. When she sat beside my cradle. Or crooned me on her knee, An' I wad na sleep, she sang so sweet, The auld Scotch sangs to me. 74 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Sing ony o' the aulcl Scotch sangs, The bly thesome or the sad : They mak' me smile when I am wae, An' greet when I am glad : My heart gaes back to auld Scotland, The saut tears dim mine e'e, An' the Scotch hluid leaps in a' my Teins^ As ye sing thae sangs to me." EDWARD BICKERSTETH. 1786-1850. The name of Bickerstetli is of hallowed memory, en- shrined in the hearts of intelligent Christians throughout Great Britain and America. He was born March 19, 1786, at Kirkby-Lonsdale, Westmoreland, England. Henry Bick- ersteth, his father, was a respectable surgeon ; but neither the father, nor the mother, Elizabeth Batty, had any special interest in religion. After a good grammar-school educa- tion, Edward, at the age of fourteen (January, 1801), ob- tained a jiosition in the Dead Letter Office, London. Nearly six years afterward (November, 1806), he was articled to Mr. Bleasdale, solicitor, and became a student of law, first at Hatton Court, and then (May, 1808) at New Inn. In his twenty-first year, he became a true convert to Christ, but continued his law studies and pursuits until May, 1812. He then married Miss Sarah Bignold, of Nor- wich, to w^hich place he removed, and entered into business there with her brother Thomas. Though prosperity at- tended him, he had longing desires to devote himself to the work of the ministry. For years he abounded in works of benevolence and piety, and prosecuted theological study. At length, in his thirtieth year, he gave up his worldly business, and was ordained deacon, December 10, 1815, by the Bishop of Norwich, and priest, eleven days later, by the Bishop of Gloucester. EDWARD BICKERSTETH. (j^ In January, 1816, lie embarked for Africa, on an official visit to the stations of the Church Missionary Society in Western and Southern Africa. He returned in August fol- lowing, and the next month he accepted the position of Resident Secretary of the Society, or Associate Secretary with the Rev. Josiah Pratt. In this laborious service he continued nearly fourteen years, ministering at the same time in Wheler Chapel, Spitalfields, London. Appointed, August, 1830, to the living of Watton, Hertfordshire, he resigned his Secretaryship, and entered upon a course of diligent and successful parochial labor. In the faithful discharge of his pastoral duties, in the i^reparation and publication of numerous evangelical treatises and books, in the advocacy, by the pen and in person, all over the king- dom, of the Cause of Missions, and in the promotion, by all available means, of the Gospel, he passed the remaining twenty years of a most busy and useful life. He died at Watton, February 28, 1850, full of faith and hope. He made a diligent use of the press, in the advancement of the kingdom of Christ. He was the author, compiler, or editor of ninety-seven different publications, of which the following are the best known : " A Help to the Study of the Scriptures" (1814); "A Treatise on Prayer" (1819); "A Treatise on the Lord's Supper" (1822) ; "The Christian Hearer " (1825) ; " The Christian Student " (1827) ; " The Chief Concerns of Man for Time and Eternity," a Course of Valedictory Sermons at Wheler Chapel (1831) ; " Prepared- ness for the Day of Christ" (1833) ; "A Practical Guide to the Prophecies" (1835); "Christian Truth" (1838); "A Treatise on Baptism " (1839) ; " The Restoration of the Jews" (1841); "The Divine Warning to the Church" (1843) ; and " Family Expositions of the Epistles of St. John and St. Jude " (1846). His " Works," in 16 vols., were published in 1853. His poetic efforts were limited to the composition of a very few hymns of but little lyrical merit, found in his "Christian Psalmody," compiled in 1833, and enlarged in 1841. In its latest form it contains 950 hvmns. More than 76 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. 250,000 copies of this book have been circulated in Great Britain and its Colonies. Tlie 426tli hymn of this book, entitled "The Converted Hindoo's Hymn," is from Mr. Bickersteth's pen. Four out of five stanzas are here given : " O thou, my soul ! forget no more The Friend who all thy misery bore; Let every idol be forgot ; But, O my soul ! forget him not. "Renounce thy works and ways with grief, And fly to this most siu-e rehef ; Nor him forget who left his throne, And for thy life gave up his own. '' Thy Lord for thee a body takes, Thy guilt assumes, thy fetters breaks. Discharging all thy dreadful debt : And canst thou e'er such love forget? "Ah! no, till life itself depart, His name shall cheer and warm my heart ; And, lisping this, from earth I'll rise, And join the chorus of the skies." EDWAEH HENRY BICKERSTETH. 1825 . The Bickersteth family have been considerably addict- ed to hymnology. The " Christian Psalmody " of the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, of Watton, has just been noticed. His elder brother, John, Rector of Acton, Suffolk, — father of the Right Rev. Robert Bickersteth, D.D., the Bishop of Ripon since 1857, — published, in 1819, a Collection of " Psalms and Hymns, selected and revised," including sev- eral of his own composition. Edward Henry, the only son of Edward, has not only followed, in this respect, his father EDWAED HENRY BICKERSTETH. 77 and uncle, but lias also developed a poetic genius denied to tliem botli. He was born, January 25, 1825, at Islington, London. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1843, and, for his skill in poetry, was awarded, 1844, 1845, 1846, the " Chan- cellor's Medal." The prize for the best English Essay also was awarded to him, November, 1846. He graduated, A. B. , in 1847. He was ordained deacon, February 6, 1848, by the Bishop of Norwich, and on the 24th was married to Miss Rosa Bignold, a maternal relative. Immediately after, he entered upon the Curacy of Banningham, Norfolk. He was ordained priest, February 4, 1849, — also by the Bishop of Norwich. At the close of 1851, he accepted a Curacy at Tunbridge Wells, a watering place in Kent. His stay here was short, for in April, 1852, he obtained, by the presenta- tion of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the Rectory of Hinton- Martell, Dorsetshire. Here he remained until 1855, when he was preferred to the living of Christ Church, Hamp- stead, in the northern suburbs of London, where he has continued to reside until now. In 1870 he made a brief visit to the United States. Mr. Bickersteth, like his father, has had much to do with tlie press. He has published the following valuable works: " Poems and Hymns " (1849) ; " Nineveh, a Poem " (1851) ; " Water from the Well- Spring for the Sabbath Hours of Afflicted Believers" (1852); " Psalms and Hymns, based on the ' Christian Psalmody' of the late Edward Bickersteth" (1858); "A Practical Commentary on the New Testament" (1864); "The Rock of Ages," " Plain Sunday Readings for Farm Boys," "Hades and Heaven" (1865); "Yesterday, To-Day, and For Ever— a Poem in Twelve Books" (1867); " The Spirit of Life," and " The Two Brothers and Other Poems" (1871). The latter contains many of liis earlier Poems, Fugitive Pieces, and Hymns, several of them bear ing date from 1844 to 1847, and written at college. His principal poem, " Yesterday," etc., is an epic of great merit, descriiDtive of the Church of Christ, and contains passages of great beauty. 78 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. In 1858 lie selected about 400 hymns from his father's Collection, added 130 from other sources, including a few of his own, and published it as above. Not content with this, he published, in 1870, " The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer," a book of 400 carefully se- lected and laboriously edited Hymns. The "Annotated Edition, \yith Introduction and Notes," is an admirable con- tribution to Hymnology. His hymn on the Trinity, " Father of heaven above," is from this work. The following two double stanzas are taken from his 90th hymn : " O brothers ! lift yotir voices, Triumphant songs to raise ; Till heaven on high rejoices, And earth is filled with praise : Ten thousand hearts are bounding With holy hopes and free ; The gospel-trump is sounding, The trump of jubilee. " O Christian brothers ! glorious Shall be the conflict's close : The cross hath been victorious, And shall be o'er its foes : Faith is our battle-token ; Our Leader all controls ; Our trophies, fetters broken : Our captives, ransomed souls." THOMAS BLACKLOCK. 1721-1791. The blind bard of Annan, Rev. Thomas Blacklock, D.D., was the son of a bricklayer, and was born, November 10, 1721, of English parents, at Annan, Scotland. When only THOMAS BLACKLOCK. 79 six montlis old, he lost liis sight by small-pox. At an early age he developed a remarkably retentive memory, and a great thirst for knowledge. He liad a p>assion for poetry, and great skill in versilication. The best literature within his father's reach was read to him, and much of it was re- tained in memory. He was deprived of his father in his nineteenth year, and thrown upon his own resources. By the kindness of Dr. Stevenson, a physician of Edinburgh, who became his pa- tron, he received a regular course of instruction (1741-1751) at the University of that city. He thus became a proficient in the Latin, Greek, French, and Italian tongues, as well as his own. A volume of his poems was published in 1745 at Glasgow, and another in 1754. Thereupon, the Rev. Jo- seph Spence, of Oxford, England, published " An Account of the Life, Character, and Poems of Mr. Blacklock, Stu- dent of Philosophy at Edinburgh," which Avas also prefixed to a quarto edition of his Poems, issued in 1756. After a three years' course of theological study at the Divinity Hall, Edinburgh, he was licensed, in 1758, by the Presbytery of Dumfries, as a preacher of the Gospel. On his presentation, in 1760, by the Earl of Stirling, to the parish of Kirkcudbright, his settlement was opposed by the parishioners on account of his blindness. Tlie case Avas carried to the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, then by ref- erence to the Synod of Galloway, and thence to the Gen- eral Assembly of 1761. After a full hearing of the case, the Assembly ordered. May 29tli, his induction by the Pres- bytery. Owing to the continued opposition of his parish- ioners, he accepted, at the end of three years, an annuity, resigned his living, and removed to Edinburgh. Having married ^liss Johnston, a surgeon's daughter, of Dumfries, he opened a boarding-school, and secured considerable pa- tronage. The University of Aberdeen, in 1766, conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He published, besides the " Poems " already noticed and several " Sermons," " Essays toward Universal Etymology " 80 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. (1756); " Paraclesis, or Consolations deduced from Natural and Kevealed Religion " (1767) ; " Two Discourses on the Spirit and Evidences of Christianity " (1768) ; a satirical " Panegyric on Great Britain " (1773) ; " The Graham, an heroic Ballad " (1774); "Remarks on the Nature and Ex- tent of Liberty " (1776), suggested by the American AVar ; and an Article in the Eiicyclo2?cedia Britannica (1778) on the " Education of the Blind." Edmund Burke said of him: "Few men, blessed vvdth the most jDerfect sight, can describe visual objects with more spirit and justness than this blind man." John Wes- ley regarded his version of the 104th Psalm as " the finest in the English language." The closing paragraph of this version, which is written throughout in heroic jDentameters, will fairly exhibit his style : " While this immortal ' spark of heavenly flame ' Distends my breast and animates my frame, To Thee my ardent jiraises shall be home On the fii^t breeze that wakes the blushmg' morn ; The latest star shall hear the pleasing sound, And nature in full choir shall join around. When, full of Thee, my soul excursive flies Through earth, air, ocean, or thy regal skies, From world to world new wonders still I find. And all the Godhead flashes on my mind ; When, winged with whirlwinds, vice shall take its flight To tlie deep bosom of eternal night. To Thee my soul shall endless praises pay: — Join, men and angels ! join th' exalted lay ! " Dr. Blacklock's "Braes of Ballenden," a popular song, has ever been a great favorite with his countrjanen. He died, July 7, 1791, of nervous fever, at Edinburgh. An edition of his " Poems " was published two years after his death. JAMES BODEN. 81 JAMES BODEN. 1757-1841. The Rev. James Bodeist was born at Chester, England, April 13, 1757, in the house where Matthew Henry wrote his justly-renowned Commentary on the Bible. Under the ministry of the Rev. M. J. Armitage, he became, at four- teen, a serious Christian, and at sixteen a member of the Congregational church, worshipping in an uj^per room, Common Hall St., Chester. Full of zeal and devotion, he sought the ministry of the Gospel. Four years (1779-1783) were spent at Homerton College. In 1784 he was installed the pastor of the Congregational church of Hanley, a vil- lage of potteries in Staffordshire. In November, 1796, he became the successor of the Rev. Josiah Brewer, in the pastorate of the Independent church. Queen Street, Shef- field. More than forty-two years he served this church with great ability and fidelity. At the age of eighty-two years (1839) he resigned his charge, and retired to Chester- field, in Derbyshire, where, full of peace and joyful hope, he passed away, June 4, 1841, in the 85th year of his age, — one of the very last survivors of the Founders of the Lon- don Missionary Society. He was an eminently godly man, and a most useful minister of Christ. He contributed to the February number of Tlie Gospel Magazine for 1777 the hymn, " Ye dying sons of men," written to be sung after a charity sermon; and to the Au- gust number of the London Exangelical Magazine for 1798, " Bright Source of Everlasting love." In the comx)ilation, " A Collection of above Six Hundred Hymns, designed as a New Supplement to Dr. AYatts' Psalms and Hymns. Doncaster, 1801," he was associated with the Rev. Edward Williams, D.D., of Rotherham Col 6 82 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. lege. Seven of tlae hymns were from his own pen. The compilation, for that period, was one of great merit. Among his earlier productions, the following stanzas, be- ing part of a hymn contributed to the August number of The Gospel Magazine for 1777, fairly exhibit his style : ' ' High in the shining- coiirts above Reigns God, the sovereign King, And angels, round his throne of love, Sweet hallelujahs sing. " He sees where youthful hearts unite, And form a social band ; And Jesus ever takes delight To guide them with his hand. "Their conversation and their prayers Are music in his ears ; His smiles dispel then' gloomy cares, And dissipate their fears. " Oh! how they scorn these sordid charms Which carnal minds pursue ! Celestial love their bosom warms With bliss forever new. " The shining of Jehovah's grace, And Jesus' bleeding love, Allure them through this wilderness To brighter joys above." HORATIUS BONAR. 1808 . The Rev. Horatius Bot^ae, D.D., the poet of the mod- ern sanctuary, is the son of James Bonar, and was born, December 19, 1808, at Edinburgh, Scotland. He comes of a godly and clerical ancestry. His grandfather, the Rev. John Bonar, was the author of several hymns published in HOEATIUS BONAR. 83 1765. The grandson was educated at tlie High- School, and the University, Edinburgh. In the study of theology he was a iDupil of the Rev. Dr. Chalmers. In 1837 he was or- dained the pastor of the Presbyterian church of Kelso, on the Tweed, near the English border, — previously under the charge of the Rev. Robert Lundie, whose daughter, Jane Catharine, sister of Mary Lundie Duncan, he married. Two years after his settlement he began the publication and circulation of the famous " Kelso Tracts, " of one of which, "Believe and Live," nearly or quite a million of copies have been issued. In the early days of his ministry, he and his brother. Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, now of. Glasgow, were intimately associ- ated with that burning and shining light, Robert Murray McCheyne, pastor of St. Peter's church, Dundee. They were men of like spirit, and Horatius labored at Kelso much as McCheyne did in Dundee. The great revival of religion, that began at Kilsyth in 1839, spread to Dundee and Kelso, and was greatly promoted by the " Tracts " as well as the preaching of Horatius Bonar. At the disruption of the Church of Scotland in May, 1843, he freely and heartily cast in his lot Avith the Free Church, of which he has ever since been one of the most ardent and faithful supporters. Since 1868 he has been the pastor of the Grange, or " Chalmers Memorial," Presbyterian Church of Edinburgh. The publications of Dr. Bonar are characterized by in- tense spirituality and ardent devotion to the cause of Christ. " Truth and Error " appeared in 1846; " The Night of Weeping," in 1846; " The Coming and Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ," in 1849 ; " The Morning of Joy," in 1850 ; " The Blood of the Cross " followed. Then " Man, his Religion and his World " (1854) ; " Prophetical Land- marks" (1854); "The Desert of Sinai" (1857); "The Land of Promise" (1858); "Earth's Thirst and Heaven's Water Springs " (1860) ; " God's Way of Peace " (1862) ; " God's Way of Holiness" (1864); and, the same year, "The Word of Promise," "The Eternal Day," "A Stranger Here," 84 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Fifty-two Short Sennons for Family Reading " followed. '' Light and Truth— Bible Thoughts and Themes " appeared in 1868. He has edited for a long period The Journal of Prophecy^ and succeeded the Rev. Andrew Cameron as editor of The Christian Treasury. He has made numer- ous contributions to other religious periodicals. He is, however, better known as the author of many of the sweetest hymns commonly used in the service of God. His hymnological publications are " Songs for the Wilder- ness," two series (1843-4); " The Bible Hymn-Book" (1845); "Hymns Original and Selected" (1850); "Hymns of Faith and Hope," first series (1857), second series (1861), third series (1866). In 1852 he published " The New Jerusalem, a Hymn of the Olden Time. " Some of his hymns " were written in Kelso, some in Edinburgh, some in railway trains. No note was taken of the dates of their com- position." His appearance in the pulpit is " grand, massive, almost imposing, but thoroughly genial and tender in every line and movement of face and eye." The following stanzas, from the third series of his " Hymns of Faith and Hope," are quite characteristic of his muse : "Upward, where the stars are burning, Silent, silent, in their turning Round the never-changing pole : Upward, where the sky is brightest, Upward, where the blue is lightest, Lift I now my longing soul. ' Far above that arch of gladness, Far beyond these clouds of sadness, Are the many mansions fair ; Far from pain and sin and folly, In that palace of the holy, — I woidd find my mansion there. "Where the glory brightly dwelleth. Where the new song sweetly swelleth, And the discord never comes ; Where life's stream is ever laving, And the palm is ever waving ; — That must be the home of homes." JANE CATHARINE [LUNDIE] BONAB. 85 JANE CATHARINE [LUNDIE] BONAR. Mrs. Bojstar is tlie daugliter of tlie late Rev. Robert Lundie, in whose delightful manse at Kelso, Scotland, the Rev. Matthias Bruen, of New York, found such a pleasant and genial home. " I have acquired at Kelso," says Bruen, September 22, 1817, " at least one of the kindest friends, which, so long as sin is in this world, we can hope God will give us to comfort us in our state of iDilgrimage." Mrs. Lundie, the excellent mother of Mrs. Bonar, compiled the Memoirs of Mr. Bruen; but she is far better known as the mother of " Mary Lundie Duncan," whose Memoir, also, she so lovingly wrote. From that exquisite story of a lovely life may be learned something of the charms of that home, ' ' Where Tweed flows on in silver sheen, And Tiviot feeds her valley green " ; where the younger sister, Jane, was born, and passed her youthful days. In April, 1832, she was deprived of her godly father, and in the autumn, with her widowed mother, her elder sister, and brother, she found a home in Edin- burgh. In 1835, she was sent to a school in London, and found a Idnd friend in Mrs. Evans, the endeared friend of her sister Mary. On her return, she was much with her sister at the manse in Cleish, until 1840, when Mary died. She now became the wife of the Rev. Horatius Bonar, and an occupant, as mistress of the manse of Kelso, of the place of her birth and infantile life. Here she continued to reside until her husband's removal, in 1869, to Edinburgh,— her present home. Like her gifted sister, Mrs. Bonar not unfrequently gives expression to her thoughts in sacred verse. The hymn, "Pass away, earthly joy ! " etc., first appeared (1843) in " Songs for the Wilderness." It found a place, also, two years after, in " The Bible Hymn Book," compiled by her husband. THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. JANE BOKTHWICK. Miss Jane Borthwick is of Scotcli birth and descent. The name of Borthwick is purely Scotcli. Her sister is tlie wife of the Rev. Eric J. Findlater, minister of the Free Chnrch of Balquhidder, in the Presbytery of Dunblane, of a family well known in the annals of the Scotch Church. Tlie two sisters early became interested in German hymn- ology. Several excellent translations from the German were given to the public, with the title of " Hymns from the Land of Luther," through the press of Kennedy, Edin- burgh, in 1854. Others followed in four series. The whole were published together in 1862. Miss Borthwick in 1859 published, also, her "Thoughts for Thoughtful Hours." She has also contributed, under the signature of " H. L. L.," frequent poetic articles to "The Family Treasury." Her latest work, "Alpine Lyrics: a Selection from the Poems of Meta Heusser-Schweizer," appeared in Novem- ber, 1874. The translations occupy " a somewhat different field from the Lyra Germanica," by Miss Winkworth, " dealing mostly with hymns of a more modern and less congregational cast, and representing several writers whose names do not ap- pear in the Lyra Germanica." "A few of" them "may be considered as rather imitations than translations, although the ideas and structure are too much borrowed to allow them to be called original." The hymn, " Jesus, Son of Righteousness," is a transla- tion of " Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit," etc., by Christian Knorr von Rosenroth (1616-1689), of Silesia. " A pilgrim and a stranger," is a version of " Ich. bin ein Gast auf Ei'den," etc., by Paul Gerhardt (1606-1676), of Saxony. " My Jesus, as thou wilt," is a version of " Mein Jesu! wie du wiUst," etc., ANTOINETTE BOUEIGNON. 87 by Benjamin Sclimolke (1672-1737), also of Silesia. This translation was a great favorite with the late Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Skinner, of New York, as it is with many other devout Christians. " Rejoice, all ye believers," is a popular version of "Ermuntert euch, ihr Frommen," etc., by Laurentius Laurenti (1660-1722), of Holstein. [See Ro- SENEOTH, Gerhaedt, Schmolke, Laurenti.] The subjoined stanzas are Miss Borthwick's version of Spitta's " Der Christen Sclimuck und Ordensband," etc. : " The Christiau's badge of honor here Has ever been the cross ; And, when its hidden joys appear, He counts it gain, not loss. " He bears it meekly,, as is best. While struggling here with sin ; He wears it not upon his breast, Ah ! no ; it is within. *' And if it bring him pain or shame. He takes it joyfully; For well he knows from whom it came, And what its end shall be. " Only a little while 'tis borne, And as a pledge is given Of robes of triumph, to be worn Forevermore in heaven." ANTOINETTE BOURIGNON. 1616-1680. Antoinette Boueignon was a French mystic of the seventeenth century. She was the daughter of Jean Bou- 88 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. rignon and Marguerite Beckwart, of Lisle, Flanders, where she was born, January 13, 1616. Her deformity as an in- fant was so great as to create an aversion to her, even in the minds of her parents. But, with advancing years, she de- veloped no little sprightliness of mind. At an early age she became fascinated with books of devotion, and w^as attracted to a life of celibacy. At twenty, she was prom- ised by her parents, in marriage, to a French merchant. To escape it, she fled from home, in male disguise, to the village of Basseck. Her disguise being discovered, she w^as ex- posed to indignities, but was protected by the parish priest. By his advice and that of the Archbishop of Cam- bray, she returned home. Another attempt to give her in marriage, three years later, induced her to leave her parents again, and take ref- uge at Mons, under the protection of the Archbishop. On the occasion of her mother's fatal illness, she once more re- turned home, and remained until her father's death, in 1648. New suitors now sought her hand and wealth, but she re- sisted their importunities, and devoted herself to a single life. Desirous of doing good with her worldly means, she took charge (1653) of a foundling hospital at Lisle. In 1658, she joined the order of Augustines. Not long after, with oth- ers of the house, she was accused of sortilege, and, in 1662, she again left home. Four years were spent at Ghent and Malines. Thence, in 1667, she repaired to Amsterdam, where, by her numerous tracts and discourses, she soon attracted great attention. Renouncing her connection with the Church of Rome, she claimed a divine commis- sion to found a new^ and pure communion. Among her converts w^as Christian de Cordt, a Jansenist priest, who purchased, as a retreat for her community, the island of Noordtstrandt, in the Holstein, bequeathing it to her at his death, in 1669. Thither she retired in 1671, and established a printing press, by means of which she issued a large num- ber of tracts in French, Dutch, and German. Her opposi- tion to the priesthood, and the extravagance of some of ANTOINETTE BOURIGNON. 89 her mystic theories, made her an object of persecution. She withdrew in consequence (1676) to Hamburg, and then to East Frisland. But, finding no rest, she set out to return to Holland. On the way, she was overtaken with a fatal disorder, and died, October 30, 1680, at FranMort. Her "Works" were published (1686) in nineteen vol- umes. Peter Poiret, a Cartesian, one of her admirers, re- duced her mysticisms to a systematic form, and published them, in 1705, at Frankfort, by the name of " Oeconomiee Divinge libri YI." An English translation of one of her most imiDortant works, " La Lumiere du Monde " — " The Light of the World : a most True Relation of the Pil- grimess M. Antonia Bourignon, Travelling towards Eter- nity," (London, 1696) — met with a ready sale in Great Britain, and gained her adherents even in Scotland. At one time, such was the influence of her doctrines, candi- dates for the Presb}i;erian ministry were required to de- nounce Bourignonism. For twenty years, it was her boast, that she had not read a word of the Holy Scriptures. The hymn, " Yene's, Jesus ! mon Salutaire," was written at an early period of her career (1640), when she renounced the world for a religious life. In the original it has five double stanzas. It has much of the spirit of the Gospel. The translation has been erroneously claimed for Dr. John Byrom (1723-1786). John Wesley's translation has eight stanzas — the third, sixth, and seventh being usually omit- ted. They are as follows : " While in this region here below, No other good will I pursue ; I'll bid this world of noise and show, With all its glittering snares, adieu. " Wealth, honor, pleasure, and what else This short-enduring world can give, Tempt as ye will, my soul repels ; To Christ alone resolved to live. " Thee I can love, and thee alone, With pure delight and inward bliss ; To know thou tak'st me for thine own, Oh ! what a happiness is this ! " 90 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. HUGH BOURNE. 1772-1852. Hugh BouEisrE was born, April 7, 1772, at Fordhays, Stalfordsliii'e, England. At an early day, liis parents, wlio were Methodists, removed witli him to Bemersley, in the same county. He, too, joined the Methodists at Ridgway, in 1799. He had become a timber-merchant, but now gave much time to the study of the Bible and theological books. In 1801, he began to preach as an evangelist, and three years later, in company with William Clowes, he went everywhere, preaching the word, throughout the district. Having heard, from America, what a gracious work had been accomplished there by Camp-Meetings, he introduced the sj^stem into Staffordshire. The measure was opposed by the Wesleyan Conference, and Bourne, in consequence, was expelled (1808), — as was Clowes, in 1810. The year fol- lowing, they organized the first Primitive Methodist Society at Tunstall. The enterjorise met with favor. Societies mul- tiplied. A magazine was started in 1818, and a book-room opened in 1821, at Bemersley. In 1822, was published, " A Collection of Hymns for Camp-Meetings, Revivals, etc., for the Use of the Primitive Methodists. By Hugh Bourne." It contained 154 hymns, fifteen of which were from Mr. Bourne's pen. Three years later a " Large Hymn Book, for the Use of the Primitive Methodists, by Hugh Bourne," was issued, containing 636 hymns, nineteen of which are attributed to "Bourne," and 148 to "Bourne and Wm. Sanders." Mr. Bourne's poetry has little save its fervor and piety to commend it. After a laborious and very suc- cessful ministry, he died, October 11, 1852, at Bemersley, at the age of fourscore years. The following stanzas from his pen might be used of himself : " Enoch, the seventh, walked with God, Tkrough a long course of years ; He rested on the Saviour's blood, Wliile in this vale of tears. SIR JOHN BOWRING. 91 "While here on earth he hved hy faith, And grew in perfect love ; By faith he triumphed over death, And rose to heaven above. "May we, like Enoch, walk with God, And in his image grow ; Still live by faith m Jesus' blood. And speak his praise below." SIR JOHN BOWRINa. 1792-1872. Sir John Boweing was a man of eminent abilities, and great attainments. As a linguist, an essayist, a poet, a phi- lologist, a i^liilosoplier, a magistrate, a parliamentarian, and a diplomatist, lie was long and favorably known to tlie Brit- ish people. He was of an ancient family of Devonshire, who gave their name to the estate of Bowringsleigh, in the parish of Alphington, where the son was born, October 17, 1792. His father was a wool-trader, and a dissenter. His studies were conducted under the care of the Rev. Lant Carpenter, LL.D., the Unitarian pastor of the Presbyterian church of Exeter (1805-1817). He entered upon active life as a merchant. Yet such was his passion for literature, that he made himself acquainted with nearly all the languages of the Continent, and pub- lished several treatises, essays, versions of poems, songs, and other works, from the Russian, Servian, Polish; Mag- yar, Danish, Swedish, German, Frisian, Dutch, Esthonian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Icelandic. Among his early pub- lications were " Contestacion," etc., " sobre la Esclavitud de los Negros," Madrid, 1821 ; " Specimens of the Russian Poets, with Biographical and Critical Notices," London, 1821- 1823; " Details of the Imprisonment, Arrest, and Liberation of an Englishman by the Bourbon Government of France " 92 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. (1822) ; " Batavian Anthology, or Specimens of tlie Dutch Poets ; Avitli a History of the Poetical Literature of Hol- land," in conjunction with H. S. Yan Dyk (1823); "Peter Schlemil, a German Story," a Translation (1823); "Matins and Vespers ; with Hymns, and Occasional Devotional Pieces" (1823), enlarged (1824); "Ancient Poetry and Ro- mances of Spain " (1824) ; " Hymns : as a Sequel to the Matins " (1825) ; " Specimens of the Polish Poets," and "Servian Popular Poetry" (1827); "Poetry of the Mag- yars " (1830), and " Cheskian [Bohemian] Anthology" (1832). His later publications were quite numerous, but mostly po- litical. An affinity of tastes and opinions brought him, in 1822, under the personal influence of the noted Jeremy Bentham. As "First Editor" of the Westminster Remew from 1824, for several years, he advocated Bentham's principles, and after his decease (1832), as his executor, he published (1838) an edition of his works, in 22 volumes, with a Memoir. He travelled in Holland, and elsewhere on the Continent in 1828, and was employed, for several years, as a Commercial Commissioner for Government, in France, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, the ZoUverein, and the Levant. He sat in Parlia- ment, 1835-1837, and again, 1841-1849. At the close of his Parliamentary career, he was sent (1849) to China, as Consul at Canton, and was subsequently apxDointed Acting Plenipotentiary and Superintendent of Trade in China. Returning to England in 1853, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1854 was Knighted. He now returned to China as Governor, Com- mander-in-Chief, and Vice- Admiral of Hong Kong. He visited Siam in 1855, and negotiated a Treaty with the two kings of the country. Alter his return to England, having retired on a pension, in 1859, he published " The Kingdom and People of Siam," and " The Philip j)ine Islands. " As Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary of the Siamese and Hawaiian Kingdoms to the European Govern- ments, he concluded Treaties with Holland, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Sweden. In 1861, he was sent to SIR JOHN BOWRING. 93 Italy as a Commissioner of Commerce. He lield tlie posi- tion, until liis death, of Magistrate, and Bepnty Lieutenant of tlie County of Devon. The last few years of his busy life he spent at his seat, near Exeter, where he died, November 22, 1872, at the age of fourscore years. He received the honorary degree of LL.D., from the Uni- versity of Groningen, Holland, at an early day. Testimo- nials, titles, decorations, and other honors were almost showered upon him by the principal Sovereigns and Liter- ary Societies of Europe. In the course of his travels he had collected not less than 84,000 species of Coleoptera, which, before his decease, were presented to the British Museum. The following hymns from his "Matins and Vespers" (1823) and a Sequel to the Matins (1825) are found in many collections : "How sweetly flowed the gospel's sound," etc., "From the recesses of a lowly spirit," etc., " Thy will be done ! In devious way," etc., " God is love ; his mercy brightens," etc., "Watchman! tell us of the night," etc. His poetry is quite unequal, and is mostly a reproduction of his literary readings. As sacred poetry, it is cold, and destitute of that glowing inspiration that characterizes so many of the productions of Trinitarian poets. Many who have so often sung with delight, — " In the cross of Christ I glory," etc., may be surprised to learn that its author was then, and to the day of his death, a confirmed Unitarian. He has but little to say of the adorable Redeemer; but, in common with writers of that class, he addresses the Father, as in the following specimen : "Almighty One! I bend in dust before thee; Even so veiled cherubs bend ; — In calm and still devotion I adore thee, All-wise, all-present Friend ! Thou to the earth its emerald robes hast given. 94 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Or curtained it in snow ; And tlie bright sim, and the soft moon in heaven, Before thy presence how. "A thousand worlds which roll aroirnd us brightly, Thee in their orbits bless ; Ten thousand suns which shine above us nightly. Proclaim thy righteousness. Thou didst create the world— 'twas thy proud mandate That woke it unto day ; And the same power that measured, weighed, and spanned it, Shall bid that world decay." NICHOLAS BRADY. 1659-1726. The Rev. Dr. Beady was associated witli tlie Poet Laureate, Naliuni Tate, in the production of "The ]S"ew Version of the Psalms of David" (1696), known as "Tate and Brady's Version," that supplanted " The Old Version " by Sternhold and Hopldns. He was the son of Major Nicholas Brady, who was a grandson of the Right Rev. Hugh Brady, the first Protestant Bishop of Meath, Ireland, and an officer in the royalist army of Charles I. His mother was Martha, the daughter of Luke Gernon, Esq. He was born, October 28, 1659, at Bandon, County Cork, where also he received his elementary education. Thence he pro- ceeded to Westminster School, London, and was elected to Christ Church College, Oxford. After a four years' course he entered Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated A.B., and whence, at a later date, he received the honorary degree of D.D. Bishop Wettenhall, of Cork, gave him a chaplaincy, and soon after made him a prebend of his Cathedral. At the Revolution (1688), he es];)oused the cause of the Prince of Orange, and iDreserved Bandon from the wrath of James II. At the accession (1689) of William MATTHEW BEIDGES. 95 aad Mary, he was sent to London to seek a redress of griev- ances. As a reward for his services, he was api^ointed min- ister of St. Catharine Cree, London, and lecturer of St. Mi- chael's. He was honored also with a royal chaplaincy. The rectory of Holy Trinity, Clapham, Surrey, and the liv- ing of Eichmond, were soon after given him. He died May 20, 1726. Though a clergyman, he was addicted to the drama. He wrote a play called " The Rape ; or, The Innocent Impos- tors," that was acted at the Theatre Royal, 1692. Three volumes of his Sermons were published in 1704, 1706, and 1713. His later years were occupied with a translation of Virgil's ^neid, which was published in the last year of his life. Three additional volumes of his Sermons were published (1738) by his son. [See Nahum Tate.] MATTHEW BRIDGES. 1800 . Matthew Beidges is the youngest son of Mr. John Bridges, of Wallington House, Surrey. His elder brother, the Rev. Charles Bridges, late vicar of Old Merton, is ex- tensively and most favorably known as the author of " Tlie Christian Ministry," in two volumes ; also, " An Exposi- tion of the 119th Psalm," and " An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs"; — a truly excellent and most useful man. Matthew Bridges was born, July 14, 1800, at " The Fri- ars," Maldon, Essex. His writings show a commendable spirit of research. In 1825, he produced " The Testimony of Profane Antiquity to the Account, given by Moses, of Paradise and the Fall of Man." The same year his poetic talent was favorably exhibited in " Jerusalem Regained : a Poem. " These were followed, in 1828, by " The Roman Em- pire under Constantine the Great." He was moved to this 96 THE POETS OF THE CHTJP.CH. work, in part, by tlie desire " to examine the real origin of certain papal superstitions, whose antiquity has been so often urged against Protestants, with no little triumph and presumption." In 1843, he published his "Babbi- combe, or Visions of Memory, with other Poems." Notwithstanding his previous Protestant proclivities, he became enamored of Tractarian doctrines, and, by easy gradations, at length, with many scholars of the two Uni- versities and others, became, about 1846, a convert to the dogmas and pretensions of the Church of Eome. His "HjTuns of the Heart" appeared in the following year, containing twenty-two of his own hymns. A small book of hjTnns, called " The Passion of Jesus," followed in 1852 ; " Popular Ancient and Modern Histories," in 1855-6 ; a " Report of the Discussion between J. Baylee and Mat- thew Bridges," in 1856 ; and " An Earnest Appeal to Evan- gelical Episcopalians, etc., on the State of Parties in the Anglican Establishment," in 1864. These are his principal works. Tlie first and last stanzas of his hjTun, entitled "All Saints," are given as specimens of his verse : " Head of the hosts in glory, We joyfully adore thee, — Thy Church on earth below, Blending with those on high, — Where, through the azure sky, Thy saints in ecstasy Forever glow. ' ' Angels — archangels ! glorious Guards of the Church victorious ! Worship the Lamb : Crown hun with crowns of light, — One of the Three by right, — Love, Majesty, and Might ; The Great I AM!" Many of his hymns were appended to an edition of the " Lyra Catholica," joublished (1851) by Edward Dunnigan & Brother, New York. CHARLES TIMOTHY BROOKS. 97 CHARLES TIMOTHY BROOKS. 1813-1883. Mr. Brooks was a Unitarian divine, a vigorous wi'iter, an industrious author, and an accomplished poet. He was born June 20, 1813, at Salem, Mass. While a student at Harvard College (where he graduated, 1832), he became, under the instructions of the learned Prof. Charles T. C. Fol- len, LL.D., an excellent German scholar. After a three years' course of study (1832-1835) at the Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., he began to preach in the summer of 1835 at Nahant, Mass., and successively supplied congregations at Bangor and Augusta, Me., at Windsor, Yt., and other places, and (June 4, 1837) was ordained the pastor of the Unitarian church of IsTewport, R. 1. He married (October, 1837) Miss Harriet L. Hazard, and resided continuously at Newport thereafter. In 1853, he visited India for the benefit of his impaired health, and, in the autumn of 1871, by reason of the failure of his eyesight and general health, he resigned his pastoral charge. While a student at the Divinity School, Cambridge, he translated from the German the popular patriotic hymn, " God bless our native land," etc. It was reconstructed (the second stanza being almost wholly rewritten) by Rev. John S. Dwight, and published as it now appears in the various Compilations. It may, therefore, be regarded as a joint production. In 1838, he published, anonymously, at Providence, R. I., a translation of Schiller's " William Tell "; in 1842, a volume of miscellaneous poems from the German ; in 1845, a poem delivered before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, Cambridge ; in 1847, a translation of Schiller's "Homage to the Arts," with other pieces; in 1848, " Aquidneck, and other Po- ems"; in 1851, a monogram on "Tlie Old Stone Mill" of Newport, R. I. ; in 1853, a volume of " German Lyi'ics,"— 7 98 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. many of wliicli translations had previously appeared in the Literary World; in 1855, a translation of Goethe's "Faust"; in 1857, "Songs of the Field and Flood"; in 1859, " Simplicity of Christ's Teaching," a volume of Ser- mons ; in 1863, a translation of Jean Paul Richter's " Ti- tan," and (1865) "Hesperus"; in 1867, a translation of Schefer's "Layman's Breviary," and (1873) "World's Priest." In addition, he was a contributor of numerous poems, hymns, odes, and essays, to the periodical press ; among the latter, one on " Poetry " (1845) and another on "German Hymnology" (1860), both to the CJiristian Ex- aminer. He died, June 14, 1883. The following stanzas, wath four others, were written in 1871: " Great Lord of all; our Father, God! Sweet summer's liymn ascends to thee ; Her beauty breatlies thy joy abroad, And love's warm tide flows full and free. " Through all the realm of earth and air. Thy great heart pulses day and night, And flower and fountain leap to share The glory of thy kindling light. " In morn's and evening's twilight glow, Thy tender greeting, Lord ! we feel ; And midnight heavens, with silent show, Thy watchful, patient love reveal." PHCEBE HINSDALE BROWN. 1783-1861. The early days of Mrs. Brown gave small promise of lit- erary attainments or poetic development. Her parents were attached to the Episcopal Church. She was born. May 1, 1783, at Canaan Four Corners, N. Y. Her father, George Hinsdale, died when she was only ten months old, PHCEBE HINSDALE BEOWN. 99 followed, at the close of the next year, by her widoAved mother. Her grandfather, Allen, took charge of the little orphan. Mr. and ISIrs. Allen died in her tenth year. In this crisis she found a home with her sister (at Claverack, N. Y.), whose husband was the keeper of a county prison. Here she remained for the next eight years, treated more as a servant than as a sister, receiving almost no sympathy, and subjected to great tribulation. jN'ot a day's schooling was given her the whole time, so that, in her eighteenth year, she could not even write her name. At the expira- tion of this time, she broke loose from her cruel bondage, and attended the district school at Claverack for three months, and there she learned to write. A kind Providence brought her, in 1801, into the Whit- ing family, residing in her native place, where she was treated as a daughter, and where, the same year, she united with the Church. In 1805, she became the cherished wife of ]\Ir. Timothy H. Brown, of East Windsor, Ct., where two of her children were born. The remaining two were born at Ellington, whither they had removed. Here she became familiar with one of the natives of the forest, still lingering in the East, of whom she gave an account in a Tract, called, " Poor Sarah, or the Indian Woman," pub- lished as IN'umber 128, by the American Tract Society, Kew York. She was greatly attached to her pen, and became a fre- quent contributor to the periodical press. Several of her contributions appeared in the Religious Intelligencer, pub- lished by Deacon Nathan Whiting, at New Haven, Ct. In Tlie Pearl, published at Hartford, Ct., appeared her " Tales of Real Life," and several of her pieces of poetry. At a later date, she published two Siinday- School books, called " The Village School," and " The Tree and its Fruits." The former of these two volumes described her own experience as a school teacher ; the latter illustrated, by a series of tales from real life, the evils of gambling. The Rev. Charles Hammond, who was for some years a member of her family, says : " I have in my possession her 100 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. autobiography, a manuscript volume of 412 pages, and a volume of lier poems, whicli I have collected from her manuscripts and newspaper slips, which is nearly as large. From her letters and diaries and prose papers yet unpub- lished, another manuscript volume of equal size could be made, of great value. At the age of seventy, two years before her death, she wrote out, in a small volume, a fair copy of her numerous hymns and other poetical effusions, noting the occasion, time and place of such compositions, and the date of their first publication." The family removed, in 1818, to Monson, Mass., just over the State line, where her brother-in-law, the late Alfred Ely, D.D,, was settled in the ministry. Her home, at El- lington, had been on the border of a little mountain stream, just outside of the village. Leading from the cottage door, a well-worn footpath led down, among the trees and elders, to a shelving rock on the bank of the brook, where she was wont to retire for prayer and meditation. One evening in August, 1818, having been rudely interrupted in her retreat, she returned to her home, and in vindication of her prac- tice, wrote from a full and grieved heart : " Yes, — when this toilsome day is gone, And night, with banners gray, Steals silently the glade along, In twilight's soft array, — I love to steal awhile away From children and from care, And spend the hour of setting day In humble, grateful prayer." Four more stanzas were added, and the paper laid away. When Dr. Nettleton was compiling his volume of " Village Hymns," he applied, at the suggestion of Dr. Ely, to Mrs. Brown, then residing at Monson, for some of her produc- tions. This and three others were given him, and inserted in that collection. The first stanza was omitted, and the second line of what is now the first stanza was altered with her consent. It has become a great favorite. The tune, " Monson," was composed for it by her son, the Rev. Sam- PHGEBE HINSDALE BROWN. IQI uel R. Brown, D.D., of Japan,— as was also the tune, " Brown," named for her by Mr. W. B. Bradbury. The hymn beginning with, " O Lord ! thy work revive," " was wTitten from the impulse of a full heart, and shown to a friend, who begged a copy for private use. It soon found its way to the public in the ' Spiritual Songs.' Writ- ten at Monson, 1819." Such is her own account of it, Mrs. Brown became a widow, in 1854, in her seventy- second year. She then found a home with her only son, who had returned from China, and had become the pastor of the Owasco Outlet Reformed Church, near Auburn, N. Y. On his departure (1859) to Japan, she took uj) her abode with her daughter Hannah, the wife of Deacon Elijah Smith, who, with her only surviving sister, was residing at Henry, HI. There she dwelt, serene and happy, until her death, October 10, 1861, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. The following hymn was written by Mrs. Brown, in 1819, at Monson, Mass., during a revival season, for a sunrise prayer-meeting ; it was included (1832) among Hastings and Mason's " Spiritual Songs ": ' ' How sweet the melting lay, Which breaks upon the ear, When, at the hour of rising day, Christians unite in prayer ! "The breezes waft their cries Up to Jehovah's throne, — He listens to their bursting sighs, And sends his blessings down, "So Jesus rose to pray, Before the morning light, Once on the chilling mount did stay And wrestle all the night. " Glory to God on high Who sends his blessings down. To rescue souls condemned to die, And makes his people one! " 102 THE POETS OF THE CHTJECH. SIMON BROWNE. 1680-1732. Simon Browne wrote in tlie days of Watts, whom he greatly revered. He was born, in 1680, at Shepton-Mallet, Eng. His early education was pursued at home under the care of the Rev, John Gumming, his pastor. He was then put under the instruction of the Rev. John Moore, pastor of the dissenting church of Bridgewater. He was a dili- gent student, and an aj)t scholar ; of a grave aspect, and godly life. In his twentieth year he was authorized to preach. Soon after, he undertook the pastoral charge of a large and important church at Portsmouth. Here he con- tinued, honored, useful, and beloved, about fifteen years. He was called thence, in 1716, to succeed the Rev. John Shower, as x^astor of the Old Jury church, one of the most influential dissenting churches in the kingdom. Dr. Watts was then a near neighbor, preaching hard by in Bury Street. Matthew Henry had died two years before, leaving his great Commentary unfinished. The First Ei^istle to the Corinthians was assigned to and completed by Mr. Browne. Besides occasional sermons, he had published, before com- ing to London, a considerable volume (1809), entitled, — "The true Character of the Real Christian, or Sincere Good Man." Of the "Occasional Papers," he wrote Nos. 4, 10, and 12. He took part in the Salter's Hall Confer- ence, held at London early in 1719, and sided, because of his zeal for the rights of conscience, against subscription to the First Article [Trinitarian] of the Church of England. Dr. Watts, the same year, brought out his version, or "Imitation of the Psalms of David," and Mr. Browne's Hymns followed, the next year (1720). Two years later (1722), he published a volume of his sermons (13), highly evangelical and well written. They are chiefly on practical themes. SIMON BEOWNE. 103 It pleased God, tlie following year (1723), to remove from him, by death, a beloved mfe and an only son. A deep depression of spirits sncceeded, aggravated, as some have said, by having unwittingly killed a foot-pad, by whom he was assaulted on a Journey. But this statement is not well authenticated. A heavy gloom came over him, resulting in a most remarkable malady, which affected him, without interruption, to the end of his life. He became a confirmed monomaniac. He imagined, as stated by Mr. Atkey in his Funeral Sermon, "that Almighty God, by a singular in- stance of divine power, had, in a gradual manner, annihi- lated in him the thinking substance, and utterly divested him of consciousness ; that, though he retained the human shape, and the faculty of speaking, in a manner that ap- peared to others rational, he had all the while no more no- tion of what he said than a parrot. And, very consistently with this, he looked upon himself as no longer a moral agent, a subject of reward or punishment." Nothing could shake this conviction. He ceased to preach and pray ; gave up his pastoral charge ; retired to Shepton-Mallet, and devoted himself to literary pursuits. He dismissed all fear, was calm and even cheerful. All the while the masterly character of his mind was more and more apparent. So acute a disputant was he, that his per- sonal friends were wont to say, "He can reason as if he were possessed of two souls." He translated some of the ancient Greek and Latin poets into English verse ; he composed several school-books for children; and compiled a Greek and Latin Dictionary. "A fit Rebuke to a ludicrous Infidel," written with great care and shrewdness, was published by him in 1731 ; " A Sober and Charitable Disquisition concerning the Imi^ortance of the Doctrine of the Trinity," a remarkably able and learned essay, followed the next year, — also, his " Defence of the Religion of Nature, and the Christian Revelation," in reply to Tindal, said to be "superior to most, and inferior to none," of the Defences, " that have appeared on the same subject." 104 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. For want of proper exercise, his health failed, and he died, at the close of the year 1732, of a complication of dis- orders. His Hymn Book contains 266 original hymns, truly evangelical, and quite superior, in rhythm and diction, to the most of what was then current as " sacred lyrics." Pre- fixed to the book are twenty Tunes — Treble, Tenor, and Bass— four of them of his own composition. In his Pref- ace, which is quite valuable for its historical notices, he says : " The ingenious Mr, Watts has outdone all that went be- fore him in the variety of his subjects, the smoothness of his verse, and the richness of his fancy. " " The world, I hope, will not do me the injury to think that I aim at being his rival. These hymns are designed as a Supplement to his, not intended to supplant them." " I do not set up for a poet. And yet, 'tis no vanity to say, I aim at being more poetical than some who have gone before me. I have la- bored to make the verse smooth, and the sense obvious and clear." " I have more tyed myself to rhyme than any of my predecessors, Mr. Barton excepted ; having throughout taken care, either to rhyme in couplets, or in every other line." He shows a great familiarity with Watts' Psalms and Hymns, frequently borrows his phraseology, and, in some cases, simj^ly reconstructs his neighbor's production. " Sometimes," he says, " I have borrowed my stamina from others." The 122d hymn in his book,— beginning with, "Tlirice happy saints, who dwell above, In God's immediate sight ; They glow with everlasting love, And shine divinely bright," has ten stanzas. Five only are retained, in the altered form in which alone they have long been used. The following stanzas are from the fifth hymn of his third book : ' ' Hail ! Holy Spirit ! bright immortal Dove ! Great Spring of light, of purity and love, Proceeduig from the Eather and the Son, Distinct from both, and yet with both but one. MICHAEL BRUCE. 105 " Oh. ! shed thine influence and thy power exert ; Clear my dark miiid, and thaw my icy heart ; Pour on my drowsy soul celestial day, And heavenly life to all its powers convey." MICHAEL BRUCE. 1746-1767. " ' Whom the Gods love die young,' was said of yore." So wrote Lord Byron, quoting Plautus, and lie Menander. It is true only in part. It was true, among many others, of Henry Kirke White, Robert Murray McCheyne, John Sum- merfield, Thomas Spencer, and Michael Bruce. The latter had entered only his twenty-second year, when he was called to join the heavenly choir. Michael was the fifth child of Alexander and Ann Bruce, whose eight children all died young — Michael outliving the others. The father was an humble weaver. Both the par- ents were godly and discreet. Their home was a small thatched cottage, with a sashed — not a lattice — window, in the little hamlet of Kinneswood, skirted with a circle of old ash trees, two miles from Kinross, on the southwestern declivity of the Lomond Hills, and on the northeastern bank of Loch Leven. It was just the place for a poet. Here Michael was born, March 27, 1746, and here he grew to early manhood. Few, indeed, were his advantages, but he improved them well. At four, he could read ; at six, he could write, and write well. In boyhood he was manly — in intellectual developments far in advance of his years. He was the chaplain of his humble home. In his advanced boyhood he was " slenderly made, with a long neck and narrow chest; his skin white, and shining; his cheeks tinged with red rather than ruddy ; his hair yellowish and inclined to curl." The Rev. Thomas Mair, of the Associate Synod, was his pastor. Poor as he was, he began, in his eleventh year, the study 106 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of Latin. In 1762, lie entered the University of Edinburgh. During the summer vacation of 1764, he wrote, at home, several hymns for the village singing-school. He had pre- viously been addicted to versification. The next year, he took charge of a school, first at Gairmy Bridge, at £11 per annum, and then at Forrest Mill. He entered, also, on the study of divinity, and, for one session, enjoyed the tuition of Prof. Swanton, of Kinross, in the Theological Hall. But his feeble frame soon gave way, and he returned home to die. During his illness, as strength permitted, he revised and transcribed his hymns, sonnets, and odes, having pre- viously purposed to publish them. Full of faith and resig- nation he awaited the hour of his departure. He died, July 5, 1767, without a struggle. After his decease, the manuscript volume of his poems was committed, for publication, to his college comrade, John Logan. Three years elapsed, and Logan published (1770) "Poems on Several Occasions, by Michael Bruce." Greatly to the surprise and grief of the father and village friends of Bruce, the larger part of the poems were sup- pressed. Logan refused to restore the remainder. The father died. Then Logan, in 1781, ventured to publish, as his own, several poems (among which was an " Ode to the Cuckoo "), which were at once recognized by the villagers as the production of the youthful Bruce. The hymns they had often sung, and the " Ode " had been committed to memory as a great favorite. Eleven at least of Bruce's hymns were incorporated, on the recommendation of a committee, of whom Logan was one, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the same year, in the " Translations and Paraphrases, in verse, on several Passages of Scripture, to be sung in the churches." They are respectively numbered 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 23, 31, 38, 53, 58, and the last one of the five appended " Hymns." The first three of the eight stanzas of the " Ode to the Cuckoo " are subjoined : ' ' Hail ! beauteous stranger of tlie wood, Attendant on the spring ! WILLIAM CULLEN BEYANT. 107 Now heaven repairs thy rural seat, And woods thy welcome sing. "Soon as the daisy decks the green, Thy certain voice we hear : Hast thou a star to guide thy path, Or mark the rolling year ? " Delightful visitant ! with thee I hail the time of flowers, When heaven is filled with music sweet Of bmls among the bowers." WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. 1794-1878. Mr. Bryant was born November 3, 1794, in the rural town of Cuminington, tlie hill country of Hampshire Co., Mass. His father, Peter Bryant, was a physician and surgeon of high culture and eminent skill. The education of his children he superintended with the utmost care. Discerning the early intellectual promise of his son, Will- iam Cullen, he took special pains in developing his intel- lect and cultivating his poetic taste. This fatherly care and loving-kindness were not unappreciated by the dutiful son. When, in 1820, the father died, the son appended to his "Hymn on Death," written the same year, these with other additional lines : " Alas ! I little thought that the stern Power, Whose fearful praise I sung, would try me thus, Before the strain was ended. It must cease — For he is in his grave who taught my youth The art of verse, and, in the hud of life. Offered me to the muses. Oh ! cut off Untimely, when thy reason in its strength, Ripened by years of toil and studious search And watch of Nature's sUent lessons, taught 100 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Thy hand to practise best the lenient art, To which thou gavest thy laborious days, And, last, thy life." .... "Rest, therefore, thou, Whose early guidance trained my infant steps, — Rest in the bosom of God, till the brief sleep Of death is over, and a happier life Shall dawn to waken thine insensible dust." At nine, lie began to rhyme. At ten (1804), one of Ms scliool-exercises in verse appeared, in the HampsJiire Ga- zette, Northampton, Mass. Two years later (1806), he wi'ote verses on " The Solar Eclipse," and on " The Death of a Cousin "; and, July, 1807, on the " Drought," and an " Ode to Connecticut River." His " Embargo, or Sketches of the Times," a well-sustained political " Satire " on President Jefferson, in good heroic verse, correct in rhyme and rhythm, as well as vigorous in thought, was wi'itten and published (1808) in his fourteenth year. The next year (1809), it aiDpeared in a second edition, " corrected and en- larged, together with the Spanish Revolution and other Poems." TJie Monthly Antliology, in a flattering notice, augured well for the fame of the young bard. The same year he produced an excellent translation of the 19th Can- to of the 1st Book of Virgil's ^neid. In 1810, he entered the Sophomore class of Williams College, of which he took at once the first place. Ha\dng graduated in 1813, he entered on the study of law, at Bos- ton, Mass., first with Justice Howe, and then with the Hon. William Baylies. He was admitted (1815) to the bar,, at Plymouth, Mass., and practiced law, one year at Plainfield, and nine years at Great Harrington, Mass. His immortal " Thanatopsis," so universally admired, was first given to the public in the columns of the North American Review , for 1817, though it was written (1812) in his eighteenth year. The closing lines of this remarkable poem have be- come " household words," wherever the English language is spoken : " So live, that, when thy summons comes to join The innumerable caravan, that moves WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. 109 To tliat mysterious realm, where each shall take His chamber in the silent halls of death, Thou go not, like the qviaiTy slave, at night, Scoui'ged to his dungeon ; but, sustained and soothed By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave. Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams." Several prose articles were contributed to the North American and appeared in later Numbers. At the com- mencement of Harvard College, in 1821, he delivered the Phi Beta KapiDa Poem — on " The Ages," in Spenserian stanzas, — which, with " Thanatojisis, and other Poems," was pub- lished the same year, at Cambridge, Mass. Several other poems from his pen appeared (1824) in the United States Literary Gazette, and Boston WeeMy Remeio. In 1822, he married Miss Fairchild, of Great Barrington, where he was then residing. The law proving less congenial to him than literature, for which he had a great passion, he removed to ISTew York City in 1825, and became an editor for life, first, of the New YorJc Remew and Athenceum Magazine,— 2. monthly, which the next year was merged in the United States Re- meio and Literary Gazette, — and then (1826) of the Evening Post. To this admirable daily, Mr. Bryant gave, for half a century, the strength of his vigorous and highly cultivated intellect, elevating it to the very front rank of honorable and influential journalism. He contributed largely to the " Talisman," an annual for the years 1827-1830, also (1832) "Medfield," and the " Skeleton's Cave," to the " Tales of the Glauber Spa." A general collection of his " Poems " was published by Elam Bliss, New York, 1832, and reprinted, with an Introduction by Washington Irving, in London. He visited Europe in 1834, 1836, 1845, and 1849,— extending his travels, in the last instance, as far as Egypt and Syria. These visits gave oc- casion (1850) to his "Letters of a Traveler." Another visit to Europe (1857-1858) occasioned his " Letters fi^om Spain and Other Countries." A new volume of " Thirty Poems " 110 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. appeared in 1864. Once more (1867) lie crossed the ocean, and in 1872 lie visited Mexico, by tlie way of Cuba. Much of his spare time was given to the study of the classics, the mature fruit of which appeared in his inimi- table poetic versions of Homer's Iliad and the Odyssey, the former of which appeared in 1870-1871, and the latter, in 1871-1872. His " Library of Poetry and Song,"— an ad- mirable collection, — was published in 1871. He received (1853) the honorary degree of LL.D. from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y.; and, in 1870, the degree of H.S.D., from the University of the State of New York. In 1844, the Nortli American Jtevieio, with careful dis- crimination, truly remarked : " His poems are almost per- fect of their kind. The fruits of meditation, rather than of passion or imagination, and rarely startling with an un- expected image or sudden outbreak of feeling, they are admirable specimens of what may be called the philoso- phy of the soul. They addi-ess the finer instincts of our nature with a voice so winning and gentle, they search out with such subtle power all in the heart which is true and good, that their influence, though quiet, is resistless." " It is imiDossible to read them without being morally bene- fited ; they purify as well as please ; they develop or en courage all the elevated and thoughtful tendencies of the mind." The desire expressed in the following stanza, written by himself, was realized in the autumn of his own life : " Wind of the sunny South! Oil, still delay In the gay woods and in the golden air, Like to a good old age released from care, Journeying, in long serenity, away. In such a bright, late quiet, would that I Might wear out life like thee, 'mid bowers and brooks, And, dearer yet, the sunshine of kind looks And music of kind voices ever nigh ! And, when my last sand twinlded in the glass. Pass silently from men, as thou dost pass." [1826.] He died, June 12, 1878, in his eighty-f^-^-arth year. STEPHEN GEEENLEAF BULFINCH. m STEPHEN GREENLEAF BULFINCH. 1809-1870. The Rev. De. BuLFmcH was born, June 18, 1809, at Boston, Mass. His father, Cliarles Bulfincli (1763-1844), the son of Dr. Thomas Bulfinch, was a gradnate (1781) of Harvard College, Mass., and became eminent as an archi- tect. He designed the State House and City Hall of Bos- ton, and drew the plans for the Capitol of the United States, Washington, D. C. The son, because of the father's removal (1818) to the Federal City, became, at the age of nine years, a resident of Washington, where he prosecuted his studies, graduating, in 1827, at Columbian College. He studied theology (1827-1830) at the Divinity School, Cam- bridge, Mass. He entered on public life as the pastor (1830-1837) of the Unitarian Church of Augusta, Ga., and was ordained January 9, 1831. He then became a teacher at Pittsburgh, Pa. (1837-8), and subsequently (1838) at Washington, D. C, still continuing the exercise of his ministry. He was the pastor for several years (1845-1852) of the Unitarian Church of Nashua, N. H. Thence he removed (1852) to Dorches- ter ; and (1865) to East Cambridge, now Boston, where he continued to reside until his decease, October 12, 1870. He received (1884) the honorary degree of D.D., from his Al- ma Mater. His literary and poetic taste was frequently developed through the press. Besides several sermons and magazine articles, he published (1832) his "Contemplations of the Saviour : a Series of Extracts from the Gospel History, with Reflections and Hymns Original and Selected." Of the hymns twenty-eight were original. A volume of his " Poems " was published (1834) at Charleston, S. C. " The Holy Land and its Inhabitants " followed, in 1834 ; " Lays of the Gospel," in 1845 ; " Communion Thoughts," in 1850 ; " Palestine and the Hebrew People," in 1853 ; " The Harp 112 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. and the Cross," in 1857 ; " Honor, or the Slaveholder's Daugh- ter," in 1864 ; " Manual of the Evidences of Christianity," in 1866 ; and " Studies in the Evidences of Christianity," in 1869. He contributed six hymns to the "Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home." His hymns are experimental in character, as in the follow- ing, called " The New Life," or " Conversation with Nico- demus ": "How glorious is the hour When first our souls awake, Through thy mysterious Spirit's power, And of new life partake ! " With richer beauty glows The world, before so fair; Her holy light Religion throws, Reflected everywhere. *' Amid repentant tears, We feel sweet peace within ; We know the God of mercy hears, And pardons every sin, " Born of thy Spirit, Lord! Thy Spirit may we share ! Deep in our hearts inscribe thy word, And place thine image there." GEOKGE BURDER. 1752-1832. The Rev. Geoege Burder was the son of Henry Biir- der, a worthy deacon of the Independent Church of Fetter- Lane, London, residing in Fair Street, Horseley - Do\vn, Southwark. His mother (Miss Wildman) was converted under the preaching of the Rev. George Whitefield, and was an excellent Christian woman. George was born June 5, 1752. In September f ollomng, the " New Style " was GEOEGE BUEDER 113 adopted, and his birthday was reckoned as May 25th, In his tenth year, his mother was taken from him by death. He was favored with good educational advantages. To the rudiments of an ordinary English education, was added a knowledge of the Latin language. He acquired the art of drawing, under the instruction of Mr. Isaac Taylor, an artist of some eminence. He took lessons, also, in archi- tecture, anatomy, and kindred studies, at the Koyal Acad- emy, Somerset House, London. A thoughtful child, he became serious in early youth. He was an attendant at Whitefield's Tabernacle, and there, September 17, 1775, he made a profession of religion. Soon after, he joined the Evangelical Society, and sought to enter the ministry. Greek, Hebrew, and theology were added to his j)revious attainments. On a visit to his father's farm at Sheriff Hales, he spent a day with the Rev. John W. Fletcher, at Madely, who urged him to enter at once on the work of preaching the Grospel. He complied ; and, the next week, June 17, 1776, he preached to the farm people at Moreton. Returning to London, he resumed his regular pursuits, preaching seldom ; but in the autumn and winter, he preached frequently at Lancaster and Ulverstone. In March, 1778, he gave up the practice of his art, and devoted himself to the gospel-ministry. He was ordained, October 29, 1778, the pastor of the Independent Church of Lan- caster. In this position he continued five years, extending, occasionally, his labors over a wide circuit in the North of England. He married, in 1781, Miss Sarah Harrison, of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Two years afterward, November, 1783, he became the pastor of the West Orchard Chapel, Coventry. Highly honored and useful as well as popular, he continued here for twenty years. In labors abundant, he took a prominent part in the public enterprises of the denomination. He united with others (1795) in the organi- zation of the " London Missionary Society," of which, in 1803, he became the active and efficient Secretary. He took charge, also, of the Fetter Lane Church— the home of his 114 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. childliood, — and edited Tlie EGangelical Magazine. He took part also in founding (1799) the " Religious Tract So- ciety," and (1804) the " British and Foreign Bible Society." He left the editorial chair in 1823, and the Secretaryship in 1827, but retained his pastorate until his decease. May 29, 1832, in the eightieth year of his age. In addition to his numerous editorials, he published, while at Lancaster and Coventry, a series of "Village Tracts," and began, in 1797, to publish his " Yillage Ser- mons," which attained great popularity, and were exceed- ingly useful. He published, also, " Sea Sermons " (1821), and " Cottage Sermons " (1826). Of these three series of " Seimons," about a million of copies had been circulated in his life-time. To these are to be added, a " Closet Com- panion " (first in the form of a Tract, 1784) ; " Notes on Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress " (1786) ; " Evangelical Truth Defended " (1788) ; " An Abridgment of Owen on the Spirit" (1793) ; " Collins' Weaver's Pocket Book, or Weav- ing Spiritualized " (1794) ; " An Abridgment of Owen on Justification by Faith" (1797); "The Welsh Indians" (1797) ; "The Life of Rev. John Machin" (1799) ; "JS'otes on Bunyan's Holy War " (1803) ; " Howel's History of the Holy Bible enlarged and improved " (1805) ; " Mather's Es- says to do Good, revised and improved " (1807) ; " Mission- ary Anecdotes " (1811) ; and " Burnham's Pious Memorials, enlarged and improved " (1820). The year after his settlement at Coventry, he prepared and published (1784), for the use of his own congregation, " A Collection of Hymns, from various Authors. Intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Hymns and Imitation of the Psalms," containing 211 hymns. Three of the hymns are credited to his own pen, as follows : " Come, ye that know and fear the Lord," etc., four of the nine stanzas of which are usually omitted, as quite inferior ; " Great the joy when Christians meet," etc., which first stanza is generally omitted, and in most Col- lections the hymn begins, RICHAED BUEDSALL. 115 " Sweet the time, exceeding sweet," etc. The first three stanzas of his third hymn follow ; " Come, dear Desire of nations! come, And aid our feeble tongues ; While we thy worthy praise attempt, In our unworthy songs. " By faith we see, and we adore Thy grace, thy power and love ; And, sweetly drawn from sense and sin, To thee our spirits move. ' ' Yes, Jesus ! thou art our Desire, In thee our wishes meet ; Nor can the whole creation's round Ajfford a name so sweet." EICHARD BURDSALL. 1735-1824. Mr. Burdsall was a useful and very laborious Local Preacher, in the Wesleyan Connection, Yorkshire, Eng. "Memoirs of the Life of Richard Burdsall, showing the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus to a Sinner, and containing his Testimony to the Truths he has received : Written by himself," aj)peared in 1797. AjDpended to the " Life " was the hymn, beginning with, " Now Christ he is risen, the serpent's head bruised." This stanza has very properly been omitted, and the hymn very soon became popular. It underwent some very neces- sary modifications, and, in 1799, appeared in a Leeds Prayer-Meeting Hymn-Book, nearly in its j)resent form, be- ginning with the second stanza, " The voice of free grace," etc. It seems to have been introduced to tlie American churches 116 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. by Rev. Josliua Si)aulding, in " The Lord's Songs," com- piled by himself, and published (1805) at Salem, Mass. Mr. Bnrdsall was born March 14, 1735, at Kirkby-Over- blows, Yorkshire, Eng., in humble circumstances. Con- verted from the error of his ways in early life, he was filled with zeal for the conversion of his perishing fellow-sinners. He became a class-leader among the Wesleyans, and so continued to the end of life. Not content with this, he followed w^hat seemed to be the indications of the Divine Will, and became a Local Preacher. In this capacity, he made full proof of his ministry. Beginning in his 27th year, he continued laboriously, zealously, and effectively, for sixty-two years, a faithful preacher of the Gospel. The late Thomas Jackson, a distinguished Wesleyan minister, says of him : " Mr. Burdsall was, in some respects, one of the most remarkable men of his age. He was low in stature, and somewhat slender in his make ; his eyes were small, and his countenance was marked by a singular archness of expression. He was gifted with an uncommon power of memory. Sometimes his sermons consisted, to a great extent, of texts of Holy Scripture, every one of which he used to repeat with verbal accuracy, specifying, at the same time, the chapter and verse where they occur. In the pulpit, he occasionally said witty things which provoked an involuntary smile among his hearers, and sometimes even more than a smile ; but his sermons were otherwise very impressive. I have wept under his preaching, and, after hearing him, have repeatedly gone home to pray." He died, at York, February 25, 1824 ; and his son, John, in a communication to the July Number of the Wesleyan- Metliodist Magazine for 1824, describes him as "a simple, sincere, humble, holy, and faithful disciple of Jesus." Though "his behavior was occasionally abrupt," and " his general conversation bespoke a comparatively unculti- vated mind," yet " he was well received wherever he went ; and, generally spealdng, was highly esteemed as a consci- entious, upright, and indefatigable laborer in the vineyard of the Lord." "He came to the end of his glorious course in comfort; confidence, and honor." RICHAED BURNHAM. 117 KICHARD BURNHAM. 1749-1810. Iisr tlie notice of the Rev, George Bnrder on a previous page, it is stated that he published an edition of " Burn- ham's Pious Memorials, enlarged and improved." The au- thor of this book was the Rev. Richard Burnham (1711- 1752), of Guildford, Surrey, England. There his son, Rich- ard, was born, 1749, three years before his father's death. Owing to this early affliction his education was quite neglected, and he grew uj) without any settled religious principles. He became passionately addicted to frivolous society and vain amusements. Having taken up his abode at High Wycombe, Bucking- hamshire, he attended the Wesleyan chapel, and was hope- fully converted. Subsequently he adoiDted Antinomian views, and, ignorant as he was, began to preach with great zeal and considerable effect. Not long afterward he be- came a convert to Baptist views, and united with a Particu- lar Baptist church at Reading. He now removed to Staines, Middlesex, on the Thames, about seven miles below Wind- sor. Here he planted a small Baptist church. On a visit to London (1780) to gather funds for his church, crowds of the poorer class were attracted by his preaching, and he consented to become their minister. A church was gathered at Greenwalk, on the Surrey side of London, near Blackfriars' Bridge, whence, two years after- ward, they removed to Lincoln's Inn Fields, and, subse- quently, to Edward Street, Soho, a division having occuiTed in the church, owing to his own misconduct. In 1795, the church removed to Grafton Street, where he ministered fif- teen years longer. Here he finished his course, October 30, 1810. The epitai^h on his gravestone in the burial-ground of Tottenham Court Road Chapel describes him as "en- dowed with an ardent zeal for the Redeemer's interest, an acute penetration, and vigor of mind seldom equaled"; and affirms that " his ministry was remarkably owned to 118 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tlio conversion of many." His private cliaracter, however, was not in all respects above reproach. While at Greenwalk he published, in 1783, " New Hymns on Divers Subjects," thoroughly Antinomian. The book grew, in subsequent editions, from 141 to 452 hymns. The only one of them all that has attained popularity is the hymn, " Jesus! thou art the sinner's Friend," etc., which appeared in his first edition, and is now used in an abridged and amended form. A fair specimen of his other hymns is subjoined : "All the Lord's honored chosen race Adopted were by sovereign grace ; As viewed in Christ, they ever stood The children of the living God. "The Father's heart o'erflowed with love, And sent down Jesus from above ; The Son poured out his precious blood, To bring the children back to God. * ' Lord ! may we all our sonship know, As we by faith to Jesus go ; And, in believing, may we prove Our Father's rich adopting love." JAMES DRUMMOND BURNS. 1823-1864. Mr. BuRisrs was a true Christian and a true poet, — too soon called, from toil and suffering, to rest and triumph. He was the son of AVilliam Burns, of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born, February 18, 1823. He was educated at the High School, and at the University of Edinburgh. He was twenty years old at the disruption of the Church of Scotland, and cast in his lot with the Free Church. He entered the Theological Hall and enjoyed there the instruc- tions of fhe Rev. Dr. Thomas Chalmers. At the age of JAMES DRUMMOND BURNS. 119 twenty-two (1845) lie became the pastor of the Free Cliurcli of Dunblane. A predisposition to consumption, aggravated by hard study and the rigors of the climate, compelled him, in the second year of his pastorate, to pass the winter at Madeira- Returning home in 1848, his malady reasserted itself, and necessitated his resignation. He now took up his abode in Madeira, and made it his home for the next five years. Here he wrote " The Vision of Prophecy, and other Poems," which he published at Edinburgh, on his return to England, in 1854. The same year he took the pastorate of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Hampstead, that " airy and delightful suburb " of London, of " far-famed salubrity," " . . . . courted by the western wind." He was then "a tall, loosely-knit man, clad always in clerical black, mth the gentlest of manners, a sad resigned sort of voice, and with great sweetness of smile, weak and ill." His ministry proved very acceptable and useful. He was characterized during this period by " a lofty idealism, which cheerfully accepted homely realities; and a consum- mate scholarship which never disdained the joys and sor- rows of the poorest ; a determination to know nothing amongst men save Christ crucified, along with a necessity to admire the wonders of creation and the glories of art ; a width of sympathy and a range of acquirement, which would have gladly made acquaintance with all the true and all the beautiful, but which, with growing relish, returnee evermore to the simplicities of Scripture ; a faith at home in the Westminster formulas, a fancy free of the universe ; a taste which reveled in the dreamlike descriptions of Ca- moens and the mystic intuitions of Wordsworth, but which could lay down the favorite volume, in order to visit a re- formatory, or plead with anxious eagerness the cause of some Christian mission. " His sermons were fraught with scholarly elegance, evangelical truth, and practical wisdom, " often bright ^ith exquisite beauty." A return of alarming pulmonary disease, at the expira- 120 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tion of ten years (January, 1864), drove Mm to Menton, France. The summer found him again at the north, with some improvement; but, soon after his return in the au- tumn to Menton, he sank under the power of the disease, and, in a state of entire resignation and joyful hope in Christ, he ceased from suiTering and from life, on the Sab- bath, IS'ovember 27, 1864. His greatly attached friend and countryman, the late Kev. Dr. James Hamilton, of London, published (1868) a highly appreciative " Memoir," bearing testimony therein to his eminent spirituality, his consum- mate scholarship, his exquisite taste, and his glowing zeal for the ti'uth and the souls of his fellow-men. His volume of " Poems," containing eighty-eight speci- mens, of which twenty-seven are hymns and meditations, was reissued in 1858. "The Heavenly Jerusalem" and " The Evening Hymn," two small works, were published in 1856, a,nd another small volume, containing three sermons preached at Hampstead, in 1864, the year of his decease. A posthumous sermon appeared in 1865. His poetry is very sweet and beautiful, expressed in a great variety of versification, with an exquisite vein of fancy, and great ten- derness. The following stanzas are from his hymn entitled "Chastening": " O Thou, whose tender feet have trod The thorny path of woe ! Forbid that I should slight the rod, Or faint beneath the blow. "My spirit, to its chastening stroke, I meekly would resign. Nor murmur at the heaviest yoke, That tells me I am thine. " Give me the spirit of thy trust, To suffer as a son, — To say, though lying in the dust, ' My Father's will be done ! ' •'So will I bless the hour that sent The mercy of the rod, And build an altar by the tent Where I have met with God." JOHN BURTON, SEN. 121 JOHN BURTON, SEif. 1773-1822. "JoHiS" BuETOis-, of Nottingham," was born February 26, 1773. He was of a Baptist family, and, at an early age, identified himself wltli the Sunday-School work, then in its infancy. For the use of the little ones in the School of which he was a teacher, he wi'ote a number of small poems and divine songs, which were published (in 1802), with the title, " The Youth's Monitor, in verse. In a series of lit- tle Tales, Emblems, Poems, and Songs, Moral and Divine." This was followed by " Hymns for Sunday- Schools, or In- centives to Early Piety," in two Parts, — of which, the first contained 86, and the second 60, of his hymns. The latter Part was published at Nottingham, in 1806. Three of his hymns, including " Holy Bible, book divine ! " etc., appeared in the London Evangelical Magazine^ for 1805. The favorite hymn on the " Brevity of Life," " Time is winging us away," etc., appeared in " Hymns for the Use of Sunday- Schools, Orig- inal and Selected," published by the Nottingham Sunday- School Union, England, and is there ascribed to " Burton. " He married in 1805, and in 1813 removed to Leicester, where he enjoyed the ministry and the friendship of that eminent divine, the Eev. Robert Hall. " The Young Plan- tation, in Yerse," and " The Shrubbery," were his produc- tions. At his decease, June 24, 1822, he left, unpublished, a volume of hymns designed for village worship. The Nottingham Collection was edited chiefiy by himself, and the ninth edition (1823) contains not less than forty hymns accredited to his pen. Yery few of them have any merit, and only the two referred to above are found in modern Collections. Among the best of the remainder is the following hymn on " The Lord's Day Morning " : 122 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ' ' The saxired morn is come, When, from the silent tomb, The Prince of life a conqueror rose : Now death, with all his power, Can reign o'er him no more : Behold ! he triumphs o'er his foes. " Hail ! thovi most holy day ! When saints unite to pray, And raise their voices to the Lord ! Let us in concert join. And mingle sounds divine, And pray, and hear his holy word. ' ' The morning of our days, Thus spent in love and praise. Will sweeten much declining hours ; Thus may our lives display Our love to Wisdom's way, And joy, and peace, and heaven be ours." JOHN BURTON, JuTT. 1803 . JoHisr BiTETOi^, of Essex, the son of John Burton, of Stratford, in Essex, was born there, July 23, 1803. His father was a cooper and basket-maker. Both of his par- ents were devout members of the Congregational Church. From his childhood, the son, also, has lived a life of prayer. Until his thirteenth year, he was educated in the grammar- school of the town. From his fifteenth year, for ten years, he was, most of the time, laid aside by a painful illness. On leaving school, he became his father's assistant in busi- ness, and, at the father's death, in 1840, his successor. He has long been a deacon of the Congregational Church, and an effective Sunday- School teacher. JOHN BURTON, JUN. 123 In the intervals of business and illness, Mr, Burton has been a diligent student. With an early propensity to ver- sification, he began, in his twentieth year, to contribute both poetry and prose to the magazines. His first poetic contribution appeared in the Supplemental Number of the Etiangelical Magazine^ for 1822. In 1824 his hymn, " O Thou that hearest prayer ! " etc., appeared in the Baptist Magazine, London. His " Scrip- ture Characters in Yerse," was published by the " Religious Tract Society," about 1840 ; his " One Hundred Original Hymns for the Young," in 1850 ; and his " Hymns for Lit- tle Children," (54 in number), in 1851. He wrote, also, " Charles Murray," and " Conversation on Prayer," published by the Tract Society. His principal prose work, " Chris- tian Devotedness," was issued in 1860. It was written, mostly, before day, during three successive winter seasons. His " Book of Psalms in English Verse," " on which he was occasionally engaged during 47 years," was published in 1871. One of his prose works is entitled " War irreconcil- able with Christianity." His " Hymns for Little Children," has been republished in Philadelphia, with the title, " My Own Hymn Book." The following stanzas are from a hymn contributed to Rogers' " Lyra Britannica " (1866) : " Jesus, our Lord ! to thee we raise A song of gi-atitude and praise, — To thee, our Saviour King : Spirit Divine ! thy grace impart, Wake every power, warm every heart, Redeeming love to sing. " Redeeming love ! what theme but this Inspires, with ecstasy of bliss. The harps before the throne, Where angels lead th' enraptured song, And ransomed souls the strain prolong, With joys on earth unknown." 124 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. JOHN BYEOM. 1691-1763. Dr. John" Byrom was one of " The Lancashire Worthies," celebrated in a recent volume by "Francis Epinasse." He was the younger son of Edward Byrom, a linen-di'aper, or " warehouse man," of Manchester, — a gentleman " of good birth as well as comfortable circumstances." The son was born, in 1691, at Kersall, the family home, near Manches- ter. His father took special care to give him an excellent education. His preparatory course was pursued at the Merchant Taylors' School, London. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, July 6, 1708, and graduated, A.B. , 1711, and A. M. , 1715. He was chosen, in 1714, a Fellow of his Col- lege. The same year, as " John Shadow," he contributed two Essays on "Dreaming," Nos. 586 and 593, to The Specta- tor. His famous Pastoral, "Colin and Phoebe," ap- peared in No. 603. His Fellowship required of him to take orders in the Church ; and, as he could not conscien- tiously comply, he resigned it in 1716, and repaired to Monti^ellier. Prance, to pursue the study of medicine. Here he became imbued with the mysticisms of Dr. Henry More, Antoinette Bourignon, Madame Guyon, Jacob Behmen, and Malebranche. Returning to England, he settled in London, as a phy- sician. Shortly after, he married Elizabeth, the daughter of his uncle, Joseph Byrom, and thereby incurred the dis- pleasure of his wealthy kindred. Having invented a sys- tem of stenography, an art very highly prized at that day by statesmen and others, he became a short-hand teacher. His art brought him a handsome income, and the friend- ship of many men of quality. It procured him also the degree of F. R,. S. On the death, some years later, of his elder brother, Edward, he became the owner of the family estates, and thenceforward he gave himself to literary pur- suits. He made the acquaintance of Charles Wesley, in JOHN BYEOM. 125 1738, and thereby became a true convert to tlie religion of the Cross. He had a great facility in versification, and his style was often quite sprightly. So accustomed was he to use the language of poetry, that he always found it the easier way of expressing himself on all occasions. The well-known fable of " Three Black Crows," from his pen, shows some- thing of his humor. He was very much addicted to the epi- gram. It was he that wrote the famous epigram on " Handel and Bononcini " : " Some say, compared to Bononcini, That Mynheer Handel 's but a ninny ; Others aver, that he to Handel Is scarcely fit to hold a candle : Strange all this difi'erence should be 'Twixt Tweedledum and Tweedledee ! " He belonged to a family that were " Tories of the To- ries," and on the occasion of the visit of the Pretender, Charles Edward, to Manchester, in 1745, he made one of his court. Being brought into question for it by an officer of the army, he gave utterance to the following epigram : ' ' God bless the King ! — I mean the Faith's Defender ; God bless — no harm in blessmg — the Pretender ! But who Pretender is, or who is King, — God bless us all! — that's quite another thing." John Wesley said of his "Poems," that they contain " some of the finest sentiments that ever appeared in the English tongue, — some of the noblest truths, expressed with the utmost energy of language, and the strongest col- ors of poetry." In 1749, appeared his "Epistle to a Gen- tleman of the Temple"; in 1751, "Enthusiasm, a Poem"; in 1755, " The Contest " between Blank Verse and Rhyme. He published in the "Philosophical Transactions," 1748, an account of his system of stenography. He died, in great peace, September 28, 1763. After his decease, his "Universal Short Hand" was pub- lished in 1767, and, in 1773, bis "Miscellaneous Poems," in 126 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. two volumes. Two of the Wesleys' liymns, by tlie inad- vertence of the editor, are included in this collection. They begin with — "World! adieu! thou real cheat," and "Come, Saviour Jesus ! from above." They are both found in " Hymns and Sacred Poems, by J. and C. Wesley, 1739." He wi'ote the Christmas Carol, be- ginning with " Chi'Lstiaus ! awake, salute the happy morn." The original contains forty-eight lines, heroic measure. "The Lord is my Shepherd, my Guardian and Guide," etc., is taken from one of his poems, containing ten double stanzas. The hymn, "My spirit longs for thee," etc., is entitled "The Desponding Soul's Wish." He wrote, also, an "Answer" to it, in the same peculiar style, the first stanza of which is as follows : " Cheer up, desponding soul! Thy longing, pleased, I see ; 'Tis part of that great whole. Wherewith I longed for thee." " The Literary Remains of John Byrom," including his Diaries, were published, 1857, by Dr. John Parkinson, for the Cheetham Society. They furnish numerous graphic illustrations of his Life and Times. ROBERT CAMPBELL. 1868. Mr. Campbell is known, in hymnology, only as the translator of several Latin hymns from the Breviary and THOMAS CAMPBELL. 127 other sources. He was an advocate of tlie city of Edin- burgli, where he died, December 29, 1868. He belonged to the Scottish Episcopal Church, and was an extreme ritualist. In 1850, at the suggestion and un- der the revision of Rev. Dr. Patrick Torry, the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of St. Andrew's, he compiled a Man- ual of Praise, entitled, " Hymns and Anthems for Use in the Holy Service of the Church." Some few of the hymns, and several of the translations, were from his pen, including "Ye choire of New Jerusalem," etc., "At the Lamb's high feast we sing," etc. He made " the freest use of the previous labors of others," in his translations and compilations. The editors of " Hymns Ancient and Modern " introduced several of them, somewhat modified, into their compilation. "Ye choirs of New Jerusalem " is a free translation of Fulbert's Latin hymn, "Chorus novae Jerusalem," etc. " At the Lamb's high feast we sing " is, also, a free trans- lation of a Breviary hymn, "Ad regias Agni dapes," etc. THOMAS CAMPBELL. 1777-1844. Alexander and Maegaeet Campbell, the parents of Thomas, were residents of High Street, Glasgow, Scotland. There the son was born, July 27, 1777 (the youngest of eleven children), in his father's sixty-eighth year. His early instructor was David Alison, an eminent teacher. In his eleventh year, he wrote verses ; at twelve, he made poetic versions of Anacreon, as school exercises. He en- tered the University of Glasgow, October, 1791, and gradu- 128 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ated in May, 1796. He was a proficient in Greek and in poetry. His poetical translations of ^schylus, Sopliocles, and Aristophanes, were greatly admired. He wrote, also, several prize poems. Leaving the University, he obtained a tutorship at Dounie, Argyleshire, where, among the rugged and wild scenery of the north, his passion for song was greatly in- vigorated. At the end of a year, he made his way to Edin- burgh and studied law for a season. He then gave himself to the pursuit of literature. Mundell & Son gave him twenty pounds for an abridgment of Bryan Edwards' "West Indies." They also published, April 27, 1799, his "Pleasures of Hope." It attracted great, and even enthu- siastic, admiration, and at once gave him prominence in the literary world. He visited the Continent, June, 1800, and at Altona, Ger- many, met with a number of Irish refugees. This occa- sioned his popular ballad, " There came to the beach a poor exile of Erin," etc. Written in November, 1800, it was published, January 28, 1801, in The Morning Glironicle. His "poor exile" was Anthony McCann. That famous ballad, " Ye Mariners of England ! " etc., was also written, about the same time, at Altona. His "Our bugles sang truce, for the night-cloud had lowered," etc., was occasioned by an incident on the battle-field of Ratis- bon, which he visited in the autumn of 1800. Returning to England in April, 1801, he visited London, where he learned that his father had just died. In June, 1802, on a visit home, he wrote " Lochiel " and " Hohenlin- den." Going back to London, he engaged, the following winter, to write " The Annals of Great Britain from the Accession of George III. to the Peace of Amiens," as a Continuation of Smollett's History of England. An en- THOMAS CAMPBELL. 129 larged edition of liis " Poems " was issued in June, 1803. He married, September 10, 1803, his cousin, Matilda Sin- clair. A literary pension was conferred on him, October 1, 1805. Necessity compelled him to literary labor. His " Speci- mens of the British Poets," published in 1819, occupied much of his time for a dozen years. " Gertrude of Wyom- ing" appeared in 1809. He visited France in 1814, and Germany, in 1820. He then became the editor of the New Monthly Magazine^ and removed to London in 1821. " The Last Man " was issued in 1823, and " Theodoric," in 1824. His Lectures on " Greek Poetry " were first printed in the Neici Montlily. He projected the " London Univer- sity," and labored much to found it. He was chosen in 1826, and for two more successive years, Lord Rector of the University of Glasgow. At the close of 1830, he left the New Montlily^ and the following year took charge of the Metropolitan Magazine. " The Life of Mrs. Siddons " a]3peared in 1834. Campbell vrent abroad the same year, and visited Algiers. On his return, in 1835, he prepared, and published the fol- lowing year, his "Letters from the South." This was fol- lowed, in 1837, by "The Scenic Annual." He began, but did not complete, an edition of Shakesi^eare. He revisited (1841) the German States, and the same year published his "Life and Times of Petrarch." In 1842 his "Pilgrim of Glencoe " appeared ; and, the next year, an elegant edition of his collected " Poems." Although the hymn, "When Jordan hushed his waters still," etc., does not appear in this edition, its authorship is claimed for him by Dr. William Beattie, his biographer. The failure of his health compelled a change of climate. He found a retreat at Boulogne, France ; and there, with the exception of a short visit to London in August, he re- sided from July, 1843, until his decease, June 15, 1844. His remains were laid to rest, July 3d, in Westminster Abbey. 9 130 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He was below the middle stature, of good proportions, thongli somewliat slender. He had large deep -blue eyes, an aquiline nose, and generally a saturnine expression. His hair was dark. His features indicated great sensibil- ity, even to fastidiousness. He was fond of recondite studies, and had a passion for Greece, her language and her arts. He studied mostly at night. He was quick in his movements, and highly impulsive. He was given to absent-mindedness, was warm-hearted, and of kindly dis- position. The following " Lines written in Sickness " show something of his more serious style : " Oh death ! if there be quiet in thine arms, And I must cease — gently, oh. ! gently come To me, and let my soul learn no alarms ; But strike me, ere a shriek can echo, dumb, Senseless and breatliless. — And thou, sickly life i If the decree be writ that I must die, Do thou be guilty of no needless strife, Nor pull me downwards to mortality, When it were fitter I should take a flight — But whither ? Holy Pity ! hear, oh ! hear ; And lift me to some far-off skyey sphere, Where I may wander in celestial light : Might it be so — then would my spirit fear To quit the things I have so loved, when seen — The air, the i^leasant sun, the summer green, — Knowing how few would shed one kindly tear, Or keep in mind that I had ever been." JOSEPH DACRE CARLYLE. 1758-1804. This eminent Orientalist was the son of George Carlyle, M.D., of Carlisle, Eng., where he was born, June 4, 1758. He was educated first at Christchurch, and then at Queen's College, Cambridge, graduating, A.B., 1779, A.M., 1782, and S.T.B., 1793. He obtained a Fellowship in 1781. JOSEPH DACRE CARLYLE. 131 Wliile in college, lie associated with David Zamio, a native of Bagdad, and thus was led to acquire a knowledge of the Arabic language, in which he soon became a proficient. Losing his Fellowship by his marriage in 1793, he obtained church preferment, and was appointed Chancellor of Car- lisle, as successor to Rev. Dr. AVilliam Paley. Two years later he was made Professor of the Arabic Language in Cambridge University. AVhen Thomas Bruce, Earl of Elgin, was sent (1799) as Ambassador to the Porte, Prof. Carlyle accompanied the embassy, to explore the literary treasures in the public library of Constantinople. Thence he made excursions into the Archipelago, Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt. He returned, in 1801, through Italy and Germany, and was presented to the rectory of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. In the full maturity of his powers, and in the midst of his im- portant literary pursuits, he was removed by death, April 12, 1804. " The urbanity of his manners, the cheerfulness of his social life, his great modesty, his active benevolence, and his sincere piety, as well as his great learning, j)rocured for him the warm love and genuine respect of all who knew him, and rendered his death a public calamity." Sir Samuel Egerton Brydges, who knew him in college, described him as " a tall, dark, thin man, of reserved man- ners, and recluse habits," and says that he was supposed to be "of a noble Scotch origin." He published (1792) "Rerum JEgypticarum Annales (971-1453) Arab, et Lat." His "Translations of Select Pieces of Arabic Poetry " appeared in 1796. On his return from the East, he undertook the supervision of an edition of the Arabic Bible, which finally was issued in 1811. He had made extensive preparations to utilize his linguistic acquisitions while in the Orient, by the publication of a revised edition of the Greek Testament— a project that was cut off by his death. His " Poems, suggested by scenes in Asia Minor, Syiia, and Greece," with miscellaneous pieces appended, appeared (1805) the year after his decease, edited by his sister, Susanna Maria. The hymn, " Lord ! wlieu we bend before thy throne," etc., 132 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. appears in these miscellanies. The following three stanzas are from his hymn " On the Lord's Prayer": " Father of heaven, whose gracious hand Dispenses good in boundless store ! May every breath thy praise expand, And every heart thy name adore. " Great Lord! may all our wakened powers To spread thy sway exulting join, Till we shall dare to think thee oiirs, Aiid thou shalt deign to make us thine. " Whate'er thy will, may we display Hearts that submit without a sigh ; Whate'er thy law, may we obey, Like raptured saints, and feel its joy." ALICE AND PHCEBE GARY. 1824-1871. The gifted, sisters, Alice and Phoebe Gary, were natives of Hamilton Go., Ohio. Their father, Robert Gary (1787- 1866), when a boy of fifteen years, had removed from Lyme, N. H., with his father, Ghristopher, to occupy a land grant, on a warrant given to Ghristopher as a Revolutionary soldier. The family were originally from Windham, Gonn., and descendants of John Gary, a Plymouth Pilgrim of 1630. Robert Gary was a man of superior intelligence, of ex- cellent moral character, fond of poetry and romance, and quite religiously inclined. He married, January 13, 1814, Elizabeth Jessup, "blue-eyed and beautiful"; "of su- perior intellect, and of good, well-ordered life " ; " fond of history, politics, moral essays, biography," and polemic divinity. Six daughters and three sons were born to them, Alice being the fourth, and Phoebe the sixth child. They resided on a picturesque and fertile farm, in the broad and beautiful lap of the Miami Valley, about eight miles north of Gincinnati. ALICE AND PHCEBE CAEY. 133 painted wooden bnilding, one story and a half in lieiglit, facing the west, with a long porch across its north side, ' ' Low, and little, and black, and old. With children many as it can hold." , The new house, into which they moved in the autumn of 1832, was much more roomy and comfortable. Such was the "Clovernook," of which the sisters retained such a loving and fond remembrance. In this "sequestered vale" Alice Gary was born, April 26, 1820, and Phoebe, September 4, 1824. Their schooling was obtained in a low and plain one-story brick building, a mile and a quarter from home, reached always on foot. The literary treasures of their homestead were a Bible, Hymn-Book, "Lewis and Clark's Travels," "Pope's Es- says," the "History of the Jews," and "Charlotte Tem- ple." The parents had early become Universalists, and The Trumpet was a weekly visitor. Inheriting a poetic temperament, the two sisters took delight, from their childhood, in the rhyming art. Their poems were contributed, in the first instance, to Universalist periodicals, and Cincinnati Journals ; then to the Ladies' Repository, of Boston, and that of Cincinnati ; after- wards to Graham'' s Magazine, New York, and the National Era, Washington, D. C. These productions were collected, and published, by Rev. Rufus W. Griswold, in 1850, at Philadelphia, with the title,—" Poems of Alice and Phoebe Cary." In the summer of the same year, they visited the Eastern States, and met with a cordial reception, forming not a few valuable friendships. An affair of the heart had broken the health and spirits of Alice, and in November, 1850, she came to New York to make herself a new home, and enter upon her life-work. Phoebe, and a younger sister, Elmina, followed her, in April, 1851. They hired rooms in a quiet neighborhood (No. 75 W. 13th St.) ; and, five years afterwards, they took the cosey house, No. 52 E. 20th St., which they occupied to the end of their earthly pilgrimage. They soon sur- 134 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. rounded themselves with friends of a kindi-ed spirit, and their humble home became the centre and loved resort of a literary coterie of singular worth. They managed, with strict economy, to sustain themselves by their pens, and to secure a competence. Phoebe Gary, in March, 1852, became a member of the Church of the Puritans, under the care of the Rev. George B. Cheever, D.D.; and, after the removal of that church to a remote neighborhood, she became an attendant of the Church of the Strangers, under the care of the Rev. Charles F. Deems, D.D. She is described (in the winter of 1853-4, her 30th year) as " still young and striking in her appear- ance, with keen, merry, black eyes, full of intelligence and spirit, a full, well-proportioned figure, and very char- acteristic in gesture, aspect, and dress." She was full of delicate wit and humor, — the life of every circle in which she mingled. "Some one remarked," says a friend, "her resemblance to Sappho, as she is kno^n to us by the bust, and by descriptions; the olive-broAvn tint, the stature rather under-size, the low brow, etc." She published, in 1854, her "Poems and Parodies"; and, in 1868, her "Poems of Faith, Hope, and Love." In connection with her pastor, the Rev. Dr. Deems, she com- piled, and published (1869), "Hymns for all Christians"; a Manual of Hymns, Spiritual Songs, and Lyiics, one hun- dred of each. Her sister, Alice, who for years had been declining in health, ceased from labor and from mortal life, February 12, 1871. Phoebe keenly felt the severing of the cords that bound her to her greatly endeared sister, but, for a season, bore up bravely under the affliction. It proved, however, too much for her. In the course of a few months, nature gave way, and she died, at JSTewport, R. I., July 31, 1871, in the forty-seventh year of her age, The sisters sleep, side by side, beneath the turf in Greenwood. To an inquiring friend, Phoebe Cary wrote, the year be- fore her death, in respect to the hymn, by which she is everywhere known, "One sweetly solemn thought," etc., — EDWARD CASWALL. 135 "The hymn was written eighteen years ago (1852), in your house. I composed it in the little back third-story bedroom, one Sunday morning, after coming from church." It was, doubtless, inspired by the morning sermon. As originally written, the measure was quite irregular, and the rhythm imperfect. Some slight alterations were needed to adapt it to a suitable metrical tune. The following stanzas are from one of her last poems, entitled, " Waiting the Change ": " Thougli some, whose presence once Sweet comfort round me shed, Here in the body walk no more The way that I must tread, Not they, but what they were, Went to the house of fear ; They were the incorruptible, They left corruption here. "Thank God! for all my loved, That, out of pain and care. Have safely reached the heavenly heights, And stay to meet me there : Not these I mourn ; I know Then- joy by faith sublime ; — But for myself, that still below Must wait my appointed time." EDWAED CASWALL. 1814-1878. Edward Caswall is an "Oxford Pervert." His father, the Rev. R. C. Caswall, was the Vicar of West Lavington, Wiltshire, England, and previously Perpetual Curate of Yateley, Hampshire. His mother was a niece of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Burgess, D.D., Bishop of St. David, and afterwards of Salisbury. The father was a descendant of Sir George Caswall, Kt., who was comx^romised in the affairs 136 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of the South-Sea Company (1720). The family were pos- sessed of a considerable estate. The son, Edward, was born, July 15, 1814, at Yateley, and was the fourth of nine chil- dren. His eldest brother. Rev. Henry Caswall, D.D., ac- companied Bishop Chase, of Ohio, in 1829, to the United States, was the first graduate of Kenyon College, and was afterwards Theological Professor at Lexington, Ky., and St. Louis, Mo., — returning to England in 1842, when he pub- lished his book on the " Mormons," having in 1839 pub- lished his "America and the American Church." He is now Prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral. After a preparatory training at the grammar-schools of Chigwell and Marlborough, Edward entered Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1832. Previous to his graduation (1836), he contributed, to the MetrojpolUcm Magazine^ a series of papers, entitled "The Oxonian." His "Art of Pluck " (1835), a satire on the idle and wasteful habits of the Oxford boys, was very popular, and speedily went through eleven editions. His " Sketches of Young Ladies," a similar satire, was equally popular. In the summer of 1835, he visited Italy and other parts of the Continent. He remained, as " Hulme Exhibitioner," studying divinity, at Oxford, two years, when he was ordained, by Rt. Rev. George Henry Law, D.H., Bishop of Bath and Wells (1838) a deacon, and (1830) a I3riest. In the meantime, he pub- lished "Morals from the Church Yard" (1838), and therein showed some tendencies towards Romanism. He served as Curate, successively, at Bishop's Norton, near Taunton, at Milverton, and at St. Dunstan's in the AVest, London. In 1840, he became Perpetual Curate of Stratford, near Salis- bury. He married (1841) Louisa, the only child of General Walker, at Taunton, with whom (1845) he again visited the Continent. They returned, quite in love with the pomp of the Roman ritual. He had already received, with eager- ness, the "Tracts for the Times," and other kindred publi- cations. As the result, he resigned (March, 1846) his church-liv- ing, and published " The Child's Manual," and " Sermons EDWARD CASWALL. 137 on the Seen and Unseen." A visit to the eastern and south- ern parts of Ireland, the same year, confirmed him in his leanings towards the Papacy. His father died soon after, and, in December, he proceeded with his wife to Rome, where, in January, 1847, they were both received into the Church of Rome. His younger brother, Thomas, Fellow of Clare Hall, Cambridge, had taken a similar steiD shortly before. On his return home, he was occupied, during the follow- ing two years, in translating the Breviary Hymns, as pub- lished (1849) in his "Lyra Catholica." The "Altar Man- ual," translated from the French by Mrs. Caswall, was pub- lished about the same time. They removed to Torquay, early in the autumn, where Mrs. Caswall became (Septem- ber 14, 1849) a victim of the Asiatic Cholera. In December he repaired to Dr. Xewman's Oratory at Birmingham, was received on probation into the Order, March 29, 1850, and finally into the priesthood, September 18, 1852. His fuE admission to the Oratory took place, January 18, 1854. He published, afterwards : (1855) " Hours at the Altar," a translation from the French, and "Verba Verbi ; or, the Words of Jesus, arranged in the Order of Time as a Daily Companion," etc. ; (1858) " The Masque of Mary, and Other Poems," of which forty-nine are Translations ; (1861) " Con- fraternity Manual of the Most Precious Blood," etc. ; (1862) " Love for Holy Church"; and (1865) "A May Pageant and Other Poems." He also assisted his college-friend. Rev. Henry Fonnby (who, also, had become a Romanist) in bring- ing out his series of hjnnns. He died, January 2, 1878. Mr. Caswall's translations are of a high order, and many of them are used extensively, both by Protestants and Ro- manists. More than thirty of them have been adopted by Protestant Compilers, — notably those of " Hymns Ancient and Modern " (1861) and " The People's Hymnal " (1867). The following stanzas are from his " Masque of Mary": "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! arise thee now and shine : Put on, put on thy pm-ple robe and diadem divine ; Though darkness cover all the earth, yet thou shalt sing for glee; For, lo ! tlie glory of the Lord hath risen upon thee. 138 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! thy streets are paved with gold; Thy pearly halls and palaces are glorious to behold ; Thy walls of jasper are inlaid with every precious gem ; How pure, how lovely, is the sight of our Jerusalem ! "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! no tear in thee is known; Thy bright and fragrant courts were made for happiness alone ; The Lord alone thy Temple is, and calls thee by his name ; The Lamb alone is all tlie liffht of om- Jerusalem." JOHN CAWOOD. 1Y75-1852. Iisr one of tlie most cliarming portions of Derbj^shire, England, the village of Matlock, Jolm Cawood first saw the light — March 18, 1775. His parents, Thomas and Ann Ca- wood, were farmers on a small scale, and John was trained to a life of toil. He had but little schooling, and was mainly self-taught. In 1793, he became the man-servant of the Rev. Mr. Carsham, of Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottingham- shire. Shortly after, he entered upon a religious life, and determined to prepare for the ministry of the Gospel. Un- der the tutelage of the Rev. Edward Spencer, of Winkfield, Wiltshire, he pursued a classical course, and entered, No- vember, 1797, St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, where he was favored with the instructions of Rev. Isaac Crouch, Vice- Principal. At his graduation, he was ordained, December 21, 1800, deacon, and, May 31, 1801, priest, having obtained the Curacy of Ribbesford and Dowles. In 1814, he was presented to the Perpetual Curacy of St. Ann's Chapel of Ease, Bewd- ley, Worcestershire. Here he continued until his decease, November 7, 1852, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He belonged to the evangelical school. He seldom appeared in print. To Number 48 of the Brit- ish Remew (1825) he contributed an Article, which he after- wards expanded and published (1831) in pamphlet form, JOHN CENNICK. 139 with the title, — " Tlie Clinrcli of England and Dissent," pur- porting to be an Answer to Rev. J. A. James' " Christian Fellowship." It was well thought of by churchmen, and commended for "its perspicuity, its mild spirit, and its ability." His " Sermons " (1842) are characterized, by Bick- ersteth, as " forcible, impressive, and evangelical. " Thirteen hymns are ascribed to him, written at various times " for the use of his family and Sunday-Schools," which fouhd their way into various magazines. His Christmas hymn, " Hark! what mean those holy voices," etc., is a universal favorite. His interest in the work of Foreign Missions is well ex]3ressed in the following hymn, on the words " Come over and help us ": ' ' Hark ! what mean those lamentations, Kolling sadly through the sky ? 'Tis the cry of heathen nations, — ' Come and help us, or we die ! ' Lost and helpless and desponding. Wrapt in error's night they lie ; To their cries your hearts responding, Haste to help them ere they die. "Hark! again those lamentations Rolling sadly through the sky ; Louder cry the heathen nations, — ' Come and help us, or we die ! ' Hear the heathen's sad complaining; Christians ! hear their dying cry ; And, the love of Christ constraining, Join to helj) them ere they die." JOHN CENNICK. 1718-1755. To John- Cennick the Christian Church is indebted for some of her most cherished hymns. He was one of the 140 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. fill promoters, of tlie " Great Revival of the Eighteenth Century." He was born, December 12, 1718, at Beading, Berkshire. His parents were of the Church of England, but his paternal grandiDarents were disciples of George Fox, the Quaker. They " were once very great clothiers," but lost their all by persecution. He was strictly brought up, and, until his thirteenth year, was a regular attendant at St. Lawrence Church, Reading. He went up to London, not less than eight times in two years, seeking fruitlessly an apprentice- ship to some trade. He became addicted, in consequence, to sight-seeing, song-singing, i^lay-going, card-playing, horse-racing, ball-frequenting, and the like. On an Easter visit to London, in 1735, he was seriously impressed, as he was walking hastily in Cheapside. He became greatly distressed on account of his sins, broke off from his sinful course, and walked softly before God ; but found no peace until September 6, 1737, when he was enabled to trust in Christ alone, and find " joy and peace in believing." In the winter of 1738-1739, he heard of Mr. Kinchin, of the "Holy Club" at Oxford, and set out afoot to make his acquaintance. He thus became known to John and Charles Wesley, and shortly after, at London, to George Whitefield, by all of whom he was heartily welcomed and greatly encouraged. In June, 1739, he took charge of one of Mr. Wesley's schools for colliers' children, at Kingswood, near Bristol, and immediately began to preach the word, as occasion offered. At the close of the next year, he sepa- rated from the Wesleys on account of their doctrine of "Free Grace," and with twenty-four adherents, early in 1741, organized a new Society. In March, Whitefield re- turned from America, and invited Cennick to aid him at the Tabernacle, Moorfields, London. His ministry was re- ceived with favor, and he labored there Avith great zeal and success. He itinerated, also, in IS'orth Wiltshire, in Glouces- tershire, in the West of England, and elsewhere, preaching daily, and at times six sermons a day. His great labors JOHN CENNIOK. 141 were attended with great success, and followed by much l)ersecution, all which he bore with great meekness. Cennick was the grandson of a Bohemian refugee, and so was very naturally drawn to the Moravian brethren. In 1Y45, he separated from Whitefield, and joined " Tlie Breth- ren," taking with him a large number of his former friends. He now devoted himself to the spread of their tenets, and, after a short visit to Germany, passed over (1746) to Dublin, where, and in the North of Ireland, he labored effectually. A second visit to Germany followed, and, in June, 1T4Y, he married Miss Jane Bryant, of Clack, Wiltshire, and re- turned to the North of Ireland, where the remainder of his life, with the exception of occasional visits to London and a short preaching excursion in South Wales, was spent. He came to London, June 28, 1755, in great feebleness, and died there, July 4, 1755, in his thirty-seventh year. He "was rather below the middle stature," says Rev. Matthew Wilks, "of a fair countenance, but of a fairer mind. A good understanding, an open temper, and tender heart characterized the man." He was distinguished by " unaffected humility, deadness to the world, a life of com- munion with God, and a cheerful reliance on a crucified Saviour." He is said to have been second only to White- iield, as to "success in his labors." His early departure was greatly lamented. While Cennick was at Kingswood, he occupied his spare moments in writing hymns, and, early in 1741, he published, at London, 152 " Sacred Hymns for the Children of God, in the Days of their Pilgrimage. By J. C"; with a Biographi- cal Preface of thirty pages. Charles Wesley says, in July, 1739, "I corrected Mr. Cennick's hymns for the press." This must refer to only a portion of this volume. A sec- ond edition was issued the same year. A second Series, with the same title. Part I. containing 86 hymns, followed by Part II. with 140 hymns, was published in 1742. The next year, at Bristol, he brought out his " Sacred Hymns for the Use of Religious Societies, Generally composed in Dialogues. Part I." His name appears in full on the Title 142 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Page. Part II. immediately followed ; tlie first has 3S hymns ; the second, 66 of his own, and 6 " by Mr. Joseph Hnmphreys." In this volume appeared Mr. Humphreys' well-known hymn, beginning with "Blessed are the sons of God." Part III., with the same title, except the clause about Dia- logues, was published at London, in 1744. It contains 149 hymns. At Dublin, in 1746, he published " A Collection of Sacred Hymns" (partly original), the fifth edition of which (1752) contained that noble and inspiring lyric, be- ginning with "Lo! he cometh, countless trumpets." He published, last of all, in 1754, a volume of " Hymns to the honor of Jesus Christ, Composed for such Little Chil- dren as desire to be saved and go to Heaven." At his de- cease he left many hymns in manuscript, several of which were included in the Moravian Hymn-Book of 1789. Nearly half of Mr. Whitefield's Collection was of Cen- nick's hymns. Two volumes of "Discourses on Imjjortant Subjects," several of them with hymns attached, from his pen, were published in 1753. The Preface is dated, " Dublin, Decem- ber 12, 1753." They contain forty sermons, and have often been republished as "Village Sermons." They are plain, scriptural, and impressive. In 1744, he published "An Account of the Conversion of Edward Lee, a Malefactor executed in Wales "; also, " A Letter to the Little Children, especially to Those who want to Know how to Go to Heaven"; and a "Treatise on the Holy Spirit." In 1745, he sent forth his " Life," written by himself, and " An Ac- count of the late Riot in Exeter." In the preface to Part I. of his Second Series of Hymn- Books (1742), he says, " I would not have any, who read these Hymns, look to find either good Poetry or fine Lan- guage, for indeed there is none." It was the truth. The few hymns from his pen that are now used, have been con- JOHN DAVID CHAMBERS. 143 siderably modified to fit them for tlie "service of song"; and are Imown, at present, almost wholly in these altered forms. They can not well be restored. His "Graces before and after Meat " have had a wide circulation, and are still great favorites in England : "grace before meat." " Be present at our table, Lord! Be here and everywhere adored ; Thy creatures bless, and grant that we May feast in Paradise with thee." "grace after meat." " "We bless thee. Lord ! for this our food, But more for Jesu's flesh and blood ; The Manna to our spirits given, The Living Bread sent down from heaven : Praise shall our grateful lips employ. While life and plenty we enjoy ; Till worthy, we adore thy name. While banqueting with Chiist, the Lamb." JOHN DAVID CHAMBERS. Me. Chambers is in full sympathy with the Tractarian section of the Church of England. He is a layman, and a lawyer. He pursued his education at Oriel College, Ox- ford, England, and graduated in 1826. His first publica- tions were in the line of his profession : " A Complete Dic- tionary of the Law and Practice of the Election of a Mem- ber of Parliament" (1837); "A Practical Treatise on the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery " (1842) ; and "A Review of the Gorham Case" (1850). His studies now became more decidedly ecclesiastical, and he brought out, in 1819 and onwards, "The Psalter, or Seven Ordinary Hours of Sarum": "Aup-Io Saxonica" "A Coin-nanion tc 144 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Holy Communion, for Clergy or Laity " (3d Ed., 1853); and " An Order of Ilouseliold Devotion for a AVeek." For some time lie had been preparing, and in 185T pub- lished, an extremely beautiful volume, entitled, "Lauda Syon : Ancient Latin Hymns of the English and other Churches ; Translated into corresponding Metres, by John David Chambers, M.A., Recorder of New Sarum. London: J. Masters." Eight of these translations are in Shipley's " Lyra Messianica," and five in his " Lyra Eucha- ristica." He has since published (1860) " The Encheiridion, etc., according to Sarum Use, Translated and Arranged " ; and he contributed (1867) an Essay to the second Series of Shipley's "Church and the World." He edited, also, an edition of Dr. Herbert Thorndyke's " Doctrine of the Holy Eucharist." The hymn, "Let every heart exulting sing-," etc., from his " Lauda Syon," is a translation (slightly altered) of the old Breviary hymn, " Exultet cor praecordiis, " etc. The following stanzas are from his translation of the Bre- viary hymn, "Exite, filial Syon!" etc.: ' ' O Syon's daug'liters ! haste ; for, lo ! The Prince of your salvation. Like Solomon, in royal show, Comes forth unto his nation : A shining purple robe he wears, A jeweled crown and sceptre bears. *' Let us, before the King of kings, Bow down and homage render ; With him despise all mortal things. And earthly pomji and splendor : His members bear his pain and scorn, Whose head endured the twisted thoi*n." JOHN CHANDLEE. 145 JOHN CHANDLER. 1806-1876. John Chais'dler was a life-long resident of Witley, Surrey, England. His father, Rev. John F, Chandler, was the Patron and incumbent of the Vicarage, and there the son was born, June 16, 1806. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, graduating, B. A., in 1827, and M. A., in 1830. He was ordained a deacon in 1831, and priest in 1832. In 1839, he succeeded his father both as Patron and as Yicar of Witley, and was afterwards appointed Rural Dean. He died, July 1, 1876. In 1837, he published his "Hymns of the Primitive Church." The originals are mainly from the Breviaries — principally, the Paris Breviary. His translations are among the most successful in the English tongue. They have generally been received with much favor, and a large number of them have been included in subsequent Collec- tions. In 1812, he published the " Life of William Wyke- ham"; and, in 1854, "Horae Sacras : Prayers and Medita- tions from the Writings of the Divines of the Anglican Church, with an Introduction." In addition, he put into print several tracts and sermons. The following stanzas are from his version of the Breviary hymn, "Nobis Olyinpo redditus," etc. : ' ' Christ ! who hast prepared a place, For us, around thy throne of grace, We pray thee, lift our hearts above. And draw them with the cords of love. " Source of all good! thou, gracious Lord! Art our exceeding great reward ; How transient is our present pain ' How boundless our eternal gain I " "With open face and joyful heart, We then shall see thee as thou art : Our love shall never cease to glow, Our praise shall never cease to flow." lo 146 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. ELIZABETH CODNER. Mrs. CoDi^EE is a resident of Weston-super-Mare, Somer getsMre, Eng. She "modestly courts obscurity." Conse- quently but little is known of her history. She has pub- ished the little books, called, " The Missionary Ship," and ' The Bible in the Kitchen." Her hymn, "Lord ! I hear of showers of hlessing," etc., appeared in a " Dublin Hymn-Book," and, possibly, was inspired by the tidings of the " showers of blessing" with which Ireland was visited in 1858. The following stanzas are the last three of a companion piece : "Can it be that I, an alien, Now a child shall ever be ? Can it be that, all forgiven, Glory is prepared for me — even me ? "Yes, for Jesus liveth ever, And his blood hath made me free : From his love no foe can sever. For he gave himself for me — even me. "Lord! I thank thee for salvation, Grace so mighty and so free ; Take my all in consecration, Glorify thyself in me — even me." CHARLES COFFIN. 16Y6-1Y49. Mr. Coffin was born (1676) at Buzancy, near Mezieres, in France. He was educated at the College of Plessis, Paris, and early gave evidence of eminent abilities and great at- tainments. In lYOl, at the early age of twenty-five years. HENEY COLLINS. 147 he was chosen Vice-Principal of the College of Beau- vais, in the University of Paris, and, in 1712, succeeded the celebrated Charles RoUin (the Historian), as Principal of the College. In 1Y18, he was advanced, as Rector, to the highest position on the staff of the University, but relin- quished it three years later, and returned to the Principal- ship of his College. A volume of Latin poems, full of grace and point, from his pen, appeared in 1727. He contributed, also, in 1736, a considerable number of Latin hjanns, remarkable for their pure Latinity and Scripturalness, to the Paris Bre- viary. He sympathized, in doctrine, with the Jansenist school. His decease occurred June 20, 1749, at Paris. His Works, with a glowing eulogy prefixed, appeared in two volumes (1755) at Paris. HENRY COLLINS. Rev. Heney Collins, the author of the hymn beginning "Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All ! " was educated at Oxford University, and graduated, M. A. , in 1854. He was ordained a deacon by the Bishop of Exeter ; and, not long after, a priest, at Ripon, Yorkshire. In 1857, ke left the Church of England, and was received into tiie Church of Rome. To justify his course, he published, the same year, a tract with the title, — " Difficulties of a Convert from the Anglican to the Catholic Church." He was received into the Cistercian Order in 1860, and the next year he published "The Life of the Rev. Father Gentili, Priest of the Order of Charity." Five years later (1866), he published " The Spirit and Mission of the Cistercian Order : comprising the Life of S. Robert of Newminster, and the Life of S. Robert of Knaresborough, with an Account of the Foundation of Fountains Abbey." 148 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He wrote, also, the hymn, of which the first two stanzas follow : ' ' Jesus, meek and lowly ! Saviour, pure and holy ! On thy love relying, Hear me humble crying. "Prince of life and power, My salvation's tower ! On the cross I view thee, Calling sinnei-s to thee." WILLIAM BENGO COLLYER. 1782-1854. Few preachers have so early in life acquired, and for so long a time retained, as great popularity as William Bengo Collyer, D.D., LL.D., F.A.S. He was the only surviving child of Mr. Thomas Collyer, and was born at Blackheath Hill, Kent, April 14, 1Y82. At eight years of age, he was sent to the public school at Lewisham, and, in his thir- teenth year, to the school of the Rev. John Fell, at Homer- ton. Even then, having become pious at a very tender age, he exhorted occasionally in small gatherings. Such were his proficiency and promise, that, in his sixteenth year, he was admitted to Homerton College, as a divinity student. In his third year there he enjoyed the instructions of the distinguished Dr. John Pye Smith. The Presbyterian Church of Peckham, in Surrey, had long been in a declining state, under Arian ministrations. The church had been reduced to ten members, and the con- gregation to forty or Hitj hearers. Mr. Collyer, a lad of eighteen, was invited to supply the pulpit, received a call, and, at the expiration of his theological course of study, was ordained, December lY, 1801, to the pastorate of the church, — the congregation having been increased tenfold. WILLIAM BENGO COLLYER. 149 His jjf eaching attracted crowds of people. Tlie gentry and the nobility, as well as " tlie common people, heard liim gladly." The royal Dukes of Sussex and Kent frequented his humble chapel, and sought his friendship. In 1807, he committed to the press a course of " Lectures on Scripture Facts," delivered, three years before, to his own people, and, the two winters follomng, to delighted crowds in London. They were republished (1813) in Boston, Mass. At the instance of the Duke of Kent, the University of Ed- inburgh conferred on him the honorary degree of D.D., in 1808, — when he was only twenty-six years old. A similar series of Lectures, delivered first from the pulpit, appeared, "On ScriiDture Prophecy" (1809); an- other, "On Scripture Miracles " (1812) ; another, "On Scrip- ture Parables " (1815) ; another, " On Scrix^ture Doctrines " (1818) ; another, " On Scripture Duties " (1819) ; and yet another, " On Scripture Comparisons " (1823) ; — seven vol- umes of Scripture truth, full of the marrow of the GosiDel. They were republished (1823) with the title,^" Lectures on the Evidences of Divine Revelation, comprising an Exami- nation of its Facts, Prophecies, Miracles, Parables, Doc- trines, and Duties ; with a Comparison of Christianity." He had accustomed himself, as in the case of Watts, Doddridge, and others, occasionally to write hymns to accompany his sermons. At length he undertook the com- pilation of a volume of hymns for general circulation, gathered from a large accumulation of materials, and edited with great care and much labor. The first three thousand copies of the work were destroyed by a confla- gration. The book was finally issued in August, 1812, with the title, — " Hymns, Partly Collected, and Partly Original, Designed as a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns." It contained 979 hymns of all the standard authors, — the hymns of each grouped by themselves, and the last 58 from his own pen. The next year, October 20, 1813, he married Mary, the daughter and co-heiress of Thomas Hawkes, Esq., of Lut- tei' worth. The only fruit of the marriage was a daup-hter, 150 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. born in 1814, and subsequently the wife of Dr. L. Philips. Mrs. Collyer died December 23, 1827. The Presbyterian congregation worshipping in the com- modious building. Cannon Street, London, widely known as " Salters' Hall," had, under Arian preaching, been reduced to great feebleness. Dr. Collyer, who had long been re- garded as the most popular preacher in or about London, with the consent of his Peckham people, became, Jan- uary 2, 1814, also the pastor of the Salters' Hall people, and preached to them regularly every Sabbath afternoon, to crowded audiences. He retained this charge until June 19, 1825. He was an inveterate worker, preaching frequently eight or ten times a week, and never wearying of the demands that were continually made upon him, from all quarters, for counsel, as well as for pulpit-service. The chapel at Peckham was replaced by a much more commodious build- ing, w^hich was dedicated, June 17, 1817, and named Hanover Chapel, in honor of his attached friend, the Duke of Sussex, . whom in person he resembled. He was too closely occujDied to engage much in authorship, save of his Occasional Ser- mons, several of which were committed to the press. He prepared, also, and published (1837), "An Abridgement of the Service of the Church of England, to which is added 89 Original Hymns"; and (1848) "Hymns for Israel." In November, 1846, he was associated with a colleague in the pastorate, and was thus, during his last years, considerably relieved from responsibility and care. He died, January 9, 1854. His popularity as a preacher scarcely waned to the last, except as growing infirmities compelled him to a less forcible delivery. It was altogether unprecedented in the history of Nonconformity. For at least thirty years he had no rival, in any denomination, in the Metropolis. " Few equaled and none surpassed him in gracefulness and fascination of manner, in simple and persuasive applica- tion of truth to the conscience, or in the marvellous rapid- ity with, which he collected and arranged his thoughts." JOSIAH CONDEE. 151 Yet lie never compromised tlie trutli, and never pandered to the prejudices of princes or of the poi)ulace. The hymn, beginning Avith " WheD, bending o'er the brink of life," appeared in the October (1805) Number of the London Evangelical Magazine ; and in the May Number, 1806, was published his well-known hymn, " Return, O wanderer! return," etc. The following hymn is a pleasing specimen of his style : " Soft be the gently breathing notes, That sing the Saviour's dying love ; Soft as the evenmg zephyr floats, Soft as the tuneful lyi'es above. " Soft as the morning dews descend. While the sweet lark exulting soars, So soft to your almighty Fr'iend, Be every sigh your bosom pours. " Pure as the sun's enlivening ray, That scatters life and joy abroad ; Pure as the lucid car of day That wide proclaims its Maker-God, " True as the magnet to the pole. So pure let your contrition be, — So true let all your sorrows roll. To him who bled upon the tree." JOSIAH CONDEE, 1Y89-1855. JosiAH CoNDEE was the son of a publisher, and became himself successively a publisher, an editor, an author, and a compiler. He was a thorough Nonconformist, a staunch 152 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. supporter of dissent, and a man of mark and weight. He was the grandson of the Rev. Dr. John Conder (1715-1 Y81), the first theological Professor of Homerton College, of which Institution, Thomas, the father of Josiah, was the Treasurer. The home of Thomas, engraver and bookseller, was in Falcon St., Aldersgate, London, where, September 17, 1789, Josiah, the fourth son and sixth child, was born. At the age of five, he lost his right eye, by small-pox, for which he had been inoculated. He was sent to Mr. Palmer, of Hackney, to be treated with electricity, and re- mained with him as a scholar. He made rapid progress in study (French and Latin included), but at fifteen he was taken into his father's store. His association with books and bookish people helped forward his education. His first poetic venture, " The Withered Oak," was contributed to the AtJienceum ; and, in 1810, he united with the Misses Anne and Jane Taylor, Miss Eliza Thomas (subsequently, his wife), and others, in publishing a volume of Poems, en- titled, "The Associate Minstrels." A second edition was published (1812), in which appeared his " Reverie," one of his best poems. The same year he contributed three hymns to Dr. Collyer's Collection, one of them a version of the 23d Psalm. Two years later (1814), he became the proprietor, pub- lisher, and editor, of the Eclectic Review, founded (1805) by Adam Clarke, Robert Hall, John Foster, and their asso- ciates. He was thus brought into correspondence and in- timate relations with some of the most powerful writers of the age. He married (1815) Miss Eliza Thomas, herself a gifted poet, and a granddaughter (maternally) of Rou- biliac, the sculptor. He issued (1818) two volumes "On Protestant ISTonconformity," and an additional volume, the next year. Having become addicted to village-preaching, he pub- lished, in 1822, " The Village Lecturer : Original Discourses for Village Congregations." In 1824, he published "The Star in the East ; with other Poems." A part of the first poem had been published in 1812. The book included JOSIAH CONDER 153 "Religions, Domestic, and Miscellaneous Poems." During tlie next seven years he was laboriously occupied in editing tlie " Modern Traveller " (an excellent compilation of tlie works of recent travellers), in 33 volumes, several of wliich were written by himself (1830-1831). In conjunction with Mr. J. M. Hare, he started (1832) Tlie Patriot, a London Weekly, with which he was connected thenceforth as long as he lived. He published, also, " The Law of the Sabbath " (1830) ; a " History of Italy," a " Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Geography," and " The Epistle to the Hebrews ; a new Translation" (1834); "The Choir and the Oratory; or, Praise and Prayer " (1837) ; " Analytical and Comparative View of all Religions" (1838); " Literary History of the New Testament " (1845) ; " The Harmony of History with Prophecy: an Exposition of the Apocalypse" (1849) ; and " The Poet of the Sanctuary " (1850). He was occupied in correcting the last proof-sheets of his " Hymns of Praise, Prayer, and Devout Meditation," when (December 27, 1855) his work was interrupted by death, which overtook him at his house in St. John's Wood, London. The work was is- sued early in 1856, by his son, the Rev. Eustace R. Conder. In connection with a suiDervising committee appointed by the 'Congregational Union of England and Wales (May, 1833), he prepared and published (1836), " The Congrega- tional Hymn-Book : A SupiDlement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns," containing sixty- two of his own hymns. Great liberty was taken with the text, resulting very prop- erly in great dissatisfaction. A new Compilation was or- dered (1855) before he died. In 1851, he produced a revised edition of Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, in which, also, with similar license, he attempted to correct and improve " The Poet of the Sanctuary." During the greater part of his business life, Mr. Conder was much perplexed by pecuniary embarrassments, the effect of which continually ai)pears in his devotional i3oetry. The hymn, " O thou God, who hearest prayer," etc., 154 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. was written (1820), when lie was suffering from a fall from a horse. The following stanzas were evidently written under the pressure of worldly straits : ^ * ' When anxious thoughts the bosom fill, And skies look dark above, How sweet, reposing on his will. To feel that God is Love! To him our mean affairs Are most minutely known ; He weighs the burden of our cares, And numbers every groan. " Wlien fails each earthly confidence, And friends gi'ow cool and strange, I rest on thine omnipotence. On Love that can not change : This trust can ne'er delude ; Thy goodness is most wise ; And in thy bounteous plenitude My wealth, my portion lies." RUSSELL STURGIS COOK. 1811-1864. As a counterpart of Charlotte Elliott's very popular and useful hymn, "Just as I am, without one plea," etc., the hymn, " Just as thou art — ^without one trace," etc., has found its way into many recent Books of Praise. It first appeared in the American Messenger (a monthly paper, issued by the American Tract Society, New York), for March, 1850. Its author, the Rev. Russell S. Cook, was, at the time, one of the Secretaries of the Society. He was born, March 6, 1811, at I^ew Marlboro, Mass., and was favored with good advantages of education. At a EUSSELL STUEGIS COOK. 155 suitable age, he began tlie study of law at Syi-acuse, N. Y., but, having become deeply interested in religion, he aban- doned the law for the ministry. In 1832, he entered the Junior Class of the Theological Seminary at Auburn, N. Y. He finished his conrse of study in 1831, married a daughter of the Rev. Henry Mills, D.D. (one of the Seminary Pro- fessors), and was ordained, January 13, 183Y, pastor of the Congregational Church of Lanesborough, Mass. At the ex- piration of a year, the loss of voice by bronchial disease compelled him to resign his charge. He then became an Agent of the American Tract Society, ISTew York, and at the Annual Meeting in May, 1839, he was chosen one of its Corresponding Secretaries. Mainly through his agency, the Colportage Dep)artment of the Society was organized in 1811, to which he devoted himself, as " Secretary of Col- portage.' ' In the advocacy of this work, he started, in 1843, the American Messenger, a monthly paper, of which he be- came the editor. Much of his time, for years, was given to the work of journeying from city to city, and in attendance on ecclesiastical and other public meetings, all over the United States. He made free use, also, of the religious press, in urging the claims of the cause. He visited Europe in 1853, and presented it, with success, to the British pub- lic. A second time, July, 1856, he was compelled to go abroad, in broken health, and made extensive inquiries in relation to the observance of the Sabbath in the Old World. At Geneva, he married a daughter of the Hev. Dr. Csesar Malan. Three wives had successively been taken from him by death. His fourth wife survived him. He resigned (May, 185T) the Secretaryship of the Tract Society, and on his return to America, in the autumn, was appointed Secre- tary of the New York Sabbath Committee, and for nearly six years did good service in the cause, as appears from the " Occasional Papers" published by the Committee. In the spring of 1863, he labored assiduously in the organization of the "Christian Commission," lost his health, visited Florida the next winter, and then the sea-coast of Maine, 156 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. but continued to fail. He resigned liis post in May, 1864 and retired to Pleasant Valley, New York, where lie died September 4, 1864. THOMAS COTTERILL. 1779-1823. Mr. Cotterill was a clergyman of the Church of Eng- land, — of excellent reputation and of precious memory. He was the second son of a wool-stapler, residing at Cannock, Eng., where he was born, December 1, 1779. He pursued his elementary studies at the grammar-school in Birming- ham, and his collegiate course at St. John's College, Cam- bridge University. Here his most intimate companion and dearest friend was Henry Martyn. Their friendship began before their conversion. Together they attended the minis- trations of Charles Simeon, at Trinity Church, and about the same time they experienced the saving grace of the Gospel. Mr. Cotterill graduated in 1801, and, a year and a half afterwards, was ordained to the curacy of Tutbury. He devoted himself to the spiritual interests of his charge, particularly the children of the operatives, whom he taught to sing. In July, 1805, he obtained the Pei'petual Cura,cy of Lane End, a populous village in the Staffordshire Pot- teries. He found his charge quite ignorant and careless, but soon began to see the most cheering results of his un- wearying exertions for their good. He married in 1808, and continued his godly labors at Lane End, adding thereto the care of a small school, until 1817, when he obtained the Perpetual Curacy of St. Paul's, Sheffield. In his new charge, his labors were no less assiduous, and the results no less happy. Several hours daily were devoted to his puj^ils, and all the remaining hours that he could command were given to his parochial duties. After a min- THOMAS COTTEEILL. 157 istry of six years, during which he greatly endeared him- self, not only to his parishioners, but to the whole town, as a laborious, faithful, and affectionate pastor, and as an eloquent, public-spirited, and self-sacrificing advocate of the truth and of every good work, he yielded to the ravages of disease, and died December 29, 1823, in great peace and full assurance of hope. He left a wife and live children to mourn his loss. Such was the grief at his deiDarture, that the whole parish put on mourning apparel on the occasion. He was a man of great purity of character, s^v^eetness of temper, and unbounded charity, combined with strength of understanding and soundness of principle. He was thoroughly evangelical, and full of zeal for the conversion of sinners, at home and abroad. Soon after his removal to Lane End, he compiled a book of 170 liymns for the use of his parishioners. Seven editions were issued before his removal to Sheffield. At the latter place he found James Montgomery, an old resi- dent, and eight years his senior. They were Idndred spirits, and si3eedily became warmly attached to each other. Montgomery assisted him in the preparation of a new and enlarged edition (1819) of his Hymn-Book. " Good Mr. Cotterill and I bestowed a great deal of labor and care," said Montgomery, " on the compilation of that book, — clip- ping, interlining, and remodeling hymns of all sorts, as we thought we could correct the sentiment, or improve the ex- pression." And yet Montgomery could not bear to have any such liberty taken with his o^vn hymns ! The book contained 150 Psalms and 367 Hymns. Great opposition was made, by the non-evangelical por- tion of "the congregation, to the introduction of the new book. It was carried to the Consistory Court, and settled by the mediation of the Archbishop. Cotterill and Mont- gomery revised it under the supervision of his Grace, and the opposition subsided. The hymns, in the new edition, were reduced to 146, and the book was adopted by the Sheffield churches and others in the neighborhood. The edition of 1819 contained about fifty of Mont- 158 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. gomery's Psalms and Hymns, and thirty-two from Cotter- ill's pen. It is worthy of remark, that Montgomery's well- known hymn, " Friend after friend departs," etc., was written on the occasion of Mr. Cotterill's decease. The following stanzas fairly exhibit Cotterill's style : " Lord! cause tliy face on us to shine. Give us thy peace, and seal us thine ; Teach us to prize the means of grace, And love thine earthly dwelling-place ; May we in truth our sins confess, Worship the Lord in holiness. And all thy power and glory see Within thy hallowed sanctuary. O King of Salem, Prince of peace ! Bid strife among thy subjects cease : One is our faith, and one our Lord; One body, spirit, hope, reward, One God and Father of us all. On whom thy church and people call ; Oh ! may we one communion be. One with each other and with thee." WILLIAM COWPER. 1731-1800. For many precious lyrics, the Christian world is indebted to William Cowper, the author of " The Task," and one of the most gifted of the British poets. His father, the Rev. John Cowper, D.D., chaplain to George II., was the son of Spencer Cow]^)er, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and the nephew of William, the first Earl Cowper and Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain. The poet's father had, also, a second brother, Ashley, and an only sister, Judith. Ashley Cowper had three daughters. WILLIAM COWPER. 159 one of whom, Theodora Jane, but for her father's dissent, would have been the poet's wife. Another daughter, Harriet, married Sir Robert Hesketh, and is the " Lady Ilesketh " of the poet's correspondence. His father's sister, Judith, married CoL Martin Madan, and was the mother of the Rev. ]\iartin Madan, of London, whose collection of Hymns (1T60) was quite popular among the Evangelicals of that period. Her daughter. Miss Madan, an endeared cor- respondent of the poet, married her cousin. Major William Cowper, the only son of her uncle William. William Cow^^er, the poet, was born, November 15, 1Y31, at Great Berkhampstead, of which parish his father was the highly-respected Rector. His mother was Anne, daugh- ter of Roger Donne, Esq., of Ludham Hall, Norfolkshire, and was a descendant, by four separate lines, of Henry III. This fact gives force to those memorable lines that were in- spired in after years by a sight of his excellent mother's portrait : "My boast is not that I deduce my birth. From loins enthroned and rulers of the earth ; But higher far my proud pretensions rise, — The son of parents passed into the skies." She was born in I'TOS, and died in 1Y3Y, when William was only six years old : a lovely. Christian woman, . ..." in early years bereft of life, The best of mothers, and the kindest wife ; Who neither knew nor practiced any art, Secure in aU she wished — her husband's heart." At his mother's death, he was sent to Dr. Pitman's school, in the hamlet of Market Street, eight or ten miles northeast from home. Here he remained two years, when, on account ot an alarming affection of his eyes, he was placed under the care of an eminent female oculist in London. In his tenth year, he was sent to Westminster school, " When Nichol swung the birch and twined the bays." During his pupilage here of eight years, he gained that 160 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. perfection in Greek, that, in later days, made him so skil f ul an interpreter of Homer. But his spiritual training was sadly neglected in a school, where he was taught " much mytliologic stuff, But sound I'eligion sparingly enough " : — ' ' No nourishment to feed his growing mind, But conjugated verbs, and nouns declined." He was destined for the law, with ample promise, through family connections, of brilliant success. Accordingly, in 1749, he was articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, and be- came a member of his household. Edward Thurlow, after- wards Lord Chancellor, was his associate in study at Lin- coln's Inn. Much of his spare time and the most of his Sundays he sjient, with Thurlow, at his uncle Ashley Cow- per's, in Southampton Row, in the society of his fair cousins. Three years later he took chambers in the Middle Temple, and, June 14, 1754, Avas admitted to the bar. In 1756, he was deprived of his father by death. Appointed Commis- sioner of Banlvi'upts, in 1759, he purchased Chambers in the Inner Temple. Twelve years he spent among the Templars, whom he describes as "citizen courtiers," — "beaux, vdts, poets, critics, and every character in the gay world." He seems to have led all this while an idle sort of life, con- tributing now and then a brief article to a magazine, occa- sionally composing for amusement a few verses in the form of a translation or as an ode on some fanciful subject, but giving no great attention to his profession. The reading clerkship, and the clerkship of the Commit- tees, of the House of Lords, became vacant in 1703. They were at the disposal of his cousin. Major William Cowper, and were offered to the barrister. He accepted them at once ; but, on reflection, was so overpowered by extreme and morbid difhdence, as to relinquish the two offices in favor of the less lucrative clerkship of the journals. It was nec- essary for him to pass an examination, for which he began preparation, but even this overcame him ; his reason was overthrown, and several suicidal attempts, happily frus- WILLIAM COWPER. 161 Asylum of tlie accomplished Dr. Nathaniel Cotton, at St. Alban's. Under the judicious treatment of Dr. Cotton, he emerged, at the end of eight months, fi'om the deep gloom of despair and horror, into the light and liberty of the Gospel. His reason was restored, and he began a new life. His stay at the Asylum was prolonged until June, 1Y65, when he re- moved to Huntingdon, to be near his brother John, then in the University of Cambridge. Here he casually fonned an acquaintance \vith the family of the Rev. Morley Unwin, teacher of a classical school. They were greatly attracted by his "most intelligent and engaging countenance," his "well-proportioned figure," and his "elegant manners." They received him as a boarder, and made him one of their family. To this period is to be referred the composition of that sweet hymn, "Far from the world, O Lord ! I iiee," etc. Mr. Unwin died suddenly, in July, 1Y67. The Rev. John Newton was, at this time. Curate of Olney. At his sugges- tion, on the occasion of a visit of sympathy, Mrs. Unwin, with her son and daughter, removed to Olney, and Cowper accompanied them. They took a house, the garden of which was separated from Mr. Newton's only by a wall, through which a gateway gave them easy communication. Here, from September, 1T67, until November, 1Y86, Cowj^er found a delightful home. His only brother, John, died in March, 1Y70, and the af- fliction brought on a return of Cowper's malady. He lost his wonted cheerfulness, and relapsed gradually into a state of despondency. To divert his mind and to arrest the progress of the threatened insanity, Mr. Newton, with whom Cowper lived on terms of the most delightful inti- macy, proposed to him the joint preparation of a book of evangelical hymns. He had already written several, be- sides the one just named. His hymn, beginning with "Jesus ! where'er thy people meet," had been written the year before (1T69), to be sung at the 11 162 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. opening of a new place for public prayer at Olney, the large room of " The Great House." Cowper complied with the invitation, and, at various times within the next two years, he composed (with those he had already written) sixty-six hymns, distinguished by the letter " C " prefixed, in the " Olney Hymns." That much admired production, "God moves in a mysterious way," etc., was written, at the close of 17T2, " in the twilight of depart- ing reason," just after an abortive attempt, it is said, at self-destruction. He now sunk into an apparently hopeless state of gloom and wretched despondency, that continued, without a ray of sunshine, for five long years. Newton, having waited all this while for the recovery of his friend, put the hymn-book to press in 1779, as the " Olney HjTnns," — a name by which it has become widely known in Great Britain and America. — [See Newton.] His malady began to abate in 1778, and, gradually but slowly, he was restored to reason, hope, and peace, New- ton, at the close of the next year, removed to London, not, however, before introducing to Cowper the Eev. William Bull, a dissenting minister of the adjacent town of New- port-Pagnell, and a man of congenial spirit. The next year^ Cowper had so far recovered the tone of his mind, as to undertake the composition of several poems of considerable length. Within the next two years, he Avrote " The Progress of Error," "Truth," "Expostulation," "Hope," "Charity," " Conversation," and " Ketirement," — moral satires, that still retain their popularity. They were published, at London (1782), by Johnson, Newton's publisher. At the suggestion of his greatly-endeared friend, the Rev. Mr. Bull, he trans- lated (October, 1782) several of the hymns of Madame Guyon. The translations were published in 1801, among them the two hymns, "My Lord! how full of sweet content," etc., " O Lord! in soitow I resign," etc. A mile from Olney, at Clifton, resided the Rev. Mr. WILLIAM COWPER 163 Jones, whose wife's sister had married Sir Robert Ansten, Bart. Sir Robert had died, and his widow, Lady Ansten, resided with her sister, Mrs. Jones. In 1Y81, she became a visitor at the humble abode of Mrs. Unwin. The next year, she took a house at Olney, and became an almost constant visitant at Mrs. Unwin's, adding greatly, by her vivacity and fascination of manner, to the comfort and happiness of the invalid poet. " John Gilpin " was inspired by one of her playful stories ; and, at her suggestion, " The Task " was undertaken in 1783, furnishing the poet with pleasant em- ployment for a year or two. Its publication in 1T85 was a complete success, and gave him, at once, an undisputed place among the first and best poets of the age. It was followed the next year by his " Tirocinium : or a Review of Schools." It was also at the suggestion of Lady Austen, that, in 1784, he began his translations of Homer, affording him abundant occupation, the remainder of his rational life. Mrs. Unwin removed, ISTovember, 1786, to a much more comfortable abode, at Weston Underwood, a mile from Olney, where the poet found himself in the midst of beau- tiful scenery, and congenial society. But the cloud came over him again, in January following, and rested on him for six months. At the close of the year he resumed his work. In 1790, he translated from the Latin, for Mr. Newton, the Rev. Mr. Lier's Letters, published with the title, " The Power of Grace Illustrated." Homer was completed and published (1791) under flattering auspices, — the edition pay- ing him one thousand pounds. Not entirely satisfied with the performance, he commenced (1792) a revision of the en- tire work, on which he was occupied, much of the time, until his decease. It was published in 1802. The few remaining years of Cowper were sad enough. Deeper and deeper fell the shadows, with intervals — grow- ing shorter and fewer — of glimmering light. He undertook to prepare an edition of Milton for the jDress, but did not complete the work. In 1792, he made a journey to Eartham, in Sussex, the residence of his friend, William Hayley. On 164 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. his return, the malady increased, so tliat, in January, 1794, it took complete j)OSsession of his faculties. A literary pen- sion of £300 was granted him (May, 1794), by the crown. At the urgent solicitation of his maternal cousin, the Rev. John Johnson, he removed, with Mrs. Unwin, August, 1795, to Norf olkshire, where, at North Tuddenham, Mundes- ley, and East Dereham, he was entertained by his mother's relatives. At Dunham Lodge, Swaflham, he remained about a year, when, in October, 1796, he removed to Mr. Johnson's home at Dereham. Mrs. Unwin died, December 17th, fol- lowing, Cowper so far recovered as to occupy much time, the next two years, with the revision of Homer, and the translation of Gay's Fables. In March, 1799, he wrote " The Castaway," — his last poetic composition. The next autumn and winter he failed rapidly. Dropsy ensued, and, April 25, 1800, he quietly passed away. His remains were laid to rest. May 2d, in St. Edmund's Chapel, St. Nicholas Church, East Dereham. A marble slab now covers the spot, on which is carved the following inscrix)tion, ^^^:•itten by his friend Hayley : "In Memory of William Cowper, Esq.: Bom in Hertfordshire, 1731. Buried in this Church, 1800 : "Ye, who with warmth the public triumph feel, Of talents dignified by sacred zeal, Here, to Devotion's bard, devoutly just, i Pay your fond tribute, due to Cowper's dust I England, exulting in his spotless fame. Ranks with her dearest sons his favorite name. Sense, fancy, wit, suffice not all to raise So clear a title to affection's praise : His highest honoi-s to the heart belong ; His virtues formed the magic of his song. " So lived and wrote, suffered and died, one of the loveliest and most accomplished Christian gentlemen of his age ; " the most popular poet of his generation," as Southey, his biographer, declares, " and the best of English letter- writ- ers." "The popularity of Cowper," says Dibdin, "gains strength as it gains age ; and, after all, he is the poet of our FRANCES ELIZABETH COX. 165 study, our cabinet, and our alcove." Precious is Ms mem- ory to every lover of sacred song. FRA]N'CES ELIZABETH COX. Miss Cox, tlie daughter of Mr. G. Y. Cox, M. A., was born in Oxford, England. Slie appeared, as the author of " Sacred Hymns from the German. Translated by Frances Elizabeth Cox. London, 1841." — "Second Edition, Revised and En- larged, 1864." — "This small selection," says the translator, " was, perhaps, the first attempt to make known to English readers " the beautiful hymns of Germany. The most of them "were pointed out to the translator, as 'national treasures,' by the late Baron Bunsen, on whose authority the names and dates of the authors are given." Several of these translations have become very popular. The selection is mostly from a comxDaratively modem school. "We have no hesitation in pronouncing it," says the Christian Bememhrancer, " to be one of the most successful attempts at translation which it has been our good fortune to meet with, whether we regard the faithfulness of the translator to the sentiment and metre of the original hymns, or the spirit and life which she has contrived to transfuse from them into her own translation." It is safe to say, that her translation of the " Hymn for Summer," — " Keine Schonheit hat die Welt," by Johann Scheffler [" Angelus "], — beginning with "Earth has nothing sweet or fair," is to be classed among the sweetest of sacred lyrics. The following are the first two stanzas of her translation, in a very peculiar metre, of a hymn by Burchard Wiesen- mayer (1680), containing eight such stanzas : ' ' How lovely now the morning star, In twilight sky, bright gleams afar, While nig-ht her curtain raiseth ! 166 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Eacli creature hails, with ravished sight, The glories of retm'ning light, And God, its Maker, praiseth : Both far. And near, * All things living Thanks are giving, There high soaring, Here through earth's wide field adormg. "Then haste, my soul ! thy notes to raise. Nor spare, in thy Redeemer's praise, To pom" thy due oblation ; For glory, Loi'd ! to thee belongs, Thy praise resounds, in grateful songs, "With pious emulation : Joy rings Griad strings ; Voices sounding, Hearts rebounding ; Thus all nature Hymns thy fame, great Creator ! " AETHUR CLEVELAND COXE. 1818 . The poetry of tlie Et. Rev. Ai'thur Cleveland Coxe, D.D., LL.D., gives evidence of a superior intellect and careful culture. For each lie is greatly indebted to a parentage of peculiar eminence. His father, the Rev, Samuel Hanson Cox, D.D., LL.D., for more than half a century graced the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. A brilliant preacher and a most suc- cessful pastor, he labored diligently in his vocation, as a pastor at Mendham, N, J., at New York City, and at Brook- lyn, as a Professor in the Theological Seminary of Auburn, N. Y., and as Chancellor of Leroy University, N. Y. His mother, Abia Hyde Cleveland (whose patronymic he bears), was the daughter of the Rev. Aaron Cleveland (1744-1815), of Norwich and Hartford, Conn., who was the son of the Rev. Aaron Cleveland (1719-1757). Her father was the author of a poem on Slavery (1775), and of a poetic bur- lesque, called "Family Blood." ARTHUE CLEVELAND COXE. 167 Arthur was born, May 10, 1818, at Mendham, IST. J., where his father had just been installed pastor. In his third year, he became a resident of the City of New York, his father having accepted a call to the Spring Street Presby- terian Church of that city. At ten years of age, he was sent to a gymnasium, at Pittsfield, Mass. He entered the University of the City of New York, at the age of sixteen. While yet a Freshman, his poetic propensities found ex- pression in a poem, entitled, " The Progress of Ambition," delivered before one of the literary societies of the Univer- sity. He contributed, also, " The Blues," and " The Hebrew Muse," to the American MontJily Magazine. In his Junior year (1837), he published " Advent, a Mystery : a Dramatic Poem," with the following filial Dedication : "Father ! as lie, of old who reaped the field, The first young sheaves to Him did dedicate Whose bounty gave whate'er the glebe did yield, Whose smile the pleasant harvest might create, — So I to thee these numbers consecrate, — Thou, who didst lead to Silo's pearly spring ; And if, of hours well saved from revels late And youtliful riot, I these fruits do bring. Accept my early vow, nor frown on what I sing." He graduated in 1838, and, the same year, issued " Atli- wold : a Romaunt," and two cantos of " Saint Jonathan, the Lay of a Scald," the beginning of a semi-humorous poem, after the manner of Byron's "Don Juan." In the Univer- sity he was noted for his proficiency in the classics, and particularly, the Greek Poets. He studied German and Hebrew, two years, under the tuition of Prof. Nordheimer. Having connected himself with the Episcopal Church, he entered the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, New York City. He now contributed several fugitive pieces to the New York Cliiirchman (1839), that were extensively copied at home and abroad. In the following year they were published in a volume entitled " Christian Ballads," and received T\dth great favor. In liis " Hymn of Boyhood," the first in the book, he thus speaks of his devoted mother : 168 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "The first deai' thing that ever I loved Was a mother's gentle eye, That smiled, as I woke on the dreamy couch, That cradled my infancy : I never forget the joyous thrill That smile in my spirit stirred. Nor how it could charm me against my will, Till I laughed like a joyous bu*d." An enlarged edition was issued in 1847. At the commencement of Washington [now Trinity] Col- lege, Hartford, Conn., 1840, he delivered a Poem before the Alumni, entitled " Athanasion," which, with "Other Poems," was published in 1842. Prof. Henry Reed calls it "a genuine burst of poetry." He was ordained, June 28, 1841, a deacon, by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk, of New York. In August, 1841, he became the Rector of St. Anne's Church, Morrisania, N. Y., and, September 21st, married his thii-d cousin, Catharine Cleveland, the daughter of Mr. Simeon Hyde, of New York. His " Halloween " was pri- vately printed in 1842, and published with " Other Poems," in 1844. In 1842, he became the Rector of St. John's Church, Hart- ford, Conn. Three years later, he brought out his " Saul ; a Mystery." A visit to the Old World, in 1851, gave occasion for numerous letters to the New York OJiurcli Journal, which were afterwards (1855) published in a volume, en- titled, "Impressions of England." He became (1854) the Rector of Grace Church, Baltimore, Md., and published (1855) a volume of "Sermons on Doctrine and Duty." At the breaking out of the " War of the Rebellion," he main- tained, amidst great opposition, the cause of his country ; and, when the Rectorship of Calvary Church, New York, was made vacant by the resignation and removal of Rev. Dr. Hawks to Baltimore, Dr. Coxe was called thence to take his place. Chosen, in 1864, the Bishop of the Diocese of Western New York, he was duly consecrated, January 4, 1865, at Geneva, N. Y., and has since resided at Buffalo, N. Y. Dr. Coxe has frequently contributed to the Quarterly AKTHUR CLEVELAND COXE. 169 Reviews, and other Periodicals. To the American Biblical Repository, New Yorl^; (1839), he contributed, "Modern English Poetry" and "Cowi^er's Poetry and Letters"; to the New York Review, " Devotional Poetry"; to the Cliurch Review, " Schools in American Literature " and " Writings of Hawthorne"; besides several Articles to BlachwoocTs Magazine. He translated from the French, and iDublished with a Supplement and Notes (1855), the Abbe Laborde's "Impossibility of the Immaculate Conception as an Ar- ticle of Faith." Also, a Translation of Dr. Von Hirscher's "Sympathies of the Continent, or Proposals for a New Reformation." He is the author, also, of several Occasional Sermons, Ei^iscopal Charges, and Addresses. His " Watchwords : a Hymn for the Times," from which the following stanzas are taken, can scarcely be surpassed as a Battle Cry for the Soldiers of the Cross : "We are living— we ai-e dwelling — In a grand and awful time : In an age, on ages telling, To be living is sublime. "Hark ! the waking up of nations, Gog and Magog, to the fray : Hark ! what soundeth is Creation's Groaning for the latter day. * ' Will ye play, then ? Will ye dally, With your mu.sic, with your wine ? Up ! it is Jehovah's rally ! God's own arm hath need of thine. "Worlds are charging — heaven beholding : Thou hast but an hour to fight ; Now, the blazoned Cross unfolding, On ! — right onward, for the right ! " Oh ! let all the soul within you For the truth's sake go abroad I Strike ! let every nerve and sinew TeU on ages-tell for God." 170 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. GEORGE CRABBE. 1754-1832. George Crabbe, LL.B., "the Poet of the Poor," was born, Christmas-eve, 1754, in the humble sea-faring village of Aldborough, Suffolk, on the shore of the German Ocean. An uninviting, forbidding stretch of sandy soil, with two parallel unpaved streets of squalid dwellings, washed by the ocean-storms, with no compensating background, — such was the place where he was trained. In his poem, " The Village," he alludes to it as follows : "Lo ! where the heath, with withering hrake grown o'er, Lends the Ught turf that warms the neighboring poor ; From thence a length of burning sand appears. Where the thin harvest waves its withered ears ; Rank weeds, that every art and care defy, Reign o'er the land, and rob the bhghted rye." The associates of his boyhood were hardly more attract- ive: " Here joyless roam a wild amphibious race, With sullen woe displayed in every face ; Who far from civil arts and social fly. And scowl at strangers with suspicious eye : " "A bold, artful, sujiy, savage race," ever intent on plunder ; who prey on " the finny tribe," and then "Wait on the shore, and, as the waves run high, On the tossed vessel bend their eager eye. Which to their coast directs its venturous way, Theu's, or the ocean's, miserable prey." Yet the boy, so unhappy in his surroundings, gave early promise of a better style of life. His father was the salt- master of the village, fond of "'3ooks and figures. Among his books was Martin's P7iilosop7iical Magazine, with its "Poets' Corner." George took to it suprisingly. An edu- GEORGE ORABBE. 171 cation was accorded him. He was sent, first to a school at Bungay, on the Norfolli line, and then, in his twelfth year, for a short period, to another school at Stow-market. Some months were next spent in the drudgery of his father's busi- ness at home. In his fourteenth year, he was apprenticed to an apoth ecary at Wickham Brook, near Bury St. Edmunds ; and, three years afterwards, to Mr. Page, a surgeon at Wood- bridge. Here he found his future wife, Sarah Elmy. He had begun to amuse himself, during his apprenticeship, with versification. His first poem, " Inebriety," was pub- lished (1775) at Ipswich. After a short, but ineffectual, visit of eight or ten months to London, he obtained employ- ment with a Mr. Maskell, at home; and, on his removal shortly after, set up the surgical business for himself. Five years of ineffectual struggle resulted in a determination to abandon his profession, and, on a £5 loan, to seek his for- tune as a literary adventurer in London. " The Candidate " was published in 1780, but his publisher failed and he lost all. A year was passed in penury and distress. Apjjlications to men of note proved fruitless. He made bold to lay his case before Edmund Burke, the cel- ebrated statesman, who generously invited him to his house, applauded his verse, and furnished the means for its pub- lication. " The Library " was issued in 1781, and was well received. At Burke's house, he made the acquaintance of the literary magnates of the period, and received their encouragement and patronage. Thurlow, the Lord High Chancellor, gave him £100, and so relieved him from his straits. He now determined to enter the Church. After a brief course of study, he was ordained, December 21, 1781, a dea- con, by the Bishop of Norwich, and obtained the Curacy of Aldborough, his native village. The next year, he received, at the instance of Burke, the appointment of Domestic Chaplain to the Duke of Rutland, was ordained (August, 1782) priest, and became an inmate of Bel voir Castle. " The Village" was published. May, 1783. Tavo small livings in 173 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Dorsetshke were now given liim, by Thurlow, the Lord Chancellor, followed by the degree of LL.B. He married in 1785; and, the next four years, served as curate of Stethern, adjacent to Belvoir Castle. " The Newspaper " appeared in 1785. He was presented, February, 1789, to the living of Muston, in Leicestershire. In November, 1792, he removed to Parham, Suffolk— the home of Mrs. Crabbe. Four years later (October, 1796), he became the Curate of Great Glenham. At length (October, 1805) he returned to his directory at Muston, and, in September, 1807, he published "The Parish Register, and other Po- ems." His beautiful hymn, "Pilgrim ! burdened with thy sin," etc., appeared in "Sir Eustace Grey." Artistically it is one of the most perfect in the whole range of hymnology. That one so capable should have written no others of the same sort is much to be regretted. "The Borough" followed, in 1810, and his "Tales in Verse," in 1812. Mrs. Crabbe, in 1813, was removed by death. In June of the next year, he was presented to the living of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, whither he presently re- moved, and wiiere he continued to reside until the day of his decease. His " Tales of the Hall," the last of his pub- lications, api3eared in 1819, for which and the copyright of all his previous poems, Murray, the publisher, gave him £3,000. He lived to a good old age, and passed away, February 3, 1832, in his seventy- eighth year. The follow- ing, from the pen of John Duncan, Esq., of New College, Oxford, gives expression to the popular judgment : ' ' Farewell, dear Crabbe ! thou meekest of mankind, With heart all fei'vor, and all strength of mind ; With tenderest sympathy for others' woes, Fearless all guile and malice to exi^ose ; Steadfast of purpose in pursuit of right, To drag forth dark hypocrisy to light. To brand th' oppressor, and to shame the proud. To shield the righteous from the slanderous crowd ; To error lenient, and to frailty mild. JANE [FOX] CREWDSON. 173 Repentance ever was thy welcome child : In every state — as husband, parent, friend. Scholar or bard — thou couldst the Christian blend. Hogarth of Song ! be this thy perfect praise : — Truth prompted, and Truth piu-ified thy lays ; The God of Truth has given thy verse and thee Truth's holy pahn — His Immoi'tality." JANE [FOX] CREWDSON. 1809-1863. Mes. Crewdson was the daughter of George Fox, Esq., of Perran, Cornwall. In this " seaboard parish " she was born, October, 1809, and, at an early age, gave ]Dromise of high intellectual development. Her studies were pur- sued with ardor, and she became a proficient, not only in the modern languages, but also in the knowledge of the Classics. In her twenty-seventh year she became the wife of Thomas D. Crewdson, Esq., of Manchester. Always deli- cate in physical structure, Mrs. Crewdson, at lengtli, be- came a confirmed invalid, and, for many years, was con- fined to the chamber of sickness. During her protracted illness, her Christian graces were beautifully developed. Mr. Crewdson says : " As a constant sufferer, the spiritual life deepening, and the intellectual life retaining all its power, she became well prepared to testify as to the all- sufficiency of her Saviour's love. Many felt that her sick- room was the highest place to which they could resort for refreshment of spirit, and even for mental recreation. From that apartment came many a letter of earnest sym- pathy, or of charming playfulness." Between the paroxysms of pain, she occupied herself, at in- tervals, with exercises in verse, and thus relieved the tedium of her confinement. Four volumes of delightful poetry were 174 THE POETS OP THE CHURCH. the result of these quiet hours : " The Singer of Eisenach "; " Aunt Jane's Verses for Chilcb^en "; " Lays of the Reforma- tion, and other Lyiics " (1860) ; and " A Little While, and other Poems." The last was a posthumous publication (1864). She fell asleep, September 14, 1863, at her home, Summerlands, near Manchester. Tliat beautiful hymn, the fruit of a pure poetic taste sanctified by bodily suffering, "I've found a joy in sorrow," etc., is found in her " Lays of the Reforaiation." The following is one of her sweetest hymns : " There's not a grief, however light, Too light for sympathy ; There's not a care, however slight, Too slight to bring to Thee. " Thou, who hast trod the thorny road. Wilt shai'e each small distress ; Por he, who bore the greater load. Will not refuse the less. " There's not a secret sigh we breathe But meets the ear divine ; And every cross grows light beneath The shadow. Lord ! of thine. " Life's woes without, sin's strife within, The heart would overflow. But for that love which died for sia, That love which wept with woe." WILLIAM CROSWELL. 1804-1851. Rev. William Croswell, D.D., was a native of Hud- son, N. Y., and was born, November 7, 1804,— the third child of Harry Croswell and Susan Sherman. His father WILLIAM CEOSWELL. 175 was tlien editor of Tlie Balance, and not long afterwards (1809) removed to Albany, N. Y.; though of Puritan stock, lie attached himself to the Episcopal Church, entered the min- istry in 1814, and (January 1, 1815) became the Rector of Trinity Church, New Haven, Conn.,— of which place Mrs. Croswell was a native. The son entered Yale College in 1818, and, having ac- quired some distinction as a scholar and poet, graduated in 1822. After four years of somewhat desultory life, tow- ards the close of which his religious character was more fully developed, he entered the General Theological Semi- nary in New York. The next spring, however, he accepted an invitation to be associated with Prof. George W. Doane [afterwards Bishop] as editor of the Episcopal Watcliman, then (March 26, 1827) just started at Hartford, Conn., and accordingly removed thither. Having continued the prosecution of his theological studies, he was ordained by Bishop Brownell, January 25, 1829, a deacon, and, two months later, retired from the editorial chair. Many of his sonnets, hymns, and fugitive poems, appeared, during these two years, in the columns of the Watcliman. It was for a piiblic meeting of the " Howard Benevolent Society " of Boston, January 2, 1831, that he wrote the useful lyiic, beginning with " Lord ! lead the way the Savioiir went." Having accepted (May, 1829) an invitation to the rector- ship of Christ Church, Boston, Mass., he was ordained, June 24, 1829, to the priesthood. Here he continued in the laborious discharge of his parochial duties, until April, 1840, when he accepted a call to St. Peter's Church, Auburn, N. Y., and was married in May to Miss Amanda, daughter of Mr. Silas P. Tarbell. His friends and admirers at Bos- ton, having organized the Church of the Advent expressly for him, prevailed on him, at the expiration of about four and a half years, to return to Boston (September, 1844) and take the pastorate of the new church. In sympathy with his former associate and endeared friend, Bishop Doane, 176 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. he favored the Oxford movement, as a Tractarian, in oppo- sition to his diocesan, Bishop Eastbnrn. He was a most thorough " Churchman," all his ministerial life. He died quite suddenly, November 9, 1851. His Memoirs, published by his venerable father, in 18.^)3, contain 34 sonnets, 72 poems, and 38 psalms, hymns, and jDrayers — not a few of them of exquisite finish and sweet- ness, but many of them pervaded by the ritualistic spirit so characteristic of Keble's "Christian Year," of which wonderfully popular book he was a great admirer. The following hymn (1834), on the "Noon Day" at Jacob's Well, is a fair specimen of his ordinary style : ' ' O Thou ! who, m the languid noon, By Sychar's well, didst open wide To wondering eyes a better boon Than e'er theu' fathers' fount supplied ; Up, where thy brightest glories burn. Our fainting souls, at every stage, For thy celestial succor turn, In this, our weary pilgrimage. " When, from the sun's meridian glow, We seek refreshment and repose. Do thou thy heavenly gifts bestow, And all the stores of Me unclose ; Thence, quench the fervid spirit's thirst, Thence, fill us as with angel's food, Till, day by day, our souls are nursed For their divine beatitude." JOHANN CRUGER. 1598-1662. JoHANX Cruger was born in 1598, and, by his skill in music, obtained, in 1622, the position of precentor, organist, and chapel-master of St. Nicholas Church, Berlin, and held it until his death in 1662. He is the author of that pecul- JOHN WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM. 177 iarly toucliing eucharistic hymn, which, translated by Rev. Charles Wesley, (the 23d of his " Hymns on the Lord's Slipper," 1745), begins, " Hearts of stone ! relent, relent." The original German hymn is found in a Lutheran Collec- tion, " Praxis Pietatis " (1640), of which thirty editions had been published in 1701, and many more at a later date. Previous to 1651, he had published " Synopsis Musica," and several other musical works. He wrote quite a number of beautiful tunes, of which " Harwich " is quite well known in America. Tlie melody that he composed for Einkart's popular German hymn, ' ' Nun danket alle Gott, " etc. , is said to be the best known tune in the world. At mid- night on IS'ew- Year's eve, as the clock strikes twelve, it is customary for every orthodox German household, at least in the fatherland, to sing the hymn to Criiger's tune. It has, also, attained great popularity in England. JOHN" WILLIAM CUIS^IS^INGHAM. 1780-1861. The Rev. Johtst W. Cunningham, long and popularly known as " The Vicar of Harrow," was born in 1780, and educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, England, where he graduated, A.B., in 1802, and A.M., in 1805. In the lat- ter year, he married Miss Sophia Williams, daughter of R. Williams, Esq., of Moor Park. He had previously held a Fellowship in St. John's College. He published anonymously (1805) "A World without Souls." It is a fanciful sketch, designed to rouse attention to the' care of the soul. It contains two sonnets and two epitaphs, very creditable specimens of the author's poetic 178 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. talent. The book was favorably received, and lias been fre- quently reprinted. The Rev. Dr. Claudius Buchanan, the same year, had offered two generous prizes (£500 each), to be paid by the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, to the vrriters of the two best Essays on " Christianity in India." Tlie Oxford prize was awarded (1807) to the Rev. Hugh Pearson, afterwards Dr. Buchanan's biographer. The Cambridge prize was withheld, because the only Essay that was sent in, at all worthy of it, was not received until sev- eral days after the expiration of the time. It proved to be by Mr. Cunningham, and the greater part of it was after- wards (1808) published at the expense of Dr. Buchanan, with the title : " Christianity in India. An Essay on the Duty, Means, and Consequences of introducing the Chris- tian Religion among the Native Inhabitants of the British Dominions in the East," — a measure violently opposed at that day. The Essay displays originality, research, vigor of thought, and true Christian zeal. In 1811, he was instituted Vicar of Harrow-on-the-Hill, the living being in the gift of Lord Northwick. It is a most commanding position. Seven counties are to be seen from it — a vast panorama of most lovely scenery, unequal ed in all England. Charles II., on one occasion, is reported to have said of the visible church, — " I know not where it is to be found, except indeed at Harrow." From this conspicu- ous height, Mr. Cunningham sent forth, in 1812, in a pam- phlet of sixty-seven pages, some forcible and effective " Observations, designed as a Reply to the ' Thoughts ' of Dr. Maltby, on the Dangers of Circulating the Whole of the Scriptures among the Lower Orders." Thus early, in his public life, Mr. Cunningham had es- poused the Evangelical Cause, and given the weight of his talents and influence to the " Church Missionary Society," the " British and Foreign Bible Society," and kindred in- stitutions. He published (1814) an Address to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury, on the subject of " Church of Eng- land Missions," recommending and enforcing a plan for developing the missionary energies of the Church of Eng- JOHN WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM. 179 land. This was followed, the same year, by " The Velvet Cushion," sent forth, like his first work, anonymously, and ^\Titten in the same fanciful style. It was really a history of the Pulpit, and a critique on the Clergy. It has fre- quently been republished, and its statements have been much controverted. This was followed (1816) by his " San- cho, or the Proverbialist," also published anonymously. Mrs. Cunningham, in the midst of her days and useful- ness, was quite suddenly taken away by an acute disorder, January 9, 1821, leaving nine children under fourteen years of age. Several years afterwards he entered again into the marriage relation. He received the appointment of Do- mestic Chaplain to his Patron, Lord Korthwick, and, in 1822, gave to the press a volume of " Sermons " on " Miscel- laneous Subjects." His " Morning Thoughts in Prose and Verse, on single Verses in the successive Chajiters in the Gospel of St. Matthew," appeared in 1824. A second vol- ume of " Sennons " on " Practical Subjects " was published in 1825. Besides several occasional Discourses, Mr. Cun- ningham published "De Ranee, a Poem," and "Lectures on Jonah." Closely connected with his parish, was the famous " Free School of Harrow"; and during his long ministry of half a century he preached the Gospel to some thousands of boys and young men connected with this school, over whom he exercised the happiest influence. In a visit to Harrow, in 1842, the Eev. Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, of New York, was welcomed at the Vicarage, which he speaks of as " a spot of exceeding beauty " without ; and further says, " the un- rivaled manners of the Vicar of Harrow, and of his equally admirable lady, rendered the interior of the dwelling far more so." "His appearance," he adds, "unites as com- pletely and beautifully the tinished deportment of the highest requirement in society, and the meekness and gen- tleness of the true child of God, as any person whom I have ever seen." "He is one of the brightest ornaments of his age and church." The late Mrs. Frances Trollope was, during a large por- 180 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. tion of her married life, a resident of Harrow. Conceiving a dislike for the godly Vicar, she wrote and iDublished (1837) " The Vicar of Wrexhill," designed as a satire on the "Vicar of Harrow Hill." It failed of its effect, however, and served only to deepen and develop the more the ardent affection of the parish for their highly honored jDastor. Having reached his eighty-first year, he gently passed away, September 30, 1861, and entered into rest. The following Hymn is taken from his "Morning Thoughts" (1825): ' ' When my sad heart surveys the pain Which weary pilgrims here sustain, As o'er the waste of Hf e they roam ; Oppressed without, betrayed within, Victims of violence and sin, Shall I not cry, — ' Thy kingdom come ?' "And, when I know whose strong control Can calm and cheer each troubled soul. And lead these weary wanderers home, Can lodge them in a Father's breast. And soothe this weary world to rest, Shall I not cry, — ' Thy kingdom come ? ' " Oh! rise, the kingdom of the Lord! Come to thy realms, immortal Word ! Melt and subdue these hearts of stone ; Erect the thi-one which camiot move ; Stretch forth the sceptre of thy love, And make this rebel heart thine own." SAMUEL DAVIES. 1723-1761. President Davies was the son of David Davies, a Welsh immigrant, who cultivated a farm at Summit Ridge, New- castle County, Delaware. Here the son was born, Novem- SAMUEL DAVIES. 181 ber 3, 1723, His godly mother was his teacher until he was ten years old, when he came under the instruction, for two years, of the Rev. Abel Morgan, a Welsh Baptist. He be- came a subject of divine grace at the age of twelve years, and at fifteen a member of the church. The classical school at Fagg's Manor, Pa., was opened by the Rev. Samuel Blair, in 1740, and Davies shortly after be- came one of its students. He was duly licensed, July 80, 1746, by the Presbytery of Newcastle, to preach the Gos- pel. His marriage to Miss Sarah Kirkpatrick occurred Oc- tober 28, 1746. He was ordained, February 19, 1747, as an evangelist. Manly and graceful in j)erson, voice, and man- ner, of a sweet and tender disposition, he became speedily an attractive and popular preacher. He labored awhile on the eastern shore of Maryland, and then for a few months as a missionary in Hanover County, Va. His wife died very suddenly (after his return), September 16, 1747, and his own health was greatly imi3aired. In the spring of 1748, he returned to Hanover, Va., and was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church of that place, in May, 1748. He married, October 4, 1748, Miss Jean, the daughter of John Holt, of Hanover. Notwithstanding the opposition of the colonial government to all " dissent- ers," his ministry was eminently successful. In company with the Rev. Gilbert Tennent, of New Jer- sey, by appointment of the Synod of New York, at the close of 1753, he visited Great Britain, to procure funds for the College of New Jersey. His preaching was received with remarkable favor, and his mission was a success. He contracted a warm personal friendship for the Rev, Dr. Thomas Gibbons, of London, and made many other valuable friends. At the close of 1754, he left England, returned home, and resumed his pastoral work. His preaching now became more popular than ever, and, by reason of its great success in the planting of new churches, the Presbytery of Hanover was organized in 1755. Having labored thus diligently for the space of four years and more, and having been twice chosen to succeed the late 182 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. President Edwards, he was duly inducted, July 26, 1759. into the Presidency of the College of New Jersey. A suc- cessful career apparently awaited him, but, after a short illness resulting from a violent cold, he died, February 4, 1761, greatly lamented both at home and abroad. He was regarded " as the most eloquent American divine of the past age." The Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, of the Reformed Dutch Church, of New York City, said, " that he was without exception the lirst pulpit orator to whom he had ever listened. His voice, his attitudes, his gesture, everything pertaining to manner, came uj) to the most per- fect ideal that he was able to form. " Several of his Occasional Sermons and Discourses were published, at intervals, during his life. The most of these, with many others, were prepared for publication, after his death, by his greatly attached friend, the Rev. Dr. Gibbons, of London, and issued (1767-1771) in five volumes. An American edition in three volumes was published (3d ed., 1811) at Boston, Mass. Among the manuscripts of President Davies, committed to Dr. Gibbons for publication, were copies of sixteen original hymns. These were included in a Collection of "Hymns adapted to Divine Worship," pub- lished by Dr. Gibbons, at London, in 1769, Among them are the familiar hymns : "Eternal Spirit, Som-ce of light! " etc., "Lord ! I am thine, entirely thine," etc. The following stanzas are from a hymn by Davies, on the "Excellency of Christ": "My Prophet thou, my heavenly Guide ! Thy sweet instructions I will hear ; The words, that from thy hps proceed, Oh ! how divinely sweet they are ! Thee, my great Prophet, I would love, And imitate the blessed above. "My great High-Priest ! whose precious blood Did once atone upon the Cross, Who now dost intercede with God, ELIEL DAVIS. 133 And plead the friendless sinner's cause, In thee I ti'ust ; thee I would love, And imitate the blessed above. ' My King supreme ! to thee I bow, A willmg subject, at thy feet ; All other lords I disavow, And to thy government submit : My Saviour-Kang this heart would love, And imitate the blessed above," ELIEL DAVIS. 1803-1849. Mr. Eliel Davis was born, June 5, 1803, at Folkestone^ England. His father was the teacher of a respectable school, and a deacon of the Baptist Church. The celebrated Tem- perance lecturer, John B. Gough, who was born at Sandgate, a hamlet two miles west of Folkestone, says, in his auto- biography : " My father paid a weekly sum for my instruc- tion at the seminary of Mr. Davis, of Folkestone." This was in 1825 ; and, about this time, the late Rev. Dr. Joseph Bel- cher, the author of "Historical Sketches of Hymns," etc., became the pastor of the Folkestone Baptist Church. Young Davis, in 1821, obtained a situation as clerk in a dry-goods store, at Wandsworth, London. In January, 1822, he became a member of the Eagle Street Baptist Church, under the care of Rev. Joseph Ivirney. Full of pious zeal, he soon after began to exhort and conduct religious meetings in the suburban villages; and, in 1826, he was admitted to the Baptist College, at Stepney, London, as a student for the ministry. About this time. Dr. Belcher undertook the preparation of a monthly magazine in man- uscript, for the young people of his congregation, who were the chief contributors. It was called the Mutual Instructor. Young Davis often wrote for it, and, in 1826, contributed to it the well-known hymn, " From every earthly pleasui'e," etc., 184 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. whicli lias been improperly ascribed, in some Compilations, to Mr. Joseph Cottle. Dr. Belclier showed it to a London editor (then on a visit to him), who copied it and published it in his own magazine, whence it was transferred to the hymn-books. It was introduced to the American churches, by the Rev. Joshua Leavitt, in his " Christian Lyre," New York, 1830. In 1828 Mr. Davis took charge of a Baptist church at Newport, Isle of Wight. At the end of six years, he was called to the Regent Street Baptist Church, Lam- beth, London, where he remained seven years. One year (1841) he spent with a church at Eye, Suffolk, and, the next year, became the pastor of the Baptist Church at St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. Here he continued until his sudden de- cease, in March, 1849. Tlie only other hymn attributed to him appeared in the " Supplement " to the London Evangelical Magazine^ for 1836, on "The Believer's Prospects." It contains seven stanzas, the first three of which are here given : "There is a heaven of perfect peace, Transparent, brig-ht, and clear ; But where, or how, or what it is, ' It doth not yet appear.' "And there are angels strong and fair. Who know nor sin nor fear ; But what the robes of light they wear, 'It doth not yet appear.' "And there are ransomed spirits too. Who once were travehng here ; But how the Saviour's face they view, ' It doth not yet appear.' " THOMAS DAVIS. 1804 . The Rev. Thomas Davis is a clergyman of the Church of England. His father, the Rev. Richard Francis Davis, THOMAS DAVIS. 185 D.D., was instituted (1795) tlie Rector of All-Saints' Cliurcli, Worcester, where (1804) tlie son was born. He was edu- cated for the Church, and sent to Queen's College, Oxford, where he was graduated in 1832. The next year he became his father's curate, and (January 25, 1834) was ordained to the priesthood. At the close of 1839, he obtained from the patron, S. Nicholson, Esq., the Perpetual Curacy of St. John's Church, Roundhay, near Leeds. In 1871, he was, also, appointed chaplain of the reformatory shij) Akhar, lying in the Mersey. He has been very decidedly addicted to poetry. In 1855, he issued a small volume, entitled, " Devotional Verse for a Month," etc.; in 1859, "Songs for the Suffering"; in 1860, "The Family Hymnal"; and, in 1864, "Hymns, Old and New," a collection of 223 selected and 260 original hymns. A second edition appeared in 1867. He is of the Broad Church party, having, in 1866, put forth a volume, called, "Endless Sufferings not the Doctrine of Scripture." From his " Songs for the Suffering" (1859), are taken the following first three stanzas of a hymn of eight stanzas, on the theme, "God is Love": "Why comes this fragrance on the summer breeze,— The blended tribute of ten thousand flowers, To me, a frequent wanderer 'mid the trees That form these gay though soUtary bowers ? One answer is around, beneath, above : The echo of the voice, that 'God is Love.' "Why bursts such melody from tree and bush, The overflowing of each songster's heart, So filling mine, that it can scarcely hush Awhile to listen, but would take its part ? 'Tis but one song I hear, where'er I rove, Though countless be the notes, that 'God is Love.' "Why leaps the streamlet down the mountain's side, Hastening so swiftly to the vale beneath, To cheer the shepherd's thirsty flock, or glide Where the hot sun has left a faded wreath, Or, rippling, aid the music of the grove ? Its own glad voice replies, that ' God is Love.' " 186 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. JAMES GEORGE DECK. 1802 . Mr. Deck is a missionary in New Zealand. He is con- nected with the Plymontli Brethren, and is the eldest son of John Deck, Esq., of Bury St. Edmunds, England. He was born in 1802, and trained for the army. He obtained, January 2, 1826, a lieutenant's commission in the Fifteenth Regiment of Native Infantry, Madras, India. He was sta- tioned at Bangalore. Ill-health, in 1835, compelled his re- turn to his native land. He contributed several hymns to a Collection published by the Plymouth Brethren in 1838, and called, " Hymns for the Poor of the Flock." He took charge, in 1843, of the Brethren's congregation at Wellington, Somerset, — having retired from the army. Thence he went to Weymouth, Dorsetshire. While at Wellington, he published (1845), " Joy in Departing : A Memoir of the Conversion and Last Days of Augustus James Clarke, who fell asleep in Jesus, May 2d, 1845," in his fourteenth year ;— the son of a brother officer, entrusted to his care on his return from India. The same year, he also published, " A Word of Warning to All who love the Lord Jesus : the Heresy of Mr. Prince, with Extracts from his Letters." He sent forth, in 1850 and 1852, two Letters " On Receiving and Rejecting Brethren from the Table of the Lord." He entered heartily into the mis- sionary work, and, having been thoroughly acclimated in India, he went abroad, about 1852, to labor in New Zea- land, where he has continued to reside. He contributed 27 hymns to the Wellington Hymn-Book, edited (1857) by D. C. Pox, Esq., and 17 hymns to another collection of " Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the Children of God," edited and published (1860) by John Usticke Sco- bell, Esq. The hymn beginning, " It is thy hand, my God ! " MARIA DE FLEURY. 187 " was written to comfort a bereaved motlier and widow in lier hour of sorrow. " The stanzas that follow are the first and the last of a mi]- lenarian hymn of four stanzas : " How long-, O Lord, our Saviour! Wilt thou remain away ? Our hearts are growing weary Of thy so long delay : Oh ! when shall come the moment, When, brighter far than morn, The sunshine of thy glory Shall on thy people dawn ? ' ' Oh ! wake thy slumbering virgins ; Send forth the solemn cry, Let all thy saints repeat it, — ' The Bridegroom draweth nigh ! ' May all our lamps be burning. Our loms well ghded be. Each longing heart preparing With joy thy face to see." MARIA DE FLEURY. Very little is known of the personal history of Miss De Fleury. Her home and, probably, her birth were in London. She wrote an " Epithalamium," addressed "by their affectionate sister," "to Mr. and Mrs. De Fleury, Junrs., Married, November 2oth, 1773." She was, at that time, a devout Christian. One of her miscellaneous pieces is, "An Elegy on the Death of my Sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Burrows," who died "in prime of life," whose "tragic story " she forbears to tell, in view of her happy transla- tion to a better world. Of her family, nothing further can be gleaned. She resided in Jewin Street, and was for some years a member of the Independent Church, Barbican (an offshoot from the Jewin Street Church), of which the Rev. John 188 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Towers was long tlie pastor. He speaks of her in his In trodiiction to her " Poems," as " a pious godly woman, who fears God above many"; as having "a style, rather mascu- line," because, probably, of her " being frequently in the company of ministers." The Rev. Thomas Wills, of Silver Street Church (who, also, wrote an introduction to her book), says that she "is so well known in the religious world by her many productions, as to need neither intro- duction nor any recommendation of mine to the public." He speaks of her as " jDoor in this world, though rich in grace"; as "perfectly sound in the Gospel," and as a "faithful chamioion for the faith once delivered to the saints." The Rev. Dr. John Ryland, also, commends her " Poems," and professes that his " respect to the author is sincere." This is the sum of her personal history, so far as can now be learned. She herself says, that she had " not enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education." She was evidently a woman of vigorous thought, of considerable poetic fervor, moving in respectable society, and held in much esteem by the godly among the Dissenting churches of the period. She contributed two hymns to the " Supplement " of The Gospel Magazine for 1776. She published, in 1781, " A Se- rious Address to the Rev. Mr. Huntington," "Unright- eous Abuse Detected and Chastised"; in 1782, "Henry, or the Triumph of Grace"; in 1783, "An Ode"; in 1787, "A Letter to Mr. Huntington" (3d Ed.) ; in 1791, " Antinomi- anism Unmasked and Refuted," " Falsehood Examined at the Bar of Truth, or a Farewell to Mr. W. Huntington," and her " Divine Poems." Mr. Huntington, Minister of Provi- dence Chapel, London, was at that time a leading Antino- mian among the Calvinistic Methodists. Miss De Fleury was herself a thorough Calvinist. The first of her Divine Poems is entitled "Immanuel." It is a poem, in blank verse, of 1,600 lines. The following stanzas are from " An Hymn of Praise," in fourteen stanzas : " Come, O my soul! awake; awake and sing; Come, tune thy harp to sweetest, softest lays ; SIR EDWARD DENNY. 139 Record the wonders of tliy God and King, And offer up a song of grateful i^raise. My Father and my God ! to thee I'll sing Eternal anthems of unbounded praise; Myself, my all, an humble offering bring To thee, the God of Providence and Grace. Oh for a thousand hearts to love thy name ! A thousand tongues to sing thy glories high 1 To spread abroad thine everlasting fame, Ajid join the hallelujahs of the sky ! " SIE EDWARD DEN^NY. 1796 . It is not often tliat so mncli poetic grace and fervent pi- ety are combined with such eminent position, as in the case of Sir Edward Denny. He is a native of Connty Kerry, Ireland, and was born, October 2, 1796, at Tralee Castle, the Seat of his father. At an early period of his life, he espoused the peculiar tenets of the Plymouth Brethren. He has long been a firm believer in the Millenarian theory of the Second Coming of our Lord, and his Personal Reign on Earth for a thousand years. A large portion of his beau- tiful hymns are "Millennial Hymns." They were contrib- uted, occasionally, to various publications. Having been frequently asked by his friends to point out his own hymns in the Collections into which they had been gathered, he published them in a modest volume, with the title, " Hjntnns and Poems, by Sir Edward Denny, Bart., London, 1839," — a second edition appearing in 1848. In the Preface to his book, he deprecates most earnestly " the practice of needlessly altering some even of our well- known favorite hymns." He says : " It is surely not fair to treat another's compositions in this way, especially where he 190 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. is not unsound as to doctrine. In writing a hymn or a poem, an author knows his own meaning and object far better than another can possibly do ; and, where he finds that his thoughts have been meddled with and deranged in this way, he is painfully conscious that he has been mis- understood, and that the sense has been either perverted or weakened." Sir Edward is the author of several elaborate Charts, respectively called, "A Prophetical Stream of Time"; "The Seventy Weeks of Daniel"; and "The Cycle of Sev- enty Weeks." He has written, also, and published, several cheap Tracts and Broad-sheets, illustrative of his Millena- rian views. One of his " Miscellaneous Poems " is inscribed " To the Memory of a Beloved Mother, who Fell Asleep in Jesus, Ajoril 27, 1828," and had obtained peace in believing through his prayers and pleadings. Two others follow " on the same " theme. His father having died in August, 1831, he succeeded to the title and estate as fourth baronet. The stanzas that follow are from his hymn, entitled, "The Heart watching for the Morning": "Light of the lonely pilgrim's heart, Star of the coining clay ! Arise, and, with thy morning heams, Chase all oui' griefs away. " Come, blessed Lord! bid every shore And answering island sing The praises of thy royal name, And own thee as their King. "Bid the whole earth, responsive now To the bright world above. Break forth in rapturous strains of joy, In mem'ry of thy love." DAVID DICKSON. 191 DAVID DICKSOK 1583-1662. In the " Short Account of the Life of the Rev. David Dickson" (1726), the Rev. Robert Wodi'ow, the distin- guished historian of the Church of Scotland, eminent for historical research, fulness of information, and scrupulous accuracy, having enumerated some of Dickson's wiitings, adds : " Besides these, he wrote .... some short poems on pious and serious subjects, which, I am told, have been very useful Avhen printed and spread among country people and servants ; such as ' The Christian Sacrifice '; ' O Mother dear, Jerusalem ! ' and one somewhat larger, 8vo, 1649, en- titled ' True Christian Love,' to be sung with the common tunes of the Psalms. This is all of his I have seen in print. " In a marginal note, the Rev. W. K. Tweedie, editor of the Wodrow Society Publications, further says : " There is, also, a poem ascribed to Dickson, entitled ' Honey Drops, or Crystal Streams,' and sometimes printed along with the others." It thus appears, that Dickson was the author of several poems ; that these poems had been often printed ; that they had obtained a considerable circulation "among country people and servants," by whom they were much prized and cherished ; and that among these was the poem, beginning with " O Mother dear, Jerusalem ! " There is, of course, no difficulty in verifying this production, as it has been so often reproduced in print, and has had such wide currency among the churches of Scotland, where the memory of its author is so reverently cherished. Tlie poem consists of 248 lines, in thirty-one double stan- zas, of C. M., or in " the Common tune of the Psalms." The theme and its treatment are, doubtless, derived from the old Latin versifiers of the mediaeval period of the Church, with whom Dickson was familiar. They may have been suggested by the anonymous Latin hymn of 48 lines, writ- 192 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ten, it is thouglit, in the eightli century, and beginning with ' ' Urbs beata Hierusalem, Dicta pacis visio " ; and more particularly by the latter part of Hildebert's grand hymn to the Trinity, and Bernard de Clugny's in- comparable poem on " The Contempt of the World," "Hie breve vivitur," etc. These again were undoubtedly derived from the prose writ- ings of Gregory the Great, and the 25th chapter of the "Meditations" of St. Augustine, beginning with "Mater Hierusalem, civitas sancti Dei, charissima sponsa Christi, te amat cor meum," etc. ; on which Cardinal Peter Damianus based his " Hymn on the Glory of Paradise," "Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida," etc. It has generally been supposed that Dickson was the first to give expression to these glowing views of the New Jeru- salem, in English verse. But, in 1852, the Rev. Horatius Bonar, D.D., then of Kelso, Scotland, in a Monogram on this Hymn, stated that he had found in the British Museum a manuscript volume of religious songs, without date, but apparently written in the early part of the seventeenth century, in which is contained a copy of a portion of this very poem, with the title, "A Song made by F. B. P., to the Tune of Diana." Nothing appears to be known of the origin of this volume or of the " Song " itself, much less of "F. B. P." It is evident, at a glance, that the coi^yist has borrowed his " Song " from Dickson, or that Dickson him- seK is the borrower. Which is the most probable ? Dickson's Poem has 31 double stanzas,— 248 lines ; " P. B. P." has only 26 single stanzas,— 104 lines. Of Dickson's, only 16 double stanzas are reproduced by " F. B. P.," and these with marked variations, in the phraseology, and in the order of the stanzas and lines, just such as might be accounted for by an imperfect memory. No attempt is made to reproduce the last 15 double stanzas ; there is DAVID DICKSON. I93 notMng in "F. B. P.'s" "Song" to answer to them. A careful comparison of the two productions will Justify the conclusion, that the Museum copy is the result of an en- deavor to commit to writing so much of Dickson's hymn as could be remembered, either by the copyist, or by some one of his friends. Dr. Bonar shows, from internal evidence, that the Museum volume was written probably as late as 1616 ; it may, for aught that appears, have been written much later. Now at that date (1616) Dickson was at least thirty-three years old, and a Professor of Philosophy. He was, moreover, a man of too much scholarship and conscience to be a plagiarist. His claim to be regarded as the author of the " New Jeru- salem" hymn is not to be set aside on such insufficient grounds. The unknown "F. B. P." is the copyist, not the well-known Dickson. An abridgment of the hymn (in 8 single stanzas) was published by the Rev. William Burkitt, in his "Poor Man's Help, and Young Man's Guide : Also Divine Hymns on Several Occasions." The Preface is dated, "Dedham, 1693." A part of Burkitt's hymn is taken from Rev. John Mason's SOtli hymn. Another abridgment, containing 20 of Dickson's stanzas, appears in the February Number of The Gentleman^ s Magazine, for 1798, which probably gave occasion to the brief one in " Williams and Boden's Collec- tion," 1801. David Dickson was the only child of John Dick, or Dick- son, a jDious and wealthy merchant of Glasgow, Scotland, where David was born, about 1583. He received a thorough education at the University of Glasgow, where he took, in course, the degrees of A.B. and A.M. In 1610, he was ap- pointed Regent or Professor of Philosophy in the same University, devoting himself, with his associates, Messrs. Boyd and Blair, to the revival of godliness among the un- dergraduates. He was ordained, in 1618, to the pastoral charge of Irvine, Ayrshire, the birthplace, long after, of the poet, James Montgomery. Here he labored with great suc- cess until January, 1622, when he was deposed for non- 13 194 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH." compliance witli tlie Perth. Articles, and banished to Tur- riff. In July, 1623, lie was permitted to return to his parish, where he remained, in the faithful and successful discharge of his parochial duties, until 1641, when he was appointed Professor of Divinity in the University of Glas- gow. In the great Stewarton Revival (1625-1630), he had taken an active and leading part. He was Moderator of the General Assembly, in 1639. In the records of the Uni- versity he is styled, " Doctor et Professor SS. Theologise." Though entitled to it, he never used the designation of D.D. He remained at Glasgow until 1650, when he was trans- ferred to the Divinity Chair in the University of Edinburgh. He took a prominent part in the public affairs of the coun- try during the period of the Commonwealth, and having, at the Restoration, refused to take the oath of supremacy, he was deprived of his Professorship. He died in Decem- ber, 1662, having lived nearly fourscore years. He ranked among the ablest and most influential ministers of his na- tive land. Among his publications were, " A Commentary on the He- brews," " on Matthew," " on the Psalms," and " on the Epis- tles, Latin and English"; " Therai)eutica Sacra: or Cases of Conscience Resolved," in Latin and in English ; also, " A Treatise on the Promises." He left many other works in manuscript. After a long life devoted to his Master's ser- vice, his prayer was granted, as he had expressed it in his " New Jerusalem ": ' ' Oh ! liappy thousand times were I, If, after wretched days, I might, with listening- ears, conceive Those heavenly songs of praise, Which to th' eternal King are sung By happy wights above, By saved souls and angels sweet, Who love the God of love. " Yet once again I pray thee. Lord ! To quit me from all strife. That to thy hill I may attain, And dwell there all my life, WILLIAM CHATTEETON DIX. 195 Witli clierubims and seraphinas, And holy souls of men, To sing thy praise, O God of hosts ! For ever, and Amen." WILLIAM CHATTERTON DIX. 1837 . The revival and spread of Ritualism in tlie Churcli of England liave given birtli and currency to a mediaeval style of modern liymnology, Mr. Dix's poetry is of this char- acter. He is the son of Mr, John R. Dix, of Bristol, Eng- land, where he was born, June 14, 1837. His father was a surgeon, and a man of letters, having, at various times, published, "Lays of Home," "Local Legends of Bristol," " Progress of Intemperance," and a " Life of Thomas Chat- terton," that juvenile prodigy of Bristol ; he seems to have migrated to America, where he died several years since. The son inherits his father's passion for literature. But, though well educated at the grammar-school of Bristol, he gave himself to mercantile pursuits. About 1863, he re- moved to Glasgow, Scotland, and took a desirable position in a Marine Insurance Office. He has contributed hymns to several Collections: to " St. Raphael's Hymnal" (1861) ; three hymns to " Lyi^a Eucharistica " (1863) ; twenty-one to " Lyra Messianica " (1865) ; and others to an " Illustrated Book of Poems " (1867), Several of his hymns are trans- lations from the Greek. One of his best is his Christmas Hymn, entitled, " The Manger-Throne," the first two stan- zas of which follow : " Like silver lamps in a distant shrine. The stars are sparkling clear and bright ; The bells of the City of God ring out. For the Son of Mary was born to-night ; The gloom is past, and the morn at last Is coming with orient light. 196 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Never fell melodies half so sweet, As those which are filling the skies ; And never a palace shone half so fah', As the manger-bed where om- Saviour lies: No night in the year is half so dear, As this which has ended our sighs." GEORGE WASHINGTON DOANE. 1799-1859. George Washiistgton^ Doane, D.D., LL.D., was pre- eminently fitted to be a leader and ruler of men. As a bishop of the Episcopal Churcli lie greatly magnified liis office, and made full proof of liis ministry. Among liis peers, lie was peerless in magnetic power and episcopal grace. He was one of the notables of his generation. He was born at Trenton, N. J., May 27, 1799. In his childhood, the family, who were Episcopalians, removed to New York City, and he was sent to the school of the Rev. Dr. Edmund Barry, of linguistic fame. In his tenth year, his father became a resident of Geneva, N. Y., where the son entered Mr. Hubbell's school, and was fitted for college. He graduated from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1818, with distinguished honor. His attention was now turned to the law, and, for a short time, he pursued his studies in the office of Richard Har- rison, Esq., of New York City. But, under the influence of Prof, (afterwards Bishop) Brownell, then of New York City, he abandoned the laAv, and joined a theological class under the care and teaching of Bishop Hobart, Dr. Jarvis, and Prof. BroAvnell. At the same time, he devoted several hours daily to teaching, for the support of his mother and sisters. He was ordained, April 19, 1821, a deacon, by Bishop Hobart, in Christ Church, N. Y. ; was presently appointed an assistant minister of Trinity Church, N. Y. ; and was GEOEGE WASHINGTON DOANE. 197 ordained to the priesthood, August 6, 1823, also, by Bishop Hobart, in Trinity Church. In September, 1824, he became Professor of Belles-Lettres and Oratory, in the newly-organ- ized Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, Conn. To secure funds for the college, he travelled extensively in the Southern States. He was now associated with the Rev. William Croswell in editing the Einscopal Watchman. A close and intimate life-long friendship was formed be- tween them. Bishop Doane named, for his friend, one of his sons, who is now the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany. The same year (1824), he published his " Songs by the Way, chiefly Devotional ; with Translations and Imitations," — in which appear the two well-known hymns : "Softly now the light of day," etc., and " Thou art the Way; — to thee alone," etc. His contributions to the Watchman, also, were frequent. In 1828, he accepted a call from Trinity Church, Boston, as Assistant to the Rev. Dr. John S. J. Gardiner, at whose decease, July 29, 1830, he was chosen in his place, as Rector. In 1829, he married Miss Eliza Greene Perkins. His church was the most influential of the denomination in the city, and he occupied a commanding position, filling it with credit and honor. On the death (July 26, 1832) of the ven- erable Bishop Croes, of New Jersey, Mr. Doane was chosen (October 3) his successor, and (October 31) he was duly con- secrated as the Second Episcox)al Bishop of ]N"ew Jersey. He fixed his residence at Burlington, N". J., and, the fol- lowing year, became the Rector of St. Mary's Church, of that town. He now entered on a remarkable career of Episcopal enterprise, labor, and prerogative, scarcely paral- leled in the history of the American Church. He founded (1837) a Church School for Girls (St. Mary's Hall), over Avhich he presided and watched with great assi- duity and zeal. To obtain a training-school for his minis- terial candidates, he founded, in 1846, and presided over, Burlington College. His financial projects, entered into 198 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. witli cliaracteristic ardor, but with a lack of commercial foresight and prudence, involved liim in serious pecuniary embarrassments, resulting in painful controversy, and judi- cial proceedings on the part of the Church authorities. His attachments were ardent and faithful, especially towards the young, with whom he was a great favorite. He was in full sympathy with the Oxford Tractarians, and, on a visit to England, in 1841, was received with distin- guished honor. As one result of Tractarianism, he had occasion to mourn over the perversion of his eldest son to the Church of Rome. He stamped his own image on the Diocese of New Jer- sey. Under his administration, its clergy increased from eighteen to ninety -nine, its parishes from thirty to eighty- four, and its communicants from six hundred and fifty- seven to five thousand ; while the annual offerings rose from less than four hundred to fifty thousand dollars. He abounded in labors, and was, in consequence, prematurely cut off. He died, after a short illness, at his " Riverside" home, Burlington, April 27, 1859, nearly sixty years old. His Biograjjhy, Poems, Sermons, Charges, and numerous other writings, were published (1860) by his son, Bishop Doane, of Albany. One of his sweetest poems, written in Northfield Vicarage, England, 1841, is here subjoined : "hoc eeat iisr voTis." "This was in all my prayers, since first I prayed: — A Parsonage, in a sweet garden's shade ; The Church adjoining, witli its ivied tower ; A peal of bells, a clock to tell the hour ; A rustic flock, to feed from day to day. And kneel with them, at morn, and eve, and pray. He, who ' doth all things well,' denied my prayer, And hade me take th' Apostle's staff and hear, The scattered sheep o'er hill and dale pursue. Feed the old flocks and gather in the new ; Count ease, and health, and life, and all things loss, So I make knoAvn the blessed bleeding Cross. - These quiet scenes, that never can be mine. This homebred happiness, dear friend ! be thine ; JOHN DOBELL. 199 Each clioicest gift, and influence from above, Descend on thee, and all that share thy love ; Peace, which the world gives not, nor can destroy, The prelibation of eternal joy." JOHN DOBELL. 1757-1840. JoHisr DoBELL was the compiler of "A New Selection of 700 Evangelical Hymns, for Private, Family, and Public Wor- ship (many original) from more than 200 of the best Authors in England, Scotland, Ireland, and America; arranged in alphabetical order, intended as a Supplement to Dr. Watts's Psalms and Hymns": published at London, 1806. A second edition, enlarged to 800 hymns, appeared in 1812. An American edition was issued, in 1822, at Morristown, N. J., and extensively patronized. Several editions were published in England. He was induced to make the Selection, at the suggestion of a pious young lady in Cornwall, whom he visited in sickness, and who said to him, " I wish I could see before I die a HjTnn-Book full of Christ and his Gospel, and without any mixture of free-will or merit." The work was " the labor of years, and the choice of many thousand hymns"; many of them were furnished to him in manu- script. Some of the hymns he abridged ; to some, he added stanzas of his own, indicated by single inverted commas ; and twenty of them are from his own pen. Among these is the favoriibe hymn, much used in revivals of religion, beginning, "Now is th' accepted time," etc. He gave, also, the names of the authors, as correctly as possible, or of the " Collection" from which the hymn was taken. It was, in many respects, a valuable " Selection." Dobell's early history is not accessible. He was born in 200 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. 1757, and resided at Poole, Dorsetshire, England. He held a position, as port-ganger, under tlie Board of Excise. He was a Dissenter, and attached to the Skinner Street Chapel, of which the Rev. Edward Ashbnrner, and, after him, the Rev. Thomas Dnrant, were pastors. His form was tall, and quite conspicuous ; and as his " Selection " was in use by the congregation, he was familiarly called, " Old Do-bell. " He died at Poole, in his eighty-fourth year, and was buried there, June 1, 1840. He published (1807) a book on " Baptism," and (1812) an- other on " Humanity.'' In 1828, he published two volumes, the first of which he called " The Christian's Golden Treas- ure, or Gospel Comfort for Doubting Minds," containing 124 hymns, " many of them original " ; the second he called " Tlie Christian's Companion in his Journey to Pleaven," containing a number of religious Essays, each of which is illustrated by an original poetic composition, — of which the following stanzas are a fair specimen : " God will advance his saints To thrones of heavenly bliss, Where each shall wear a starry crown Of perfect righteousness. ' ' With Jesus they shall dwell, Released from toil and care, Far from the reach of sm and hell, And every hurtful snare. " Through an eternal day, Their happy souls shall rest. There God shall wipe their tears away, And take them to his rest." ANNA [SCHINDLER] DOBER. 1713-1739. Mrs. Dobee's maiden name was Anna Schindler. She was born, April 9, 1713, at Kunewalde, Moravia. At an PHILIP DODDRIDGE. 201 early age she became connected with, the settlement of " The United Brethren " at Herrnhnt, — founded by Count Zinzendorf, in 1722, She was distinguished for her ardent piety. Her husband, John Leonard Dober, to whom she was married, July 13, 1737, had been a Moravian mission- ary at St. Thomas, in the West Indies, and after two years' [1732-1734] arduous service, had been recalled to occupy the position of the General Eldership, or Superintendent of the whole mission work of the Brethren, at home and abroad. Her mission was soon fulfilled, as she was taken to rest, December 12, 1739, at Marienborn. Several of her hymns were included in The Brethren's Collection, translations of seven of which found their way into the Hymn-Book of the United Brethren in England, and some of them are found, also, in the American Book. They are characterized by great spirituality, holy fervor, and ardent devotion to the person and kingdom of the Redeemer. PHILIP DODDRIDGE. 1702-1751. Beyond all question, the name of Doddridge is to be classed with the names of the most honored of the Poets of the Sanctuary, — Watts, Wesley, Steele, Newton, Cowper, and Kelly — names that will never die. Philip Doddridge was the grandson of the Rev. John Doddridge, of Shepperton, Middlesex, England, who was ejected from his parish, by the celebrated " Act of Unifor- mity," in 1662. His maternal grandfather was the Rev. John Bauman, of Prague, Bohemia, who was, also, a sufferer for conscience' sake in his native land, and who, on his arrival, a poor exile, in England, about 1626, became the master of a free school, at Kingston-uiDon-Thames, where he died (1688) at an advanced age. Bauman's only child became the 202 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. wife of Jolm Doddridge's son, Daniel, and the mother of liis twenty children. Of these children, all, except a daugh- ter, and Philip, the youngest, died in infancy. The daugh- ter became the wife of the Rev. John Nettleton, a Dissent- ing minister of Ongar, Essex, and died in 1734. Daniel Doddridge resided at London, and was a dealer in oil. Both he and his wife were devotedly pious. Philip was born June 26, 1702. At his birth, he was supposed to be dead, but, by assiduous pains-taking, the life was feebly developed, — a feebleness from which he never fully recov- ered. " I was brought up," he says, " in the early knowl- edge of religion, by my pious parents, who were, in their character, very worthy of their birth and education ; and I well remember, that my mother taught me the history of the Old and New Testaments before I could read, by the assistance of some blue Dutch tiles in the chimney-place of the room where we commonly sat ; and the wise and pious reflections she made upon those stories, were the means of enforcing such good impressions on my heart as never afterwards wore out." Both of his parents died in 1715. At an early age, he was sent to a school in London, taught by the Rev. Mr. Stott. Tlien, at ten, he went to the school at Kingston-upon-Thames, formerly his grand- father's. At his father's death, he was sent to the school of the Rev. Nathaniel Wood, at St. Albans, about twenty miles north of London. Here he enjoyed the pastoral care of the excellent and eminent Rev. Samuel Clark, noted for his book on " The Promises," and, February 1, 1718, he united with the church, at St. Albans. His patrimony was lost by the mismanagement of his guardian. At the suggestion of his uncle, Philip Dodd- ridge, Esq., who had been steward for the Duke of Bed- ford until his death in 1711, the Dowager Duchess of Bedford kindly expressed her readiness to give him a Uni- versity Education, and provide him a living, if he \tould conform to the Church of England. But, for conscience' sake, he declined the offer. He thought of studying, as PHILIP DODDEIDGE. 203 advised by Rev. Dr. Calamy, for tlie law. But an unex- pected offer from liis pastor, Mr. Clark, to be at charges for Ills education, ended his perplexity. He now entered (1719) the Academy of the Rev. John Jennings, at Kib- worth, Harconrt, Leicestershire. The school was removed in 1722 to Hinckley. Here, July 22, 1722, he was licensed to preach, though he stUl continued his studies. In the spring of 1723, he was called both to Coventry and to Kibworth. The call from the latter, though the humbler place, he accepted, that he might have more time to study. He was settled there June, 1723, and gave himself heartily to his work. " It is one of the most unj)olite congregations I ever knew," he says, " consisting almost entirely of farmers and graziers, with their subalterns. I have not so much as a tea-table in my diocese, although above eight miles in extent, and but one hoop-petticoat in the whole circuit," . . . . " and were it not for talking to the cattle, admiring the poultry, and preaching twice every Sabbath, I should certainly lose the organs of speech." " Kitty Freeman," a young damsel of the vicinity, won his heart, and then rejected him. It was overruled to his greater sanctification. He took board, June, 1725, with Mrs. Jennings (the widow of his late teacher), at Market Harborough, six miles from Kibworth, and greatly enjoyed the change. He would have married Miss Jennings, but she preferred Mr. Aikin, and became the mother of Anna Lsetitia [Aikin] Barbauld. Mr. Jennings had died in 1723, and his Academy was suspended. It was revived, mainly through the influence of Dr. Isaac Watts, and, April 10, 1729, put under the care of Dodd- ridge. Soon after, in addition, he became the assistant of the Rev. Mr. Some, of Harborough. This was followed (September, 1729) by a call from the Castle Hill congrega- tion at Northampton. Thither, at the end of three months, he removed with his school, and entered upon the perform- ance of his life-work. He was ordained to the ministry, March 19, 1730 ; and, at the close of the year, received in marriage, Miss Mercy 204 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Maris, a lady of superior qualifications. They were favored with nine children, fonr only of whom, with their mother, outlived the father. In the indefatigable discharge of his duties as pastor and teacher, he passed more than a score of years, eminently useful and greatly honored. In Decem- ber, 1750, at the funeral of his old pastor. Rev. Dr. Clark, St. Albans, he contracted a severe cold, which seized upon his lungs, and issued in pulmonary consumption. He sought relief successively at London, at Shrewsbury, at Bristol, at Bath, but all in vain. A purse of £400 was secured for him by his endeared friend, the Coimtess of Huntingdon, and, \rith his beloved wife, he left in October, 1751, for Lisbon. Less than two weeks after his arrival, he l^assed away, October 26th, in the 50th year of his age. Doddridge "was above the middle stature, extremely thin and slender," but sprightly and vivacious. He was one of the most amiable of men. His manners were studi- ously polite, and his whole bearing exceedingly courteous. Of a kind disposition and tender heart, he was always say- ing and doing pleasant and agreeable things, gaining thus the good graces of all who knew him. In his abounding sympathy, he was ever ready to deny himself for the good of others. His piety was pre-eminent. His daily journal of spiritual exercises, kept from early life, everywhere ex- hibits his extreme conscientiousness in the discharge of Christian duty, and his growing desire and endeavor for greater holiness. He was full of zeal for the advancement of religion, and especially for the conversion of sinners. To this end, he preached, and wrote, and labored, to the last. His intellectual attainments, also, were rem.arkable. Blessed with an excellent memory, ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, and of inflexible purpose, he made himself familiar with the current literature of the day, and with the great masters in theology and philosophy. Avaricious, not of his earnings which he generously distributed, but of every moment of time, he wrote and published numerous treatises, sermons, addresses, and weighty volumes, mostly on topics connected with his holy calling. He corresponded PHILIP DODDRIDGE. 205 continually with a large number of ministerial and literary acquaintances, and often at great length. He taught, more- over, about 200 pupils in twenty-two years, of whom about 120 entered the ministry. At the same time, he i)erformed the duties of his parochial charge with exemplary fidelity, preaching with frequency and power, and ever watching for souls. His literary i)roficiency brought him, in 1736, the hon- orary degree of D.D., from the Marischal College of Aber- deen, Scotland. Three years later (1739), he issued the first volume of his "Family Expositor, or a Paraphrase and Version of the New Testament, with Critical Notes, and a Practical Improvement of each Section." The fifth and sixth volumes, published in 1756, after his death, completed a work that continues, even now, to be read with interest and profit. His most profound and elaborate work, " A Course of Lectures on the Princix)al Subjects of Pneuma- tology. Ethics and Divinity, with References to the most considerable Authors on each Subject," was published (1763) twelve years after his decease. But the work by which he is, and ever must be, best known, is his eminently practical volume, " The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul " (17o0). Thousands on earth and in heaven can unite in ascriptions of j^raise to God for the benefits received from this book, in their in- quiries for the way of salvation ; it has led them to the cross of Christ for pardon and eternal life. It has been published in almost numberless editions in our own lan- guage, and in the languages of Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Islands of the Sea. It is one of the few immortal books. Many of Doddridge's hymns, also, are destined to im- mortality. Nearly all of them were composed in con- nection with his sermons, to be " lined out " and sung at the close of one of his Sabbath exercises, by his Chapel- Hill flock. The text of the sermon is prefixed to the hymn. The sermon was soon forgotten ; but the h^Tun was caught up, recorded, committed to memory, and often reproduced. " If aniber," says the Rev. Dr. James Hamil- 206 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ton, " is tlie gum of fossil trees, fetched up and floated off by tlie ocean, liyinns like these are a spiritual amber. Most of the sermons to which they originally pertained have disappeared forever; but, at once beautiful and buoyant, these sacred strains are destined to carry the de- vout emotions of Doddridge to every shore where his Mas- ter is loved, and where his mother- tongue is si)oken." The greater part of his hymns were written between 1735 and 1740. They were published, in 1755, by his friend and biographer. Rev. Job Orton, with the title, " Hymns Founded on Various Texts in Holy Scriptures. By the late P. Dodd- ridge, D.D. Published from the Author's Manuscripts, by Job Orton." The book contains 374 hymns. Montgomery says of them : " They shine in the beauty of holiness ; these offsprings of his mind are arrayed in ' the fine linen, pure and white, which is the righteousness of saints ' ; and, like the saints, they are lovely and acceptable, not for their human merit (for in poetry and eloquence they are fre- quently delicient), but for that fervent, unaffected love to God, his service, and his people, which distinguishes them. " A few of the many that he wrote are among the best in our books of Praise. "Lord of the Sabbath! hear our vows," etc., is the first line of a hymn, that, in most of the modern Col- lections, begins with the second stanza, "Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord! we love," etc. It was composed to be sung, January 2, 1737, after a sermon on Heb. iv. 9. " O God of Bethel, by whose hand," etc., was written to follow a sermon on " Jacob's Vow," January 16, 1737. In an altered form, it is found among " Logan's Poems " (1781), and so was numbered among the " Transla- tions and Paraphrases " of the Church of Scotland. "Shepherd of Israel! bend thine ear," etc., PHILIP DODDRIDGE. 207 was coini)osed, April 10, 1735, " at a Meeting of Ministers at Bedworth," Warwickshire, " during their long vacancy." "Let Zion's watclimen all awake," etc., was composed, October 21, 1736, for an ordination at Floore, Northamptonshire. "Now, let our mourning hearts revive," etc., is headed, " Comfort in God under the Removal of Minis- ters or other Useful Persons by Death," to follow a sermon, August 22, 1736, on Joshua i. 2, 4, 5, occasioned by the death of a minister at Kettering, Northamptonshire. "Gird on thy conquering sword," etc., is a hymn of five stanzas, on Psalm xlv, 3, 4, beginning with " Loud to the Prince of heaven." The plaintive and highly expressive lament, " Ai'ise, my tenderest thoughts! arise," etc., was written for a sermon, June 10, 1739, on " Beholding Transgressors with Grief," from Psalm cxix. 136, 158. "Indulgent Sovereign of the skies! " etc., was written " For a Fast-Day ; or, a Day of ^^rayer for the Revival of Religion," to accompany a sermon on Isa. Ixii. 6, 7. That splendid burst of holy song, — "While on the verge of life I stand," etc., on " The Happiness of departing, and being with Christ, Philippians i. 23," — was suggested by a dream of entering heaven, and enjoying a beatific vision of the glorified Re- deemer ; and the dream was occasioned by a conversation, the previous evening, with his old pastor, the Rev. Samuel Clark, D.D., on the happiness of disembodied saints. These are, by no means, his best hymns, but are noticed because their date or occasion is known. Dr. Samuel Johnson says : " Doddridge was author of one of the finest epigrams in the English language. It is in Orton's Life of 208 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. liim. The subject is his family motto,—' Bum mvimus vi- vamus,^ wMcli, in its primary signification, is, to be sure, not very suitable to a Christian divine ; but he paraphrased it thus : — ' Live while you live, the Epicm^e would say, And seize the pleasures of the present day: Live while you live, the sacred Preacher ci'ies, And give to God each moment as it flies : Lord ! in my views let both united he, I live in pleasure, when I live to thee.' " In addition to the publications already named, Doddridge issued a volume of " Ten Sermons on the Power and Grace of Christ ; or Evidences of his glorious Gospel " (1736) ; " Eighteen Practical Sermons on Regeneration ; to which are added two Sermons on Salvation by Grace through Faith " (1741) ; " Of the Evidences of Christianity, in An- swer to Christianity not Founded on Argument " (1742-3) ; " Four Sermons on the Religious Education of Children " (1743) ; and " Some Remarkable Passages in the Life of Col. James Gardiner" (1746); besides his "Principles of the Christian Religion, in Plain and Easy Verse," and many Occasional Sermons. His collected Works were published, at Leeds (1802), in ten volumes ; and his " Private Corre- spondence arwi Diary " (1829), in five volumes. DAVID T. K. DRUMMOND. Mr. Drummond, the youngest son of Mr. James Drum- mond, of Aberuchill, Perthshire, was born at Edinburgh, Scotland. He was educated at Oxford and took orders (1830) in the Church of England. For two years, he ministered in the neighborhood of Bristol. In 1832, he became one of the ministers of Trinity Chapel, Dean Bridge, Edinburgh, in connection with the Scottish Epis- DAVID T. K. DEUMMOND. 209 copal Church. Evangelical in his sympathies, he took an active part in the promotion of Sunday- Schools, Missions, the publication and circulation of Religious Tracts, and every other good work. He devoted himself to the spirit- ual welfare of his flock, and sought most earnestly the con- version of souls. He procured the use of Clyde Street Hall, and conducted there a weekly prayer-meeting, during the winter season, with extemporaneous prayer, discarding the use of the Scotch Liturgy. A weekly Bible Class for young men was conducted in the same manner. He fraternized, also, with the city clergy of the Establishment (Presbyte- rian) in addressing public religious meetings. He proved himself a true gospel preacher. For his freedom in these respects, he received (October 3, 1842) an admonition from his diocesan, Rt. Rev. Charles Hughes Terrot, the Episcopal Bishoj) of Edinburgh. At the close of a long correspondence, Mr. Drummond resigned his charge, the same month ; and, withdrawing from the Scottish EiDiscopal Church, announced his determination to continue to minister in Edinburgh as a minister of the Church of England. He was sustained by a large number of his former flock, who, also, withdrew, and organized, in November following, St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, of which he became the pastor. Mr. Drummond greatly commended himself for his re- ligious zeal and catholic principles. Among other works, he published, "Episcopacy in Scotland in 1845," "Last Scenes in the Life of Christ," and " Memoirs of Montagu Stanley " (1848). Of his hymn on " God is Love," the flrst three stanzas are here given : "What is the Lord ? Survey the world, — Each hill, each vale, each stream, each gi'ove; From every rock, and field, and tree, A voice replies, that ' God is love.' ' ' What is the Lord ? Gaze through the skies, — On yon bright orbs which ceaseless move In glorious maze — still, as they roll, They chant the song, that ' God is love.' 14 210 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH, "What is the Lord ? Look to the place Where glory sits enthroned above ; Ten thousand times ten thousand there Cry, with one voice, that ' God is love.' " JOHN DRYDEN. 1631-1700. Small claim lia^ Dryden, eminent as he was in his day, to be classed among the hymnists of the Chiirch. His poetic talent, during the larger iDart of his literary career, was prostituted to the encouragement of the fashionable vices of the day. A large part of his dramatic poetry is unfit to be read. He was too much of a courtier to think of stemming the flood of licentiousness that poured over England in the days of the Restoration. His father, Erasmus Driden (the poet substituted " y "), was a strict Puritan, of an ancient family, residing at Ald- winckle, Northamptonshire, where, August 9, 1631, John, the eldest of fourteen children, was born. A baronetcy had been conferred, by James I., on his grandfather, Erasmus. The boy, at an early age, became the pupil of the celebra- ted Dr. Richard Busby, Head Master of Westminster School, London, giving evidence, while there, of his talent for versification. Entering Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1650, he graduated, A.B., in 1654, and A.M., in 1657. His kinsman. Sir Gilbert Pickering, of Cromwell's council, pro- cured for him a petty clerkship in London. At the death of Cromwell, in 1658, he wrote, in celebration of the great Protector, his vigorous " Heroic Stanzas." Like the famous " Vicar of Bray," his devotions were paid to " the rising sun." The Restoration of the dissolute Charles II. (1660) was hailed with his congratulatory " As- trsea Redux," and his coronation (1661) with a " Panegyrick." JOHN DRYDEN. 211 He was chosen (November, 1662) a member of the Eoyal Society. He now began to w^ite for the stage, and com- posed (1662-1694), in whole or in part, twenty-seven dramas. In November, 1663, he married the Lady Elizabeth, a sister of Sir Robert Howard (his early patron), and the eldest daughter of the Earl of Berkshire, — an event that added but little to his domestic comfort. At Charlton, the Earl's seat in Wiltshire, he wrote (1667) his " Annus Mira- bilis "— an Account of the " Great Fire " and other wonders of 1666. His " Essay on Dramatic Poesy " came out the same year. " Rare Sir William " Davenant, died Ai^ril 7, 1668 ; and Dry den, having already been acknowledged as the first dramatist of the day, succeeded him as Poet Laureate. He was also appointed Royal Historiographer. Each of the two offices brought him annually £100. His inlays occux^ied him the next twelve years. He now entered upon a new literary career. His style was purer, his verse more natural, his thought more ele- vated and vigorous. His " Absalom and Achitophel," a most successful political satire, appeared in 1681, and his " Reli- gio Laici," a defence of the Church against Deists, Papists, and Presbyterians, in 1682. A royal pension of £100 was granted him in 1684. On the accession of James II., he once more changed his creed, and, early in 1686, avowed himself a Roman Catholic. His " Hind and Panther " was written (1687) to defend the Papacy. The Revolution (1688) deprived him of his places and pension. He now gave himself to the work of translating the Latin poets. His " Juvenal " and " Persius " aj)peared in 1693, and his " Virgil," in 1697. The latter brought him £1,200. His " Fables," and his " Alexander's Feast : or The Power of Music. An Ode, in Honor of St. Cecilia's Day " (probably his last, and certainly his most brilliant, work), appeared in 1700. His health gave way, and May 1, 1700, he died of an inilammation of one of his toes, resulting in the mortification of his leg. He was honored Avith a grave in Westminster Abbey. He was associated, in his later years, with Nahum Tate, 212 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. in tlie production of some of Tate's poems ; and it may liave been at the suggestion of the principal author of the " New Version of the Psalms," that Dryden wrote the hymn, " Creator Spii'it! by whose aid," etc. It is a version, spirited and elegant, of the celebrated " Veni, Creator Spiritus ! " of Rabanus Maurus, a Latin poet of the ninth century. The version of the " Te Deum," in the British Wesleyan Collection (Hymns 564, 565, 566), generally credited to Dryden, is not his, but Charles Wes- ley's. Dryden's version is in heroic verse, and begins with " Thee, sovereign God! our grateful accents praise, We own thee Lord, and bless thy wondrous ways." The following stanzas are commemorative of the Pro- ' ' His grandeur he derived from Heaven alone ; For he was great, ere fortune made him so : And wars, like mists that rise against the sun. Made him but greater seem, not greater grow. "No borrowed bays his temples did adorn, But to our crown he did fresh jewels bring ; Nor was his virtue poisoned, soon as born. With the too early thoughts of being king. " Nor died he when his ebbing fame Avent less, But when fresh laurels courted hnn to live ; He seemed but to prevent some new success. As if above what triumphs earth could give. "His ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest ; His name a great example stands, to show How strangely high endeavors may be blessed, Where piety and valor jointly go." GEORGE DUFFIELD. 213 GEORGE DUFFIELD. 1818 . Geoege Duffield bears an honored name. His father and great-grandfather, each of them a George, distinguished themselves both as citizens and as ministers of the Presby- terian Church. The great-grandfather (1732-1790), the son of George, was a zealous and faithful patriot during the Revolutionary War, a Chaplain of the Old Congress, and a pastor, for seventeen years, of the Third Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. The father (1794-1868) was re- garded a,s one of the most able and useful ministers of the Presbyterian Church, having been settled in the pastorate, successively, at Carlisle, Pa., Philadelphia, New York City, and Detroit, Mich. The mother, Isabella Graham Bethune, was the daughter of Divie Bethune, Esq., of New York City. Their son, George, was born, September 12, 1818, at Carlisle, Pa., the home of his youth. After a careful preparation, he entered Yale College, in 1833. and graduated in 1837. Having become a member of the Bleecker St. Presbyterian Church of New York, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Erskine Mason, D.D., he entered Union Theological Seminary, N. Y. (1837), and completed (1840) a three-years' course of theology. Shortly after he married Miss Augusta, a daughter of Samuel A. Willoughby, Esq., of Brooklyn, N. Y., and took the pas- toral charge of the Fifth Presbyterian Church of that city. He was ordained, December 27, 1840. At the end of seven years, he became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Bloomfield, N. J. ; five years later, he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., and, for nearly nine years, had charge of the Central Presbyterian Church of the Northern Liberties ; the next four years found him in charge of the First Presbyterian Church of Adrian, Mich. ; another period of four years was passed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Galesburgh, HI. ; four years 214 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. more were sioent in charge of the Presbyterian Church of Saginaw City, Mich. ; at the close of which period, he re- tired from the pastoral work, on account of the failure of his health, and removed to Ann- Arbor, Mich., where his son, Samuel Willoughby Duffield, was then settled, as pas- tor of the Presbyterian Church of that town. He received the honorary degree of D.D. in 1871, from Knox College, Galesburgh, 111. Dr. Duffield has been a frequent contributor to the periodical press, and is the author of several pamjohlets ; but is chiefly known in literature as the author of several excellent hymns and other poetic effusions. The hymn, "Blessed Savioui' ! thee I love," etc., was contributed by him to the " Supplement " of the " Church Psalmist," Philadelphia, 1859. The very popular hymn, "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," etc., was suggested by the last words of the Rev. Dudley A. Tyng, Rector of the Church of the Epiphany, Phila. , who died, in the prime of his youth, April 19, 1858 : — " Tell them to stand up for Jesus ; now let us sing a hjinn ! " The fifth line of the second stanza alludes to a sermon, preached by Mr. Tyng, in Philadelphia, from the Text, Ex. x. 11,—" Go now, ye that are men, and serve the Lord": — "the most powerful sermon," says Dr. Duffield, " in modern times, so far as I know ; when the slain of the Lord were many, — probably a thousand at least." The 2d and 5th stanzas of the original, not generally found in the Collections, are here supiDlied : "Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The solemn watchword hear — If, while ye sleep, he suffers, Away with shame and fear ; Where'er ye meet with evil, Within you or without, Charge for the God of battles, And put the foe to rout. EOBINSON POTTER DUNN. 216 Stand up, stand up for Jesus ; Each soldier to his post ; Close up the broken column, And shout through ail the host; Make good the loss so heavy In those that ^still remain. And prove, to all around you, That death itself is gain." ROBINSON POTTER DUNN. 1825-1867. Prof. Dui^is" was the son of Dr. Tlieopliilns Dnnn and Elizabeth Robinson Potter, of Newport, Rhode Island, where he was born, May 31, 1825. His early edncation was strictly private. Entering Brown University, Providence, R. I., in his fifteenth year, he graduated (1843) as the first scholar of his class. He served (1844-1846) the University, as teacher of French, and as librarian. He entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. J., and continued his studies for the ministry for two years. In April, 1847, he was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick ; and, November 1, 1848, was ordained by the Presbytery of West- Jersey, as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Camden, N. J. He was married, in September preceding, to Maria, the youngest daughter of Mr. John Stille, of Philadelphia. She died in 1849. In Ai^ril, 1851, he accepted the chair of Rhetoric and English Literature in Brown University. In January, 1855, he married Mary Stiles, the eldest daughter of Hon. A. Dwight Foster, of Worcester, Mass. In 1864, the Univer- sity honored him with the degree of D.D. While pass- ing his vacation with his parents at Newport, he was taken ill with erysipelas, and, on the sixth day, August 28, 1867 he died, in his forty-third year. 216 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. He was a fine scliolar, and an admirable teaclier. His piety was eminently pure and practical. He wrote for the Princeton Remeio and the Blhliotlieca Sacra; and just before the time of his decease, was occupied in translating and editing one of the volumes of Lange's Commentary. He wrote versions, also, of several German and Latin hymns. The following stanzas are from his version of the German hymn, — " Nein, nein, das ist kein sterben," by A. Knapp, from the French of Csesar Malan : ' ' No, no, it is not dying, To go unto our God, ThivS gloomy earth forsaking, Our journey homeward taking Along the starry road. " No, no, it is not dying, Heaven's citizen to be ; A crown immortal wearing, And rest unbroken sharing, From care and conflict free. ' ' No, no, it is not dying, To hear this gracious word, — ' Receive a Father's blessing, For evermore possessing The favor of thy Lord I ' " TIMOTHY DWIGHT. 1752-1817. Timothy Dwight, D.D., LL.D., came from a good stock —the real aristocracy of New England. He was a descend- ant, in the eldest male line, of John Dwight, of Dedham, England, who emigrated (1637) to Dedham, Mass. Each of his American progenitors was of good repute for piety. His father, whose name he bore, was a graduate of Yale College (1744), and a man of large proportions and great TIMOTHY DWTQHT. 217 strength. He resided at Northampton, Mass., engaged in trade and agriculture, and had a good landed estate. He was highly esteemed as a man of vigorous intellect, of pure morality, and of fervent piety. His wife, Mary, whom he married in her seventeenth year (November 8, 1750), was the fourth child of his honored pastor and adjoining neigh- bor. Rev. Jonathan Edwards. In maturity of mind, and in the extent and variety of her attainments, she was very far in advance of her years. The son was born, May 14, 1752, at Northampton, In his seventh and eighth years, he attended a grammar-school. With this exception, he was educated by his mother until his twelfth year, when, for a year or more, he studied with the Rev, Enoch Huntington, at Middletown, Conn, At four, he read with ease and correctness, and at eight, was fitted for college. He entered Yale College at thirteen, and graduated in 1769, second to none in his class. His pas- sion and talent for music and poetry were favorably devel- oped while in college. He taught a grammar-school in New Haven for two years, and was a tutor in the College for six years (1771- 1777). His " Conquest of Canaan " was completed in 1774, though not published until 1785. His application to study, at this period, was intense. On his recovery from small- pox, for which he had been inoculated, his eyes became so seriously injured, by resuming his studies too soon, that, " during the great part of forty years, he was not able to read fifteen minutes in the twenty -four hours ; and often, for days and weeks together, the pain which he endured in that part of the head immediately behind the eyes amounted to anguish." His Master's Oration (1772), " A Dissertation on the His- tory, Eloquence, and Poetry of the Bible," was published, not only in America, but also in England. In the summer and autumn of 1774, he was almost at death's door. The same year he became a member of the College Church. He married (March, 1777) Miss Mary, the daughter of Benjamin Woolsey (of Long Island), his father's room-mate in col- 218 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. lege. In June of the same year, lie was licensed to preachy and, duiing the summer, supplied the pulpit at Kensington, Conn. In October, he repaired to West Point, N". Y., as chaplain of Parsons' brigade in Putnam's division of the Kevolutionary Army. Full of patriotic ardor, he now wrote and published that glowing ode, "Columbia! Columbia! to glory arise, The queen of the world, and the child of the skies," etc., and other martial songs. His father died at Natchez, Miss., the same year; but months elapsed before the knowledge of it reached the family. He resigned his chaplaincy in October, 1778, and repaired to Northampton, Mass., to settle the estate, and to care for his widowed mother and her thirteen childi^en. For five years (1778-1783) he took care of the farm ; taught a large school ; preached statedly in some of the adjacent parishes ; took part in civic affairs ; served, part of the time, in the Legislature ; and developed an almost incred- ible energy. In July, 1783, he took charge of the Greenfield Congre- gational Church, in the town of Fairfield, Conn., was or- dained pastor, November 5, and opened an Academy, which speedily acquired a high reputation. A thousand pupils, from every part of the United States, resorted to it within the next twelve years. He published (1788) his " Triumph of Infidelity, a Poem " (anonymously) ; and (1794) his " Greenfield Hill, a Poem, in 7 Parts." In 1787, the honor- ary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the College of New Jersey. He was chosen, at the decease of the Rev. Dr. Ezra Stiles (May 12, 1795), to succeed him as President of Yale College, and in September was duly inaugurated. His ac- cession was the beginning of a new and brilliant era for the College. Students resorted to it from all quarters ; order and system were introduced into every department ; the l)revalent scepticism was uprooted ; and the standard of scholarship greatly elevated. In addition to his ordinary TIMOTHY DWIGHT. 2ig duties, he served as Professor of Belles-Lettres and Ora- tory, and in 1805 was a^^pointed Professor of Theology. He was virtually the pastor of the College Church, and regularly occupied the pulpit of the chapel twice every Sabbath. It was for this service that he prepared his "Theology Explained and Defended, in a Series of Ser- mons," published (1828) in five volumes. The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him (1810) by Har- vard College. His "Travels in JSTew England and New York," pub- lished (1822) in four volumes, grew out of his vacation journeys, undertaken yearly during his Presidency, and prosecuted by private conveyances ; a minute Journal of what he saw and heard having been kept and carefully preserved. They are an invaluable record of facts concern- ing the men, the scenery, the occurrences, and the institu- tions, as well as the manners and customs, of the period. At the request of the General Association of Connecticut, June, 1797, Dr. Dwight undertook "to revise Dr. Watts' Imitation of the Psalms of David, so as to accommodate them to the state of the American Churches ; and to sup- ply the deficiency of those Psalms which Dr. Watts had omitted." The work was completed in 1799, reported to the General Association in June, and referred to a Joint Committee of the Association and the Presbyterian Gen- eral Assembly. This Committee met at Stamford, Conn., June 10, 1800, and, after a careful examination, approved the work, and recommended it to the churches. The Pres- byterian Assembly of 1802, also approved the work, and "cheerfully allowed" it to be used in their churches. Thus it was, that, for nearly thirty years, Dwight's Psalm and Hymn Book, conjointly with Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, was regarded as a Presbyterian Book of Praise. The book was published in two Parts : the first, contain- ing " the Psalms of David, by I. Watts, D.D. A New Edi- tion, in which the Psalms omitted by Dr. Watts are versi- fied, local passages are altered, and a number of Psalma are versified anew in proper Metres. By Timothy Dwight, 220 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. D.D." Thirty-three of the versions are Dwight's. The second Part is entitled, " Hymns selected from Dr. Watts, Br. Doddridge, and various other Writers, according to the Recommendation of the Joint Committee of the Gen- eral Association of Connecticut and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Timothy D^-ight, D.D." The Selection contains 263 hymns, and the authors' names, so far as known, are prefixed to each. His version of the 137th Psalm, in S. M., has acquired great popularity : "I love thy kingdom, Lord, The house of thine abode," etc. Besides the publications already named, he gave to the press a large number of occasional Sermons, conspicuous among which were " Two Seraions on the JS'ature and Dan- ger of Infidel Philosophy," 1799. Two volumes of his Ser- mons were published, posthumously, in 1828. During the greater part of his public life, he was obliged to employ an amanuensis, one or more, selected generally from the Sen- ior class of collegians. In the midst of his great activity and usefulness, hon- ored and beloved by all who knew him, he was seized with an acute disorder, February, 1816, which at length, after subjecting him to periods of great suffering, resulted, Jan- uary 11, 1817, in his death, at the age of sixty-four years. His removal was universally regarded as a great public calamity. The Rev. Dr. Sprague, who was one of his pupils, speaks of his form " as stately and majestic, and every way well- proportioned. His features were regular, his eye black and piercing, yet benignant, and his countenance altogether in- dicative of a high order of mind. His voice was rich and melodious, adapted alike to music and oratory." " He was unquestionably, at that time " (1809), says the Hon. S. G. Goodrich, " the most conspicuous man in New England, filling a larger space in the public eye, and exerting a greater influence, than n,nv other individual. ... In TIMOTHY DWIGHT. 221 person, lie was about six feet in height, and of a full, round, manly form His voice was one of the finest I ever have heard from the pulpit — clear, hearty, sympathetic, and entering into the soul like the middle notes of an organ." He " was, perhaps, even more distinguished in conversation than in the pulpit. He was, indeed, regarded as without a rival in this respect ; his knowledge was extensive and various, and his language eloquent, rich, and flowing. .... In society, the imposing grandeur of his personal appearance in the pulpit, was softened by a general bland- ness of expression and a sedulous courtesy of manner, which were always conciliating, and sometimes really cap- tivating. His smile was irresistible He was re- garded with a species of idolatry by those around him. Even the pupils of the college almost adored him." He was, in the highest and best sense, one of the very first men of the age — the peer of the greatest. As a specimen of his poetic powers in youth, the follow- ing description of Night, from his " Conquest of Canaan," is here given : "Now Night, in vestments robed of cloudy dye, Witli sable grandeur clothed the orient sky, Impelled the sun, obsequious to her reign, Down the far mountains to the western main ; With magic hand, becalmed the solemn even. And drew day's curtain from the spangled heaven. . At once the planets sailed around the throne ; At once ten thousand worlds in splendor shone ; Behind her car, the moon's expanded eye Rose from a cloud, and looked around the sky ; Far up th' immense her train sublimely roll, And dance, and triumph, round the lucid pole. Faint shine the fields, beneath the shadowy ray ; Slow fades the glimmering of the west away ; To sleep the tribes retire ; and not a soimd Flows through the air, or mui*mui'S on the groimd." 222 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. JOHN EAST. John East was a clergyman of the Church of England. Among his publications were : a "Sermon" (1819); "Sab- bath Meditations in Prose and Verse," in two volumes (1826, 1827) ; " The Happy Moment" (1835) ; and "My Sav- iour," — a volume published in England (1836), and repub- lished shortly after at Boston, Mass., in which is found the hymn, " There is a fold, whence none can stray," etc. He was, in 1828, preferred to the Rectorship of Croscome, Somersetshire ; and, in 1841, was one of the curates of St. Michael's Church, Bath. He sympathized with the Evan- gelical clergy, and frequently appeared, at public meetings, as an advocate of the cause of Missions. JAMES WALLIS EASTBURN. 1797-1819. This lovely and highly-gifted youth was an elder brother of the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Manton Eastburn, of Boston, Mass. He was the son of James and Charlotte Eastburn, of London, England, where he was born, September 26, 1797. The fam- ily emigrated, in 1803, to the City of New York, and there his father became first a merchant, and then a bookseller and publisher of wide repute. The son was a pupil successively of Mr. Malcolm Campbell, Rev. Edmund D. Barry, D.D., the New York Grammar School, and Rev. Thomas T. War- ner. He entered Union College, in 1812, but, the following year, was transferred to Columbia College, graduating, with a high reputation for scholarship, in 1816. About the time of his graduation he became a commu- nicant in St. George's Church, New York, of which Dr. James Milnor had just become the Rector. Having de- JAMES WALLIS EASTBURN. 223 voted himself to the work of the ministry, he pursued his studies at Bristol, R. I., under the instruction of Bishop A. y. Griswold. Under the faithful ministry of this godly divine, he grew rapidly in spiritual life, and entered most fully upon a career of Christian usefulness. He was ordained a deacon, Oct. 20, 1818, in Trinity Church, New York, by Bishop Hobart. He now became the Rector of St. George's, Accomack Co., Eastern Shore, Va. After a brief and most successful service of eight months, during which he won the high esteem and ardent love of his parish, he was compelled, by hemorrhage of the lungs, to relinquish his charge, and to return, July, 1819, to his father's house in New York. Consumption speedily reduced his remain- ing strength, and, four days after embarking with his mother and brother Manton for Santa Cruz, terminated his mortal life, December 2, 1819. His remains were committed to the deep. Short as was his life (22 years), Mr. Eastburn had acquired an enviable literary reputation. At the age of sixteen, his second year in college, he was associated with Robert Charles Sands, his bosom-friend thenceforward, in conduct- ing a periodical, called The Moralist At eighteen, he composed his hymn for Trinity Sunday, "O lioly, holy, holy Lord !" etc., which, in 1826, was included in the Collection attached to the (U. S.) "Book of Common Prayer." During his resi- dence near Mount Hope, Bristol, formeriy the home of Philip, the renowned Sachem of the Pequods, he became so fascinated with the romantic story of the Indian King, that, in company with Sands, he began, November, 1817, to write a poetic history of the tribe. His part of the work was completed in the summer of 1818. The poem was fin- ished and published, in 1820, by Sands, with a touching Poem, commemorative of Eastburn. His literary "remains," says his brother, "are amazingly voluminous. ... His prose writings . . . take in an ex- tensive range of moral and classical disquisition, and are 224 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. models of tlie purest Addisonian English. . . . Wliatever be the subject . . . the pages are indited with a pen dipped in the dew of heaven." After a glorious night, in June, 1819, spent, until after midnight, beneath the open expanse of heaven, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, he penned that beautiful piece of six double stanzas, called "The Summer Midnight," of which the following are the first and last stanzas : " The breeze of night has sunk to rest, Upon the river's tranquil breast, And every bird has sought her nest, Where silent is lier minstrelsy ; The queen of heaven is sailing high, — A pale bark on the azure sky, Where not a breath is heard to sigh, — So deep the soft tranquillity. "There is an hour of deep repose, That yet upon my heart shall close. When all that nature dreads, and knows, Shall burst uj)on me wondrously ; Oh I may I then awake forever My harp to raptui-e's high endeavor, And, as from earth's vain scene I sever, Be lost in immortality." JAMES EDMESTOlSr. 1791-1867. Two thousand hymns, or nearly that number, are attrib- uted to Mr. Edmeston,— some of them very sweet and beau- tiful, though none of them are of the highest order of poetry. His mother, Hannah Brewer (1759-1833), was the third daughter of the Rev. Samuel Brewer (1723-1796), of Stepney, London, and Miss Woolmer, of Wapping, Lon- don. She was, for fifty-eight years, a consistent and godly member of the Congregational Church of Stepney, of which JAMES EDMESTON. 225 her honored father was, for almost fifty years, the highly useful pastor. She was married to Mr. EdmestoD, of Wap- piiig, in 1789, and her second child, James, was born there, September 10, 1791. The first twelve years of his life were spent at Wapping. But, in 1803, the family removed to Hackney ; and there his education was completed. Four years later (1807) he was articled to a surveyor and architect, continuing in the office nine years, when, at twenty-five years of age, he entered into the business on his own account. In 1822, he removed to Homerton, where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. Though educated a Dissenter, he early acquired a liking for the Church of England, and some years aft,er his removal to Homerton, he connected himself with Ram's Chapel, under the Perpetual Curacy of the Rev. Thomas Griffith. In 1851, he was appointed a church-warden of the newly-instituted St. Barnabas Chapel. In 1823 he mar- ried, and his numerous family of children were deprived of their mother in 1850. He survived until January 7, 1867, dying in his seventy-sixth year. He indulged the poetic vein from his youth. In 1817 he published, "The Search and other Poems"; and soon after, " Anston Park," a Tale, and " The World of Spirits." In each of the years, 1820, 1821, and 1822, he put forth a small volume of " Sacred Lyrics." Tliese volumes were well-received, and their author complimented " as a young writer of great promise." The hymns, or lyiics, were thor- oughly evangelical. In 1821, he successfully competed for a prize of twenty guineas offered by a friend of the Home Missionary Society, for the best set of Original Hymns (not less than fifty) suitable for Cottage Prayer-Meetings. The Hymns were published by the Society, with the Title, " The Cottage Minstrel: or Hymns for the Assistance of Cot- tagers in their Domestic Worship." " One Hundi^ed Hymns for Sunday- Schools," appeared in 1821, and " One Hundred Sunday- School Hymns for Particular Occasions," in 1822 ; also fifty " Missionary Hymns." Frequent contributions of single hjonns were made, from 15 226 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. this time onward for several years, to the Congregational Magazine, and to other periodicals. In 1830, appeared, " The Woman of Shunam, a Dramatic Sketch ; Patmos, a Frag- ment, and other Poems "; in 1844, " Hymns for the Chamber of Sickness"; in 1845, a volume of "Sonnets"; and in 1846, " Closet Hymns and Poems," — the last two published by the Religious Tract Society. " Infant Breathings : being Hymns for the Young," also appeared in 1846. The greater part of his " Lyrics" were published, in one volume (1847), and his " Sacred Poetry," in 1848. Some of his Poems were written, as he states, at the sug- gestion of his friend, Mrs. Jemima Luke (the widow of the Rev. Samuel Luke, of Clifton), the author of " I think, when I read that sweet story of old," etc. Others were written, from week to week, for the Sunday Service of family prayer, in his own household. The beau- tiful hymn, "Saviour ! breathe an evening blessing," etc., was suggested by a passage in Henry Salt's " Yoyage to Abyssinia," to this effect : " At night, their short Evening Hymn — ' Jesus ! forgive us ! ' — stole through the camp." " As oft, with worn and weary feet," etc., was contributed, in four stanzas, to the February Number of the Congregational Magazine, for 1832. His latest contri- butions were a few hymns for Mr. Spurgeon's Collection, entitled, " Our Own Hymn Book" (1866). A brief Ode, on " Spiritual Peace," is subjoined, as an ex ample of his style and spirit : "Come, sacred Peace ! delightful guest, Diffuse thy heaven within my breast ; Thy soothing power, thy gladdening ray, God gives, and none can take away. "A stormy world, a heart of sin, Makes strife without and fear within ; But God can give the soul repose, Though tossed by storms, and pressed by foes. RICHARD ELLIOT. "Perpetual summer, cloudless skies, A gushiiig spring which never dies, A table in the desert spread, A pillow for the weary head, — * ' Such is the peace which God can give. My sweetest portion while I live ; And, when the last dark hour draws nigh, My sweetest solace as I die." 227 RICHAED ELLIOT. 1788. Mr. Elliot was a native of Kingsbridge, Devonshire. He entered Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, in 1746, and graduated, A.B., in 1749. Shortly after, he united with the Methodists ; but eventually, settled, as a Dissenting minis- ter, in London. He obtained (1760) the use of the Baptist meeting-house, just vacated, in Maiden-head Court, Great- Eastcheap, and occupied it until 1773, being assisted in his ministry here, by the Rev. Thomas Tuppen, of Bath. He published (1761), for the use of his congregation, a volume of "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs — In Two Parts." The second Part was original. In 1773, he removed from Great-Eastcheap to another Baptist meeting-house, just vacated, in Glass-house-Yard, Goswell Street, near the Charter-House. He died in 1788. Among his publications was, " Sin Destroj^^ed and the Sin- ner Saved ; or Justification by Imputed Righteousness, a Doctrine superior to all others for promoting Holiness in Life." His " Sermons and Theological Treatises " were pub- lished in 1788. The hymn, " How happy are the souls above," etc., is from Toplady's Collection, where it is followed by an- 228 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. .other from liis pen, of whicli the first two stanzas are sub joined : " Prepare me, O my God! to stand before thy face; Thy Spirit must the work perform, for it is all of grace. " In Christ's obedience clothe, and wash me in his blood; So shall I lift my head with joy among the sons of God." CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT. 1789-1871. Chaelotte Elliott was of a godly and highly gifted family. Her maternal grandfather, the Rev. Henry Venn, of Huddersfield, and Yelling, England, was a divine of apos- tolic character. He wrote " The Complete Dnty of Man " (1763), and was one of that gifted band of godly ministers, whose labors and writings were blessed so greatly in bring- ing about and promoting "The Great Awakening" of the last century, among the churches of Great Britain. He married (1757) a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Bishop, D.D., an eminent divine of Ipswich. Their eldest daugh- ter, Eling, so often addressed in Mr. Venn's Memoirs, was married, December 20, 1785, to Charles Elliott, Esq., of Clapham and Brighton. Of their six children, Charlotte was the third daughter. The Rev. Edw^ard Bishop Elliott, and the Rev. Henry Venn Elliott, w^ere her brothers. The Rev. John Venn, the highly-honored Rector of Clapham, was her uncle. Charlotte was born, March 18, 1789, at Westfield Lodge, Brighton. Her childhood was passed in a circle of great refinement and piety. She was highly educated, and devel- oped, at an early age, a great passion for music and art. In 1821, she became, and continued to be until death, a confirmed invalid. At times she suffered greatly, but with the utmost resignation. It was not until 1822, that she CHAELOTTE ELLIOTT. 229 was brought into the full assurance of faith. The Rev. Dr. Csesar Malan, of Geneva, Switzerland, being on a visit to her father's Clapham residence, Grove House, was the liapi^y instrument of her deliverance from the burden of guilt. Her health was improved by a visit, the following year, to Normandy. But, in 1829, she once more became an al- most helpless sufferer, with only occasional intervals of re- lief. In 1833, she was deprived of her godly father by death. She undertook (1834) the editorial suioervision of " The Christian Remembrancer Pocket Book," an Annual, and (1836) of the "Invalid's Hymn Book,"— works pre- viously conducted by her friend. Miss Harriet Kiernan, who was then in the last stages of consumption. The Annual she edited for twenty-five years. Many of her poems ap- j)eared in it. To the edition of the " Invalid's Hymn Book," enlarged and edited byherself, anonymously (1836), she contributed 115 hymns ; and among them her admi- rable hymn, " Just as I am, without one plea," etc. She contributed several hymns (1835) to a Selection of "Psalms and Hymns," by her brother, Rev. Henry V. Elliott. She, also, published (1836), "Hours of Sorrow Cheered and Com.forted." Her "Morning and Evening Hymns for a Week," was printed privately in 1837, and published in 1842. A visit to Scotland in 1835, and to Switzerland in 1837, benefited her considerably. Her greatly endeared sister-in-law, Henry's wife, died in 1841. Her own mother, after a year's severe illness, died in April, 1843. Two of her sisters soon followed. She herself was brought almost to the gates of death. Her home was thus broken up, and, in 1845, she and her surviving sister, after a summer's sojourn on the Continent, fixed their home at Torquay. At the end of fourteen years, she re- turned to Brighton. A volume of her " Poems " appeared in 1863. Her beloved brother, Henry, died in 1863. Once only (1867) she ventured again from home, and passed a 230 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. few weeks at a neigliboring village. In 1869, she was brouglit very low, but rallied slightly. She continued bed- ridden until September 22, 1871, when she sweetly fell asleep. Greatly as she suffered, her life was prolonged to an ex- treme old age (eighty-two), and filled up with deeds of be- neficence. She shrank from everything like ostentation, nearly all her books having been issued anonymously. The following stanzas are from a loving epistle to her sis- ter, Eleanor, written, in the immediate prospect of death, at fourscore years of age : ' ' Sweet has been our earthly union, Sweet our fellowship of love : But more exquisite communion Waits us in our home above ; Nothing- there can loose or sever Ties ordained to last for ever. " Place me in those arms as tender, But more powerful far than thine : For a while thy charge surrender To His guardianship divine : Lay me on my Saviour's breast, There to find eternal rest." JULIA ANNE ELLIOTT. 1841. Mrs. Elliott was the daughter of John Marshall, Esq., of Hallsteads, Ulleswater, England. In 1827, being on a visit Avith her father to Brighton, she worshipped at St. Mary's, of which the Rev. Henry Y. Elliott, the brother of Charlotte Elliott, was the Perpetual Curate. An acquaintance between the two was thus formed, resulting in their marriage, October 31, 1833. She greatly endeared herself, in this happy rela- tionship, to the people of the parish, and especially to her CORNELIUS ELVEN. 231 Husband's family. Charlotte Elliott, in particular, became ardently attached to her, and loved her as her own sister. She was a lady of great loveliness and excellence, and her piety was of a high order. Her poetic taste and skill were evinced in several hymns contributed (1835) to a volume of, " Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship," compiled, by her husband, for the use of his own people. Soon after giving birth to her fifth child, she calmly yielded up her spirit, November 3, 1841. Her unexpected removal was greatly lamented, not only by her own immediate kindred, but by a large circle of ardent admirers. The last two stanzas of her hymn, beginning with " Hail ! thou bright and sacred mom," are subjoined : " Soon, too soon, the sweet repose Of this day of God wiU cease ; Soon this glimpse of heaven will close, Vanish soon the houi-s of peace ; Soon return the toil, the strife, All the weariness of life. ' ' But the rest which yet remains For thy people, Lord ! above, Knows nor change, nor fears, nor pains, — Endless as their Saviour's love : Oh ! may every Sabbath here Bring us to that rest more near ! " CORNELIUS ELYEN. 1797-1873. CoRisrELius Elven^, born in 1797, was for more than fifty years the laborious and useful i)astor of a Baptist ^Church at Bury St. Edmunds, England. When he took this charge, it numbered only forty members, but increased to 232 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. more than six hundred communicants. His literary pro- ductions have been limited to a few articles written for periodicals. In January, 1852, his congregation was favored with a revival of religion. To accompany the Revival Ser- .mons preached at the time, he wrote, with several other hymns, the one beginning "With broken heart and contrite sigh," etc., which seems to have been adapted to a sermon from the Text,—" God ! be merciful to me, a sinner ! " Mr. Elven died in July, 1873. WILLIAM ENFIELD. 1741-1797. The Rev. William Enfield, LL.D., was the son of poor but worthy parents, of Sudbury, Suffolk, England, where, March 29, 1741, he was born, and passed his boyhood. His proficiency and promise attracted the attention of the Rev. Mr. Hextall, the Dissenting minister of the town, who gave direction to his studies, and made him familiar, at an early age, with the choicest writers, in ]3rose and poetry, of the English language. In 1758, he was sent to the Academy at Daventry, Northamptonshire, to be educated for the ministry, under the care and tuition of the Rev. Dr. Caleb Ashworth, the successor of Doddridge. Here he distin- guished himself for his scholarship, and elegance of style in composition. His religious views were Arian. In November, 1763, he was ordained the pastor of Benn's Garden Congregation, Liverpool. He married (1767) Miss Mary Holland, the daughter of a Liverpool draper. He published (1768, 1770) two volumes of sermons. He ac- cepted, in 1770, the Tutorship of Belles-Lettres, as the successor of the Rev. John Seddon, in Warrington Acad- emy, together with the Rectorship of the Institution, and WILLIAM ENFIELD. 233 the pastorate of the Dissenting congregation of the town. He was associated, in the Academy, with the Rev. Dr. John Aikin, Mrs. Barbaukl's father, and with the learned Eev. Gilbert Wakefield. Scholarly in his tastes, he made much use of the press. He published : " The Preacher's Directory " (1771) ; 160 " H3^nns for Public Worship," known as " The Warrington Collection" (1772); "The English Preacher" (1773); "An Essay towards the History of Liverpool" (1774); "Obser- vations on Literary Property" (1774); "The Speaker" (1774); "Biographical Sermons, on the principal Characters mentioned in the Old and New Testaments " (1777); " Exer- cises in Elocution, being a Sequel to the Speaker" (1781); "A Translation of Rossignol's Elements of Geometry" (1783); and "Institutes of J^atural Philosophy, Theoretical and Experimental " (1783). The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred on him, about this time, by the University of Edinburgh. The Warrington Academy was discontinued in 1785, and Dr. Enfield became the pastor of the " Octagon Congrega- tion " of Dissenters at Norwich. He kept, also, for a short time, a large boarding-school, but soon relinquished it, in order to have more leisure for literature and the education of his five children. He published, in 1791, in two volumes, an Abridgment of Brucker's "Historia Critica Philoso- phise." He became, also, a regular contributor to the Montlily Magazine, just then started ; and, in 1796, united with his late associate and intimate friend, the Rev. Dr. John Aildn, in the preparation of a " General Biographical Dictionary." He prepared about one half of the first vol- ume ; but his work was arrested by a cancerous affection which terminated his life, November 3, 1797. His hymn, "Behold where, in the Friend of man," etc., appeared in the second edition (1781) of the Warrington Collection. Some compiler has changed, greatly to \he. injury of the expression, the phrase, " the Friend of man," 234 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. to " a mortal form." The latter is a spurious reading. The following stanzas are taken from his hymn on "Humility ": "Wherefore should man, frail child of clay, Who, from the cradle to the shroud, Lives but the insect of a day, — Oh ! why should mortal man be proud? " His brightest visions just appear. Then vanish, and no more are found ; The stateliest pile his pride can rear, A breath may level with the ground. ' ' By doubt perplexed, in error lost, With trembling step he seeks his way : How vain of wisdom's gift the boast! Of reason's lamp how faint the ray ! " JAMES HARINGTON EVANS. 1785-1849. Mr. Evans was the only child of the Rev. Dr. Evans, priest- vicar in Salisbury Cathedral, and head-master of the Endowed Grammar-School. He was born, April 1.5, 1785, at Salisbury. Destined for the pulpit from his birth, he w^as regularly educated in his father's school, and subse- quently by his uncle. Rev. Isaac Hodgson, of Oxford. He obtained, at fourteen, a scholarship in Wadham College, Oxford; at eighteen graduated, B.A.; and, at twenty, be- came a Fellow of Wadham. The death of his mother, in 1803, led to a marked change in his life and i^rinciples, and to a more earnest preparation for the ministry. He was ordained a deacon, by Bishop Moss, of Oxford, June 12, 1808. In May, 1809, he' took the curacy of Worjjlesdon, near Guildford, Surrey ; but shortly after, exchanged it for a curacy at Enville, Staffordshire. JAMES HAEINGTON EVANS. 235 He married, April, 1810, Caroline Joyce, the daughter of Thomas Joyce, Freshfield House, near Bath. At Mil- ford, Hampshire, where he next took a curacy, his labors were abundantly blessed, resulting in a revival of religion. Owing to the opposition of the superior clergy, he resigned (1815) his curacy, on the ground of scruples in relation to Infant Baptism and Church Establishments, and retired to Walford House, near Taunton, where he connected himself with the Baptists. He removed, shortly after, to London, and opened a Baptist Chapel, in Cross Street, Hatton Gar- den. He afterwards preached to crowded houses in Great Queen Street. In 1818, he commenced a ministry of thirty-one years in John Street Chapel, Gray's Inn Lane, erected for him by Lady Drummond, the wife of Henry Drummond, Esq., M.P., his sister-in-law. His ministry proved exceedingly attractive and useful. His first publication was " The Old Man and his Grand- daughter at E[nville]." In 1819, he published " Dialogues on Important Subjects," which, because of erroneous views on the Trinity, amounting to Sabellianism, he retracted in "Letters to a Friend in Ireland" (1826). He also pub- lished : " Letters of a Pastor to his Flock" (1835) ; " Five Sermons on Faith" (1837); "A Collection of Psalms and Hymns" (1838); "The Spirit of Holiness, Four Sermons" (1838), reprinted and extensively circulated in America ; "Checks to Infidelity, contained in Four Essays" (1840); and " Vintage Gleanings " (1849). His wife was removed by death in 1831, and, in 1833, he married a daughter of Robert Bird, Esq., of Taplow. In 1847, his health declined, and the next two years he sought its restoration, by cessation from labor and by travel. He died at Stonehaven, Scotland, December 1, 1849. His pas- sion for music and poetry was strongly developed. He was succeeded in the ministry of John Street Chapel by the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, whom he had baptized, and who, like himself, had been a clergyman of the Church of England. Nine of the hymns in his " Collection " were from his 236 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. own pen. Two of the six stanzas are subjoined of Ms 46th hymn, on the words, " I, the Lord, change not ": " Change is our portion here; Yet, midst our changing lot, Midst withering flowers, and tempests drear, There is that changes not, — Unchangeahle Jehovah's word, ' I will be with thee,' saith the Lord. '• Changeless the way of peace; Changeless Immanuel's name ; Changeless the covenant of grace ; Eternally the same. * I change not, ' is a Father's word, ' I am thy portion,' saith the Lord." JONATHAN EYANS. 1749-1809. JoiSTATHAisr EvAisrs was a native of Coventry, Warwickshire, England, and was born (1749) of parents in the humbler walks of life. He seems to have had no religious training. The companions of his youth were mostly profane and profli- gate, and he himself aspired to be their leader in the ways of sin. He served, until of age, in the warehouse of a rib- bon manufactory. In 1776, as appears from a poetic con- tribution to the February Number of the Gospel Magazine for 1777, he was brought under deep conviction of his fallen estate, and hopefully converted. Another poetic contribu- tion, dated " March 8, 1777," on " The Frailty of Human Life ; and the Joys of Eternity," published in the October Num- ber, gives abundant evidence of genuine religious experience. Soon after, he united with the West Orchard Chapel (Con- gregational), of which the highly-honored George Burder became (1783) the pastor. JONATHAN EVANS. 237 Though. Mr. Evans had entered into business, and contin- ued therein to the end of life, he very soon was known as an occasional preacher. He embraced every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, both in Coventry and in the adja- cent country, in the open air, or wherever a congregation could be gathered. " Mr. Evans preached in the afternoon," says Mr. Burder of the day of his inauguration, November 2, 1783. The year before this, he had commenced to j^reach regularlj^ at Foleshill, a populous village two miles from Coventry, and to gather the neglected children into Sunday- Schools, about the time that Robert Raikes was doing a like work at Gloucester. In 1784, he purchased a boat- house, on the canal bank, and fitted it up for a place of public worship — enlarging it, from time to time, as the work grew and i3rospered. A convenient chapel was built on the same site, in 1795, a church organized, and he himself regu- larly ordained, April 4, 1797, to the pastorate of the con- gregation. As a preacher he used great plainness of speech and earnestness of manner. His success in winning souls to Christ was remarkable. He labored diligently for the tem- poral, as well as the spiritual, welfare of his flock, rendering them, occasionally, medical assistance, as he had acquired some knowledge of the j)ractice of medicine. He died, very suddenly, August 31, 1809, in the sixtieth year of his age. With the exception of a few small pamphlets, or tracts, he published nothing. He wrote a number of hymns, to be sung in connection with some of his occasional sermons. Three of these were contributed to Mr. Burder's " Collec- tion of Hymns " (1784). Twenty-two of his hymns appeared in the Clirisfian Magazine (1790-1793). A large number were left, in manuscript, at his decease. The authorship of the hymn "Hark! tlie voice of love and mercy," etc., has been disputed, but his friends claim it as his. It first appeared in Dr. Nippon's Selection (1787). Dr. Belcher says it is a part only of one of Evans' hymns. Tlie follow- 238 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ing is from a hymn contributed (1784) to Burder's Collec- tion : "Let saints on earth theii- anthems raise, Who taste the Saviour's grace ; Let saints in heaven proclaun his praise, And crown him Prince of peace. " Praise him who laid his glory by, For man's apostate race ; Praise him who stoojDed to bleed and die, And crown him Prince of peace. ' ' We soon shall reach the blissf xil shore, To view his heavenly face. His name for ever to adore. And crown him Prince of peace." FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER. 1814-1863. Faber's hymns are among the grandest and most beaii- tiful in the language. He came of a good stock— the old Huguenot blood flowing in his veins. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) brought to England his ances- tors, whose memory and principles were faithfully cher- ished by their descendants. His grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Faber, was the Vicar of Calverley, Yorkshire, where the grandson was born, the seventh child of his parents, June 28, 1814. In December of the same year, his father, Tliomas Henry Faber, Esq., be- came the steward of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Shute Bamngton, Bishop of Durham ; and from that time until his decease in 1833, he resided in the Bishop's palace at Bishops-Auck- land, beautifully situated at the confluence of the rivers Wear and Gaunless. In the midst of these romantic scenes, the youthful poet passed his boyhood, and received instruction at the grammar-school. In his tenth year, he FEEDERICK WILLIAM FABER. 339 was sent to the school of the Kev. John Gibson, at Kirkby- Stephen, Westmoreland, and introduced to the still more romantic scenery of that far-famed locality. Even at that early age, his great delight was a solitary ramble in '^ the golden honrs of schoolboy holiday," among the hills, and along the lakes and rivers, "Thouglitful even then because of the excess Of boyhood's rich abounding happiness.'' It is of this beautiful " Lake Country," that he says, — " Each hazel copse, each greenly tangled bower, Is sacred to some well-remembered hour, — Some quiet hour when nature did her part And worked her spell upon my childish heart." Therefore, with peculiar propriety, he could say, — ' ' Nature hath been my mother ; all her moods On the gray mountain, or the sullen floods, Have chai'nied my soul." Two years later (1825), he was sent, first, for a short time, to the Free Grammar-School of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and then to the Free School of Harrow, Middlesex — a spot famed for its great extent and beauty of prospect. Seven years — the best of his youthful aspirations — were spent here, under the instruction, first of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Butler (afterwards Bishop of Lincoln), and then of the Rev. Dr. Charles Longley (afterwards Archbishop of Canter- bury). Here, too, he was brought under the spiritual in- structions of the godly Cunningham, Yicar of Harrow-on- the-Hill, and thus led to regard vdth favor the evangelical system of divine truth. He had a happy faculty of winning the good graces of all who knew him. " I can not tell why it is," said one of his Harrow schoolmates, " but that Faber fascinates every- body." He had " a grace of person and mind rarely to be met with." His intellectual development was not less re- markable, — particularly in the poetic vein. He entered Baliol College, Oxford, in 1832. " The Cher- 240 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. well Water- Lily," one of his most popular poems, pub- lished in 1840, was written during his first year in col- lege. He now became, as he himself expresses it, " an unprejudiced acolyth of Ne^vman's5 an attentive reader of his works, a diligent attender at his church " — St. Mary Virgin, of which the famous John Henry Newman was then the Vicar. Under such a guidance, it is not strange that Faber, full of youthful and poetic fervor, entered, with all his heart and soul, into " the Theological Movement of 1833," and embraced the Romanistic views advocated in the " Tracts for the Times. " After a few months, however, his evangelical education reasserted its sway, and he shrank from the logical results of Newman's teachings. In 1835, he entered University College, having obtained one of its scholarships. He became, also, a contributor to the Oxford University Magazine. His i3oem, on "The Knights of St. John," obtained, in 1836, the Newdigate prize. After his graduation (1836), he accompanied his brother, the Rev. Francis Atkinson Faber, on a visit to Germany for the recovery of his impaired health. He ob- tained a Fellowship, in January, 1837, and the Johnson Divinity Scholarship. He had now fairly drifted back to Tractarianism, and translated the seven books of Optatus, for the "Library of the Fathers." Newman resumed his spiritual sway over his plastic mind, and the spell was never afterwards broken. His poetic tastes were further stimulated by a visit, once and again, to Wordsworth, at Ambleside. He was ordained a deacon, August 6, 1837, at Ripon, by his old teacher. Dr. Longley, and a priest. May 26, 1839, at Oxford, by Bishop Bagot. Though he published (1838- 1839) several Tracts in favor of Anglicanism, he continued to gravitate towards Rome. In 1840, he published his " Clierwell Water- Lily, and other Poems." A visit to Bel- gium and the Rhine in 1839, and another to Constantinople (with a pupil) in 1841, helped forward the Romanizing tendency of his mind. In 1842, he published " Sights and Thoughts in Foreign Churches and among Foreign Peo- FEEDERICK WILLIAM FABER. 241 pies"; also, " Stygian Lake, and other Poems." Tlie next year (1843), lie was presented to the living of Elton, Hunt- ingdonshire. Soon after, with letters from Bishop (after- wards Cardinal) Wiseman, he visited Kome, and, after an interview with the Pope, Gregory XVI., resolved that '-'his whole life should be one crusade against the detestable and diabolical heresy of Protestantism,"—" the devil's mas- ter-piece." Though he said of himself at this time, " I grow more Roman every day ; . . . I am i:iery^ very, VERY Roman," he returned to Elton, and for two years continued his ministry in a Protestant Church. " Sir Lancelot, a Poem," appeared the same year. He also wrote the " Lives of several English Saints," for a Series then in process of publication. At length, following the example of Dr. N^ewman, he was received, November 17, 1845, into the papal communion, at Northampton, having the day before resigned his Elton living. The next year he spent at Birmingham, and the two following at Colton, or St. Wilfrid's, Staffordshire. In February, 1848, he was received into the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, and in October, 1849, was appointed Superior of the Oratory at London. The establishment was, in 1854, removed to I3rompton, in the suburbs. Worn out with vigils, fastings, and other austerities, he yielded to Bright's disease of the kidneys, and died, Seijtember 26, 1863, in his fiftieth year. A small volume of his original hymns (less than 50) was published, in 1848, for the use of the Brotherhood at St. Wilfrid's ; an enlarged edition, with the title, " Jesus and Mary," appeared in 1849 ; a third, with %?> hymns, followed in 1852 ; a fourth, called " The Oratory Hymn Book," with 77 hymns, in 1854 ; and a final edition of 150 hymns, in 1862. Tliese hymns have acquired great popularity among the Roman Catholics in England and America, and not a few of them are to be found in Protestant Collections. Some of them are unsurpassed as specimens of the highest order of devotional poetry,— lofty in thought, elegant in diction, graceful in rhythm, fervent in spirit, highly sug- 16 242 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. gestive, and wonderfully inspiriting. Tliey show evident traces of the evangelical influences under which he grew to manhood, and by which his religious character was moulded. He published also : " All for Jesus ; or, The Easy Way of Divine Love " (1853) ; " Growth in Holiness ; or. Progress of the Spiritual Life " (1854) ; " The Blessed Sacrament ; or, Works and Ways of God" (1855) ; "The Creator and the Creature ; or, The Wonders of Divine Love " (1856) ; a new and revised edition of his " Poems " (1857) ; " Ethel's Book," and "The Foot of the Cross ; or, Sorrows of Mary" (1858) ; " Spiritual Conferences " (1859) ; and " The Precious Blood ; or, The Price of our Salvation," and " Bethlehem " (1860). The following are from a lyric of seven stanzas, on " The Pilgrims of the Night ": ' ' Hark ! hark ! my soul ! angelic songs are swelling O'er earth's green fields and ocean's wave-heat shore ; How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling Of that new life when sm shall he no more. ' ' Onward we go, for still we hear them singing, ' Come, weary souls ! for Jesus bids you come ' ; And, through the dark, its echoes sweetly ringing, The music of the Gospel leads us home. " Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, The voice of Jesus sounds o'er land and sea, And laden souls, by thousands meekly stealing, Kind Shepherd ! turn their weary steps to thee. " Angels! sing on, your faithful watches keeping; Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above; While we toil on, and soothe ourselves with weeping, Till life's long night shall break in endless love." JOHN FAWCETT. 243 JOHN FAWCETT. 1739-1817. John- Fawcett was born, January 6, 1739, at Lidget- Green, Yorkshire, England. His father, who was in hum- ble circumstances, and attached to the Church of England, died in 1751, leaving a A\ddow and several children. The next year, John was put to a trade at Bradford, and served an apprenticeship of six years. At sixteen, he embraced op- portunities to hear John and Charles Wesley, Grimshaw, and Whitefield. A sermon by Whitefield (on " The Brazen Serpent," John iii. 14), delivered in September, 1755, was blessed to his conversion, and led him to consort with the Methodists. At the expiration of his apprenticeship in 1758, he united with the Baptist Church of Bradford, then just gathered. Having made himself active and useful as a private Christian for several years, he was induced by the church to enter the pulpit as a preacher. In May, 1764, he accepted a call, on a salary of £25, to be the pastor of a small church at Wainsgate, in the moun- tainous region, directly west of Halifax, West Elding of Yorkshire, and not far from the home of his childhood. He was ordained their pastor, July 31, 1765. During his residence at Bradford, he had vn-itten a considerable num- ber of short poems, which, in 1767, he published as " Poeti- cal Essays." In 1771, he visited London, to supply the pul- pit of the Rev. Dr. John Gill, the learned Expositor of the Bible, who was then drawing nigh to the grave. After Dr. Gill's decease, October 14, 1771, he received (1772) a call to the vacant charge, an honor and preferment which he was constrained to accept ; but, having made his prepara- tions for removal to London, he was so overcome by the thought of parting with his greatly-attached and afflicted people, humble as they were, that he determined to recall his acceptance, and to remain at Wainsgate. It was then that he wrote that most popular of all his hymns, "Blessed be the tie that binds," etc. 244 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. The same year, as " Christopholus," he published "The Christian's Humble Plea for his God and Saviour ; in an- swer to several Pamphlets lately published by the Rev. Dr. Priestley." "The Sick Man's Employ" appeared in 1774. A neAv chapel, capable of seating nearly 600 people, was erected for him, in 1777, at Hebden-Bridge (a more advan- tageous location) not far from Wainsgate. The year before, he had removed to Brearley Hall, in the village of Midgley, also in the same neighborhood, and here he opened a school which (removed subsequently to Ew^ood Hall) he continued through life, and at death devolved upon his son. On the last leaf of his Hymn-Book appears this Notice : "At Brearley Hall, In MIDGLEY, near Halifax, (a pleasant and healthy Situation) Youths are genteely Board- ed, and Trained up in useful Learning, with great Tender- ness, Fidelity and Care ; and upon reasonable Terms." It was thus that he contrived to live and support a grow- ing family. While a resident of Bradford, he had married Miss Susannah, the daughter of John Skirrow, of Bingley. In 1778, appeared his " Advice to Youth ; or, The Advan- tages of Early Piety." His Hymn-Book was published in 1782. It contains some hymns which have become quite familiar to the Christian people of Great Britain and Amer- ica. The most of them were written to accompany sermons on particular passages of Scripture, and to be sung after the delivery of the sermon. They were principally com- posed in the midnight hours previous to the Sabbath. " An Essay on Anger," appeared in 1788 ; " The Cross of Christ>- the Christian's Glory," and " Considerations in favor of the newly organized Baptist Missionary Society," in 1793 ; " The Life of the Rev. Oliver Heywood," in 1796 ; and " Christ precious to them that believe," in 1799. In 1793, he was invited to succeed the Rev. Dr. Caleb Evans, as' President of the Baptist Academy at Bristol, an honor that he declined. In 1811, after four years of patient and assiduous labor, he published his " Devotional Family Bible," and, the same year, received the honorary degree of D.D. from an American college. He had suffered greatly, JOHN FAWCETT. 246 pre\n[ous to 1783, from sickness and domestic calamities. Nor did he ever fully recover. In 1814, being quite ad- vanced in years, his health began rapidly to decline. A paralytic stroke in February, 1816, compelled his retire- ment fi'om the pastoral work, and, July 25, 1817, he left the world in joyful hope. His hymn, beginning with " Thy presence, Gracious God! afPord," has, in the original, attached to each stanza, the chorus, "Thus, Lord! thy waiting servants bless. And crown thy gospel with success." The hymn, beginning with "Praise to thee, thou great. Creator ! " owes only its first and third stanzas to Fawcett. They con- stitute the last of six double stanzas of a " Hymn on Spring" (written on a fine spring morning, at Gildersome, near Leeds), of which the first two are subjoined : "Lo! the bright, the rosy morning, Calls me forth to take the air ; Cheerful spring, with smiles returning, Ushers in the new-born year : Nature, now in all her beauty. With her gentle moving tongue, Prompts me to the pleasing duty Of a grateful, morning song. "See the early blossoms springing: See the jocund la.mbkius play ; Hear the lark and linnet singing Welcome to the new-born day; Vernal music, softly soimding. Echoes thi'ough the vocal grove ; Natui"e, now with life abounding, Swells with harmony and love." 246 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. JOHN FELLOWS. 1785. Dr. Watt, in his " Bibliotheca Britannica," and Allibone, after him, speak of John Fellows as a Methodist. Gadsby says truly, as might be gathered from his hymns and other works, that he was a Baptist. He was a Calvinistic Meth- odist the most of his life, and his earlier residence was at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. Thence he removed to Bir- mingham, where, in 1780, he was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Turner, and so became a member of the First Baptist Church, Avorshipping in Cannon Street. Dr. Belcher, who was a native of Birmingham, says that he was " a poor shoe- maker." He died at Birmingham, November 2, 1785. "Poor" as he was, and uneducated, he was greatly ad- dicted to versification. The following works from his pen were published within ten years (1770-1779), mostly at Bir- mingham : " Grace Tiimnphant, a Sacred Poem in Nine Dialogues " (1770) ; " Bromsgrove Elegy, in Blank Verse, on the Death of the Rev. G. Whitefield" (1771) ; "An Elegy on the Death of Dr. Gill" (1771); "Hymns on Believers' Baptism" (1773); "Eloquent and Noble Defence of the Gospel in His Three Celebrated Speeches, Paraphrased in Blank Verse" (1775); "Hymns in a Great Variety of Metres, on the Perfection of the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ" (1776); "The History of the Holy Bible, Attempted in Easy Verse" (1777) ; "A Fair and Im- partial Enquiry into the Rise, &c., of the Church of Rome, in a Series of Familiar Dialogues " (1779) ; and " A Prot- estant Catechism." All his publications antedate his Baptism by immersion, though it is evident that he had been a Baptist previously, for many years. Six of his hjTims are found in Rippon's Selection, and five in Dobell's. The most of his poetry is scarcely worth the name ; yet he had some facility in versi- fication, as may be seen by the following stanzas, from a ELEAZAR THOMPSON FITCH. 247 hymn on Gen. xxiv. 31,— "Come in, tliou Blessed of the Lord!"— " Come in, ye blessed of the Lord! — Ye that beheve his holy word ; Come, and receive his heavenly bread, The food with which his saints are fed. "Your Saviour's boundless goodness prove, And feast on his redeeming love •, Come, all ye happy souls that thirst ! The last is welcome as the first. "Come to his table and receive Whate'er a pard'ning God can give; His love through every age endures; His promise and himself are yours." ELEAZAR THOMPSOIS' FITCH. 1791-1871. The first American ancestor of the Rev. Prof. Fitch was the Rev. James Fitch, who was born, December 24, 1622, at Booking, Essex, England, and emigrated in 1638 to Amer- ica ; where, after a useful ministry of fifty-six years at Say- brook and at Norwich, Conn., he died, November 18, 1702, at Lebanon, Conn. His great-grandson, Capt. Nathaniel Fitch, married Mary Thompson, both of New Haven, Conn., and their son, Eleazar, was born, January 1, 1791. Favored, from childhood, with every opportunity of acquiring loiowl- edge, he improved his advantages, and early developed a taste for learning. In his sixteenth year, he entered Yale College, and grad- uated, in 1810, with Gov. Ellsworth, Prof. Goodrich, and Prof. Samuel F. B. Morse. After his graduation, he taught school at East Windsor Hill, Conn., and then at the New Haven Hopkins Grammar-School. Having made a profession of religion while in college, he pursued the study of theol- 248 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. ogy at Andover Theological Seminary (1812-1815). He remained two years longer, pursuing advanced studies, giv- ing assistance in preaching, and supi^lying neighboring pulpits. At the decease of President Dwight (1817), Mr. Fitch was appointed Professor of Sacred Theology (as Dr. Dwight's successor), in Yale College. At his suggestion, and mostly by his efforts, the Theological Department was founded, in 1822. In the distribution of the several Chairs, Homiletics wa.s assigned to Prof. Fitch. Having been ordained to the ministry, November 5, 1817, he became the Pastor of the College Church, and gave instruction to the undergradu- ates, also, in Natural Theology and the Evidences of Chris- tianity. In the course of his pastoral work, he delivered, to the successive classes, a series of discourses on System- atic Theology. Two Sermons on "The Nature of Sin," that he published, July, 1826, gave occasion to a sharp and somewhat acrimonious controversy, in relation to "New Haven Theology. " These sermons he was constrained to defend, the following year (1827), in a pamphlet of 95 pages, against the objections of the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green in the Philadelphia Christian Admcate. He received (1829) the honorary degree of D.D., from the University of Pennsylvania. He undertook, as one of a Committee appointed by the General Association of Connecticut, the oversight of a Hymn-Book for the use of their churches. It was pub- lished in 1845, and contained six of his own hymns. The decline of his health constrained him, in 1852, to resign his Professorship, retaining only a Lectureship in Theology. This, too, he relinquished, in 1861, and occupied, thencefor- ward until his decease, January 31, 1871, the position of Professor Emeritus. Prof. Fitch was characterized by great acuteness of mind, with a remarkable versatility. His inquiries were extended beyond theology, into other walks of literature, into sci- ence, the arts, esthetics, and political economy. He had a decided genius for poetry and music, and took delight in ALICE FLOWERDEW. 249 the promotion of these arts. Of a retiring disposition, he shrank from the publicity of the press. His puliDit services were of a high order. His style Avas graceful, and his thoughts bold in conception and forcibly expressed. The following is his version of the 134tli Psalm : ' ' Friends of God in every land ! Ye that wait his high command, Cheerful to his courts repair, Bless his name with gladness there. " There, with morning's early rays, Lift your hands in holy praise ; There, at evening's solemn hour. Bow before his throne of power. " There he meets his saints with grace; There reveals his glorious face ; — Heaven and earth's Creator blessed : — In his love let Zion rest." ALICE FLOWERDEW. 1759-1830. The particulars of the early life of Mrs. Flowerdew have not been ascertained. She was a resident, for a few years, of the Island of Jamaica, in the West Indies, where her husband, Daniel Flowerdew, held an office under the Home Government. They were natives of England, and returned thither late in the last century. Shortly afterwards (1801) he died, and she undertook a boarding-school for young la- dies, at Islington, near London, and the publication of her poems (mostly written at Islington), for support. Her po- ems " were written at different periods of life — some indeed at a very early age, and others under the very severe pres- sure of misfortune." Her later poems were either not pub- lished, or were printed separately. 250 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. She attached herself, while at Islington, to the Baptist Church, Worship Street, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. John Evans, who was of Aiian affinities, as was, also, Mrs. Flowerdew. In 1814, she removed her school to Bury St. Edmunds, and subsequently to Ipswich. She died, September 23, 1830, in her seventy-second year, at Whitton. Her " Harvest Hymn," "Fountain of mercy, God of love ! " etc., is found in a large number of Collections. The following stanzas are from a short ]3oem on "The Folly of Scep- ticism ": " Let sceptics boast theii' reasoning mind, — How vast ! how free ! how unconfmed ! — And vain conclusions draw ; Claiming an undisputed right To -wing their hold aspiring flight, Unfettered hy each law. "Is this the happiness they boast, — On life's tempestuous ocean lost, Without a pilot near, — To furl their sails in angry skies ? — Through dangerous storms, that often rise, Their tremblmg bark to steer ? ' ' Sweet Kevelation ! Power divine ! The pilot's generous aid is thine ; From error thou art free ; The bark, committed to thy care, Shall to its destined port repair, Through life's tempestuous sea." DAVID EYERARD FORD. Me. Ford was bom at Long-Melford, Suffolk, England. His father, the Rev. David Ford (1763-1836), was, for forty- two years, and until his death, the pastor of the Congrega- tional Church of Long-Melford. His mother, Mary Ever- DAVID EVERARD FORD. 351 ard (1763-1842), was tlie eldest daughter of a deacon of the Baptist Cliurcli, Devonshire Square, London. The father settled at Long-Melford in 1794, and married shortly after. The son, David, was the eldest of three brothers, the youngest of whom succeeded his father and then re- moved to Islington, London. David fitted for the ministry at Wymondley College, Hertfordshire. He was ordained, October 11, 1821, the pastor of the Old Town Congrega- tional Chai^el, Lymington, on the Solent, overlooking the Isle of Wight. He remained in this charge twenty-two years, useful and honored. His preaching, pungent and forcible, resulted in large accessions to his church. In No- vember, 1843, he accepted a unanimous call from the newly- formed church, Greengate Chapel, Salford, Manchester. Mr. Ford early developed a remarkable passion for music, and in his early ministry published several volumes designed as " an Introduction and Helps to the Art and Science of Sacred Music." In 1823, he issued, in two successive vol- umes, " The First Set of Original Psalm and Hymn Tunes," and "The Second Set," etc. "A Third Set" appeared in 1826 ; his " Rudiments of Music," in 1829 ; his " Progress- ive Exercises for the Voice," in 1830 ; and his Sixth Book, " Original Psalm and Hymn Tunes," in 1833. Large edi- tions of these books were called for, especially in the coun- try districts. In 1828, he published his " Hymns, chiefly on the Parables of Christ." Mr. Ford now began the publication of a series of small volumes on practical religious themes, which, also, had a wide circulation, and proved very useful. " Decapolis ; or the Individual Obligation of Christians to Save Souls from Death," was issued in 1840 ; " Chorazin ; or An Appeal to the Child of Many Prayers," in 1841 ; " Damascus ; or Con- version in Relation to the Grace of God and the Agency of Man," in 1842 ; *' Laodicea ; or Religious Declensions," in 1844 ; and " Alarm in Zion ; or A Few Thoughts on the Present State of Religion," in 1848. He also published (1843) "Pastoral Addresses," and (1849) "Congregational Psalmody." 252 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. BENJAMIN FRANCIS. 1734-1799. Benjamin Francis was a native of Wales. He was born in 1734, and educated wholly at home, not having learned English until his twentieth year. He joined the Baptist Church of his native place in the fifteenth year of his age. In 1753, he entered the Baptist Academy at Bristol, England, then under the care of the Rev. Messrs. Bernard Foskitt and Hugh Evans. Having pursued the usual course of preparation for the ministry, he preached a short time at Sodbury ; and, in 1757, accepted a call to the pastoral charge of the Baptist Church of Shortwood [Horsley], where he was ordained in 1758. He preached, of course, in the English language, the use of which he had fully acquired ; but often discoursed in his native tongue, on the occasion of his frequent \dsits to Wales. Full of fervid zeal and glowing piety, his preach- ing so attracted the multitude, as to make it necessary thrice to enlarge their house of worship. A chapel, also, was built for him, at the village of Minchin Hampton, three miles from Horsley, where he conducted worship on the evening of every alternate Sabbath. To meet the ex- penses of these building operations, he visited London for funds, and was there invited to take charge of one of the churches of his denomination, but refused to be called away from his country flock. He gave himself wholly to his work, and continued in it until his decease, December 14, 1799. Mr. Francis published but little : " Conflagration, a Poem, in Four Parts" (1770); "An Elegy on the Death of the Rev. G. Whitefield" (1770) ; two volumes of Welsh Hymns (1774 and 1786) ; and " An Elegy on the Death of the Rev. Caleb E^ans, D.D." (1791), the son of his old preceptor; these were all his publications. He wrote a few English hymns for particular occasions. His dedication hymn, com- mencing with " In sweet exalted strains," FULBERTUS CARNOTENSIS. 253 was written, to be sung, September 18, 1774, on the occa- sion of the last enlargement of his church edifice. " Praise the Saviour, all ye nations!" etc., was written, in three double stanzas, to be sung at a Collec- tion for poor Ministers, or Missionaries. These hymns and two others were included in the first edition (1787) of Rip- pon's Selection. In a later edition, appeared one of his hymns, in sixteen stanzas, " composed during a Fit of se- vere Illness, June, 1795,"— of which the 12th, 15th, and 16th stanzas are here given : " The sun that illumines the regions of light, Now shines on mine eyes from above ; But, Oh ! how transcendently glorious the sight ! My soul is all wonder and love. " But, Oh! what a life, what a rest, what a joy, Shall I know when I've mounted above ; Praise, praise, shall my triumphing powers employ: My God! I shall burn with thy love. " Come, come, my Redeemer! this moment release The soul thou hast bought with thy blood, And bid me ascend the fair regions of peace. To feast on the smiles of my God." FULBERTUS CARNOTENSIS. 1028. FuLBEKT, Bishop of Chartres, France, was born in the latter half of the tenth century. Of his nativity no certain information can be had. He was instructed, it is said, by the learned Gerbert, Archbishop of Rheims (afterwards, Pope Sylvester II). Coming to Charti^es, from Rome, he lectured in the Cathedral schools. His reputation for su- perior scholarship and holiness brought students in large 254 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. numbers to Cliartres, and gave it great celebrity. He was, also, Chancellor to the King, Robert II. At the decease (1007) of Rodulph, Bishop of Chartres, Fnlbert was chosen his successor. He occupied the chair, with great dignity and renown, for twenty-one and a half years, until his decease, April 10, 1028. Dupin speaks of him as " one of the jDrincipal restorers of belles-lettres, the sciences, and theology." He left a Collection of 134 letters (of which Dupin gives an elaborate analysis), 9 sermons, several hymns, and other poetical pieces, — all, of course, in Latin. His "Remains" were published (1608) at Paris. The hymns were written for the use of his diocese. The original of the hymn, "Chorus novse Hierusalem" (1020) may be found in Daniel's Thesaurus, I., 222. [See Camp- bell.] PAUL GERHARDT. 1606-1676. Gerhaedt, the people's poet, and, next to Luther, the most popular hymnist of Germany, was trained in the school of affliction. Living and serving God in troublous times, he drank deeply of the cup of bitterness. The light of his holy life shone all the brighter by reason of the sur- rounding darkness. He was born (1606) in the humble village of Grafenhai- nichen, in Electoral Saxony; — his father. Christian Ger- hardt, was burgomaster of the town. Trained for the ministry during the calamitous period of "The Thirty Years' War," he found no opportunity for settlement until its close. For a while he taught in the family of Andreas Bertholdt, Chancery Advocate, Berlin, Pmssia. His leisure he employed in writing hymns, and making love to Anna Maria Bertholdt, one of his pupils, and daugh- ter of the Advocate. About the close of 1651, being then in PAUL GEEHAEDT. 255 his forty-fifth year, he obtained the humble pastorate of Mit- tenwalde, and was ordained, at Berlin, ]^}'ovember 18, 1651. He obtained, also, the hand of his faithful Anna Maria, February 11, 1655. Several of his best hymns were now WTitten, and found their way into the " Berlin Hymn-Book " (1653) and other Collections in Brandenburg and Saxony, yielding him no small popularity. His preferment soon followed. In the summer of 1657, he was called to the third Diaconate of the great church of St. Nicholas, Berlin. Crowds flocked to hear him preach, and his hymns were sung with enthusiasm, as Luther's had been. His appearance was quite prepossessing. He was of middle height, of firm and resolute bearing, cheerful, yet of a quiet mood. He preached persuasively and lov- ingly, and was esteemed the model pastor, and the most popular preacher of the toAvn. An Edict was issued by the Elector, Frederick William, September 16, 1664, requiring the clergy to subscribe an Act for the virtual introduction of the Reformed faith, as professed by the Elector, on penalty of ejectment from their resi^ective livings ; — an Act not unlike the " Act of Conformity" enforced by Charles II., of England, only two years before. Gerhardt, and most of the clergy, were Lu- therans. It is thought that it was on this occasion, Ger- hardt wrote his touching hymn, " 1st Gott fiir mich, so trete," etc. ("If God be on my side," etc.) He was suffered to continue at his post, until February 6, 1666, when he was called upon to subscribe, and, refusing, was ejected. Great interest was made in his behalf by the citizens, and the negotiations were prolonged nearly a year. Finally, February 4, 1667, he resigned his charge, and his ministry in Berlin, greatly to the grief of the citizens, came to a close. It has been affirmed, that it was after this date, while he was on his way, with his devoted wife, from Berlin to Sax- 256 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ony, that lie ^vrote liis most affecting hymn, translated by John Wesley, and, in his version, beginning with " Commit tliou all thy griefs," — but, in many of the Collections, beginning with " Give to the winds thy fears." It is certain, however, that it was published in the Collec- tion of Gephardt's hymns in 1666, and Kiibler says, that " it was first published in 1659, and according to tradition was written by Gerhardt to comfort his anxious wife." They had lost their first child at Mitten walde, and their cir- cumstances while there were very much straitened. Dur- ing his residenc3 at Berlin, also, death invaded his house- hold again and again. One son alone of all his children was left to him. And now, March 5, 1668, his dearly- beloved wife, after a painful decline, was taken from him, and he was left almost desolate. In October of the same year, he was appointed Arch- deacon of Liibben, in Saxony, and with his only surviving child, Paul Friedrich, he removed thither in June, 1669. Here he remained, unmolested in the faithful performance of the duties of his honorable and responsible position, for seven years ; laying down his work with his life, June 7, 1676, after a ministry of twenty-five years, and in the seventieth year of his age. The first complete edition of his Hymns was published by J. E. Ebeling, Berlin (1666-1667) in ten folio parts. Schultze says " that there is no song bearing his name that had not been printed in 1667." Wackernagel says, — "Where is the Evangelical congregation that does not know Paul Gerhardt ? in what churches are not his holy songs heard? What the pious Catherine Zell, of Stras- burg, says of beautiful spiritual songs in her h\Tnn-book is true of him : — ' The journeyman mechanic at his work, the servant-maid washing her dishes, the ploughman and i-ine-dresser in the fields, the mother by her weeping infant in the cradle, sing them.' High and low, poor and rich PAUL GERHABDT. 257 alike, find them equally consoling, eqiially edifying ; in all stations, among young and old, there are examples to be found where some song of Gerhardt, at particular periods in the history of the inner life, was engraven forever on the soul, and subsequently became the centre point of the dearest reminiscences. . . . The songs of no other poet, either before or since, have ever produced so mighty an effect, or obtained so speedy and so wide a circulation." Many of his hymns were published in Johann Criiger's "Praxis Pietatis Melica." After his decease they were collected, and published, as revised by himself, from his manuscripts, by his only surviving son, Paul Friedrich. The whole number is one hundred and twenty-three. The hymn, of which Dr. Alexander's translation begins with " O sacred head, now wounded," was doubtless suggested by Bernard's Latin hymn, " Salve, caput cruentum! " etc, A hymn, by Toplady, from Jacobi, beginning with " Holy Ghost! dispel our sadness," appears to have been suggested by a part of Gerhardt's hymn, " du aUersliss'te Freude," tftc. The most of his hymns are of considerable length, aver- aging nine or ten double stanzas. His famous Marriage Hymn contains seventeen six-line stanzas ; of which the first three and the sixteenth, in Miss Winkworth's version, are subjoined : "the marriage of christian hearts." " Full of wonder, full of ai^t, Full of wisdom, full of power, Fiill of grace to charm the heart, Full of solace, hour by hour. Full of wonders, ye shall prove Is the bond of wedded love. 17 258 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "Two, who ne'er upon this earth Have each other's faces seen, Never, from then* hoixr of birth, In each other's thoughts have been, Find their hearts and hands shall meet In a bond God maketh sweet. ' ' Here a father trains his child, There another watches his ; Driven by winds uncertain, wild, Siire their paths through life must miss Nay, but when the time is there. See a well-consorted pair. " And at last, when all fulfilled Are his purposes of love Here on earth, He yet doth build Fairer homes in heaven above, Where^ enwrapped in his embrace, They shall know his depths of grace." THOMAS aiBB01S"S. 1720-1785. More than a century ago, the Eev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons occupied an eminently influential position among the Dissenting ministry of London. He was born, May 31, 1720, at Eeak, in the parish of Swaffham Prior. His father, Rev. Thomas Gibbons, was the pastor of a Dissenting con- gregation, first at Olney (the home, subsequently, of New- ton and Cowper), and then at Royston, in Hertfordshire. At an early age, he sought to enter the ministry of the Gospel, and was sent to a grammar-school at Little Swaff- ham, and then to another in the same county. His aca- demical studies were pursued (1735-1742) first, at Deptford, Kent, with Dr. Taylor, and then with Mr. Eames, at Moor- fields, Middlesex. THOMAS GIBBONS. 259 He was duly licensed to preach, by the London Associa- tion of Independent Ministers, July 5, 1742, and, the same year, was employed as assistant to the Rev. Thomas Bures, the pastor of Silver Street Presbyterian Chapel, London. A year later he was chosen to succeed the Rev. Robert Wright, as the pastor of the Independent Church at Haber- dashers' Hall, Staining Lane, Cheapside, where he was ordained, October 27, 1743. This position he held to the end of life. He married, in 1744, Miss Hannah Shuttle- wood, whose father, John, was a London minister, and whose grandfather, John, of Leicestershire, was one of the ejected clergy of 1662. In addition to his pastoral office, he accepted (1754) the Tutorship of Logic, Ethics, Metaphysics, and Rhetoric, in the Mile End Academy, as successor of Dr. Zeph. Marry- att. Five years later he succeeded the Rev. William Guyse, as one of the Sabbath evening Lecturers at Monk- well Street Meeting-house. He proved a valuable friend to the Rev. Samuel Davies, afterwards the President of the College of New Jersey, when he visited England (1753) to obtain funds for that infant institution ; from which, in 1760, Mr. Gibbons received the honorary degree of A.M. In 1764, the honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him by the University of Aberdeen. He was a ready writer as well as a graceful preacher. His publications, including occasional sermons and pam- phlets, were more than fifty in number. His " Poems on Several Occasions " appeared (1743) in the first year of his ministry. Three of his " Sermons " were published in 1745 ; and one in each of the years, 1746, 1747, and 1748. An " Elegy" followed his first poetic volume, in 1746, and an- other (on Dr. Watts) in 1748. He translated, a] so. Dr. Watts' Latin Poems, into English verse. He was admitted, during the last six years of Dr. Watts' life, to great intimacy with the venerable divine. He published (1750) " Juvenilia ; or Poems on Various Subjects of Devotion and Virtue." Oc- casional Discourses followed almost yearly, with, now and then, a poetical venture. 260 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. In 1762, he sent forth fifteen " Sermons on Various Sub- jects, with an Hymn adapted to each, designed to assist the Devotion of the Family and Clergy." Appended to the fourth of these Sermons, is the popular hymn, " Now let our souls, on wings sublime," etc. A Dissertation on " Rhetoric," the substance of his Lec- tures, followed in 1767. Two years later appeared his "Hymns adapted to Divine Worship. In two Books"; containing 200 hymns, of which 150 are from his own pen. The 69th, of Book II., is a Missionary Hymn in seven parts, containing 46 stanzas, from which are taken the hymns, "Great God! the nations of the earth," etc., and "Lord! send thy word and let it fly," etc. The 35th hymn of Book I. is on " Tlie Gospel-Feast," and begins with "On Zion, his most holy moimt." Three years later (1772), he sent forth " The Christian Minister, in Three Poetic Epistles. To which are added, Poetical Versions of several Parts of Scrij)ture, and Transla- tions of Poems from Greek and Latin Writers. " Again, three years later (1775), he published " An English Version of the Latin Epitaphs in 'The Non-conformists' Memorial': to which is added, a Poem sacred to the Memory of the two thousand Ministers ejected or silenced by the Act of Uni- formity, August 24, 1662." In 1777, he brought out his " Female Worthies : or The Lives and Memorials of emi- nently Pious Women"; also, his "Essays in Prose and Verse, partly Collected and partly Original, for the Im- provement of Younger Minds." "The Memoirs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D.," followed in 1780, and a second volume of " Hymns adapted to Divine Worship," in 1784. The hymns in this volume (262) are, with a single excep- tion, original. Dr. Gibbons died, of apoplexy, quite suddenly, Febru- ary 22, 1785. His piety and spirituality were remarkable ; CHAELES GILES. 261 nis manners urbane and courteous in a high degree ; his temi3er cheerful, and his disposition generous. His liter- ary attainments were respectable, and his creed evangel- ical. He was greatly esteemed by Lady Huntingdon and her friends, with whose evangelical labors he was in full sympathy. In later years he numbered Dr. Samuel John- son among his warmly attached friends. After his decease three volumes of his Sermons (1787) were published. The stanzas that follow are from the 11th hymn, Book II., of the 2d volume, containing seven stanzas : " Thy goodness, Lord ! our souls confess, Thy goodness we adore ; A spring whose blessings never fail, A sea without a shore. ' ' Sun, moon, and stars thy love attest In every cheerful ray ; Love draws the curtain of the night, And love restores the day. " Thy bounty every season crowns, With all the bliss it yields ; With joyful clusters bend the vines, With harvests wave the fields. " But chiefly thy compassions, Lord! Are in the Gospel seen ; There, like the sun, thy mercy shines, Without a cloud between." CHARLES GILES. 1783-1867. Me. Giles was born, February 22, 1783, near Fort Griswold, Conn. After his conversion, which was quite remarkable, he connected himself with the Methodist Church, and devoted himself to the work of the ministry. 262 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. He was admitted on trial, in the Philadelphia Conference of 1805 ; and in 1808, at a session of the New York Confer- ence, he was ordained a Deacon. He was ordained an Elder by the Genesee Conference in 1811, having joined it in July, 1810. His first appointment was at Chenango, and the second at Western, N. Y. In 1814, he was appointed Presiding Elder for the Oneida District ; in 1808, of the Chenango District ; and again, in 1822, of the Oneida District, until 1825. He united with the Oneida Confer- ence in 1829, and preached successively at Whitesboro, Rome, Steuben, Westmoreland, Manlius, Jordan, and Weedsport, N. Y. In 1836, he joined the Black Eiver Conference. He labored, in successive years, at Oswego, Adams, Salina, Geddes, Liverpool, and Oriskany, 'N. Y. He was placed on the superannuated list in 1853, and at the advanced age of eighty-four, he died, August 30, 1867, at Syracuse, N. Y. He was a laborious pioneer, and travelled extensively in the central and northern portions of New York. "He was a self-made man ; and, in the dejjartments of science, biblical knowledge, taste for the beautiful, and love of na- ture, his advancement inspired the people. Rich in fact, brilliant in thought, and intense in love for dying men, he was a man of vast power. Intellectual and emotional, his eloquence in the days of his prime was, at times, almost unearthly, and multitudes, now sainted, owe their conver- sion to his instrumentality." The favorite hymn, " This world is poor from shore to shore," etc., is a part, transposed and altered, of a hymn in eight stan- zas, " By Rev. C. Giles," found in " The Harp : a Collection of Hymns and Spiritual Songs. By Rev. Hiram May. Perry [N. Y.] 1840." In the altered form it appeared, in six stanzas, in a " New Selection," by the Rev. " James Gal- lagher, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1835." In the original, the first stanza begins with " The fading world promiscuous flows." THOMAS HORNBLOWER GILL. 263 " The Harp " contains, also, an Elegiac Poem in 17 double stanzas, written by Mr. Giles on tlie occasion of the sudden death of Miss Esther Frink, and called, " A Father's Lam- entation for his Child." Two of its stanzas are here given : ' ' Remember how sweetly she sung, In numbers of wisdom and grace, While glory inspired her tongue, And seemed to embellish her face : She seemed like an angel of love. Her conscience so tender and clear; The fullness of grace she did prove, Which triumphed o'er sorrow and fear. " But Esther is gone, she is gone ! She has taken her flight to the skies ; She worships around the bright throne. The tears are all wiped from her eyes : She 's gone to her Saviour above, With angels her spirit has joined; She di^inks of the ocean of love, A mansion for her was designed." THOMAS HOENBLOWER GILL, 1819 . Mr. Gill is of Puritan antecedents. Among his ances- tors is numbered the Rev. Richard Serjeant, of Stone, Wor- cestershire, England, — "a good while assistant to Mr. Baxter, at Kidderminster," whom Baxter describes as " a man of extraordinary prudence, humility, sincerity, self- denial, patience, and blamelessness of life," one of the ejected clergymen of 1662. Mr. Gill is a descendant of one of Mr. Serjeant's two daughters, and was born (1819) at Bir- mingham. He was trained, by his parents, a Unitarian, and was educated at the Birmingham Grammar- School. He de- clined, at nineteen, to enter upon an Oxford University 264 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. course, because lie could not conscientiously subscribe to the Thirty-Nine Articles. But, from tliat time, lie devoted himself, for seven years, to the study of the Greek New Testament. He contributed (1846) eight hymns to a Unitarian Collec- tion, compiled by the Rev. George Dawson. Five of them are found in the "Hymn and Tune Book" (1869) of the American Unitarian Association. The true light now be- gan to shine upon him. " Brought up," he says, " in the utmost strictness of dogmatic Unitarianism, I first began to chafe under the yoke, through my exceeding delight in the hymns of Watts, and from the contrast between their na- tive power and beauty, and their shrunken and dwindled plight, when shorn of their inspiring theology by Unitarian mutilations. It seemed to me strange that the gain of truth should be the loss of glory, and I longed to appropriate the strains which I so loved. The assiduous perusal of the Greek Testament, for many years, showed me clearly, that Unitarianism failed to interpret the Book of Life. As truth after truth broke upon my gaze, God put a new song into my mouth. My first true song of Zion was, — ' Saviour ! needs the world no longer To rejoice beneath thy light ? Have we lovers sweeter, stronger ? Beams for us a sun more bright ? Are we weary Of thy mercy and thy might ? ' " [t is a hymn of seven stanzas— the 35th of his "Golden Chain of Praise," and written " when fresh from the con- templation of the misery and anarchy of Shelley's Life," Step by step he advanced, until 1849, " when," he says of himself, " I first saw clearly whither I was going, and when the divine nature of the Lord Jesus rose clearer and clearer before me, until it was fully recognized by — ' Oh ! mean may seem this house of clay, Yet 'twas the Lord's abode ; Our feet may mourn this thorny way, Yet here Emmanuel trod.' " THOMAS HOENBLOWER GILL. £65 This is the first of eleven stanzas, in which he confesses his faith in the incarnate Son of God. Twenty-fonr such Gos- pel hymns he now contributed to the second edition (1853) of Mr. Dawson's Collection. From that time, he fully and heartily espoused the orthodox faith, and consorted with the Evangelical wing of the Church of England. Of inde- pendent means, he has given himself to historical and the- ological studies, residing most of the time, alternately, at Birmingham, London, and Lewisham, Kent, He is a stren- uous opponent of Ritualism, and assiduously devotes him- self to the promotion of Protestant, and especially Puritan, views and movements — " as a national power and a spiritual principle." He published, in 1858, "The Anniversaries: Poems in Commemoration of Great Men and Great Events"; and a still more elaborate and extended work, in 1866, entitled, "The Papal Drama: a Historical Essay " ; which NewTnan pronounces " the most learned work that has come from the Evangelical side for the last forty years." At the earn- est solicitation of friends both in England and America, he collected and published his hymns, as " The Golden Chain of Praise," dedicating the book to his " dearest brother, the Reverend J. C. Gill, M.A., . . . . a powerful and persua- sive preacher. " It is not likely that his hymns, though of a high order, will become general favorites. They lack simplicity, and are too intricate. Here are the first four stanzas of his hymn, on the theme, " Thy statutes have been my song": " Full many a smile, fuU many a song Makes glad my portion here ; Lord ! all my strains to thee belong; Thou sendest all my cheer. " But, O my God ! my songs divine Are sweetest far to me ; My singing robes most glorious shine, Put on, dear Lord ! for thee. "Joy! joy! when thou the theme dost lend, When thou the song dost make ! 266 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. How sweet thy gifts on thee to spend, Thy glory home to take ! "I sing because thy works are fair; Thy glory makes me glad ; The garments bright of praise I wear, For thou art brightly clad." WILLIAM GOODE. 1762-1816. A godly and an eminently useful divine was given to the churcli in tlie person of tlie Rev. William Goode. He was born, April 2, 1762, of pious parents, at Buckingliam, Eng- land. While yet a school-boy, he was brought under serious impressions. He profited greatly by the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Simpson. At the age of thirteen, though of the Church of England, he was sent to the school of the Rev. William Bull (the friend of Kewton and Cowj^er), the Dis- senting minister of Newport Pagnell. From fourteen to sixteen, he assisted his father in business, but devoted his early morning hours to the study of Hebrew. He fitted for college (1778-1779), under the instruction of the Rev. Thomas Clarke, Rector of Chesham Bois, He entered Magdalen College, Oxford, as a commoner in 1780, and graduated in 1784. He was ordained a dea- con, the same year, and obtained the curacy of Abbotts Langley, Hertfordshire. Two years later, he became the curate of the godly William Romaine, author of " The Life, the Walk, and the Triumph of Faith." The same year he married Miss Rebecca Coles, daughter of Mr. Abraham Coles, of St. Albans. Mr. Romaine was the Rector of the united parishes of St. Andrew by the Wardrobe and St. Anne's, Blackfriars, London ; and at his decease, July 25, 1795, Mr. Goode, on the presentation of the crown, was ap- pointed his successor. He was subsequently appointed WILLIAM GOODE. 267 Lecturer of St. John's, Wapping, and at St. Lawrence^ Jewry. Following in the steps, as he partook of the spirit, of the sainted Romaine, he took an active part in the promotion of the various benevolent and religious movements of the day. His labors among his own people were abundant, faithful, and productive of great good. For twenty-one years he served as the Secretary of the Society for the Re- lief of Poor Pious Clergymen. He was, also, one of the founders, and most earnest advocates, of the Church Mis- sionary Society. In one of his journeys, with the Secre- tary, for the promotion of the noble work of the Society, in September, 1814, he was taken ill at Ipswich, and from the eif ects of this attack he never recovered. After a pro- tracted illness, in which he endured great suffering with exemplary patience and resignation to the Di\ine wiU, he closed his useful life, April 15, 1816, in his fifty-fourth year. In addition to several occasional Sermons, and a Series of Essays on " The Scripture Titles of Christ," contributed to The Christian Guardian, he published, in 1811, "An En- tire New Version of the Book of Psalms ; in which an At- tempt is made to accommodate them to the Worship of the Christian Church, in a Variety of Measures now in general Use : with Original Prefaces and Notes, Critical and Ex- planatory. In two Volumes";— of which a thu'd edition appeared in 1816. He had attempted to modernize some passages of " Tlie Old Version," but was led at length to versify the Psalms anew. His version failed, however, to supplant Tate and Brady, which still keeps its place in the Prayer Book. At his death, he left, in shorthand, 156 Essays on " The Titles of our Lord," which were published (1822) by his son William, the late eminent Dean of Ripon, author of sev- eral able treatises in opposition to the Oxford Movement. The title of the book is, "Essays on aU the Scriptural Names and Titles of Christ ; or The Economy of the Gos- pel Dispensation as exhibited in the Person, Character, and Offices of the Redeemer." 268 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. The following is the second Part of his second Version of Psalm 47 : "Jesus ascends on high, And shouts Oiir God stuTOund ; The trumpets hail him through the sky, With solemn sound ; Sing praises to our God, United praises sing ; Your praise repeat, and shout abroad Immanuel's King. "O'er all th' obedient earth Our God exalted reigns : To him devote, with skillful mirth, The solemn strains : Let heathen lands adore, His just dominion own, While endless holiness and power Secure his throne. "Earth's sovereign princes join With Abr'ham's favored race. Where Abr'ham's God, with power divine, Displays his grace : Its mightiest shields shall fall, — By him they rule, or die ; Jesus ascends, He reigns o'er all. Exalted high." BENJAMIN GOUGH. 1805 . Me. Gough has long been a Wesleyan local preacher. He was born (1805) at Southborough, Kent, England. In early life he found his way to London, and entered into mer-, cantile business, and after pursuing it with credit and suc- cess for many years, retired to his estate, Mountfield, a few miles west of Canterbury. BENJAMIN GOUGH. 269 While a resident of London, lie published (18rs2) "An Indian Tale, and Other Poems." He has made frequent contributions to evangelical periodicals, pjiiicularly The Wesleyan Metliodist Magazine. K\>t 1i"j retirement to the country, he gathered these productiv. ns, and published them, with others, under the title of " Lyra Sabbatica : Hymns and Poems for Sundays and Holy Days." The Preface is dated, "Mountfield, near Faversham, May 1st, 186f)." " They breathe a Catholic spirit, exalting Christ as the world's Redeemer, and stimulating to a pure and active Christian life." The volume contains eighty- two lyrics, on a great variety of sacred themes, quite respectable as poetic compositions, and some of them having considerable merit. A second volume, entitled, "Kentish Lyrics," containing also several hymns suitable for worship, was published in 1867. From the first of these two volumes, the following two, from a lyric of five, stanzas are taken : "Sweet is the hour of prayer, and sweet the calm Sequestered nooks, where Sabbath silence reigns ; The whispering breeze is love ; the air is balm. The sunshine heavenly ; and the shady lanes O'erarched with elms, like some cathedral nave, Inspire devotion ; while, upon the ear. The swallow's twitter, and the sheep-bell near, Fall softly, and tall trees in chorus wave. And earth in Sabbath smiles, like flowers upon a grave. "Sweet is the Sabbath morning, when the chimes Ring out their welcome music o'er the land ; — Rich music ! — Gospel call for gospel times, Which princes feel, and peasants understand. What gentle undulations swell and rise, Wafted o'er hill and dale, like Mercy's voice. Whose loving accents bid our hearts rejoice ! O trembling prodigal ! lift up thine eyes ! O troubled child of God ! look upward to the skies ! " 270 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. SIR EGBERT GRANT. 1785-1838. Sir Robert Grant was born (1785) of Scotch parents, at Malda, Bengal, India. His father, Charles Grant, Esq. (1746-1823), for more than twenty years (1767-1790), re- sided, as a servant of the East India Company, in India. On his return to England, he occupied (1794-1808) the hon- orable position of a Director, and, in 1805, was chosen Chairman of the Court of Directors of the Company. He also sat (1802-1819) in Parliament for Inverness. He was associated with Wilberforce and other philanthropists of the period, in Anti- Slavery efforts, in the distribution of the Scriptures, in procuring an Ej^iscopal establishment and an open door for the Gospel in India, and in other similar movements. He was conspicuous for piety, phi- lanthropy, integrity, statesmanship, and salutary control over leading minds. In 1772, he married Miss Frazer, a most exemplary Christian lady. Robert, their second son, was in his sixth year when his parents returned from India and fixed their residence in London. He was educated at Cambridge LTniversity, and, with his elder brother, Charles, afterwards Lord Glenelg (1778-1866), graduated at Magdalen College, A.B., in 1801, and A.M., 1804. He became, shortly after graduation, a Fellow of his College. He was admitted to the bar, Janu- ary, 1807, and became a successful practitioner. He pub- lished (1813) " A Sketch of the History of the East India Company," to 1773; and "The Expediency maintained of continuing the System by which the Trade and Govern- ment of India are now regulated." He entered Parliament (1826) for Inverness, and subsequently represented Fins- bury. He was honored (1831) with a seat in the Privy Council, and was appointed Judge Advocate. He was, also, a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Af- fairs of India. In 1834, he was appointed Governor of SIR ROBEET GRANT. 271 Bombay, and returned to India. He died, July 9, 1838, at Dapoorie, Western India. He was of medium stature and robust constitution, with a full and ruddy face, and, in his later days, pure white hair. He was an excellent speaker, his voice musical and perfectly at command, his language chaste and elegant, and his manners highly graceful. His moral character was perfectly unsullied, and he was held in high estimation by all parties. He Avrote a few (12) occasional hymns or poems, at various periods of his life, which after his decease were published (1839) by his elder brotlier. Lord Glenelg, in a volume en- titled " Sacred Poems." His hymn beginning with " Oh! worship the King, all glorious above," was contributed, in six stanzas, to the February Number of the Christian Ohsevder, for 1806, with the signature, "E. — Y, D. R." A revised edition of the same hymn was repub- lished in the February Number of 1812, by request of the same " E. — Y. D. R." The significance of the signature has not been determined. "Saviour! when, in dust, to thee," etc., was contributed, as a " Litany," to the November Number of the CJiristian Observer, for 1815, without signature. The follo\ving are the first and last of three stanzas on the text, " Whom have I in heaven but thee ? " — ' ' Lord of earth ! thy forming hand Well this beauteous frame hath planned, — Woods that wave, and hills that tower, Ocean rolliug in his power; All that strikes the gaze unsought. All that charms the lonely thought; Friendship— gem transcending price, Love — a flower from Paradise ; Yet, amidst this scene so fair, Should I cease thy smile to share, What were all its joys to me ? Whom have I on earth but thee ? 272 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. ' ' Lord of earth, and heaven ! my breast Seeks in thee its only rest : I was lost ; thy accents mild Homeward lured thy wandering child: I was blind ; thy healing ray Charmed the long eclipse away. Source of eveiy joy I know ! Solace of my eveiy woe ! Oh ! if once thy smile divine Ceased upon my soul to shine, What were earth or heaven to me ? Whom have I in each but thee ? " JANE LEWERS GRAY. 1796-1871. Mrs. Gray was the wife of the Rev. John Gray, D.D., for many years the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pa, They were both natives of Ireland. She was a native of Castle Clayney, in the North of Ireland, and the daughter of William Lewers, a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church. The home of her childhood, the pi- ous ways of the household, the worship of the rustic peo- ple in the humble sanctuary of her fathers, with "its low-thatched roof, Its floor of trodden clay, And the old pastor's time-worn face, And wig of silver gray," — are beautifully sketched in her " Sabbath Reminiscences," beginning with ' ' I remember, I remember, Wlien Sabbath morning rose. We changed for garments neat and clean, Our soiled week-day clothes ; JANE LEWERSGRAY. 273 And yet no gaudy finery, Nor broocli, nor jewel rare, But hands and faces looking bright, And smoothly-parted hair." She was favored with a careful and religions education at the Moravian Seminary of Gracehill, near Belfast, Ire- land. She became, soon after leaving the Seminary, the wife of the Rev, John Gray, of the Presbyterian Church, with whom she emigrated to America. Mr. Gray accepted a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Easton, Pa., where he continued in the exercise of his ministry, nearly half a century, exerting a wide and happy influence, hon- ored in his profession (receiving the degree of D.D. from an American College), and closing his useful life, January 12, 1868. His excellent wife survived him, and died, at Easton, Pa., November 18, 1871, in her seventy-sixth year. Mrs. Gray was greatly beloved as a mfe, a mother, and a friend. Her piety was exemplified, throughout her life, in a continuous course of faith and good works. She endeared herself greatly to her husband's congregation, and a still wider circle of admiring friends. She held the pen of a ready writer, and not unfrequently wrote for the religious press. The plaintive and beautiful hymn, " Hark to the solemn bell," etc., was contributed by her to the Presbyterian Collection of •' Psalms and Hymns " of 1843. After her decease, a vol- ume of her poems, entitled, " Selections from the Poetical Writings of Jane Lewers Gray," was " printed for private distribution," New York, 1872. The following are the first two of a poem of ten stanzas, on " Morn " : ' ' Morn is the time to wake ; The eyelids to unclose, Spring from the arms of sleep, and break The fetters of repose ; — Walk at the dewy dawn abroad. And hold sweet fellowship with God. 18 274 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " Morn is the time to pi-ay ; How lovely aud how meet, To send our earliest thoiights away, Up to the mercy-seat ! — Ambassadors, for us to claim A blessinsr in oui* Master's name." GREGORY I. 550-604. The name of Gregory has long been given to a peculiar style of Clinrcli Song. The Gregorian Chant dates from his Pontificate, and marks a special epoch in the musical history of the Church. His father, Gordianus, was a sen- ator, and cardinal deacon, of Rome. His mother, Sylvia, was distinguished for her devotion to the Church. They were in easy circumstances. Gregory was born at Rome, about 550, and is repu- ted to have been the great-grandson of Pope Felix II. Having pursued the study of law, he obtained from the Emperor, Justin, the post of prefect of the city. After the death of his father, he renounced the world, and assumed the habit of a monk. His worldly substance he devoted to the construction of six monasteries in Sicily, and to the conversion of his own house, on the Cselium Hill, also into a monastery. He was ordained one of the seven deacons of Rome (581) by Pope Pelagius II., who sent him, as his nuncio, to the court of the Emperor, Tiberius, at Constantinople. On his return (584), he was appointed the Pope's Secretary. In 590, he completed his " Libri Moralium," or Comments on the book of Job, which he had begun while abroad. The same year, during the prevalence of the great plague, of which Pelagius died, he instituted the singing of pro- cessional litanies through the streets of the city. Chosen the successor of Pelagius, he accepted the Pontificate, ap- GREGORY I. • 275 parently, with great reluctance. Six years later (596), he sent Augustine and his fellow monks as missionaries to Britain. He was passionately devoted to sacred music, and sought, in every possible way, to improve the mode of singing in the churches. He restored the purity of the Ambrosian Chant. He made large collections of church music, and to the four pure, or simple, tones of Ambrose, added four subordinate tones. An order of service, consisting of Psalms, Responses, and Masses, was introduced, and has been perpetuated until now. He banislied the floral song of the Milan school, and substituted the plain song. He founded, also, an " Academy of Music," which flourished for 300 years. The Gregorian style of music underlies the whole fabric of Lutheran and Anglican church melody. It is based on the very nature of things, and commends itself by its simplicity, its richness, and its devoutness. He was one of the best of the Popes. He adopted the title of "Servus servorum Dei," in rebuke of John, the Patriarch of Constantinople, who called himself the " CEcumenical Patriarch " of the Church. He was a faith- ful jDreacher of the GosiDel, a thorough scholar, a profound thinker, a genuine refonner, and had the reputation of be- ing a truly holy man. His life was worn out with the un- ceasing labors and vexatious cares and anxieties of his great oflice, and he died, March 12, 604. He wrote, in addition to his " Libri Moralium " in 35 books : forty Homilies on Ezekiel ; " Libri Regulae Pastor- alis," in three parts ; four books of Dialogues ; twelve books of Letters; an "Exposition of the Canticles"; and a "Commentary on the Gospels." It is not without rea- son, that he is known in history, as " Gregory, the Great," and is regarded as " the last of the classical doctors of the Church." Ten Latin hymns are attributed to him, by Daniel, — " Thesaurus Hymnologicus," I. 175-183. The hymn, "Rex Christe, Factor omnium," etc., ["O Christ, our King, Creator, Lord!"— Tr. Ray Palmer. J 276 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. is in six fonr-line stanzas, and is entitled, — "In Passione Domini (al., In Coena Domini)." It has frequently been transferred into German. Luther regarded it as superior to all hymns, but made no version of it. Frequent ver- sions have, also, been made of it, in English. The well- known hymn, " Veni, Creator Spiritus," etc., has by Mone, and others, been ascribed to Gregory ; but more properly is referred to R abacus Matjeus (q. v.). JOSEPH GRIGG. 1720 (?)-1768. The following account of Mr. Grigg is taken from Wil- son's "History and Antiquities of Dissenting Churches and Meeting Houses, in London, Westminster, and South- wark, including the Lives of their Ministers, four Volumes ; London, 1810":— "After the removal of Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Joseph Greig was, for a short time, assistant to Mr. Bures, at Silver Street ; but, upon the death of the latter, he retired fr6m this service. Mr. Greig married a lady with considerable property, the widow of Colonel Drew. After this, he re- tired to St. Albans, and lived upon his estate, without any ministerial charge ; but he assisted his brethren occasion- ally, and preached most frequently for Dr. Fordyce. Mr. Greig died, we believe, at Walthamstow, on the 29th of Oc- tober, 1768. He was a man of considerable talents, pos- sessed of a lively genius, and had a turn for poetry. The late Mr. Joseph Fawcett, the pulpit orator, was his nephew." Very little further information, after considerable re- search, has been obtained of the particular incidents of Mr. Grigg's life. Dr. Belcher speaks of him as having JOSEPH GEIGG. 277 been, in youth, "a laboring meclianic." Mr. Gibbons, afterwards the Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons, left Silver Street Church, in October, 1743 ; and Mr. Thomas Bures, the pastor of the church, died in October, 1747. It was, therefore, about four years (1743-1747) that Mr. Grigg held this position. Two of his hymns are dated, 1744, and 1745, respectively, and were written, consequently, during his London ministry. He was, of course, a Dissenter, as the Sih'er Street Church was of the Presbyterian order. He published (1756) a Fast Sermon, " On the Threatened Invasion of 1756," appending a hymn of five stanzas, exhibit- ing considerable poetic power. The same year, several of his productions appeared in Elizabeth Harrison's " Miscellanies on Moral and Religious Subjects in Prose and Verse." Nothing is heard from him after this until 1765, when he published, anonymously, a Tract, with the title, — "Four hymns on Divine Subjects, wherein the Patience and Love of our Divine Saviour is displayed." The same year, and the next, he contributed twelve hymns to the Christian'' s Magazine. In a volume of " Poems on Various Subjects, chiefly Sa- cred : By the late Mr. Thomas Greene, of Ware, Hertford- shire ; London, 1780," is found an Elegy, " On the Death of the Rev. Mr. G— g," written in 1768, and containing forty lines, commemorative of his virtues. Mr. Greene says : ' ' What melancholy news is this I hear ? — News, that demands a tributary tear : The pious Gregg has bid our world adieu, Who long dispensed delight and profit too. Death has, in silence, sealed th' instructive tongue, That used to captivate the listen uig throng; No more he stands to plead a Saviour's Name, And these cold hearts of ours with love inflame ; No more he shows the path where duty lies, — That path of pleasure leading to the skies. Now he enjoys that ever-growing bliss Which used to move those preaching lips of his; Now he can sing till countless years are fled Without his old complaint — ' Alas I my head ! ' " 278 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. It is probable, that the allusion in the last line discloses the cause of his declining a pastoral charge. Report, how- ever, makes him a pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Wal- thamstow (near London), where he died. A sixpenny tract was published in 1806, entitled, " Hymns [19] by the late Rev. Joseph Grigg, Stourbridge." This is the only intima- tion of his having had any connection with that village,— in Worcestershire. Mr. Daniel SedgA\ick, of London, among his Reprints of English Hymn-Writers and their Hymns, issued an edition of Grigg's " Hymns [40] on Divine Subjects," with his " Se- rious Poems " [17] and a " Sketch of the Author." The fa- miliar hymn, beginning with " Behold! a stranger 's at the door," in the original, contains eleven stanzas, of which the first four, the eighth, and the ninth are generally retained. In the Gospel Magazine, for April, 1774, appeared five stanzas of his popular hymn, "Jesus! and shall it ever be," etc., with the heading, — " Shame of Jesus conquered by Love. By a Youth of Ten Years." The original (written probabl}'' about 1730) contains seven stanzas. Six of these, with an added stanza, appeared (1787) in Rippon's Selection, where the hymn is ascribed to " Gregg. Altered by B. Francis." It is this altered form (the added stanza omitted) that is now in common use. His Fast-Day Hymn (1756) is subjoined : "Shake, Britain! like an aspen, shake! Behold thme all, all, all 's at stake ! Lo vice in arms ! thy potent foe : Not France can strike so sure a blow. " By more than Jonah warned, beware 1 Yet let not Nineveh despair ; Melt, every heart ! stream, every eye ! Such penitence shall melt the sky. AECHER THOMPSON GURNEY. 279 "Vice, at the sig-ht, shall faint away: And vix'tue, smiling, chide dismay : Stni France might rage our Isle to gain, But hell should help our foes in vain. "Plenty shall crown the holy land, And crown it for no foreign hand ; The British born shall die as free, And slaves and tyrants die to see. "Britain shall feel, and feeling own God is her shield, and God alone ; And heart and voice and life shall suig To God, the univei'sal King." ARCHER THOMPSOJN" GURNEY. 1820 . Mr. Gueney is an Englishman of a good family. Fa- vored with a good education, he studied for the law, and was for some years a barrister of the Middle Temple. At an early age, he api^eared in print as a worshipper of the Muses. His "Faust: a Tragedy. Part II. Rendered from the Original German of Goethe," was published in 1842 ; and " Love's Legend, etc.: Poems," in 1845. " King Charles, the First : a Dramatic Poem in Five Acts," blank- verse, written in true cavalier style, and much commended by the Ritualists, appeared in 1846. A second edition came out in 1852. His tastes at length led him to abandon the law for divin- ity. After a brief course of study, he was ordained, by the Bishop of Exeter, October 21, 1849, a deacon; and, September 22, 1850, a priest. He was appointed one of the Bodleian Lecturers at Exeter. In March, 1852, he became the Curate of St. Mary, Crown Street, Soho Square, London. Having, 280 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. also, served as Curate at Buckirigliam, for four years, lie was appointed (1858) Cliaplain of the English congrega- tion, Cour des Coches, Paris, where he continued for twelve years, resigning the post in 1870. His publications have been frequent. Since his ordina- tion to the ministry, he has sent forth : " Poems, Spring " (1853) ; " The Transcendentalists " (1853) ; " Songs of the Present " (1854) ; " Iphigenia at Delphi," a tragedy (1855) • "The Ode of Peace" (1855); "Songs of Early Summer" (1856); "Absolution, its Use and Abuse" (1858); "Ser- mons at Paris " (1860) ; " Gideon " (1860) ; " Restoration, or The Completion of the Reformation" (1861) ; "A Book of Praise " (1862) ; and " Reasons for Living and Dying in the Communion of the Church of England." In his " Book of Praise," appeared 147 of his own hymns. Eight of his hymns were included (1865) in Shipley's " Lyra Messianica." His hymn on " The Two Advents," of which all but the last stanza is subjoined, fairly exhibits his style : " Thanks and praise and joy and blessing Yield we, Lord ! for thy dear Word ; There the key of life possessing, Hear we all that pi'ophets heard, All that sages Sought with eager hope deferred, "They, with longuig expectation, Hailed the advent of their King ; We receive that glad salvation, And with joyous hearts we sing — ' Alleluia ! Death in him hath lost its sting ! ' "But a wondrous consummation We await in faith suacere, When, with mighty acclamation, Radiant legions shall appear Roiind the presence, And our God descends to cheer." JOHN HAMPDEN GUENEY. 281 JOHN HAMPDEN GURNEY. 1802-1862. MPw GuRNEr was an eminently useful minister of the Churcli of England, of evangelical sympatliies. He was the eldest son of Sir John Gurney, one of the Barons of the Court of Exchequer. He was born, August 15, 1802, in Serjeants' Inn, Fleet Street, London. As might have been expected from his father's position, he was trained for the law, and educated at Trinity College, Cambridge. He grad- uated, A.B., in 1824, and A.M., in 1828. Having devoted himself to the Church, Mr. Gurney was, in 1827, ordained a deacon ; and, in 1828, a priest. He first served as a curate to the Rev. Robert Henry Johnson, Rec- tor of Lutterworth, Leicestershire. In the cradle of the Reformation, where John Wickliffe (1324-1387) preached the Gospel, died and was buried, he chose, notwithstanding several flattering offers of settlement, to remain, making full proof of his ministry, seventeen years. At length, in 1844, he accepted the district rectory of St. Mary's, Marylebone, London, and held it till death, though offered the rectory of the mother church. Blessed with affluence, he employed his wealth in munificent contribir- tions to the cause of his Lord and Master. He took a prominent part in Tract, Bible, and Missionary Associa- tions, and show-ed a most commendable public spirit in ad- vancing the welfare of the people. He brought with him from Lutterworth, and displayed throughout his ministry in London, an untiring activity and energy, together with a glowing zeal for the promotion and extension of the Re- deemer's kingdom. He prepared, in 1851, a compilation of "Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship, selected for some of the churches in Marylebone," to which he contributed thu'teen hymns from his own pen, of such excellence as to cause re- gret that he had not more frequently exercised his poetic 282 THE POETS OF THE CHCJECH. gifts. In 1853, lie publislied " Churcli Psalmody: Hints for the Improvement of a Collection of Hymns, published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge," of whose Committee he was an active member. His principal literary work w^as a First, Second, and Third Series of " Historical Sketches " (1852, 1855, 1858). In each of the years, 1845, 1856, 1857, 1858, he published a small volume of Sermons. "The Grand Romish Fallacy" appeared in 1854; "Grave Thoughts," etc., in 1855; and his "Chapters from French History," in 1862. He died, greatly lamented, March 8, 1862. On the occa- sion of his burial, the excellency of his private character, and his great public services as a clergyman, were highly commended in a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Edward M. Goul- burn, the Master of Rugby School, and, since 1866, Dean of Norwich. " The Pastor's Last Words, being the last Four Sermons preached by John H. Gurney," came out soon after his decease. The following are the first four stanzas of a hymn consist- ing of six stanzas in the original : "Yes, God is good; in earth and sky, From ocean-depths and spreading wood, Ten thousand voices seem to cry, — ' God made us all, and God is good.' "The sun that keeps his trackless way. And downward jjours his golden flood, Night's sparkling hosts, all seem to say, In accents clear, that God is good. " The merry hirds prolong the strain, — Their song with every spring renewed ; And balmy air, and falhng rain. Each softly whispers, — ' God is good.' "I hear it in the rushing breeze ; The hills that have for ages stood. The echoing sky and roaring seas. All swell the chorus, — ' God is good.' " JEANNE MARIE BOUVIER DE LA MOTTE GTJYON. 283 JEANNE MARIE BOUVIER DE LA MOOTE GUYON. 1648-1717. The poet Cowper was requested (1783) by his Mend, the Rev. William Bull, to put a few of Madame Guyon's " Les Cantiques Spirituels" " into an English dress." It served to amuse the poet, in his chronic melancholy, and made the English world acquainted with something of the glowing- enthusiasm of this remarkable lover of Jesus. Madame Guyon was born, April 18, 1648, at Montargis, France. Her father, Claude Bouvier, was the Lord Pro- prietor of La Motte Vergonville. She exhibited, from her earliest years, the most serious inclinations, resulting in a strong desire to enter a convent. But she was overruled by her parents, and given in marriage, March, 1664, before she was sixteen years of age, to Jacques Guyon, — a man twenty -two years her senior, and every way uncongenial. Her piety was tried severely in the school of affliction. Two of her live children died in infancy. Her beauty was marred by small-pox, six years after her marriage. On her recovery, she subjected herself to great religious austerities and mortifications. Her husband died, July 21, 1676, and she devoted herself, with remarkable energy and discretion, to the care of her estate, and the education of her three children. The latter object led her to Paris in 1680. Through the correspondence of M. Lacombe, a Barnabite priest, she was led to entertain more cheerful views of re- ligion, and to make an unreserved consecration of her all to the glory of God. Having provided for two of her children, she took the other with her to Geneva. At the instance of D'Arenthon, Bishop of Annecy, she took up her abode (July, 1681) in a religious house at Gex, France, near Ge- neva, and engaged in mission work among the Piotestants of that province. Her refusal to endow the house, aa ith what 284 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. property remained to lier, provoked the Bishop, and caused her withdrawal, after an eight months' residence, to Tho- non, the monastic residence of Lacombe, who had become her confessor. She resided successively, at Turin, Gre- noble, Marseilles, Nice, Genoa, Vercelli, and then at Gre- noble again ; everywhere giving instruction in her pecu- liar views, and gaining numerous adherents. She returned (1686) to Paris, after five years' absence, during which she had written, " Les Torrents Spirituels " and " Moyen court et tres facile pour I'Oraison," exi^lanatory of her special tenets in respect to the " Prayer of Silence " and " Quiet- ism" in general. About this time, also, she wrote, and soon after published, her " Explication Mystique du Can- tique des Cantiques." At Paris, she became an object of great interest, and was sought out by the Duchess of Beauvilliers, the Duchess of Bethune, the Countess of Guiche, the Duchess of Chev- reuse, and others, who encouraged her in holding frequent gatherings for prayer and conversation. But persecution followed her here as well as abroad. In January, 1688, she was imi)risoned in the convent of the " Filles de la Visi- tation," Paris. At the expiration of eight months, she was released, at the intercession of Madame Maintenon, who, shortly after, with Fenelon, the renowned Archbishop of Cambray, became a great admirer of her doctrine, and gave her a retreat in a Ladies' Institution that she had es- tablished at St. Cyr. Here she wrote an apology for her "Short and Easy Method of Prayer"; but its publication stirred up her adversaries anew. At the suggestion of sev- eral of her best friends, she now submitted her books to the judgment of Bossuet, the eloquent bishop of Meaux. A royal commission, consisting of Bossuet, Bishop (afterwards Car- dinal) Noailles, Trouson, Superior-General of the St. Sul- pice Brothers, and Fenelon, w^as ordered (1694) to try her case. The major part of the commission condemned numerous portions of her writings ; and, in 1695, she w^as again incar- cerated, first in the Castle of Vincennes, then in the Con- JEANNE MARIE BOUVIER DE LA MOTTE GUYON. 285 vent of tlie Ladies of St. Thomas of Yaurigard, and, in 1698, in the Bastille. During the rigors of her imprison- ments, which lasted nearly seven years, and to alleviate her severe sufferings, she wrote, at intervals, the most of her "Poesies et Cantiqnes Spirituels," which were published after her decease. In the Convocation of the Clergy, at St. Germain-en-Laye, in 1700, her innocence of criminal con- duct, charged upon her by her enemies, was established ; and, in 1702, she was released from the Bastille, and per- mitted to retire to the home of her children at Diziers. The last twelve years of her life were spent in acts of piety, and in the cultivation of an all-absorbing divine love, at the city of Blois, near the residence of her children. She died in the full exercise of this love, and in the experience of unspeakable joy, June 9, 1717, in her seventieth year. Besides the works already specified, she wrote 20 vols, of "Explanations and Reflexions in respect to the Interior Life," on "The Books of the Old and New Testament." Also, a volume of "Christian and Spiritual Discourses," and B vols, of her " Autobiography." Four volumes of her "Lettres Chretiennes," were included in her "Works" posthumously published. Prof. Thomas C. Upham, D.D., of Brunswick, Me., pub- lished, in 2 volumes, New York, 1847, her " Life, and Re- ligious Opinions and Experience," in warm admiration of her eminent spirituality and the perfection of her " Interior Life." The spirit and style of her " Spiritual Songs " are well set forth in Cowper's translation of the 95th " Can- tique" of her second volume. It is entitled,— " Aspira- tions of the Soul after God " : " My Spouse! in whose presence I live, Sole object of all my desires, Who know'st what a flame I conceive, And canst easily double its fires; How pleasant is all that I meet ! From fear of adversity free, I find even sorrow made sweet. Because 'tis assigned me by thee. 286 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ' ' Transported I see tliee display Thy riclies and glory divine ; I have only my life to repay, Take what I would gladly resign : Thy will is the treasure I seek, For thou art as faithful as strong; There let me, obedient and meek, Repose myself all the day long. " My spirit and faculties fail; Oh ! finish what Love has begun ; Destroy what is sinful and frail, And dwell in the soul thou hast won; Dear Theme of my wonder and praise ! I cry, — Who is worthy as thou ? I can only be silent and gaze ; 'Tis all that is left to me now. * * Oh ! glory, in which I am lost, Too deep for the plummet of thought ! On an ocean of deity tossed, I am swallowed, I sink into nought : Yet, lost and absorbed as I seem, I chant to the praise of my King ; And, though overwhelmed by the theme, Am happy whenever I sing." CHRISTOPHER NEWMAN HALL. 1816 . Newmai^^ Hall, the people's preacher, was born. May 22, 1816, at Maidstone, on the Medway, Kent, England. His parents, John Vine Hall, and Mary Teverill, were mem- bers of the Independent Church under the care of the Rev. Edmund Jenkins. When Ne^vman was five years old, his father became widely known by the publication of an ex- ceedingly popular and useful tract, called "The Sinner's CHEISTOPHER NEWMAN HALL. 287 Friend." A letter from a younger sister, at a later period, was tlie immediate occasion of bringing tlie son to a saving knowledge of the Gospel. He was educated at tlie grammar-school of Totteridge, Hertfordshire, and at Highbury College, London, gradu- ating, A.B., at the London University, in 1841. He ob- tained the Law- Scholarship of the University, and took the degree of LL.B., in 1856. Having accepted (1842) a call to the new Albion Chapel (Independent) at Hull, he was ordained, July 13, 1842 ; and, shortly after, married a daughter of William Gordon, M.D., of Hull. He entered, with characteristic energy, into the work of gathering souls into the garner of his Lord, and with remarkable success. While at Hull, he wrote, and. May 9, 1848, published, that stirring Baxterian tract, called, — " Come to Jesus," of which millions of copies, in about thirty different languages, have been circulated, resulting in the salvation of multitudes. On the death of his father-in-law, February, 1849, he pub- lished "The Christian Philosopher triumphing over Death : A l^Tarrative of the Closing Scenes of the Life of the late William Gordon, M.D., F.L.S." After a visit to the Con- tinent in the spring of 1853, he published (1854) "The Land of the Forum and the Vatican ; or. Thoughts and Sketches during an Easter Pilgrimage to Rome." In the summer of the following year (July 2, 1854), he succeeded the Rev. James Sherman, as pastor of Surrey Chapel, Blackfriars' Road, London, — widely known by the incumbency of the eccentric Rowland Hill. Here he la- bored many years with the most exemplary zeal, activity, and energy, as well as masterly ability, in the prosecution of the great work of evangelizing the London poor. He instituted and sustained a system of out-door, as well as in-door preachings, lectures, pastoral visitations, and other religious and benevolent agencies, that made Surrey Chapel a radiating centre of mighty influences for good to London and the whole kingdom. After the example of his two predecessors. Hill and Sherman, he prepared and published (1857) a Hymn-Book 288 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. for Surrey Chapel, with the following dutiful Dedication to his revered mother, then in her seventieth year : " Mother! to thee, of right, this hook belongs: For, seated on thy knee, an infant weak, With lisping tongue, I learned from thee to speak 'In psalms and hymns and sphitual songs.' Oft didst thou stroke my head and kiss my cheek, And weep for joy to hear thy child repeat How the good Shepherd came from heaven to seek His wandering lambs, and how his hands and feet Were pierced with nails ; while he, the sufferer meek, Prayed for his foes, then mounted to his throne. With themes like these my years have still upgrown, Through thy persuasive teaching, tender care, Thine and a loving father's life of prayer. The book I ofiPer thee is thus thine own." He prepared, also, a book of " Seventy Scripture Chants," for the use of his congregation. His father died, Septem- ber 22, 1860, and, in 1865, NewTuan published, " Hope for the Hopeless : An Autobiography of John Vine Hall, Au- thor of ' The Sinner's Friend.' " He was honored, in 1866, with the degree of D.D., by Middlebury College, Yt. ; and the same year, he was chosen the Chairman of th^ Congregational Union of England and Wales. He visited the United States in 1867, meet- ing with a cordial reception ; and, in 1873, he repeated the \^sit. Some years since, the ground lease of Surrey Chapel hav- ing expired, the congregation put up a new building on Westminster Bridge Road, called Christ Church, where Mr. Hall still ministers. The tower of the new church bears the name of Lincoln Tower, in recognition of the contributions from American friends. In addition to the works already named, he published (1857) in opposition to F. D. Maurice, a volume on " Sac- rifice, or Pardon and Purity through the Cross"; also, a volume of sermons, entitled "Homeward Bound"; " Notes of a Journey from Liverpool to St. Louis"; and (1871) a WILLIAM HAMMOND. 289 volume of poetry, called, " Pilgrim Songs in Cloud and Sunshine." An ardent opposer of Intemperance, lie has printed several small works on " Teetotalism " ; and lias, also, contributed frequently to the various religious period- icals of the day. WILLIAM HAMMOND. 1783. Of the early life and nativity of Mr. Hammond, almost nothing is left on record. He entered St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1735, and graduated, A.B., in 1739. In the Preface to his book of "Hymns," written in 1745, he says: "I have been in great bondage and captivity myself (it is now about five years since the Lord set my soul at liberty) and therefore I can sympathize with those who are in that miserable condition. The hymns of this kind were mostly written from my own experience." It was in 1740, therefore, that he came into the full experience of the saving grace of the Gospel, probably under the preaching of Whitefield, with whose connection he now identified himself, and under whose auspices he began to preach. During the next five years, he exercised his min- istry at Cambridge, Bristol, London, and elsewhere. He published, in 1744, "Medulla Ecclesiai"; reprinted in 1779, with an Introduction, by Wm. Mason, the Author of "The Spiritual Treasury"; and reissued, New York, 1816, with the title,—" The Marrow of the Church: The Doctrines of Christ's Eighteousness Imputed, and Eegeneration fairly stated and clearly demonstrated from the Homilies, Arti- cles, and Liturgies of the Church of England Being the Substance of several Discourses delivered at Cambridge, Bristol, etc." In the Preface, he intimates, that once he 19 290 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. had been "in great doubt and concern about the Trin- ity." Tlie next year (1745) he published, at London, a vohime of " Psalms, Hymns, and Si^iritual Songs," containing 161 hymns, some of them of considerable length, and much above the hymnology of the period. " Nothing," he says, " but the importunity of Christian friends, and a desire to edify the Church of Christ, extorted these hymns from me." Four highly practical Sermons are appended to the volume. His hymns beginning " Lord ! we come before thee now," and " Awake and smg the song," are universal favorites. During these early years of his ministry, he was associ- ated mth the Rev, John Cennick, with whom he subse- quently became attached to the Moravian Connection — "The United Brethren." Gadsby says, that "he Avrote his autobiography in Greek, but it was never published." It ought to be recovered, if possible ; as it would, doubt- less, sux)ply the missing links in his history. He died, at an advanced age, in 1783, and his remains were interred in the Moravian burying-ground, Chelsea, London, on the an- cient estate of Sir Thomas More, subsequently the Duke of Beaufort's. Of his later ministry, no record has been ob- tained. The stanzas that follow are from a hymn of twelve stan- zas, on Heb. x. 22 : "Now prepare your hearts to sing Glory to oui- God and King; Now a shout of triiunph raise, Fill the heaven with Jesus' praise. " Hallelujah to the Lamb ! All aloud his love proclaim ; He for sinners freely died, He for me was crucified. HENRY HAEBAUGH. 291 *'No-w my doubts and fears are o'er, I distrust his grace no more : Clouds and storms are tied away, I behold the gospel-day. ' ' Earth below and heaven above Wonder at his boundless love ; All admire his grace and power, Bless the Lord for evermore," HENRY HARBAUGH. 1818-1867. This eminent scholar, poet, and divine, was of German descent. His great-grandfather came from Switzerland, in 1736, and settled in Pennsylvania. His father was a resi- dent of Waynesborough, Pa., where, October 28, 1818, the son was born, and trained. His advantages of education were quite limited, and, as he grew up, he served on his father's farm until his nineteenth year, when he removed West, and learned the carpenter's trade. Desirous of obtainmg a liberal education, he taught school a few months in the winter, and the remainder of the year attended an academy. He entered Marshall Col- lege, Mercersburgh, Pa., in 1840, and, at the same time, pursued the study of theology. He came thus under the influence of the Rev. Dr. John W. Nevin, President of the College, and the originator of the " Mercersburgh System of Theology," which he heartily adopted. He entered the ministry of the German Reformed Church in 1843, and was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Church of Lewisburgh, Union Co., Pa. Here he remained seven years, and then (April, 1850) became the pastor of the First German Church of Lancaster, Pa., remaining there ten years. In 1860, he took charge of St. John's (German) Church, Lebanon, Pa., whence he was called (January 1, 292 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. 1864) to the Professorship of Theology in the Mercersburgh Theological Seminary. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him (1860) by Union College, N. Y. He died, December 28, 1867, at Mercersburgh, Pa. He was a diligent and laborious student, a graceful and powerful writer. His contributions to The Mercersburgh Reiy'iew and other periodicals were frequent. In 1850, he edited The Guardian^ a monthly magazine, and was the editor of The Mercersburgh Review at the time of his de- cease. He 23ublished : " Heaven ; or An Earnest and Scrip- tural Inquiry into the Abode of the Sainted Dead " (1848) ; " The Heavenly Recognition ; or An Earnest and Scrij)tural Discussion of the Question, ' Will we know our Friends in Heaven ? ' " (1851) ; " The Heavenly Home ; or The Employ- ments and Enjoyments of the Saints in Heaven," and " Union with the Church " (1853) ; " The Birds of the Bi- ble" (1854) ; " The Life of the Rev. Michael Slatter" (1857) ; " The Fathers of the German Reformed Church in Europe and America" (1857-1858); "The True Glory of Woman, as Portrayed in the Beautiful Life of the Virgin Mary," and " Plea for the Lord's Portion of a Christian's Wealth, in Life by Gift, in Death by Will " (1858) ; a choice volume of " Poems " and " The Golden Censer " (1860) ; " Hymns and Chants" (1861) ; and " Christological Theology" (1864). He, also, contributed the "German Clerical Biography" to " McClintock's Cyclopsedia." The following brief poem on " Matins and Vespers " is taken from his volume of original " Poems," published in 1860: " Pray in the morning' hour; — Grace, like the light and dew, Is richest on the spirit shed, When thoughts are fresh and new : The rising sun lights up the heavens Befoi-e he shines below ; So first on God, and then on earth, Your morning thoughts bestow. ' ' Pray in the evening hour ; — Grace, like the golden light, SAMUEL YOUNG HAEMEE. 29^ That opens when the sun is set, Will smile upon the night : The light still liugei*s on the sky, When all is dark below; So last on God, and not on earth, Your evening thoughts bestow." SAMUEL YOUNG HARMER. 1809 . Me. Haemer is a Methodist preacher. His father, Samuel Harmer, belonged to the Society of Friends ; and his moth- er, Margaret Young, was a Presbyterian. He was bom, De- cember 9, 1809, at Germantown, Pa. His educational advan- tages were limited to the common school. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1827, and took an active part, for many years, as teacher and superintendent in the Sunday-School of the church. Having proved his gifts as an exhorter, he was licensed, in 1842, as a local preacher. He entered the itineracy in 1847, and, in April of that year, was ordained a deacon, at Wilmington, Del., by Bishop Morris. He exercised his ministry, for several years, in and about Philadelphia. In April, 1855, he was ordained an elder by Bishop Scott. He removed to Iowa, in 1857, where he has laboriously and successfully labored in the ministry of the Gospel. The hjmin beginning " In the Christian's home in glory," of which he is the author, was written (1856), while he re- sided in Philadelphia, for a Camp-Meeting Collection, which the Rev. John Gladding was then compiling. Tlie Rev. William McDonald, of Boston, Mass., made some alterations in the h^min (accepted by the author), and set the words to the music as now generally sung. 294 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. JOSEPH HART. 1712-1768. Joseph Haet, to wliom the Cliurcli is indebted for many valuable hymns, was born (1712) of pious parents, in Lon- don, England. He " imbibed the sound doctrines of the Gospel from infancy," and was often seriously impressed, even from childhood. His education was specially good and liberal, enabling him to become a classical teacher. At the age of twenty-one, he became greatly anxious about his spiritual condition. He strove "to commend [himself] to God's favor, by amendment of life, virtuous resolutions, moral rectitude, and a strict attendance on religious ordinances. " He fasted, prayed, and wept ; but was often brought into bondage by fleshly lusts. Seven years were passed in this manner, before he obtained a hope of forgiveness. A relapse followed. Giving way to pride and self-con- ceit, he adopted extreme Antinomian views, and indulged in gross sensuality and vice. " For," he says, " having, as I imagined, obtained by Christ a liberty of sinning, I was resolved to make use of it ; and thoualit the more I could this abominable state, I continued, a loose backslider, an audacious apostate, a bold-faced rebel, for nine or ten years ; not only committing acts of lewdness myself, but infecting others with the poison of my delusions. I published sev- eral pieces on difl'erent subjects, chiefly translations of the ancient heathens, to which I preflxed Prefaces, and sub- Joined Notes, of a pernicious tendency." One of these l^ublications was a " Translation of Herodian's History of his Own Times" (1749). In 1741, his parents, on the opening of Whitefield's Tab- ernacle, Mooi-fields, London, became stated attendants there. That same year, their son, having himself become an oc- casional hearer of ^Vliitefield and the Wesleys, published JOSEPH HART. 295 a pampMet, entitled, — " The Unreasonableness of Religion, being Remarks and Animadversions on tlie Rev. John Wes- ley's Sermon on Rom. viii. 32." Not long after, he removed to Sheerness, Kent. Here he exerted an intlnence so pernicious, by his example and teachings, that Mr. Will- iam Shrubsole, of the Dock Yard, and Minister of Bethel Chapel, after much entreaty prevailed on him to return to London, in order that the nuisance might thus be abated. At length, in 1751, in his fortieth year, he was led to see the enormity of his principles, and to abandon his immo- ralities. He now received the true doctrine of the Gospel, and became strictly correct in conduct. He resorted to daily prayer, and the reading of the Scriptures in their original tongues as well as in English. For five years he continued this course with no lively sense of divine love. Two years of despondency followed. All this while he was an attendant of the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Road Chapel. A sermon on Rev. iii. 10, that he heard on Whit-Sunday, 1757, at the Moravian Chapel in Fetter Lane, brought light and grace to his soul, and put a happy end to his life-long perplexities. He now became a thorough convert, a consistent and happy Christian. He entered upon, and continued to the end to live, a new life to the glory of God. He had long been accustomed to write in verse. He delighted now in the composition of hymns and spiritual songs, expressive of his new experience. In the spring of 1759, he published 119 " Hymns, etc., composed on Various Subjects, with a Preface, containing a Brief Account of the Author's Expe- rience, and the Great Things that God hath done for his Soul." A second edition, with a " Supplement " of 82 ad- ditional hymns and 7 doxologies, was published in 1762. The fourth edition (1765) contained, also, an "Appendix" of 13 hymns. Numerous editions of this book have been published. An Ameiican edition was printed (1798) by Shepard Kol- loch, Elizabeth Town, N. J. It has been highly extolled and prized by distinguished ^Dreachers. The Rev. John 296 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Towers, his successor in the ministry, says of it, — " Herein the doctrines of the Gospel are illustrated so practically, the precepts of the word enforced so evangelically, and their eifects stated so experimentally, that with propriety it may be styled a treasury of doctrinal, practical, and ex- perimental divinity." It is used extensively to this day in some parts of England. A few of his hymns have become great favorites everywhere, and are found in the most of the modern Compilations. "Come, ye sinners! poor and wi*etched," etc., has done good service, everywhere, esj)ecially in jevivals of religion. The passion hymn, the eighth stanza of which begins with "Many woes had Christ endured," has the ring of the mediaeval Latin hymns, full of peni- tence, faith, and holy trust in the bleeding Lamb of Grod. It has twenty-three stanzas in the original. "Come, Holy Spirit! come," etc., (nine stanzas in the original) was, doubtless, suggested by " Veni, Sancti Spiritus," etc., the production of Robert II., king of France (997-1031). Soon after the publication of his Hymns, and because of it, he was sought out by the Rev. Andrew Kinsman, of Plymouth, and urged, though in his forty-eighth year, to undertake the work of the ministry. He complied, and preached his first sermon, in "the Old Meeting- House," St. John's Court, Bermondsey, London. Early in 1760, the old wooden meeting-house in Jewin Street, originally built (1672) for the celebrated William Jen- kyn, was procured by his friends, and a church gathered there, to which he ministered for the next eight years, crowds gathering to hear his fervid and eloquent dis- courses. Here God gave him many seals to his ministry. His last years were attended with considerable physical THOMAS HASTINGS. 297 suffering. He died, in the midst of his labors and suc- cesses, May 24, 1768, in his fifty-sixth year. At his burial in Bunhill Fields, about 20,000 people are said to have been present. He left a wife and six children. One of his sons, who at his marriage had changed his name to inherit prop- erty, became a successful barrister, was made a baronet by George lY., and was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The following hymn is styled — " The Paradox": "How strange is the course that a Christian must steer 1 How perplexed is thie path he must tread ! The hope of his happiness rises from fear, And his life he receives from the dead. " His fairest pretensions must wholly be waived, And his best resolutions be crossed ; Nor can he expect to be perfectly saved, Till he finds himself utterly lost. " When all this is done, and his heart is assm'ed Of the total remission of sins, When his pardon is signed, and his peace is procured. From that moment his conflict begins." THOMAS HASTINGS. 1784-1872. The cause of Sacred Music in America is under great ob- ligations to the late Dr. Thomas Hastings. Few men have labored so long, so earnestly, so intelligently, so devoutly, and so successfully, for the imj^rovement of " the ser\dce of song " in the worship of God. To him, and the late Dr. Lowell Mason — "^«r nohilefratrum ! " — more than to all others, is to be attributed the great advance made in the character of this part of public worship during the last half 298 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. century. They may properly be regarded as tlie founders of the prevailing psalmody of America. Thomas Hastings was the son of Seth Hastings, M.D., and was born, October 15, 1784, at Washington, Litchfield Co., Conn., where the first twelve years of his boyhood were spent. In the winter of 1796, his father, in company with several of his neighbors, removed to Oneida Co., N. Y., and located in the town of Clinton, a remote settlement, quite on the frontiers of civilization. Here the son became inured to hardship in the clearing of the forests, and the subjugation of the virgin soil to the plough. His opportu- nities of education were quite limited and remote — a daily walk of six miles in cold and storm and drifting snows, being required for two winters, in order to Academic schooling. Having an acute ear for music, and a corre- siDonding passion for the art, he began the study of the sci- ence " with a sixpenny gamut of four diminutive pages," under a not very competent teacher. He next mastered an old book of psalmody, and at length became the chorister of the village church. An elaborate treatise on music, bought at auction, came into his hands, and was thoroughly studied and apprehended. Having reached the age of manhood (1805), he offered himself as a singing-school teacher, but, because of his im- perfect sight (he was an alhino), fruitlessly. The follow- ing winter (1806-7), however, he taught a singing-school at Bridgewater, Oneida Co., and another at Brookfield, Herki- mer Co. ; and thus began the work of his life. Years passed on, and other openings offered. One year was given to business pursuits, and four years to the care of his father's farm. In 1816, he gave himself to the profession of music. A Musical Society (" the Handel and Burney ") had been formed in Oneida Co. Under their patronage, Mr. Hastings and Prof. Seth Norton compiled two pamphlet numbers of sacred music, which were subsequently enlarged, and, hav- ing been united with the " Springfield Collection," edited by Col. Solomon Warriner, were published (1822) as " Mu- sica Sacra." His "Musical Reader" was issued in 1817. THOMAS HASTINGS. 299 L winter (1816-7) spent in Troy, N. Y., served to de- velop a remarkable fluency in public speaking, and lie be- came a popular Lecturer on Music. He wrote, also, for tke periodical press ; and, in 1822, published at Albany, IST. Y., "A Dissertation on Musical Taste," by wMch he became extensively known as a musical author. From Troy he removed to Albany, and became the pre- centor of the Rev. Dr. Chester's church. Thence, in the autumn of 1823, he removed to Utica, N. Y., to become the editor of a religious periodical. He continued to edit the Western Recorder from January, 1824, until the latter part of 1832, advocating in its columns, with marked ability, his views of Sacred ^Music, and taking frequent opportunities to lecture, by invitation, in various places, on his favorite theme. An Address, which he delivered before the Gen- eral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, at Philadelphia, May 23, 1829, was published shortly after in the Biblical Repertory. He prepared (1830), for the American Sunday- School Union, " The Union Minstrel, for the Use of Sabbath Schools and Juvenile Classes. " The Rev. Joshua Leavitt, of New York, had just published " Tlie Christian Lyre, a Col- lection of Hymns and Tunes," which had appeared weekly in successive Numbers of \^q New York Evangelist (of which he was the editor), designed for " Prayer-Meetings, and Revivals of Religion." It had been received with great favor, and extensive patronage. To counteract what was thought to be the injurious tendency of this publica- tion in the matter of musical taste, Mr. Hastings, conjointly with Lowell Mason, of Boston, issued (1830) a similar se- rial, that was published collectively (1831) as " Spiritual Songs for Social Worship." The fame of Mr, Hastings, as a successful teacher of Sa- cred Music, had now become wide-spread. Several churches of New York City united (1832) in a request that he would remove to New York, and make it the centre of his opera- tions. He complied, and, removing thither, November, 1832, found a wide field for his art among the churches of the metropolis. A year later, he became the chorister of 300 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. the Bleecker Street Presbyterian Church. He published (1834) " The Mother's Hymn-Book [145 hymns] .... for the Use of Maternal Associations"; and, shortly after, his "Mother's Nursery Songs." He became the editor (1836) of a periodical called The Musical Magazine, from the 24 Numbers of which, he compiled (1837) his " Musical Miscel- lany." "The Christian Psalmist," a hymn-book contain- ing, in addition to Watts' Psalms, 643 hymns from Watts and others, was compiled, and published (1836), by the Rev. William Patton, D.D.,of New York, and himself, — great liberties having been taken with the originals. He prepared and published (1837) " The Manhattan Col- lection of Psalm and Hymn Tunes and Anthems, .... under the special Patronage of the New York Academy of Sacred Music," of which he was one of the most active and influential members. Three years later (1840), under the same Patronage, he issued " The Sacred Lyre." Both of these works were received with much favor. To these he now added " The New York Academy Collection of Anthems." In 1842, he edited, for the American Tract Society, a vol- ume of " Sacred Songs for Family and Social Worship," containing 183 Tunes ; and, subsequently, their " Songs of Zion." With the late William B. Bradbury, a much younger man, and an ardent lover of sacred song, he united in the compilation and publication of " The Psalmodist " (1844), " The New York Choralist " (1847), " The Mendelssohn Col- lection " (1849), and " The Psalmista " (1851). These Col- lections met with a large patronage. He now gathered together the hymns that during tlie previous forty years he had composed, many of them to meet special wants, either of occasions or tunes, and pub- lished them (1850) in a volume, entitled, " Devotional Hymns [199] and Religious Poems." One of the latter contains nearly 1,000 lines. He edited (1852), " The Presbyterian Psalmodist " (a collec- tion of about 500 tunes) and the " Juvenile Psalmodist," for the Presbyterian Board of Publication. He, also, assisted THOMAS HASTINGS. 301 Messrs. Bradbury and Root, in the compilation (1853) of "Tlie Shawm, a Library of Church Music." In 1854, he published the entertaining " History of Forty Choirs," with the most of which he had been previously connected. He also published a Sunday-School Hymn and Tune Book. He united with his son, the Rev. Thomas S. Hastings, D.D., in the compilation and publication (1858) of " Church Melo- dies, a Collection of [871] Psalms and Hymns with appro- priate Music." Finally, he gathered together such of his hymn tunes and other musical compositions as he desii'ed to preserve, gave them a careful and thorough revision, and then (1860) issued them in a volume, entitled, " Hastings's Church Music," 235 pieces — not more than half, probably, of what he had composed. Among his publications were a volume on " Sacred Praise," and another on " Prayer." He was the author of about 600 hymns. Dr. Hastings continued, for forty years, to reside in New York, contributing constantly to the periodical press. He was greatly beloved and universally honored as a noble Christian man, as well as an accomplished musician. He died, at his home, May 15, 1872, in his eighty-eighth year. The following is the 118th of his " Hymns," caUed " The Mount of Privilege ": " My soul upon the mount would stand, Once more to view the promised land, The land of thy abode, Where trees with fruit immortal grow, And rivers of salvation flow Forth from the throne of God. " Oh ! that my soul were filled with thee, With visions of thy majesty And condescending love ; Then would my cheerful spirit. Lord I Be ready, at thy heavenly word, To take its flight above," 302 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. WILLIAM HENRY HAVERGAL. 1793-1870. William Heistrt Havergal, the eminent musician of the Church, was the son of William Havergal, of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, where he was born, January 18, 1793. He Avas fitted for the University, at the Merchant Taylors' Grammar- School, London, He entered St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1811, graduating, B.A., in 1815, and, M.A., 1819. He was ordained a deacon in 1816, and a priest in 1817. He held, for several years, two cu- racies successively, in Gloucestershire. He was x^referred (1829) to the Rectorship of Astley, on the Severn, Worcestershire ; and (1842) to the Rectorship of St. Nicholas in the city of Worcester. He was made (1845) Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral. Impaired health constrained him, in 1860, to resign the living of St. Nicholas, and to accept the Perpetual Curacy of Shareshill. Throughout his ministry he cultivated the Art and Sci- ence of Music, in which he became a great proficient. He composed both music and poetry with remarkable facility. Dr. Lowell Mason, of Boston, an eminent musical critic, who visited Worcester, in January, 1852, says of him : "He is well known by numerous sacred songs, x)ublished with piano-forte accompaniment. But it is metrical psalm- ody and the chant in which he is most interested, and in which he has produced some very fine specimens. He only devotes odds and ends of time to music, and never writes music when he is able to write sermons ; but it has been when weary with the labors of the day, or when travelling, that he has composed most of his popular and excellent tunes. " He describes the musical service in Mr. Ha vergal's church as excellent in all particulars, and far in advance of anything that he heard in England. Mr. Havergal competed successfully, in 1836, and again WILLIAM HENRY HAVERGAL. 303 composition of a clinrcli service of music, or antliem. In the Prize Antliem for 1841 (No. XL of the Gresham Com- positions), he introduced " the Old Hundredth Tune," with marked effect. He published (1844) an edition of " Ravens- croft' s Psalter," of 1611 ; and (1847) his " Old Church Psalm- ody,"—" probably," says Bishop Wain\\Tight, of New York, " the best book of the kind which has appeared since the days of Ravenscroft." Two volumes of his '• Sermons on Historical Subjects from the Old and New Testaments " appeared in 1853 ; " A His- tory of the Old Hundredth Psalm Tune with Specimens," in 1854, of which a New York edition was issued the same year; " Memorial Notices of J. Davies," in 1858; "A Hun- dred Psalm and Hymn Tunes," original, in 1859; and "Charles and Josiah, or Friendly Conversations between a Churchman and a Quaker," in 1862. He published alto- gether about fifty musical works, besides occasional ser- mons and contributions to musical and religious periodi- cals. He wrote, also, about a hundred hymns, some of which were included in the Rev. William Cams Wilson's Collection of Hymns (1838), and the most of them in the "Worcester Diocesan Hymn Book." Mr. Havergal was the father of Miss Frances Ridley Hav- ergal, whose numerous poetical and prose works have been received with such marked favor. He died, at Leam- ington, April 19, 1870, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. The following hymn was composed (1859) " for a special prayer-meeting for missionary laborers, held in his school- room Remember, Lord ! thy word of old, The promised flood of gi-ace ; When earth thy blessmg shall behold, As streams in every place. The barren wild, and thirsty soil. Thy Spirit, Lord ! await ; Oh ! pour it forth, and crown our toil In every heathen gate. 804 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Where thorns and briers clothe the ground, And withering idols reign, There let thy Sphit's dew abound, And Eden bloom again. " O Holy Ghost! on every heart, In every land, descend ; Thy fertilizing gifts impart. And bring a glorious end." THOMAS HAWEIS. 1732-1820. The Rev. Thomas Haweis, LL.B., M.D., was born (17B2) at Truro, Cornwall, England, of an ancient and honor- able family. His mother, Mrs. Bridgeman [Willyams] Haweis, was the granddaughter of Hester, the eldest sister of the last Baron Sandys, whose husband. Col. Humphrey IN'oye, was the Attorney General of King Charles I. The family were thorough Jacobites. Young Haweis was favored with abundant educational advantages ; but, being of a gay and jovial disiDOsition, he consorted much with an older scholar, afterwards well known as the comic actor, Samuel Foote. In his four- teenth year (1746) he was brought under the influence of the Rev. Samuel Walker, who at that time became the Cu- rate of St. Mary's Church, Truro ; and, in the second year of his curacy, adox)ted the views, and became an earnest advo- cate, of the evangelical party in the Church of England. Through the faithful preaching of Mr. Walker, young Ha- weis became a hapi^y subject of divine grace. He had chosen, on leaving school, the medical profession, and had been apprenticed to a gentleman in Truro, with whom he remained the required time. He had now devel- oped such oratorical gifts, accompanied with such true re- THOMAS HAWEIS. 305 ligious ardor, tliat, by Mr. Walker's advice and encourage- ment, lie abandoned medicine for theology. The consent of his family having been secured, he entered the Univer- sity of Oxford as a student and gentleman-commoner of Christ Church College, removing afterwards to Magdalen Hall. He associated with a godly band of students, in meetings for prayer and study of the Scriptures, and in evangelical efforts for the conversion of their young com- panions in study. He maintained, through his whole col- lege course, the strictest habits of piety and devotion. Shortly after his graduation, he was appointed (1757) the Curate of the Church of St. Mary :Magdalen, Oxford, and ordained by Dr. Thomas Seeker, then Bishop of Oxford. He soon attracted, by the fervor of his preaching, large and admiring audiences, particularly of collegians, and many were savingly profited by his ministrations. On the other hand, he was reproached and defamed as a Methodist, and at length, after several years of service, deprived of his cu- racy, by the Rev. Dr. John Hume, who had succeeded Dr. Seeker, as Bishop of Oxford. For a short time afterwards, Dr. Haweis became an assistant to the Rev. Martin :Madan, then in charge of the Lock Hospital Chapel, London. In 1763, he became the Rector of All Saints' Church, Aldwin- kle, Northamptonshire. The circumstances of the case were quite remarkable. Mr. Kimpton, the previous incumbent, had, by pecuniary embarrassments, become the inmate of a prison. To pre- vent the living from lapsing into the hands of the bishop, he w-as, at the solicitation of Mr. Madan, induced to pre- sent it to Dr. Haweis, nothing having been said or inti- mated about the purchase of the advowson, or any pecu- niary compensation. Shortly after, Mr. Kimpton received an offer of a thousand guineas for the advowson, and im- mediately demanded of Dr. Haweis either to relinquish the presentation, or to render an equivalent compensation. Under the advice of distinguished friends, the demand was declined. A bitter pamphlet war followed, and much scan- dal ensued. Lady Huntingdon, at length, to put an end to 20 306 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. it, sent Mr. Kimpton £1,000, and purchased the perpetual advowson of the living. Dr. Haweis, it was admitted, had acted in good faith and honor, in the whole unhappy affair. His ministry was attended by the happiest results. The people were attracted to his church from all the country round about. Many of the most profligate characters were reclaimed, and large accessions were made to the number of communicants. He retained the position from the year 1763, to the end of his long life, honored, faithful, and highly useful. Lady Huntingdon appointed him one of her chaplains, and he ministered frequently in her chapels. " By birth, education, and habit, a gentleman, his society was courted by the first circles." By the suavity of his disj)Osition, and the urbanity of his manners, he made him- self acceptable and attractive among all classes. He was exceedingly catholic in his i^rinciples, and co-operated frequently with evangelical Dissenters, in their benevolent schemes for the sjDread of the Gospel. He united with them (1795) in the formation of the London Missionary Society, of which he continued a most earnest promoter to the day of his death. He was appointed, by the will of Lady Huntingdon, her executor and one of her Trusted ; and he faithfully administered the trust, involving the man- agement of her numerous chapels throughout the kingdom. He took the degree of LL.B. in 1772, at Cambridge Univer- sity. His writings are more practical and useful than profound and erudite. He published (1762) " Evangelical Principles and Practice," a volume of 14 sermons. While at Oxford, he had delivered a course of Catechetical Lectures, on suc- cessive Sunday afternoons, a part of which he published (1764), as " The Communicant's Spiritual Companion ; or, An Evangelical Preparation for the Lord's Supper." It has been frequently republished both in Great Britain and America. This was followed, in 1765, by his " Evangelical Expositor ; or, A Commentary on the Holy Bible : Wherein the Sacred Text is inserted at Large, the Sense explained, and ithe more difficult Passages elucidated — -with Practical THOMAS HAWEIS. 307 Observations," etc. ; in 1775, by " An Improvement of tlie Clmrcli CatecLism'-; and in 1791, by "Essays on Christian- ity," and "A Short Account of tlie Last Days of Lady Huntingdon." Shortly after the decease of the excellent Countess, he compiled, and published (1792), his " Carmina Christo ; or, Hymns to the Saviour : Designed for the Use and Comfort of those who worship the Lamb that was Slain." It con- tained 141 original hymns, and was printed in the square form peculiar to Lady Huntingdon's Collection, so as to form a Supplement to it. A seventh Edition, " very con- siderably enlarged," containing 256 hymns, was published in 1808. A very few only, less than a score, have become at all popular, or acceptable among the churches. He ventured (1795), with inadequate qualifications, on " A Translation of the New Testament from the Greek." " A Life of the Rev. W. Romaine " was published in 1797. His " Letters and Particulars relating to the Life of John Newi^on," appeared in 1799. " An Impartial and Succinct History of the Rise, Declension and Revival of the Church of Christ, from the Birth of our Saviour to the Present Time," written in the interests of the London Missionary Society, followed in 1800. This was severely criticised by Dean Isaac Milner, of Cambridge, and an unpleasant pam- phlet controversy followed. His latest work (1812) was entitled, "A View of the Present State of Evangelical Religion throughout the World." Several years before his decease, having become some- what infirm by reason of his advanced age. Dr. Haweis retired from the active duties of his charge, and made his home at Bath, where, full of peace and comfort, he died, February 11, 1820, in his eighty-ninth year. His piety and poetry are both exemplified in the following hymn, entitled "Mourning after Christ": " If Jesixs withholds the sweet sense of his grace, And, hiding in darkness, conceals his bright face, There is not a spot, in the regions of space. Can cheer me, removed from his sight : 308 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. But when, o'er the mountams of dark unbelief, My Lord, as the roe, bounds to bfing me relief, How quickly are fled all my sorrows and grief ! His presence is joy and delight. ' ' Ah ! come then, dear Lord ! to thy mourner return ; Laid low at thy footstool, my soul do not spurn, But speak the kind word, and my spirit shall burn- A flame, kindled up from thine own : Enchcle me round with tlie arms of thy love, Thy truth and thy faithfulness ever to prove, Till safe I am lodged in thy bosom above. With thee to sit down on the throne." GEOEGE HEATH. George Heath was a Unitarian minister. He was edu- cated at the Dissenting Academy in Exeter, England, of which the Rev. IMicaiah Towgood was, at the time, one of the principal Tutors. Mr. Heath became (1770) the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Honiton, in Devonshire. He iDroved unworthy of his office, and ultimately lost his position by bad conduct. He died in 1822. In 1784, he published his "Hymns and Poetic Essays, Sacred to the Worship of the Deity, to which is added Elegies." The familiar hymn, " My soul! be on thy guard," etc., is from this Collection. In 1797, he also published, "A History of Bristol." REGINALD HEBER. 1783-1826. The poetic beauty of Bishop Heber's hymns is univer- sally conceded. A few of them occupy a high rank a^ EEaiNALD HEBER. 309 sacred lyrics. His "Missionary Hymn" is found in all modern Collections, and is sung all over the Cliristian world where the English language is used. Reginald Heber bore his father's name, and partook of his spirit and principles. The father was the son of Thomas Heber and Elizabeth Atherton, and inherited a handsome estate, including the patronage of the rectories of Marton in Yorkshire, and Hodnet in Shropshire. He resided in the parish of Malpas, Cheshire, of which he was co-rector with Dr. Townson. His first wife, Mary Baylie, was the mother of Richard Heber, who inherited, as the eldest son, the family estates, and was noted as a bibliomaniac, the sale of whose library of 150,000 volumes, in 1834, occupied 216 days. His second wife, Mary, the daughter of the Rev. Cuthbert Allanson, D.D., was the mother of Reginald, Thomas, and Mary. The father was a graduate of Braze- nose College, Oxford, and the author of several poems. The son, Reginald, was born, Ai)ril 21, 1783, in the Malpas Rectory. Young Reginald had every advantage in securing the best possible education. His father was his first instructor. At seven years, he versified, in English, Pha^drus, the Latin fabulist. At eight, he was sent to Dr. Kent's grammar- school, in Whitchurch ; and at thirteen, to the Rev. Mr. Bristow's select school at Neasdon. Here he contracted a life-long friendship for his classmate, the philanthropical John Thornton. Four years (1800) later he entered Braze- nose College, Oxford, his father's Alma Mater, of which his brother, Richard, was at the time a Fellow. His college course was highly honorable. In his first year, he gained the Chancellor's prize for the best Latin verse, by his " Carmen Seculare." He took (1803), also, a special prize for the best English verse, by his " Palestine," which was received with great applause, and highly com- mended on its publication. At his graduation, he gained, also, by his " Sense of Honor," the University Bachelor's prize for the best English prose essay. He was chosen, at the same time, a Fellow of All Souls College. 310 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. In 1804, his father died, and the family removed to Hod net. The next year, he accompanied his friend Thorntor on a Continental tonr, retnrning home in September, 1806. His brother, Richard, now presented him with the living of Hodnet, and he was ordained early in 1807. A busy and successful ministry followed. In April, 1809, he married Amelia, the youngest daughter of Dean William D. Ship- ley, and granddaughter of the Bishop of St. Asaph. The brothers Hare were cousins of Mrs. Heber ; and Stoke, the parental home of Mrs, Augustus William Hare, is but two miles from Hodnet. In " The Memorials of a Quiet Life," vol. i., chap. 2, an interesting account is given of life at Hodnet Rectory. In February, 1809, he published " Europe : Lines on the Present War." The same month he wrote to his friend Thornton, "My Psalm-singing continues bad. Can you tell me where I can purchase Cowper's ' Olney Hymns,' with the music, and in a smaller size without the music to put in the seats? Some of them I admire much." It was thus that Heber was led into the composition of hymns, and the preparation of a hymn-book, — a design that was postponed by advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Some of his hymns were contributed to The Christian Ob- server^ in 1811 and 1812. A new edition of his Poems, with Translations of Pindar and several occasional pieces, was issued in 1812. Two years later, he was appointed, by the Heads of Colleges at Oxford, to deliver the Course of Eight Divinity Lecture S::^rmons, on the Bami3ton Foundation. The Lectures were delivered, in the spring of 1815, at St. Mary's, Oxford, and published (1816) with the title, " The Personality and Office of the Christian Comforter Asserted and Explained." The book was somewhat severely criticised by The British Critic and The Christian Ohsermr. The death of his only child, at the age of six months, in December, 1818, gave occasion to the hymn beginning with " Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee." A Royal Proclamation (February, 1819) called for contri- EEGINALD HEBER. 311 butions, in all the cliurclies and chapels of the Idngdoni, for " The Society for Propagating the Gospel." The Dean of St. Asaph (the father of Mrs. Heber) appointed the last Sunday in May (30th), Whit-Sunday, for a Collection at the parish church of Wrexham, of which he was the Vicar. Heber had, in 1817, been appointed a prebend of St. Asaph, and was to preach, on the evening of the same Sunday, the first of a course of Sunday evening Lectures in the church of Wrexham. The two divines were at table with a few friends, the evening previous, at the vicarage, when the Dean, well aware of the poetic abilities of his son-in-law, bade him write " something for them to sing in the morn- ing," in connection with the Dean's missionary sermon. Heber obeyed, and, retiring to another part of the room, presently produced, and read to the company, a hymn of four stanzas, beginning with " From Greenland's icy mountains." The next morning it was sung for the first time to the old ballad tune, " 'Twas when the seas were roaring " (so says tradition), in the beautiful church of Wrexham. The col- lection amounted to £34. This one hymn has done more to immortalize the name of Heber than anything else from his pen. In a letter, written a fortnight later, he says : " I have been for some time engaged in correcting, collecting, and arranging all my hymns, which, now that I have got them together, I begin to have some high church scruples against using in public." JSTotwithstanding these scru- ples, he continued his compilation during the next three years, prevailing on his gifted friend, the Rev. Henry Hart Milman, to contribute to it several admirable hymns. He now presented a masterly, but inelfectual, plea to the Bishop of London for an ecclesiastical approval of his design. It was not, therefore, until after his decease that the book was published (1827), by his widow, with the title, "Hymns Written and Adapted to the Weekly Service of the Year." In 1822, he edited " The Whole Works of Jeremy Tay- 312 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. lor," to wliicli lie prefixed "A Life of the Author." Fol several previous years, he had been a contributor to the London Quarterly Bemew, and a writer of fugitive poems and songs. He obtained (April, 1822) the Preachership of Lincoln's Inn, London, calling him to the city for about three months in the year, and adding about £600 to his an- nual income. He was appointed (January, 1823) Bishop of Calcutta, a preferment urged npon him but declined the year before, on account of his wife and only child, but now accepted as a divine call to the missionary work. In February, he re- ceived the degree of D.D. from the University of Oxford ; June 1, he was consecrated, by the Archbishop, at Lambeth, and, June 18, he sailed for India, arriving in October. His ministry, as a colonial bishop, was eminently successful, and won for him an honorable fame. On one of his exten- sive visitations, in the very midst of life and health, he died of apoplexy, occasioned by a cold bath, April 3, 1826, at Trichinopoly, having nearly completed the forty-thii'd year of his age. His " Journey through India," in two large volumes, was IDublished in 1828, and has frequently been republished. " The Life of Reginald Heber, D.D., Lord Bishop of Cal- cutta, by his Widow," appeared in 1830 ; followed, in 1837, by his " Parish Sermons," in three volumes. An eminent physician of Calcutta, intimately acquainted with him, gave it as his opinion that, at the best, owing to organic disease, he could have lived but for a few years, and that " he was cut off by a sudden and merciful stroke, .... in the meridian of his reputation and Christian util- ity, leaving behind him no recollection but of his amiable manner, his sweetness of temper, his goodness of heart, his universal charity, his splendid and various talents, and all his deep devotion to the duties of his sacred calling." Tlie three hymns, beginning with " Hosanna to the living Lord ! " " The Lord will come, the earth shall quake," " Brightest and best of the sons of the morning ! " OTTIWELL HEGINBOTHOM. 313 were contributed, with iive others, to Tlie Christian Ob- serxer, and published in the October and November Num- bers for 1811, witli a preliminary statement (signed " D. R.," the finals of his name), in which he says of them, that they are part of a series " intended for the use of his own con- gregation ; [that] no fulsome or indecorous language has been knowingly adopted ; no erotic addresses to Him whom no unclean lip can approach ; no allegory ill-understood, and worse applied. " Three other hymns were contributed to The Christian Ol>sermr in 1812. Fifty-nine hymns are ascribed to his authorship, a few only of which have become extensively popular. His " Mariners' H;>^iin " was written for the " Fourth Sunday after Epiphany," and is here given as a specimen of his style : "When through the torn sail the wild tempest is streaming', When o'er the dark wave the red hghtning is gleaming, Nor hope lends a ray the poor seaman to cherish, We fly to oiu- Maker, — ' Help, Lord ! or we perish ! ' "0 Jesus ! once tossed on the breast of the billow, Aroused by the shriek of despair from thy pillow. Now, seated in glory, the mariner cherish. Who cries, in his danger, — ' Help, Lord ! or we perish ! ' " And, Oh ! when the whirlwmd of passion is raging, When hell in our heart his wild warfare is wagmg, Arise in thy strength thy redeemed to cherish. Rebuke the destroyer, — ' Help, Lord ! or we perish ! ' " OTTIWELL HEGINBOTHOM. 1744-1768. This youthful poet is to be numbered among the early- called. Scarcely had he begun to preach the Gospel that he greatly loved, ere he was taken to his reward. Tyerman, in his " Life and Times of the Rev. John AVesley " (II. 188), 314 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. speaks of an Ottiwell Higginbotham, a man of considerable property, who lived at Marf»le, near Stockport, in 1754. He was numbered Avith the followers of Wesley, and was, in all probability, the father of the young preacher. The hymnist was born in 1744, and, at an early age, be- came a student at Daventry. Here he enjoyed the instruc- tions of the Rev. Dr. Caleb Ash worth, a man of great abil- ities and piety. In his nineteenth year, he was invited to preach as a candidate at Sudbury, Suffolk ; and subse- quently he was chosen their pastor by a divided vote. His ordination was deferred with the vain hope of conciliating the minority, and eventually occurred, November 20, 1765. The opposition withdrew, organized a new church, and built a new house of worship. The sensitive constitution of the young pastor was fatally affected by these contentions. His health declined, and he fell (1768) a victim to consump- tion, having lived scarcely twenty-four years. His liT^Tuns, though not of the highest order, are very pleasing, and well adapted for congregational worship. The themes, in several cases, appear to have been sug- gested by some of Dr. Watts' hymns. An edition of 25 " Hymns by the late Rev. Ottiwell Heginbothom, of Sud- bury, Suffolk," was privately i)rinted in 1799. Some of them had previously appeared in the first volume of The Protestant Dissenters' Magazine, for 1794. The follow- ing are the first four of eight stanzas on " the Country, in the Spring," written at " Daventry, April 19, 1761, when the author was a student in the Academy at that Place," in his seventeenth year : " While Nature's charms arise in grand array, And vernal beauties deck the smUing year, Fair Caelia wisely takes the rural way, Where new delights in various dress appear. " In the sweet groves, and the delicious vales, Her richest blessings liberal IS) ature hides ; There the cool rivulets, and the halmy gales, And virtue there with solitude resides. FELICIA DOEOTHEA [BROWNE] HEMANS. 315 " Not there ambition dwells, nor haughty power, Nor flattering fortune, treacherously kind ; True pleasure grows; nor fades the lovely flower; For virtue cheers the self -possessing mind. " From field to field, with fresh delight, we pass, Aiid pure affections raise the sacred flame ; The wholesome herbage, and the pearly grass, Exalt the mind and tell the Former's name." FELICIA DOROTHEA [BROWNE] HEMANS. 1794-1835. Mr. Browne, tlie father of Mrs. Hemans, the gifted po- etess, was a Liverpool merchant of Irish birth, and of some prominence. Her mother, Miss Wagner, was the daughter of the Imperial and Tuscan Consul, at Liverpool, — a gen- tleman of German and Italian descent. Seven children were the fruit of the marriage, of whom Felicia was the fifth. She was born, September 25, 1793, at Liverpool, England. In her seventh year, Mr. Browne, in conse- quence of commercial reverses incident to that revolution- ary period, removed to Gwrych, near Abergele, North Wales. Here, for nine years, in a secluded vale, shut in by a picturesque mountain range, but in full view of the " solemn sea," and within sound of its " far-distant mur- murs," in the midst of wild and romantic scenery, and the charms of cultivated nature, with the ample resources of a well-selected library, the fair girl grew to womanhood. From her childhood, she was trained almost wholly by her godly mother, a lady of superior talents and education. Her development in knowledge and varied accomplish- ments was early and rapid. Her fondness for poetry was a perfect passion. At six years of age, she had devoured Shakespeare's plays ; and, as she advanced in years, she 316 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. reveled in the glowing imagery of the poets of the pre- vious age. At eleven, she spent a winter with her parents in London, and repeated the visit, for the last time, the fol- lowing winter. She preferred her own "green land of Wales," to all the pomps and gaieties of the town. Her time, in the city, was well improved, in forming an ac- quaintance with the best works of art. She had begun, as early as her eighth year, to express herself in verse ; and, in her fifteenth year, she ventured to put the fruits of her early musings to press, with the title, — "Early Blossoms of Spring : Poems written between the Age of Eight and Fifteen Years." One of her brothers was serving in the army with Sir John Moore, in Spain ; giving occasion to her "Engla,nd and Spain ; or Valor and Patriotism" (1808). At this period, she is said to have been " a lovely girl, with golden ringlets shading a fair face of radiant and changeful expression, — a dream of de- light, a vision of beauty, a creature all poetry, romance, and enthusiasm." Captain Hemans, of the King's Own (4tli) Regiment, attached also to the army in Spain, was, at this juncture, introduced, and won her affections, previous to his embarkation for Spain, where he remained for three years. The next year (1809), her father removed to Bronwylfa, near St. Asaph. Having already acquired the French and Italian, she now pursued the study of the Spanish, Portu- guese, and German languages. Drawing and music were, also, studied and practised with delight. A visit to Con- way and its ivy-mantled Castle, served further to cultivate and inspke her imagination. The blind harper of Conway deeiDly interested her, and occasioned the following strains : " Minstrel ! whose gifted hand can bring Life, rapture, soul from every string, And wake, like bards of former time, The spirit of the harp sublime, — Oh ! still prolong the varying strain, Oh ! touch th' enchanted chords again. Thine is the charm, suspending care, FELICIA DOROTHEA [BROWNEJ HEMANS. 317 The heavenly swell, the dying close, The cadence melting into air, That luUs each passion to repose ; While transport, lost m silence near, Breathes aU her language in a tear." Ill her nineteentli year, slie published "The Domestic Affections, and other Poems"; and the same year was married to Captain Hemans. The first year of her married life was spent at Daventry, Northamptonshire, a flat coun- trv, which she gladly exchanged, the following year, for the hill-country of Flintshire,— returning soon after to Bron- wylfa, with her hnsband and first-born son. Living here with her mother (her father having entered into business at Quebec in America), she found time for study, as well as the care of her increasing household. She now published (1816), " The Restoration of the Works of Art to Italy," and (1817) "Modern Greece" and "Tales and Historic Scenes." . Her marriage was, to say the least, a misfortune. Her husband was not worthy of her. His health began to de- cline, and he found it convenient to avail himself of the milder climate of Rome, leaving his wife and five sons at home. He never returned. They corresponded regularly, but never met again. „, , n She now devoted herself to the training of her boys, and the pursuit of literature. " Translations from Camoens and other Poets " appeared in 1818. She obtained the prize of fifty pounds offered for the best Poem on " The Meeting of Wallace and Bruce on the Banks of the Carron," though a host of others competed for it. This, and her " Stanzas on the Death of the Princess Charlotte," were printed m Blackioood?s Magazine, the latter, April, 1818, and the former, September, 1819. Encouraged by good old Dr. Luxmore, Bishop ot St. Asaph, with whom and his family she had long been on terms of endearing intimacy, she wrote, and published m 1820, her beautiful poem, " Tlie Sceptic." The same year, to her great delight and advantage, she made the acquaint- 318 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ance of Reginald Ileber, whose father-in-law, Dean Ship- ley, resided at Bodryddan, in her immediate neighborhood, and had, for years, shown her much genuine courtesy and kindness. "I am more delighted with Mr. Heber," she says, " than I can possibly tell you ; his conversation is quite rich with anecdote, and every subject on which he speaks had been, you would imagine, the sole study of his life." She was then writing a poem on "Superstition and Revelation," which, as far as written, she submitted to He- ber's judgment. It was left in a fragmentary state at her death. She contended successfully, in 1821, for tlcie jirize oflPered, by the Royal Society of Literature, for the best poem on " Dartmoor." She wrote, in 1823, " The Vespers of Paler- mo," a Tragedy, the performance of which at Covent Gar- den, in December, proved a failure ; but at Edinburgh, in the following April, a great success, bringing her into cor- respondence with Sir Walter Scott, who wrote for it an epi- logue. " The Voice of Spring " and " The Siege of Valen- cia," were also ^\Titten in 1823. She now became a con- tributor to Campbell's JVew Montlily Magazine. "De Chatillon ; or The Crusaders," a Tragedy, was written in 1824, and " The Forest Sanctuary," her longest poem, in 1824-5. From Bronwylfa, she removed, in 1825, with her children, sister, and mother, to a house belonging to her brother, at Rhyllon, a quarter of a mile distant. Her " Lays of Many Lands," the most of which had appeared in the New Montlily, appeared in 1826. This was followed by the lin- gering illness, and death (January 11, 1827), of her greatly beloved mother. A deeper tone of sadness, and a higher style of piety, now pervaded the productions of her pen. She began herself to decline in health, and to suffer from acute disease. Still she wrote. Her " Records of Woman" appeared in 1828. She now left, with many regrets, her mountain home, and took up her abode at Wavertree, near Liverpool — the eldest two of her sons having been sent to join their father in Italy. FELICIA DOROTHEA [BROWNE] HEMANS. 319 She visited Scotland in the summer of 1829, receiving everywhere, as a literary celebrity, the most flattering at- tentions, and forming a most pleasant acquaintance ^vith Jeffrey, Basil Hall, Mackenzie, Alison, and especially with Sir Walter Scott, whose hospitality she greatly enjoyed. The following winter she wTote the princiiDal lyrics, in her " Songs of the Affections," published in 1830. A part of the next summer she spent at Ambleside, and made the acquaintance of the poet Wordsworth. In the autumn she again visited Scotland, returning to Liverpool, by way of Dublin and Wales. In the following spring she re- moved to Ireland, and after a sojourn with her brother, Col. Sir Henry Browne, K.C.H., at Kilkenny, she took up her abode, in the autumn (1831), at Dublin. Mrs. Hemans had now become a confirmed invalid, as well as a mature Christian. More and more she gave her- self to the cultivation of her spiritual nature, in Avhich she found great assistance and encouragement from the warm friendship of Archbishop Whately and his family. Her " HjTiins for Childhood," which had been published by her admiring friend. Prof. Norton, in 1827, at Boston, Mass., were noAv (1834) published for the first time in England. Her " National Lyrics " followed soon after, and a volume of Sacred Poetry, entitled, "Scenes and Hymns of Life." Her work was now almost done. In great debility she passed the ensuing winter, as a welcome guest in the hos- pitable abode of Archbishop Whately,— Redesdale, seven miles from Dublin. In March, 1835, she returned to her city home, where, in patient resignation and blissful hope, she lingered a few weeks, and then, May 16, 1835, quietly yielded up her spirit, in the forty-second year of her age. Miss Jewsbury (Mrs. Fletcher), who formed her acquaint- ance in 1828, said of her, she " was totally different from any of the women I had ever seen, either in Italy or in England. She did not dazzle, she subdued me. Other women might be more commanding, more versatile, more acute ; but I never saw one so exquisitely feminine She was a Muse, a Grace, a variable child, a dependent 320 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. woman, the Italy of liuman beings." Mrs. Grant, of Lag- gan, addressed her (1827) by letter, and said : " Praised by all that read you, loved by all that praise you, and known, in some degree, wherever our language is spoken." Her h}Tnn beginning " He knelt— the Saviour knelt and prayed," was contributed, in 1825, to a Holiday Annual, called " The Amulet." Her last poem, the " Sabbath Sonnet," was com- posed, Sunday, April 26, about three weeks before her death, and dictated to her brother, as follows : " How many blessed groups this hour are bending", Through England's primrose meadow-paths, their way Toward spire and tower, 'midst shadowy elms ascending, Whence the sweet chimes proclaim the hallowed day ! The halls, from old heroic ages gray, Pour their fair children forth ; and hamlets low, With whose tliick orchai-d blooms the soft winds play, Send out their inmates in a happy flow, Like a freed vernal stream. / may not tread With them those X3athways — to the feverish bed Of sickness bound ; yet, O my God ! I bless Thy mercy, that with Sabbath peace hath filled My chastened heart, and all its throbbings stilled To one deep calm of lowliest thankfulness." The remains of Mrs. Hemans were interred in St. Anne's Church, Dublin ; and over her grave the following lines, from one of her own sweet poems, were inscribed : ' ' Calm, on the bosom of thy God, Eair spirit ! rest thee now ! E'en while with us thy footsteps trod, His seal was on thy brow : Dust to its narrow house beneath ! Soul, to its place on high ! Tliey, that have seen thy look in death, No more may fear to die." JAMES HERYEY. 321 LUISE HENSEL. 1798 . Miss Hensel was tlie daughter of a Lutheran clergy- man, who resided at Linum, in Brandenburg, Germany, where, March 30, 1798, she was born. She was sent (1810) to Berlin, to complete her education, residing there untU 1819. She united with the Koman Catholic Church in 1818, and obtained the position of governess in a boarding- school, at Aix-la-Chapelle. Thence she returned to Linum, to reside with her widowed mother, who died in 1835. During this period she wrote the most of her forty-four hymns. The one beginning " Immer muss ich. wieder lesen," ["Ever would I faiu be reading,"— Tr. Miss Winkworth.] was printed anonymously in 1829. Her hymns breathe a sweet Christian spirit of humility, and exhibit traits of genuine Christian experience. JAMES HEEYEY. 1714-1758. Mr. Hervey has small claims to be classed among the Poets of the Church. He was not a composer of hymns. All that he wrote in this line was in the form of a few brief translations from the classics. He was a profuse and ex- ceedingly florid writer, and had imagination enough to have excelled in poetry, had he cultivated it. He was the son of a clergyman, residing at Hardingstone, England, and holding the living of Collington. James was 21 322 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH, born, February 26, 1714 ; and, at seven years of age. Tie was sent to the Rev, Mr, Clarke's free grammar-scliool at Nortliampton. He entered Lincoln College, Oxford, in 1731. John Wesley was then a Fellow of the College, and Hervey joined the praying band, organized by the brothers Wesley, and identified himself (1733) with the revival movement, out of which sprang the Wesleyan denomina- tion. From this time until his graduation, he became a diligent student. At the close of 1736, he was ordained a deacon, and, for a short time, served as the Curate of Weston Favell, of which parish his father had become the Rector, He be- came, in 1737, the Curate of Dummer ; then, for two years (1738-1739), he enjoyed the hospitality of his friend, Paul Orchard, at Stoke Abbey, Devonshire, obtaining, in 1740, the Caracy of Bideford, Here he remained two and a half years. In 1741, he exchanged his Arminian for Cal- vinistic views of the doctrine of Justification, and made a renewed consecration of all his powers to the service of his Divine Redeemer, While in Devonshire, he had occasion to make an excur- sion in the adjacent county of Cornwall. Stopping at a considerable village, called Kilkhamton, he strolled, quite naturally, into the fine old church built several centuries before, — a light and handsome edifice of three aisles, the arches sustained by slender and elegant pillars, and the floor everywhere covered vnth monumental inscriptions. Then and there he conceived the idea of his " Meditations among the Tombs," — a book that was probably written at Bideford. Among the tomb-stones that suggested his pious "Meditations," was one in honor of " Sir BevU Granville, slain in the civil wars, at an engagement with the rebels," at the battle of Lansdown, His reflections on this tomb are closed with these stanzas : " Make the extended skies your tomb; Let stars record your worth : Yet know, vain mortals ! all must die, As nature's sickliest birth. JAMES HERVEY. 323 " Would bounteous Heaven indulge my prayer, I frame a nobler choice ; Nor, living, wish the pomj)ous pile, — Nor, dead, regret the loss. "In thy fair book of life divine. My God ! inscribe my name : There let it fill some humble place. Beneath the slaughtered Lamb, "Thy saints, while ages roll away. In endless fame survive ; Their glories, o'er the wi"ongs of time, Greatly triumphant live." The word " slanglitered " in tlie last line of the third stanza alludes to the " slaughtered " knight, Sir Bevil. A change in the Rectorship closed his Curacy at Bideford, and he returned, in 1743, to Weston Favell, and again be- came his father's Curate. Having added to his " Medita- tions," spiritual " Reflections on a Flower-Garden," and " A Descant upon Creation," he published them (1746) in one volume. The book was received with extraordinary favor. A reflection on the admirable adjustment of form and color to the times and seasons, leads him to plead for content- ment with the allotments of Divine Providence. In a mar- ginal note, he quotes a quatrain from Juvenal as follows : " Permittas ipsis expendere numinibus, quid • Conveniat nobis, rebiosque sit utile nostris. Nam pro jucundis aptissima qu?eque dabunt dii : Carior est illis homo, quam sibi." Of these lines he then gives the following paraphrase : " Since all the downward tracts of time God's watchful eye surveys. Oh ! who so wise to choose our lot, And regulate our ways ? " Since none can doubt his equal love, Unmeasurably kind, To his unerring gracious will Be every wish resigned. 324 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " Good when lie gives, supremely good, Nor less, when he denies ; E'en crosses, from his sovereign hand, Are blessings in disguise." These three stanzas, slightly altered, the second and third transposed, with the one referred to above attached, were arranged by the Eev. Dr. William B. Collyer (1812), or some earlier compiler, into an acceptable hymn as now found in many Collections. Collyer includes also the fourth stanza of the former hymn. A second volume of a similar character, entitled, — " Con- templations on the Night, and the Starry Heavens ; with a Winter Piece," appeared in December, 1747. His health now seriously declined ; and in June, 1750, he was sent by his family to London, where he continued until April, 1752, when, having recovered from an alarming illness, and his father having died, he returned home, took the degree of A.M., at Cambridge University, and succeeded his father in the two livings of Weston Favell and Collingtree. His "Remarks on Lord Bolingbroke's Letters on the Study and Use of History,'"' appeared in November, 1762 ; his " Theron and Aspasio," in three volumes, followed in January, 1755 ; and his " Aspasio Vindicated " was nearly ready for the press, when, having long been subjected to wasting disease, in great debility, but in the fullest and sweetest assurance of faith and hope, Mr. Hervey died, De- cember 25, 1758. He was one of the godliest men of his day, and of most exemplary life. He was in full sympathy with the apos- tolic Whitefield, Lady Huntingdon, Henry Venn, William Romaine, and their associates. His "Meditations," "Re- flections," and "Contemplations," have been immensely popular, and are still great favorites. His "Works," in six volumes, have been frequently published. JOHN WILLIAM HEWETT. 325 JOHN WIILIAM HEWETT. Me. Hewett is a clergyman of tlie Clinrch of England, and an eminent teacher. He entered Trinity College, Cam- bridge, in 1845, and graduated, A.B., in 1849, and A.M., in 1852. He became an author while an undergraduate. Much addicted to antiquarian research, he edited, in 1848, the "Sealed Copy of the Prayer-Book of 1662"; "Liber Precum Publicarum"; a "Brief History and Description of the Conventual and Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Ely"; a "Brief History and Description of the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Exeter"; and "The Arrangement of Parish Churches Considered." He was ordained, by the Bishop of Chichester, a deacon, June 3, 1849, and a priest, May 26, 1850. He was chosen a Fellow, and appointed Tutor, of St. Nicholas' College, Shore- ham, in 1849 ; and, in 1853, became the Head-Master of All-Saints' Grammar- School, and Curate of the Church of Bloxham, Oxfordshire. In 1857, he obtained the Curacy of St. George's, Whitwlck, Leicestershire ; and, in 1871, he became the Curate of St. Paul's, Bunhill Row, London. " Verses by a Country Curate," from his i^en, appeared In 1859. Several of the hymns in this work have come into use, among them, the one beginning " In the name of God, the Father." Six of his hymns are found in Shipley's "Lyra Messian- ica" (1865). They pertain to the ritualistic school of hjTnn- ology. He has given much time and care to the prepara- tion of a " Bibliotheca Sacra Parvulorum," including a contribution to Hymnology in " Hymnorum Latinorum Delectus." The following lines are from his version of " Hsec est sancta solemnitas solemnitatum": " Hail the holy day of days ! High the song of triumph raise ; To the Saviour's glory teU How the cross hath vanquished hell, 326 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. And the empire, old and strong, Satan's power had held so long. By the precious blood are we Now redeemed of Christ, and free ; High thanksgiving, therefore, raise, Sing the great Redeemer's praise. King of kings ! thy saints unite To the choir of angels bright ; Hear them when they make their prayer, For thy worship is their care ; Show them, Lord ! thy tender grace, — All the sweetness of thy face." ROWLAND HILL. 1744-1833. The eccentric, yet godly and liiglily honored, Rowland Hill was among the most useful of the apostolic men who took part in promoting the " Great Revival of the Eight- eenth Century." He was the sixth son of Sir Rowland Hill, Bart., and Jane, the daughter of Sir Brian Broughton, Bart., of Broughton, England. Hawkstone, the residence of Sir Rowland, is in the chax)elry of Weston, parish of Hodnet, the home, for many years, of Heber. " Beautiful for situation," "Nature has lavished her choicest beau- ties on that lovely spot." "So commanding is the situa- tion of this enchanting ground, that, from the lofty column erected to the memory of a distinguished ancestor of the Hills — the first Protestant Lord Mayor of London — the eye can wander at pleasure over fifteen counties." In this charming locality, Rowland was born, August 23, 1744, and spent his early boyhood. In the midst of the gaieties to which he was accustomed from infancy, he be- came, when quite young, the subject of serious impressions, occasioned by the frequent reading of Dr. Watts' Hymns, given him by a devout lady. He was fitted for the Uni- ROWLAND HILL. 327 versity at the Royal Free Grammar- Scliool, at Shrewsbury ; and, from 1761, at Eton College. His eldest brother, Rich- ard, had become a decided and zealous Christian ; and a letter of godly counsel from Richard, about this time, was the means of Rowland's conversion. To the elder brother, and his no less pious sister, Jane, Rowland was greatly in- debted for constant advice in the way of godliness during his student's course. He entered St. John's College, Cambridge, October, 1764. His piety made him a marked man in the midst of prevail- ing ungodliness. Berridge, the godly Vicar of Everton, soon found him out, and encouraged him to persevere in the ways of holiness. Rowland spent his Sabbaths, ordi- narily, at Everton, and imbibed much of Berridge's spirit, and not a little of his eccentric style of speech and address. He engaged, also, in evangelical labors for the poor, visit- ing the sick, the inmates of the workhouses, the prisoners, and others. He embraced every opportunity, moreover, to expound the Scriptures in the hamlets and villages about Cambridge. He sought counsel of Whitefield, and was greatly cheered by his spiritual and animating letters. A praying-band was formed in the University, six of whom, in 1768, were expelled from College, because of their " en- thusiasm." Rowland, though in this respect the greatest " sinner" of them all, escaped, and graduated, A.B., in 1769. He would gladly have taken orders. But the church au- thorities declined to lay their ordaining hands on one so addicted to irregularities as the baronet's son. Four times he was refused. Yet he preached, wherever, in town or country, he could gather the people to hear. During the winter, he pursued his studies at Hawkstone, his paternal home. The rest of the year he ranged over the country, seeking to save the lost. At length, through the influence of Mr. Tredway, who had married Rowland's sister, and whose sister about this time was married to Rowland, he was ordained a deacon, June 6, 1773, by the Rev. Dr. Ed- ward Willes, Bishop of Bath and Wells, having received an appointment to the Curacy of Kingston in that diocese. 328 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He built himself a house at Wotton-under-Edge, midway between Bristol and Gloucester, and radiated thence, with wonderful success, all over Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, Wiltshire, and Wales, extending his circuits to Bristol and London, and far away to the West, through Devonshire and Cornwall. At length, having often addressed great crowds on Blackfriars Road, Surrey, he determined to build a chapel in that neighborhood ; and " Surrey Chapel," half a mile from Blackfriars Bridge, called, on account of its octagonal form, " The Religious Round-House," was opened, June 8, 1783. Alternating between Surrey Chapel in the winter and Wotton in the summer, with frequent preaching rambles elsewhere, this extraordinary man continued, for fifty years longer, doing his Master's work, and leading a great multitude to Christ. Never having attained to the priesthood, he occu^Died a posi- tion of great catholicity ; " theoretically a churchman, and practically a Dissenter, — a Dissenter within the Church, a Churchman among Dissenters." He espoused the cause of the poor ; organized and patronized Societies for their relief ; took a most active part in founding the " London Missionary Society," the " Religious Tract Society," and the "British and Foreign Bible Society"; preached and la- bored for them ; and delighted in seconding and fostering every godly enterprise for the good of the poor and the salvation of the lost. He was one of the earliest i)atrons of Sunday-Schools, and eagerly embraced opportunities for their advancement. But, as long as he lived, he was intent on seeking out the lost sheep. Once and again he visited Scotland ; repeatedly he went to Ireland ; and Wales was often cheered by his presence, and enlivened by his preaching. He was wont to describe himself facetiously, as "the Rector of Surrey Chapel, Vicar of Wotton-under-Edge, and Curate of all the Fields, Commons, etc., throughout England and Wales." His ministry was prolonged for sixty-six years, during whicli time he had preached more than 28,000 times, aver- aging nearly one sermon daily for the whole period. ROWLAND HILL. 339 Notwithstanding this incessant activity as a preacher, he found opportunity for the frequent use of the press. He published : " Imposture Detected and the Dead vindicated " (1777) ; " Answer to J. Wesley's Remarks upon the Defence of the Character of Whitefield and others " (1778); "Aphor- istic Observations proposed to the Consideration of the Public respecting the Propriety of admitting Theatrical Amusements into Country Manufacturing Towns " (1790) ; " Expostulatory Letter to W. D. Tattersall, A.M., in which the bad Tendency of the Admission of Stage Amusements is seriously considered " (1795); " Journal of a Tour through the North of England, and Parts of Scotland, with Remarks on the present State of the Church of Scotland " (1799) ; "Extract from a Journal of a second Tour from London through the Highlands of Scotland, and the North- Western Parts of England" (1800); "A Plea for .Union and a free Propagation of the Gospel, being an Answer to Dr. Jamie- son's Remarks on the Author's Tour " (1800) ; " Village Di- alogues, 2 vols." (1801), to which a third volume Avas added in 1824; "Apology for Sunday- Schools " (1801); "Cow- pock Inoculation vindicated " (1806) ; " A Warning to Chris- tian Professors " (1806) ; " Investigation of the Nature and Effects of Parochial Assessments being charged on Places of Religious Worship " (1811) ; " Letter on Roman Catholic Emancipation " (1813) ; besides several occasional Sermons. As early as 1774, he put forth a " Collection of Psalms and Hjanns," chiefly for the use of the Poor. Another " Collection " appeared in 1783, the year of the opening of Surrey Chapel, and, in 1796, still another "Collection," "chiefly intended for Public Worship." The latter con- tains 302 hymns, of which some, as he says in his Preface, "are by no means the better for being new." "Divine Hymns for the Use of Children" appeared in 1790, of which a new edition, "principally intended for the Use of Sunday-Schools," prepared for the Southwark Sunday- School Society, containing 264 hymns, was issued in 1819. In the Preface to this book, he says, that his earlier hjanns 'had passed under the correcting pen of the inimitable 330 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Cowper,— a liberty I presumed to request from an acquaint- ance with that great and truly good man in the younger part of my life." As years declined and strength decayed, he abated noth- ing of his fervid zeal, though more and more restricted in its exercise. He continued in active service until a very few days before his decease. As the day of his departure drew near, his happy spirit hailed its approach, and, full of the triumphs of an assured hope of immortality, he ceased from labor, April 11, 1833, and entered into rest, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. One of the wittiest men th^it ever entered a pulpit, he was yet one of the most serious. His preaching was full of similes, metaphors, lively narratives, parabolical illustra- tions, quaint sayings, and even humorous conceits ; yet with all, and through all, he sought to win souls to Christ in and by the Gospel. He was a Calvinist, and yet none labored more than he to bring souls to Christ, the Master,— and none with greater success. The following stanzas from his hjTnn on " A Prayer for the Promised Rest," w^hich he regarded as the best among the many that he wrote, exhibit something of the depth of his piety, and the singleness of his trust in divine grace ; " Dear Friend of friendless sinners! hear, And magnify thy grace divine; Pardon a worm that won] d draw near, That would his heart to thee resign : — A worm, by self and sin oppressed, That pants to reach thy promised rest. " With holy fear and reverend love, I long to lie beneath thy throne ; I long in thee to live and move. And charge myself on thee alone: Teach me to lean upon thy breast, To find in thee the promised rest. " Take me, my Saviour ! as thine own, And vindicate my righteous cause ; AUGUSTUS LUCAS HILLHOUSE 331 Be thou my portion, Lord ! alone, And bend me to obey tby laws ; In thy dear arms of love caressed, Give me to find thy promised rest." AUGUSTUS LUCAS HILLHOUSE. 1792-1859. Mr. Hillhouse was of Irish descent. His great-grand- father, Rev. James H. Hillhonse, came from County Derry, Ireland, in 1720, to Connecticut, and, in 1722, became, until his death (1740), the first pastor of the second Congrega- tional Church of New London, now Montville, Conn. Will- iam, the son of James (1727-1816), was, for fifty years, a member of the Connecticut Legislature ; also, a Judge, for forty years, of the Court of Common Pleas; and (1783- 1786) a member of the Continental Congress ; — a sterling patriot, and an exemplary Christian. James, the son of William (1754-1832), was a graduate (1773) of Yale Col- lege ; a Representative (1791-1794), and a Senator (1794- 1810), in the Congress of the United States ; a member of the famous Hartford Convention (1814) ; and Treasurer of Yale College (1782-1832). His wife, a daughter of Col. Melancthon Woolsey, of Dosoris, Long Island, IS". Y., was " a lady of great refinement, beauty, and strength of mind and character." Augustus Lucas, the son of Hon. James Hillhouse, LL.D., was born, in 1792, at New Haven, Conn., about two years later than his brother, the eminent poet, James Abraham. " Constitutionally gentle," says Rev. Dr. L. Bacon, " affec- tionate, sensitive, full of imagination, he was the idol of his sisters, and the joy and hope of the domestic circle in his father's house." With the very best advantages of education in his boyhood, he entered (1806) Yale College, 332 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. where the development " of philosophic and poetic thought, in combination with genuine piety, as evinced in his rapid acquisition of knowledge, gave promise of a bright career of usefulness." He numbered among his classmates such men as Gov. Ellsworth, and Profs. E. T. Fitch, C. A. Good- rich, and S. F. B. Morse. At his graduation (1810), he had become a victim of chronic dyspepsia, — a malady from which he suffered the remainder of his life. At the close of the war with Great Britain, followed by the general pacification of Europe (1816), he went abroad for his health. Landing at Bordeaux, he travelled through the south of France to Geneva, and thence to Paris, where he met with Robert Haldane, and entered heartily into his evangelizing projects. Fixing his abode in Paris, he united with others of his countrymen in organizing the American Protestant Church, to which, at his solicitation, the Rev. Matthias Bruen, of New York, ministered for a season. " Nothing would have been done at all," says Bruen, " had it not been for Hillhouse, who is a treasure to me of genius, and intellect, and imagination, and Christian principle, so based and combined as it never was in any other mind. " He initiated and zealously prosecuted plans for the spir- itual enlightenment of France. He began the publication of a Series of Tracts in French, after the manner of the " Cheap Repository " Series of Hannah More, with whom he put himself in correspondence, and several of whose Tracts he revised and translated for the French market. In 1818, he published an " Essay on the History and Culti- vation of the European Olive Tree"; and, in 1819, a Trans- lation, in two large volumes, of Michaux's " Silva Amer- icana." Early in 1822, he sent home the following hymn, pub- lished, originally, in the April Number of the New Haven Christian Spectator for 1822. It was Avritten in Paris, and is " the only permanent memorial of his poetic genius that now remains": ' ' Trembling, before thine awful throne, O Lord ! in dust mv sins I own • AUGUSTUS LUCAS HILLHOUSE. 333 Justice and Mercy for my life Contend!— Oh! smile, and heal the strife. " The Saviom' smiles! upon my soul New tides of hope tumultuous roll— His voice proclaims my pardon found- Seraphic transport wings the sound. " Earth has a joy mi known in heaven — The new-born peace of sin forgiven ! Tears of such pure and deep delight, Ye Angels ! never dimmed yom* sight. "Ye saw, of old, on chaos rise The beauteous pillars of the skies; Ye know where Morn exulting springs, And Evening folds her droopiug wings. " Bright heralds of th' Eternal Will, Abroad his ei'rands ye fulfill ; Or, throned ia floods of beamy day, Symphonious, in his presence play. " lioud is the song— the heavenly plain Is shaken with the choral strain — And dying echoes, floating far. Draw music from each chiming star. " But I amid your quires shall shine. And all your knowledge will be mine; Ye on your hai-ps must lean to hear A secret chord that mine will bear." Of tliis hymn, Dr. Bacon, somewhat extravagantly, says, it " is unsurpassed in the English, or any other, language. Perhaps it is as near perfection as an uninspired composi- tion can be. The thought, the feeling, the imagery, the diction, and the versification, are all exquisite." It is bet- ter as a poem, than as a hymn. It lacks some of the best elements of a devotional lyi'ic, Mr. Hillhouse, in 1823, wrote a work, which he called,— " A Demonstration of the Natural Method in Politics, or the Political Experience of the United States, applied to Europe," an abstract, or extended notice, of which he pub- 334 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. lislied (1826) in a pamphlet, entitled, — " The Natural Method m Politics, being the Abstract of an unpublished Work." The larger work remained unpublished. It was reconstructed, but never finished, though his heart was set upon it, and it became the one thought and purpose of his remaining days. The morbid sensitiveness of his highly refined nature, aggravated by the painful malady that had so remorselessly fastened itself upon him, developed itself at length in a sort of monomania, and he became a confirmed recluse. Having continued a resident of Paris nearly forty-three years, without once revisiting America, he died, March 14, 1859, in one of the villages near the great city, whither he had been accustomed to resort during the spring and sum- mer months. In this rural retreat, he made hosts of friends among the poor villagers, who knew him only as " Monsieur Auguste," and greatly mourned his death. His remains were sent home, and deposited in the beautiful cemetery of his native city. GRACE WEBSTER HINSDALE. 1832 . Mrs. Hit^sdale is the daughter of the late Rev. Prof. Charles Brickett Haddock, D.D. She was born, in 1832, at Hanover, and was named for Grace [Fletcher] Webster, the beloved wife of her father's uncle, Daniel Webster. She spent her youth, and was educated, in her native town. In 1850, she became the wife of Theodore Hinsdale, Esq., a lawyer of the city of New York, and a resident of Brook- lyn, N. Y. In 1866, she published " Coming to the King," and later, " Thinldng Aloud," one a manual of Prayers, the other a series of meditations on passages in God's word, designed as aids to children in the ofiices of devo- tion. These little volumes were subsequently republished OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. 335 in London. She lias contributed frequently, botli prose and poetry, to various periodicals, weekly and monthly. Four of her poetic tributes are to be found in Dr. Schaff's " Christ in Song." The following, entitled, " My Heavenly Friend," was written in July, 1868 : " Jesus! the rays divine, Which from thy presence shine, Cast light o'er depths profound, Which in thy word are found. And lead me on. " The love within thine eye Oft checks the rising sigh ; The touch of thy dear hand Answers my heart's demand. And comforts me. " Yes, Lord! in hom's of gloom, When shadows fill my room. When pain breathes forth its groans, And grief its sighs and moans. Then thou art near. " Oh! will it always be That thou wilt comfort me ? When friends are far away, Wilt thou, my Saviour 1 stay, And soothe my pain ? ' ' Jesus ! thou art my life ; No more I dread the strife; The rays of light divine, Which from thy presence shine, Fall o'er my heart." OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. 1809 — ^^^ De. Holmes has acquired a brilliant repi.l.ition as an essayist, an author, and a poet. His hymns are few, but 336 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. good ; his poetic vein runs rather in another line. He ia the elder son of the Rev. Abiel Holmes, D.D., LL.I). (well known as the author of the " American Annals," 2 vols., 1805), and Sarah, the daughter of the Hon. Oliver Wen- dell, of Boston. His father was (1792-1832) pastor of the First Congregational Church, of Cambridge, Mass., where, August 29, 1809, the son was born, and named for his maternal grandfather. His paternal grandfather, David Holmes, was an army surgeon and physician, in the French and Revolutionary Wars, having died during the latter, in 1779. In the literary atmosphere of Cambridge, young Holmes enjoyed every advantage for the highest intellectual cul- ture. He fitted for College at Phillips Academy, Exeter, IN". H; entered Harvard College, Cambridge, in 1825 ; and graduated, A.B., in 1829. One year was given to the study of law, during which he wrote twenty-five poetic pieces for Tlie Collegian, a periodical published by the college boys at Cambridge. He then began the study of medicine, and in 1833 contributed other productions of his muse to Tlie Harbinger, Boston. The same year he visited Europe, and prosecuted his medical studies^ at Paris. He returned in 1836, and took the degree of M.D. at Harvard. His first volume of " Poems " appeared in 1836. He was appointed (1838) Professor of Anatomy and Physiology in Dartmouth College, N. H. ; and, the same year, he published his " Boyl- ston Prize Dissertations." In 1840, he married a daughter of the Hon. Charles Jackson, of Boston, whither he removed and commenced the practice of medicine. In 1842, he pub- lished his " Lectures on Homoeopathy," etc. ; and, in 1848, j^is "Report of Medical Literature." In 1847, he became g-hx)fessor of Anatomy and Physiology in Harvard Univer- ^ppg,^ which position he occupied until 1882, when he was tion cS^^^^ Emeritus Professor of Anatomy, " in considera- fTia T^oe+^l^i'^ valuable sexv^'-^-^'^i'se. Me/^catl School during tne past iv^iipj-.- ^- e years. " Besides Y.veral medical publications, he has been a^. con- stant contributor to the Magazines and R;.iewt-t^^^^^^^^^^^ OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES. 337 erhoclcer, the North American, and, notably, the Atlantic; of the latter Magazine, begun in 1857, he may properly be regarded as the chief founder, and from its beginning, the chief attraction. " The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table," " The Professor at the Brealdast Table," and " The Poet at the Breakfast Table," three brilliant Series of Essays, ap- peared first in The Atlantic. In 1843, appeared his " Terp- sichore"; in 1846, his "Urania"; and, in 1850, his " As- traea. " His " Poems " have been frequently republished both in England and America. His " Elsie Venner " appeared in 1861 ; his " Guardian Angel," in 1867 ; and his " Mechan- ism in Thought and Morals," in 1871. He has also distinguished himself as a public lecturer. His course of lectures on " The English Poets of the Nine- teenth Century," delivered in 1852, gave great satisfaction. Many of his shorter poems have been produced almost im- promptu, on festive, social, and prandial occasions. They abound in fine conceits, terse and epigrammatic sayings, caustic wit, and broad humor. "His fancy teems with bright and appropriate images, .... woven into his plan usually with exquisite finish and grace. His artistic merits are very great ; his versification is never slovenly, nor his diction meagre or coarse ; and many of his shorter pieces are inwrought with so much fire and imagination as to rank among our best lyi'ics." So says Prof. Bowen. His friend Lowell, in his " Fable for Critics," quaintly and hu- morously says : " You went crazy last year over Bulwer's New Timon: Why, if B., to the day of his dyin^, should rhyme on, Heaping verses on verses, and tomes upon tomes. He could ne'er reach the best point and vigor of Holmes. His are just the fine hands, too, to weave you a lyric Full of fancy, fun, feeling, or spiced with satiric, In so kindly a measure, that nobody knows What to do, but e'en join in the laugh, friends and foes." His "Hymn of Trust" is a fair specimen of his lyric art: " O Love divine! that stooped to share Our sharpest pang, our bitterest tear, 22 338 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. On thee we cast each earth-horn care ; We smile at pain while Thou art near ! " Though long the weary way we tread, And sorrow crown each lingering year, No path we shun, no darkness dread, Our hearts still whispering, — Thou art near I ' ' When drooping pleasure turns to grief. And trembling faith is changed to fear, The murm'ring wind, the quivering leaf, Shall softly tell us, — Thou art near! " On thee we fling our burdening woe, O Love divine, for ever dear ! Content to suffer, while we know. Living and dying, — Thou art near I " HENRY JOY Mccracken hope. 1809-1872. Mr. Hope was the son of James Hope, and was born (1809) near Belfast, Ireland. At a suitable age lie was bound as an apprentice to the art and business of book-binding. In 1846, he entered the finishing department of the station- ery establishment of the Messrs. Chambers, at Dublin, and continued to be thus employed until his death. He was, from an early period of his life, deeply interested in relig- ion. The hymn, beginning " Now I have found a Friend," seems to have been his only production of the kind made public. It was printed, in 1852, for circulation among his personal friends. He died, January 19, 1872, at Shanema- gowston, Dunadry, County Antrim, Ireland. JOSIAH HOPKINS. 339 JOSIAH HOPKINS. 1786-1862. The Rev. Dr. HoPKiisrs was the son of Ebenezer Hopkins and Racliel Mead, residents of Pittsford, Vermont, where, April 25, 1786, lie was born. His educational advantages were quite limited. Having determined to devote himself to the work of the ministry, he studied (1808), for a short time, under the direction of his pastor, the Rev. Holland Weeks ; and, then, Avith the Rev. Lemuel Haynes, the fa- mous mulatto pastor of the West parish in the adjacent town of Rutland. He was licensed to preach the Gospel, by the Pawlet Association, at their spring meeting (1809) in Granville, IST. Y. A short service as a missionary in the towns on the west border of Lake Champlain, N. Y., was followed by a call to the pastoral charge of the Congrega- tional Church of New Haven, Addison Co., N. Y., where he was ordained, June 14, 1809. Though in a remote rural parish, he made such full proof of his ministry, that he was soon known as an uncommonly thoughtful and judicious preacher. Students from the neighboring College of Middlebury, Vt., aft,er their gradu- ation, were accustomed to resort to Mr. Hopkins for in- struction in theology. For this purpose, he prepared an admirable course of theological lectures, which he pub- lished, in 1825, with the title,—" The Christian's Instructor, containing a Summary Explanation and Defence of the Doctrines and Duties of the Christian Religion." It has jjassed through several editions. A more extended field was opened for him, and, August 20, 1830, he was dismissed from his Vermont charge (where he had been favored, in 1816, and in 1822, with precious re- vivals of religion), to accept a call to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church of Auburn, N. Y., as the suc- cessor of the Rev. Dirk C. Lansing, D.D. He was installed at Auburn, September 28, 1830. He continued in this re- 340 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. sponsible post, useful and honored, nntil April, 1846, when, his health having been so seriously impaired that he could no longer occupy the pulpit, he resigned his charge. After a short residence at Chagrin Falls, Ohio, he returned to New York, and found a home at Seneca Falls, ministering, as health pei-mitted, to the Church at Union Springs. He died, June 27, 1862, at Geneva, N. Y. He married, first. Miss Oriel Dyke, of Chittenden, Yt. ; and, after her decease. Miss Lavinia Fenton, of Rutland, Yt. In connection with Mr. Henry Ivison, Jr., then of Auburn but now of New York, he compiled, and pub- lished, in 1847, a Selection of "• Conference Hymns Adapted to Religious Conferences, and Meetings for Prayer. To which is Added a Selection of the most favorite Melodies in Common Use." The honorary degree of D.D. was con- ferred on him, in 1843, by Middlebury College, Yt. JOSEPH HOSKINS. 1745-1788. Mr. Hoskins was a Bai)tist minister, at Bristol, England. The year after his decease, appeared "Hymns on Select Texts of Scripture, and Occasional Subjects, By the Rev. Joseph Hoskins, Late Minister of the Gospel at Castle Green Meeting, Bristol. Carefully corrected and revised By the Rev. James Moody, of Warwlch, And the Rev. Mr. Bottomley, Bristol, 1789." From the "Preface," it seems, " that the whole of the compositions [384] were Avritten in about the last three years of his life." All that is known of his personal history is gathered from an Epitaph, de- signed for his tombstone in " the Baptist Burying Ground " at Bristol, and jDrefixed to his volume of " Hymns": " Here lie interred the Mortal Remains of the Rev. Jo- seph Hoskins, the lively, active, and successful Minister of WILLIAM WALSHAM HOW. 34I the Church of Christ assembling in Castle-Grreen, in this City : Who (by the blessing of God on his labors), in the course of ten years that he presided over the Church as a faithful Pastor, raised it, from a low and languid estate, to a truly respectable and flourishing condition. Fully to de- 3lare the sweetness of his manners and deportment, the warmth and steadiness of his friendship, his zeal and alac- rity to do good to the bodies and souls of men, would require more room than this Monumental Table will admit. The soundness of his doctrine, clearly and experimentally delivered, and finely illustrated from Scripture ; the mel- ody of his voice, the justness of his action, joined to a free and native eloquence which God had given him, made him a great and an agreeable preacher ; whilst the boldness of his address, and the closeness of his application, forced (as it were) conviction on the souls of men ; — and that amazing gift in prayer, with which God had blessed him, raised him to the highest pitch of admiration. " That the great Master of Assemblies held him in his hand as a star of the first magnitude, cannot justly be de- nied : He lent him to the churches as a bright and shin- ing light for a season ; He has now withdrawn him to realms of light and bliss above, where the shafts of envy and detraction cannot reach him. He died on the 28th day of September, 1788, aged 43 years." Twenty-one of his hymns are found in Dobell's Selection. WILLIAM WALSHAM HOW. 1823 . The poetry of Mr. How is of a good order, and liis sacred lyrics have been well received. He is a native of Shrews- bury, Shropshire, England, and the son of William Wy- berg How, Esq., Solicitor, of Nearwell. He was born, De- 342 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. cember 13, 1823. He was fitted for tlie University, at the Eoyal Free Grammar- School of that town, then under the care of the Rev. Benjamin Hall Kennedy, D.D. He en- tered Wadham College, Oxford, in 1841, and graduated, B. A., in 1845, Appointed the Curate of one of the churches of Kidderminster, Worcestershii'e, he was ordained a dea- con, December 20, 1846, and a priest, December 19, 1847, by the Bishop of Worcester. In 1851, he obtained the Eectory of Wittington, near Oswestry, Shropshire. He published : in 1852, " Daily Family Prayer, chiefly from the Prayer Book"; in 1859, " Plain Words, or Six Short Sermons," and, in 1861, a "Second Series"; in 1860, "Psalm LI., a Course of Seven Sermons"; and, in 1861, "Prayers for Schools." In connection with the Rev. Thomas Baker Morrell, he compiled, and published (1854), a volume of ' ' Psalms and Hymns," of which a later edition (1872) contains a "Supplement" and "Church Hymns." The following is one of his hymns for children : " Lord ! this day thy children meet In thy courts with willing feet ; Unto thee this day they raise Grateful hearts in hymns of praise. " Not alone the day of rest With thy worship shall be blessed ; In our pleasure and our glee, Lord ! we would remember thee. " AU our pleasures here below, Saviour ! from thy mercy flow ; But, if earth has joys like this. What shall be our heavenly bliss ? " Make, O Lord! our childhood shine With all lovely gi-ace, like thine ; Then, through all eternity, We shall live in heaven with thee." JOSEPH HUMPHREYS. 343 JOSEPH HUMPHREYS. 1720 {V) Mr. Humphreys was the son of the Rev. Asher Hum- phreys, Rector of Barton, Hertfordshire, and subsequently of Burford, Oxfordshire. He was born, October 28, 1720, at Burford. At the age of ten, he was sent to a grammar- school at Fairford, Gloucestershire. His father died in 1732, and he was sent, at the age of twelve, to a theological school in London. In 1738, having become a convert to the doctrines of the Wesleys, he began to preach at the Foun- dry, London, also at Bristol and elsewhere. He attached himself particularly to John Cennick, and accompanied him frequently on his evangelistic tours. For his irregularities in these respects, he was expelled, December 25, 1739, from the school. Following the example of Cennick, he separated, April, 1741, from the Wesleys, and attached himself to White- field. Shortly after, he published, at Bristol (1741), "A Letter to the Religious Societies, in Testimony against the Errors of Universal Redemption and Sinless Perfection." The same year, he preached for the Moravians at Deptford, West Greenwich. He was, also, one of the four principal contributors to T7ie WeeJcly History, just then established, in the interest of the new religious movement. Several of his " Letters to John Wesley," in opposition to his peculiar views, are printed in this Journal. He now published (1742), at Bristol, "An Account of Joseph Humphreys' Experience of the Work of Grace upon his Heart." He was a frequent preacher at the Bowling Green, Bristol, and the Tabernacle, London. In January, 1743, he united with several clergymen and lay- preachers in organizing, near Cardiff, Wales, the first Cal- vinistic Methodist Society in the Principality. Attached to Cennick's " Sacred Hymns," Part II., published in 1743, are six hymns, introduced with this remark,—" These were 344 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. done by Mr. Joseph. Humplireys." Among these is the familiar hymn, "Blessed are the sons of God," etc. In the modern form common to all the Collections, the re- frain to each stanza is taken (as arranged by Martin Madan, 1760) from the latter half of the last stanza of the original, without change in the text. Wesley, in his diary for April 3, 1746, says : " I spent an agreeable honr with our old fellow-laborer, Mr. Hum- phreys. I found him open and friendly, but rigorously te- nacious of the unconditional decrees." From "The Cente- nary Services of Bristol Tabernacle " (1753), it appears that he continued to preach at Bristol many years. Among those who ministered at the Tabernacle after its erection in 1753, " honorable mention is made of Mr. Humphreys, who seems to have been a prudent and zealous man." His later his- tory is involved in much obscurity. John Wesley, in his Journal, for September 9, 1790, says of him : " In a while he renounced Mr. A^Ttiitefield, and was ordained a Presby- terian minister. At last he received Episcopal ordination. He then scoffed at inward religion, and, when reminded of Ms own ' Experience,' replied, ' that was one of the foolish things which I wrote in the times of my madness,' " Pos- sibly this statement should be taken with considerable al- lowance, as a matter of rumor. Gadsby says : "He died in London, and was buried in the Moravian Cemetery at Chel- sea." The following hymn, found in Dobell's, Bicker- steth's, and Spurgeon's Collections, is in his usual vein : " Come, guilty souls, and flee away To Christ, who heals our wounds; This is the welcome Gosi^el day, Wherein free grace ahounds. " God loved the world, and gave his Son To drmk the cuj:) of wrath ; And Jesus says — he'll cast out none That come to him by faith. JOB HUPTON. 345 " Then, wandering souls! to God retiim, Free pardon he will give ; Look on your pierced Lord, and mourn, And endless life receive." JOB HUPTON. 1762-1849. The " Hymns and Spiritual Poems " of Job Hupton were reprinted (1861) by Daniel Sedgwdck, of London, with a brief Memoir. Mr. Hupton was born, Mardi, 1762, on the borders of Needwood Forest, near Burton-upon-Trent, Staf- fordshire. He was trained, by a godly mother, to fear the Lord. Yet, notwithstanding occasional serious impressions, he allowed himself to be led astray by profane companions. From an early age until he attained his majority, he labored at the forge. He was converted (1784), in his twenty-third year, at Walsall, near Birmingham, by means of a sermon preached by the Rev. John Bradford, Curate of Frilsham, Bedford- shire, a very popular clergyman, who ministered frequently in Lady Huntingdon's chapels, and particularly at Birming- ham. He determined to study for the ministry, and spent a short period at the college in Trevecca, Wales. He was then employed, for several years, as an itinerant preacher in Lady Huntingdon's Connection. In September, 1794, ha\dng adopted the views of the Baptists, he became the pastor of a Baptist church, in the rural parish of Claxton, Norf olkshire. His ministry was protracted more than sixty years. He died, October 19, 1849, in the eighty-eighth year of his age. He was accustomed to wTite, occasionally (1803-1809) for the Gospel Magazine, both in poetry and prose. His prose articles were gathered, and issued (1843) in a volume with the title, " The Truth as it is in Jesus,"— a service, similar 346 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. to that rendered by Mr. Sedgwick (1861) in respect to Ms poems. His versilication was quite respectable. Some of Ms poetry has genmne merit, as in Ms " Praise to Jesus," of which the first two stanzas are here given : ' ' Jesus, the Saviour, praise, Who left his throne above ; Bring- him, ye saints ! your choicest lays, For all his love : For his beloved bride, That he mig-ht make her free, He hung, and bled, and groaned, and died, On yonder tree. " Jesus, the Saviour, praise, Who rose and left the dead, And lives, through everlasting days, Our glorious Head : All power to him belongs ; All grace in him abounds ; Praise him in grateful, cheerful songs, With sweetest sounds. " WILLIAM HUEN. 1754-1829. Me. HuEisr was born a Churchman, became, and for a long term of years continued, a clergyman of the Church of Eng- land, and then, for conscience' sake, attached himself to the Dissenting ministry. He was born, December 21, 1754, at the fine old manor-house of Breccles Hall, in the southern part of Norfolkshire. In early youth he gave evidence of more than ordinary mental power. Though not a Univer- sity graduate, his early education was superior. At the age of twenty-three (1777), he was appointed the Classical Tutor of the Free Grammar- School, Dedham, Essex, of which the Rev. Dr. Grim wood was the Principal. He entered the WILLIAM HURN. 347 army in 1779; but, having determined to seek tlie ministry, he resigned his commission the next year. He was ordained by the Rev. Dr. Philip Yonge, the Bishop of Norwich, to the diaconate, in 1781, and to the priesthood, in 1782. He officiated successively, for five years (1781-1785), in the parishes of Beighton, Broome, Rattlesden, and Stowmarket, Siiffolkshire. In 1786, he be- came, for the first time, a subject of divine grace, and de- voted himself to the great work of saving souls, becoming a resident on his cure at Rattlesden. In 1788, he was aj)- pointed a Chaplain of the Duchess Dowager of Chandos ; and, in 1789, married Sarah, a daughter of Thomas Whar- rie, Esq., of Hull. The next year, he was presented to the Vicarage of Debenham, Suffolk. Having ciiltivated this field most faithfully and successfully for twenty -four years, he took (1814) the adjacent Curacy of Ashfield-cum-Thorpe, in order to extend his usefulness. Having for twenty years been troubled in respect to the secular character of the Established Church, he, at length, October 13, 1822, withdrew from it, and resigned his living. In April, 1823, he accepted an invitation to supply the Dis- senting chapel at Woodbridge, about ten miles east of Ips- wich, in the same county, and in July following became the i3astor of the congregation. Here for six years and more he labored with great fidelity and acceptableness, un- til, after a short illness, he died, October 9, 1829, in great peace of mind, and full of hope. During his Tutorship at Dedham, he published a de- scriptive poem, entitled, "Heath Hill." After he entered the ministry, he published (1784) a lyric poem, called " The Blessings of Peace." Besides five single sermons, printed occasionally, he gave to the press (1823) " A Farewell Tes- timony," being his " Two Discourses " at Debenham, on vsdthdrawing from the '-'Establishment," with large addi- tions. After his removal to Woodbridge, he published (1827) "A Glance at the Stage by the Light of Truth," and (1828) "A Scriptural Guide to the Knowledge of the Gos- pel, in the Fonn of Catechism." 348 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. At an earlier period (1813), while at Debenham, he had compiled and published a volume of " Psalms and Hymns : the greater Part Original, and the Selected Compositions altered with a view to Purity of Doctrine and general Use- fulness." After his removal, he put forth (1824) a second edition, with the title, " Hymns and Spiritual Songs, with metrical versions from the Psalms, designed to teach the Christian Doctrine according to the Analogy of Scri]oture, by combining Knowledge and Practice, or the Duties with tlie Principles of the Gospel ; containing 420 original com- positions." He left in manuscript a carefully prepared work (pub- lished, 1830), entitled, " Reasons for Secession from the Church of England." " Brief Memorials of William Hum " appeared in 1831, edited by his two adopted daughters, Esther Cooke and Ellen Rouse. The following stanzas from one of his hymns (1813) are pleasing specimens of his manner and spirit : *' There is a river, deep and broad, Its course no mortal knows ; It fills with joy the Church of God And widens as it flows, " Clearer than crystal is the stream. And bright with endless day ; The waves with every blessing teem, And life and health convey. "Along the shores, angelic bands Watch every moving wave ; With holy joy their breast expands, When men the waters crave. " Flow on, sweet stream! more largely flow, The earth with glory fill ; Flow on, till all the Saviour know, And all obey his will." ABIGAIL [BRADLEY] HYDE. 349 ABIGAIL [BRADLEY] HYDE. 1799-1872. Mrs. Hyde was tlie wife of a Congregational minister of New England. She was born, September 28, 1799, at Stock- bridge, Mass. Her parents were Asahel Ives Bradley and Abigail Rogers. She was religiously trained, and in her thirteenth year was admitted to the church under the pas- toral care of the venerable Dr. Stephen West, one of the acutest theologians of the Hopkinsian school. During the next two years, she was favored with the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, while at school on Litchfield Hill, Conn. She was distinguished even then for her in- telligent and consistent piety. She was married, September 28, 1818, to the Rev. Lavius Hyde (1789-1865). Her husband's first pastoral charge was (1818-1822) at Salisbury, Conn. He was settled successively at Bolton, Conn. (1822-1830) ; at Ellington, Conn. (1830- 1835) ; at Wayland, Mass. (1835-1840) ; at Becket, Mass. (1841-1849); and again at Bolton, Conn. (1849-1860). Their next residence was at Vernon, Conn. (1860-1865), until the death of Mr. Hyde. The years of her widowhood were i)assed among her four surviving children (other four having died), and chiefly at the home of her only son, in An- dover, Conn., where, April 7, 1872, she died in peace. Mrs. Hyde in early life had developed a considerable fa- cility in the poetic art. After a visit, in 1821, to the Rev. Elias Cornelius and wife, at Salem, Mass., where she had been deeply interested in the recital of Dr. Wolffe's labors in Palestine, she wrote a poem on the theme, that found a place in the columns of the Religious Intelligencer. Two hymns w^ere taken fi'om this poem, for a Collection of " Monthly Concert Hymns " compiled by Leonard Bacon, then a student at Andover Theological Seminary. On their removal to Bolton, Mrs. Hyde found there the Rev. Asahel Kettleton (the eminent revivalist), just recovering from a 350 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. severe attack of typhus fever, and occupying himself, as strength permitted, in the compilation of "The Village Hymns." At his solicitation, she wrote and contributed, in addition to the two just referred to (Nos. 463, 470), seven hymns, Nos. 42, 303, 333, 335, 337, 449, and 482. The following stanzas are from her poem on Palestine : ' ' Israel ! 'tis thine accepted day, Thy God himself prepares the way ; Behold his ensign from afar, — Behold the light of Jacob's Star ! That Star, which once on Bethle'm rose, A token on thy mountain glows ; The morn of earth's best jubilee Sheds its sweet early light on thee. "And Thou, who once, on Israel's ground, A homeless wanderer wast found. Redeemer ! on thy heavenly throne. Still call that ancient church thine own : Bid her departed light return. Thy holy splendor round her burn ; From prostrate Judah's ruins raise A living temple to thy praise." THOMAS JERVIS. 1748-1833. Thomas Jervis was the son of the Rev. Thomas Jervis, a Presbyterian minister settled at Ipswich, England, who died there, March 21, 1797, in his seventy-third year. The son was born in 1748, and, at an early age, was sent to the school of the Rev. Dr. David Jennings, in London ; and, at his death (1762), to his successors, Rev. Drs. Savage, Kip- pis, and Rees. At the age of twenty-two, he was appointed Classical and Mathematical Tutor in the Academy at Exe- ter, Devonshire. Shortly after, he was chosen the pastor THOMAS JEEYIS. 351 of the Presbyterian Cliiircli at Lympstone, and joint min- ister of Topsliam. Two years later (1772), having been ap- pointed Tutor to the two sons of the Earl of Sherburne (afterwards Marquis of Lansdowne), he became a resident at Bowood Park, Wiltshire, the EarTs country-seat. The Rev. Dr. Priestly, also, was attached to the household as Librarian. On the removal (1783) of the Rev. Dr. Rees to the Old Jewry, London, Mr. Jervis was prevailed upon to accept a call, as his successor, to the pastorate of St. Thomas' Presbyterian Church, London. Twelve years later, he succeeded the Rev. Dr. Kippis (who had just died) as pas- tor of the Presbyterian Church, Prince's Street, near West- minster Abbey, — a position of considerable prominence. In 1808, he accepted a call to the Mill Hill congrega- tion of Leeds, Yorkshire. At the end of ten years, he re- tired from active service, to his wife's home, Fryerning, Essex, where he died, in 1833. He had married Frances Mary, a daughter of the Rev. Dr. John Disney, who sur- vived him. Mr. Jervis was an Arian, if not a Socinian. In 1811, he published a volume of "Sermons on Various Subjects." In 1795, he united mth the Rev. Drs. Kippis and Rees, and the Rev. Tliomas Morgan, in the compilation and pub- lication of " A Collection of Hymns and Psalms for Public and Private Worship," designed for Anti-Trinitarian con- gregations. A new and improved edition was issued in 1797. It contained 690 hymns, much modified in many cases. The names of the authors, so far as known, are at- tached to the hymns, with a list of the authors prefixed to the Collection. Sixteen of the hymns are credited to Mr. Jervis, and in none of them is there even the most distant allusion to the Saviour. They are thoroughly Deistic. The following hymn on " Gratitude to God " is a fair specimen of the whole : " Great Source of all that we enjoy, From whom our comforts flow ! To thee, who dost our souls reclaim, Eternal thanks we owe. 352 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Thougli the vast debt we ne'er can pay Of gratitude and love. Yet grant us, Lord ! thine aid divine, Thy goodness to improve. " Be this, on earth, our chief delight, Our feeble songs to join ; In heaven we'll celebrate thy praise In anthems more divine." SAMUEL JOHNSON. 1822-1882. Samuel JoHisrsoN was a native and resident of Salem, Mass. He was tlie son of Dr. Samuel and Anna D. Johnson, and was born, October 10, 1822. He was fitted for college in ttie private schools of Salem, entered Harvard College in 1838, and graduated, A.B., in 1842. He studied for the ministiy in the Cambridge Divinity School, and finished his theological course in 1846. Among his classmates were Octavius B. Frothingham and Samuel Longfellow. Mr. Johnson, in 1853, gathered a congregation at Lynn, Mass., " on a Free Church basis," independent of all existing de- nominations. He retired from this connection, in 1870, and returned to his native place, occupying his time in literary pursuits, and lecturing and preaching, occasionally, to au- diences and congregations of radical sentiments. He died in 1882, in his sixtieth year. Mr. Johnson took an active part in the great Social and Religious Discussions of his day. He contributed largely and ably to The Radical^ on " religious, moral, political, and aesthetic " themes ; and wrote a number of essays for the "Free Religious Association," of Boston. He pub- lished, in 1868, "The Worship of Jesus, in its Past and Present Aspects"; and, in 1872, "Oriental Religions, and their Relation to Universal Religion. India," — the first of EDMUND JONES. 353 a series on the General Topic. Soon after completing his theological course, he and his classmate, Samuel Longfel- low, compiled and published (1846) " A Book of Hymns, for Public and Private Devotion"; also, in 1864, a volume called "Hymns of the Spirit." Several of his own hjonns are found in these Collections. From the latter volume are taken the following stanzas, from a hymn on " The Conflict of Life": " Onward! onward! though the region Where thou art be drear and lone; God hath set a guardian legion Very near thee ; — press thou on ! ' ' Upward ! upward ! Their hosanna Eolleth o'er thee, — ' God is love ' ! All around thy red-cross banner Streams the radiance from above. " By the thorn road, and none other, Is the mount of vision won ; Tread it Avithout shiinking, brother ! Jesus trod it ; — press thou on ! " EDMUND JONES. 1722-1765. Edmuistd Jones was the son of the Rev. Philip Jones, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, where he was born, in 1722. Much of the boyhood of Edmund was spent at Upton-on- Severn, Worcestershire, where his father had become the pastor of a Baptist church. He made an early profession of religion at Upton, and was sent to the Baptist College at Bristol, then under the care of the Rev. Bernard Foskett, of Broadmead. "When only in his twentieth year (1741), he was invited to supply the Baptist Church of Exeter, Devonshire, and, in 1743, was 28 354 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ordained their i)astor. In common with many of the Baptist churches of that i)eriod, the Church of Exeter had till then opposed the introduction of "the service of song" into public worship. Mr. Jones effected a revolution in this respect. His hymn, and the only one extant, so far as known, from his pen, " Come, hixmble sinner! in whose breast," etc., was probably one of several that he then introduced into his own church. It was included in Dr. Ryland's Collec- tion (1787) with the author's name. Dr. Belcher and Mr. Miller erroneously refer the hymn to Rev. Edmund Jones, of Trevecca, Wales, — a very differ- ent man. Parkinson (in a marginal note connected with this hymn, in his Selection, IS'ew York, 1817) says cor- rectly : " Mr. Jones was a truly worthy pastor of the Bap- tist Church at Exeter, Devon : he departed this life on April 15, 1765, aged 43." THOMAS JAMES JUDKIN. 1788-1871. Me. Judkit^ was, for more than forty years, a highly pop- ular and very useful clergyman in London, England, the place of his nativity. His father was a respectable trades- man, in comfortable circumstances, who did business in Bishopsgate Street. Sir William Curtis, an eccentric al- derman of considerable notoriety, took a fancy to the boy and showed him much kindness. He went so far as to be at charges for his education, sending him to the University of Cambridge, where he provided amply for him. Judkin entered Caius College in 1811 ; and graduated, A.B., in 1815, and A.M., in 1818. Having served several years in subordinate positions as a THOMAS JAMES JUDKIN. 355 curate, Mr. Judkin was, in 1828, appointed to the Pei-petual Curacy of Somers Town, St. Pancras Parish, London, and very soon took a high rank, as a popular evangelical preacher, and a laborious, faithful, and successful pastor. Here an overflowing congregation gathered about him, among whom he had many ardent admirers. He accus- tomed himself to frequent services, ordinarily jDreaching thrice on the Sabbath, and once during the week, besides meeting the children of his charge twice a week for the practice of sacred music. He had great skill both in paint- ing and music— being passionately fond of them both, and of the kindred art, poetry. Shortly after his induction, he published (1831) a volume of "Church and Home Psalmody," containing about 200 Hymns and 100 Psalms, of his own composition. It was adopted by his congregation for the services of public wor- ship. Three years later (1834), he put forth an enlarged edition, containing nearly 600 original Psalms and Hymns, with the title, — " Church and Home Melodies ; being a New Version of the more devotional parts of the Psalms ; to- gether with a Version of the Collects, and Original Hymns ; for Congregational and Domestic Purposes. " None of them exceed four stanzas. Repeated editions, with enlargements, followed. He published, also, in 1856, " By-gone Moods ; or Hues of Fancy and Feeling, from the Spring to the Au- tumn of Life"; containing about 270 original Sonnets, writ- ten at various periods of his life. He died in 1871, having reached his eighty-third year. The following Advent Hymn is the 165th of his Collec- tion: " There's music in the heaven amid the stillness of the night, While shepherds are abiding yet, to watch their fleecy care ; The clouds are rolling rapidly, and, in the bursting light, To golden harps are caroling the angels bright and fair. *' Oh! listen to the choral song which hails a Saviour's birth, That fills those humble watchers' hearts with wonder and with love ; ' Good tidings of great joyf ulness to all who dwell on earth, And glory in the highest be to God enthroned above ! ' 356 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " The world, that had been travailing so long in pain and woe, Hath heard, amidst its guilty fears, a voice which soothes to rest ; And God the Father's gracious face, with cloud obscured till now, Shines through the image of his Son, the blessing and the blessed. " With the music of the angels be the music of my heart, And let the shepherd's gratitude my every power inflame ; And with the anthems of the Church, my soul ! bear thou thy part, For all thy mercies shown to thee in Christ's redeeming name." SARAH [HALL] BOARDMAN JUDSON. 1803-1845. Mrs. Judson was the eldest child of Ralph and Abiah Hall, of Alstead, New Hampshire, where she was born, No- vember 4, 1803. Her parents were in humble circum- stances, and subsequently removed to Dan vers, Mass., and thence to Salem, Mass. They had many children, and much domestic care was consequently devolved on Sarah. Yet she found time for mental improvement, and obtained an education much beyond her station. Both in prose and poetry, she took frequent opportunity of exercising her power of literary comj^sition, and excelled in both. In her seventeenth year, she became a member of the First Baptist Church of Salem, Mass., and entered upon a career of exemplary piety, and Christian activity, as a Sunday- School Teacher and Tract Distributor. She was married, July 4, 1825, to the Rev. George Dana Boardman, of Livermore, Me., and embarked with him, on the 16th of the same month, at Philadelphia, for Calcutta, on their way to Burmah as missionaries. On account of the Burmese war, they were compelled to remain at Cal- cutta nearly eighteen months. Mrs. Boardman was re- garded by the English residents, " as the most finished and faultiess specimen of an American woman that they had JOHN e:eble. 357 ever known." She was of medmm statnre, and had a fine form, a soft blue eye, and a lovely face. They resided successively, after their arrival (April, 1827) in Burmah, at Amherst, Maulmain, and Tavoy. Three chil- dren were born to them, of whom tlie second only (George Dana) survived the perils of infancy. Mr. Boardman him- self became a victim to the climate, and died, February 11, 1831, She remained at her post, continuing her missionary work at Tavoy. In April, 1834, she became the second wife of the Rev. Adoniram Judson, D.D. She now entered on a career of eminent usefulness as the fitting companion of her distin- guished husband ; aiding him in his translations of the Scriptures, the Pilgrim's Progress, religious tracts, and de- votional poetry. She prepared a hymn-book, and several volumes of Scripture Questions for Sunday- Schools, and a series of Sunday Cards. Eight children were the fruit of her second marriage. Early in 1845 she began to exhibit symptoms of alarming disorder, and Dr. Judson embarked with her and some of their children for the United States. On the way, her health declined rapidly, and she breathed her last at the island of St. Helena, September 1, 1845. JOHN KEBLE. 1792-1866. The Rev. Johit Keble, the well-known author of " The Christian Year," was the second child and elder son of the Rev. John Keble, Vicar (1782-1834) of Coin' St. Aldwyn's, Gloucestershire, England, where he resided on his own es- tate, and where the son was born, April 25, 1792, Having been thoroughly prepared under his father's instruction, the boy entered Corpus Christ! College, Oxford, on a Schol- arship, 1806, and graduated (double first class), B.A., 1810, 358 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. and M.A., 1813, He was chosen, April, 1811, Probation Fellow of Oriel College. In 1812, he took the Chancellor's prize for an English Essay, on " Translation from the Dead Languages "; also, the prize for a Latin Essay, on " A Com- parison of Xenophon and Julius Caesar as Military Histo- rians" of their own "campaigns." He was appointed, in 181 4, Examining Master for three years. He was ordained, by the Bishop of Oxford, a deacon. Trin- ity Sunday, 1815, and priest. Trinity Sunday, 1816. At his first ordination he entered on the Curacy of East Leach and BurthoriDe, two hamlets near Fairford. At the end of three years he accei^ted (1818) a Tutorship in Oriel College, and continued there five years ; when, his mother having died, he returned to his Curacy that had been temporarily served by his brother, Thomas, and to which the hamlet of South- rop was now annexed. The newly-appointed Bishop of Barbados, William Hart Coleridge, offered him, in 1824, an Archdeaconship, with a salary of £2,000, but family rea- sons constrained him to decline the offer. The following year, at the instance of Sir William Heathcote, one of his pupils, he was appointed the Curate of Hursley, near Win- chester, Hampshire. The sudden death of a dearly-beloved sister, in September, 1826, brought him back to Fairford, and he became his father's Curate. For many years, he had been at work on " The Christian Year." Some of the lyrics had obtained circulation, in manuscript, among his personal friends. The work had been subjected to the criticisms of the Rev. Drs. Whately and Arnold, among others, and had undergone frequent revision and polishing. He, at first, intended to continue this process through life ; but, at the urgent solicitations of friends, he arranged the hymns in the order of the Fes- tivals and Fasts, or Holy Seasons, of the Cliurch, and pub- lished the book anonymously, in 1827, with the title, — " The Christian Year : Thoughts in Verse for the Sundays and Holydays throughout the Year. " To the liturgy-loving people of the Church of England, the work was a benison of peculiar value. It met with a JOHN KEBLE. 359 rapid sale. Edition after edition followed in quick succes- sion. It became a household book of sacred verse, and took its place by the side of "The Book of Common Prayer." Editions were multiplied also in America. In the line of sacred lyrics from the pen of a single author, it has been the greatest success of the century. Keble lived to revise for the press the ninety-sixth Britisli edition. It is still among the most saleable books of the kind — having never been superseded. His election as Professor of Poetry in Oxford University followed in 1831, as a matter of course. By appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, he delivered, July 14, 1833, the Summer Assize Sermon, which was published with the title, — "JSTational Apostasy." It was a vigorous protest against the Suppression of the Irish Sees. " I have ever considered and kept the day," says John Henry New- man, "as the start of the religious Movement of 1833." Newman regarded Keble as " the true and primary author of that Movement afterwards called Tractarian." Early in the autumn of 1833, he held frequent conferences, at Oriel College, with Newman, Froude, and Percival, in respect to measures for reviving the ecclesiastical spirit of the Church. An Association was formed, an Address issued, and the IDublication of a series of cheaj) and popular Tracts — after- wards widely known as "Tracts for the Times" — under- taken. Of these Tracts, Keble wrote Nos. 4, 13, 40, 52, 54, 57, 60, 89. To the new " Movement," he gave, as an origi- nator and leader, the whole weight of his character and in- fluence. On the death of his father, January 24, 1835, he succeeded to the Yicarage ; and, October 10, at Bisley, near Fairford, he married Charlotte, the youngest daughter of the Rev. George Clarke, deceased,— the sister of his brother's wife. This living was exchanged, March, 1836, for the Vicarage of Hursley, Hampshire, to which he was presented by Sir William Heathcote. His Visitation Sermon, the next autumn, in the Cathedral at Wincliester, excited a great commotion among the clergy present. Many of them re- 360 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. garded Mm as "almost a Papist." The sermon was pub- lished with the title, — " Primitive Tradition recognized in Holy Scripture." A reply was issued by the Rev, Dr William Wilson, and the positions of the Sermon were successfully as well as elaborately controverted by the Rev. William Goode, in his " Divine Rule of Faith and Prac- tice." The same year, Keble published a new edition of Hooker's works, with a labored " Preface," in favor of the controverted doctrines and usages. At the close of the year, the " Lyra Apostolica " was reprinted from the Brit- isli Magazine, Keble having been one of the seven con- tributors. Tlie following year (1838), he united with Drs. Newman and Pusey in editing the " Library of the Fathers." His next imjjortant production was " The Psalter, or Psalms of David ; in English Verse," — a new version, on which he had been at work, for years, with the hope of supplanting both "The Old" and "The New Versions." It proved a complete failure. His Professorship terminated in 1841 ; and, three years later, he published his " Pr^elec- tiones Academic^K," in two volumes. His " Lyra Innocen- tium " followed in 1846 ; " Sermons, Academical and Occa- sional," in 1847 ; " A Very Few Plain Thoughts on the pro- posed addition of Dissenters to the University of Oxford," in 1854 ; two pamphlets on " the Eucharist," in 1857 and 1858 ; and "The Life of Tliomas Wilson, D.D., Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man," in 1863. He contributed, in early life, an admirable article on " Sacred Poetry," to the 32d volume of the London Quarterly Reinew. He yielded at length to disease, being smitten with par- alysis, November 80, 1864. He survived until March 29, 1866, when he died at Bournemouth, in his seventy-fourth year. Mrs. Keble, who had been a great sufferer from her youth, followed him to the world of spirits, on the 11th of the next May. The following Seed Time Hymn was contributed (1857) to the " Salisbury Hymnal ": " Lord! in thy name thy servants plead, And thou hast sworn to hear ; GEORGE KEITH. 361 Thine is the harvest, thine the seed, The fresh and fading year. ■ Our hope, when autumn winds blew wild, We trusted. Lord ! with thee ; And, now that spi-ing has on us smiled, We wait on thy decree. ' The former and the latter rain, The summer sun and air, The gi-een ear, and the golden grain, All thine, are ours by prayer. ' Thine too by right, and ours by grace. The wondi'ous growth xmseen, The hopes that soothe, the fears 'that brace, The love that shines serene. ' So grant the precious things brought forth By sun and moon below, That thee, in thy new heaven and earth. We never may forego." GEORGE KEITH. The very familiar and popular hymn, beginning " How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord! " with two others from the same hand, was contributed (1787) to " A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors," com- piled by John Rippon, D.D. The authorship was desig- nated simply by " K ." In later editions of the " Selec- tion," published after Dr. Rippon's decease, this hymn is attributed to "Kirkham." A Collection of hymns by Thomas Kirkham was published in 1788, but this hymn is not among them. It has been conjectured, but not ascer- tained, that this hymn, and the two others thus designated, were written by Mr. George Keith, for many years a pub- lisher and bookseller in Gracechurch Street, London, who 362 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. married a daughter of tlie Rev. Dr. Rippon, and officiated as clerk in his place of worship. It is reported, that he was accustomed occasionally to compose hymns suggested by Dr. Rippon's sermons. The other two hymns begin with, " In songs of sublime adoration and praise," and " The Bible is justly esteemed,"— both first published in Dr. Rippon's Selection. THOMAS KELLY. 1769-1855. Mpw Kelly was the only son of the Rt. Hon. Chief Baron Kelly, one of the Royal Judges. He was born, July 13, 1769, at Kellyville, near Athy, Queens County, Ireland. His youth was passed in the midst of affluence, and he was favored with the very best advantages of social and intel- lectual training. He pursued a preparatory course of education at the schools of Port Arlington and Kilkenny. He completed his education at the University of Dublin, graduating with distinction. He now entered, as a student of law, at the Temple, Lon- don, and was a welcome visitor at Edmund Burke's. He had, from an early age, been seriously inclined, and, but for his father's wishes, would have sought the ministry. The perusal of one of the excellent works of the evangeli- cal Romaine led him to consider his ways, and to be a Christian indeed. He renounced the world, relinquished the law, and consecrated himself to the service of his Master. He took orders early in 1792, with three others of his University associates of similar views, — John Walker, Henry Maturin, and Walter Shirley (a son of the Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley), all of whom became useful THOMAS KELLY. 363 ministers of the GospeL Mr. Kelly's change was a great disappointment and mortification to his parents and kin- dred. Evangelical religion had but few followers and advocates, at that time, among the gentry and aristocracy of Ireland. French infidelity had cast its blight over the land. The heart-searching doctrines of the Gospel were seldom j)ro- claimed from the pulpits of the Established Church. Kelly and his three young brethren began their ministry in Dub- lin, but were regarded by the clergy with suspicion. They obtained the Sunday afternoon service at St. Luke's, and their preaching drew a crowd, to the displeasure of the rec- tor, who soon stopped it. They were permitted to conduct the Sunday morning service at Irishtown ; but Dr. Fowler, the ArchbishoiD of Dublin, closed the pulpits of his diocese against them. They now betook themselves to Lady Hunt- ingdon's Chapels, Plunket Street, and Bethesda, in the vicinity of Rutland and Mountjoy Squares. Alderman Hutton, also, opened his house, Luson Street, near St. Stephen's Green, for Friday evening worship, and Mr. Kelly took charge of the service. He preached, also, at Blackrock. Such was his entrance on a ministerial career, of great labor and service, protracted to extreme old age. He married, in 1800, Miss Tighe, of Rosanna, County Wiclvlow, whose mother was the only child of Sir William and Lady Betty Fownes, and inherited their large fortune and estates. At his father's death, Mr. Kelly, also, came into possession of ample wealth. But all his possessions he held in trust for his divine Redeemer. He erected a chapel at Blackrock ; another at Athy, the place of his family residence ; another at Port Arlington ; another at Wexford ; and another at Waterford. These chapels were supplied by godly ministers sent by the Haldanes of Scot- land. Disowned by the rulers of the Established Church, he pursued his work independently; and, eventually, through conviction, became an avowed Dissenter. His chapels and preachers were classified as of "The Rev. 364 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Thomas Kelly's Connection." His winters were spent at Dublin, and his summers at Athy, in both places as a pas- tor. But his labors were widely extended. He delighted in the work, and embraced frequent opportunities to preach the Gospel in all the surrounding region. He took a most lively interest in the spread of the Gos- pel ttbroad, as well as at home, especially in the work of the London Missionary Society. He was a most diligent and laborious servant of Christ. His varied and extensive learning was employed without pedantry, and with unaf- fected humility, in the advancement of his Master's cause. His preaching was thoroughly evangelical, and was char- acterized "by surprising variety, depth, and richness of thought, accompanied by the unction of genuine piety." He was a poet and musician, as well as a theologian. He wrote hymns, and composed the music for their proper ex- pression. He published (1804) a volume of 96 original "Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture." His third edition (1809) contained 304 hymns ; the fifth (1820), 433 hymns ; the sixth (1839), 503 hymns ; and the seventh (1853), 765 hymns — all original. The hymns and tunes composed for them were, also, published together, as " Kelly's Hymns set to Music by the Author." He published but little else. His " Andrew Dunn " was written for the " Religious Tract Society," and is an admi- rable specimen of controversy against Romanism. He wrote for a Dublin periodical a short series of articles, con- taining incidents in his early life, and entitled, " Reminis- cences of the Church." He issued in pamphlet form a few "Thoughts on Imputed Righteousness," and three other pamphlets, at various times, in reply to Canon Stowell, Archbishop AA^hately, and another clerical writer. He continued in the exercise of his ministry until Octo- ber, 1854, when, while preaching to his people in Dublin, he had a slight stroke of paralysis, from which he recov- ered, though with an evident loss of vigor. In the follow- ing spring, an alarming illness supervened, which he bore with great meekness and resignation. He died, May 14, 1855, in his eighty-sixth year. EICHARD KEMPENFELT. 365- The following stanzas are from a liymn suggested by Gal. vi. 14: '' Ground of my hoi^e, the cross appears! I see the ' man of sorrows ' bleed ; I bid adieu to guilty fears, And in Ijis death my pardon read. "And couldst thou, O my Savi9ur! die To rescue me from endless woe? Enough : there's none more blessed than I, Since thou couldst love a sinner so. "I leave the world — its boasted store Of pleasures that must quickly end ; I prize its vanities no more, Since I have found the sinner's Friend." RICHARD KEMPENFELT. 1718-1782. The beautiful lyric, written by Richard Kempenfelt in 1777, " Bvu-st, ye emerald gates! and bring," etc., seems to have been a premonition and a prophecy of the blissful translation of its author to the better land. Cow- per tells the tale in his memorable " Dirge for the Royal George^\' " Toll for the brave !— the brave that are no more ! All sunk beneath the wave, fast by their native shore I Eight hundred of the brave, whose courage well was tried, Had made the vessel keel, and laid her on her side; A land breeze shook the shrouds, and she was overset; Down went the Royal George, with all her crew complete! " Toll for the brave ! brave Kempenfelt is gone ! His last sea-fight is fought, his work of glory done: 366 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. It was not in the battle ; no tempest gave the shock ; She sprang no fatal leak, she ran upon no rock ; His sword was in his sheath, his fingers held the pen When Kempenfelt went down with twice four hundred men ! ' ' Weigh the vessel up, once dreaded by our foes. And mingle with our cup the tear that England owes; Her timbers yet are sound, and she may float agam, Full charged with England's thunder, and plough the distant main: But Kempenfelt is gone, his victories are o'er, And he and his eight hundred men shall plough the wave no more ! " After varied service, the Royal George, in Marcli, 1782, sailed for Brest to keep watch, of the enemy, returning to Spithead, Portsmouth, the next August. Kempenfelt was the second in command. The vessel had sprung a leak and was otherwise foul. In order to inspection, she was ca- reened on the 29th of August. The crew and some hun- dreds of their wives and children were on board. Kempen- felt was at work with his pen in the cabin. A land-squall struck the great hulk ; she fell completely over ; the sea rushed in at the open ports ; she filled and sunk. The res- cued numbered about three hundred; the lost — among them KemiDenfelt— about eight hundred. The land was filled with mourning. Admiral Kempenfelt was the son of a Swede (the original of the " Captain Sentry " of The Spectator), who entered the British Service, and died in the time of George I. , leav- ing two sons and two daughters. Richard was born in October, 1718. He obtained, January 14, 1741, a Lieuten- ant's Commission in the British Navy ; was made Master and Commander, in 1756 ; and was promoted, January 17, 1757, to a Captaincy. In the bloody battles of the East India Seas (1758-1759), he distinguished himself as the Captain of the flagship of Admiral Stevens. He took an active part, also (1762), in the capture of Manilla by Sir William Draper ; was made Governor of Porte Cavite, and then sent home as bearer of dispatches. In 1779-1780, he held the position of Admiral's Captain of the Grand Fleet. Promoted to an Admiral's post, he was (December, 1780) RICHARD KEMPENFELT. Sdl put in command of twelve sail of the line, with which he cut off twelve sail of French shii^s, escorted by twenty-two sail of the line— winning a signal victory. He was not less a Christian than a sailor. As an humble and devout soldier of the cross he was known and honored in the Royal Navy. He was an admirer of Whitefield and the Wesleys. One of his hymns celebrates a field-preach- ing occasion in Cornwall, when fifteen thousand were thought to be present (September 14, 1766). His hymns, nine in number, were written mostly in early life. They appeared in a small tract,— as " Original Hymns and Poems. By Philotheorus. Exeter: 1777"; dedicated, as juvenile efforts, "to the Rev. Mr. Fletcher, Vicar of Madeley, in Shropshire." Possibly Fletcher may have been his spirit- ual father. This tractate has been reprinted, with a brief Preface, by Mr. Daniel Sedgwick, of London. The following stanzas are from the hymn alluded to in the preceding paragraph, and exhibit no little poetic skill and taste : " See how the colored vestments mingling please, And form a garland beautiful and gay ; Which twice ten thousand eyes survey at ease, Each one conspiring in the august display. " The flame of prayer kindles through the throng, And ardent praises stream for sins forgiven ; Hark ! now they all united raise the song, In peals of sacred melody to heaven. " The female notes ascend the echoing vale. Shrill as the matLii carols of the thrush. Or modulating as the nightingale, When the loud clamor of the day is hushed. "Steal, ye soft notes ! to every sinner's soul, Harmoniously allure the ruffian crowd. Soften the rude ideas as ye roll, And pierce the adamantine of the proud. " 368 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. JOHN KEMPTHORNE. 1775-1838. The Rev. Johi^ Kempthorne was a native of Plymoutli, England, and was born, June 24, 1775. He was the son of James Kempthorne, who, on the first day of the present century, was created an Admiral of the British Navy. He was liberally educated, entering St. John's College, Cam- bridge, in 1792, and graduating, A.B., in 1796, and A.M., in 1799. He Avas, also, chosen a Fellow of St. John's, and, in 1807, took the degree of B.D. He served, several years prior to 1816, as Curate of Claybrook, Leicestershire. His first preferment was, in 1816, to the Vicarage of Northleach, Gloucestershire ; to which were added : in 1819, the Vicarage of Preston, Gloucestershire ; in 1827, the Vicarage of Wedmore, Somersetshire ; and, the same year, the Rectory of St. Michael's with the Chaplaincy of St. Mary de Grace, Gloucester. He was made, in 1826, a Prebendary of Lichfield. He occupied, also, for many years the position of Examining Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry. He published, in 1816, " The Pastor's Parting Appeal, Ex- hortations, and Benedictions : a Farewell Sermon, preached in the Parish Church of Claybrook, Leicestershire, on Sun- day, June 16, 1816"; and, in 1835, "The Church's Self- Regulating Privilege, a National Safeguard in Respect to real Church-Reform ; or, Reasons for reviving Convoca- tions, or restoring Provincial and Diocesan Synods." In 1809, he published a volume of " Hymns for the Found- ling Hospital"; and, in 1810, Select Portions of Psalms, from various Translations and Paraphrases ; and " Hymns, from various Authors : many of them consideralily Altered, in order to fit them for the Use of Congregations in the Church of England ; and the Whole arranged according to her Yearly Seasons." The fifth edition was published in 1829. It was dedicated " to the Hon. and Right Rev- THOMAS KEN. 369 erend the Lord Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry." It contains 299 Psalms and Hymns intenningled, with a schol- arly and able Preface, of fifteen pages, on " The Admissi- bility of Hymns, and the supposed exclusive Authority of the Old and New Versions. The alterations are frequent and considerable. " He says : " The object nearest the Edi- tor's heart is the promotion of Congregational Singing." The Collection is preceded by an " introductory hymn," the first two stanzas of which are as follows : " Great God, the Life of all our joys ! Whilst now thy name our song employs, Thy needful gifts impart ; Pure thoughts, to grateful worship given, Affections sweet, and fixed on heaven, The music of the heart. " As in the sacred work we join, Thy glory be our whole design, — Thy glory, not our own : Help us to sing with awe profound ; In seLf-ahasing notes to sound A Saviour's praise alone." He departed this life, at the Kectory of St. Michael's,. Gloucester, November 6, 1838, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. THOMAS KEN. 1637-1711. In confirmation of "the universal popularity of the two beautiful hymns for morning and evening, by Bishop Kenn," beginning " Awake, my soul ! and with the sun," " Gloiy to thee, my Gpd! this night," — Bishop Heber said, that they were then " more generally 24 370 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. sung, by a cottage fire-side, tlian any other compositions witli which [he was] acquainted," and that they were, " in country parishes, almost universally used." A few years later, James Montgomery said : " Bishop Kenn has laid the Church of Christ under abiding obligations by his three hymns, Morning, Evening, and Midnight. Had he endowed three hospitals, he might have been less a benefactor to posterity. . . . Tlie well-known doxology, — ' Praise God from whom all blessings flow,' etc., is a masterpiece at once of amplification and compression. " No one stanza of English verse has been so often, so uni- versally, and so heartily, sang in the worship of God. Thomas Ken was a nonjuring bishop of the seventeenth century. Born, July, 1637, he came uj)on the scene of act- ive life, in the midst of the civil conflict that rent asunder the Church and Commonwealth of Great Britain, in the days of the Great Protector. His father, Thomas Ken, was a barber- surgeon, and an attorney of Furnival's Inn, resid- ing at Little Berkhampstead, Hertfordshire, where the son was born. His mother, Martha Chalkhill, was his father's second wife, and he was her younger son. She died when he was four years old : and his father, ten years later. When he was in his ninth year, his elder sister, Anne, be- came the wife of the well-known Izaak Walton, who was more than forty years his senior, and became to him, after the decease of his parents, a wise and loving guardian and counselor. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to " Wykeham's School near Winchester," then under the v/ardenship of that eminent Presbyterian divine. Rev. John Harris, D.D., who had just been a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines ; and, of course, had " taken the covenant." Having become a superannuate, he left Winchester at eighteen, and, in 1656, was entered a student of Hart Hall (now Magdalen Hall), Oxford. In 1657, he was admitted Probationary Fellow of New College, as a Winchester stu- dent. The next year, Cromwell died, and Oxford speedily THOMAS KEN. 371 relapsed into its former routine, ridding itself, as speedily as it dared, of its recent Puritanism. Ken felt the re- bonnd, and, whatever might have been the effects of his Winchester training, graduated, B.A., May 3, 1661, a thor- ough High Churchman. Shortly after, he took orders, and became Chaplain to William Lord Maynard, Comptroller of his Majesty's household. Maynard had been a sufferer for his loyalty, and Ken became, more than ever, under such influences, an enemy of Puritanism. In 1663, he obtained the Rectory of Little Eaton, Essex. Morley, Izaak Walton's bosom-friend, having in 1662 been made Bishop of Winchester, a fellowship in Winchester Col- lege was given Ken in 1666, and he was, also, made the Bish- op's domestic Chaplain,— Walton having become one of the household, after his wife's death in 1662. The following year. Bishop Morley preferred him to the Rectory of Brix- ton, Isle of Wight ; June 1, 1669, he made him a Prebendary of the Cathedral at Winchester ; and, shortly after, he gave him the Rectory of East Woodhay, Hampshire. All these preferments appear to have been given in return for the refuge, shelter, and comfort, accorded to Morley by Ken's sister Anne, at her cottage near Stafford, in the days of his penury and proscription as a loyalist. In 1675, Ken compiled and published "A Manual of Prayer for the Use of the Scholars of Winchester College, and all other Devout Christians." To the edition of 1700, for the first time, his three hymns were appended. The same year, being the Pope's Jubilee, he accompanied his nephew, young Izaak Walton, to Rome and back, much to his prejudice among some of his people, who accused him of Papal partialities. In 1679, the Princess of Orange, daughter of James, the King's brother, having desired an English chaplain to be sent to her at the Hague, Charles appointed Ken to the honorable position, having previously made him Chaplain in Ordinary to his Majesty. In Sep- tember, 1683, he accompanied Lord Dartmouth, as Chap- lain of the Fleet, to Tangier. On his return, he remained at Winchester, until the death of his great patron, Bishop 372 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Morley, in October, 1684 ; and, January 25, 1685, lie was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells. Twelve days after- wards, February 6th, he stood by the bed of Charles II. , as the dissolute monarch breathed his last, giving little heed to the Bishop's pious counsel, " though the most in favor with him of all the bishops." The next three years were given to the spiritual care of his diocese, sadly in want of his attention ; and greatly was it profited by his godly instructions and faithful labors. In May, 1688, he, with six others of the Episcopal bench, asked the King to be released from reading the Koyal " Declaration for Liberty of Conscience," and, in conse- quence, with the other six, suffered a week's imprisonment in the Tower. But a greater trial remained. James, his Royal Master, was (January 28, 1789) deposed by Parlia- ment, and AVilliam and Mary called (February 7tli) to the vacant throne. Ken, being, as Burnet says, " a man of warm imagination, at the time of the King's first landing, declared heartily for him, and advised all the Gentlemen that he saw, to go and join with him." But, when called to take the oaths, he declined, and eventually (February 1, 1691) was deprived of his bishopric, as a nonjuror. He found a hearty welcome at Longleat, Wiltshire, the seat of his devoted friend and fellow-collegian, Lord Wey- mouth. At the decease (November 27, 1703) of his succes- sor, Dr. Richard Kidder, Queen Anne ofl'ered to restore him to the See, and, on his declining it, gave him a pension of £200 per annum. For twenty years he continued in his retirement, occupied in literary and benevolent pursuits, and in the cultivation of personal piety. He died, at Long- leat, March 19, 1711, and his remains were buried at Frome. He never married. Burnet, speaking of his earlier life, says, he was " a man of an ascetic course of life, and yet of a very lively temper, but too hot and sudden. He had a very edifying way of preaching ; but it was more apt to move the passions, than to instruct. So that his sermons were rather beautiful THOMAS KEN. 373 tlian solid; yet Ms way in them was very taking. The King seemed fond of him ; and by him and Turner (Bishop of Ely) the Papists hoped, that great progress might be made in gaining or at least deluding the clergy." On the other hand, the high-churcli party represent him as almost a paragon of piety. The following stanza, the first of eleven, addressed to Ken, shows the ordinary esti- mate of the bishop by " Churchmen ": " Dead to all else, alive to God alone, Ken, the confessor meek, abandons power, Palace, and mitre, and cathedral throne, (A shroud alone reserved), and, in the bower Of meditation, hallows every hour With orLson, and strews, in life's decline. With pale hand, o'er his evening path, thy flower, O Poetry ! pouring the lay divine. In tributary love, before Jehovah's skrine. " Besides his " Manual of Prayers," he published several " Sermons " and Letters ; also, " An Exposition of the Church Catechism " (1685) ; " Directions for Prayer " (1685) ; and " Prayers for the Use of all Persons who come to the Bath for Cure" (1692). After his decease, appeared (1711) in his name, " Expostulatoria ; or. Com- plaints of the Church of England." His poetical works were published (1721) in 4 volumes, the only complete edi- tion. His poems are none of them of a high order. He is known generally only by his two hymns. Morning and Evening, and his incomparable doxology, attached to each of them. It is quite certain that Ken was familiar with the writ- ings of Sir Thomas Browne, the well-knowTi author of the " Religio Medici." This admirable work appeared in 1642. It contains a poetical " Colloquy with God," which has not only, as Montgomery remarked in his "Christian Poet" (1827), the general ideas of Bishop Ken's Evening Hymn, but in many cases the same expressions, rhymes, and turns of thought. Sir Thomas' hymn is subjoined, with which Ken's may easily be compared : 374 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "a colloquy with god." " The nig-ht is come. Like to the day, Depart not thou, great God ! away. Let not my sins, black as the night, Eclipse the lustre of thy light. Keep still in my horizon, for to me The sun makes not the day, but thee. Thou, whose natm'e cannot sleep, On my temples sentry keep. Gruard me 'gainst those watchful foes, Whose eyes are open while mine close. Let no dreams my head infest, But such as Jacob's temples blest. While I do rest, my soul advance, Make my sleep a holy trance, That I may, my rest being wrought, Awake vmto some holy thought. And with as active vigor run My course, as doth the nimble sun. Sleep is a death. Oh ! make me try, By sleeping, what it is to die ; And as gently lay my head On my grave as now my bed. Howe'er I rest, great God ! let me Awake again, at last, with thee ; And, thus assured, behold ! I lie Securely, or to wake or die. These are my di'owsy days. Li vain I do now wake to sleep again. Oh ! come, sweet liour ! when I shall never Sleep ag-ain, but wake forever ! " Ken's Evening Hymn contains eleven stanzas besides the doxology. The first stanza of his Morning Hymn is evi- dently an outgrowth of Browne's. The three hymns, in full, and as written by Ken, are reproduced in Sir Roundell Palmer's "Book of Praise." WILLIAM KETHE. 375 WILLIAM KETHE. The version of " The Old Hundredth Psalm," beginning "All people that on earth do dwell," is a general favorite, not only among the strict " Psalm- singing " churches of Scotland and Ireland, but with the lovers of " Hymns and Spiritual Songs " as well. In the year 1561, the Old Psalter appeared mth an addition of twenty-five new versions of Psalms, of whicli this of the 100th Psalm was one. All the twenty-five were attributed to "W. K." save this one, to which the initials "T. S." (Thomas Sternhold) were prefixed. But Sternhold died in 1549, and shortly after, his friend, John Hopkins, pub- lished his thirty-seven versions of Psalms, with the title, — "All such Psalms of David as Thomas Sternholde, late Groome of the King's Majestye's Robes, did in his Lifetime drawe into Englyshe Metre." Tliis version of the 100th Psalm was not of the number. It is said that another edition appeared in 1561, with "W. K." substituted for " T. S. " in the case of this Psalm ; as was also done in the Scottish Psalter of 1564. The initials "T. S." were not again prefixed. The whole of the twenty-five additions of 1561 should, doubtless, have been credited to " W. K.," as appears from the uniformity of their style. William Kethe (Kith, Kythe, Keith) was a clergyman, of the Reformation party, and of Scotch descent, preaching in England during the reign of Edward VI. His earliest production extant is a broadside of twenty-two stanzas in ballad style, entitled, — " Of Misrules contending with Gods Word by name, And then of ones judgment that heard of the same." It was printed by "Heugli Syngelton dwellynge over- agaynst the Stiliardes." It exposes the Papists as the promoters of disorder and bad government. The last stanza is subjoined : 376 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ' ' But who shall stand doutiug, when our noble Kynge Wyth his faythfuU counsaill perceave shall the thinge, But that they wyll shortly mysrule so represse, That glad shall the good be to se suche redresse. Finis, quod Wyllyam Kethe, Dominus mihi adjutor.'''' Singleton's first place of business (1553) was — "Tem strete, oner agaynste tlie Styliardes, at the sygne of the Dobbel-hood." At the death of King Edward, and the accession of Queen Mary, Kethe fled to the Continent, and found refuge at Frankfort, Germany. While here, the Rev. John Plough, another exile, residing at Basil, wrote a pamphlet against him. He was with John Knox, in 1555, at Geneva. During his exile, he wrote a ballad against the Papists, to be sung to a then well-known aii^ called, "Tie thy mare, Tomboy"; with the title : "A Bal- let declaringe the fal of the whore of babylon, intytuled Tye thy mare tom boye w' other, and there vnto anexid a prologe to the reders." His subscrij)tion to the ballad is "William Kj^he." It is followed by "An Exortacion to the palmists," which is subscribed, "Wylliam Kith." He also wrote " A Seeing Glasse sent to the Nobles and Gen- tlemen of England," which was printed by Singleton. On the accession of Queen Elizabeth (1558), he returned to England, and was subsequently settled over the parish of Okeford, Dorsetshire. He served, also, as Chaplain of the English forces at Havre, in 1563. A sermon from his pen is extant, "made at Blandford Forum" (Dorsetshire) 17th January, 1571-2. It is afiirmed, that he made several contributions to the Scotch Version of the Psalms. His baUad of " Misrules " was reprinted by the " Percy Soci- ety " in 1840. The days of his birth and death have not been ascertained. FEANCIS SCOTT KEY. 377 FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. 1779-1843. Mr. Key, the renowned author of " The Star Spangled Banner," was the son of John Ross Key, an officer in the American Army of the Revohition, and a descendant of some of the earliest settlers of Maryland. At the pater- nal home in Frederick Co., Francis was born, August 1, 1779. He was educated at St. John's College, Annapolis, Md., and, after his graduation, studied law in the same town, with his uncle, Philip Barton Key. In 1801, he commenced the practice of law, at Fredericktown, Md. ; but, a few years later, removed to Washington, D. C, and became District Attorney for the Territory. He died, Jan- uary 11, 1843. He was for many years a devout and exem- plary Christian. " The Star Spangled Banner," as in the case of every gen- uine song, was the outburst of a sensitive heart glowing with emotion. Key and his friend. Skinner, had been sent with a flag of truce, August 13, 1814, from Baltimore to the Brit- ish fleet, at the mouth of the Potomac, to obtain the release 01 prisoners captured in the expedition against Washing- ton. As the enemy were just about to make an attack on Baltimore, the truce-boat was detained w^ith the fleet, under guard. The bombardment of Fort McHenry, begun in the evening, continued through the night. Key and his friends awaited the result with the deepest anxiety. Just before day, the cannonading ceased, and they paced the deck till dawn, eager for the first streak of day to disclose the result. With " the dawTi's early light," they caught sight of " the broad stripes and bright stars " of the dear old flag still floating over the fort. As they now made their way back to the city, Key, all aglow wdth the fervor of the moment, composed and wrote on the back of a letter this grand Na- tional Lyric. The same day it was put in print, and circu- lated all over the city. It was wi"itten, and sung then and 378 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. now, to the tune of " Anacreon in Heaven," The tune liad previously been sung to Thomas Paine's Ode, entitled, " Adams and Liberty," with the chorus, — ' ' For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves." Key's hymn, in seven stanzas, "Before the Lord we bow," etc., was written for the celebration of the Fourth of July, 1832. He also wrote the following sjpiritual song, which has been set to appropriate music : " If life's pleasures cheer thee. Give them not thy heart, Lest the gifts ensnare thee From thy God to part : His praises speak, His favor seek, Fix there thy hope's foundation; Love him and he Shall ever be The Eock of thy salvation. " If sorrow e'er befall thee, Painful though it be. Let not fear appall thee. To thy Saviom' flee : He, ever near. Thy prayer will hear, And calm thy perturbation ; The waves of woe Shall ne'er o'erflow The Rock of thy salvation. " Death shall never harm thee, Shrink not from his blow, For thy God shall arm thee, And victory bestow : For death shall brmg To thee no sting, The grave no desolation ; 'T is gain to die. With Jesus nigh, — The Rock of thy salvation." His " Poems " were published (1857) at Baltimore, T\ith a preface by his brother-in-law, Hon. Eoger B. Taney, Chief- Justice of the United States. WILLIAM KINGSBUEY. 379 WILLIAM KINGSBURY. 1744-1818. The Eev. William Kingsbuey was born, July 12, 1744, in Bisliopsgate Street, London. He was pionsly trained, and from a child was conscientious and devout. At the age of nine years, he was left, with four other children, to the care of a widowed mother, with slender means of support. He was sent, first, to the Merchant Taylors' School, and then, two years later, to Christ's Hospital School, for three years. At the age of fifteen years, he was admitted to the Mile End Congregational Academy, of which the Rev. Drs. Conder, Walker, and Gibbons, were then Tutors. After a season of deep convic- tion and depression, he was filled (October 7, 1760) with "joy and peace in believing." In February, 1762, he was admitted to the church of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons, Haberdashers' Hall ; and, in August, 1763, at the age of nine- teen, preached his first sermon in the church of the Rev. Dr. Walker (another of his Tutors), Bethnal Green. His Academic course was completed in June, 1764. He had, while a student, supplied the pulpit of the Inde- pendent Church at Tooting, Surrey. A few months after graduation, he began to supply the pulpit of the Church at Southampton (where Isaac Watts began his career), and was ordained their pastor, October 8, 176.5. The congrega- tion was raised, during his ministry of forty-four years, from a very low, depressed state to a healthful, vigorous, and prosperous condition. He married, November, 1768, a daughter of the Rev. Mordecai Andrews, of London. She was taken from him, by death, in 1788. In addition to his pastoral work, he opened, by the advice of his dear friend, John Howard, the philanthropist, an Academy for young gentlemen. In 1787, he declined the offer of the resident TutorshiiD of Homerton College. Mr. Kingsbury was associated with those excellent cler- 380 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. gymen, Cardogan, Newton, and Romaine, in the promotion of the various evangelical efforts of the day. He intro- duced Sunday- School instruction (1786) into Southampton. He was one of the earliest advocates, and in 1795 became one of the Founders, of the London Missionary Society. He was, also, one of the originators and editors of the Lon- don Evangelical Magazine^ to the columns of which he was an occasional contributor. He was associated, during his later years (1800-1809), in the pastorate, with the Rev. George Clayton and the Rev. Henry Lacy. A paralytic stroke compelled him (July, 1809) to resign his pastoral charge, and to retire to Caver- sham, near Reading, where, in great comfort, he spent his remaining days, until his decease, February 18, 1818. His second wife had long before become insane. He was, says Dr. Morrison, " one of the brightest ornaments of the min- isterial character, that has graced the Church of Christ in modern times ; — a man of rare and exalted worth, adorned by equal strength and refinement of mind, and nobly con- secrated to the cause of God and souls ; yet humble to a proverb." His only i)ublications, besides his contributions to the Evsangelical Magazine, were occasional Sermons, and the two hymns, "Let us awake our joys," etc., " Great Lord of all thy churches I hear," etc., which were contributed to DobeU's Selection of hymns (1806). ANDREW KIPPIS. 1725-1795. Poetry was not Dr. Kippis' forte ; his prose was better than his verse. He was of Puritan ancestry, and was born, March 28, 1725, at Nottingham, England. His father, ANDREW KIPPIS. 381 Robert, who was a hosier, died in 1730 ; and the fatherless child was received into the house of his grandfather, An- drew, at Sleaford, Lincolnshire. He was educated at the grammar-school of this place ; and, at the age of sixteen, was induced by the Rev. Samuel Merivale, the pastor of the Independent congregation there, to study for the min- istry. He became a pupil of the Rev. Dr. Doddridge, of Northampton ; and during his five years' course, rapidly advanced in learning. His ministerial career began in 1746, when (September) he took charge of a Dissenting congregation at Boston, Lincolnshire. Four years later, he succeeded the Rev. John Mason (author of " Self-Knowledge "), at Dorking, Surrey. Then, in June, 1753, he became the successor of the Rev. Dr. Hughes, as joastor of the Presbyterian Church of Westminster, London, in which position he con- tinued to the end of life. He had, early in his course, abandoned the Calvinism of his ancestors, and become a decided Arian. He devoted himself, during a long life, to the promotion o| Literature, Science, and the Arts, as well as Morals and Religion. He made frequent contributions to the columns of the Gentleman^ s Magazine^ the Moiitlily Review, and The Library. His intelligence, refinement, and great benevolence of manner, made him a great favor- ite in cultivated circles. He was held, everywhere, in high respect. In addition to his pastorate, he was appointed (1763) Clas- sical and Theological Tutor in Coward's Academy, Hoxton, London, where he was associated with the Rev. Dr. Abraham Rees, a minister of kindred views. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred upon him in June, 1767, Tby the Uni- versity of Edinburgh. He was, also, chosen (March, 1778) a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and (June, 1779) a Fellow of the Royal Society. As he could no longer, in any sense, be regarded as an orthodox divine, he resigned (1784) his Tutorship in Coward's Academy. Yet, to the last, he cherished the utmost affection for the memory of Dr. Doddridge, wrote a Memoir of his Life, and edited his "Lectures." 382 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. He married (September, 1753), on Ms removal to London. Miss Elizabeth Bott, the daughter of a respectable mer- chant of Boston, Lincolnshire, and a member of his first pastoral charge. He died of a fever, at his home in Lon- don, October 8, 1795, in his seventy-first year, universally lamented. Dr. Kippis was a most diligent and laborious student. He wrote and published numerous articles in the Annual Registers, Monthly Magazines, and other periodicals, of one of which — The Library— \iQ was the editor. He wrote the " Life," and edited the " Works " (1788), in eleven volumes, of the Rev. Nathaniel Lardner, D.D.; also, as before inti- mated (1794), Dr. Doddridge's " Course of Lectures," with very extensive and valuable additions, in two volumes. He published a volume of his "Sermons on Practical Sub- jects," in 1791. He undertook a new edition of the "Bio- graphia Britannica," for which he wrote a great many valuable articles, but he died in the midst of the work. Five folio volumes were published (1778-1793) ending with "Fastolff." A section of the 6th volume, from " Featley to Foster," had been printed, at the time of his death. He was probably the only man who had read the whole of " The General Dictionary, Historical and Critical " (Lon- don, 1734-1741), ten volumes, folio. Dr. Rees says of him : " The natural powers of his mind were cultivated with an assiduity and perseverance of application, in which he had few superiors, and not many equals." In connection with the Rev. Abraham Rees, D.D., Rev. Thomas Jervis, and Rev. Thomas Morgan, he compiled, and published, a few months only before his death (1795), " A Collection of Hymns and Psalms for Public and Private Worship." It contained 690 Hymns, much pruned and altered, with the names of the Authors, as far as known, attached. Previous to this, " the generality of the Presby- terian Societies in the Metropolis and its vicinity [had] contented themselves solely with Dr. Watts's Psalms." A second edition was called for in 1797. The Collection " was published with a view to promote just and rational LAURENTIUS LAURENTI. 383 sentiments of religion [in] social worship and private de- votion." Two only of tlie hymns were from his own pen. The one beginning " How rich, thy gifts, almighty King! " was written for a " National Tlianksgiving." The theme of the other, which is here given, is " The Unknown God ": ' ' Great God ! in vain man's narrow view Attempts to look thy nature through ; Our lab'ring powers with reverence own,— Thy glories never can be known. " Not the high seraph's mighty thought, Who countless years his God has sought, Such wondi'ous height or depth can find, Or fully trace thy boundless mind. " Yet, Lord! thy kindness deigns to show Enough for mortal minds to know ; While wisdom, goodness, power divine, Through all thy works and conduct shine. " Oh! may our souls with rapture trace Thy works of nature and of grace, Explore thy sacred name, and still Press on to know and do thy will." LAURENTIUS LAURENTI. 1660-1722. The author of the hymn beginning " Ermuntert euch, ihr Frommen," ("Eejoice, all ye believers ! "—Tr. Miss J. Borthwick.) was born, June 8, 1660, at Husum, in the Duchy of Hol- stein. His father was an ardent lover of music, and edu- 384 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. cated his son, who inherited his tastes, for the musical pro- fession. After a thorough training at Kiel, the son was, in 1684, appointed Precentor and Director of the Choir, at the cathedral church of Bremen. He published, in 1700, at Bremen, his " Evangelia Melodica," consisting of 148 spir- itual songs and hymns, arranged according to the different gospels for Sundays and holy days, and adapted to known melodies. His hymns are of the pietist school, and are re- plete with spiritual fervor, though written with great sim- plicity. He died at Bremen, May 29, 1722. RICHARD LEE. The eucharistic hymn, "When I view my Saviour bleeding," etc., is the iDroduct of " a laborious mechanic." It appeared in " Flowers from Sharon ; or. Original Poems on Divine Sub- jects. By Richard Lee. 12mo, 173 pages"; published at London, 1794. These " Flowers," with one or two excep- tions, were produced, when the author was but a boy, "between the years of fifteen and nineteen." Several of them were contributed to the Evangelical Magazine, Yols. I. and II., for 1793 and 1794, and were published with the signature — "Ebenezer." Mr. Lee, at that time, resided at Leicester Fields, London. In Colburn's Biographical Dic- tionary of Living Authors (1816), he is called, " a political and religious fanatic." In his " Preface," Lee says : " It is not from a vain siipposition of their iDoetical merit that the ensuing sheets are offered to the public ; but from a con- viction of the divine truths they contain,— truths which, I own, fallen and depraved reason will always stumble at, and which the unregenerate heart will never cordially re- ceive ; but which the Christian embraces, and holds fast as his chief treasure." The hymns exhibit not a little poet- JANE E. LEESON. 335 ical skill, and are written in a devout spirit. They are the product of a thoroughly orthodox mind. His " Song of Praise to the Trinity," which is subjoined, has been exten- sively used as a Doxology : "To God, who chose us in his Son, Ere time its coui'se began ; To Christ, who left his radiant throne, And died for wretched man ; To God, the Spixit, who appHes The Lamb's atoning sacrifice ; " To the eternal, equal Three, The undivided One, Let saints and angels both agree To give the praise alone ; In earth, in heaven, by all adored, The holy, holy, holy Lord." JANE E. LEESOK Mrss Leeson is an English lady, the particulars of whose personal history have not transpired. She is, undoubtedly, attaclied to the Church of England, and in sympathy with the High Church party. Her publications bear the impri- matur of " Burns," or " Masters," London, and are favora- bly noticed in The Christian Remembrancer. Her first publication appears to have been, " Hymns and Scenes of Childhood; or, A Sponsor's Gift," the third edition of which was published by " Bums, London," and " Dearden, Nottingham," November, 1842. Her " Lady Ella, or the Story of Cinderella," in verse, was issued in April, 1847 ; her "Songs of Christian Chivalry," in September, 1848; her "Christian Child's Book," in two parts, in October, 1848 ; also, " The Wreath of Lilies ; a Series of Simple Comments for Children, on the Events of our Lord's Life"; her " Chapters on Deacons ; being a short Account of the 25 386 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. early and other Deacons, compiled to meet tlie awakened interest manifested on the subject of the Diaconate," in October, 1849 ; " The Ten Commandments Explained, in Easy Verse for Children," in November, 1849 ; " The Story of a Dream,'' in 1850 ; and " Paraphrases and Hymns for Congregational Singing," in 1853. All these were pub- lished anonymously, and were designed, the most of them, for children. The hymn beginning " O Holy Spirit, Fount of love," is a translation of Charles Coffin's Breviary hymn, " O Fons amoris ! " etc., and was contributed, with several others, by Miss Leeson, to "Hymns for the Use of the Churches," published in 1864. WILLIAM FREEMAN LLOYD. 1791-1853. Mr. Lloyd was the well-known Secretary of the London Sunday- School Union. He was the son of pious parents, who died in his younger days, and who resided in the vil- lage of Uley, Gloucestershire, England, where he was born, December 22, 1791. Early in life he devoted himself to the cause of Christ, and at fifteen years of age was a Sunday- School Teacher at Oxford, where he then resided. Soon after, he removed to London, and in 1810, not yet twenty years old, he became one of the Secretaries of the Sunday- School Union. In 1816, he was chosen one of the Commit- tee of the Religious Tract Society, serving both Societies for several years. He originated the Sunday-Scliool Teacliers' Magazine^ and edited, for years, the ChUcVs Comfpanion and the Week- ly Visitor. In his official positions, he was called to edit, also, many of the publications of the two Societies, of MARTIN LUTHER. 387 wliicli, several books and tracts were from his own pen. He was also mucli occupied with compilations and revi- sions. He completely identified himself with the Sunday- School cause, and was greatly esteemed and honored by the religious circles of the metropolis and elsewhere in Great Britain. He was a brother of the Rev. Samuel Lloyd, Vicar of Horsley, Gloucestershire, at whose house, Stanley Hall, to which he had retired on the loss of his health, he died, April 22, 1853, in the sixty-second year of his age. He published, in 1835, " Thoughts in Rhyme." His poetry is, for the most part, quite commonplace. MARTIN LUTHER. 1483-1546. It is not without reason, that Heinrich Heine called the grand old hymn, " Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott," ["A mighty Fortress is our God."— Tr. T. Carlyle.] " The Marseillaise of the Reformation." It was the battle- song of the Church militant, going forth " conquering and to conquer," in its terrific conflict with the hierarchy of Rome. The date of its composition has not been fully de- termined. Merle d'Aubigne assigns it to the 3d of April, 1530, when Luther and his coadjutors were setting out for the Diet of Augsburg. But, in refutation of this theory, it is only needful to observe, that it was printed in Joseph King's hymn-book that appeared in 1529. It is, therefore, affirmed by Kiibler ("Historical Notes," 1865), that th- probable date of its composition was April 19, 1529, the day on which the famous Protest, which gave the name " Prot- estants" to the Reformers, was presented to the Diet of Spires. The earliest date that has been plausibly sug- 388 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. gested is ISTovember 1, 1527. Eitlier then, or witMn eight- een months of that time, it sprang forth from the glowing heart of the Great Reformer, Sacred song was one of the most efficient weapons used by Luther and his friends in the prosecution of their great work of Reform. Jerome, in the fourth century, had written : " One cannot go out into the iields without finding the plougher at his hallehijahs and the mower at his hymns." And Luther determined on a similar move- ment. In his very childhood, he was wont, with at least three other boys, to go about among the small villages (the four singing in distinct parts), from house to house, begging food. And even at Eisenach, years afterwards, he was still compelled to beg his bread, singing in a choir, from door to door. It was this that attracted the attention of Madame Cotta, and furnished him, at her house, a hos- pitable home in the days of his penurj^ His fine alto voice gave him the position of chorister in the monastery at Er- furt ; and thus he was led to cultivate the art of which he was passionately fond, and to fit himself for the great work of creating, for Germany and the world, a new and most effective cultus — the evangelical church song. To Spalatin, he wrote : " It is my intention, after the example of the prophets and the ancient fathers, to make German psalms for the people ; that is, spiritual songs, whereby the Word of God may be kept alive among them by singing. We seek, therefore, everywhere for poets." A poet himself, he wrote thirty-seven hymns, some of them being versions of the Psalms ; others, translations of old Latin hymns in use among the people ; and others still, original compositions. At first they were printed on leaf- lets, and scattered far and wide among the people, by whom they were eagerly caught up and committed to memory. The first hymn-book of the Refonnation was the "Er- furter Enchiridion," printed at Erfurt in 1524. It contained a considerable part of Luther's hymns. Three others were issued within the next six or seven years — compiled re- spectively by Johann Walther, Joseph Klug, and Valentin MAETIN LUTHER. 389 Babst. Walther, in 1524, published, in conjunction with Luther, the first Chorale Book of the Reformation. The hymns in these Collections were properly religious ballads, written, many of them, to suit popular melodies, and set, in other cases, to simple and telling tunes composed ex- pressly for them, of which Luther composed a considerable number. So popular did these hymns speedily become, that not less than " four printers in Erfurt alone," it is said, " were entirely occupied in printing and publishing them." They were sung everywhere, permeating the public mind with the great truths of the Eeformed doctrine, and baifling the artifices of the priesthood. Whole villages and towns were thus won over to what was called " the new religion," but which was, in reality, the old doctrine of the Saviour and his Apostles ; " and the roads of Germany, which had so lately swarmed with men and women on their way to buy indulgences, now echoed to the joyful stanzas of the Re- foraiers." Audin, the Catholic, in his " Life of Luther," says, that Luther's hymns " had prodigious success ; the Latin hymns ceased all at once, and, in the divine service, nothing else was heard but the harmonious stanzas of the reformer." " Luther," said the Catholics, "has done us more harm by his songs than by his sermons." Cardinal Thomas-a-Jesu wrote, in the sixteenth century : " The interests of Luther are furthered, in an extraordinary degree, by the singing of his hymns by people of every class, not only in schools and churches, but in dwellings and shops, in markets, streets, and fields." The Papacy was powerless before this great outburst of sacred song. A national hymnology — vehement and intensely passionate, richly laden with the great truths of the Gospel, expressed in the rugged and idiomatic tongue of fatherland, level with the popular mind, and adapted to the people's wants— was thus created, of which Martin Luther uas confessedly the father and founder, and of which his " Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott," 390 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. struck the key-note. ISTo other hymnology in the world compares with it in its ample stores, in the abundance of its productions, and in its exuberant wealth of thought and expression. This hymn, born of the great era of the Prot- estant Reformation, marks, also, a corresponding era in Christian hymnology. Martin Luther was the son of John and Margaret Luther, and was born at Eisleben, November 10, 1483. The next year, his parents removed to Mansfeld, six miles to the northwest. His father was a mining peasant, and the child was trained among the humblest classes. At the age of fourteen, he was sent to the Franciscan school at Magdeburg, and the next year (1498) to the Latin school at Eisenach. In July, 1501, he was admitted to the Uni- versity of Erfurt. He entered the Augustinian monastery, in July, 1505 ; and. May 2, 1507, he was ordained to the l^riesthood. In the autumn of 1508, he was appointed Pro- fessor of Philosophy in the new University of Wittenberg. He visited Rome in 1510 ; and, in 1512, took the degree of D.D. at Erfurt. In April, 1516, he was made vicar of his order in Saxony and Thuringia, and, in this capacity, visited extensively the various cloisters of his province. In Sep- tember, 1517, he came in collision with Tetzel, on the sub- ject of Indulgences, and on Saturday, October 31st, at noon, posted, on the door of the Electoral Church at Wittenberg, his 95 theses against the iDractice. Thus "The Reforma- tion " began. Three years later, December 10, 1520, he burned the Pope's bull, and so defied Rome. Summoned to the Diet at Worms, he made his appearance there, April 17, 1521; and on his return was seized. May 4th, and concealed, from his foes, in the Castle of Wartburg. The Pope, Leo X., died, December 1, 1521, and Luther returned to Wittenberg, March 7, 1522. He abandoned the cloister in 1524, and married, June 13, 1525, Catharine von Bora. In April, 1529, he joined in the famous "Protest" before the Diet at Spires ; and, April, 1530, in the Protestant Confession, before the Augsburg Diet. His friends had now become so numerous, HENEY FRANCIS LYTE. 391 and were so powerful, as to deliver him from all fear of Rome. His remaining years were spent at Wittenberg in safety and quiet, devoted to the furtherance of the Refor- mation, by his numerous writings, and from the pulpit. He passed away, in great peace, February 18, 1546, in the sixty-third year of his age. HENRY FRANCIS LYTE. 1793-1847. Among her purest, choicest, and most gifted lyric poets, the Church of Christ will ever delight to number Henry Francis Lyte. His contributions to " the service of song in the house of the Lord," and in the domestic sanctuary, have been numerous and excellent. Could he have known how much comfort they would impart to the people of God, and how much inspiration to a holy life, he could not have written as he did, in his " Declining Days,"— " 'Tis the thought that I— My lamp so low, my sun so nearly set, Have Uved so useless, so unmissed should die : — 'Tis this I now regret." It was not in vain that he gave expression to the high and holy aspirations of his gentle and humble s^Dirit, in the fol- lowing beautiful stanzas, in the same sweet poem : ' ' Might my poor lyre but give Some simple strain, some spirit-moving lay. Some spai'klet of the soul, that still might live When I v/as passed to clay, — " Might verse of mine inspire One virtuous aim, one high resolve impart, — Light in one drooi)ing soul a liallowed fire, Or bind one broken heart, — 392 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " Death would be sweeter then, More calm my slumber 'neath the silent sod, Might I thus live to bless my fellow-men, Or glorify my God." Heniy Francis Lyte, thoiigli of English parentage, was born, June 1, 1793, at Ednam, near Kelso, Scotland, some- times called, "The Poet's Corner of Roxburghshire." His father, Capt. Thomas Lyte, was an army officer, and died when Henry was an infant. His godly mother, as he him- self testifies, trained him in the paths of holiness : ' ' In early life to thee I was Consigned by solemn vow." She, too, was taken from him at an early age, and he was left with very limited means of support. Through the kindness of friends, he was sent, at nine years of age, to a school at Protoro, Ireland ; and, in 1812, he was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin. A scholarship, obtained the next year, and the instruction of a few pupils, with the aid of friends, enabled him to prosecute his college course with- out serious embarrassment. Thrice he won the prize for the best English poetry. His ode " To a Field Flower," — "Hail ! lovely hai'binger of Spring," etc., was wi'itten, April 27, 1812, and his " Sad Thoughts,"— "Yes ! I am calm, am humbled now," etc., bears date, 1815, and indicates that he had experienced a bitter disaj^pointment in an affair of the heart. Abandoning his intention to study medicine, he w^as ad- mitted (1815) to' orders in the Episcopal Church. His first Curacy, " dreary " enough, w^as at Taghinon, in Ireland. Called by a neighboring clergyman to counsel him in pros- pect of death, for which he found himself wholly unpre- pared, Lyte was led to look into the grounds of his own hope, and was convinced that his heart had never been sav- ingly renewed. Together they sought and found the Lord. HENEY FRANCIS LYTE. 393 His friend died in great peace, and lie himself lived to serve the Lord in newness of spirit, and with his whole heart, as never before. ^ His own health gave way, and symptoms of consumption were developed. A trip to the Continent brought relief. On his return, he tried the air of Bristol, and served in two or three Curacies successively. In 1817, he received the ap- pointment of a lectureship in the chapel of ease, in the maritime town of Marazion, just in front of the romantic Mount St. Michael, near Penzance. He now became united in marriage to Anne, the only daughter of the Eev. W. Maxwell, D.D., of Bath. Soon after, he removed to Ly- mington. Here he wrote his charming " Tales on the Lord's Prayer," published in 1826, and several of his poetic effusions ; among the latter, — "A few brief moons the babe who slumbers here," etc., on the occasion of the burial of his infant child, February, 1821. He next served as Curate of Charlton, Kingsbridge, whence he removed to Dittisham. At length (1826) he was appointed to the Perpetual Curacy of the District Chapel of Lower Brixham, and here, among a sea-faring people having but little refinement and education, he spent his remaining days, faithfully preaching the Gospel, and labor- ing for theii' good. Several of his hymns were written for the express benefit of his Sunday and day-schools. "Jesus ! I my cross have taken," etc., was written not later than 1825, and probably dates back to the period of his conversion. It was reproduced in the Home Missionary Magazine^ for 1829, in six double stan- zas. In 1833, he gave to the world his " Poems, chiefly Re- ligious," and the following year his " Spirit of the Psalms," mostly original, but some of them only modifications of older versions. Many of them have become great favorites. To his parochial duties he added the work of teach- ing. In 1827, two liberated African youths were com- 394 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. mitted to his care, to be trained as sclioolmasters and catecliists for Sierra Leone. Possessed of an extensive library, to which he was continually making valuable ac- cessions, he devoted much time to theological research. At length his health failed, and he was compelled, in 1842, to seek its restoration by travel on the Continent. Again, in October, 1844, he was driven to Italy, where he spent the winter and following year ; writing there his " Longings for Home," his " Thoughts in Weakness," and his " Czar in Rome." In 1846, he returned to England, and i3ublished the " Poems of Henry Yaughan," to which he prefixed a " Memoir. " The next winter was also spent in Italy, the spring of 1847 bringing him back to England, greatly de- bilitated. He preached, after long silence, to his beloved people, September 4, 1847, and administered the Lord's SuiDper. The same evening, he placed in the hands of a very dear relative, A^dth an air of his own composing, that precious relic of his last days on earth, the sweet hymn, — "Abide with me ; fast falls the eventide," etc. A few weeks after, on his way to Rome, he died at Nice, November 20, 1847, in his fifty-fourth year. His remains were buried there, in the English cemetery. In January, 1850, " The Remains of the late Rev. Henry Francis Lyte, A.M., Incumbent of Lower Brixham, Devon- shire ; consisting of hitherto unpublished poems, a few Sermons, etc. With a brief Prefatory Memoir," appeared from the press of the Rivingtons. A volume was issued by l". & A. Constable, Edinburgh, 1868, containing the " Mis- cellaneous Poems," taken from this publication, and the "Poems, chiefiy Religious." The following stanzas are taken from his poem on " Evening ": " Sweet evenuag hour ! sweet evening hour ! That calms the air, and shuts the flower; That brings the wild bird to her nest, The infant to its mother's breast. "Yes, lovely hour! thou art the time When feelings flow, and wishes climb ; EGBERT STEPHENS McALL. 395 When timid souls begin to dare, And God receives and answers prayer. ' Who has not felt, that evening's hour Draws forth devotion's tenderest power, — That guardian spii-its round us stand. And God himself seems most at hand ? ' Let others hail the rising day ; I praise it when it fades away, — When life assumes a higher tone, And God and heaven are all my own." EGBERT STEPHENS McALL. 1792-1838. The Rev. Robert Stephejn^s McAll, LL.D., was one of the most gifted and eloquent of the Dissenting ministry of England, in the early part of this century. He was born at Plymouth, August 4, 1792, and was- the eldest son of the Rev. Robert McAll, a minister in Lady Huntingdon's Con- nection. Soon after the birth of his son, Mr. McAll re- moved to Gloucester, and continued there several years ; after which he became a resident of St. Ives, Cornwall ; and in 1813, he took charge of Zion Chapel, London. Robert obtained the rudiments of education at Glouces- ter, and the higher branches of learning at Penzance, Fal- mouth, and Redruth ; always taking a stand for proficiency far above his years. In 1806, he studied at Axminster Academy; in 1807, having become a member of his father's church, he studied at Harwich; and, in 1808, at Hoxton Academy. A part of the following year was spent with the Rev. Dr. Wm. Bengo Collyer, at Blackheath Hill, near London. Shortly after, he entered the University of Edin- burgh, where he devoted himself chiefly to the study of 396 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. medicine. He completed his literary and medical course in 1813, having greatly distinguished himself in all his academical pursuits. Soon after his graduation, he accepted (1815) a call to the chaplaincy of a congregation, worshiping in the Sun- day-School rooms of Macclesfield, Cheshire. He married the youngest sister of John Whitaker, the principal found- er of the mission. Great crowds were attracted by the eloquence of the youthful preacher ; and, in 1823, he was ordained to the ministry. The next year, St. George's Chapel, a commodious edifice, was erected for the use of the congregation. At the end of two years he accepted a call from the congregation at Mosley Street Chapel, Man- chester, and began his ministry there the first Sabbath of January, 1827. Here, too, he attracted the multitude, and speedily acquired the reputation of being one of the most powerful and accomplished preachers among the Independ- ents, — maintaining this high position to the last. The honorary degree of LL.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Edinburgh. In 1836, his health began to decline ; and, early in 1838, his disease assumed a threatening aspect, compelling him to suspend his labors, and seek relief by change of air. A beloved daughter was taken from him by death, and the shock unfavorably affected his own case. At the home of his attached friend, James Knight Heron, Swinton Park, near Manchester, he passed the few last weeks of his life, and, full of peace and hope, quietly departed, July 27, 1838, in his forty-sixth year. In 1840, appeared his " Discourses on Special Occasions ; with a Sketch of his Life and Character," by the Rev. Dr. Ralph Ward] aw ; followed, in 1842, by " Four Addresses to the Young," and, in 1843, by a volume of "Sermons, preached chiefly at Manchester." He contributed eight hymns, written in his youth, to the Collection of Hymns, comi)iled, and published in 1812, by his greatly attached friend, Rev. Dr. Wm. B. Colly er. The following is the fourth of these hymns : EOBEET MURRAY McCHEYNE. 397 " Why shotild the Christian waste in sighs The breath which God hath given, Whom every passing hour that flies Bears onward fast to heaven? "Why should he wish for perfect bliss, In this dark world forlorn? Or seek, amidst the wilderness, A rose without a thorn? " Why should he grieve and mourn to see The wicked prosjier now? Their joys are present all, but he Has all his griefs below. "But let them triumph in their choice And think his prospects vain, The day of death, which blasts their joys, Shall terminate his pain. "Our Father God ! be ours the grief Which to thy sons belongs ; And let us share in their relief, — Their everlasting songs." ROBERT MURRAY McCHEYNE. 1813-1843. A career of surpassing loveliness, cut short by disease and death, is presented in the Memoir of Robert Murray McCheyne, by his devoted friend and admirer, the Rev. Andrew A. Bonar. McCheyne was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the youngest child of Adam McCheyne. He was born, May 21, 1813 ; and, in October, 1821, entered the High School of Edinburgh, where he continued six years. In 1827, he wrote a short poem, " Greece, but living Greece no more." He entered the University of Edinburgh, November, 1827, and distinguished himself in 398 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. all his classes, gaining, also, tlie prize in the Moral Philoso- phy Class for a poem, " On the Covenanters." Tlie decease of his elder brother, David, in July, 1831, led him " to seek a Brother who can not die," and deter- mined him to study for the ministry. In the winter of 1831, he entered the Divinity Hall, and came nnder the in- struction of the Rev. Drs. Chalmers and Welsh, During his divinity course, he not only applied himself most dili- gently to his studies, but sought, in all possible ways, to cultivate his own piety, and to do good to the souls of the perishing. Music and poetry were his recreation and delight. He was licensed to preach, July 1, 1835, by the Presby- tery of Annan, and in November became the Assistant of the Rev. John Bonar, pastor of Larbert and Dunipace, near Stirling. In August, 1836, he was called to the pastorate of the new Presbji:erian Church, St. Peter's, Dundee, and was ordained, November 24, 1836. His preaching imme- diately arrested attention, and soon drew crowds to hear him. He became exceedingly popular, and calls from other churches were multiplied. But he declined them all, and continued steadfast in his w^ork and abundant in labors, until he was compelled, by symptoms of alarming disease, at the close of 1838, to desist for a season, spending the ensuing winter at Edinburgh. At the suggestion of the Rev. Dr. Candlish, the General Assembly's Committee for the Conversion of the Jews de- termined to send a Deputation, on a Mission of Inquiry, to Palestine and other eastern countries. McCheyne and his friend. Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, were associated with the Rev, Drs. Black and Keith. They left their native land early in April, 1839, and returned home in the following November. McCheyne immediately resumed his parochial work, with health improved, but not fully restored. Con- jointly with Bonar, he published (May, 1842) the " Narra- tive of a Mission of Inquiry to the Jews," a third edition of which was issued in 1843. His health again began to fail in the summer of 1842, and continued feeble through the EOBEET MURRAY McOHEYNE. 399 following winter ; and in March, 1843, lie was seized with t\Tphus fever, that resulted in his death, March 25, 1843. He had not completed his thirtieth year. Short as had been his life, the fruits of his ministry were abundant. A large number of souls had been gathered into the communion of his own church ; and numbers else- where, in Scotland and England, whither he had gone preaching the Word, aclaiowledged him as their spiritual father. His " Life and Remains " were published in 1844, by Rev. Andrew A. Bonar, and seventeen editions were sold in three years ; in twenty-two years, 80,000 copies had been called for in Great Britain alone. The hymn beginning " I once was a stranger to grace and to God," is thus spoken of in his Memoir: "Mr. McCheyne was peculiarly subject to attacks of fever, and by one of these was he laid down on a sick-bed on November 15th [1834]. However, this attack was of short duration. On the 21st, he writes — ' Bless the Lord, O my soul ! and forget not all his benefits. Learned more and more of the value of Jeliovah Tzid'kenii.'' He had, three days before, written his well-known hymn, ' I once was a stranger,' etc., entitled, ' Jehovah Tzidkenu, the Watchword of the Re- formers.' It was the fruit of a slight illness which had tried his soul, by setting it more immediately in view of the judgment seat of Christ ; and the hjann, which he so sweetly sung, reveals the sure and solid confidence of his soul." The hymn has seven stanzas, in the original. McCheyne was accustomed to pour forth his emotions in verse, and has left a considerable number of these pious effusions behind him. Fourteen of them are jDublished in his " Remains," as "Songs of Zion." The following was written, at the "Foot of Carmel, June, 1839": " Beneath Moriah's rocky side, A gentle fountain springs, 400 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Silent and soft its waters glide, Like the peace the Spirit brings. " The thirsty Arab stoops to drink Of the cool and quiet wave, And the thii-sty spirit stops to think Of Him who came to save. " Siloam is the fountain's name. It means ' one sent from God ' ; — And thus the holy Saviour's fame It gently spreads abroad. ' ' Oh ! grant that I, like this sweet well, May Jesus' image bear, And spend my life, my all, to tell How full his mercies are." MARGARET MACKAY. Tlie Christian world is indebted to a tombstone in Dev- onshire, England, for the suggestion that led to the pro- duction of the sweet and soothing hymn beginning " Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep." It was written by Mrs. Margaret Mackay, under the influ- ence of a quiet scene which she thus describes : "'sleeping in JESUS.' " This simple inscription is carved on a tombstone in the retired rural burying-ground of Pennycross Chaxjel, in Devonshire. Distant only a few miles from a bustling and crowded seaport town [Plymouth], reached through a suc- cession of those lovely green lanes for which Devonshire is so remarkable, the quiet aspect of Pennycross comes sooth- ingly over the mind. ' Sleeping in Jesus ■ seems in keeping with all around." The hymn was contributed to " The Amethyst ; or Chris- JUDITH [COWPER] MADAN. 401 tian's Annual for 1832. Edited by Richard Sine, M.D., and Robert Kaye Greville, LL.D.," and published by "Oli- phant, Edinburgh." Very few particulars of Mrs. Mackay's life have been obtained. Her father, Captain Robert Mackay, on his retirement from active service, settled at Hedgefield, Scot- land. She was married to Major William Mackay, of the British Army, in 1820. In addition to her occasional con- tributions to periodicals, she published : " The Family at Heatherdale" (3d ed., 1854); "Sabbath Musings" (1844); "The AVycliffites, or England in the Fifteenth Century" (1846) ; " Thoughts Redeemed, or Lays of Leisure Hours " (1854) ; and " False Appearances, a Tale " (1859). The fol- lowing stanzas are from her hymn, "To the Holy Spirit": " Glorious Spii'it! from on high, Sent to show a Saviour nigh, In the darkest hours of night Cheer me with thy quenchless Light. " By thy holy office led, Testify of him who bled ; Testify how Jesus slain. Rose, revived, and reigns again. " Turn the sinner from his sin ; Teach him how the crown to win ; Bring him to Immanuel's feet ; Lead him to the mercy seat. " Bid him hear the Shepherd's voice. Think of Jesus and rejoice ; Daily, though earth's woes increase. Thou canst sweetly whisper peace." JUDITH [COWPER] MADAN. Mrs. Madan" was of a distinguished family. She was the daughter of Spencer CowiDer, Judge of the Common 26 402 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Pleas, who was the second son of Sir William Cowper, Bart., and the brother of William, the first Earl Cowper, Lord Chancellor of Great Britain. She had three brothers —William, John, and Ashley : William was the Clerk of the House of Lords ; John was the Rev. John Cowper, D.D., and the father of William Cowper, the poet ; Ash- ley's daughter was the wife of Sir Robert Hesketh, Bart., — the " Lady Hesketh " with whom her cousin, the poet, corresponded so frequently. The daughter of Mrs. Madan was married to Major William Cowper, her cousin, the son of William, and was the " Mrs. Cowper " of the poet's circle of friends. A sister of Mrs. Madan was married to Chief- Justice William de Gray, who, in 1780, was created Lord Walsingham. Judith Cowper very early became distinguished for her literary proficiency. She excelled particularly in poetry, and frequently indulged in the graceful art. Her " Prog- ress of Poetry," published in 1783, is no mean specimen of poetic ability. She was married (probably about 1725) to Col. Martin Madan. One of her sons, the Rev. Martin Ma- dan, of London, is noticed below. Another son, Spencer, became, successively. Bishop of Bristol, and Bishop of Pe- terborough. The hymn beginning "In this world of sin and sorrow," appeared in the second edition (1763) of her son Martin's Collection. It is there entitled, " A Funeral Hymn." MARTIN MAD AN. 1726-1790. Maetin Madan was born in 1726, and was the eldest son of Col. Martin Madan, of the Guards, and Judith Cow- MAETIN MAD AN. 493 per (see the preceding sketch). He was trained for the law, was admitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his profession with the fairest prospects. At this time, he had but little respect for religion and its ministers. Being in company one evening, at a coffee-house in London, he was commissioned by his gay associates to go and hear John Wesley, and to report to them, for their sport, an account of the man, his manner, and his discourse. As he entered the assembly, Wesley was announcing as his text, — " Prepare to meet thy God ! " He was deeply impressed at once, and much more as the preacher proceeded with his discourse. He returned to the coffee-house, and was prompt- ly asked, " Have you taken off the old Methodist ? " He re- plied,—" JS'o, gentlemen, but he has taken me off. " He for- sook them at once, abandoned his old pursuits of worldly pleasure, and eagerly sought to be reconciled to God. Madan had married a daughter of Sir Bernard Hale, , Chief Baron of the Exchequer in Ireland, and his mother- in-law was on familiar tenns with Lady Huntingdon, to whom he was speedily introduced. He was thus brought under the influence of that choice circle of godly ministers and others, of which she was the centre. Classically edu- cated, and highly gifted as a speaker, he ardently sought to serve God in the ministry of the Gospel. This was in the summer of 1750. With some difficulty he obtained or- dination. His eloquence drew the attention of the popu- lace, and crowds flocked to hear him. He " was rather tall in stature, and of a robust constitution ; his countenance was majestic, open, and engaging, and his looks command- ing veneration : his delivery is said to have been peculiarly graceful. He preached without notes ; his voice was mu sical, well-modulated, full, and powerful ; his language, plain, nervous, pleasing, and memorable ; and his argu- ments strong, bold, rational, and conclusive." Madan was appointed to the Chaplaincy of the Lock Hos- pital, London, and, by his interest among the wealthy, procured the erection of a chapel adjacent to the hospital, where he continued to exercise his ministry to the end of 404 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. life. By reason of his liigh social position, lie was, also, appointed the Chaplain of Lord Apsley, afterwards Earl Bathurst, Lord High Chancellor. His services were in great demand everywhere throughout the kingdom, among the adherents of Lady Huntingdon and her chosen preachers. His cousin, William Co^vper, the poet, in a let- ter to Madan's sister, Mrs. Major Cowper, acknowledges (1763) his obligations to him for counsel in his spiritual troubles. Madan was passionately devoted to music, and took great interest in hymnology. His "Collection of Psalms and Hymns " (1760), was well received, and was frequently re- published. In this Collection is found the favorite hymn, " Now begin the heavenly theme," etc. It is of uncertain origin, and it can not be traced farther. The authors' names are given to none of the hymns, and it is quite probable that some of them were composed by himself. At all events, he took such liberties with the material in his possession, adding, abridging, and rearrang- ing, as well as modifying, in many cases, that the result, in some instances, was an essentially new hymn. He issued, also, a Tune Book, containing " the Music of the Hymns," commonly known as "The Lock Hospital Collection." Many of the tunes — Bristol, Castle Street, Denbigh, Halifax, Helmsley, Hotham, Huddersfield, Kingston, Leeds, Nant- wich, and others — were his own composition. His passion for music became a snare to him, causing him, at length, to give more attention to it than to the preaching of the word. Oratorios were frequently performed, on Sunday evenings, in his chapel ; and to such an extent did he carry the practice of Sunday concerts, vocal and instrumental, as to give great offence to the godly. It is to him that his cousin, William Cowper, in his " Progress of Error," Avrit- ten in the winter of 1780-1781, refers when he uses the following language : ' ' Occiduus is a pastor of renown ; When lie has prayed and preached the Sabbath down, EICHARD MANT. 405 With wire and catgut he concludes the day, Quavering and semiquavering care away. The full concerto swells upon your ear ; All elbows shake. Look in, and you would swear The Babylonian tyrant, with a nod. Had summoned them to serve his golden god." As chaplain of the Lock Hospital, the condition of its patients had long excited his attention, and led, finally, to the publication (1780) of his " Thelypthora,"— a book that gave rise to much controversy. He occupied much of his time, the next few years, in the study of the Latin classics ; and, in 1789, he published " A New and Literal Translation of Juvenal and Persius ; with Copious Explanatory Notes, in two volumes." He departed this life, in 1790, in his sixty-fifth year. EICHARD MANT. 1776-1848. To Southampton, England, the home of Isaac Watts, and the birthplace of English hymnology, the church is in- debted also for Richard Mant, another sweet singer in Israel. He was of a good family. His maternal gra,nd- father was the Rev. Joseph Bingham, the eminent antiqua- rian, and erudite author of the " Origines Ecclesiastics, or The Antiquities of the Christian Church "—found in almost every theological library of any extent. His father, Richard Mant, D.D., of Trinity College, Oxford, was the Rector of All Saints' Church, Southampton, and was, also, a respectable author. Of his great excellency his son bore eflacient witness in one of his early poems : "Thou gavest me being; sweeter far than this, Thou gavest me that which makes my being bliss: Thou didst to holy thoughts my bosom warm, Thou didst my tongue to holy accents form. 406 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. And teach, in dawning reason's infant days, To lisp the voice of prayer, and thanks, and praiae." The son was bom, February 12, 1776, and trained in the grammar-scliool of whicli his father was the master, nntil, at the proper age, he was sent (1789) to the famous Win- chester School, and thoroughly fitted for college. He en- tered Trinity College, Oxford, in 1793, and graduated, B.A., 1797, and M.A., 1801. In 1798, he obtained a fellowship in Oriel College, and won, in 1799, the Chancellor's prize for the best English Essay. He was ordained deacon, in 1802, by Bishop Brownlow North, at Winchester, and began his ministry as his father's Curate. The same year he be- gan his successful career as an author, by editing the poet- ical works of Thomas Warton, the poet-laureate, and by the publication of a poetic tribute to Joseph Warton, — the familiar friends of his revered father. A continental tour followed ; and, on his return, he was ordained priest by Dr. Randolph, Bishop of Oxford, and accepted the Curacy of Buriton. He took also a few pupils, and, having a small charge, found time for much literary work. In 1804, he published, in verse, " The Country Cu- rate," and, at the close of the year, married Miss Elizabeth Woods, on which occasion he addressed her in a poem, giv- ing the reasons of his choice. The consequent loss of his fellowship drew from him his "Farewell to Oxford." The same year he prepared, for the Christian Knowledge Soci- ety, "A Familiar and Easy Guide to the Church Cate- chism." Two years later (1806), he published his "Poems, in three Parts," and the year following, a volume of " Eight Lectures on the Occurrences of the Passion Week"; also, " The Slave and other Poems." In 1809, he became the Curate of Mr. Legge at Crawley, and there wrote his "Puritanism Eevived, in a Series of Letters from a Curate to his Rector." At the close of the same year, he again became his father's Curate. Early in 1810, he was preferred to the Vicarage of Coggeshall, Es- sex, — the old charge of that famous Puritan, Dr. John Owen, RICHAED MANT. 407 and still abounding in adherents to his faith. It was this fact, most probably, that determined him, when appointed (1812) to deliver at Oxford the Bampton Lectures for that year, to take for his theme, " An Appeal to the Gospel ; or, An Inquiry into the Justice of the Charge, alleged by Methodists and other Objectors, that the Gospel is not Preached by the ]^}"ational Clergy," — a production severely criticised by the Cliristian Observer, and several divines of the Church of England. Three volumes of " Sermons for Parochial and Domestic Use" (1813-1815) followed. He became, in 1813, the domestic chaplain. of Dr. Charles Man- ners Sutton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and, in 1816, was preferred to the handsome living of St. Botolph, Bish- opsgate, London, to which was added, in 1818, the Rectory of East Horsley. While a resident of the metropolis, he was employed, in concert with the Rev. Dr. George D'Oyly, under the aus- pices of the Archbishop, by the " Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge," in preparing and publishing (1814) a Family Bible with notes, partly original, and x)artly se- lected, principally from the soundest divines of the Church of England and Ireland, in 3 vols. " Seven Academical Sermons " came forth in 1816, and " The Book of Common Prayer, Selected with Notes," in 1820. He was elevated to the See of Killaloe and Kilfenora in 1820, and transferred, in 1823, to the See of Down and Connor, to which, in 1842, the See of Dromore was added, — all in Ireland. Early in 1824, he published " The Book of Psalms, in an English Metrical Version, founded on the Basis of the Au- thorized Bible Translation, and compared with the Original Hebrew; with Notes Critical and Illustrative." A valuable " Introduction " precedes the Version. The work must have cost him much time and labor. It contains some ex- cellent versification, but, for popular use, falls far behind the Paraphrases and " Imitations " of his townsman Watts. The " Notes " exhibit much scholarship, but the work has had a very limited circulation. " Biographical Notices of the Apostles, Evangelists, and other Saints," followed, in 408 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH, 1828, with original Hymns appended to the several chap- ters. " The Clergyman's Obligations considered" came out in 1830; "The Gospel Miracles, in a Series of Poetical Sketches," in 1832 ; " Scriptural Narratives of Passages in our Blessed Lord's Life and Ministry," with Hymns, and " The Happiness of the Blessed," — also, with Sonnets, in 1833,— the last, a most popular work ; " The British Months, a Poem, in 12 Parts," 2 vols., in 1835; "Ancient Hymns, from the Roman Breviary, with Original Hymns," in 1837, some of them very beautiful ; and " The Church and her Ministrations, in a Series of Discourses," in 1838. His two volumes of " The History of the Church of Ireland," a val- uable work, appeared in 1839, 1841 ; and his " Primitive Christianity Exemplified and Illustrated by the Acts of Primitive Christians," followed in 1842. " Horse Ecclesias- ticse, the Position of the Church with regard to Eomish Error," he published in 1845 ; " Religio Quotidiana ; Daily Prayer the Law of Grod's Church, and heretofore the Prac- tice of Churchmen," in 1846 ; and " Ferise Anniversarise ; Observance of the Church's Holy Days no Symptom of Po- pery," two volumes, in 1847. He died, at home, November 2, 1848. Few men have more industriously, and usefully, labored in literary productions. A complete list of his " Works " occupies nearly four columns of the January Number of the Gentleman's Magazine, for 1849. Some of his Poetry is of a high order. The following is on " The Death of the Righteous": " Wouldst thou the Christian's death triumphant die ? Live thou the Christian's life. — To fight the fight Of God, supported by the Spirit's might, And, in the Saviour's name, to tix the eye Fast on the prize, and strive for mastery ; — To keep the faith's rich jewel, whole and bright ; — Such aim accomplished was the heart's delight Of dying Paul : such aim be thine to try ; So move thou duly on to reach the goal ; So may God's Spirit with thine own attest JOHN MARRIOTT. 409 Thy heavenly sonship, and his peace control Earth's anxious thoughts. — So, meet to join the blessed, His gentle breath shed comfort on thy sotd, The pledge and earnest of eternal rest." JOHN MARRIOTT. 1780-1825. The Rev. John" Marriott was the youngest son of the Rev. R. Marriott, D.D., the patron and incumbent of the living of Cottesbach, near Lutterworth, England. There the sou was born, in 1780, and obtained his early training. At Rugby, he was fitted for college ; and, in 1798, he en- tered Christ Church College, Oxford, graduating with hon- ors, in 1802. He took orders, in 1803, and served in several Curacies. He obtained, and held for some years, the position of Domestic Chaplain to the Duke of Buccleuch, and Tutor of his children. At the instance of the Duke, he was pre- sented to the living of Church Lawford, near Rugby, War- wickshire. He published a volume of his Sermons in 1818. The illness of his wife drove him from Warwickshire, and he obtained a Curacy at Broad Clyst, near Exeter, Devon- shire. Here, March 31, 1825, he ended his earthly course. A volume of his " Sennons " was published (1838) by his sons. "They are what sermons should be," "plain and practical," "eloquent and touching," and "speak to the heart." The only extant specimen of his poetry is the hymn beginning *' Thou! whose almighty word." It was written in 1813, and was contributed by his son to Dr. Raffles' "Supplement to Watts" (1853). 410 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. JOHN MASON. 1694. John Mason was a contemporary of Bunyan and Ba'x- tei, Ken and Dryden, Tate and Brady. Of liis nativity no particulars are extant. His scliool-days were passed in the humble parish of Strixton, ten miles east of Northampton, England. He entered Clare Hall, Cambridge, in 1660, and graduated, A.B., 1664, and A.M., 1668. He first served in the ministry as the Curate of the Rev. Mr. Sawyer, in the rural parish of Isliam, Northamj^tonshire. Then he was presented, October 31, 1668, to the Vicarage of Stanton- Bury, Buckinghamshire, where he continued more than five years. Several of his " Letters," written here, were published with his " Remains," and breathe forth a most exalted spirit of piety. He was presented, January 28, 1674, to the Rectory of Water Stratford, on the upper Ouse, where he continued, through the troublous times of that period, most faithfully serving God, and cultivating the spirit of holiness in him- self and all about him, full twenty years, until his death in 1694. Living in a dissolute and profane period, he left behind him few superiors in things pertaining to God. It is rare to find such a character in any age. Religion was both his business and pleasure ; it was the atmosphere in and by which he lived. He sought to diffuse the same spirit all about him, and to make everybody partaker of his joy. Richard Baxter called him "the glory of the Church of England." His " Select Remains," edited by his grandson, Rev. John Mason, can not be read without profit. The style is sententious, antithetic, crisp, and solid, with no re- dundancy. His poems, while somewhat stiff in their struc- ture, and a little harsh in their flow, partake of the style of his prose. He published, in 1683 :— " Spiritual Songs ; or Songs of JOHN MASON. • 411 Praise to Almighty God, Upon Several Occasions. Together with the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's : First Tnrn'd, then Paraphrased in English Yerse : With an Addition of a Sacred Poem on Dives and Lazarus. To which is Added Penitential Cries." The " Songs" are highly spirit- ual and devout. In his first " Song of Praise," the fourth stanza is admi- rable: . ' ' How great a being, Lord ! is thine, Which doth all beings keep ! Thy knowledge is the only line To sound so vast a deep : Thou art a sea without a shore, A sun without a sphere, Thy time is now and evermore, Thy place is everywhere." In his " Song of Praise for the Evening," beginning with " Now from the altar of my heart, '\ occurs this stanza : " Man's life 's a book of history, The leaves thereof are days, The letters mercies closely joined, The title is thy praise." His twenty-fourth " Song," beginning with " My soul doth magnify the Lord," has eleven single stanzas in the original, and is a remark- able effusion of glowing love and holy joy. The following is the first stanza of his second " Song ": " What shall I render to my God For all his gifts to me? Sing, heaven and earth ! rejoice and praise His glorious majesty. Bright cherubims ! sweet seraphims ! Praise him with all your might ; Praise, praise him, all ye hosts of heaven ! Praise him, ye saints in light ! " 412 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Mason's book was familiar to Isaac Watts, and gave shape to some of his phraseology. Pope and the Wesleys, also, show a similar familiarity with this old Puritan. WILLIAM MASO]^. 1719-1791. William Mason was born, in 1719, at Rotherhithe, then a suburb of London, on the Surrey side. At the age of ten, the family removed to Bermondsey, the adjoining parish on the west, and nearer the heart of the city. He was favored with a good grammar-school education, includ- ing the rudiments of the Latin language. At a suitable age he was bound ai^prentice to his father, who was a clock- maker. In 1740, his father died, leaving to him his busi- ness, and the 'care of a mother, sister, and brother. The next year, he married Miss Cox. Though not religiously trained, he was a constant at- tendant of the parish church, conforming outwardly to the requirements of a Christian profession. IN'ot finding that peace of mind that he desired, he began occasionally to attend Wesley's chajjels, greatly to his spiritual advantage. He joined one of his societies, and became, also, a class- leader. Subsequently, becoming dissatisfied with Wesley's doctrine, he attached himself to Whitefield, Mr. Jones of Southwark, and Mr. Romaine, retaining his connection with the parish church. He now began to write, occasionally, for the press. His first publication was a pamphlet, entitled, — " Morality not Christianity," in opposition to a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Wingfield, of Southwark. In 1754, he sent out another pamphlet, containing, " Plain Queries, humbly offered to the Clergy, with an Expostulatory Addi-ess to the Laity of the Church of England, on the Declension of Scriptural WILLIAM MASON". 413 Christianity." Four years later, lie published (1758) " Re- marks and Observations on the Morality and Divinity con- tained in a Pamphlet by the Rev. Dr. Free"; and, in 1760, " Antinomian Heresy exploded," in reply to James Relly's "Treatise on Union." To these were added, in subsequent years : " Methodism Displayed, and Enthusiasm Detected "; "Tlie Scripture Doctrine of Imputed Righteousness"; and several small books for children. His principal work, by which he is best known, is " A Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God," in two vol- umes, one for the morning, the other for the evening. " An affectionate Address to Passionate Professors," was pub- lished in 1774. ' ' The Christian Communicant " was designed as " A suitable Companion to the Lord's Supper." "The Believer's Pocket ComjDanion " was very favorably received. In 1778, he published " The Christian Companion for the Sabbath," in two volumes. His other works were : " Crumbs from the Master's Table"; " Manual of Piety "; and " Help to Family and Private Devotion." He succeeded the Rev. A. M. Toplady (1777) as the editor of Tlie Gospel Magazine, which he conducted for several years, and in which he first published his " Notes on Bun- yan's Pilgrim's Progress." He was long known as a Justice of the Peace, and, in 1783, was appointed an acting Magistrate, having, the same year, retired from business. Four years afterwards (1787), he had a slight stroke of paralysis, and a more severe one in 1789, from both of which he recovered. A third, Sex)tember 29, 1791, terminated his life the same day, at the age of seventy-two years. His only son, the Rev. Henry Cox Mason, had, for twelve years, been the Morn- ing Preacher and Lecturer of St. Mary Magdalen, the parish church of Bermondsey. His hymn, entitled "The Christian Surrender," begin- ning with " Welcome, welcome, dear Eedeemer! " is taken from the " Supplement " of the London Edangel- 414 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. ical Magazine for 1794. It contains, in the original, five stanzas, the second, third, and fourth of which are sub- joined : " Not my owTi, through thy redemptioD, And thy overcoming- grace, Hear the call of every passion, Saviour ! come and take thy place ; Lord ! come quickly ; Here display thy beauteous face. ' ' Thousand thousand sad resorters, All th' attendant host of sin, Will and must become usurpers, If thyself be not within : Come, Lord Jesus ! Let thy glorious train be seen. " Set apart this humble dwelling. Here erect thy throne of state ; Faith, and every grace attending, Shall around thy footstool wait; — Thou, their Sovereign, Thou, their only Potentate." Mr. Mason's publications are characterized by j)ure doc- trine, deep piety, and an ardent zeal for the conversion and sanctification of souls. They have had a large cir- culation, and have exerted a powerful influence for good. " In the discharge of the filial, fraternal, conjugal, and parental duties, he was cheerful and exact"; while as a citizen and magistrate he was universally respected, and as a Christian greatly beloved. Though occupying, as a tradesman, a comparatively humble sphere, he " may, with strict i)ropriety, be classed among the good, the great, and useful, of society." EICHAED MASSIE. 415 RICHARD MASSIE. 1800 . Mr. Massie is of an ancient Chesliire family, — one of the oldest in tlie county. His father, the Rev. Richard Massie (1771-1854), was the only child of Thomas Massie, of Cod- dington, Cheshire, England, and Elizabeth, a daughter of Nathaniel Marriott, Esq., of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. His mother, Hester Lee Townshend, the eldest daughter of Col. Edward V. Townshend, of Wincham Hall, Cheshire, was married in 1796, and had twenty-two children, of whom eighteen came to maturity. Richard Massie was the eldest son of this large family, and was born, June 18, 1800. His early days were spent at Chester, where his father was settled from 1803 to 1832 in charge of the parish of St. Brides. He married, January 7, 1834, Mary Ann, the eldest daughter of Hugh Robert Hughes, of Blache Hall, Chester. She died in 1841. Mr. Massie, being a gentleman of wealth and leisure, has de- voted himself to literature. He resides at Pulford Hall, Coddington, Cheshire ; and has, also, a seat at Wrexham, in Denbighshire, Wales. Both seats are but a few miles south of Chester. In 1854, he published a translation of "Martin Luther's Spiritual Songs"; and, in 1860, "Lyra Domestica : Translated from the ' Psaltery and Harp,' of C. J. P. Spitta, by Richard JNIassie," — which contains sev- eral hymns that have become quite popular. The following versification of one of Sj^itta's hymns, is a pleasing specimen of his style : ' ' The purple morning gilds the eastern skies, And what the night had hidden from our eyes Now stands revealed to our admiring gaze ; Mountain and valley, wood and fruitful plain. Which in their misty hed asleep had lain, Shine forth and ghtter in the sun's bright rays. 416 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " Shine in my soul, and light and joy impart, O hlessed Jesus, Sun of my dark heart ! Oh! cause therein the light of truth to shine ^ Show me each crooked winding of my heart, Change and renew it so in every pai't, That my whole nature he transformed to thine. "Thoji Sun! by whom my new life first was lighted, Oh ! let me not again become benighted. But be my light when shades around me spread ; With the bright splendor of thy heavenly rays Illuminate the evening of my days, And shed a halo round my dying head." MARY FAWLER MAUDE. The author of the beautiful hymn, " Thine for ever, God of love ! " etc., is the wife of the Rev. Joseph Maude, a graduate of Queen's College, Oxford (of which he was, for some years, a Fellow), ordained a priest in 1829, some time Curate of Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight, and, since 1852, Vicar of Chirk, near Ruabon, Denbighshire, and Honorary Canon of St. Asaph. While a resident of Carisbrooke, Mrs. Maude published (1848) "Twelve Letters on Confirmation," in which volume this hymn first appeared. On her removal (1852) to Wales, she X3ublished " Memorials of Past Years." Her hymns have usually been prepared for special paro- chial occasions. SAMUEL MEDLEY. 1738-1799. Samuel Medley was a sailor-boy, and fond of the sea. His grandfather, Samuel, for whom he was named, was attached SAMUEL MEDLEY. 417 to Lord Kinnoul's Embassy to Constantinople (1730), and was reputed a Christian man. His son, Gny, accompanied the Dnke of Montague in his tour of Europe, and, some time afterwards, resided in his mansion as private tutor, — having been early distinguished for his classical and literary at- tainments. He was subsequently, for a short season, At- torney-General of the Island of St. Vincent's, in the West Indies. On his return, he opened a boarding-school at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and was honored with the friend- ship of the Rev. James Hervey and Sir Isaac Newton. He married a daughter of W. Tonge, principal of an academy at Enfield, in Middlesex. Samuel was the eldest of three sons, and was born at Cheshunt, June 23, 1738. At an early age, he was sent to his grandfather's school at Enfield. At fourteen, he 'was apprenticed to an oil-dealer in London, and, at seventeen, entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman, being promoted, not long after, to the position of master's mate, under Ad- miral Boscawen. In a sanguinary battle with the French off Cape Lagos, Portugal, August 18, 1759, he received a severe and dangerous wound. On the return of the fleet, he was carried, still on the crippled list, to the house of his grandfather Tonge, who had now removed to London, and become a deacon of the Baptist Church, Eagle Street, un- der the care of the Rev. Andrew Gifford, D.D. The kind and pious counsels of Mr. Tonge, seconded by the j)reach- ing of Whitefield and Gifford, were blessed to his conver- sion, and he joined the latter's church, in December, 1760. Having married in 1762, and taught a school in King Street, Solio, for several years (during which time he applied himself to the study of the classics and sacred lit- erature), he was licensed to preach in August, 1766 ; and, in June, 1767, he became the pastor of the Baptist Church of Watford, Hertfordshire, combining teaching with his new occupation. He proved to be a very acceptable preacher, and, in 1772, became the pastor of the Baptist Church in Liveri^ool, for which (1790) a commodious edi- fice was built in Byrom Street. Here he continued until 27 418 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. liis deafh, July 17, 1799, in liis sixty-first year. He had been for many years one of tlie preachers of the Tabernacle and Tottenham Court Road Chapels, London, making an annual visit to the metropolis for this purpose. He was a very godly man, and his ministry was greatly blessed. He had a great facility for versification, and was accus- tomed to write occasional hymns to accompany his ser- mons. They were at first printed as leaflets, and are dated from 1786 to 1790. He published, in 1789, a volume con- taining 77 of his hymns, and a larger volume in 1794. A still larger edition (230 hymns) was published the year after his death (1800), with the following title : " Hymns. — The Public Worship and Private Devotions of Christians Assisted, in Some Thoughts in Verse : Principally Drawn from Select Passages of the Word of Grod." The hymns by which he is best known are : " Awake, my soul, in joyful lays," etc., " Oh! could I speak the matchless worth," etc. He wrote nine hymns " On the Nativity of Christ," of one of which the first three of seven stanzas are subjoined : " Join, all who love the Saviour's name ! His boundless glories to proclaim, And sound his praise abroad ; He comes, a dying world to bless. With all the riches of his grace : All hail! incarnate God! " Join, ye bright tenants of the sky! Sound, sound his glorious name on high, And all his work applaud ; Your golden harps, your holy joy. Approve the theme, and love th' employ, To sing th' incarnate God. " Here, then, let heaven and earth combine, In songs melodious and divine, To reach his blessed abode ; Angels and men, unite to tell The glories of Innnanuel, And sing th' incarnate God." WILLtAM MERCER 419 WILLIAM MERCER. 1873. The Rev. William Mercee was educated in tlie Uni- versity of Cambridge. He graduated B.A. of Trinity CoUege, in 1835. He was ordained a deacon, the next year, by the Bishop of Chester. In 1839, he was preferred to Trinity Church, Habergham Eaves, in Lancashire, near Yorkshire. In the following year, he accepted the senior Curacy of the large church of Burnley, two miles distant. In 1841, he was preferred to the Perjjetual Curacy of St. George's, Sheffield, which he retained until his decease, in 1873. James Montgomery, for several years before his death, was one of his parishioners, and rendered him valuable as- sistance in the compilation of his "Church Psalter and Hymn Book." The first edition of this popular hymnal was issued, December, 1854 ; the second and improved edi- tion, in JN'ovember, 1860. A greatly improved edition, in three parts. The Canticles, The Psalms, and 511 Hymns, vdth Tunes, appeared in October, 1864. It has had a large circulation. In 1869, it had found its way into 1,000 churches, several cathedrals, and the Royal chapels, and had an annual sale of about 100,000 copies. It was used by fifty-three of the London churches. It is an excellent compilation, and has contributed largely to the improve- ment of the Psalmody of the British churches. A very favorable specimen of the comjoiler's lyrical pow- ers is found in his translation of a German hymn by Nic- olai, in four stanzas, of which the first is subjoined : " How bright appeal's the morning star, With mercy beaming from afar ! The host of heaven rejoices ; O righteous Branch ! O Jesse's Rod ! Thou Son of man, and Son of God ! We too will lift our voices; 420 THE POETS OF TH^ CHUECH. Jesus! Jesus! Holy, holy ! yet most lowly ! Draw tliou near us ; Great Immanuel I stoop and hear us." JAMES MERRICK. 1720-1769. Mr. Mekrick is to be classed among the most careful and respectable of the English versifiers of " The Book of Psalms." Bishop Lowth, no mean authority, speaks of him as " a man of great learning," and characterizes his ver- sion as " an admirable work, distinguished by many splen- did marks of learning, art, and genius." A few only of his Psalms, however, have become i)opular. He was a native of Reading, Berkshire, England, and was born in 1720. He fitted for college at the grammar- school there, and, at the early age of fourteen, gave indica- tions of what he was yet to be, in the publication of " The Messiah : a Divine Essay." Two years afterwards (1736), he entered Trinity College, Oxford, where he greatly distin- guished himself as a classical scholar, and took his degrees in due form. He was chosen a Probationer Fellow of the same College in May, 1744. He had previously demonstra- ted his eminent fitness for this distinction, by publishing (1742) " The Destruction of Troy, translated from the Greek of Try[:)hiodorus into English Verse, with Notes." Though duly ordained to the ministry, he was compelled, by incessant pains in the head, to refrain from the perform- ance of its duties. He devoted himseK, therefore, to liter- ary pursuits. He published (1744) "A Dissertation on Proverbs IX. 1-6," with "occasional Remarks on other Passages in Sacred and Profane Writers." Besides sev- eral Tracts, published at intervals, he put forth (1763) his "Poems on Sacred Subjects," and (1764) "Annotations, JAMES MEERICK. 421 Critical and Grammatical, on St. Jolin I. 1-14," with a sec- ond part in 1767. For years he had been devoted to the study of the Psalms in the original, and, in 1765, appeared "Tlie Psalms, Translated or Paraphrased in English Yerse," — "a mixture of Translation and Paraphrase"; "not calcu- lated for the uses of public Worship," but rather "the pur- poses of private devotion." His "Annotations on the Psalms," containing "a great deal of elegant criticism," and " classical illustration," was published in 1767. He died at Reading, January 0, 1769. In 1791, appeared " A Version or Paraphrase of the Psalms, originally written by the Rev. James Merrick, A.M., Divided into Stanzas, and adapted to the Pui'poses of Public or Private Devotion. By the Rev. W. D. Tatter- sall, A.M., Vicar of Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, and Chaplain to the Hon. Mr. Justice Duller." The title- page is dated, 1789 ; but the publication was delayed two years in the vain hope of obtaining for it ecclesiastical au- thorization. The execution of this work necessarily in- volved some alterations of the original version, but the departures are as few and as slight as could have been ex- pected. Even in this form, however, the book has had a very limited circulation. While it contains some passages of great beauty, and much good poetry, with a versification generally harmonious, classical, and resonant, it is, for the most part, too rhetorical ; and, at times, pompous, diffuse, and inflated — not at all adapted for popular use. " The translator," he himself avows, "knew not how, without neglecting the poetry, to write in such language as the common sort of people would be likely to understand." Merrick's version of the 122d Psalm, — "With holy joy I hail the day," etc., is a translation and i^araphrase of Dr. Theodore Zwinger's Latin translation of the same Psalm, beginning with " O lux Candida, lux mihi Laeti conscia transitus I 422 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Per Ckristi meritum patet Vita} porta beatae." Merrick has eight six-line stanzas. His version of the 133d Psalm is written in the same metre, thus : " How blessed the sight, the joy how sweet, When brothers joined with brothers meet, In bands of mutual love ! Less sweet the liquid fragrance, shed On Aaron's consecrated head. Ran triclding from above, And reached his beard, and reached his vest : Less sweet the dews on Hermon's breast, Or Zion's hiU descend : That hill has God with blessings crowned, There promised gi^ace that knows no bound, And life that knows no end." ALBERT MIDLANE. 1825 . Albert Midlane was born, January 23, 1825, at New- port, Isle of Wight. He was the youngest of a large family, and was trained, by Christian parents, in the ways of godliness. In early youth, he became an huml^le follow- er of Christ, and devoted his talents to the glory of God. He was prompted to poetic effort, by some remarks of his Sunday- School teacher. His earliest published hymn, — " God bless our Sunday-Schools ! " etc., was contributed (1843) to the Baptist CMldren^s Magazine. His first volume, " Poetry addressed to Sabbath-School Teachers," was issued in 1844, followed, in 1848, by " The Fatherless Village Girl." One mile to the southwest of the town of Newport are JAMES EL WIN MILLAED. 423 the venerable ruins of Carisbrooke Castle. Hither he used frequently to resort, at the twilight hour, and meditate among the inspiring scenery of the place. Most of his hymns were written during these walks ; and here, too, w^as suggested his " Yecta Garland : Poems on the Scenery and Beauty of the Isle of Wight," published (1850) under the patronage of Prince Albert. He published nothing further until 1860, when he contributed nine hymns to " The Evangelist's Hymn-Book," and one, at least, to " Good News for the Little Ones"; also, in 1861, fifty-one to "The Ambassador's Hjann-Book," and one to the " London Mes- senger"; in 1862, forty to the "Hymn-Book for Youth," and several to "William Carter's Gospel Hymn-Book." Many of his hymns and fugitive pieces were gathered into a volume, and published (1864) with the title, — " Leaves from Olivet : A Collection of Sacred Poetry." This was fol- lowed (1865) by ten pieces in " Pleasant Hymns for Boys and Girls," and a large number in " Gospel Echoes." " The Union Series of Leaflets " appeared in 1868. He has been a frequent contributor, both of prose and poetry, to several of the periodicals. JAMES ELWIN MILLARD. 1821 . The Rev. Dr. Millard is a graduate of Magdalen Col- lege, Oxford, where he took his degree of B.A., in 1845, and of M.A., in 1848. On his graduation, he was also chosen one of the Fellows of the College. Being appointed to the Curacy of Bradtield, Berkshire, he was ordained a deacon, June 7, 1846, by the Bishop of Oxford. He re ceived, also, the same year, an appointment to the Head Mastership of Magdalen College School, Oxford. The fol lowing year, May 30, 1847, he was ordained to the priest 424 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. hood. In 1859, lie received the degree of D.D. from Mag- dalen College. His first publication (1847) was "The Island Choir, or the Children of the Child Jesus." The next year (1848), he published " Historical Notices of the Office of Choristers," and contributed several hymns to "The Devout Chorister"; also (1850) to " The Ecclesiastic." In 1864, he was preferred to the Vicarage of Basingstoke, Hampshire. His version of the "TeDeum," " God eternal, Lord of all," etc., was contributed (1848) to " The Devout Chorister," and, in the original, consists of eight stanzas. HENRY MILLS. 1786-1867. Heistry Mills was the son of John Mills and Chloe Wines, of Morristown, 'N. J., where he was born, March 12, 1786. He fitted for college in his native place, and graduated at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1802. He took charge of the Morristown Academy shortly after, and, in 1806, of the Elizabethtown Academy. In 1810, he was Tu- tor of the College at Princeton. He studied theology with his former pastor, the Rev. James Richards, D.D., was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Jersey, received a call to the pastoral care of the Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, N. J., and was ordained there, in 1816. After a successful pastorate of five years, he removed to Auburn, N. Y., to occupy the chair of Biblical Criticism in the newly- founded Theological Seminary. In this position he contin- ued, honored and successful as a theological teacher, until the year 1854, when, by reason of increasing physical in- firmities, he was, at his own request, relieved from the du- HENEY HAET MILMAN. 425 ties of his cliair, and made Professor Emeritus. Tlie re- maining thirteen years of his life were occupied mostly in literary and theological study, and recreation. In 1833, he was honored with the degree of D.D., by Amherst College. He died, June 10, 1867, at Auburn, N. Y., in his eighty- second year. He married, in early life. Miss Maria Barkins, who out- lived him. Two sons and five daughters were given them ; four of the latter becoming the wives of clergymen, viz.: Rev. Russell S. Cook, Rev. Claudius B. Lord, Rev. Henry A. Nelson, D.D., and Rev. Frederick Starr, Jr. Dr. Mills was an admirable Hebrew scholar, and excelled in Biblical Criticism. He made himself familiar, also, with the German language, and occupied many of his spare hours in translating, into English verse, some of the many excellent hymns with which that language abounds. These he gave to the press, in 1845, with the title,—" Horse Ger- manics : A Version of German Hjnnns." This volume contained 128 translations, all of them, with four excep- tions, in the exact measure of the original ; with an "Ap- pendix," containing "A Version of 'Dies Irge,' " and of a " Part of ' Stabat Mater.' " A second edition, revised, with 44 additional translations, appeared in 1856. The versifi- cation is smooth, the rhyme and rhythm exact, and the style attractive. The book is among the best of its kind. HENRY HART MILMAN. 1791-1868. The Rev. Dr. Milman occupied a conspicuous place among the ripe scholars and distinguished authors of the nineteenth century. Known at first as a poet and divama- tist, with an ambitious and somewhat pompous yet vigor- ous style, he came to be regarded as one of the best ecclesi- astical historians of the age. 426 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Dean Milraan was the youngest son of Sir Francis Mil- man, Bart., M.D., F.R.S., President of the CoUege of Phy- sicians, and Physician to the Royal household, the son of a Devonshire clergyman, and a graduate of Exeter College, Oxford. His mother, Frances Hart, was the only child of William Hart, of Stapleton, Gloucestershire. He was born, February 10, 1791, in the parish of St. James, Westmin- ster, London. He was trained successively, — at the Acad- emy in Greenwich, of which the Rev. Charles Barney, D.D., LL.D., one of the most distinguished Greek schol- ars of the day, was the Principal ; at Eton College ; and at Brazenose College, Oxford, entering the latter in 1810, and graduating, B.A., in 1813, and M.A., in 1816. He wrote, in 1812, an English poem on " The Belvedere Apol- lo," for vvliich he received the Newdegate prize ; and, the year following, won the prize for the best Latin verse. In 1815, he was chosen a Fellow of his College, and published "Fazio: a Tragedy." In 1816, he took the prize for the best English and Latin Essay. The high promise of his youth was fully confirmed in later years. In 1816, he was ordained a deacon by Dr. Howley, the Bishop of London, and priest, in 1817, by Dr. Legge, the Bishop of Oxford. He obtained the Vicarage of St. Mary's, Reading, Berkshire, in 1818, and, during his incumbency, entered upon his career of authorship. " Samor, Lord of the Bright City, an Heroic Poem," begun at Eton, was pub- lished in 1818, and " The Fall of Jerusalem, a Dramatic Po- em," in 1820. In December of the same year, Reginald Heber, then Rector of Hodnet, asked his " assistance and contribution to the Collection" of hymns which he was then preparing. " I know," he wrote, " with what facility you write poetry, and all the world knows with what suc- cess you write religious poetry." In cheerful response to this request, Milman contributed the following year (1821) the twelve hymns which are attributed to him in the Col- lection published by Mrs. Heber in 1827. Under date of December 28, 1821, Heber wrote: "You have indeed sent me a most powerful reinforcement to my projected HENRY HART MILMAN. 427 hymn-bools:. A few more sucli hymns and I shall neither need nor wait for the aid of Scott and Soiitliey." To his friendship for Heber, therefore, the Christian world is in- debted for Milman's hymns, some of which are admirable I)roductions. He was chosen (1821) Professor of Poetry for ten years in Oxford University, as the successor of the Rev. John J. Conybeare. The same year, he published " The Belvedere Apollo; Fazio, a Tragedy; and other Poems." He pro- duced, in 1822, " The Martyr of Antioch," and " Belshaz- zar," both of them Dramatic Poems. In 1826, he pub- lished "Anne Boleyn," also a Dramatic Poem. He was appointed to deliver the Bamj)ton Lectures at Oxford, in 1827, and chose, for his theme, " The Character and Con- duct of the Apostles considered as an Evidence of Christi- anity." His first contribution to History was made in 1829 — " The History of the Jews," in three volumes. To this succeeded, in 1835, the last year of his residence at Reading, " Nala and Damayanti, and other Poems, trans- lated from the Sanscrit." He was now (1835) transferred to the Rectory of St. Mar- garet's, Westminster, directly under the shadow of West- minster Abbey, and at the same time made a Prebendary of St. Peter at Westminster. In 1837, he published a " Se- lection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of St. Margaret's, Westminster." He also edited, for Murray, Gibbon's " De- cline and Fall of the Roman Empire," which was published, in four volumes (1838), with a " Preface," a " Sketch of the Author's Life," and copious and corrective "Notes," by Milman. This was followed, in 1839, by " The Life of Ed- ward Gibbon, with Selections from his Corresioondence." The work on which he had been, for years, expending his energies next appeared (1840), as " The History of Christi- anity, from the Birth of Christ to the Abolition of Pagan- ism in the Roman Empire." Though written before he had access to Strauss' work, " Das Leben Jesu," it contains, in an Appendix to Chap. II., a confutation of the Gennan Philosopher ; and Milman claimed that his " History " was 428 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "a complete, tliongh of course undesigned, refutation of his hyjjotliesis." His leading object, in this very able His- tory, was " to trace the effect of Christianity on the individ- ual and social happiness of man, its iniluence on the Polity, the Laws and Institutions, the opinions, the manners, even on the Arts and the Literature of the Christian world," — " to exhibit the reciprocal influence of civilization on Chris- tianity, of Christianity on civilization." He was appointed, in 1849, Dean of St. Paul's, London, and received from Oxford University the degree of D.D. The same year, he published an illustrated edition of " The Works of Quintus Horatius Flaccus," with " A Life," — " a truly classical biography." Several years were now given to the production of his last great work, " The History of Latin Christianity, including that of the Popes to the Pon- tificate of Nicholas V.," which was published, three vol- umes in 1854, and three volumes in 1856. His Poetic Works were published (1839) complete in three volumes. He wrote, also, a " Life of Keats," and a " Memoir of Thos. Babington Macaulay" (1858). He was, moreover, a fre- quent contributor to the London Quarterly Reirleio, Fra- sefs Magazine^ and others. In 1865, he published a Trans- lation of "iEschylus and Euripides"; also of "the Lyric and Later Poets of Greece." He left, at his death, " The Annals of St. Paul's Cathedral," which came out the same year (1868). After a life of great literary labor and of incessant activ- ity as an author, he was at length overtaken with paralysis, and died, September 24, 1868, at Sunninglield, near Ascot, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. As a preacher he was less known than as a writer. His sermons were elegant and classical, but passionless, — well read, but destitute of energy. He was decidedly libera] in theological opinions and ecclesiastical matters — being classed with the Broad Church Party. He was tall and of a graceful figure, with an aquiline nose, small mouth, black eyes with bushy eyebrows, and abundant hair overshadow- ing a high forehead. He was altogether a man of distin- HENEY HART MILMAN. 429 guished presence, as lie was, in fact, " a prince and a great man in Israel." As a jDrose writer and a historian, lie occupied a position of great eminence. His poetry, also, is of a liigh order, some of it extremely beautiful. Of one of liis books, the Quarterly Bemeio says : " Every page exhibits some beau- tiful expression, some pathetic turn, some original thought, or some striking image." His hymn for the " Second Sun- day in Advent," contributed to Heber's Collection, fairly exhibits his style : ' ' The chariot ! the chariot ! its wheels roll on fii'e, As the Lord cometh down in the pomp of his u'e : Self -moving it drives on its pathway of cloud, And the heavens with the burthen of Godhead are bowed. " The glory! the glory! by myi'iads are poured, The hosts of the angels to wait on their Lord, And the glorified saints and the martyrs are there, And all who the palm-^vi'eath of victory wear. ' ' The trumpet ! the trumpet ! the dead have all heard ; Lo ! the depths of the stone-covered charnel are stirred ; From the sea, from the land, from the south and the north, The vast generations of men are come forth. " The judgment! the judgment! the thi^ones ai^e all set. Where the Lamb and the white- vested elders are met ; All flesh is at once Ln the sight of the Lord And the doom of eternity hangs on his word. " Oh! mercy! Oh! mercy! look down from above, Creator ! on us, thy sad children, with love ; When beneath to then* darkness the wicked ai'e driven, May our sanctified souls find a mansion in heaven ! " 430 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. JOHN MILTON. 1608-1674. England's great epic poet was born appropriately in the very lieart of old London. Tlie house, in which he first saw the light, was but three doors south of Cheapside in Bread Street, at the sign of the Spread Eagle, almost under the eaves of old Bow Church. He was born December 9, 1608. His father was a scrivener, of good repute, and well-to-do in his worldly estate. John was the third of six children, three of whoni died in infancy — an elder sister and a younger brother, Christopher, surviving. He was a boy of fine promise, and the pride of the house. Every advantage of education was given him — a tutor at home, and a place in St. Paul's school from 1620 to 1625. A taste for j^oetry and music was inherited from his father, who was himself a musical comjDoser. In Ravenscroft's Psalter, 1621, John Milton, senior, appears as the harmo- nizer of the good old psalm tunes, York and Norwich. It is not strange, therefore, that, with an organ in the house, in almost constant use by the father, the boy should have obtained considerable culture in this dii'ection. His ver- sion of the 136th Psalm, beginning with ' ' Let us, with a gladsome mind, Praise the Lord, for he is kind," dates back to 1624, when he was only fifteen years of age. He entered Christ's College, Cambridge, as a pensioner, February 12, 1625. He was admitted to the degree of A.B., in January, 1629, and continued his residence at Cambridge until July, 1632, when he graduated A.M. His celebrated ode, " On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," was composed for Christmas, 1629. It contains the well-knoAvn hymn, beginning with ' ' It was the winter wild, While the heaven-horn child. All meanly wrapped, in the rude manger lies." JOHN MILTON. 431 During tliis period lie cultivated, also, and became skilled in, tlie art of writing Latin poetry. Previous to his leav- ing Cambridge, lie had written enough poetry, both English and Latin, to form a considerable volume, and had devel- oped a purpose to devote himself to the pursuit of Litera- ture. His father had designed him for the Church, but Laud's intolerance turned him away from the pulpit. Nearly six years were now passed at Horton, Buckingham- shire, a quiet agricultural hamlet, whither his father had retired on giving up business. Here the poet i^erfected himself in the Latin and Greek Classics, and cultivated, in the midst of the lovely scenery of the neighborhood, his ac- quaintance with the Muse. Here he wrote his " Sonnet to the Nightingale," "L' Allegro," "H Penseroso," "Arcades," " Comus," and " Lycidas." In April, 1638, he visited the Continent, travelling through Italy to Naples ; and, having received much at- tention from scholars abroad, returned home in the sum- mer of 1639. Attaching hiniseK to the Puritan party in politics, he took up his abode in London, and opened a school in Aldersgate Street. With the meeting of Parlia- ment, in 1640, began the great struggle for poi^ular rights. Milton, for the next twenty years, gave himself to the cause of Liberty. In 1641, he published his treatise, " Of Ref- ormation, touching Church Discipline in England," — a vig- orous assault on Episcopacy. This was followed, in 1642, by two other pamphlets on the same topic, — "Of Prelatical Episcopacy," and the "Reason of Church Government urged against Prelaty." His marriage to Mary, the eldest daughter of Richard Powell, of Forest Hill, near Shotone, Oxfordshire, occurred in June, 1643, after a very short courtship. It proved very uncongenial, his wife, at the end of four weeks, going back to her father's house, and for two years refus- ing to return to her husband. This sore disappointment led Milton to publish several pamphlets on the subject of Divorce, for which he was severely censured. His treatise " Of Education," and his " Areopagitica, a Speech for the 432 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Liberty of Unlicensed Printing," appeared in 1644 ; and a volume of Ms " Poems" followed in 1645, witli tlie return of Ms wife, to whom he now became reconciled. About this time he began to write his " History of Britain. " After the execution of Charles I., January 30, 1649, he justified the act in his " Tenure of Kings and Magistrates," and was appointed Secretary for Foreign Tongues — or Latin Secretary of State. In answer to the " Eikon Basilike ; or a Portraiture of his Sacred Majesty in his Solitude and his Sufferings," he published, the same year, his " Iconoclastes, or the Image-Breaker." His " Defensio Populi Angiicani " (1651) was written in reply to the " Defensio Regis " of Sal- masius at Leyden ; and for this a thousand pounds were voted to him by a grateful Parliament. His " Defensio se- cunda pro populo Anglicano," in response to Peter du Mou- lin, appeared in 1654. His eyesight, which had for years been seriously affected by his incessant studies, quite failed him in 1653 ; and the year after, his wife died, leaving three little daughters — one only a few days old. Needing more than ever, in his blind- ness, the companionship of a good wife, he married, in 1656, Catherine, a daughter of Captain Woodcock, of Hackney. She died in less than fifteen months, greatly to his grief, as expressed in an admirable sonnet to her memory. He now resumed the " History of Britain," and made large prei^aration for a new Latin Dictionary (never com- pleted), — still retaining, until the " Restoration," his posi- tion as Latin Secretary. He, also, from and after 1655, occupied himself, at intervals, with the plan and structure of " The Paradise Lost." Immediately after the " Restora- tion," he was removed from ofiice, and obliged to seek con- cealment. Though prosecuted as an enemy to the King, and for a while under arrest, he obtained pardon, and de- voted his remaining days to literature. Having taken a house in Jewin Street, near Aldersgate Street, he occujDied himself with the completion of his great epic poem. In 1663, he married, at the recommendation of his friend, Dr. Paget, as his third wife, Elizabeth Minshul, the daughter JOHN MILTON. 433 of a Cheshire gentleman. Soon after, he removed, for the last time, to a house in the Artillery Walk, leading to Bun- hill Fields, where, in 1665, he completed his immortal poem. The same year, the Plague raged in London, and he found refuge at St. Giles Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, in a house taken for him by his friend, Thomas EUwood. His " Paradise Lost " was published by Samuel Simmons, London, 1667, and met with a slow sale — the hrst edition of 1,500 copies not having been disposed of in less than three years. He had submitted the manuscript, at Chal- font, in 1665, to Ell wood, who, referring to the title, pleas- antly remarked, — "Thou hast said much of 'Paradise Lost'; but what hast thou to say of 'Paradise Found'?" Acting on this hint, Milton wrought out his " Paradise Re- gained," Avhich, with his " Samson Agonistes," was pub- lished in 1671. His "History of Britain" had been pub- lished the year before. In his last years, in addition to his total blindness, he suffered greatly from the gout, which finally resulted in his death, November 8, 1674. His remains were deposited by the side of his father's, in St. Giles' Church, Cripple- gate. His wife survived him ; also, his three daughters. It seems scarcely credible— but such is the fact — that Mil- ton received only ten pounds from the sale of his great epic ; and the copyright was sold by his widow, seven years after his death, for eight pounds. In the latter part of the year 1823, Mr. Lemon discovered, in the Old State Paper Office, Middle Treasury Gallery, Whitehall, a Latin Manu- script of 735 pages, with the title, — " Joannis Miltoni Angli He Doctrina Christiana, Ex Sacris duntaxat Libris petita, Disquisitionum Libri Duo Posthumi." It was trans- lated by Charles R. Sumner, the late Bishop of Winches- ter, published (1825) in two volumes, and republished in Boston, Mass., the same year, with the title, — " A Treatise of Christian Doctrine." In 1648, Milton composed versions of nine of the Psalms, quite literal and faithful. His " Hymn on the Nativity," composed a few days after completing his twenty-first year, 28 434 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. contains twenty-seven double stanzas, with the following poem: " This is the raontli, and this the happy morn, Wherein the Son of heaven's eternal King, Of "wedded maid and vu'gm mother born, Our great redemption from above did bring ; For so the holy sages once did sing. That he our deadly forfeit should release, And with his Father work us a perpetual peace. " That glorious form, that light unsufferable. And that far-beaming blaze of majesty, Wherewith he wont, at heaven's high council-table, To sit the midst of Trinal Unity, He laid aside ; and, here with us to be. Forsook the courts of everlasting day. And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. " Say, heavenly Muse! shall not thy sacred vein Afford a present to the infant God ? Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain. To welcome him to tliis his new abode. Now, while the heaven, by the sun's team untrod ; Hath took no print of the approaching light, And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons bright ? " See how, from far, upon the eastern road. The star-led wizards haste with odors sweet ! Oh! run, prevent them ^vith thy humble ode, And lay it lowly at his blessed feet ; Have thou the honor first thy Lord to greet. And join thy voice unto the angel quire, From out his seci'et altar touched with hallowed fire." JOHN SAMUEL BEWLEY MONSELL. 1811-1875. The Rev. De. Monsell was a native of Ireland, the son of the Rev. Thomas Bewley Monsell, A.M., Archdea- JOHN SMIUEL BEWLEY MONSELL. 435 con of Deny, and Precentor of Christ Clinrcli Cathedral. He was born at St. Columb's, Londonderry, March 2, 1811. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating, B.A., in 1832. He was ordained deacon in 1834, and priest in 1835. He was appointed, by Bishop Mant, his exam- ining Chaplain, and subsequently Chancellor of the diocese of Conner. He received, also, an appointment to the Rec- tory of Ramoan. In 1850, he published his " Parish Mus- ings, or Devotional Poems,"— characterized, by the Chris- tian Remembrancer, as " combining pious thoughts of a slightly vague theology, with a general amount of right feeling," and "slight inaccuracies." It had reached an eighth edition in 1865. He was transferred to the Church of England, in 1853, having been presented to the Vicarage of Egham, Surrey. He received (1856) the degree of LL.D., from the Univer- sity of Dublin. He found time, in his new position, near the metropolis, to prepare and publish several literary works: "Spiritual Songs"; "His Presence, not his Mem- ory"; "The Beatitudes"; "Prayers and Litanies"; "Eng- lish Sisterhoods"; "No Sect on Earth"; "The Passing Bell"; " Ode to the Nightingales" (1867) ; and " Our New Vicar, or Plain Words on Ritual and Parish Work" (1867) ; and, of these, several have been issued in repeated editions. In 1870, he was presented to the Rectory of St. Nicholas, Guildford, Surrey, a position of considerable emolument, which he retained until his decease, April 9, 1875. His death was sudden,— the result of an accident during the erection of a new building for the church at Guildford. Tlie hjanns of Dr. Monsell are of a high order. They appeared, mostly, in his " Hymns of Love and Praise for the Church's Year," the Preface to which is dated "All Saints' Day, 1862." He says: "The great mass of aU now put forth appear for the first time, having been written during the summer just ended. An admirable article on Hymnology, in the Quarterly Remew of last April [repro- duced in LittelVs Living Age, June 7, 1862], suggested the idea of endeavoring to reach the higher standai'd therein 436 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. presented. . . [They] were written to illustrate an idea wMcli has long tilled their author's mind, that such por- tions of our Divine worship should be more fervent and joyous, more exj^ressive of real and personal love to God than they are in general found to be. . . They are the ut- terances of a soul conscious of most intense longings for closer communion with God." Such should all hymns be, and Dr. Monsell seems to have been well qualified to illus- trate his ideal. Some of his hymns are truly admirable ; many of them are subjective, and reveal a high order of Christian experience. The hymn for the " Sunday next before Advent," which is here subjoined, was suggested by the words (Cant. iv. 7), " Thou art fair, my love ! there is no spot in thee": " I would that I were fairer, Lord ! More what thy bride shoiild be, More meet to be the shai'er, Lord ! Of love and heaven with thee ; Yet, if thy love with me thou'lt share, I know that love can make me fair. " Oh! would that I were purer. Lord I More filled with grace divine, Oh ! would that I were surer, Lord ! That my whole heart is thine ; Were it so pure that I might see Thy beauty, I would grow like thee. "Oh! would that I could higher, Lord! Above these senses live, Each feeling, each desire, Lord ! Could wholly to thee give ; The love I thus would daily share, That love alone would make me fair. " Thy goodness and thy beauty, Lord! Shall robe and mirror be, With ornaments of duty, Lord ! I'll deck my soul for thee ; Till all thy love, beyond compare. Pass into me, and make me fair." JAMES MONTGOMEEY. 487 JAMES MONTGOMERY. ■ 1771-1854. The name of James Montgomery is known and cherished by the lovers of sacred song throughout the Christian world. His Sacred Lyrics are among the best of his pro- ductions. Some of them are found in nearly all the compi- lations of Hymns now used in Great Britain and America ; and not a few of them have been translated into foreign tongues. Many of them will live forever. Grace Hill is a Moravian settlement, about one mile to the west of Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland. It was founded in 1765, and was the result, mainly, of the preach- ing, in those parts, some twenty years before, of the Rev. John Cennick. John Montgomery, of a family residing in that neighborhood, had become a convert to the doctrines of the United Brethren, and joined the paternity of Grace Hill. Being a man of good address, as well as sincere piety, he was designated as a ]3reacher. After awhile, he married a young woman, connected with the Society, named Mary Blackley ; and the young couple were sent as missionaries, across the North Channel, to assist the Rev. John Caldwell. They fixed their abode in the humble to^Ti of Irvine, Ayr- shire, on the Frith of Clyde ; and there, November 4, 1771, James, their eldest son, was born. It Avas a romantic spot, and well fitted for poetic impressions on the mind of the fair-haired child. In 1776, the Moravian preacher, with his familj?^, returned to Grace Hill. In 1777, at the age of six years, James was sent to the Moravian settlement w^hich, in 1748, had been founded on Benjamin Ingham's estate, near Leeds, York- shire, and named Fulneck. Here, for nine years, he remained under the care and tuition of " The Brethren," and was in- ducted into the sciences, ancient and modern. Designed for the Moravian ministry, he was taught German and French, as well as Latin and Greek, besides the ordinary 438 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. studies of an Englisli grammar-scliool. In tlie meantime, his parents, having, in 1779, brought their two remaining sons, Ignatius and Robert, to Fulneck, were sent forth, in 1783, as missionaries to Barbados, in the West Indies ; whence in 1789 they removed to Tobago, where his mother died, October 23, 1790, followed soon after by his father, who died at Barbados, June 27, 1791. James was but an indifferent scholar. His teachers made unfavorable reports of his progress. One of them, on a summer day, took a few boys to a shady spot in the fields, and read to them Blair's "Grave." Young Montgomery was delighted with what he heard, and the poetic fer- vor was evoked. He, too, could make verses ; and, be- fore he had finished his tenth year, he had filled a volume with verses of his own. Thenceforward he was ever at it — versifying on all manner of subjects, writing hymns after the pattern of tlie Moravian Hymn-Book, and attempting poems, also, of considerable length. As his teachers despaired of making him a scholar, they put him, at fifteen, to serve in a huckster's shop, at Mirfield, a small hamlet in the vicinity. Here, too, he found time to wi'ite verses. His paraphrase of the 113th Psalm, " Servants of God! in joyful lays," etc., is said to have been written at this period. On a Sunday morning, June 19, 1789, he took abrupt leave of Mirfield, and, Abraham-like, " went out not know- ing whither he went." He trudged along, that day and the next, through Doncaster to WentworlJi. At Wath, on the river Dearne, near the latter place, he found em- ployment in a country store— still filling up his spare mo- ments with verse-making. The village bookseller encour- aged him to make a careful selection of his poetry for publication, and forwarded it himself to a London publish- er. Montgomery, well recommended, made his way, soon after, to the metropolis. Harrison, to whom his volume had been sent, declined to publish it, but gave its author employment as a clerk in liis store. Here he remained a JAMES MONTGOMERY. 439 year, well provided for, but thwarted continually in Ms re- peated attempts to appear in print. Disgusted at length with the great world of London, he returned to Wath, and was gladly reinstated in his old position. He was now of full age, and desirous to get into sonie profitable business. A clerk was wanted at Sheflield. Hia eye lighted on the advertisement. He applied, by letter, for the situation, and obtained it, and entered on his new vocation, April 2, 1792. His employer was Joseph Gales, printer, bookseller, auctioneer, and editor of Tlie Sheffield Register. He soon found himself in full sympathy with his radical employer, and espoused the cause of pop- ular rights. The French Revolution. had created a great ferment in Great Britain. The Government took the alarm, and sought to repress the agitation. Persecution and im- prisonment were resorted to. Mr. Gales sought safety in flight. He found his way to Philadelphia, in 1794, and, for five years, edited there the Independent Gazette; re- moving thence, he edited, for forty years, The Raleigh (N. C.) Register. The Sheffield Register was changed, July 14, 1794, to The Sheffield Iris, with James Montgomery as its editor. Twice within a year (1795-96), on some flimsy pretence, he was prosecuted, fined, and imprisoned, but all the more he advocated the people's cause, and his paper was increasing- ly patronized. It was continued under his editorship more than thirty years. During his incarceration in York Castle, he occupied himself considerably with the composition of short poems, which were published, in 1797, under the title of " Prison Amusements." " Tlie Ocean, and other Poems," was issued in 1805 ; followed, early in January, 1806, by "The Wan- derer of Switzerland," which, in spite of the savage criti- cism of Jefl'rey, in the Edinburgh Revieic, was received with marked favor, 12,000 copies having been disposed of in twenty years (besides several editions in America), at a profit of $4,000 to the author. It resulted, also, in his con- nection with the Eclectic Review. 440 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. The African Slave Trade was, in 1807, abolished by the British Parliament. At the request of Mr. Bowyer, of Pall Mall, who was about to publish a set of engravings commemorative of the grand event, he wrote, the same year, " The West Indies," but it was not brought out until 1810. Early in the latter year, he had completed his "World before the Flood," which appeared "Avith other Occasional Pieces," in 1813. Montgomery had, for years, been deeply interested in re- ligion and its enterprises. He now determined to identify himself openly and fully with the disciples of Christ. At the close of the year 1814, he was publicly recognized, at Fulneck, as a brother in the Lord, and a member of the Society. It was, in all probability, on this occasion that he wrote his beautiful and popular h\Tnn, beginning with " People of the living God ! " Pie now took an active part in the promotion of Sunday- Schools, Bible and Tract Societies, and the work of Mis- sions. An appeal in behalf of the Moravian missions in Greenland appeared (1818) in the columns of his paper. So deeply had he become interested in this entei^rise, as to be impelled -to write and publish, in 1819, his "Green- land," a missionary poem. He had published, in 1817, his " Thoughts on Wheels," a philippic against lotteries ; and the " Climbing Boy's So- liloquies," an appeal for the Chimney Sweepers, His " Songs of Zion, being Imitations of the Psalms," came out in 1822, containing 72 versions, among which are some of the sweetest and best sacred lyrics in the language. Tliey had been composed at intervals during the previous thirty years, but more particularly since 1807, about which time, being in deep distress for sin, he is supposed to have written the hymn, — " Oh ! where shall rest be found," etc. In the latter part of 1825, he published "The Christian Psalmist ; or HjTnns Selected and Original," and, in 1826 JAMES MONTGOMERY, 441 "The Christian Poet ; Selections in Yerse," — both of which were "compiled by him for Mr. [Wm.] Collins, of Glas- gow." The Psalmist contained 562 hymns, 103 of which are from his o\^ti pen. A seventh edition had been called for in 1832. " The Christian Poet " " comjirehended pieces of a higher order, .... laying claim to the gennine honors of verse, as the noblest vehicle of the noblest thoughts." To each of these was prefixed an " Introductory Essay," of peculiar value. " Prose by a Poet," taken mainly from his editorials in The 87ieffield Iris, was issued in 1824. At the close of the year 1825, Montgomery retired from the editorship of The Iris. He had now a suffi- cient income from his various publications, and was glad to be relieved from the incessant pressure of thirty years, that he might give himself to those ministrations of mercy in which he so much delighted. " The Pelican Island," a poem, in blank verse, one of the most original, imaginative, philosophical, and truly poetic of his larger pieces, appeared in 1827. At the solicitation of the " Lon- don Missionary Society," he undertook to recompose, from journals and other memoranda, a "Journal of the Voyages and Travels of the Rev. Daniel Tyerman, and George Ben- net, Esq.," as a Deputation of the Society to their various Missions in the East (1821-1829). The work, which cost the editor great labor, was published June 1, 1831, in two volumes, and republished the next year, at Boston, Mass. In May, 1830, he delivered a course of Lectures on Eng- lish Literature, before the " Royal Institution," and another course on " General Literature, Poetry," etc. , the year fol- lowing. These were given to the press, both in London and New York, in 1833, and were received ^dth great favor. Two years later, he sent forth " A Poet's Portfolio ; or Minor Poems — In three Books." The same year. Sir Robert Peel placed his name on the pension list of the Literary Fund, for £150 a year, as a reward for literary services. He now gathered, revised, and arranged his " Po- etical Works," which he published (1836) in three volumes — an edition of which not long after appeared in America. 442 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He had lived forty-tliree years in the central part of Sheffield, in a locality known as "Hartshead," over the book-store kept by the Misses Gales, sisters of Joseph, and the place of publication of Tlie Iris ; the sisters had been members of his honsehold. He now removed, with the two surviving sisters (1836), to " a new home at ' The Mount,' " a block of newly erected houses, beautifully situated on a swell of land skirting the south side of the city. The next year, he again lectured at the Royal Institu- tion, and delivered a course on "The Principal British Poets." In 1838, he repeated the lectures before the Phi- losophical Society at Bristol ; also, at Birmingham, and at Worcester. In 1849, he published a new edition, thor- oughly revised, of the Moravian Hymn-Book, containing 1,260 hymns. His last work was ih^ publication, February 1, 1853, of his " Original Hymns for Public, Social, and Private Devotion." A slight i^aralytic stroke earlj^ in 1849, followed by an illness of three months, had greatly reduced his strength and impaired his vitality. A second stroke, on the night of the 29th of April, 1854, dejjrived him of all conscious- ness, and, on the afternoon of Sunday, the 30th, of life itself. He was spared the pains and terrors of death : " Heard ye the sobs of parting breath ? Marked ye the eye's last ray ? No ! — life so sweetly ceased to be, It lapsed in immortality." He died in his eighty-third year, and was honored mth a public funeral, the whole town, as it were, taking part in the ceremonial, and testifying thus to the greatness of their loss. Like Watts and Cowper, both of whom he greatly admired as Christian lyrists, he never married. " Father of eternal grace ! " etc., appeared (1808) in W. Gardiner's " Sacred Melodies." That beautiful and stirring hymn, beginning with " Hark! the song of Jubilee," JAMES MONTGOMERY. 443 was " composed for the Anniversary of the Missionary So- ciety, and sung at the Spa Fields Chapel, May 14, 1818." It was published in the July Number of the Edangelical Magazine., for 1818. He was associated with the Rev. Thomas Cotterill, of St. Paul's, Sheffield, in the compila- tion of an enlarged edition (1819) of his " Selection of Psalms and Hymns for the Use of St. Paul's and St. James' Churches, Sheffield," to which he contributed about sixty original hymns. Among them is found, " Prayer is the soul's sincere desire," etc. The Rev. Edward H. Bickersteth, in the Notes to his " Hymnal Companion," says : " This hymn was wiitten by J. Montgomery (1818) at the request of the late Rev. E. Bickersteth, for his Treatise on Prayer," printed "at the close of the year 1818." That beautiful paraphrase of the 72d Psalm, " Hail to the Lord's Anointed ! " etc., was introduced by him, at the close of a speech, on the occasion of a missionary meeting in the Wesleyan Chapel, Liverpool, April 14, 1822, and was included with his other paraphrases, in his " Songs of Zion," published the same year. *' Gro to dark Gethsemane," etc., is traced to the Leeds Selection, published in 1822. One of his latest effusions was prepared for a Bible Society meeting, at Sheffield, November 13, 1848, and is full of beautiful turns of thought and expression : " The sunbeams, infinitely small, In numbers numberless, Eeveal, pervade, illumine all Nature's void wilderness : But, meeting worlds upon their way, Wrapt in primeval night, In language without sound, they say To each — ' God sends you light ! ' 444 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Anon, -with beauty, life and love, Those wandering planets glow, And shine themselves as stars above, On gazers from below. Oh ! could the first archangel's eye, In everlasting space, Through all the mazes of the sky A single sunbeam trace, He might behold that lovely one Its destiny fulfil, As punctual as the parent sun Performs its Maker's will. The Sun of righteousness with rays Of uncreated light, His power and glory thus displays, Through Nature's darkest night. Rays from that Sun of righteousness Our humble missiles dart: Mighty at once to wound and bless. To break and bind the heart. And could the first archangel's sight The least of these pursue, He might record, in its brief flight, Each had a work to do." HEJS^RY MOORE. 1732-1802. HEisrEY Moore was an Arian pastor in the West of Eng- land. His father, whose name he bore, and whose faith he espoused, was the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Plymouth, England. His mother was a daughter of Will- iam Bellew, of Stockleigh Court, Devonshire. He was born at PljTiiouth, March 30, 1732, and received his rudimentary education from his father. At an early age, he was sent to the grammar-school of the Rev. Mr. Bedford, afterwards the Vicar of King Charles the Martyr's Church, Plymouth. In 1749, he entered the Academy of the Rev. Dr. Dodd- HENRY MOORE. 445 ridge, at Northampton, where he remained six yeaie. At the decease of Doddridge (1751) he wrote an elegiac poem in affectionate memory of his revered teacher, which was published, and spoken of as " a tribute of elegant fancy and warm affection." The Academy was conducted, dur- ing his last three years of study, by the Rev. Dr. Ash- worth. On leaving the Academy, he was chosen (1756) the min- ister of a congregation at Dulverton, Somersetshire ; and the following year, he became the pastor of a Dissenting congregation at Modbury, where, in the quiet performance of his ministerial duties, he continued thirty years and more. After the publication (1780) of Madan's "Thelyp- thora," he published, anonymously, a reply to the obnox- ious theory, characterized by "much humor and vivacity." He removed, in 1788, to the romantic town of Liskeard, among the tin mines of Cornwall, where, in charge of a Dissenting congregation, he passed the remaining years of his uneventful life. He died unmarried, November 2, 1802, in his seventy-first year. He was mild and gentle in manners, and performed his duties in great contentment, thankfulness, and humility. Endowed with poetic talents, quite superior, he was scarcely known to the outside world. His critical abilities, also, were of a high order, as appears from his large contribu- tions to the two volumes of " Commentaries and Essays," published by the " Society for Promoting the Knowledge of the Scriptures." In 1795, at the solicitation of his nephew, a surgeon at Plymouth, he published, in twenty pages 4to, " Private Life, a Moral Rhapsody, written at a Gentleman's Country Residence," — "a very spirited and beautiful poem." He was, also, induced, the last year of his life, to prepare a manuscript volume of his poems for publication. In consequence of a paralytic affection, result- ing in the author's death, the Rev. Dr. Aiken kindly under- took to carry the volume through the press. It was issued the following year (1803) with the title, — " Poems, Lyrical and Miscellaneous." 446 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. THOMAS MOORE. 1779-1852. The Sacred Songs of Thomas Moore are thirty-two in number. Some of them are so beautiful, as to occasion regret that they bear such a small proportion to the songs, and sonnets, and poems, that are found in his works : — re- gret that one so gifted with the true jDoetic afflatus, should have prostituted his rare talents to such unworthy purposes. As a man of pleasure, without the least apparent experience of true godliness, he scarcely deserves a place among the poets of the Christian Church. He was a native of Dublin, of humble origin, and born May 28, 1779. He was precocious ; of marked promise at an early age ; his mother's pride, and much indebted to her teachings. At fourteen, he found a place for his verse in a Dublin Magazine, called The Anthologla Hibernica. Long before this, he had begun "to act, sing, and rhyme." The famous Samuel Whyte was his school-master. Early in 1794, he had begun his translation of the Odes of Anac- reon. In the summer of the same year, he entered Trin- ity College, Dublin, graduating in 1798. In his twentieth year (1799), he left Ireland, came to London, and entered himself a student of law, at the Middle Temple. He published the "Odes of Anacreon translated into English Verse with ]N"otes," by subscription, in 1800. The next year, he issued what purported to be "Tlie Poetical Works of the late Thomas Little," his own " Juvenile Poems," as they are called, expurgated^ in his "Works." In 1803, he sent forth "A Candid Appeal to Public Confi- dence"; and, the same year, was appointed Registrar of the Admiralty Court in Bermuda. Resigning his post to a deputy at the end of fourteen months, he left Bermuda, and made a tour of the United States. He returned home in 1806, and published his " Epistles, Odes, and other Poems," mostly relating to America. " Corruption, a Poetic Epis- THOMAS MOOEE. 447 tie," and " Intolerance, a Satire," appeared in 1808, followed by "The Sceptic, a Philosophical Satire," in 1809 — ^none of which were successful. For several years, he led a life of gaiety, at London and Dublin ; and, March 25, 1811, he married Bessy Dyke, one of the actresses of a private theatre at Kilkenny, where he himself had taken i3art in the performances. After a short residence in London, he took a house at Keg- worth, Leicestershire, near the seat of his patron, the Earl of Moira. "M. P., or the Blue Stocking; a Comic Opera," appeared in 1811. The next year, he brought out his ex- ceedingly popular " Intercepted Letters ; or The Twopenny Post Bag," a series of political squibs. He now removed (1813) to Ashbourne, Derbyshire, where he resided four years. The first instalment of his "Irish Melodies," the most popular of all his works, appeared in 1813 ; his " Na- tional Melodies," in 1815 ; his " Sacred Songs," in 1816 ; and " Lalla Rookh ; an Oriental Romance," in 1817, shortly after his removal to Hornsey, in Middlesex. After a trip with the poet Rogers to Paris, he published, in 1818, " The Fudge Family in Paris," and, the same year, an edition of Sheridan's Dramatic Works. " Tom Crib's Memorial to Congress " came out in 1819. Soon after his return from Paris, he had, on the invitation of the Marquis of Lansdowne, taken up his abode at Sloperton Cottage, near Bowood, Wiltshire. The deputy whom he had left in charge of his office at Bermuda proving false, he became liable to the extent of £6,000, and, to avoid an attachment on his property, he repaired (September, 1819) to Paris, thence travelled with Lord John Russell to Italy, and, as the result, Avrote his "Rhymes on the Road." He also visited Lord Byron (with whom he was on terms of great intimacy) at Venice ; and while there wrote his " Fables for the Holy Alliance." These two productions, as also "The Loves of the Angels," were published in 1823. He returned home the same year, the claim against him having been reduced to 1,000 guineas, and liquidated in 1822. Other publications now followed: "Miscellaneous Poems"; 448 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "Memoirs of Captain Rock" (1824); "Memoirs of Sheri- dan" (1825); "The Epicurean; a Tale" (1827); "Letters and Journals of Lord BjTon, with Notices of his Life" (1830); "The Life of Lord Edward Fitzgerald" (1831); "The Summer Fete" (1831) ; "Travels of an Irish Gentle- man in search of a Religion" (1833) ; and his "History of Ireland " (1835), written for Lardner's " Cabinet Cyclopaedia." The same year, a civil-list pension of £300 was granted him. In 1841-42, he jjublished his x^oetical works, in ten volumes. His declining years were much clouded with affliction. He died, after three years of mental imbecility, at Sloperton Cottage, February 26, 1852, in his seventy-third year. His "Memoirs, Journal, and Correspondence, edited by the Right Honorable Lord John Russell," appeared (1853- 56) in eight volumes. Moore was full of the poetic spirit. He wrote with wonderful ease, and often with remarkable sweetness. " Of all the song- writers," says Prof. Wilson, "that ever warbled, or chanted, or sung, the best, in our estimation, is verily none other than Thomas Moore. His ' Irish Melodies ' are full of true feeling and delicacy ; they are musical almost beyond parallel in words — grace- ful in thought -and sentiment — often tender, pathetic, and heroic, equally the delight of the cottage and the saloon." Moore was a musician as well as a poet, and sang his own songs with a spirit and life that charmed the circles of the great and noble, where he was a welcome visitor. The fol- lowing specimen is from his "Sacred Songs" (1816) : " Since first thy word awaked my heart, Like new life dawning o'er me, Where'er I turn mine eyes. Thou art, All light and love before me ; Naught else I feel, or hear, or see, — All bonds of earth I sever ; Tliee, O God ! and only thee I live for, now and ever. " Like him whose fetters dropped away, When light shone o'er his prison, My spirit, touched by Mercy's ray, Hath from her chams arisen : THOMAS MOREL!.. And shall a soul, Thou bidd'st be free, Eetum to bondage ? — Never! Thee, O Grod! and only thee I live for, now and ever." THOMAS MORELL. 1781-1840. The Academy over whicli tlie Rev. Dr. Doddridge so ably presided at Northampton, England, about the middle of the last century, was, by a series of mutations, trans- ferred at length to the city of London, and placed in con- nection v/ith the University of London, by the name of Coward College, being located in Byng Place, Torrington Square, near the University. The Rev. Thomas Morell had, in 1821, become the successor of Dr. Doddridge, as Theological Tutor. Prof. Morell was, as his name would indicate, of Hugue- not origin, his ancestors having fled to England, from Pa- pal persecution, in the seventeenth century. He was born (1781) at Maldon, Essex, and was educated by his two broth- ers. Rev. John Morell, LL.D., and Rev. Stephen Morell, and subsequently at Homerton College, near London, un- der the tuition of the Rev. Dr. John Pye Smith. In 1801, he became the pastor of the Congregational Church of St. Neot's, a considerable market-town, on the Ouse. Faithful in the performance of his duties, as a preacher and a pas- tor, he found time for literary pursuits, the fruit of which appeared in " Studies in History, in a Series of Essays, ac- companied with Reflections, References to Original Au- thorities, and Historical Exercises for Youth." The first, containing " The History of Greece, from its earliest Period to its final Subjugation by the Romans," appeared in 1813. The second, being " The History of Rome, from its earliest 29 450 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Records to the Death of Constantine," followed in 1815. Two volumes, on " The History of England, from the ear- liest Eecords to the Death of George III.," were issued in 1818 and 1820. He published, also (1809), " The Christian Pastor ; a Poem. In three Books," and several Occasional Sermons. After a successful ministry of twenty years, he was ap- pointed (1821) as successor of the Rev. Mr. Atkinson, the President of Wymondley College, Hertfordshire. In 1827, he published " Elements of the History of Philosophy and Science," — an abstract, mainlj^, of the Histories of Stanley and Enfield. The College, in the autumn of 1833, was re- moved to London, and was, thenceforth, called "Coward College," in honor of its munificent patron. Mr. Morell continued to preside over it with great credit to himself and advantage to the Institution, until 1839, when his health was seriously impaired. He lingered nearly a year, much of the time in severe pain, borne with the utmost resignation and Christian patience ; and, March 25, 1840, he departed this life, sincerely and universally lamented. He was held in high esteem for piety, talents, and ability, by the Dissenting ministry and churches. He had, shortly before his last illness, intimated his intention to retire from the presidency of the College, and to prepare for the press " Memoirs of the Life and Times of Doddridge," for which he was eminently qualified. The hymns beginning " Father of mercies! condescend," and " Go, and the Saviour's grace proclaim," are found in the December Number of the London Man- f/elical Ifagazine, for 1818. They were "composed for a Missionary Ordination Service, and sung at the Rev. Mr. Morell's Chapel, St. Neot's, October 28, 1818, at the Ordi- nation of Mr. C[harles] Mault, Missionary to India,"— and a member of Mr. Morell's church. He %^Tote several other hymns on special occasions, besides an Elegy on the Death JOHN MORRISON. 451 of the Princess Charlotte (1817). The following lines are from the third Book of his "Christian Pastor": " Come, but with hallowed feet approach, and view The Christian Pastor's death. His end is peace. Ah ! with what silent eloquence it pleads The cause of Truth, flashing conviction's glaxe E'en on the haughtiest, boldest infidel ! What tranquil pleasures sit upon his brow, Where slowly trickles the cold sweat of death! What sacred raptures, what immortal joys, Burst from his lips, and sparkle in his eye ! " JOHN MORRISON. 1749-1798. A committee, of which the Rev. Dr. Hugh Blair, the Rev. Dr. John Morrison, the Rev. John Logan, and the Rev. William Cameron, were members, was appointed (1775) by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to re- vise the " Translations and Paraphrases," attached to the Old Version of "The Psalms of David in Metre." Six years later (1781), the Paraphrases were published in their present form (67 in number), with five hymns. The Para- phrases 19, 21, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 35, are attributed to Dr. Morrison, either in whole or in part. Dr. Morrison was born (1749) in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. After the usual educational and theological course of study, his " Trials " were sustained by his Presbytery, and he was' ordained (1780) the pastor of the parish of Canisbay, Caith- ness-shire, where he continued until his death, June 12, 1798, in his fiftieth year. His scholarship brought him from the University the honorary degree of D.D. He was a fre- quent contributor, as " Musseus," to the poetic columns of the Edinburgh WeeJdy Magazine. He published (1787) an English version of the second and fourth Books of Vir- gil's iEneid. 452 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG. 1796-1877. Dr. Muhlenberg was of German descent, and Lutliei-an lineage. His grandfather, Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlen- berg, D.D. [1711-1787], of Eimbeck, Hanover, was the pa- triarch of the Lutheran Church in America. He came to Philadelphia, Pa., as a missionary, in 1742, but late in life resided at the Trappe, Montgomery Co., Pa. His " Life and Times," by M. L. Stoever, has been published by the Lutheran Board of Publication. He had three sons, all of whom became clergymen : John Peter Gabriel [1746-1807], Frederick Augustus [17.50-1801], and Gotthilf Henry Ernst [1753-1815]. They were sent to Germany, in 1762, to be educated. Peter obtained orders (1772) in the Church of England, and, on his return to America, officiated awhile ; but, on the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, entered the army, and eventually be- came a Major-General of the Revolutionary Army, a Rep- resentative and Senator of the U. S., and Collector of the Port of Philadelphia. Frederick was ordained in Germany, officiated as a Lutheran minister in Philadelphia and New York, entered Congress, and became the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the First Congress, and again in the Third. Henry was pastor of the Lutheran Church of Lancaster, Pa., from 1780, until his death in 1815. William Augustus was the son of Frederick Augustus, and was born, September 16, 1796, at Philadelphia, Pa. He was educated in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadel- phia, where he graduated in 1814. After a suitable prepara- tion, he was ordained (1817) a deacon, by Bishop AVhite, of Philadelphia. Three years later, he was ordained to the priesthood, and, in 1823, became the Associate Rector of St. James' Church, Lancaster, and St. John's, Pequea, Pa. The same year he published, " Church Poetry : being Por- tions of the Psalms in Verse, and Hymns suited to the WILLIAM AUGUSTUS MUHLENBERG. 453 Festivals and Fasts and various Occasions of tlie Cliurch ; selected and arranged from various Authors." He removed, in 1826, to Flushing, N. Y., and founded the Flushing In- stitute, afterwards known as St. Paul's College, — over which he presided, with great success, for sixteen years. At the same time, he held the Rectorship of St. George's Church, Flushing. In 1846, he became the Rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, New York, which position he retained until 1859. In 1855, with great labor and unwearied assiduity, he founded St. Luke's Hospital, New York, and was its Pastor and Superintendent until his death, — "the most devoted servant, day and night, within its kindly walls. " He founded, also, in 1865, St. Johnland, a home for various classes of the needy. He died, Sunday, April 8, 1877, in his eighty-first year. He was honored (1834) by Columbia College, New York, with the degree of D.D. Dr. Muhlenberg developed much taste and skill as a musical composer. In conjunction with the Rev. Dr. Jon- athan M. Wainwright (afterwards Bishop), he published (1828) "Music of the Church," to accompany the New Episcopal Selection of Psalms and Hymns. He edited, also, in whole or in part, at various times : "A Chant Book for the Church "; " The People's Psalter "; and " The Choir and Family Psalter"; also, in 1859, as Chairman of a Com- mittee appointed by the House of Bishops, a " Tune Book for the Use of the Protestant Episcopal Church." He published (1853), " Letters on Protestant Sisterhoods "; and sent forth, on several occasions, valuable sermons and religious pamphlets ; but, as an author, he is chiefly known by his popular hymn, beginning with "I would not live alway, — I ask not to stay." It first appeared, anonymously, June 3, 1826, in the Epis- copal Recorder of Philadelphia, in six double stanzas. It was abridged by the Rev. Dr. Henry U. Onderdonk, and in this form incorporated into the New Selection of Hymns adopted by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church 454 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of that year. The following, also, is from the pen of Dr Muhlenberg : " Saviour! who thy flock art feeding, With the shepherd's kindest care, All the feeble gently leading, While the lambs thy bosom share ; Now, these little ones receiving, Fold them in thy gracious arm ; There, we know, thy word believing, Only there secm-e from harm. " Never, from thy pasture roving. Let them be the lion's prey ; Let thy tenderness, so loving. Keep them all life's dangerous way : Then, within thy fold eternal. Let them find a resting place, Feed in pastures ever vernal, Di'ink the rivers of thy grace." JOHN MASON NEALE. 1818-1866. Dr. Neale was a native of London, England, and the son of the Rev. Cornelius Neale. He was born Janu- ary 24, 1818, and was educated at Trinity College, Cam- bridge, where he graduated, A.B., 1840, and A.M., 1845. He was distinguished for his poetic gifts, and his attain- ments in the languages, ancient and modern. Repeatedly he obtained the prize for the best sacred poem in English. He was ordained deacon in 1841, and priest in 1842. The, same year (1842), he married Sarah Norman, a daughter of Rev. Thomas Webster, B.D. In May, 1846, he was ap- pointed the Warden of Sackville College, East Grinstead, Sussex, — a position that he held through life. His antiquarian and ritualistic tastes were early devel- JOHN MASON NEALE. 455 oped. In 1841, lie published, •' Tlie History of Pews : A Paper read before the Cambridge Camden Society"; in 1842, "Herbert Tresham, a Tale of the Great Rebellion"; and in 1843, " Agnes de Tracey, a Tale of the Times of St. Thomas of Canterbury"; "Ayton Priory"; "Hierologus, or the Church Tourists"; and a Translation of Bishop Du- randas' Work on " The Symbolism of Churches and Church Ornaments." He had now become a very active member of the Ecclesiological Society, and eagerly prosecuted studies of that description. " Shepperton Manor, a Tale of the Time of Bishop Andrewes," appeared in 1844, and a Letter " On Private Devotion in Churches"; in 1845, "A Mirror of Faith : Lays and Legends of the Church in England"; and in 1846, "Annals of Virgin Saints"; "The Loosing of the Euphratean Angels," a prize poem ; and " The Triumphs of the Cross." These smaller works (the enumeration of which is chiefly of importance as showing the di'ift of his studies) were fol- lowed, in 1847, by a work of sterling value, — " A History of the Holy Eastern Church. — A History of the Patriarchate of Alexandria," in two volumes ; also, the same year, "Stories from the Heathen Mythology"; in 1848, by " Ecclesiological Notes on the Isle of ISIan, Sutherland, and the Orkneys"; and, in 1849, by "Few Words of Hope on the present Crisis of the English Church." The " Victories of the Saints," and " Readings for the Aged " (for whom Sackville College was instituted), followed in 1850 ; " Even- ings at Sackville College," and " Lectures on Church Diffi- culties," in 1851. His "Mediaeval Hymns and Sequences," published in 1852, attracted much attention, and furnished material for several excellent and popular hymns ; also, his " Hymni Ecclesise." He had previously, at various times, issued, in three-penny tracts : " Hymns for the Young "; " Hymns for Children," in two series; "Hymns for the Sick"; "Songs for the People"; and "Songs and Ballads for Manufactu- rers." His remaining works are as follows: "Pilgrim's Progress for the Use of the Children of the English 456 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Churcli," and "Carols for Christmas-Tide" (1853); "A Hand-book for Travellers in Portugal" (1855) ; "Tlie Life and Times of Bishop Torry " (1856) ; " Theodora Phranza : a Tale of the Fall of Constantinople," and "Mediaeval Preachers, and Mediaeval Preaching" (1857); "A History of the So-Called Jansenist Church of Holland " (1858) ; " A Commentary on the Psalms, from Primitive and Mediaeval Writers " (1860) ; " Hymns of the Eastern Church," and "Essays on Liturgiology and Church History" (1863). " Sermons for Children " (1867) appeared posthumously. It wiU readily appear from the list of his publications, that Dr. Neale was an indefatigable worker. Excessive literary labor, and exhausting works of benevolence, wore him out at a comparatively early age. He died at home, August 6, 1866, in his forty-ninth year, in humble faith and peaceful hope. He excelled greatly in the versification of the ancient Greek and Latin Hymns, and found great delight in the occupation : " Some of the happiest and most instructive hour's of my life," he says, " were spent in the Sub-Com- mittee of the Ecclesiological Society, appointed for the pur- pose of bringing out the Second Part of the Hymnal Noted. It was my business to lay before them the translations I had prepared, and theirs to correct." Many of his hymns and translations were contributions, also, to " Hymns Ancient and Modern," and the "People's Hymnal." His "Jerusa- lem " hymns are general favorites. All his translations were in " the exact measure and rhyme of the original," with the single exception of the " quatrain " rhymes, for which he substituted "couplets." His original hymns partake con- siderably of the mediaeval style which he had so long and faithfully studied. The following is a fair specimen : " O very God of very God, And very Light of Light ! Whose feet this earth's dark valley trod, That so it might be bright ! — " Our hopes are weak, our fears are strong, Thick darkness blinds our eyes ; JOACHIM NEANDER. 457 Cold is the night, — and, Oh! we long That thou, our Sun, wouldst rise ! And even now, though dull and grey, The east is brightening fast, And kindling to the perfect day That never shall be past. Oh ! guide us till our {)ath is done, And we have reached the shore, Where thou, our everlasting Sun, Art shining evermore." JOACHIM NEANDER. 1640-1680. Joachim Neaistder was born at Bremen, Germany, in 1640, of parents in easy circumstances, and in early youth was careless and wild. A sermon by the venerable pastor (Undereyk) of St. Martin's Church, deeply affected him. He had gone to the church with two of his gay comrades, to make sport, but came away in tears. An interview with the pastor deepened his convictions. He began to seek his soul's salvation, parted from his wild associates, and aban- doned his former life of folly. He was still i3assionately fond of hunting. On one occa- sion, not long after, in his eager pursuit of game, night overtook him, and he lost his way among the rocks and wooded hills. He wandered about, till he found himself on the very edge of a steep precipice, where another step forward would have ended his life. He now fell on his knees in prayer, and vowed to give himself up to God's service. He then resumed his search for a way of escape, and speedily, as if led by a divine hand, succeeded in find- ing the well-known path to his home. He kept his vow, and became a new man. Having finished his course at the University, he accom- 458 • THE POETS OF THE CHUECH, panied some of his wealthy fellow-students to Frankfort, and engaged in teaching. Here he made the acquaintance of the godly Philip J. Spener, who was about five years older than himself, and who subsequently became the ac- knowledged head of the Pietists of Germany. Neander was introduced to the circle of religious people with whom Spener was associated, and greatly profited by this pious intercourse. In 1674, he was appointed Head-Master of the Reformed grammar-school at Dusseldorf, and acquired great reputation as a teacher. He, also, established pri- vate religious meetings among the people, and occasionally preached with great fervor in the town church. He was accused of heresy, and the elders of the church proceeded to the school, arraigned him for his irregularities, and de- posed him. It was summer, and he found refuge in a deep and beautiful glen, near Mettman on the Rhine, and lived some months in a cave, since called by his name. In this lone retreat he composed his " Song of Summer," and many other beautiful hymns. At length, after vari- ous vicissitudes, he was called, in 1679, to be the second preacher, with his spiritual father, Undereyk, at St. Mar- tin's, Bremen. Here, too, his zeal and fervor, in preaching the humbling doctrines of the Cross, stirred up the hatred and opposition of his townsmen and kindred. A severe illness, the following year, brought him to the grave. He died. May 31, 1680, in the full assurance of faith. He com- posed seventy- one hymns, many of which h^, also, set to music. Miss Winkworth calls him " the most important hymn- writer of the German Reformed Church, whose pro- ductions are marked by great depth and tenderness of feel- ing." JOHIS" NEEDHAM. But little information is now accessible respecting John Needham. He comes into notice, first, as pastor of a Bap- tist church in the market- town of Hitchin, a romantic spot, JOHN NEEDHAM. 459 of historic fame, in HertfordsMre, England. As was often the case, in those days, among the Dissenters, he supported himself in part by teaching ; among his pupils, previous to 1740, was the Rev. Benjamin Wallin, himself a hymn- writer. Needham removed to Bristol, in 1746, and was associated with the Rev. John Beddome, in the pastorate of the Baj)tist Church in the Pithay, Bristol. In consequence of a controversy, growing out of the co- pastorship of the church, Mr. Needham was deprived (1752) of his position, and, with a portion of the congregation, formed a new church, over which he presided as pastor, in Callowhill, also a part of Bristol, until the year 1787. His death, probably, occurred at this date. He wrote a large number of hymns, and, in 1768, pub- lished them \vith the title, — " Hymns Devotional and Mor- al, on various Subjects. Collected chieliy from the Holy Scriptures, and Suited to the Christian State and Wor- ship." It contains 263 hymns, some of which are now in use, and are much esteemed. Eighteen of them are found in Dobell's Selection. The most of them, however, are quite inferior. His Advent Hymn, as modified by Dobell, is one of his best : "Awake! awake! ai'ise! And hail the glorious morn ; Hark ! how the angels sing, ' To you a Saviour 's born ! ' Now let our hearts in concert move, And every tongue be tuned by love. "He mortals came to save From sin's tyrannic power: Come, with the angels sing At this auspicious hour ; Let eveiy heart and tongue combine, To praise the love, the grace divine. " The pi'ophecies and types Ai-e all this day fulfilled; With eastern sages join, To praise this wondrous child; 460 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. God's only Son is come to bless The earth with peace and righteousness. " Glory to God on high, For om* Inimanuel's birth 1 To mortal men good-will, And peace and joy on earth ! With angels now we will repeat Their songs, still new and ever sweet." DAVID NELSON. 1793-1844. David Nelson was the son of Henry Nelson and Anna Kelsey, of Jonesboro', East Tennessee, where he was born, September 24, 1793. His parents were natives of Rock- bridge Co., Va. His father, a ruling elder in the Presby- terian Church, Avas of English parentage ; his mother was of Scotch i^arentage, and a woman of remarkable vigor of intellect, and spiritual fervor. At Washington College, only two miles from his home, he received an excellent education, graduating at the age of sixteen. His elder brother, Samuel K. Nelson, had become the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Danville, Ky., and had married a daughter of Gov. Shelby. Another daughter of the Gov- ernor married Dr. Ephraim McDowell, and with him David Entered upon the study of medicine, completing his course, and taking his degree of M.D. (1812), in the city of Phila- delphia, Pa. Though but nineteen years of age, he became the surgeon of a Kentucky regiment in the war with Great Britain : and, on an expedition to Canada, was subjected to extreme privations and toils, naiTowly escaping death. His experi- ence during a campaign in Alabama and Florida was similar. At the close of the war, he returned to his native place, and suonessfully engaged in medical practice ; at which time, DAVID NELSON. 461 also (1815), lie nQarried an accomplislied young woman, tlie daughter of David Deaderick, a prosperous merchant of the neighborhood. Dr. Nelson had, early in life, become a member of the Presbyterian Church ; but evil associations, both at Dan- ville and in the army, had corrupted his morals, and viti- ated his principles. He became a card-playing, fun-loving infidel. A big, burly man, he was readily accepted as a master spirit, popular and powerful. But an early-trained conscience successfully asserted its supremacy. He re- solved to read both sides, A thought in Doddridge's " Rise and Progress " arrested his attention. He read on, and his infidelity was gone. He now (1823) reunited with the church, abandoned his profession (though of lucrative promise), and, having studied theology, under the direction of the Rev. Robert Glenn, of Kingsport, Tenn., he w^as, in April, 1825, licensed by the Presbytery of Abingdon. The next October he was ordained, at Rogersville, Tenn., as an evangelist. During the next three years, he was associated with two other preachers, of well-earned fame, Frederick A. Ross and James Gallaher, in conducting TTie Calmnistic Maga- zine (a monthly of marked ability), preaching continu- ally, but without a fixed charge. His brother, Samuel, having died, in 1827, he succeeded to the vacant pulpit at Danville, Ky. In 1830, he removed to Marion Co., in the northeastern section of Missouri, and founded, at Greenfields, a manual-labor college, known as Marion Col- lege, of which he became the first President, — succeeded, in 1835, by the Rev. William S. Potts, of St. Louis. In 1836, owing to a violent agitation of the community, growing out of the discussion of Slavery, he was compelled to aban- don his new home, and take refuge in a free State. He ob- tained lands about five miles from Quincy, Hlinois, and founded another manual-labor institute. He had become subject to frequent attacks of epilepsy, by which, at length, his intellect was considerably impaired. They terminated in his death, at his home in Oakland, October 17, 1844. 462 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He wrote, and pnblislied in 1837, his " Cause and Cure of Infidelity," a book, like its author, sui generis, and won- derfully adapted to the current of thought in the newer portions of America. It was " written with the design of urging the multitude to become informed concerning the Book of Books, the Bible." Its success has been great. It is full of the author's peculiarities, and suggestive of his style of preaching. The American Tract Society adopted and published it in 1841. It has also been published in England. In the pulpit, he was very unequal ; at times, he was overpowering. Dr. Ross, one of his most intimate friends, says: "Nelson was the most fascinating preacher I ever heard"; and Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge testifies: "lean ti'uly say, his power in the pulpit exceeded all I ever wit- nessed." But he w^as a man of impulse. If he was not in a fitting mood, or did not feel at home, he would cut short his discourse within ten or twelve minutes and dismiss the congregation. The hymn beginning " My days are gliding swiftly by," was improvised, as his custom was, to be sung to the tune of " Lord Ullin's Daughter," of which Mr. Root's tune, usually sung to these words, is but a variation. Two others of his hymns are to be found in the Rev. James Gallaher's Selec- tion, published as a Supplement to his edition of Watts' Psalms and Hymns (Cincinnati, 1835). EDWm H. NEVIN. - 1814 . Dr. Nevin is the son of Major David Nevin, of Ship- pensburgh. Pa., where he was born, May 9, 1814. He was educated at Jefferson College, Canonsburgh, Pa., gradua- EDWIN H. NEVIN. 463 ting there in 1833. He prosecuted tlie study of theology at Princeton Seminary, and, in 1836, was licensed to preach, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He began his ministry as a Home Missionary in Ohio. In 1838, he supplied the Presbyterian Church of Poland, of which he was (June 25, 1839) ordained the pastor, by the Presbytery of New Lis- bon. He was dismissed, April 20, 1841, and, shortly after, he became the President of Franklin College, !N"ew Athens, Ohio, and the Stated Supply of the Presbyterian Church of the town. He accepted, in 1845, a call to the j)astorate of the Presbyterian Church of Mount Yernon, Ohio, in con- nection Avith the Presb;^i;ery of Richland. Here he remained about four years. Returning to the East, he took charge of the Congrega- tional Church of Walpole, Mass., of which he was installed the pastor, November 15, 1854. At the same time, he united with the Mendon Association. Thence he removed to Chelsea, and was installed (April 29, 1857) the pastor of the Congregational Church there. Tlu'ee years later (I860), he became the acting pastor of the Congregational Church of Edgartown, Mass. He retired (1862) from the active labors of the ministry, owing to the loss of health, returned to Philadelphia, and resided there, without ministerial charge, until 1868. He then accepted a call to the pastor- ate of St. Paul's Reformed Church, Lancaster, Pa. In 1870, he received the honorary degree of I).D., from Frank- lin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa. He returned (1871) to Philadelphia, and took charge of the First Re- formed Church of that city, where he still resides. The following beautiful hymn was contributed by him, in 1857, to the "Congregational Hymn-Book": " ' Come up hither; come away! ' — Thus the ransomed spmts sing; ' Here is cloudless, endless day, Here is everlasting spring. " 'Come up hither; come, and dwell With the living hosts ahove ; Come, and let your bosoms swell With their burning songs of love. 464 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " ' Come up hither; come, and share In the sacred joys that rise, Like an ocean, everywhere Through the myriads of the skies. " ' Come up hither; come, and shine In the robes of spotless white ; Palms, and harps, and crowns are thine ; Hither, hither wing your flight. " ' Come up hither; hither speed; Rest is found in heaven alone ; Here is all the wealth you need ; Come and make this wealth your own. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN. 1801 . In June, 1833, Jolm Henry Newman, on his way from Palermo to Marseilles, becalmed in an orange-boat on the Mediterranean, "beneath a burning sky," sick and dis- pu'ited, lonely and gloomy, in a state of spiritual unrest, poured out his soul in the words of the hymn, " Lead, kindly light! amid th' encircling gloom." He had parted, a few weeks before, with Richard Hurrell Froude, with whom he had been travelling for months on the Continent. Froude, though two years his junior, had exercised a wonderful power over him for five years. Out- spoken, ardent, and sanguine, Froude had openly, long l^efore, " professed his admiration of the Church of Rome, and his hatred of the Reformers." Newman had been trained a Protestant and a Calvinist. It had cost him numberless struggles, but, stej) by step, he had abandoned the teachings of his boyhood, and was already on the verge of Romanism. It was in this state that he wrote these lines. No wonder that he cries out, " The night is dark, and I am far from home." JOHN HENEY NEWMAN. 465 He had written several such stanzas and sonnets, since leav- ing home, which appeared in the British Magazine. They give unmistakable evidence of a soul far from peace and rest. These nnd other similar poetic effusions were gathered lOgeLher three years afterwards (1836), and published in the "Lyra Apostolica." John Henry Newman, the eldest son of John Newman, was born February 21, 1801, in London, England, where his father was a banker. His training at home was emi- nently religious. " I was brought up from a child," he says, "to take great delight in reading the Bible." He early became visionary, and soon after his conversion at the age of fifteen, he imbibed the conviction that God had marked out for him a life of celibacy — a conviction never shaken. He was sent to school at Ealing, under the tuition of the Rev. Dr. John Nicholas. Thence (1816) he went to Oxford ; entered at Trinity College ; took (1818) a scholarship, by election ; graduated in 1820 ; took classical honors, and was elected (1822) a Fellow of Oriel College. He now became acquainted with John Keble, and intimate with Edward Bouverie Pusey, a few months only his senior. He was ordained deacon June 13, 1824, and priest. May 28, 1825, by the Bishop of Oxford. Dr. Whately, Principal of St. Alban's Hall, gave him the appointment (1825) of Vice Principal, which, however, he relinquished, when, the fol- lowing year, he was appointed a Tutor of Oriel College. His intimacy with Froude now began, and was produc- tive of marked results. NeAvman himself says : " He made me look with admiration towards the Church of Rome, and in the same degree to dislike the Reformation. He fixed deep in me the idea of devotion to the Blessed Vir- gin, and he led me gradually to believe in the Real Pres- ence." In the spring of 1828, Newman was preferred to the Vicarage of St. Mary's, Oxford. During NeAvman's incumbency, St. Mary's became the popular resort of the students ; and, under the spell of his magnetic mind, the way was prepared for the remarkable spread of "Angli- 30 466 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. can " principles, Tractarian doctrines, and, eventually, Pa- pal perversions — that marked tlie history of the University during the next quarter of a century. Newman still retained his academic position. In 1827, he was appointed a Public Examiner ; and, in 1830, one of the Select University Preachers, He had written, in the shape of Essays and Reviews, the " Life and Writings of Cicero," the "Life of Apollonius Tyanseus" (1824), "Scrip- ture Miracles" (1826), and "Greek Tragedy." At the so- licitation of the Rev, Hugh James Rose, he began (1830) to write "The Arians of the Fourth Century"; which was finished in July, 1832, and published in the autumn of 1833. Mr, Rose had started (1832) The Britisli Magazine, ex- pressly for the promotion of Anglicanism, and Newman be- came a leading contributor to its columns. On his return from the Continent (July, 1833), after an absence of seven months, in which he had recruited his impaired health, Newman and two or three Oriel friends began the agitation that led to the issue of the " Tracts for the Times." Keble's senrion on "National Apostasy" was preached in Newman's church, July 14, 1833. Consulta- tion followed. An " Association " was formed in Septem- ber. Newman wrote the first two of the "Tracts"; four were \\Titten by others ; the 6th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th speedily followed from the pen of Newman, who travelled over the country, calling on clergymen, and urging them to join "The Movement." Of the smaller Tracts, he Avrote, in addition, Nos. 19, 20, 21, 34, 38, 41, 45, and 47. He wrote, also, several essays for The Record; and con- tributed largely to The British Critic. The cry of " Pop- ery ! " was raised, but he had no fear. On he pressed. Unconsciously he became the leader of a party, supplied chiefly by Oxford. The opposition of the Liberal party stimulated them to more vigorous and learned presenta tions of their views. Dr. Pusey joined them in 1834 or 1835. The larger Tracts followed. Of these, Newman wrote Nos, 71, 73, 75, 79, 82, 83, 85, and 88, From 1834 to 1836, he was occupied with " The Prophetical Office of the JOHN HENEY NEWMAN. 467 Clmrcli, viewed relatively to Romanism and Popular Prot- estantism," wMch was published in 1837. Several pam- phlets, in the meantime, came forth from his prolific pen, either in defence, or in the maintenance, of his Anglican- ism. " The Church of the Fathers " was among his larger works of this period ; ha\ing first appeared in Numbers in the British Magazine. In 1837, he wrote his " Essay on Justification," published in 1838. Froude died, February 28, 1836 ; and Newman, in 1838- 39, published his " Remains," in two Pai'ts, — Keble assist- ing in the work. Alarm, still more loudly, was now ex- pressed for the Church. The Romanizing tendency of "The Oxford Movement" was more than ever disclosed. How could the leaders and abettors of " The Movement " subscribe honestly to the Thirty-Nine Articles ? — such was every one's inquiry. Newman set himself to the work of reconciling this difficulty, and wrote, in the winter of 1840- 41, his "Remarks on Certain Passages in the Thirty-Nino Articles." It was a labored attempt to reconcile Rome and Lambeth. Keble and Pusey approved it, and it was issued as Tract No. 90. It is dated, " The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, 1841," and was published at the close of Feb- ruary. Great excitement followed its publication. It was prompt- ly condemned by the authorities of the University, and by the Episcopal bench. An end was put to the Series. New- man, sorely disappointed, retired to Littlemore — a charge that he held in connection with St. Mary's, Oxford. In February, 1843, he made a formal recantation of all that he had said against Rome ; in September, 1843, resigned both St. Mary's and Littlemore ; and, October 8, 1845, for- mally applied to be received into the communion of the Church of Rome, leaving Oxford finally, February 23, 184C. After a visit to Rome, he was appointed (1848) Father Superior of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, at Birmingham ; in 1854, he became Rector of the newly founded Roman Catholic University at Dublin ; and, in 1858, he removed to Edgbaston, near Birmingham, where he established a 468 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. school for the sons of the Eoman Catholic gentry. In 1879, he was created a Cardinal. " By the present Pope, Dr. Newman's long services have been rewarded by the highest dignity in his power to bestow ; and he added to his gift by dispensing Dr. Newman from all those duties and serv- ices which might have been burdensome to him at his great age, and to one who for so long had lived apart from the stir of the world in his peaceful home at Edgbaston." He published, at various dates previous to 1844, "Pa- rochial Sermons," in 8 vols. ; and, 1844 : " Sermons chiefly bearing on Subjects of the Day"; " Sermons, chiefly on the Theory of Eeligious Belief, preached before the University of Oxford"; "A Translation of the Secret Treatises of St. Athanasius"; and an "Essay on the Miracles recorded in the Ecclesiastical History of the Early Ages." This last was taken from a translation of " The Ecclesiastical History of M. L'Abbe Fleury," which Newman edited (1842-44), in 3 vols. "An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine," followed in 1846 ; " Loss and Gain, or a Story of a Convert" (1848) ; "Sermons to Mixed Congregations" (1849) ; " Lectures on Certain Difliculties felt by Anglicans in submitting to the Catholic Church " (1850) ; " Lectures on the Present Position of Catholics in England" (1851) ; " Lectures on the History of the Turks in its Relation to Christianity" (1853) ; " Essays and Lectures on University Subjects," 3 vols. (1854-56); " Callista, a Sketch of the Third Century " (1856) ; " Sermons preached on Various Occasions" (1857); "Apologia pro Vita Sua" (1864); a "Collection of Poems" (1868); "An Essay on Assent" (1870); and "Mr. Gladstone's Recent Expostulation," and " A History of Arianism " (1875). Newman's poetry does not equal his prose. The follow- ing stanzas, taken from "Lyra Apostolica" (1833), may serve as a specimen : " Time was, I shrank from what was right, From fear of what was wrong-; I would not brave the sacred fight, Because the foe was strong. JOHN NEWTON. " But now I cast that finer sense And sorer shame aside ; Such di'ead of sin was indolence, Such aim at heaven was pride. " So, when my Savioin* calls, I rise And calmly do my best ; Leaving to him, with silent eyes Of hope and fear, the rest. " I step, I mount where he has led; Men count my haltings o'er ; — I know them ; jet, though self I dread, I love his precept more." JOHN NEWTON. 1725-1807. The " Olney Hymns," written by Jolin Newton and Will- iam Cowper, were first published in 1779, and have proved exceedingly useful and acceptable. The larger part of Newton's hjinns are poor; but many of them, although not to be classed with Cowper's and the best productions of lyric poetry, are just such as the people love to sing. They were wTitten at the Vicarage of Olney, an unromantic spot in Buckinghamshire. The town consisted of a single street of stone houses, the most of them thatched with straw, with a parish church noted for its lofty spire. New- ton and Cowper have given renown to the place and its surroundings. Its varied scenery is described in the first book of "The Task." John Newton was born in London, England, July 24 (O. S.), August 4 (N. S.), 1725. His father, John, had been trained at a Jesuit College in Spain, and for many years was master of a ship in the Mediterranean trade. His mother, Elizabeth, was connected with the Independent 470 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Churcli under the care of the Eev. Dr. Jennings. John was her only child. She died when he was but seven years old. Till then, his training was of the most godly sort. His father maiTied again the following year, but the step- mother took little heed to the boy's character. In his ninth year, he was sent to a boarding-school in Essex, and made some progress in Latin. At eleven, his father took him to sea, which he followed for four years. At the age of fifteen he was placed, with good prospects, at Alicante, Spain, but through his unsteadiness he lost his position. A place was ofi'ered him in Jamaica ; and, in December, 1742, previous to the sailing of the ship, he made a three days' visit to Chatham, in Kent, to see the family of Mr. George Catlett. — relatives of his deceased mother. Mary, the eldest daughter, scarcely fourteen, so charmed the young rover, that the three days were prolonged to three weeks, and the ship sailed without him. A voyage to Ven- ice followed ; and, at the expiration of a year, he returned to England. After a short stay on shore, he was impressed and taken as a sailor on board the war-ship Harioich. In- fluence was used, and he was promoted to the quarter-deck as a midshipman. In 1745, he deserted the ship at Ply- mouth, was brought back, degraded, ironed, and flogged. He had become an infidel, and now threw off all restraint. At Madeira, he was transferred from the Harioich to a ves- sel bound for Sierra Leone in Africa. Entering into the service of a slave-dealer, on one of the Plaintain Islands, he suffered incredible hardships, and was reduced to the lowest straits. Informing his father of his condition, he was re- leased (1748) from his misery, and taken on board a vessel commissioned to call for him. On the way home, they were overtaken by a storm that nearly sank the poor unseawor- thy craft. It brought him to prayer, and to repentance. He reached home in May, lft48 — no longer an infidel, but a Christian by conviction. His father, before his return, had gone out to Hudson's Bay, as Governor of York Fort, and soon after died. New- ton made another voyage, as mate, to the African coast. JOHN NEWTON. 471 After his return, lie was married, February 12, 1750, to Miss Catlett, whom he had never ceased to love devotedly since their hrst meeting seven years before. Two voyages, as master, to Africa and the West Indies, closed, August, 1754, his life at sea, Newton was a slave-trader, and in his two voyages carried probably not less than 500 Africans into West Indian slavery. A third voyage had been deter- mined on, but, on the eve of sailing, an apoplectic attack intervened, and the sea was finally abandoned. Having been appointed Tide Surveyor at Livei^pool, he entered on the duties of the position, in August, 1755, and held it nearly nine j'ears. He now took an active part in meetings for prayer, and mission-movements. Occasionally he was persuaded to occupy the pulpit as a lay-preacher. At length, after consultation with friends, he determined to seek orders in the Church of England. On his later voy- ages, he had employed his leisure in the study of Euclid and the Latin language, and for many years he had befen a diligent student of theology. Five years intervened be- tween his first application and the successful accomplish- ment of his purpose. At length, the Curacy of Olney was offered him by the Vicar, Rev. Moses Browne ; and, by the influence of the Earl of Dartmouth, the patron of Olney, he was admitted to orders. He was ordained deacon, April 29, 1764, and priest, June 17, 1764, at Buckden, in the thirty-ninth year of his age. He began his work at Olney, in May, and continued there an acceptable and most useful preacher and pastor, nearly sixteen years. Co^\^3er and Mrs. Unwin became residents of Olney, and near neighbors of Newton, in September, 1767. In August, 1764, he published " An Authentic Narrative of some remarkable and interesting Particiilars in the Life of Newton." He had printed a volume of six Seimons, in 1760, at Liverpool. In 1767, he published another volume of Sermons, twenty in number. His " Review of Ecclesi- astical History " was issued in November, 1769. He wrote a Series of twenty-six Letters for The Gospel Magazine^ with the signature of " Omicron," which, in July, 1774, were 472 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. publislied in one volume. The " Olney Hymns " appeared in 1779, just at the close of his Curacy. His " Cardiphonia ; or, The Utterance of the Heart, in the Course of a Real Correspondence," was published in 1781 ; his " Apologia : Four Letters to a Minister of an Independent Church," in 1784 ; also, " A Plan of Academical Preparation for the Ministry," and eight papers contributed to the Theological Miscellany. " A Monument to the Lord's Goodness " was issued in 1785, in memory of his beloved niece Eliza Cun- ningham, who died that year. In 1786, he published his " Messiah : Fifty Expository Discourses, on the Series of Scriptural Passages, which form the Subject of the cele- brated Oratorio of Handel"; in 1787, his " Thoughts upon the African Slave Trade"; in 1791, " Christian Character Exemplified," in the case of Mrs. Margaret Althaus ; and, in 1793, in two volumes, his " Letters to a Wife." His friend, John Thornton, in August, 1779, presented him to the Rectory of the united parishes of St. Mary Woolnoth and St. Mary Woolchurch Haw, London ; and he entered upon his work there in December. His beloved and idolized wife was taken from him, December 15, 1790, dying from the effects of a cancer. His own death occurred, December 21, 1807, in his eighty-third year, and in the forty-fourth year of his ministry. He was buried in a vault under his church, and the following inscription, com- posed by himself, and engraved on a marble ta])let, perpet- uates his memory : " John Newton, Clerk, once an Infidel and Libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich Mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy." Newton was a sailor to the last, in his habits, his talk, and, to some extent, his apparel. His language in the pul- pit was remarkably simple, yet always correct. His sea- faring life had furnished him with a rich and varied expe- rience, from which he was ever drawing forcible illustrations of divine truth. It appears continually in his poetry. Who, but a sailor, could have written the following hvmn ? — GERARD THOMAS NOEL. 473 ' The billows swell, the winds are high, Clouds overcast my wintry sky; Out of the depths to thee I call. My fears are great, my strength is small, ' O Lord ! the pilot's part pei-form, And guide and guard me through the storm ; Defend me from each threatening ill, Control the waves ! — say, — ' Peace ! he still ! ' ' Amidst the roaring of the sea, My soul still hangs her hope on thee ; Thy constant love, thy faithful care. Is all that saves me from despair. ' Dangers of every shape and name Attend the followers of the Lamb, Who leave the world's deceitful shore, And leave it to return no more. ' Though tempest-tossed, and half a wreck. My Saviour, through the floods, I seek; Let neither wiads, nor stormy raia, Force back my shattered bark agaia." GERARD THOMAS NOEL. 1782-1851. The Rev. Gerard Thomas Noel was the second son of Sir Gerard Noel Edwardes, Bart., and Diana, daughter and heiress of Charles Middleton, the first Baron Barham. His elder brother was the first Earl of Gainsborough ; his younger brother was the noted Baptist preacher. Rev. Bap- tist Wriothesley Noel, of London. He was born, December 2, 1782. He entered, first, the University of Edinburgh, and thence he passed to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated, A.B., in 1805, and A.M., in 1808. He married, early in 1806, Charlotte Sophia, 4T4 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. a daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Lucius O'Brien, Bart., of Ireland. He was ordained to the priesthood, and officiated first as the Curate of Radwell, Hertfordshire ; then as the Vicar of Rainham, Kent, until 1826, when he accepted the Curacy of Richmond, Surrey. As the result of an early visit to the Continent, he pub- lished " Arvendel, or Sketches in Italy and Switzerland," the second edition of which was issued in 1813. Several poems and hymns, of a superior character, are ai)pended to these " Sketches." This was followed by " A Selection of Psalms and Hymns from the New Version of the Church of England, and others. Corrected and Revised for Public Worship," of which the third edition appeared in 1820. Several of the hymns were from his own pen. In 1827, he published a volume of "Sermons preached at Richmond"; and, the next year (1828), the "Prospects of the Church." These were followed by "Fifty Sermons for the Use of Families," in two volumes, a new edition of which was is- sued in 1830. Several of his occasional sermons, of various dates, were also given to the press. He was made a Canon of Winchester, in 1834, and pre- ferred, in 1840, to the Vicarage of Romsey, where he con- tinued until his decease, February 24, 1851, in his sixty- ninth year. A volume of his " Sermons, preached in Rom- sey," with "A Preface by Samuel [Wilberforce], Lord Bishop of Oxford," was published (1853) posthumously. His hymn on the Fifth Commandment is subjoined : " To honor those who gave us birth, To cheer their age, to feel their worth, Is God's command to human kind, And owned by every grateftd mind. " Think of her toil, her anxious care, Who formed thy hsping lips to prayer, To win for God the yielduig soul, And all its ardent thoughts control. " Nor keep, from memory's glad review, The fears which all the father knew. SAMSON OCCOM. 417^ The joy that marked his thankful gaze, As virtue crowned maturer days. God of our life ! each parent gnard, And death's sad hour, Oh ! long retard ; Be theu's each joy that gilds the past, And heaven our mutual home at last." SAMSON OCCOM. 1723-1792. A great sensation was created in 1766, among the relig- ious circles of Scotland and England, by the appearance, in their pidpits, of a converted Indian from America. He was called Samson Occom, and was associated with a Congrega- tional pastor, the Rev. Nathaniel Whitaker, of Norwich, Conn., in an agency for an Indian Charity School. He was befriended by the evangelical clergy, and not a few of the nobility. The Countess of Huntingdon received him into her house, and the Earl of Dartmouth (the friend and pa- tron of John Newton), as well as the King himself, gave freely to the object. From February 16, 1766, to July 22, 1767, he preached more than three hundred times, and usually to crow^ded houses. The collections amounted to nearly £9,500. The whole amount was deposited with a Committee, of which Lord Dartmouth was Chairman, and applied to the building of a college in the town of Han- over, N. H., to which the name of the noble Earl was given in compliment. Such was the origin of Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. Samson Occom Avas born, at Mohegan, on the river Thames, between Norwich and New London, Conn., in 1723. His early life differed not materially from that of the other Mohegans. In his seventeenth year, " the Great Revival " of 1740 spread over the country ; it reached his home, and, 476 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. in 1741, he was converted to Christianity. He now sought to Christianize his people ; and, to this end, learned shortly to read the Bible, and became anxious for a good educa- tion. At the age of twenty (1743), he was received into a school taught by the Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, Lebanon, Conn., a short distance only from the locality of his tribe, where he remained for four years. He now went forth as a teacher of his people, first (1748) at New London, Conn., and then among the Indians at Montauk, on the east end of Long Island, N. Y. He mar- ried an Indian woman, and supported his family by tilling the ground and other laborious occupations — giving most of his time, however, to teaching, both children and adults. After several years, he was licensed to preach, by the Wind- ham Association, Conn., and served as a missionary among all the tribes in the eastern part of Long Island. Such was his proficiency, that the Presbytery of Suffolk ordained him to the work of the ministry, August 30, 1759. For a short time (1761), he served as a missionary among the Oneida Indians, in the interior of the State of New York. His mission to Great Britain occupied the greater part of the years 1766 and 1767. On his return, he labored among his own tribe at Mohegan, until 1786, when he re- moved, in company with a considerable number of New England and Long Island Indians, to the Brotherton Tract, Oneida Co., N. Y. There, and at New Stockbridge and Tuscarora, he spent the remainder of his days. He was one of the original members of the Presbytery of Albany, constituted in 1790. Having been universally respected among his people, he died, suddenly, July 14, 1792, greatly lamented and honored by them all. A sermon, preached by him at the execution of Moses Paul, an Indian, at New Haven, Conn., Sei^tember 2, 1772, was published at the time, and is quite creditable. He united with others in the compilation of a hymn-book, the sixth edition of which, " greatly improved," was pub- lished at Albany, with the title, — " Divine Hymns, or Spir- itual Songs, for the Use of Religious Assemblies and Pri- JOHN OGILVIE. 477 vate Christians : being a Collection by Joshua Smith, Sam- son Ockum, and others." The names of the authors of the hymns are not given. Two of them are known to have been written by Occom. The 156th hymn is the original from which Dr. Nettleton took the hymn "Awaked by Sinai's awful sound," etc. Occom's hymn begins with " Waked by the Gospel's joyful sound,"' and contains eight stanzas, quite different from the form in which it appeared in the " Village Hymns " (1824), and as now generally sung. The other hymn ascribed to Occom, is on " Christ's Sufferings," the first stanza of which is sub- joined : " Throughout our Sa\dour's life we trace Nothing but shame and deep disgrace, No period else was seen, Till he a spotless victim fell, Tasting in soul a painful hell, Caused by the creature's sin." JOHN OGILVIE. 1733-1814. JoHis- OaiLviE, D.D., was a Scotchman, and the son of a Presbyterian pastor. His father was one of the ministers of Aberdeen, where the son was born in 1733, His Para- phrase of the 148th Psalm, remarkable for poetic beauties, was written when he was only sixteen years of age. He was educated at the Marischal College in his native town, and in 1759 was presented to the parish of Midmae, Aber- deenshire, a humble, out-of-the-way charge, quite in the northeastern section of Scotland. Here, for more than half 478 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. a century, lie resided, passing his long life in the faithful discharge of his parochial duties, and in literary pursuits. His publications were quite numerous : " The Day of Judgment, a Poem " (1758) ; a corrected edition of it, with several Odes attached (1759) ; " Poems on several Subjects, with an Essay on the Lyric Poetry of the Ancients " (1762) ; " Providence, an Allegorical Poem " (1763) ; " Solitude, or the Elysium of the Poets, a Vision " (1765) ; " Paradise, a Poem," and " Poems on several Subjects " (1769) ; " Philo- sophical and Critical Observations on the Nature, Character, and various Species of Composition " (1774) ; " Rona, a Poem " (1777) ; " An Inquiry into the Causes of the Infi- delity and Scepticism of the Times " (1783) ; " The Theol- ogy of Plato, compared with the Principles of the Oriental and Grecian Philosophy " (1793) ; " Britannia, an Epic Poem, in twenty books, with a Critical Dissertation on Epic Ma- chinery " (1801) ; and " An Examination of the Evidence from Prophecy, in behalf of the Christian Religion " (1802). The mere enumeration of his " Works " shows conclu- sively the extent of his erudition, and the greatness of his devotion to literature. These were recognized by the Uni- versity of Aberdeen, from whom he received the honorary degree of D.D. He was, also, elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Generally, he was held in high esteem, both as a divine, and a man of letters. His poems contain many passages of great beauty. He continued in the faithfuh discharge of his duties, as a Christian minister, until his decease in 1814, at the advanced age of fourscore years. His poetic skill is fairly exhibited in the following ex- tract from his "Providence," in which Wisdom thus speaks : " 'Tis mme to raise The desolate of heart; to bend the brow Of stubborn pride ; to bid reluctant ire Subside ; to tame rude nature to the rein Of virtue. What though, screened from mortal view, I walk the deepening gloom ? What though my ways, Remote from thought's bewildered search, are wrapt THOMAS OLIVERS. 479 In triple darkness ? Yet I work the springs Of life, and to the general good direct Th' obsequious means to move. — O ye! who, tossed On life's tumultuous ocean, eye the shore, Yet far removed ; and wait the happy hour. When slumber on her downy couch shall lull Your cares to sweet repose ; yet bear awhile, And I will guide you to the balmy climes Of rest ; will lay you by the silver stream Ci'owned with elysian bowers, where peace extends Her blooming olive, and the tempest j)ours Its killing blasts no more. — Thus Wisdom speaks To man ; thus calls him through th' external form Of Nature, through Religion's fuller noon. Through life's bewildering mazes, to observe A Providence in all." THOMAS OLIVEKS. 1725-1799. Early in August, 1752, George W-hiteiield was at Bristol, England. Crowds, as usual, pressed to hear the mighty preacher. On one of these occasions, he preached from the words, — " Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ? " One of his hearers, that day, was a wandering shoemaker, who had come three hours before the time of service, to secure a good position. "When the sermon began," he says of himself, " I was certainly a dreadful enemy of God, and to all that is good ; and one of the most profligate and abandoned young men living ; but, by the time it was ended, I was become a new creature," — " in consequence of which, I broke off all my evil practices, and forsook all my wicked and foolish companions without delay ; and gave myself up to God and his service with my whole heart." This was Thomas Olivers — born at Tregonan, Mont- gomeryshire, Wales, in 1725, and, in 1729, deprived of both 480 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of his parents. A distant relative, Mr. Tredor, a farmer at Forden, in the same county, had brought him up. At eighteen, he was bound to a shoemaker ; but, after a time, such was his profligacy, he was compelled to quit the place. He had lived awhile at Shrewsbury, then at Wrexham ; had suffered from small-pox, gone into debt, and evaded pay- ment. He was now twenty-six years old, and had come to Bristol to ]3ractice his craft. He was, truly, " a brand plucked out of the fire." His conversion was thorough. He restored what he had taken ; paid off all his debts ; bought a horse, and rode from place to place, and every- where told what the Lord had done for his soul. He joined one of John Wesley's societies, at Bradford, Wiltshire ; and in October, 1753, Wesley sent him, as an itinerant preacher, into Cornwall. In the course of the next twenty- five years, on that one horse, he rode in the service of the Gospel about 100,000 miles. He gave himself to reading ; and, being of a lively dis- position, and sanguine temperament, was esteemed one of the best preachers in the Connection. Wesley had a high regard for him, and, in 1775, stationed him at London, as "Corrector of the Press." He wrote several small pam phlets in defence of Wesley, and in reply to Hill and Top- lady. Both of these gentlemen spoke of him very dispar- agingly. Sir Eichard Hill called him : " Thomas Olivers, the Cobbler." Toplady, in allusion to him, says : " Let his cobblers keep to their stalls"; and, also, in that sarcastic language which he had so fully at command, he gives a full-length portrait of Olivers, — making Wesley say : " I've Thomas Olivers, the cobbler, No stall in England holds a nobler, A wight of talents universal, Whereof I'll give a brief rehearsal : — He wields, beyond most other men, His awl, his razor, and his pen ; My beard he shaves, repairs my shoe, And writes my panegyric too ; He, with one brandish of his quill. Can knock down Toplady and Hill ; THOMAS OLIVERS. 481 With equal ease, whene'er there's need, Can darn my stockings and my creed ; Can drive a nail, or ply the needle, Hem handkerchief, and scx'ape the fiddle : Chop logic as an ass chews thistle, More skillfully than you can whistle ; And then, when he philosophises. No son of Crispin half so wise is. Of all my ragged regiment, This cobbler gives me most content ; My forgeries' and faith's defender. My barber, champion and shoe-mender." On the other hand, the friends of Wesley speak of his pamphlets as " creditable to his talents," and of his logic as more than a match for his opponents. By far the most " creditable " thing that he ever wrote, was his noble hymn, " The God of Abraham praise," etc., in twelve stanzas. The occasion of its composition was this : Being in attendance on a Conference held at London, in 1770, and a guest of John Bakewell, he visited the Jews' Synagogue, and heard the Rabbi, Signor Leoni, sing an air that greatly pleased him. He returned to Mr. Bakewell's, and, at his house in Westminster, immediately composed this hymn for the tune that had so charmed him. It was soon after published with the caption, — " A Hymn to the God of Abraham, in three Parts. Adapted to a celebrated Air, sung by the Priest, Signor Leoni, etc., at the Jews' Synagogue, London." Of this hymn, Montgomery uses the following language, in his " Introductory Essay " to his "Christian Psalmist": " There is not in our language a lyric of more majestic style, more elevated thought, or more glorious imagery ; its structure, indeed, is unattractive ; and, on account of the short lines, occasionally uncouth ; but, like a stately pile of architecture, severe and simj)le in design, it strikes less on the first view, than after deliberate examination, when its proportions become more graceful, its dimensions expand, and the mind itself grows greater in contemplat- ing it." 31 482 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Olivers had, at an earlier date (1757 or '8), written a judg- ment hyinn in twenty stanzas, to which, some years later, he added sixteen stanzas ; and of which the first and second, fourth and fifth are here given, as amended by himself : ' ' Come, immortal King of glory ! Now with all thy saints appear ; While astonished worlds adore thee, And the dead thy clarions hear ; Shine refulgent, And thy deity maintain. " Hail! the world's adored Creator! In thy radiant vesture seen : Hail I the Lord of life and nature ! Hail ! th' almighty Nazarene ! They who pierced him, Every eye shall see him come. " Lo! he comes with clouds descending! Hark ! the trump of God is blown ; And, th' archangel's voice attending, Make the high procession known : Sons of Adam ! Rise and stand before your God. " Crowns and sceptres fall before him, Kings and conquerors own his sway ; Haughtiest monarchs now adore him, While they see his lightnings play : How triumphant Ls the world's Redeemer now I " For this hymn, Olivers composed the tune, "Helmsley," or, as it is sometimes called, " Olivers," — formerly much in use. He continued to superintend the press for Wesley in London, and particularly to edit the Arminian Magazine, until August, 1789, when Wesley makes this entry in his journal : — '' Saturday, 8th. — I settled all my temporal busi- ness, and, in particular, chose a new person to prepare the Arminian Magazine ; being obliged, however unwillingly, to drop Mr. Olivers, for only these two reasons : 1. Tlie HENRY USTICK ONDERDONK. 483 errata are insufferable ; I have borne them for these twelve years, but can bear them no longer. 2. Several pieces are inserted without my knowledge, both in prose and verse. " When considerably advanced in life, Olivers had mar- ried Miss Green, a young Scotch woman, of piety and good family. Deprived of his position, and subjected to straits, he became careless in his habits, and slovenly in his person. A small sum was allowed him by the Conference, and he served as a Local preacher. He died, suddenly, in March, 1799, and his remains were deposited in Wesley's vault, New Chapel Burying Ground, City Road, London. HENRY USTICK ONDERDONK. 1789-1858. Bishop OT^^DERDOifK contributed to the Selection of Hymns adopted (1826) by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, U. S. A., Nos. 14, 105, 106, 109, 131, 195, 203, 208, and 211 ; also, Psalms 16, 23, and 59. He was one of the Committee that prepared the Selection. He was born in 1789 in the city of New York, where his parents. Dr. John (son of Hendrick) Onderdonk and Deborah Ustick, then resided. He was trained, in accord- ance with his father's pursuit, for the medical profession. He was educated in his native city, graduating at Colum- bia College, in 1805. Several years were spent abroad, mostly in connection with the University of Edinburgh, from which he received (1810) the degree of M.D. Return- ing home, he entered upon the practice of medicine at Ne\\^ York, and was associated with Dr. Valentine Mott in con- ducting (1815) the NeiD YorJc Medical Journal. The same year he abandoned his early profession, for the ministry. After a brief course of theology, he was ordained (1815) a deacon of the Episcopal Church. His first charge was a 484 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. new entei-prise at Canandaigua, where lie began his labors, in January, 1816, as a missionary ; and two years later, he was made the Rector of the chnrch. In 1820, he removed to Brooklyn, Kew York, to take charge of St. Ann's Chnrch, where he continued for seven years. Bishop White, of Philadelphia, having become quite in- firm. Dr. Onderdonk was chosen Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, and consecrated, October 25, 1827. He received the honorary degree of D.D., the same year, from Columbia College. He took an active part in the theological controversies of the times. To the Protestant Episcopalian, he contributed (November and December, 1830) an essay on "Episcopacy Tested by Scripture," re- published as a pamphlet shortly after ; and, finally, ex- panded into a considerable volume, and published (1835), as " Episcopacy Examined and Re-examined." The same year he published an " Essay on Regeneration," and " Fam- ily Devotions from the Liturgy." At various times, he had made contributions to several medical and religious jour- nals, and was regarded as an able and learned controver- sialist. Bishop Onderdonk was susi)ended from the functions of the bishopric and the ministry, October 21, 1844, and passed several years in retirement. In 1851, he published two vol- umes of " Sermons and Episcopal Charges," of a very high character. He was restored to the ministry, in October, 1856, and died, December 6, 1858. The following is one of his hymns : " Bmner! rouse thee from thy sleep, Wake, and o'er thy folly weep ; Raise thy spirit dark and dead, Jesus waits his light to shed. '* Wake from sleep, arise from death, See the bright and living path : Watchful tread that path ; be wise, Leave thy folly, seek the skies. " Leave thy folly, cease from crime, From this hour redeem thy time ; EDWARD OSLER 486 Life secure without delay, Evil is the mortal day. ■ Be not blind and foolish still ; Called of Jesus, learn his will: Jesus calls from death and night, Jesus waits to shed his light." EDWARD OSLER. 1798-1863. In a Collection of "Psalms and Hymns adapted to the Services of the Church of England," compiled by the Rev. William John Hall, London, 1836, are found fifty hymns contributed by Mr. Osier. He was born in January, 1798, at Falmouth, England. He was educated '-under the roof of a Dissenting minister"; and was trained for the medical profession, first with Dr. Carvosso, of Falmouth, and then at Guy's Hospital, London. He was appointed (1819) resi- dent house surgeon of Swansea Infirmary, and practiced medicine, also, in the town for the next six years. He pub- lished a work, written for the Linnsean Society (of which he was a Fellow), entitled, " Burrowing and Boring Marine Animals." . At the age of tw6nty-seven, he left Swansea for London, and devoted himself to literary and religious pursuits. A visit to the West Indies was commemorated on his return (1830) by, " The Voyage : a Poem written at Sea, and in the West Indies, and Illustrated by Papers on Natural His- tory." While at London and at Bath, he published "The Church and the Bible"; "The Church and Dissent consid- ered in their Practical Influence" (1836); "The Church and King" (1837) ; and "The Life of Admiral Viscount Ex- mouth" (1837),— a work of considerable literary merit. During this period he was serving "The Society for Pro- 486 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. moting Christian Knowledge." He returned, in 1841, to his native county, and became the editor of Tlie Royal Cornwall Gazette, at Truro, which he conducted with great ability and usefulness to the end of his days. He died at Ti'uro, March 7, 1863, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was married three times. He wrote several hymns to accompany his two works, on "Dissent," and "The King." The following is the 95th of "The Mitre Hymn-Book" (Hall's) : " Come, magnify the Saviour's love; Come, praise oxir great Redeemer's name, Who left the Father's throne above, And stooped for us to death and shame : At God's right hand exalted now, With glory, majesty, and power, Let every knee before him bow, And every tongue his name adore. " Thy lowly spirit. Lord! impart; With holy fear our bosoms fill ; Oh ! give the meek obedient heart, To suffer and to do thy Avill ; Thy cross, blest Saviour! may we bear; Mark the example thou hast given ; Follow in all thy footsteps here : Rise to thy glorious rest in heaven." RAY PALMER. 1808 . When Dr. Palmer was asked for the origin of his first and best hymn, — " My faith looks up to thee," etc., he replied : [It was] " wi^itten because it was born in my heart, and demanded expression. I gave form to what I RAY PALMER. 487 felt, by writing, with little effort, the stanzas. I wrote them with very tender emotion, and ended the last lines with tears." He was, at the time, in New York, and had been in attendance on Mr. Nettleton's preaching at the Brick Church. The manuscript was put away in his pocket-book. More than a year later, being at Boston, Mass., he was asked by Lowell Mason for a con- tribution to his " Spiritual Songs," then in the course of publication. He gave the manuscript to Mr. Mason, who read it carefully, and said : " I should not be surprised, if you should, in future years, be better known by this hymn than by anything else." It has proved, unquestion- ably, his most popular production. It is found in all the hymn-books, and has been translated into many languages. Dr. Palmer is the son of the Hon. Thomas Palmer, a na- tive of Little Compton, II. L, where he himself was born, November 12, 1808. One of his sweetest sonnets, in later years, intimates the loving care with which he was trained : " My angel-mother! Long, long years have gone Since thou, yet young and fan-, passed from my sight. E'er since, I see thy gentle face each day, And in the silent night, and still there play. In those soft eyes, the self-same smiles, that made Thy presence a deep joy, in days of yore." He was educated at home until his thirteenth year, when he went to Boston, and shortly after became a clerk in a dry-goods store. He was led to attend on the ministry of the Rev. Sereno Edwards Dwight, D.D., at that time the pastor of the Park Street Congregational Church, of which church soon after he became a member. His attention was now directed to the ministry of the Gospel, and he spent three years at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., in prep- aration for college. He then entered Yale College, New Haven, Conn., where he graduated in 1830. His theologi- cal studies were pursued, under pastoral supervision, for one year at New York, and three years at New Haven. 488 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. At the latter place, lie was associated with Ethan A. An- drews, LL.D., in conducting a Young Ladies' Institute. Having been duly licensed to preach the Gospel, he re- ceived a call to the pastorate of the Central Congregational Church of Bath, Me., where he was ordained, July 23, 1835. In 1847, he went abroad for his health, and jxiblished, in the columns of the Christian Mirror^ Portland, Me., an ac- count of what he saw and heard in Europe. He accepted, in 1850, a call to the pastoral charge of the First Congrega- tional Church of Albany, IS". Y. In 1865, he was appointed Corresponding Secretary of the American Congregational Union, and, on his acceptance, removed to the city of IS'ew York. He resigned the Secretaryship in 1878, and has since been engaged in pastoral work in Newark, N. J. Dr. Palmer is well known as a gifted preacher and a pol- ished writer, as well as a graceful poet. He has made frequent and valuable contributions to the periodical press. He is the author of several volumes, both of prose and poetry : " Memoirs and Select Remains of Charles Pond" (1829); "The Spirit's Life, a Poem" (1837) ; " How to Live, or Memoirs of Mrs. C. L. Wat- son"; "Doctrinal Text Book"; and "Spiritual Improve- ment, or Aids to Growth in Grace " (1839) ; — the last republished (1851) as "Closet Hours." "What is Trath? or Hints on the Formation of Religious Opinions " (1860) has had an extensive circulation, and has been repub- lished in England. "Remember me, or The Holy Com- munion," and " Hymns and Sacred Pieces, with Miscella- neous Poems," appeared in 1865, followed, in 1868, by "Hymns of my Holy Hours, and other Pieces"; and, in 1873, by "Home, or the Unlost Paradise." A complete edition of his " Poetical Works " was issued in 1875. His liynin on " The Tranquil Hour " is quite character- istic : " Thou, Saviour! from thy throne on high, Enrobed in light and girt with power, Dost note the thought, the prayer, the sigh Of hearts that love the tranquil hour. ROSWELL PAEK. 489 Oft thou thyself didst steal away, At eventide, from labor done. In some still peaceful shade to pray, Till morning watches were begun. Thou hast not, dearest Lord ! forgot Thy wrestlings on Judsea's hills ; And still thou lov'st the quiet spot Where praise the lowly spirit fills. Now to our souls, withdi-awn awhile From earth's rude noise, thy face reveal ; And, as we worship, kindly smile. And for thine own our spirits seal. To thee we bring each grief and care, To thee we fly while tempests lower ; Thou wilt the weary burdens bear Of hearts that love the tranquil hour." ROSWELL PARK. 1807-1869. The Rev. Dr. Paek was born, October 1, 1807, at Lebanon, Conn. He received a military education at West Point, and in 1831, graduated at Union College, N. Y. He was appointed a Lieutenant of the United States Military Engineer Corps, and served from 1831 to 1836. Retiring from the Army, he received the appointment of Professor of Natural Philosophy and Geometry in the University of Pennsylvania. He published (1836) his " Selections of Juvenile and Mis- cellaneous Poems"; also (1840) "A Sketch of the History and Topography of West Point and of the United States Military Academy"; and (1841) "Pantology, or a Syste- matic Survey of Human Knowledge." The attention of Prof. Park was now directed towards 490 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tlie Christian ministry ; and, in 1843, lie was ordained a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and became Rector of Christ Church, Pomfret, Conn. Three years later (1846), he also took charge of Christ Church Hall, a high school, connected with his parish. Here he remained until 1852, when he visited Europe ; and, on his return, be- came the President of Racine College, Wisconsin, of Avhich, in 1859, he was made Chancellor. He issued (1853) "A Hand-Book for American Travellers in Europe." The hon- orary degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Norwich University, Vermont. He removed to Chicago, 111., in 1863, and founded Immanuel Hall, a literary and scientiiic school, of which he continued to be the proprietor and rector until his decease, July 16, 1869, in his sixty-second year. Dr. Park was a vigorous writer and a good scholar. He made frequent contributions to periodical literature, and published, in addition, occasional addresses, lectures, and essays. His Book of Poems was republished (1856), with the title, — " Jerusalem, and other Poems." HARRIET PARR. 1828 . The touching lyric, beginning " Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father 1 " is from a contribution, by Miss Parr, to the Christmas Number of Household Words (1856), edited by Dickens. It appeared as an incident in a Tale, called " The Wreck of the Golden Mary." Escaping from the wreck, two boys, in one of the boats, beguile the time by telling stories. Among the old things then recollected, is " a child's hymn " that one of the boys "used to say at his mother's knee"; and he, at the request of the other boy, repeats it. WILLIAM BOURNE OLIVER PEABODY. 491 Miss Pare is a native of the city of York, England, and has thus far shielded herself and her personal history under the nom deplume of " Holme Lee." She was born in 1828, and began to write her numerous works of fiction in 1854. In that year she published '' Maude Talbot." " Thorney Hall," and " Gilbert Massenger," appeared in 1855; " Kathie Brande," in 1856; "Sylvan Holt's Daughter," in 1858; "Hawksview," and "Against Wind and Tide," in 1859; " Wortlebank Diary," and " Legends from Fairy Land," in 1860 ; " Warp and Woof," and " Wonderful Adventures of Tuflongbo and his Elfin Company," in 1861 ; "Anne Warleigh's Fortunes," and the " True Pathetic History of Poor Match," in 1863; "In the Silver Age: Essays— that is. Dispersed Meditations," in 1864 ; " Mr. Wynyard's Ward," in 1867 ; and, " Contrast, or the School Fellows," and " Basil Godfrey's Caprice," in 1868. It is not known that she has written any other hymns. WILLIAM BOURNE OLIVER PEABODY. 1799-1847. William Bouriste Oliver Peabody and Oliver William Bourne Peabody were the twin children of Oliver Peabody, of Exeter, N. H., where they were born, July 9, 1799. They were sent, in 1809, to Phillips Academy, in their native town, then under the care of Benjamin Abbott, LL.D. At the early age of fourteen, they entered the Sophomore Class of Harvard College, Cambridge, Mass., and graduated with distinction in 1816. William, on this occasion, delivered an English poem, of marked excellence. At their graduation, the brothers parted ; Oliver, to study law (though later in life he became a minister), and William, to study theology. The latter, having served as Tutor in the Academy at Exeter, spent two years at Cam- 492 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. bridge as a pupil of tlie Rev, Dr. Ware. In 1819, he began to preach, and, October 12, 1820, in his twenty-second year, he was ordained the pastor of the newly formed Unitarian Church, at Springfield, Mass. He married, September 8, 1824, Miss Elizabeth Amelia White, the daughter of Moses White, of Lancaster, N. H. His wife was removed by death, October 4, 1843, and her only daughter, eighteen years of age, in less than four months afterwards. His own death followed. May 28, 1847. He was greatly beloved by his people, and universally es- teemed as a scholar, and Christian gentleman. He distin- guished himself greatly as an Ornithologist. In 1823, he published a " Poetical Catechism for the Use of the Young." The most of his Poems were written in his early ministry, and exhibit peculiar grace and beauty. In addition to the Hymn on " The Autumn Evening" (1823) by which he is so well known, his "Hymn of Nature," "Monadnock," "The Winter Night," and "Death," have been greatly and justly admired. His later poetic effusions were chiefly contributed to Tlie Christian Examiner and other periodicals, for which he wrote considerably. His " Report on the Birds of the Commonwealth " (1839) elic- ited deserved commendation. To Sparks' "Library of American Biography," he contributed the Lives of Alex- ander Wilson, Cotton Mather, David Brainerd, James Ogle- thorpe, and John Sullivan ; and to the Worth American Meview, from 1828 to 1847, not less than forty-eight Arti- cles. He received the honorary degree of D.D., in 1842, from Harvard College. His " Sermons, with a Memoir," partly prepared by his twin brother (who survived him little more than a year), appeared in 1848 ; and his " Literary Remains," edited by his son Everett (who fell at the battle of Sliiloh, April 6, 1862), in 1850. Prof. Andrew P. Peabody, D.D., speaks of the two brothers " as men who consecrated the noblest en- dowments and ripest attainments of intellect to the cause of truth, progress, humanity, and religion." Dr. William B. O. Peabody took a great interest in JOHN PEACOCK. 493 Hymnology ; and, in 1835, compiled and published a Se- lection of Hymns tor the use of his own congregation, which is commonly known as " The Springfield Collection," in which several of his own hymns were inserted anon- ymously. The following Hymn on " Sunrise " was written in 1823 : " See tlie streaks of daylight swim On tlie heaving ocean-brim ! Now the waves begin to flow With a warmer, ruddier glow ; Now the gathering lustre shines On the loftiest mountain pines, And the far-off village spires Redden in the kindling fires. " There! — he bursts upon the sight, Wrapped in flames, intensely bright ! Milder now the cool wind blows ; All is waking from repose ; Now the laborer's steps once more Issue from the opening door ; And the busy echo sounds From the woods and rising grounds. " God hath made the sun to shine, — Image of his love divine ; Thus his rays of mercy fall Liberally alike on all ; Thus he lights our happy way To the labor of the day, And, when all our cares are past, Leads us up to heaven at last." JOHN PEACOCK. John Peacock was the author of " Songs of Praise, com- posed from the Holy Scriptures." Five of the " Songs " are reproduced in Dobell's Selection. Nothing is known of the 494 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. autlior. He was probably a Dissenting minister in England, and the same that published (1768) " A Funeral Discourse on W. Johnson." Some of his hymns are not without po- etic merit, as the following stanzas show : " Blest angels! aid us with your song, To whom sublimer notes belong; Your golden harps and voices join, To sing Immanuel's love divine. " Lo! he, who on the cross was slain, Enthroned in glory, lives again ! At once he bursts death's fatal bands, In vain the power of hell withstands. " Saints! shout with joy your risen Lord, And spread his boundless love abroad : Let every heart the Saviour bless, And every tongue hiis name confess." EDWARD PERRONET. 1792. Edward PERROisrET was the author of the hymn, " All hail the power of Jesus' name ! " etc. Both in its original state, and in its abridged form as now generally sung, it has long been a great favorite. It was written as early as 1779, the tune of " Miles' Lane" having been set to the first stanza of this hymn and published in the Gospel Magazine for that year. This tune was com- posed for the hymn, by Mr. Shrubsole, an intimate friend of Perronet, and the organist of Spa Fields Chapel, Lon- don, from 1784 until his death in 1806. The hjrmn itself appeared in eight stanzas, anonymously, in the Magazine for 1780. Dr. Rippon introduced it into his Selection EDWARD PERRONET. 495 (1787), omitting the second, third, and sixth stanzas, mod- ifying the others, and adding two stanzas of his own. His version of it, with slight alterations, and with the omission of one of his two stanzas, has since been generally adopted. In England, the tune " Miles' Lane " has usually accom- panied the hymn. But in America, for a long time, it has been sung almost exclusively to the tune "Coronation," composed for it (1793) by Oliver Holden, of Charlestown, Mass. , a carpenter by trade, and a musician by choice. Two years before its ap]Dearance in Dr. Rippon's Selec- tion, the hymn, in its original form, appeared in a volume of 216 pages, with the title, — " Occasional Verses, Moral and Sacred. Published for the Instruction and Amusement of the Candidly Serious and Religious. London. Printed for the Editor. 1785." This volume is known to have been the production of Edward Perronet, of Canterbury, England. Among the most steadfast and ardent friends of John and Charles Wesley, is to be numbered the Rev. Vincent Perronet, the Vicar of Shoreham, Kent. He had a large family — at least six sons and four daughters. Two of his sons, Charles and Edward, born, probably, about the time of his removal to Shoreham (1726), became somewhat noted in the Annals of Methodism. They were " men of educa- tion, talent, and piety." Partaking of the zeal of their fa- ther, they became, about 1746, preachers of the Gospel in connection with the Wesleys — often travelling with them in their evangelical journeys. In 1755, arose the question of separation from the Church of England, and the organization of another Church. The brothers Wesley strenuously opposed it. The brothers Per- ronet favored it, and Charles went so far as to administer the Lord's Supper to the societies. Edward Perronet, a man of much wit as well as poetry, wrote, and published in 1756, a scathing satire on the Church of England, entitled, — " Tlie Mitre, a Satyricall Poem," in three Cantos, of 279 pages. The Wesleys were exceedingly irritated by this production, and succeeded in suppressing and destroying 496 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. all but about thirty copies. Extracts from it are given by Tyerman, in his " Life and Times of Rev. John Wes- ley," II. 242-243. The Wesleys broke with him at once. Charles Wesley wrote a furious letter about " The Mitre," and " Ted " the author, in which he accused him of being the head and front of all the disaffection among the preachers. Previous to this, Perronet had married, and had made Canterbury his home. After his breach with the Wesleys, he preached awhile in Lady Huntingdon's Connection, but eventually became a Dissenter. He procured the old pal- ace of the archbishop, and fitted it up for worship. His venerable father died. May 8, 1785, in his ninety-second year ; and he himself, January 2, 1792, at his home in Can- terbury. MARY [BOWLY] PETERS. 1856. Mrs. Peters was the author of " Hymns intended to help the Communion of Saints," a small volume, contain- ing fifty-eight numbers, published at London, in 1847. She was the daughter of Richard Bowly, of Cirencester, England, where she was born. She became the wife of the Rev. John McWilliam Peters, who, in 1822, was instituted the Rector of Quenington, in Gloucestershire ; obtaining also (1825) the Vicarage of Langford, Berkshire, with the Chapelry of Little Farringdon, Oxfordshire. She was left a widow in 1834. In addition to her " Hymns," she pub- lished, in seven volumes, " The World's History from the Creation to the Accession of Queen Victoria." Her later years were passed at Clifton, Gloucestershire, where she died, July 29, 1856. Her poetry is both pleasing and impressive. Her hymn on the theme, " All is Well," exhibits these qualities : ALEXANDER PIRIE. 497 " Througli the love of God, our Saviour, All will be well ; Free and changeless is his favor, All, all is well : Precious is the blood that healed us; Perfect is the grace that sealed us ; Strong the hand sti'etched forth to shield us; All must be well. ** Though we pass through tribulation, All will be well ; Ours is such a full salvation, All, all is well : Happy still, to God confiding. Fruitful, if in Christ abiding, Holy, through the Spirit's guiding, — All must be well. " We expect a bright to-morrow. All will be well ; Faith can sing, through days of sorrow, All, all is well: On our Father's love relying, Jesus every need supplying. Or in living, or in dying, All must be well." ALEXANDER PIRIE. 1804. Alexa]N"der Pirie was a Scotchman. He was educated for the ministry in connection with the Antiburgher Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He was ap- pointed (1760) to succeed the Rev. John Mason, as Teacher of the Philosophical Class in the Theological Seminary. Mr. Mason (the well-known pastor of the Scotch Church in Cedar Street, New York) was then under appointment as a 32 498 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. missionary to America, and migrated to New York in tlie following spring (1761). After his arrival, lie sent home (1762) urgent entreaties for more missionaries, and Mr. Pirie was licensed, and was appointed, with Mi\ William Marshall, to go to America. But, in August, 1763, being charged Avith laxity of doctrine, he was duly brought be- fore the Synod, and, after a rigid investigation, was de- prived of his license as a probationer for the ministry, excommunicated from the Church, and rebuked at the bar of the Synod. Shortly after, having received a call from a congregation at Abernethy, Scotland, he connected himself with the Burgher Synod. Here, too, he met with similar treatment, being suspended, by his Presbytery, from the ministry. He then abandoned the Secession Church wholly, the rea- sons for his course being given (1769) in a pamphlet, enti- tled, — "A Keview of the Principles and Conduct of the Seceders," etc. He now connected himself with the Inde- pendents, and became the minister of a congregation at Newburgh, Fifeshire. After a laborious ministry, remark- ably fertile as to literary results, Mr. Pirie died in 1804. He published, besides many pamphlets, a " Dissertation on Baptism " (1790) 5 and " The French Revolution ; exhib- ited in the Light of the Sacred Oracles ; or a Series of Lectures on the Prophecies now fulfilling " (179.o). These Lectures show that he was an " acute Millenarian. " He proved himself a false prophet, in his application of Daniel and the Apocalypse. After his death, his " Miscellaneous and Posthumous Works " (1805-1806), in six volumes, were published at Edinburgh ; and (1807) " A Dissertation on the Hebrew Roots." He was the author of the excellent hymn, beginning " Come, let us join in songs of praise." ELIZABETH [PAYSON] PRENTISS. 499 ELIZABETH [PAYSON] PRENTISS. 1818-1878. Mrs. Preisttiss was the youngest daughter of the Rev. Edward Payson, D.D., for many years the pastor of the Second Congregational Church of Portland, Me., and Ann Louisa Shipman, of New Haven, Conn. She was born at Portland, October 26, 1818, and was there educated. She married, April 16, 1845, the Rev. George Lewis Prentiss [D.D.], then recently settled over a Congregational Church at New Bedford, Mass. In the spring of 1851, Mrs. Pren- tiss became a resident of the city of New York, her husband having accepted a call to the pastorate in that city ; and here, with the exception of a sojourn of two years in Eu- rope (1858-1860), she resided the remainder of her life. Her summers were spent for a number of years at her charming retreat at Dorset, Vt. ; where, after a brief ill- ness, she died, August 13, 1878, in her sixtieth year. Mrs. Prentiss early developed great literary taste. At the age of sixteen, she became a contributor to the Youth'' s Companion. Her publications have been numerous and popular. " Little Susy's Six Birthdays " appeared in 1853 ; followed by : " Only a Dandelion, and other Stories " (1854); "Henry and Bessie" (1855); "Little Susy's Six Teachers," "Little Susy's Little Servants," and "The Flower of the Family" (1856); "Peterchen and Gret- chen," a translation from the German (1860) ; " The Little Preacher" (1867) ; " Little Threads," "Little Lou's Sayings and Doings," "Fred and Maria and Me," and "The Old Brown Pitcher " (1868) ; " Stepping Heavenward " and "Nidworth" (1869) ; "The Percys" and " The Story Lizzie Told" (1870); "Six Little Princesses" and "Aunt Jane's Hero" (1871); "Golden Hours: Hymns and Songs of the Christian Life " (1873) ; " Urbane and His Friends " (1874) ; " Griselda, a Dramatic Poem," a translation from the Ger- man, and "The Home at Greylock" (1876); "Pemaquid" 500 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. (1877); "Gentleman Jim" (1878); and "Avis Benson" (1879) — ^the last published posthumously. She is probably best known as the author of " Stepping Heavenward," originally written as a serial. Published in 1869, it has reached a sale of nearly 70,000 in the United States. It was republished in England, where it has also had a very extensive circulation, as well as in many of the British Provinces. It has been translated into German and French, and has passed through several editions in each language. In the United States alone, over 200,000 vol- umes of her books have been sold. Her hymn beginning "More love to thee, O Christ! " is found in most of the recent Collections. It was written, probably, as early as 1856. "Like most of her hymns," says her biographer, " it is simply a prayer put into the form of verse She did not show it, not even to her husband, until many years after it was written ; and she wondered, not a little, that, when published, it met with so much favor." The following hymn is taken from "Golden Hours": " O Jesus! draw nearer, And make thyseK dearer, I yearn, I am yearning for thee ; Come, take, for thy dwelling, The heart that is swelling With longings thy heauty to see ! "How languid and weary, How lonely and dreary, The days when thou hidest thy face ! How sorrow and sadness Are turned into gladness, By a glimpse of its love and its grace ! ' ' Come nearer, come nearer. And make thyself dearer. Thou Joy, thou Delight of my heart I Close, close to thee pressing, I long for thy blessing, I cannot without it depart." RABANUS [MAURUS MAGNENTIUSj. 501 RABANUS [MAURUS MAGNENTIUSJ. 776-856. The authorship of the celebrated Latin hymn, "Veni, Creator Spiritus," has, by no means, been determined. It has, ordinarily, been assigned to Charlemagne, or some one of his coevals. Some attribute it to Gregory the Great, With much more reason, it has, of late, been credited to Archbishop Rabanus, of the ninth century. From that period it has been held in high honor. It has been com- monly used, at the creation of popes, the election of bish- ops, the coronation of kings, the opening of synods, and the elevation and translation of saints. Rabanus was born, in 776, at Mayence, Germany [Moreri, with less probability, says 788]. His parents, Rutard and Aldegonde, were of noble family. At ten, he was commit- ted to the care of Bangulfe, the Abbot of the Monastery of Fulde, to be trained for the church. He took the habit of the Religious order, and, in 801, was ordained a deacon. The next year, he put himself under the instructions of the learned Alcuin, at Tours, who gave him the name " Mau- rus." He returned (804) to Fulde, and devoted himself to study. He was ordained (814) priest, by the Archbishop of Mayence ; and (822) was chosen Abbot of the Monastery. During the next twenty years he applied himself to liter- ary pursuits, and wrote numerous commentaries on the Holy Scriptures, besides Sermons and other Treatises. In 842, he retired from his charge of the monastery, to Mount St. Peter, and gave himself up to devotion and the study of the Scriptures, At the death of Otgar, Archbishop of May- ence, in 847, he was chosen to succeed him. He presided over the archdiocese with great wisdom and acceptance, diligent in study, laborious and unwearied in the perform- ance of his duties, and diffusing everywhere the proofs of his large-hearted benevolence. He was accustomed, in the intervals of his active labors, to retire to a monastery in the 502 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. neighboring village of Winzel, where he died, February 4, 856. He was a voluminous writer, both of poetry and prose. His works were published at Cologne, 1627, in six volumes, with his Life prefixed. Baronius calls him, " the first the- ologian of his times." He was, certainly, one of the most illustrious writers, as a philosopher, poet, and divine, of the ninth century. THOMAS RAFFLES. 1788-1863. Thomas Raffles was bom. May 17, 1788, in London, England. His father, William, and his grandfather, were jDractitioners of law. At ten years of age, he professed re- ligion, and connected himself with the Wesleyans ; but, on the removal of his father's family to Peckham, he united with the Independent Church of that place, under the care of the Rev. William B. Collyer. After a careful training and liberal education at home, he entered (1806) Homerton College, to prepare for the ministry under the teaching of the Rev. Dr. John Pye Smith. He was ordained, June 22, 1809, the pastor of the Independent Church at Hammer- smith, then a hamlet in the suburbs of London. After a popular and promising ministry of nearly three years, he was called to Great George Street Chapel, Liver- pool, as the successor of the youthful and eloquent Thomas Spencer, who was drowned in the Mersey, August 5, 1811. He removed to Liverpool, in February, 1812, and was in- stalled May 28, following. He soon attracted to his minis- try a crowd of admirers, and shortly became one of the most popular preachers of the day. In this position, in- creasingly useful and honored, exerting a growing influence for good over the entire city and through the kingdom, he continued to preach the Gospel and labor for his Master's THOMAS RAFFLES. 503 cause, the full period of fifty years. Then, February, 1862, he retired, on a pension, from the active duties of the pas- torate. He did not long survive the cessation of his habit- ual labors ; he died at Liverpool, August 18, 1863, in his seventy-sixth year. Early in his ministry, he married the only daughter of James Hargreaves, a wealthy citizen of Liverpool, and thus came into the possession of an ample income, enabling him to engage, as he did heartily, in various works of benevo- lence, and to gratify his great passion for collecting au- tographs. Mrs. Raffles died. May 17, 1843, leaving four children, who survived their father. He published, in 1813, "The Life of the Rev. Thomas Spencer, of Liverpool," and " Poems by Three Friends," — himself, his brother-in-law Dr. James Baldwin Brown, and Jeremiah Holmes Wiifen. He edited, in 1815, a new and enlarged edition of Brown's " Self -Interpreting Bible"; and published his "Translation of Klopstock's Messiah," in three volumes. After a visit to the Continent, with his cousin. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, he published, in 1817, his " Letters during a Tour through some part of France, Savoy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands," — a book that long served as a Manual for travellers in Europe. His " Lectures on some important Branches of Practical Religion " (1820), " Lectures on some important Doctrines of the Gospel" (1822), and "Lectures on some important Branches of Christian Faith and Practice " (1825), were all useful and well received. These were his principal publi- cations. In 1842, he published a " Form of the Solemniza- tion of Matrimony." With his friend. Dr. Collyer, and his brother-in-law. Dr. J. B. BroAvn, he conducted for a few years The Im^estigator, a London Quarterly. He contrib- uted largely to the Illustrated Annuals and other periodi- cal papers, besides publishing frequent occasional sermons. In 1853, he published a Collection of Hymns as a Supple- ment to Dr. Watts. For many years he prepared a hymn for each recurring New- Year's Day, which he gathered and published in 1868. At the solicitation of the Dukes of 604 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Sussex and of Somerset, tlie University of Aberdeen, Scot- land, honored him with the degree of LL.D. ; and, at the instance of his personal friend, the Kev. William B. Sprague, D.D., of Albany, N. Y., he was honored, in 1830, with the degree of D.D., by Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. The following is one of eight hymns contributed by Dr. Raflles to Collyer's " Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns," London, 1812 ; its theme is "Peace of Mind": " Come, heavenly peace of mind! I sigh for thy retm-n ; I seek, but can not find The joys for which I mourn : All ! where 's the Saviour now, Whose smiles I once possessed ? Tin he return, I bow. By heaviest grief oppressed ; My days of happiness are gone, And I am left to weep alone. " I tried each earthly charm. In pleasure's haunts I strayed, I sought its sootliing balm, I asked the world its aid ; But, ah ! no balm it had To heal a womided breast, And I, forlorn and sad. Must seek another rest ; My days of happiness are gone, And I am left to weep alone. *' Where can the mourner go, And tell his tale of grief ? Ah ! who can soothe his woe, And give him sweet relief ? Thou, Jesus ! canst impart, By thy long- wished return. Ease to this wounded heart, And bid me cease to mourn ; Then shall this night of sorrow jB.ee, And I rejoice, my Lord! in thee." ANDEEW REED. g05 ANDREW REED. 1787-1862. It was in 1834, tliat the American cliurclies became per- sonally acquainted with the Rev. Dr. Reed. He, with the Rev. James Matheson, D.D., had been appointed by the Congregational Union of England and Wales, a Deputation to visit the churches of America. They arrived in the spring of 1834, spent six months in the country, visited its principal sections, preached frequently, made numerous addresses, and left a very favorable impression of their abilities and Christian character. Dr. Reed, the son of Andrew Reed, was born, November 27, 1787, in the city of London. His parents were active members of New Road Chapel (Cong. ), St. George's-in-the- East. Though designed for a commercial life, on joining the church of his parents, he determined to enter the min- istry. After the usual preparatory course at Hackney Col- lege, under the instruction of the Rev. George Collison, he received a call from the church of which he was a member, and where he had grown to manhood. He was ordained to the pastorate, November 27, 1.811, and remained in charge of the same church until he was removed by death, at Hack- ney, London, February 25, 1862. He was, during the half century of his ministry, one of the most popular and successful preachers of England. The place of worship speedily became crowded, and so con- tinued, until, in June, 1831, they removed to their new house of worship, Wycliffe C'liapel, St. Vincent Street, Commer- cial Road, of much larger capacity. This, also, was com- pletely filled by an admiring and greatly attached congre- gation. On the occasion of his visit to America, the hon- orary degree of D.D. was conferred upon him and his asso- ciate, by Yale College. Dr. Reed entered largely into the work of philanthropy. He was the founder of the London Orphan Asylum, at 506 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Lower Clapton (1820) ; the Infant Orphan Asylum, at Wanstead ; the Asylum for Fatherless Children, near Croydon (1847) ; the Asylum for Idiots, at Earlswood, near Reigate ; the Royal Hospital for Incurables ; and the East- em Counties Asylum for Idiots, at Colchester. He also took an active and prominent part in missionary efforts at home and abroad. The publication of his " No Fiction; A Narrative, founded on Fact," in 1818, excited an unusual interest, especially as the hero of the book, whom he called Lef evre and supposed incorrectly to be dead, published an indignant and volu- minous reply. Dr. Reed's book has had a wide circulation and a frequent republication. His " Martha," in 1821, was designed as a "Memorial of an only and beloved Sister." It contains an interesting account of his own early train- ing at home, as well as hers. On his return from America, he published (1835), in two volumes, "A Narrative of the Visit to the American Churches, by the Deputation," etc. His observation of the Revival Work in America led him to prosecute similar work among his own people. A re- vival of religion followed, giving occasion to " A Narrative of the Revival of Religion in Wycliffe Chapel" (1839). This was followed, in 1843, by the "Advancement of Religion the Claim of the Times." Numerous sermons, charges, and addresses, appeared at various periods of his ministry, which were gathered (1861) into a separate volume. In 1817, he published a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, and an enlarged edition in 1825. At length, in 1841, he published a new Compilation, called " The Hymn-Book," containing' 840 hymns^ 21 of which are from his own pen, and 19 from the pen of his accomplished wife. He married, in 1816, Miss Elizabeth Holmes, the daughter of a prosperous merchant of London. She was the mother of seven children, five of whom survived her. She died, July 4, 1867. One of her sons, Charles Reed, was a Mem- ber of Parliament (1858-1874) for Hackney, and a Delegate to the (Ecumenical Council of the Evangelical Alliance, BARTHOLOMEW EINGWALDT. 507 that met at New York, in October, 1873. The Memoirs of Dr. Keed were edited and published (1863) by his two sons, Andrew and Charles. Drs. Reed and Raffles (see the pre- vious Sketch) were almost exactly coevals, with a great similarity in their i)ersonal history. Many of his hymns have become familiar, and are found in most of the current Compilations. The following is one of his best hymns : " My longing spirit faints to see The glories of that place, Where dwells the great united Three, In majesty and grace. " Amidst the busy scenes of time, Amidst its joys and cares, My soul surveys that purer clime, And to its God repau's. " There shall thy grace possess my heart. And dwell and reign alone ; Each trace of evil shall depart. Nor gather near thy throne. " There love shall swell and overflow, My fervent zeal shall soar ; And still the more of God I know. The more shall I adore. " There every selfish care will end; How pui'e each thought will be. When all my hopes to God ascend. And God is all to me ! " BARTHOLOMEW RINGWALDT. 1530-1598. It was Bartholomew Ringwaldt, and not Martin Luther, who wrote the Judgment Hymn, of which Dr. Collyer gave a translation of the first stanza, " Great God! what do I see and hear," etc. 608 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Ringwaldt was an eminent pastor of the Lutheran Church of Langfeldt, in Prussia. He was born (1530) at Frankfort- on-the-Oder, and was trained to manhood in times of great tribulation, in which he himself was called to bear no in- considerable part. He suffered much from famine and pestilence, fire and floods, as well as other calamities. His hymns, in consequence, are mostly in the minor key. They show that, in common with many, he was looking for the speedy coming of Christ to judgment. His "Hymns for the Sundays and Festivals of the Whole Year " were pub- lished in 1581. The Second Advent Hymn, " Es ist gewisslich an der Zeit," etc., [" The trumpet sounds! — the day has come,"] of which the Rev. Dr. Mills has given an excellent transla- tion, was written in 1585, something after the manner of Celano's celebrated "Dies Irse." In Miss Winkworth's " Christian Singers of Germany," is given a translation of one of his penitential hymns, full of devout faith. He died in 1598. JOHN RIPPON. 1751-1836. The Collection known as "Rippon's Hymns" has long been a favorite both in England and America. For a long time, it was the principal manual of praise among the Bap- tist churches of the Old and the New World. Dr. John Rippon was a native of Tiverton, in Devonshire, England, and was born, April 29, 1751. At an early age, he became a devout Christian, and connected himself with the Ba]3tist Church of his native place. He determined to enter the ministry of the Gospel ; and obtained a suitable prepa- ration for the work at the Baptist Academy in Bristol, under the instructions of the Rev. Hugh Evans, and his JOHN EIPPON. 509 son, the Eev. Caleb Evans. At the close of his preparatory- course (1772), he was invited to supply the pulpit of the Particular Baptist Church, Carter Lane, Tooley Street, Lon- don, made vacant by the decease, October 14, 1771, of their eminent and venerable pastor, the Rev. Dr. John Gill. Having preached about a year on trial, he was ordained the pastor of the church, November 11, 1773. Devoting himself to the work of his pastorate, he seldom came be- fore the public through the press. His first publication of importance was " A Selection of Hymns from the best Authors, including a great ISTumber of Originals, intended as an Appendix to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns. Lon- don: 1817."'. In 1800, he published a "tenth, and en- larged edition," containing sixty hymns, in addition to the 588 of the original edition. The 27th edition (1827) was also very considerably enlarged, — 200,000 copies having, at that time, been put into circulation in Great Britain. The second American edition Avas issued in 1813, followed sub- sequently by a large number of editions. Dr. Rippon was a great admirer of Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, and took unwearied pains to secure — by a care- ful collation of all the editions of them to the close of the eighteenth century, and especially of "the Doctor's own Editions " — an accurate edition, free from blunders and er- rors. As the result, he published, in 1801, "An Arrange- ment of the Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D.D.," disposed according to subjects, and numbering 718 Psalms and Hymns. It is prob- ably the most accurate edition of Dr. Watts' book ever published. The Preface to the " Arrangement " is a valu- able document. This was followed in 1810 by "An Index of all the Lines in Watts' Hymns and Psalms," — a corrected edition, probably, of Dr. Guy's "Complete Index to Dr. Watts' H:yTnns" (1773), and "Do. to Dr. W.'s Psalms" (1774). He edited, in 1816, a new edition, in 9 vols, quarto, of Dr. John Gill's "Exposition of the Old and New Testa- ments," with a Memoir prefixed, which was published also separately, in 1838. He published at various times during 510 THE POETS OP THE CHURCH. his long ministry, a considerable number of Sermons, Dis- courses, Addresses, etc. He also edited the "Baptist An- nual Register" from 1790 to 1802. A volume of "Divine Aspirations," also came from his pen. Dr. Rippon finished his long and useful life, December 17, 1836, in the eighty-sixth year of his age, and the sixty- fourth of his ministry. His remains were deposited in Bunhill Fields Cemetery. The two pastorates of Drs. Gill and Rippon covered a period of one hundred and seven- teen years. It is known that Dr. Rippon contributed several original hymns (anonymously) to his "Selection"; but it is now al- most impossible to distinguish them. Gadsby, in his " Me- moirs of Hymn- Writers and Compilers," says of the follow - ing hymn, on " The Use of the Moral Law to the Convinced Sinner," — " I think the hymn was his own, as I can not find it in any book earlier than his Selection": " Here, Lord ! my soul convicted stands Of breaking all thy ten commands ; And on me justly might'st thou pour Thy wrath in one eternal shower. " But, thanks to God! its loud alarms Have warned me of approaching harms ; And now, O Lord ! my wants I see ; Lost and undone, I come to thee. " I see, my fig-leaf righteousness Can ne'er thy broken law redress ; Yet in thy gospel-plan I see, There's hope of pardon e'en for me. " Here I behold thy wonders. Lord! How Christ hath to thy law restored Those honors, on th' atoning day, Which guilty sinners took away. " Amazing wisdom, power, and love, Displayed to rebels from above ! Do thou, O Lord ! my faith increase To love and trust thy plan of grace." ROBERT II. (KING OF FRANCE). gH ROBERT II. (KING OF FRANCE). 971-1031. Numerous versions of the ancient Latin hymn, " Veni, Sancte Spiritus," are to be found in the Collections. The original is justly esteemed as one of " the loveliest of all the hymns in the whole circle of Latin sacred poetry." Its paternity has been a matter of much dispute, but is now, by the best critics, accorded to Robert, the son of Hugh Capet. Trench, whose words are given above, says, that " he was singularly addicted to church-music, which he enriched, as well as the hymnology, with compositions of his own, such as, I be- lieve, even now hold their place in the services of the Ro- man Church." Robert II., King of France, was born in 971, and suc- ceeded to the throne at the death of his father, 996. He became enamored of his cousin. Bertha, the daughter of Conrad (King of Burgundy) and Maud of France. The propriety of his marrying her was submitted to a coun- cil of the bishops of the Idngdom, who gave their consent, and he was married by Archambauld, the Archbishop of Tours. But the Pope, Gregory V., opposed it, and, in a council held at Rome, in 998, decreed the dissolution of the marriage ; and, on the refusal of Robert to j)ut his wife away, he laid the kingdom under an interdict. Such was the effect of this arbitrary and despotic measure on the subjects and even the domestics of the King, as to compel him at length to dismiss the object of his love. Subse- quently he married Constance, sumamed Blanche, the daughter of William, Count of Aries and Provence, — a haughty and imiDerious woman, whose temper caused him no little trouble. His reign extended thiough nearly thirty-four years, a period of much turbulence and violence. Much as he was 512 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. averse to scenes of war, he promptly and effectually sub- dued his enemies, and then devoted himself to literature and benevolence. He erected a large number of magnifi- cent churches for the promotion of religion, and repaired the old. Such was his charity, that he furnished food for a great number of the poor, and encouraged them to ap- proach him with their distresses and complaints. He died, July 20, 1031. He was so accustomed to take part with the choir in the Church of St. Denis, and to write hymns with music for their use, that, as Nicholas Gilles relates, "his wife Queen Constance asked him to make some hymns in her praise. To content her, in appearance, he wrote a hymn in honor of St. Denis and other martyrs, beginning with ' constantia martyrum ! ' and the Queen, being igno- rant of Latin, and supposing it to be in honor of herself, was wont to sing it, not knowing what she said." WILLIAM EOBEETSON. 1743. Tliree of the " Paraphrases " attached to the Scotch Ver- sion of "The Psalms of David"— the 2oth, the 42d, and the 43d — are attributed to the Rev. William Robertson. He is best known as the father of his more illustrious son. Principal William Robertson, D.D., the celebrated historical writer. He was descended from a respectable family in Gladney, Fifeshire, and was born, it is thought, in Gladsmuir, East Lothian, of which parish his father was the minister. He was trained for the ministry ; and soon after his licensure, he officiated, it is said, for the Scots' church, worshipping at that time in Founder's Hall, Lothbury, London. His first settlement was at Borthwick, Mid- Lothian, Scot- land, as early certainly as 1720. He married a daughter of David Pitcairn, Esq., of Dreghorn. She became the moth- WILLIAM EOBERTSON. 513 er of two sons (of wliom tlie historian, born in 1721, was the elder), and six daughters. One of the latter married the Rev. James Syme, and her* only daughter, Eleanora, was the mother of the eminent Lord Brougham. In 1783, Mr. Eobertson was transferred to the Old Grey friars' Church, Edinburgh, where his brother-in-law, the Rev. Mr. Nesbit, was also settled. He continued in this charge until his death, in 1743 ; — his wife's death occurred within a few hours of his own. He seems to have taken but little part in the ecclesiastical agitations of the period (the Marrow controversy), and to have been a laborious and useful pas- tor. His "Scripture Songs" were published in 1751. The following stanzas from his version of the 53d chapter of Isaiah, constituting the 25th of the Scotch Paraphrases, are quite creditable : " How few receive with cordial faith The tidings which we bring ! How few have seen the arm i-evealed Of heaven's eternal King! The Saviour conies! no outward pomp Bespeaks his presence nigh ; No earthly beauty shines in him To draw the carnal eye. " Fair as a beauteous tender flower Amidst the desert grows, So, slighted by a rebel race, The heavenly Saviour rose : Rejected and despised of men, Behold a man of woe ! Grief was his close companion still, Through all his life below. " Yet all the gi'iefs he felt were ours. Ours were the woes he bore ; Pangs, not his own, his spotless soul With bitter anguish tore : "We held him as condemned by Heaven, An outcast from his God, While for our sins he groaned, he bled, Beneath his Father's rod." 33 514 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. CHARLES SEYMOUR ROBINSON. 1829 . The Rev. Dr. Charles S. Robinson was born at Ben- nington, Vermont, March 31, 1829. He was educated at Williams College, Mass., wliere he graduated in 1849. He studied for the ministry, one year (1852-1853) at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, and two years (1853- 1855) at Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey. He was ordained, and installed the pastor of the Park Presby- terian Church of Troy, N. Y., April 19, 1855. At the end of live years, he removed to Brooklyn, N. Y. , and became the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of that city. In the spring of 1868, he accepted an appointment to the charge of the American Chapel in Paris, France, entering on his work there in May, 1868, and continuing until September, 1870, when he returned to America, and accepted a call from the Eleventh Presbyterian Church of New York. After a brief visit to Paris, in the summer of 1871, he took charge of the church then in Fifty-fifth Street, near Third Avenue, New York, and still continues in that pas- torate. Mainly through his efforts, the congregation un- dertook and completed the erection of a spacious and costly church-edifice (Madison Avenue and Fifty-third Street, where they now worship), known as the " Memorial Pres- byterian Church." Dr. Robinson compiled, in 1862, a volume of Hymns and Tunes, for Public AVorship, known as " The Songs of the Church.'- A much more complete Com.pilation, entitled, " Songs for the Sanctuary," followed in 1865, — a work that has obtained a wide circulation, and achieved great popu- larity. A Chapel Edition was issued in 1872. In 1874, he published "Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs"; and, in 1878, "A Selection of Spiritual Songs, with Music, for the Church and Choir." These were followed by " Spirit- ual Songs for Social Worship," and " Spiritual Songs for ROBERT ROBINSON. 515 the Sunday- School." In all these books Dr. Robinson has maintained his hold upon the popular taste ; and in his latest volume, "Laudes Domini, a Selection of Spiritual Songs Ancient and Modern " (1884), he has sought " to lead the taste of congregations and choirs towards a higher class of lyrics and music than has hitherto found acceptance in the churches." In addition to these musical Compilations, he published, in 1868, " Short Studies for Sunday-School Teachers"; in 1874, "The Memorial Pulpit," two volumes of his sermons ; and, in 1883, " Studies of Neglected Texts." In 1866, he received the honorary degree of D.D., from Hamilton College, New York. ROBERT ROBINSON. 1735-1790. Robert Robiistson was born, September 27, 1735, at Swaff- ham, in Norfolk, England. His father, Michael Robinson, was an exciseman, and a native of Scotland. His mother, Mary, was the only daughter of Robert Wilkin, of Milden- hall, Suffolk. His parents were both of the Church of England, and he was their youngest child. At the age of six, he was sent to a Latin school, and soon exhibited re- markable capacity. In 1743, the family removed to Scar- ning. Not long subsequently, his father absconded on account of debt, and shortly after died at Winchester. His mother was, in consequence, subjected to great straits, and was compelled to keep boarders, and to ply her needle, for support. At the grammar-school of the town, taught by the Rev. Joseph Brett, the boy made marked profi- ciency, especially in the languages. At the age of fourteen, he was apprenticed to Joseph Anderson, a hair-dresser in London. He soon proved him- self qualified for a higher calling. He gained time by early rising, and devoted it to study. His first serious impres- 516 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. sions were the result of hearing Rev. George Whitefield preach (May 24, 1752) a sermon from the text, — "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" He went to the Tabernacle out of curiosity, " pitying the poor deluded Methodists, but came away envying their happi- ness." For the next two years and a half, he constantly resorted to the Tabernacle ; but it was not until the end of 1755, that he found " full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ." After five years' service, his master returned him his in- dentures, and he made a visit to his relatives at Mildenhall, intending to engage in farming. Associating with the pious people of the neighborhood, he was urged to preach to them, and complied. His youth and marked ability drew many to hear him from the adjoining towns, and brought him invitations to other places. He was sent for, soon after, to preach in the Tabernacle at Norwich. This was early in 1758. After a while he left the Methodists, and formed an independent church, of which he became the pastor. Having adopted Baptist principles, he was immersed by Mr. Dunkhorn, of EUingham in Norfolk. In July, 1759, he accepted an invitation to preach to the Baptist congre- gation at Cambridge ; and, about the same time, married Miss Ellen Payne, of Norwich. Having bound the church to open communion, he was ordained in 1761. The congregation was poor, and his annual income small, — at first scarcely amounting to £15, and at no time exceeding £90. His popularity enabled him to procure the erection, at the end of three years, of a good house of worship. His labors were abundant. He preached twice or thrice on the Sabbath, and several times through the week in the adja- cent villages. In 1773, to supplement his small salary, he entered into the business of farming and trading,— his fam- ily then consisting of his wife and nine children with his aged mother. He died, on a journey, at Birmingham, June 9, 1790. He was found dead in his bed. He continued in charge of the Baptist Church at Cambridge until his death. With all his other occupations, he found time for much ROBERT ROBINSON. 517 literary work. His "Arcana," issued in 1774, attracted much attention. Besides several sermons and pamphlets, of various dates, he edited a Translation of " Saurin's Ser- mons," in 5 vols. , with a " Memoii' of Saurin and the French Reformation " (1775-1782) ; and, in 1776, he published " A Plea for the Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ," — said to have been derived from the French of Dr. Abbadie, in his " Vindication of the Truth of the Christian Religion." The work attracted great attention and was well received both by Churchmen and Dissenters, "An Essay on the Com- position of a Sermon," followed in 1777 ; " A Plan of Lec- tures on the Principles of Nonconformity," in 1778 ; " The General Doctrine of Toleration applied to the Particular Case of Free Communion," in 1780 ; his " Political Cate- chism," in 1782 ; and a volume of " Tillage Sermons," in 1786. His " History of BaiDtism," and his " Ecclesiastical Researches," were published after his death. His " Miscel- laneous Works," with a Memoir of his Life, were published in 1807, by Benjamin Flower, the father of Mrs. Sarah Flower Adams. Mr. Robinson was an admirable preacher. He com- manded the attention of the most scholarly minds, even of the University, and was regarded with great favor by the undergraduates. The celebrated Robert Hall remarked (1787) on one occasion : " Mr. Robinson had a musical voice, and was master of all its intonations ; he had wonder- ful self-possession, and could say what he pleased, wJien he pleased, and tiow he pleased." The Rev. William Jay, of Bath, says of him : " For disentangling a subject from confusion, for the power of development, for genuine simplification, for invention, — what writer ever surpassed Robinson of Cambridge?" He was a great favorite in London, and other large towns, — always drawing crowds to hear him. His attached people, " the Congregation of Stone- Yard," erected in the Old Meeting House at Birmingham, where he was buried, a Tablet to his memory, with this inscrip- tion (written by his successor, the Rev. Robert Hall): " Sa- 518 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. cred to the Memory of the Rev. Eobert Robinson, of Cambridge, the intrepid Champion of Liberty Civil and Religious ; endowed with a Genius brilliant and penetrat- ing, united with an indefatigable Industry, his Mind was richly furnished with an inexhaustible Variety of Knowl- edge. His Eloquence was the Delight of every public As- sembly, and his Conversation the Charm of every private Circle. In him the Erudition of the Scholar, the Discrim- ination of the Historian, and the Boldness of the Reformer, were united, in an eminent Degree, with the Virtues which adorn the Man and the Christian." The only hymns that are known to have been written by Mr. Robinson, are the three following : " Brightness of the Father's glory ! " etc., ** Come, thou Fount of every blessing! "etc., " Mighty God ! while angels bless thee," etc. CHRISTIAN KNORR VON ROSENROTH. 1636-1689. The German hymn, " Morgenglanz der Ewigkeit," of which there are several excellent English versions, was written by an eminent German scholar, of distinguished rank in society. He was a Silesian, and was born, July 15, 1636, at Altranden, in the Principality of Wohlau, of which parish his father was the pastor. He pursued his aca- demical studies at Stettin, Leipsic, and Wittenberg, and be- came a proficient in the Oriental tongues. Leaving the Uni- versity, he travelled over Holland, France, and England, still prosecuting his studies. He became an adept, not only in philosophy and chemistry, but in theology and cabalis- tic lore, some of the results of which he gave to the press. JOHN ROWE. 519 He liad a memory so extraordinary, that lie " knew nearly the whole Bible by heart. " On his return from foreign countries, much improved by travel, a title of nobility [Baron] was conferred upon him by the youthful Emperor, Leopold I. He was, also, ap- pointed (1668) Privy Councillor and Prime Minister of Count Christian Augustus, of the Palatinate at Salzbach. His piety was of a high order — eminently subjective, as ap- pears from his seventy-five hymns, which breathe the ut- most devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, and are admirable specimens of lyric poetry. These heart-effusions, as they pre-eminently may be styled, were written mostly in sea- sons of relaxation, often during his rambles, and for the gratification of his wife, by whom they were published after his decease. The hymn noticed above, it is thought, was composed during an early morning walk, as the sun was rising. He foretold the hour of his death, — exactly as it occurred. May 4, 1689. In the tone of his piety, and the style of his poetry, he belonged to the school of Frank and Scheffler [Angelus], who were considerably his seniors, though his contemj)oraries. He wrote an " Evangelical His- tory," and " Kabbala Denudata," an exposition of Hebrew doctrines. JOHN ROWE. 1764-1832. Mr. Rowe was, for thirty-four years, a Dissenting minister of Bristol, England. He was the sixth child of William Rowe, of Spenceoomb, near Crediton, w^here he was bom, April 17, 1764. He was, from his boyhood, trained for the ministry. For a time, he was taught in the classical school of the Rev. Joseph Bretland. Then he entered the Hoxton Academy, from which, at its dissolution, he was transferred to Hackney College (1786-1787). 520 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. At the expiration of his college course (1787), he became one of the ministers of the High Street Presbyterian Church of Shrewsbury. The next year (1788), he married his cousin, Miss Mary Clarke. In 1797, he was chosen one of the ministers of Lewin's Mead Chapel, Bristol, having the Rev. Dr. John P. Estlin, as his colleague, until 1817, and then (until his own decease) the Rev. Dr. Lant Car- penter, — both of them highly distinguished as Unitarian ministers. Mr. Rowe was, also, a Unitarian. He was re- garded as a "serious, earnest, and impressive" preacher, devoting "himself with great assiduity to his pastoral duties." He took an active part in the promotion of the charities of Bristol, and was a decided Liberal in i)olitics. Mr. Rowe lost five of his children in their infancy ; and, in his later years, he was also sorely tried by affliction. His endeared brother, Lawrence Rowe, died in 1823 ; and his be- loved wife, in 1825. Shortly after, his only surviving son died in Mexico ; and his eldest daughter, Mrs. Benjamin H. Bright, soon followed. In January, 1831, he himself was affected with paralysis ; compelling him, in the summer of 1832, to resign his charge, and, with his only surviving child, a devoted daughter, to proceed to Italy. The last few weeks of his life were spent at Sienna, where he died, "perfectly resigned and composed," July 2, 1832, in his sixty-ninth year. He published a "Sermon," in 1803, at Bristol; besides which, it does not appear that he committed anything else to the press. JOHN RYLAND. 1753-1825. The Rev. Benjamin Beddome, a former pastor of the Baptist Church of Bourton-on-the- Water, Gloucestershire, England, is well kno\vn as a writer of hymns, many of JOHN RYLAND. 521 October 2, 1741, was a yontli of eighteen, John CoUett Ry- land, the son of Joseph Ryland and Freelove Collett, of Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. This young man, in 1750, became the pastor of the Baptist Church of War- wick. Shortly before, December 23, 1748, he had married Elizabeth, the only daughter of Samuel Frith, of Warwick. Their home was the Rectory of St. Mary's Church, which they hired of the Rev. Dr. Tate, the Rector. Here their son, John, was born, January 29, 1753. The elder Ryland was a prodigy in Hebrew, and taught it to his boy from his verj'' infancy. Speaking of the 23d Psalm in Hebrew, the son says : " I remember reading that Psalm to Mr. Hervey, when my father visited him in the summer of 1758." Of the son's proficiency in Greek, also, his father makes this record: "Finished reading and translating the whole Greek Testament, December 12th, 1761. The whole done in eight months and twelve days. Aged eight years ten months." John, of course, became a scholar. As to his religious training, he says : " My mother taught me a great deal of Scripture history, by explaining to me the pictures on the Dutch tiles in the parlor chim- ney at Warwick." In the autumn of 1759, the father became the pastor of the Baptist Church of Northampton, teaching, also, a school to eke out a scanty salary, and to educate his own childi'en. In his fifteenth year, John was converted ; and was baptized by his father, September 13, 1767. He at once took an active part in religious exercises, and began a course of study for the ministry. After a public trial of his abilities, he received the approbation of the church as a preacher, March 10, 1771, in his eighteenth year. During the next ten years, he was associated with his father as a teacher in his school, preaching every Sabbath, either in Northampton, or in the adjacent villages, perfect- ing himself, in the meantime, in classical and theological knowledge. In 1781, he was ordained as his father's col- league. Previous to this time, he had made frequent 522 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. contributions to religious periodicals, especially The Gos- pel Magazine, both in poetry and prose. His signatures were, "J. R. jr.," and "Elacliistoteros." His familiar hymn, beginning, as most generally sung, " In all my Lord's appointed ways," appeared in The Gospel Magazine, for May, 1775, in nine stanzas, as in Rippon's Selection ; it begins, in the original, with the stanza, " When Abram's servant to procure A wife for Isaac went, Rebecca met liis suit preferred, Her parents gave consent." It was written, December 30, 1773, when he was nearly twenty-one years old. Of course Dr. Belcher's story about its origin is apocryphal. The hymn, beginning with " Sovereign Ruler of the skies," bears date, August 1, 1777, and contains nine single stan- zas. His best hymn, " O Lord! I would delight in thee," etc., was written, December 3, 1777, in seven stanzas { and ap- pended to the hymn in the original MS., is a note, added long afterwards, in these words : "I recollect deeper feel- ings of mind in composing this hymn than, perhaps, I ever felt in maldng any other." In 1786, by reason of pecuniary embarrassment, the father removed to Enfield, nine miles north of London, and took charge of a large school. The pastoral work thus devolved solely on the son. In company with Fuller, of Kettering, and Sutcliffe, of Olney, at the instance mainly of William Carey, he took part in organizing, at Fuller's house, October 2, 1792, the "Baptist Missionary Society"; in the promotion of whose interests he labored as long as he lived. His father died, July 29, 1792. The same year, JOHN EYLAND. 533 lie received the honorary degree of D.D., from Brown Uni- versity, R. I,, U. S. A. After repeated solicitations, lie removed, December, 1793, to Bristol, to take charge of the Baptist Academy, as the successor of the Rev. Dr. Caleb Evans, and to become the pastor of the Baptist Church, Broadmead. The duties of these two offices he continued to perform until death. After the decease (1815) of his devoted friend, Andrew Fuller, he accepted, also, the posi- tion of Secretary of the " Baptist Missionary Society " — de- volving the labors mainly oh a junior Secretary. In 1821, his health broke down, and he continued to fail more and more, until May 25, 1825, when his death occurred, in his seventy-third year. He was twice married. A list of thirty-four publications from his pen is at- tached to the brief Memoir (edited by his son, Jonathan Edwards Ryland) prefixed to his " Pastoral Memorials," in two volumes, published the year after his death. They are mostly single discourses, charges, ordination and funeral sermons. In addition, he published, in 1814, "A Candid Statement of the Reasons which induce the Baptists to differ in Opinion and Practice from so many of their Chris- tian Brethren"; and in 1816, "The Work of Faith, the Labor of Love, and the Patience of Hope illustrated, in the Life and Death of the Rev. Andrew Fuller, of Ketter- ing." His "Christianse Militise Viaticum; or A Brief Directory for Evangelical Ministers," first published about thirty years before his death, has gone through several edi- tions. Mr. Sedgwick, of London, issued a reprint of his (99) Hymns. About six weeks before his death (April 11, 1825), he wrote : " For seventy- two years I never was prevented from attending public worship, since I was old enough to be taken to it, for two Lord's Days together, that I know of ; I am persuaded I never was for three. And for fifty-four years have never been hindered from preaching by illness, unless two or three times, at distant periods, for a single Sabbath." The following hymn was contributed to the May Num- 524 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ber of the Gospel Magazine, for 1776, on tlie tteme,— " The fire [of divine love] saith not, ' It is enough' ": " If I from others differ aught, Lord ! 'twas thy grace the difference wrought ; If I one holy wish have known, That wish was given by thee alone. " To taste thy love is sweeter far Than all earth's dainties choice and rare ; 'Tis heaven to see thy smiling face, Ten heavens to feel thy Spirit's rays. " I cannot pay the thanks I owe, For tasting once thy love below ; Yet cannot rest, till I, above. Shall feast for ever on thy love. " The smallest drop of precious grace Demands a ceaseless song of praise; Yet largest draughts from mercy's store But make me long and pant for more, " For teaching this, thy name I bless, — That holiness is happiness ; Quite happy I shall never be. Till I am quite conformed to thee. " Oh! strengthen me thy wUl to do, And what thou wilt to suffer too ; Imperfect here, I long to soar Where I shall disobey no more. " Lord! be thy pleasure always mine; I wish to have no will but thine ; This, this is heaven enough for me, Quite to be swallowed up in thee." MAEIA GRACE SAFFERY. 525 MARIA GRACE SAFFERY. 1773-1858. Mrs. Saffery, the author of the sweet hymn, " God of the sunlight hours! how sad," was the wife of a Baptist minister, the pastor of a church at Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. The particulars of her early history are not accessible. She published, in her younger days, a romance and a brief poem. At the age of sixty years she gathered up the effusions of her previous life, and published them (1834) with the title : " Poems on Sa- cred Subjects." Several of these were written for particu- lar occasions, at her husband's suggestion. Two of her hymns were contributed to Dr. Liefchild's " Hymns appro- priated to Christian Union, Selected and Original," Lon- don, 1846 ; and several to the Baptist Magazine. She ended her earthly course, March 5, 1858, at the great age of eighty-five years. The following hymn, on the "Baptismal Rite," in the English Baptist Collection, reproduced in " The Psalmist," Boston, 1843, is from her pen ; it was written previous to 1818 : " 'Tis the great Father we adore, In this baptismal sign ; 'Tis he, whose voice, on Jordan's shore, Proclaimed the Son divine. " The Father owned him; let our breath In answering praise ascend, As, in the image of his death We own our heavenly Friend. " We seek the consecrated grave. Along the path he ti'od ; Receive us in the hallowed wave, Thouholy Sonof God! THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ' Let earth and heaven our zeal record, And future witness bear, That we, to Zion's mighty Lord, Our full allegiance swear. ' Oh ! that our conscious souls may own, With joy's serene survey, Inscribed upon his judgment throne, The transcript of this day." GEORGE SAISDYS. 1577-1643. George Sat^dys was an accomplished scholar and a true poet. Montgomery regarded his Paraphrases of the Psalms as by far the most poetical in the English language. He was the seventh and youngest son of the Rev. Dr. Edwin Sandys, then the Archbishop of York, England ; and brother of Sir Edwin Sandys, the second son of his father. He was born, in 1577, at Bishopsthorpe, his father's residence. He was matriculated as a member of St. Mary's Hall, Oxford, in December, 1589, but received his tuition in Corpus Christi College. In August, 1610, he started on an extensive tour through Europe and into Asia and Africa, perfecting himself in the languages of the countries that he visited ; and returning in 1612. Of this journey, he published a poetic description, entitled, "The Traveller's Thauksgiving." A prose account, in small folio, followed in 1615, with the title: "A Relation of a Journey begun An. Dom. 1610. Foure Bookes. Containing a description of the Turkish Empire, of Aegypt, of the Holy Land, of the Remote parts of Italy, and Hands adioyning." It was far in advance of any previous " Travels " published in Eng- land, in relation to these distant regions. GEORGE SANDYS. 597 His society, thenceforward, was eagerly sought by the wise and learned and accomi)lished. In 1619, liis brother. Sir Edwin Sandys, became the Treasurer of the London Company for planting a Colony in Virginia, and sent him to the New World, as his representative. While there, on the banks of the James River, he occupied his spare mo- ments, " snatched from the hours of night and repose," in the translation of "Ovid's Metamorphoses," into English verse ;— the hrst literary production, of any rank or name, penned in the wilds of America and to be credited " To that new-found-out- world, where sober night Takes from th' Antipodes her silent flight," as he expresses it in his " Review of God's Mercies to him in his Travels." His Translation of Ovid was published soon after his return, in 1621. The folio edition of his book (1626) was dedicated to Charles I., who appointed him one of the gentlemen of the Privy Chamber to his Majesty, He published, in 1636, " A Paraphrase upon the Psalmes of David, and upon the Hymnes dispersed throughout the Old and New Testament." In subsequent editions, "Para- phrases on Job, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Lamentations," were included. In 1640, he published a Translation of Hugo Grotius' Latin tragedy on "Christ's Passion." He resided, in later years, mostly with his brother-in-law. Sir Francis Wenman, at Caswell, near Whitney, Herefordshire. He died at the house of his niece. Lady Margaret Wyatt, Boxley Abbey, Kent, the first week in March, 1643. His burial occurred on the 7th of March, in the parish church of Boxley. He was never married. He had visited the Holy Land in March, 1611, and made the circuit of the Holy Places at Jerusalem and Bethlehem, of which he gives minute descriptions and numerous dia- grams. At "the Temple of the Sepulchre," which he vis- ited on "IMjundy Tliursday," he was devoutly affected, and makes the following record of the occasion : " Thou- sands of Christians perform their vows, and offer their tears 528 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. here yearly, with all the expressions of sorrow, humility affection, and penitence. It is a frozen zeal that will not be warmed with the. sight thereof. And, oh, that I could retain the effects that it wrought, with an unfainting perseverance ! who then did dedicate this hymn to my Redeemer : " Saviour of mankind, Man, Emanuel ! Who sinless died for sin, who vanquished hell ; The first-fruits of the gi'ave ; whose life did give Light to our darkness ; in whose death we live ; — Oh ! sti'engthen thou my faith ; correct my will, That mine may thine obey; jirotect me still, So that the latter death may not devour My soul sealed with thy seal. So, in the hour When thou, whose body sanctified this tomb, Unjustly judged, a glorious Judge shalt come To judge the world with justice, by that sign I may be known, and entertained for thine." SANTOLIUS MAGLORIANUS. 1628-1684. Claude de Sat^teul, or Santeuil (better known as San- tolius Maglorianus), was of an ancient Parisian family, and was born at Paris, February 3, 1628. He derived his surname from his long abode, as a secular ecclesiastic, in the Seminary of St. Magloire. Such was his humility, that he could not be persuaded to aspire to the priesthood. The Archbishop of Paris having determined, in concert with the chapter of his church, to reform the Paris Breviary, Claude de Santeul was charged with the work of compos- ing the new hymns. He prevailed, however, on his younger brother, Jean Baptiste, to undertake the principal part of the work. His own contributions were considerable and admirable. He composed, also, several other hymns, for SANTOLIUS VICTOEINUS. 529 particular offices, tliat met with universal apx^robation. More than 300 of his hymns were left in MS., at his death, which occurred, at Paris, September 29, 1684. Such was his reputation for extensive and accurate scholarship, that he was frequently consulted by the Bene- dictine Fathers, as to the various readings of the text, when they were publishing the works of Augustine. In erudition, and even in poetic talent, he was not inferior to his more celebrated brother. But he was more retiring, mild, and gentle. His candor, simplicity, and humility, were remarkable. SANTOLIUS YICTORESTUS. 1630-1697. Jeai^- Baptists de Santeul, the brother of Claude, was born at Paris, May 12, 1630. He studied, at first, in the College of St. Barbe, and then with Father Cossart, a Jesuit. He entered among the regular canons of St. Victor (whence his surname), where he acquired the reputation of being an excellent poet. Thenceforth he devoted his life to the cultivation of the art, and became everywhere known as " the prince of French hymnographers." In connection with his elder brother, he composed the new hymns of the Paris Breviary. He performed the same service for the Clugny Breviary. Ardent, impassioned, and full of the poetic fire, he was ever at work, writing poems, or inscrip- tions for the public monuments of Paris, or sonnets for friends. He was honored and cherished by all the learned men of his day, and was admired by the two Princes de Conde, father and son, and by Louis XIV., who conferred on him a pension. He died at Dijon, August 5, 1697, and his re- mains were brought to Paris, and interred with gi-eat honor, in the Abbey of St. Victor. His hymns were published in 34 630 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. 1698, and were universally admired by the French savants. They were incorporated into the Breviary of Orleans, in 1693 ; of Lisieux, in 1704 ; of Narbonne, in 1709 ; and of Meaux, in 1713. Bourdaloue urged their incorporation into the Roman Breviary. JOHANN SCHEFFLER. 162^1677. ScHEFFLER is better known as " Angelus Silesius." He was born, in 1624, of Lutheran parents, at Breslau, in Si- lesia, and, having become enamored of the writings and tenets of the mystics, more particularly those of a Span- iard, named John ab Angelis, the author of a poem on "The Triumph of Love," he took the name of "Angelus." Early in life he became a disciple of Jacob Boehnie, the famous shoemaker, whose writings on the " Inner Life " were widely diffused throughout Silesia, Germany. De- voting himself to the medical profession, he studied awhile in the University of Breslau, his native town, and after- wards, having obtained the degree of M.D., he studied at Strasburg. He visited, also, the Universities of Holland, and made many acquaintances among the pious of different persuasions, and more i^articularly, of a society at Amster- dam, that had adopted the tenets of Boehme. On his return to Silesia, in 1649, he received the appoint- ment of private physician to Sylvius Nimrod, the Duke of Wurtemberg-Oels. Here his most intimate friend was Abraham von Prankenberg, a disciple and biographer of Boehme, who made him acquainted with the writings of Tauler, Ruysbroeck, Schwenkfeld, and other mystics. His friend, at death, bequeathed these, and a large number of similar works, to Scheffler. The Lutheran clergy regarded Scheffler as a heretic, and, by their contentions, so disgusted him, that he sought refuge (1653) in the Roman Catholic JOHANN SCHEFFLER. 531 Clinrcli — drawn thither, probably, by his admiration of Taiiler, Thomas a Kempis, and others of like spirit in that connection. The most of his hymns — and he wrote many — ^were composed prior to this event. He now became the private physician of the Emperor, Ferdinand III. , and obtained special privileges for the pro- scribed Romanists. He carried on a fierce controversy with Herr Freitag, the court preacher at Oels. Ere long, he abandoned his profession entirely, entered the Roman Catholic priesthood, and returned to Breslau, as early as 1662. In the meantime, he had published (1657) his " Sacred Joys of the Soul, or the Enamored Psyche," in which form his hymns were first issued. Others appeared soon after in "The Mourning Psyche." In 1674, he pub- lished a collection of spiritual aphorisms, under the title of " The Cherubinical Wanderer," — many of them, " pearls of wisdom, lustrous with a wealth of meaning"; but others tinctured with a species of " mystical pantheism. " In his later years, he found a retreat in the Jesuit Mon- astery of St. Matthias, Breslau, where he died, July 9, 1677. Very few of his hymns are found in Roman Catholic hjTiin- books, but they abound in the books of the Evangelical Lutherans. By far the larger part of them are to be reck- oned among the most precious treasures of sacred poetry. The pietists of Halle greatly admired them, and, through the influence of Freylinghausen, introduced them into their hymn-books. The following are from his aphorisms : " My God ! how oft do I thy gifts implore, Yet know I crave thyself ! — Oh ! how much more I Give what thou wilt, eternal life, or aught, If thou withhold thyself, thou giv'st me naught." *' The nobler aught, the commoner 't will be, — God and his sunshine to the world are free." " The rose demands no reasons; she blooms and scents the air, Nor asks if any see her, nor knows that she is fait." 532 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. BENJAMIN SCHMOLKE. 1672-1737. Benjamin Schmolke was a native of Silesia, the home also of Jolm Scheffler. His father was the pastor of the church at Brauchitchdorf, where the son, Benjamin, was bom, December 21, 1672. The child was devoted, from his birth, to the work of the ministry. Kind friends enabled the impoverished pastor to send the boy to the University of Leipsic. On one occasion, being on a visit home, Benja- min preached in his father's church, on the words : "I am poor and needy ; yet the Lord think eth upon me ; thou art my help and my deliverer ; make no tarrying, O my God ! " One of the hearers was so affected by the dis- course, as to contribute a considerable sum towards his University expenses. His poetic talent was early developed, and was made re- munerative. His other publications, also, brought him considerable reputation. His pulpit talents were no less remarkable. In 1694, he became curate to his aged father, and commended himself greatly to the hearts of his towns- men. Having received an appointment to a charge in Schweidnitz (1702), he was married, and entered upon his new charge with so much wisdom and zeal, as to circum- vent the Jesuits, and Avin the hearts of his people. A vol- ume of fifty of his hymns was published in 1704. Ten years after (1714), he was made Pastor Primarius of the town, including the office of Church and School Inspector. In his later years, he was subjected to the discipline of severe affliction, giving a plaintive expression to the hymns then composed. Half the town was destroyed by a dread- ful conflagration, September 12, 1716 ; and about the same time, his father and two of his own children were removed by death. He poured out his grief in several volumes of hymns, which followed each other in rapid succession, until the hymns numbered at least a thousand. In 1730, a par- ELIZABETH SCOTT. 533 alytic stroke affected his right side, but he kept at work five years longer. Two more attacks deprived him of his sight, and compelled him to cease from preaching. During these last years of trial, his hymns reached the number of 1,188. His release from toil and pain occurred February 12, 1737. Schmolke was the author of the hymn, "MeinJesu! wie du willst ! " etc. ["My Jesus! as thou wilt!"— Tr., Miss J. BORTBTWlCK.] which has become a great favorite with the devout, espe- cially in time of deep affliction. ELIZABETH SCOTT. 1708-1776. Elizabeth Scott was the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Scott, of Norwich, England, and was born there, probably in 1708. Her father was the pastor of a Dissenting church, and died in 1740. One of her brothers was the Rev. Thomas Scott, of Ipswich. [See next Sketch.] In the Correspondence of Dr. Doddridge is found a letter dated June 25, 1745, addressed to the daughter of the Rev. Thomas Scott, of Norwich (undoubtedly Elizabeth), in which it appears that she had repeatedly and unreservedly, in conversation, as well as by letter, opened her mind to Dr. Doddridge, and sought his spiritual advice. " I most faithfully assure you," says Doddridge, " that the more I know you, the more firmly am I convinced, not only that you are a real^ but that you are a "oery advanced Christian." Having " refused the hand of Dr. Doddridge," without the loss, however, of his friendship, she married, January 27, 1751, Colonel Elislia Williams, of Wethersfield, Conn. The sketch of Elisha Williams in " The Genealogy and His- tory of the Family of Williams " contains the following : " On account of the non-payment of the troops, he was so 534 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. licited to go to England, and sailed December, 1749. While there, his wife died, and before his return, he married Miss Elizabeth Scott, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Scott, of Norwich, England, a lady of distinguished piety and ac- complishments. He left England in 1751, narrowly escaped shipwreck, and after spending some months in Antigua, arrived home in Aj)ril, 1752. He died [at Wethersfield] July 24, 1755, in the sixty-first year of his age, of cancer." Colonel Williams was the president of Yale College from 1726 to 1739. Six years after Colonel Williams' death, she married (1761) Hon. William Smith, of New York. Mr. Smith died in 1769. She then returned to Wethersfield, where she " lived with relatives of her first husband " until her death, June 13, 1776. A dedication of her MS. poems to her father is given in Dr. Dodd's Christian Magazine for December, 1763. Most of her hymns, Avhich were commenced at her father's sug- gestion, were probably composed during his lifetime, but were not published until many years after his death. Sev- eral of them appeared in the Christian Magazine for 1763-64 ; and twenty-one in Ash and Evans' Collection (1769), eight of which and twelve others are to be found in Dobell's Selection (1806). The MS. of all her hymns and poems is in the Library of Yale College. Her "Morning Hymn," on Psalm iii. 5, is among her best productions. It is found in Dobell's Selection : " See how the rising sun Pursues his shining way, And wide proclaims his Maker's pi-aise, With every brightening ray I " Thus would my rising soul Its heavenly parent sing, And to its great Original The humble tribute bring. " Serene I laid me down Beneath his guardian care ; I slept, and I awoke, and found My kind Preserver near. THOMAS SCOTT. 635 ' Thus does thine arm support This weak, defenceless frame ; But whence these favors, Lord ! to me, So worthless as I am ? * Oh ! how shall I repay The bounties of my God ? This feeble spirit pants beneath The pleasing pamful load. " Dear Saviour ! to thy cross I bring my sacrifice ; Tinged with thy blood, it shall ascend With fragrance to the skies. ' ' My life I would anew Devote, O Lord ! to thee ; And in thy presence I would spend A long eternity." THOMAS SCOTT. 1776. The Rev. Thomas Scott was the son of Rev. Thomas Scott, a Dissenting clergyman of Norwich, England, and the nephew of " the learned, ingenious, and accurate " Rev. Daniel Scott, a Baptist divine, educated at Utrecht, Hol- land, and settled at Colchester, England. The father and the uncle were both Arians. The father died in 1740, and the uncle in 1759. Doddridge held them in high esteem. Thomas was born at Norwich, and was carefully trained by his father for his own profession. Having obtained the usual authority to preach, he took charge of a board- ing-school at Wartmell, Norfolk shire, and preached, once a month, at Harleston, in the vicinity. His first settlement, as a pastor, was at Lowestoft, Suffolkshire (1733-1737). 636 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. He then became tlie colleague (1737) of the Kev. Mr. Bax- ter, of Ipswich, by whose death (1740) the full pastoral charge devolved on him. He continued in this position twenty-one years as sole pastor, and thirteen more (1761- 1774) with a colleague. About two years before his death, which occurred in 1776, he retired from his pastorate. Like his father, Mr. Scott was an Arian, and a diligent student. His first- publication was an excellent poem, enti- tled,— "A Father's Instructions to his Son " (1748). His next was also a poem, of sound practical morality, called, — " The Table of Cebes ; or The Picture of Human Life ; in English Verse, with Notes" (1754). A learned and valuable quarto work appeared from his hand in 1771,—" The Book of Job, in English Verse ; Translated from the Original Hebrew ; with Kemarks, Historical, Critical, and Explanatory." An octavo edition was issued in 1773. His "Lyric Poems and Hymns, Devotional and Moral," came forth the same year. He contributed (1772) twelve hymns to the Warring- ton Collection, compiled by the Rev. Dr. William Enfield. The following lines are from the 104th of his "Lyric Poems": " Eternal Gospel ! my unerring guide, The worldling's hatred and the scorn of pride, No visionary's dream, nor fabling wile. Frenzy's illusion, or imposture's guile, — Mean were thy heralds, hut their mission sure, The doctrines humbling, and the moral pure, Benevolence sublime ; stupendous scheme, God to exalt, and a lost world redeem. In vain the mighty stormed, the learned strove, The truth is strong, it issued from above ; Scoffs, chains, and death in all the shapes of fear, Menaced in vain ; resistless its career ; By wonder-working powers, and native charms, Its sole enticement, and its only arms. From land to land its rapid conquests spread, And joy and beauty on the nations shed. Oh ! when shall this divine religion run In its full glory with the circlmg sun ? Come, long-foretold, long- wished, triumphing day I Fly, intervening ages ! fly away." WALTER SCOTT. 537 WALTER SCOTT. 1771-1832. Walter Scott was a lineal descendant of the Walter Scott whom tradition has celebrated as " Anld Walt," of Harden, whose name he himself has " made to ring in many a ditty," and of " The Flower of Yarrow," his fair dame. His great-grandfather, who was also a Walter, was known throughout Teviotdale, as "Beardie." His father, Walter, of Edinburgh, was Writer to the Signet ; and his mother, Anne, herself a poet, was the daughter of Dr. John Ruth- erford, Medical Professor in the University of Edinburgh. He was born, a younger son, in Edinburgh, August 15, 1771. In his second year, he was afflicted with a lameness from which he never entirely recovered. He was thus unfitted for the turmoil of busy outdoor life, and was bred to letters and the law. His precocity was remarkable. Mrs. Cock- burn, a relative of his mother, said of him, when he was but little more than seven years old : " He has the most extraordinary genius of a boy I ever saw. " Having received the rudiments of education at a private academy in the town, he was sent, in 1779, to the High School of Edinburgh, under the tuition of Dr. Adams, where he became better known as a teller of tales than as a scholar. His imagina- tion had been unduly cultivated from his infancy, and he delighted in tales, and ballads, and romances, of the most exciting character. He " left the High School, therefore," to use his own words, " with a great quantity of general information, — ill-arranged . . . and gilded by a vivid and active imagination. " But for his lameness he would now have given himself to the army, for which he had quite a passion. In Octo- ber, 1783, he entered the University of Edinburgh, and came under the instruction of Prof. Stewart. Three years later, he commenced the study of law under Prof. Dick. But 538 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Percy's "Reliques of Ancient Poetry," of which he had gained possession, on his entrance to the University, had vastly more charms for him than the learned tomes of the law-library. In May, 1786, he was apprenticed to his own father, as a Writer to the Signet. About the same time he was taken with a severe hemorrhage, and reduced to the very gates of death. His recovery was tedious, and during his convalescence of two years, being left to his own will, he devoured, with surprising avidity, the novels and ro- mances of a circulating library to which he had gained access. In April, 1788, he joined a class of six or seven friends in the study of German under Dr. Willich, and thus was introduced to numerous other works of the im- agination. In July, 1792, he was admitted to the bar, and, for some years, he practised law in his native town. A visit of Miss Anna L^etitia Aikin to Edinburgh, in the summer of 1794, was the occasion, as he relates in his " Essay on Imitations of the Ancient Ballad," of maldng him acquainted with Burger's Lenore, a German ballad ; and such was the fas- cination of the work, that he rendered it into English bal- lad verse in a single night. Shortly after, he made a simi- lar translation of Burger's " Der Wilde Jager " (" The Wild Huntsman "). This was in 1795. He was induced to print these first effusions of his muse ; and, in 1796, appeared his first publication, entitled, — ■" The Chace, and William and Helen ; Two Ballads, from the German of Gottfried Augus- tus Burger." As a pecuniary speculation, and as a bid for fame, the venture was an entire failure. It " proved a dead loss, and a great part of the edition was condemned to the service of the trunk-maker. " " The very existence of them was soon forgotten." Such is his own statement. The next year (1797) he became the husband of Miss Charlotte Margaret Carpenter, the orphan daughter of Jean Charpentier, a royalist of Lyons, France. She was a lady of great attractions and excellency. Not discouraged by the fate of his first literary venture, he continued his German studies, and translated several di'amas into English WALTER SCOTT. 539 verse. In 1799, lie publislied "Goetz of Berlicliingen, with the Iron Hand ; a Tragedy, translated from the German." At length he ventured on the production of something original, of which the ballads of " Glenfinlas," " The Eve of St. John," " The Fire King," and " Frederick and Alice," were the first fruits, and were contributed to Lewis' " Tales of Wonder" in 1801. "My efforts," he says, "to present myself before the public as an original writer proved as vain, as those by which I had previously endeavored to distinguish myself as a translator." Almost any other man would now have abandoned the line of authorship, and devoted himself to his professional work. But Scott, who had fully recovered his health and acquired great robustness of body, was not to be put back. In 1800, he obtained the preferment of Sheriff of Selkirk- shire, yielding him £300 a year, and removed to Ashestiel, on the banks of the Tweed. His father had died, and left him a small patrimony, so that, with the addition of his wife's annuity, he was provided with a comfortable income. His leisure was now given to the production of the " Min- strelsy of the Scottish Border," in two volumes (published in 1802), which was received with favor, and gave him con- siderable fame. A thu-d volume appeared in 1803, followed, in 1805, by "The Lay of the Last Minstrel," his first great success. He was now ranked among the first poets of the age, and his position as a writer of extraordinary ability secured. On the retirement of Mr. Home (1806) from the ofiice of a principal clerkship in the Court of Sessions, Scott was appointed his sviccessor, with a salary of £800, which was increased, at Mr. Home's death, to £1,300 a year. He was thus relieved from the necessity of practising law, and gave himself up mostly to literary pursuits. " Marmion," pub- lished in 1808, brought him £1,000. "The Lady of the Lake" was given to the public in June, 1810. Both of these poems brought him the most flattering commenda- tions. They were received with universal ai)plause. " The Vision of Don Roderick " followed, June, 1811. 540 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. He now removed some six or seven miles down tlie Tweed, iind established himself on a farm of a liiindi^ed acres, to which he gave the name of " Abbotsf ord. " Here, in the closing months of 1812, he wrote "Rokeby" (published, January, 1813). Byron had just electrified the literary world with the first part of his "Childe Harold," and " Rokeby " came short of its predecessor, though well re- ceived. "The Lord of the Isles" (January, 1815), "The Bridal of Triermain," "The Field of Waterloo" (1815), and " Harold, the Dauntless " (December, 1816), completed his principal poetic productions. Scott had, in 1805, written a few chapters of " Waver- ley," and laid them aside. In 1814 he resumed the work and published it anonymously, in July of that year. This was the beginning of that popular series of twenty-seven works, called "The Waverley Novels," numbering about seventy volumes, which occupied him mainly during the lemainder of his life, and by which he acquired both fame and wealth. In 1820, a baronetcy was conferred on him by George lY., and he took his place among the landed aris- tocracy of the Border. By constant accretions, Abbotsf ord became a vast domain — the humble cottage growing into a baronial manor, in which he delighted to exercise a lordly hospitality. By the failure of his publishers, A. Constable & Co. and Ballantyne & Co., of Edinburgh, in January, 1826, Sir Wal- ter became a bankrupt, his losses amounting to £150,000. He had been a secret partner with the Ballantynes for many years. Giving uj) his town house and everything but Ab- botsford to his creditors, by a series of herculean labors he produced volume after volume, including " The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte," in rapid succession, and was suc- ceeding nobly in reducing the amount of his indebtedness, when he was obliged, by physical exhaustion, to abandon the pursuit, and cease from intellectual toil. Leaving home in September, 1831, he visited the south of Europe, but too late to arrest the progress of disease. In July, 1832, he reached Abbotsford, and sunk daily more and more, until his death. WALTER SCOTT. 541 September 21, 1832. Lady Scott survived his bankruptcy but a few months, dying, May 15, 1826. He had paid £100,000 of his debts, and the remainder was, not long after, cancelled by the proceeds of his copyrights in the " Waverley Novels." He left two sons and two daughters, the elder of tha latter, Sophia, married to J. G. Lockhart, his biographer. They all died childless, with the exception of Mrs. Lockliart. Her two sons died young, and her only daughter was married in 1847 to James Robert Hope, who, by virtue of an Act of Parliament, assumed the name of Scott. Their daughter, Mary Morrice Hope Scott, born in 1852, now owns " Abbotsford," and is the sole surviving descendant of Sir Walter Scott, — his great-granddaughter. It must ever be a matter of regret that one who was so gifted as a poet, and wi^ote so much exquisite verse, should have written so little in the line of sacred lyrics. Besides the version of a brief portion of Celano's " Dies Irse " (found in " The Lay of the Last Minstrel "), and the hymn here subjoined, it is not kno^vn that he has contributed anj^hing to the stores of hymnology : " When Israel, of the Lord beloved. Out of the land of bondage came ; Her father's God before her moved, An awful guide in smoke and flame : By day, along th' astonished lands, The cloudy pOlar glided slow ; By night, Arabia's crimsoned sands Returned the fiery column's glow. " There I'ose the choral hymn of praise, And trump and timbrel answered keen ; And Zion's daughters poured their lays, With priest's and warrior's voice between: No portents now our foes amaze, Foreaken Israel wanders lone ; Our fathers would not know thy ways, And thou hast left them to their own. " But present still, though now unseen, When brightly shines the prosperous day ; 542 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Be thouglits of tliee a cloudy screen To temper the deceitful ray : And, Oh ! when stoops on Judah's path, In shade and storm, tlie frequent night, Be thou long-suffermg, slow to wrath, A burning and a shining light. *' Our harps we left by Babel's streams. The tyrant's pest, the Gentile's scorn ; 3 No censer round our altar beams. And mute are timbrel, trump and horn: But thou hast said, — ' The blood of goat, The flesh of rams, I will not prize ; A contrite heart, a humble thought, Are mine accepted sacrifice.' " EGBERT SEAGRAVE. 1693 The Rev. Robert Seagrave was the son of the Rev. Robert Seagrave, who was the Vicar (1687-1720) of Twy- ford, Leicestershire, England. He was born at the vicar- age, November 22, 1693, and educated by his father for the ministry. He entered Clare Hall, Cambridge, November 8^ 1710, and graduated, A.B., 1714, and A.M., 1718. He took orders in 1715, but the particulars of his early ministry are not known. Being thoroughly orthodox, he was greatly tried with the laxity of morals among the clergy. In 1731, he issued, anonymously, "A Remonstrance addressed to the Clergy, showing where the Charm of Deism (without returning to the Old Divinity) will necessarily terminate. By a Friend of the Clergy." It is a pamphlet of seventy- eight pages, and defends supernaturalism against the ra- tionalism of the period. This was probably his first publi- cation. In 1736, he issued " A Letter to the People of England, occasioned by the Falling Away of the Clergy from the EGBERT SEAGRAVE. 543 Doctrines of the Reformation. By Paulinns." A Sermon, on Gal. iii. 24, folloAvecl (1737), in defence of his " Letter," and bearing the title,—" A Draught of the Justification of Man, different from the present Language of our Pulpits. By Robert Seagrave, A.M., Author of the Letter to the People of England." He pursued the subject (1737) in "Six Sermons upon the Manner of Salvation, being the Substance of Christianity, as preached at the Time of the Reformation." The next year (1738), he published "Ob- servations upon the Conduct of the Clergy in Relation to the Thirty-Nine Articles. Wherein is showed, That the Church of England, properly so called, is not now existing. With an Essay towards a real Protestant Establishment," pp. 67. He had now withdrawn from the Established Church. In 1739, he became Evening Lecturer at Lorimer's [Leather- Cutter's, or Saddler's] Hall, Crip]Dlegate, near Moorfields. He lectured here, also, weeldy, on Tuesday and Thurs- day evenings. The same year, he published "An An- swer to The Reverend Dr. Trapp's four Sermons against Mr. Whitefield. Shewing The Sin and Folly of being An- gry overmuch. With a View to explain the Present Con- troversy, and Point out the True Ground of his being dis- agreeable to the Clergy." To this succeeded, also in 1739, " Remarks upon the Bishop of London's Pastoral Letter, in Vindication of Mr. Whitefield and his particular Doc- trines." The following year (1740), he came again, anon- ymously, to the defence of the Great Revivalist, in " The Case, between Mr. Whitefield and Dr. Stebbing, stated: wherein The Necessity, Nature, Manner, and Effects of Regeneration Are very Largely considered, and the Whole Scripture Doctrine of the New Birth Explained and De- fended." Mr. Whitefield was, at this time, in Savannah, whence he wrote, June 26, 1740, to Mr. Seagrave : "And is one of the priests also obedient to the word ? Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath translated you from darkness to light, — from the power of Satan to the 544 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. service of the ever-living God. . , . O dear Sir, rejoice and be exceeding glad ; and let the love of Jesus constrain you to go out into the highways and hedges to compel poor sinners to come in. . . . Go on, dear Sir, go on, and follow your glorious Master, without the camp, bearing his sacred reproach. . . . O dear Sir ! though I know you not, yet my heart is enlarged towards you," etc. On his return to Eng- land, in March, 1741, he made the acquaintance of Mr. Sea- grave, and gladly welcomed him among his co-laborers. The erection of the Tabernacle, Moorfields, soon followed, and Seagrave became one of its regular preachers. In 1742, he published " Hymns for Christian Worship, partly Composed and partly Collected from Various Au- thors": 50 hymns, pp. 82. A 2d edition appeared the same year; a 3d, in 1744, and a 4th, in 1748, each of them enlarged. The hymns are of a high order. The next year (1743), he published " Christianity : how far it is, and is not, founded on Argument." It was about this time, that his ministry was blessed to John Griffith (1714-1798), who, in 1749, joined the Tabernacle Society, and, in 1754, became the pastor of the Red Cross Street Congregation, London. His next issue from the press was " The True Protestant : a Dis- sertation, showing the Necessity of asserting the Princi- ples of Liberty in their full Extent." In 1753, he was the preacher at the Bull-and-Mouth [Boulogne-Mouth] Street Chapel. In 1755, he came again before the public, in his latest publication, entitled, — " The Principle of Liberty ; or The Right of Mankind to judge for themselves in Mat- ters of Faith without positive or compulsive Determina- tion." No further trace of Mr. Seagrave has been found. He had closed his engagement at Lorimer's Hall, and probably died shortly after the year 1755. His writings and labors show him to have been a clear-headed, orthodox, able, and godly minister of Jesus Christ. An accurate Reprint of his (50) Hymns, with a Biographical Sketch, was included (1860) by Mr. Daniel Sedgwick in his " Library of Spiritual Songs." ROBERT SEAGRAVE. 545 His hymns are mostly in advance of the times in which he lived — quite superior to much of the material of which the Compilations of that day were framed. " The Pilgrim's Song," beginning " Rise, my soul ! and stretch thy wings," is one of the most useful and popular hymns in current use. The following five stanzas, from a hymn of nine stanzas, to be sung " At the Opening of Worship," constitute the fu^st hymn in Mr. Whitefield's Collection. They are the 1st, 2d, 6th, 7th, and 9 th of the original : " Now may the Spirit's holy fire Descending from above, His waiting family inspire With joy, and peace, and love. * ' Thee we the Comforter confess ; Shouldst thou he absent here. Our songs of praise are vain address, We utter heartless prayer. " Wake, heavenly Wind! arise and come, Blow on the drooping field ; The plants and flowers shall breathe perfume, By thee theii* incense yield. " Touch, with a living coal, the lip, That shall proclaim thy word. And bid each awful hearer keep Attention to the Lord. *' Hasten the restitution-day. Which now corruption shrouds. New heavens and new earth display, With Jesus in the Clouds." 35 546 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS. 1810-1876. Mr. Sears was the son of Joseph Sears, of Sandislield, Berkshire County, Mass., where he was born, April 6, 1810. He was educated at Union College, graduating in 1834. He studied for the ministry at the Theological School, Cambridge, Mass. (1834-1837). In 1838, he became the pastor of the Fii^st Congregational Church (Unitarian) of Wayland, Mass. ; and, in 1840, removed to Lancaster, Mass. In 1847, the loss of his health compelled him to return to his former charge in Wayland. In 1865, he removed to Weston (near Concord), and took charge of the Unitarian Church of that town. Dr. Sears became known as an author in 1854, when his treatise on " Regeneration," written at the request of the Executive Committee of the American Unitarian Associa- tion, was published. His " Pictures of the Olden Time, as shown in the Fortunes of a Family of the Pilgrims," ap- peared in 1857, and his " Athanasia ; or Foregleams of Im- mortality," in 1858. The following year, he became asso- ciated with the Rev. Rufus Ellis, in the editorial charge of The Monthly Religious Magazine, published at Boston, for which, during the next twelve years (1859-1871), he wrote numerous articles, both in poetry and prose. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him, in 1871, by Union College. The next year (1872), he published " The Fourth Gospel the Heart of Christ "; and, in 1875, a volume of " Sermons and Songs." He died in 1876. His Christmas Hymn, beginning " Calm on the listening ear of night," has been pronounced by Oliver Wendell Holmes " one of the finest and most beautiful hymns ever written." The original contains five double stanzas. AARON CROSSLEY HOBART SEYMOUR. 647 and character is liis second Christmas Hymn, beginning with " It came upon the midnight clear." The following sweet hymn, on " Feed my Lambs," was con- tributed (1864) to "Hynms of the Spirit": " Ho ! ye that rest beneath the rock, On pastures gently growing, Or roam at will, a favored flock, By waters gently flowing ! Hear ye, upon the desert air, A voice of woe come crying. Where, cold upon the barren moor, God's little lambs are dying. " See the great Shepherd bend and call From fields of light and glory, — * Go, feed my lambs, and bring them all From moor and mountain hoary ! ' Ye favored flock ! the call obey. And, from the desert dreary. Lead those who faint along the way, Or wander, lost and weary." AARON CROSSLEY HOBART SEYMOUR. 1789 . Mr. Seymour is chiefly known as the compiler and edi- tor of " The Lite and Times of Selina, Countess of Hunting- don," a work of great labor and research, which, after thirty years of careful preparation, was published (1839) in two volumes, at London. His father, the Rev. John Crossley Seymour, Vicar of Cahirelly, Diocese of Casliel, Ireland, was a lineal descendant of Sir Henry Seymour, tlie brother of Jane Seymour, third wife of Henry YIII. His mother was the eldest daughter of the Rev. Edward Wight, Rec- 548 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tor of Meelick, Limerick, Ireland. His younger brother, the Kev. Michael Hobart Seymour, is the well-known au- thor of " Mornings among the Jesuits at Rome," " Evenings with the Romanists," and several similar works. Mr. Seymour was born in the county of Limerick, Ire- land, December 19, 1789, and was liberally educated, with religious inclinations from his early youth. At the age of twenty, he was seriously disabled by a hemorrhage of the lungs, that for a considerable time prevented all physical exertion. His leisure was devoted to the composition of " Vital Christianity, exhibited in a Series of Letters on the most Important Subjects of Religion, addressed to Young Persons," published in 1810. It contained several hymns, and other poems. The next year (1811) he published " Me- moirs of the Rev. George Whitefield," based on Dr. Gil- lies' Life of Whitefield, with numerous additional sketches. In 1816, he published " Memoirs of Miss Charlotte Brooke," prefixed to her "Reliques of Ancient Irish Poetry." He entered upon the work of compiling " The Life and Times of Selina, the Countess of Huntingdon," at the sug- gestion of the late Rev. Dr. Haweis, and with the sanction of the Countess of Moira, the only surviving daughter of Lady Huntingdon. A vast amount of information is brought together, from all accessible sources, illustrative of the " Life and Times " of the Countess. But as a " Life " of the Countess, the work is far from satisfactory. The reader is confused and perplexed in pursuing his way through the numerous retrogressions and digressions of the " Times," and finds it difiicult to determine his bear- ings. The deficiency in well-defined dates is most notice- able. The book is a great storehouse of ill-arranged facts, awaiting the hand of a skillful compiler. Some of his state- ments have been criticised for inaccuracy. Mr. SejTnour was, for many years, a constant contributor to The Evangelical Magazine, The Congregational Maga- zine, The Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, The Christian Guardian, The Youth'' s Magazine, Bentley^s Miscellany, and some other publications. MARY STANLEY BUNCE SHINDLER. 549 He also took a great interest in hymnology, especially in connection with the psalmody of Lady Huntingdon's Chapels. In early life, he wrote frequently in verse. The hymn beginning " Jesus, immortal King! arise," is from his " Vital Christianity " (1810). The hymn begin- ning with "Awake, all-conquering Arm. ! awake," ascribed to him by Miller and others, was written by Dod- dridge, and is a part of the 121st of his hymns, as pub- lished by Orton, in 1755. It is an interesting fact, that in early life, with the help of a brother and one other Christian friend, he established a prayer-meeting among the students of the University of Dublin, to the number of forty, nearly all of whom be- came useful ministers of the Established Church. For many years, from 1850, Mr. Seymour lived in Naples for the benefit of his impaired health ; then he removed to England, and resided in Bristol. MARY STANLEY BUNCE SHINDLER. 1810 . Mrs. Shustdler is better known as Mrs. Dana. She is the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin Morgan Palmer, D.D., and Mary Stanley Bunce. At the time of her birth, Feb- ruary 15, 1810, her father was the Pastor of the Congrega- tional Church at Beaufort, S. C. Four years afterwards (1814), he removed to Charleston, S. C, and became the Pastor of the Circular Church of that city. She was educated, in the best manner, at the school of the Misses Ramsay, Charleston, and at distinguished schools in Wethersfield, Conn., Elizabethtown, N. J., and New 550 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Haven, Conn. She was married, December 19, 1835, to Mr. Charles E. Dana, of New York. Her husband was taken from her by death, in 1839, at their western home, whither they had removed the year previous. The story of her sorrows she has touchingly portrayed in the Introduction to her "Southern Harp": " There was a time when all to me was light; No shadows stole across my pathway bright. I had a darling sister, — but she died ! For many years we wandered side by side, And oft these very songs she sung with me ; No wonder, then, if they should plaintive be ! I had an only brother, — and he died — Away from home, and from his lovely bride ; And, not long after, those I loved too well, Pale — cold — and still — in death's embraces fell ; In two short days on me no more they smiled, My noble husband, and my only child ! " Returning to the home of her youth, she devoted herself to literature. She wi'ote for T7ie Rosebud^ a periodical conducted by her friend, Mrs. Caroline Gilman. In 1841, she published " The Southern Harp ; consisting of Original Sacred and Moral Songs, adapted to the Most Popular Melodies, for the Piano-Forte and Guitar"; and, at the close of the same year, " The Northern Harp," etc. The two volumes obtained a very large patronage. These were fol- lowed (1842) by the " Parted Family and other Poems ; An Offering to the Afflicted, and a Tribute of Love to Departed Friends"; and "The Temperance Lyre." " Charles Morton ; or The Young Patriot," came from the press in 1843, fol- lowed, in 1845, by " The Young Sailor," and " Forecastle Tom." In the meantime, Mrs. Dana had become a Unitarian, greatly to the grief of her parents and friends. In 1845, she, therefore, issued a volume of " Letters Addressed to Relatives and Friends, chiefly in Reply to Arguments in Support of the Doctrine of the Trinity." In October, 1847, she began to publish, in The Union Magazine^ a series MARY STANLEY BUNCE SHINDLER. 551 of entertaining "Southern Sketches." Shortly after, she returned to the faith of her parents, and, in May, 1848, was married to the Rev. Robert D. Shindler, an Episcopal clergyman, then officiating in St. Matthew's Parish, S. C. In 1851, Mr. Shindler became a Professor in Shelby Col- lege, Ky. Several years later, he was settled (ab. 1860) at Ripley, Tenn. ; then they removed to San Augustine, Texas, and afterwards Mr. Shindler became the Rector of Christ Church, Nacagdoches, Texas. Since her second marriage, she appears to have withdrawn very much from public notice. The following beautiful song is from her '-Southern Harp": " Blessed Sabbath! bow I love thee, Sacred pledge of coming rest ! Sweetest solace, may I prove thee, For a heart with woes oppressed ! Surging billows, rolling o'er me, Seek to whelm my trembling soul ; But thy tokens pass before me, And the waters backward roll. ** Pealing anthems, loud resounding, Seem like blissful songs above ; In thy temple, joys aboimding Bathe my soul in seas of love : Prayerful odors, upward stealing From the altars of the heart, Heavenly glories there revealing, Call my spirit to depart. " Faith's bright visions thus unfolding, Here would I my sorrows bring, Till my raptured soul, beholding. Soars aloft on steady wing : Then, forgetting all my sadness, Gloom and doubt will pass away ; Drooping sorrow change to gladness, Cheerless night to glorious day." 5^2 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. SELINA SHIRLEY, COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON. 1707-1791. A conspicuous place in the Annals of the Church is tc be accorded to the Lady Selina Shirley, the Countess of Huntingdon. A sincere and devout Christian, moving, in every period of her life, among the highest classes of Brit- ish society, with all the comforts and luxuries that large wealth and lofty station could command, her greatest glory was in the Cross of Christ, and her greatest delight was to extend the kingdom of the Redeemer. Few women, in any age, have accomplished as much for the Gosi^el of Christ. She was the second of the three daughters of Washing- ton Shirley, the second Earl of Ferrers, and Mary, the daughter of Sir Richard Levinge, Bart. She was born, August 24, 1707, at her father's seat, Staunton Harold, Leicestershire, four miles to the northeast from Ashby-de- la-Zouch, the domain of the Earl of Huntingdon, as Mar- quis of Hastings, and ten or twelve miles south from Don- nington Castle, the Earl's residence. Her youth was marked by great sobriety and thoughtfulness. In her twenty- first year, June 3, 1728, she became the wife of Theophi- lus Hastings, the ninth Earl of Huntingdon. Seven chil- dren were born to them within the next ten years. The care of her young family occupied nearly the whole of her time during this period ; and the exercise of a generous hospitality and abounding charitj^, at Donnington Park, secured for her the reputation of a "Lady Bountiful." In the winter of 1738-39, while at their London home, Downing Street, Westminster, the sisters of the Earl, Lady Betty, and Lady Margaret, Hastings, were attracted to the meetings of the Messrs. Wesley, Whitefield, and Ingham, at Neville's Court Chapel, Fetter Lane. Lady Margaret was the first to experience the power of renewing and divine grace. In conversation with the Countess, she said, " that since she had known and believed in the Lord Jesus SELINA SHIRLEY, COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON. 553 Christ for life and salvation, she had been as happy as an angel." It made a deep impression on the Countess ; and, during a severe and alarming illness, soon after, she, also, was led to accept the Gospel message. She now gave her- self wholly to the service of God, and entered heartily into the work of evangelization. With her husband, who was in entire sjTnpathy with her, she attended the meetings of the Methodists, and invited the preachers to her hospitable mansion. The Earl died of apoplexy, October 13, 1746, and she was left with the command of a large fortune. Two years later, she took a house in Park Street, Grosvenor Square, ap- pointed Whitefield (just returned from America) her chap- lain, and opened her spacious parlors for the preaching of the Gospel ; and there, at her special invitations, many of the nobility listened to the word from the lips of White- field, Romaine, and other evangelical preachers. But her work was not confined to her parlors. She sought the most zealous and godly ministers of the Church of England, brought them to London, and employed them as her chaplains and preachers. When the Tabernacle was rebuilt, she attached herself to the congregation, besides contributing freely t(t its erection ; as aftenvards to Tot- tenham Court Road Chapel, She assisted her preachers in the work of itinerating and organizing societies all over the kingdom. She encouraged the young converts to speak for their Lord, and the most promising to enter the ministry. She built chapels, at Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, Bath, Bristol, Birmingham, and other places, more than three- score in all, and ajDpointed supplies for the pulpits. An ecclesiastical body grew up under her fostering hand, which took the name of " Lady Huntingdon's Connection." Though, like the Wesleys, she never left " The Church," she became the head of a large body of churches and min- isters, outside of the Establishment, holding Annual Con- ferences, stationing preachers, training students at her Col- lege in Trevecca, Wales (opened in 1768), building chapels, and providing, among her friends, and the friends of the 554 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Gospel, the means of maintaining all these enterprises. Not unfrequently, she accompanied her preachers on their evangelistic excursions, and encouraged the feeble societies by her sympathizing presence. As long as he lived, George Whitefield was her counselor, and chief preacher. She and her " Connection " were Calvinists of the type of Hervey, Berridge, and Romaine. Her most useful life was greatly prolonged. In her eighty-fourth year, November, 1790, she ruptured a blood- vessel, which brought on a gradual decline, during which she exhibited the utmost resignation and. confidence. As the hour of her departure drew on, she said: "My work is done ; I have nothing to do, but to go to my Father." She finished her work, and entered into rest, June 17, 1791, — dying at her house, adjacent to her chapel, in Spa Fields. Her remains were deposited in the family vault, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch. In 1764, she published a Collection of 179 Hymns, for the use of her chapels. The book was enlarged in succes- sive editions. The work underwent, in 1774, a thorough revision by her cousin, the Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley, and was published with the title, — " A Select Collection of Hymns, to be universally sung in all the Countess of Hunt- ingdon's Chapels. Collected by her Ladyship. 'What meanest thou, O sleeper! Arise, call upon thy God.' Jonah, ch. i., ver. 6." It contained 297 Hymns. The hymn, on the Last Judgment, beginning " We soon shall hear the midnight cry," is attributed to her pen, and appeared in the fourth edition (1772). In most Collections, the second part, beginning with " When thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come," is alone given. It is not known that she wrote any other, although she has been credited with several ;— if any, they can not now be identified. WALTER SHIELEY. 555 WALTER SHIRLEY. 1725-1786. Mr. Shirley belonged to the noble house of Ferrers. He was the fourth son of the Hon. Laurence Shirley, who was himself the fourth son of Robert Shirley, the first Earl Ferrers, and brother of the second and third Earls, Wal- ter, the son, was the brother of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Earls, and the first cousin of the Countess of Huntingdon, whose father was the second Earl. His mother, Anne, was the daughter of Sir Walter Clarges, Bart, (for whom he was named), of Aston, Hertfordshire, and granddaughter of Philip, the fourth Earl of Pembroke and first Earl of Montgomery. Her son, Walter, was born in 1725, and re- ceived a liberal education. At the house of Lady Hunting- don, he was made acquainted with the Rev. Henry Venn, then of Clapham, near London. The conversation and preaching of Mr. Venn, then a youth of great promise, re- sulted in Mr. Shirley's conversion. Having obtained orders in the Church of England, he was employed awhile in supplying pulpits, and preaching, as opportunity offered, at London. He was presented, in 1768, to the Rectory of Loughrea, County Galway, Ireland, in the diocese of Tuam, a living in the gift of the Earl of Clanricarde, who was of the Shirley lineage. Here, and often at Dublin, as well as in his frequent and protracted visits in England, he faithfully preached the Gospel, amid obloquy, and fierce opposition from the clergy and others. Though called to an account for his "exceptionable doc- trines," by his superiors, he boldly declared his determina- tion to preach the doctrines of the Articles and Homilies, "in defiance of the whole world." In the early part of 1760, he was deeply afflicted by the conduct of his eldest brother Laurence, Earl Ferrers. On the 13th of February, the Earl was arrested and sent to 666 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tlie Tower, for the murder of his steward, Mr. Jolmson, at Staunton Harold. He was brought to trial, April 16th, and on the 18th condemned to be hanged and dissected. The execution took place. May 5th, at Tyburn. The unhappy affair created a great commotion at the time, and Mr. Shir- ley was greatly exercised in respect to his brother. It has been conjectured, but is not known, that it was shortly after this event, that he wrote the hymn, of which the sec- ond stanza begins with " Peace, troubled soul ! whose plaintive moan." He was married, August 27, 1766, to Miss Henrietta Ma- ria, the eldest daughter of Mr. John Phillips, of Dublin, Ireland. One son and three daughters were the fruit of this happy union. In the years 1770, 1771, Mr. Shirley was involved in a controversy with the Wesleys, and their preachers. The " Conference," held at London, in August, 1770, had adopted a Declaration in respect to Calvinism, that seriously offended their Calvinistic brethren. In con- sequence, Mr. Shirley issued a Circular letter to the seri- ous clergy and others, urging them to go, in a body, to the Conference to be held at Bristol in 1771, and insist on a formal recantation of the obnoxious Minutes. The recan- tation was, after considerable discussion, secured. This was the occasion of Mr. Fletcher's writing his celebrated "Checks to Antinomianism " (addressed to Mr. Shirley), and of the controversy that followed. In 1774, at the request of Lady Huntingdon, Mr. Shirley prepared a new and revised edition of her Hymn-Book, which, with some additions after her decease, became the standard hymn-book of the Connection. In 1760, he had published a volume of Sermons, dedicated to his parishion- ers at Loughrea, to which Mr. Fletcher made repeated ref- erence in his " Checks." He also published a " Narrative " of the transactions at "the Bristol Conference." Besides his poem on " Liberty," appended to his " Sermons," and another on " The Judgment," he wrote several hymns, of which the following are perhaps the most familiar : WALTER SHIELEY. 557 "Lord ! dismiss us with thy blessing," etc., ' ' Worthy the Lamb of boundless sway, " etc. , and "Flow fast, my tears! the cause is great," etc. It may be proper to credit him, also, with the well-known lyric, beginning "Sweet the moments, rich in blessing," originally written by the Rev. James Allen, but so thor- oughly reconstructed by Mr. Shirley, as to constitute a new and much more perfect hymn. He continued in the faithful discharge of his duties as a Gospel preacher, until he was worn down by disease of a dropsical character. When he could no longer go abroad, he gathered the people around him at home, and, sitting in his chair, proclaimed the message of salvation to the listen- ing and anxious multitude that thronged the place. He died, April 7, 1786, at the house of his brother-in-law, George Kiernan, Dublin, in his sixty-first year. Mr. Shirley's hymns were first published in the revised edition (1774) of Lady Huntingdon's Collection, The fol- lowing was written to be sung " before Sermon " : " Source of light and power divine! Deign upon thy truth to shine ; Lord! behold thy servant stands, — Lo ! to thee he lifts his hands ; Satisfy his soul's desu-e, Touch his Ups with holy fire. " Softly fall the healing sound, Like the dew-drop ou the ground ; Dix)oping plants shall soon revive, Faith in bud begm to live. And enlarged shall soon disclose Beauties of the full-blown rose, " In thy pure and holy way, Heights and gi-eater heights display; So that while our race we run. We may thiak it but begun ; 558 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Nor the past contemplate more, Urgent still on what's before. " Ope thy treasures; so shall fall Unction sweet on him, on all ; Till, by odors scattered round, Christ himself be traced and found; Then shall every raptured heart Rich Ln peace and joy, depart." WILLIAM SHRUBSOLE. 1759-1829. Mr. Shrubs OLE was born at Sheerness, Kent, England, November 21, 1759. His father, William Shrubsole, born (1729) at the maritime town of Sandwich, Kent, was a la- borious shipwright of Sheerness. At the time of his son's birth, he was employed as an humble laborer in the Dock- yard, during the week, and as a lay-reader, on the Sabbath, for a feeble body of Dissenters gathered mainly from the poorer classes of the neighborhood. Subsequently he be- came a recognized preacher, though still continuing to la- bor at his trade to the end of life (1797). At a suitable age, the son, also, became a shipwright, and labored in the Dockyard at Sheerness. Subsequently, he obtained a clerkship, under one of the superior officers, and so conducted himself as to be generally esteemed. At the age of twenty-six, he went up to London, and was appointed a clerk in the Accountant's department of the Bank of England,^ — boarding with the Rev. Richard Wood- gate, the jjastor of the Jewin Street Chapel, who was a friend of his father, having served with him in Chatham Dock- yard as a shiiowright, while holding the pastorate of a Dis- senting congregation. His religious impressions were thus deepened, and at length resulted in a thorough conversion. He connected himself with the church at Easter, 1787. On WILLIAM SHRUBSOLE. 559 tlie death of Mr. Woodgate, in June of tlie same year, lie removed to Walworth, where he continued until his mar- riage to a Miss Morris, of the Tabernacle, in 1791. His wife died in 1810 ; and, in 1812, he took apartments in the Bank of England, which he occupied until his death. His position at the Bank was, from time to time, made more re- sponsible and honorable, as well as lucrative, resulting in his appointment, at length, as Secretary to the Committee of the Treasury. At the formation of the London Missionary Society, he became one of its ardent friends, and, soon after, one of its Directors and honorary Secretaries. He took a prominent part in the Bible Societj^, the Religious Tract Society, the Hibernian Society, the London Female Penitentiary, and other similar institutions. He rendered great service to Hoxton Academy (since Highbury College), and sought in every w^ay to promote the cause of religion. He was w^ell- read in matters pertaining to the history and doctrines of the Church, and wielded, also, a ready and skillful pen. He made several contributions, prose and verse, to the Catalogue of " The Religious Tract Society," and the col- umns of The YoiiWs Magazine. He was universally re- spected and esteemed, in business and religious circles. He was generally regarded as a model man of business ; distinguished for great accuracy and reliability; of ster- ling integrity; and mthal kind, affable, and exemplary as a true Christian gentleman. He died, August 23, 1829, at Highbury, London, of apoplexy, having nearly completed the seventieth year of his age. In addition to several excellent hymns still in current use, he wrote, in verse, a " Christmas Carol," and an " Elegy on the Death of Lord Nelson." The hymn beginning "When, streaming fi*om tlie Eastern skies," was contributed to the August Number of the Christian Observer for 1813. It is signed, "Probus," and entitled, "Daily Duties, Dependence and Enjoyment." His hymn, "Zion! awake, thy strength renew," etc., 560 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. was contributed, with the signature, W. S., to the July aSTumber of the Ei^angelical Magazine for 1796. The hymn beginning with "Arm of the Lord! awake, awake," was induded in a small volume of " Missionary Hymns," published in 1795. They are all reproduced in Dr. Morri- son's " Missionary Fathers " (1844), where they are attribu- ted to Mr. Shrubsole. The following stanzas are from a hymn of six stanzas, entitled, — " Looking unto Jesus": ' ' In all the paths my feet piirsue, While travelling to my heavenly rest, My wearied powers their strength renew, My spirit feels divinely blessed, When, Saviour ! to thy cross I flee. And my whole soul commit to thee. " When with a weight of care I bend, Oppressed beneath the heavy load, And troubles every step attend, In life's perplexed and rugged road, Then, my Saviour ! be thou near, My cares to take, my heart to cheer. " Soon what will all the world avail. Its hopes and fears, its joys and strife ? Soon even flesh and heart must fail, And leave me on the verge of life ; Then, Saviour ! thou my portion be, In death and in eternity." LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY. 1791-1865. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney was the only child of Ezekiel Huntley, of Norwich, Conn., where she was born, Sep- tember 1, 1791. Her father, who was a firm and patriotic LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOURNEY. 561 defender of Ms country during tlie War of tlie Revolution, had charge of the estate of Madam Lathrop (a physician's widow and a governor's daughter), and resided in her spa- cious mansion, where his iUustrious daughter was born. The wild and picturesque scenery in the midst of which her youth was passed, and from which she gathered so much poetic inspiration, she thus describes : ' ' Sweetly wild Were the scenes that charmed me when a child :— Rocks — gray rocks, with their caverns dark, Leapmg rills, like the diamond sx^ai-k. Torrent voices, thundering hj, When the pride of the vernal floods swelled high, And quiet roofs, like the hanging nest, Mid cliffs, by the feathery foliage dressed." She was a precocious child, having learned, at three years of age, to read well, and, at seven, to compose simple verses, rhythmical and religious. She grew to womanhood, in the midst of the most refined society of the period, and with the best educational advantages. In her nineteenth year she opened, and for two years (1810-1812) conducted, at Norwich, a school for young ladies, associating with herself her most intimate friend. Miss Ann Maria Hyde, whose beautiful life she commem- orated, after her early decease, in "The Biography and Writings of Ann Maria Hyde," published in 1816. She removed to Hartford, Conn., in 1814, where she opened a select school for young ladies. She had, for years, accus- tomed herself to composition, both in j)oetry and prose ; and, in 1815, at the solicitation of appreciative friends, she was induced to commit to the press her first volume, enti- tled, " Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse," — favorably noticed In the first Number of the North American Review, May, 1815. It led to the reception of requests, from various periodicals, for contributions from her pen. In the summer of 1819, she was married to Mr. Charles Sigourney, of Huguenot descent, a merchant of Hartford, and a gentle- man of education and literary taste. She now became the 562 THE POETS OP THE CHURCH. mistress of a beautiful rural residence, commanding an ad- mirable view of tlie town and its surroundings — lier happy home for twenty years of a most active life. Without attempting to follow her, in the career of authorship upon which she entered not long after her mar- riage, it will be much more to the purpose to call attention to the following resume of her literary life from the pen of the late Prof. Charles D. Cleveland, of Philadelphia : " The true interests of her own sex and the good of the rising generation stimulated her efforts in such works as ' Letters to Pupils '; ' Letters to Young Ladies '; ' Whisper to a Bride'; and ' Letters to Mothers.' The guidance of the unfolding mind, impressed on her, as it was, night and day, by the assiduous home-culture of her own children, called forth the 'Child's Book'; 'Girl's Book'; 'Boy's Book'; 'How to be Happy'; and a variety of other juve- nile works, which have been deservedly popular. A convic- tion of the importance of TemjDerance suggested ' Water- Drops'; of the blessings of Peace, 'Olive Leaves.' 'Scenes in my Native Land ' portray some of the attractions of the country that she loved ; and ' Pleasant Memories of Pleas- ant Lands ' give us life pictures of a tour [1840] in Europe. Those ' who go down to the sea in ships ' find a companion in her 'Sea and Sailor'; the forgotten red man is remem- bered in 'Pocahontas'; the harp of comfort for mourners is hung upon the ' Weeping Willow'; while the young and blooming may hear her ' Voice of Flowers ' among the lilies of the field. ' Sayings of the Little Ones, and Poems for their Mothers,' express her sympathies for the helpless stranger just entering life ; ' Past Meridian,' for the wearied pilgrim trembling at the gates of the west ; while ' Lucy Howard's Journal ' shows the influence of a right home-ti'aining on the duties and destinies of woman." She wrote not less than fifty-six volumes, besides contrib- uting more than 2,000 articles to nearly 300 different period- cals- With wonderful versatility, and with keen powers of ob- servation, ever alive to the calls of humanity, philanthropy, and religion, she was ready to seize upon passing events LYDIA HUNTLEY SIGOUENEY. 563 and tides of thought, and in easy-flowing verse to give exjDression to her large-hearted sympathy in every good work. The late Samuel G. Goodrich, one of her neighbors and intimate friends, says : "Few persons living have exer- cised a wider influence than Mrs. Sigourney ; no one that I now know can look back upon a long and earnest career of such unblemished beneficence." After a union of nearly forty years, her husband was re- moved by death, December 30, 1854, in his seventy-seventh year. She survived him until June 10, 1865, when she, also, peacefully entered into rest. Mrs. Sigourney wrote but few hymns. She made some contributions to Nettleton's " Village Hymns " (1824), to Leonard Bacon's Supplement to Dwight's Collection (1833), to the Connecticut Collection (1845), and a few others. The following, written not later than 1830, was suggested by the words, — "As thy day, so shall thy strength be": " When adverse winds and waves arise, And in my heart despondence sighs, — When life her throng of care reveals, And weakness o'er my spirit steals, — Grateful I hear the kind decree, That, ' as my day, my strength shall be, " When, with sad footsteps, mem'ry roves Mid smitten joys, and buried loves, — When sleep my tearful pillow flies. And dewy morning di'inks my sighs, — Still to thy promise, Lord ! I flee. That, ' as my day, my strength shall be,' " One trial more must yet be passed, — One pang, — the keenest and the last; And when, with brow convulsed and pale, My feeble, quivering heart-strings fail, Redeemer ! grant my soul to see That, 'as her day, her strength shall be.' " 564 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. CAROLINE SPRAGUE SMITH. " About the year 1853," says Mrs. Smith, in a letter to the compiler of these sketches, " I heard the Rev. Dr. H. M. Dexter, of Boston, preach a sermon on ' The Adapted- ness of Religion to the Wants of the Aged.' I went home and embodied the thought in the hymn, ' Tarry with me, my Saviour ! ' I sent it to Mr. Hallock, for The Messenger. He returned it as 'not adapted to the readers of the paper.' Years after I sent it, without any signature, to the little Andover paper. . . *". I send it to you in its original form, in a little paper of which my sister, Mrs. Terry [Rochester, N. Y.], is editress." Mrs. Smith resides at Andover, Mass. She is the wife of the Rev. Charles Smith, the pastor of the South Congre- gational Church of Andover. Her maiden name was Caro- line L. Sprague. She was born at Salem, Mass. The hymn in its original form, is subjoined : "THE OLD MAN'S PRAYER." "Suggested by a sermon from Liike xxiv. 29 : 'Abide with us ; for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.' " 1. " Tarry with me, O my Saviour! For the day is passing by ; See, the shades of evening gather, And the night is drawing nigh ; Tarry with me — tarry with me ! Pass me not unheeded by ! 2, " Many friends were gathered round me, In the bright days of the past; But the grave has closed above them, And I linger here the last ! I am lonely : tarry with me Till this dreary night is past. CAROLINE SPRAGUE SMITH. 565 3. " Dimmed for me is earthly beauty ; Yet the spii'it's eye would faLa Rest upon thy lovely features : Shall I seek, dear Lord, in vain ? Tarry with me, O my Saviour ! Let me see thy smile again. 4. " Dull my ear to earth-bom music : Speak thou, Lord ! in words of cheer ; Feeble, tottering my footstep, Sinks my heart with sudden fear: Cast thine arms, dear Lord ! around me, Let me feel thy presence near. 5. * ' Faithful memory paints before me Every deed and thought of sin ; Open thou the blood-filled fountain, Cleanse my guilty soul -within: Tarry, thou forgiving Saviour ! Wash me wholly from my sin. 6. " Deeper, deeper grow the shadows; Paler now the glowing west ; Swift the night of death advances,— Shall it be a night of rest ? Tarry with me, O my Saviour ! Lay my head upon thy breast. 7. " Feeble, trembling, panting, dying, Lord ! I cast myself on thee : Tarry with me through the darkness. While I sleep, still watch by me, Till the morning, — then awake me, Dearest Lord! to dwell with thee." It was abridged for tTie " Plymouth Collection," in 1856, and for the " Sabbath Hymn Book," in 1858. In the form now mostly used, it first appeared in the " Songs of the Church," 1862. 566 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH. 1808 . Me. Smith is everywhere known in his native land, by the hymn, " My country! 'tis of thee," etc., — proba-bly more than any other regarded as the American National Hymn. Prof. Smith was born, October 21, 1808, at Boston, Mass. He graduated, at Harvard University, in 1829. Three years were spent in theological study, at Andover Theological Seminary, terminating in 1832. While at Andover, he wrote several of his popular hjnnns, to which he was urged by Mr. Lowell Mason, then of Boston. He also contributed largely to the " Encyclopaedia Americana," at that time in process of publication. He edited for eighteen months the / Baptist Missionary Magazine. He was ordained, Febru- ^ ary 12, 1834, as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Wa- terville. Me., where he remained for eight years, occupying at the same time the Professorship of Modern Languages in Waterville College [Colby University]. He began the year, 1842, as pastor of the First Baptist Church of New- ton, Mass. In connection with his pastorate, he edited, for seven years, the Christian ReDieio, a Baptist Quarterly published at Boston. In 1854, he resigned liis pastorate, and devoted himself, in connection with the editorship of the publications of the American Baptist Missionary Union, to literary pursuits. His contributions to the Christian Renieio and other pe- riodicals have been many and valuable. His writings are characterized by gracefulness and spirituality, as well as accurate thought. In 1843, he edited, with the Rev. Baron Stow, H.D., a valuable compilation of hymns, called " The Psalmist," which has had a very large circulation among the Baptist churches of America. This was followed by SAMUEL FRANCIS SMITH. 567 the " Social Psalmist," " for Conference Meetings and Fam- ily Worship," 1844. " The Life of Rev. Joseph Grafton " (1845) was from his pen. He edited, also, " Lyric Gems " (1844), and contributed a large part of the songs in the " Juvenile Lyre," edited by Mr. Lowell Mason. Among the hymns that he wi^ote at Andover Seminary is to be numbered the lyric that, as now written, begins with " To-day the Saviour calls." It was suggested by the casual reading of a line in Schil- ler's " Maria Stuart," — " Schwarz hangt der Himmel iiber diesem Land." It was very much abridged and altered by Mr. Hastings, who published the reconstructed form in his " Spiritual Songs. " Dr. Smith, in a communication to the author of this book, says : " ' My country ! 'tis of thee,' was stimulated into being by a collection of German music books, brought to this country by Mr. Woodbridge, and handed to me by Mr. Mason, with the request that I would adapt any of the pieces that struck me favorably to English words. It is not a translation, though in the German the words were patriotic. It was first sung at a children's Fourth of July celebration in Park Street Church, Boston, in 1832 or 1833. ' Auspicious morning ! hail ! ' was written for a similar celebration in Boston, in 1841. * Spirit of peace and holiness,' was written for the installation service of Baron Stow, D.D., as pastor of Baldwin Place Church, Boston, in November, 1832. ' The solemn service now is done,' (in the original ' And now the solemn deed is done ') was 568 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. written for the ordination or installation of some friend,— I have forgotten who it was. ' Planted in Christ, the living vine,' was written for the public services at the organization of a new church in the little town of Boscawen, 'N. H." Prof. Smith was, in 1853, honored with the degree of D.D., by Colby University. The following beautiful effusion on the words, " I am now ready to be offered," is from his pen : "Ready now to spread my pinions, Glad to wing my flight away From the gloom that hovers round me, To the realms of endless day. ' ' Ready to be freed from sorrow, Tears and partings, toil and pain ; Ready for the heavenly mansion; Life is dear, but death is gain. "Ready, with the just made perfect, Clothed in robes of white to be ; Swelling the enraptured chorus, Singing joy and victory. "As the bird, with warbling music, Soars above our feeble sight. Singing still, and still ascending, Melting in the glorious light, — " So the dying saint, departing. Joyful takes his heavenward way ; Life and time and gladness blending Li the light of perfect day." GAEL JOHANN PHILIPP SPITTA. 569 CARL JOHANN PHILIPP SPITTA. 1801-1859. The Rev. Dr. Spitta was born, August 1, 1801, of par- ents in humble life, at Hanover, Germany. His fatlier was of French descent, and died when the son was in his fourth year. The training of the boy devolved thus on the mother, who was a convert from Judaism. Her intention to send him to the University was relinquished, in consequence of an illness at ten years of age, from which he suffered four years. He was then apprenticed to a watch-maker of the town, with whom he continued four years, diligent and circumspect. Even then he addicted himself to the compo- sition of hymns. A younger brother, who was studying for the ministry, was drowned in 1818, and his mother consented to the de- sire of Philipp to take his place. After a preparatory course of six months at home, he entered the highest class of the school, and, in 1821, the University of Gottingen, complet- ing his curriculum in 1824. He accepted a tutorship for four years in a private family at Liine, near Liineburg, where, in the midst of congenial religious society, he wrote many of his sweetest hymns. In 1828, he entered the Lutheran ministry as the assistant pastor of Sudwalde, Hanover. Two years later, he received the appointment of chaplain to the prisoners and garri- son of Hameln, Hanover. In 1833 he published his " " Psal- tery and Harp," containing sixty-six of his hymns. The book sjDeedily became highly popular among all classes, notwithstanding the vast number [250] of hymn-books (con- taining 60,000 hymns) already in circulation among the Gennan people. He married, October 4, 1837, Joanna Mary Magdalene Hotzen, and immediately took charge of the Lutheran Church of Wechold, near Hoya, Hanover, where he labored, happily and successfully, about ten years. In 1843, he published another and the last installment [40] of 570 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. liis hymns, which, also, became quite popular. In 1847, he received the appointment of Ecclesiastical Superintendent at Wittingen, and, while thus officiating, published a number of his sermons. He was next (1853) appointed chief pastor of Peine, in the county of Hildesheim, and, two years after, was honored by his University with the degree of D.D. In July, 1859, he was preferred to the church at Bargdorf, with the charge of a large district, which he had Just begun to visit, when he was struck dowTi with gastric fever, fol- lowed by cramp of the heart, which suddenly terminated his valuable life, September 28, 1859. Of his eight children, one died an infant. With his two daughters he took delight in singing, every evening, his hymns to his own music, with such effect that crowds were wont to gather under his windows to listen. A volume of his "Posthumous Sacred Pieces" was published shortly after his decease. A Translation of his hymns into Eng- lish Verse was published by Eichard Massie, in two Series (the first in 1859), entitled, — "Lyra Domestica : Christian Songs for Domestic Edification, translated from the ' Psal- tery and Harp' of Spitta." ANNE STEELE. 1716-1778. No one of the gentler sex has so largely contributed to the familiar hymnology of the Church, as the modest and retiring, but gifted and godly, Anne Steele. She may well be styled the female "Poet of the Sanctuary." Watts, Doddridge, and Wesley, with a few others of the sterner sex, had sung well and effectively. But a voice, more tender and delicate, giving utterance to the pensive, yearn- ing, and glowing emotions characteristic of the sisterhood of believers, was needed to perfect the harmony of public ANNE STEELE. gTX praise. That voice was trained among tlie hills of Hamp- shire, in a picturesque hamlet, some fifteen miles only to the northwest of Southampton, the birthplace of Isaac Watts. Anne Steele was the eldest daughter of the Eev. William Steele, a gentleman of property by inheritance, and a lum- ber-merchant, who ministered, for sixty years, to the Bap- tist congregation, at Broughton, Hampshire, as their pastor, without salary, — "a man of primitive piety, the strictest integrity and benevolence, and the most amiable simplicity of manners." She was born, in 1716, at Broughton, in the midst of scenery adapted to the cultivation of the poetic taste, where she continued to reside to the end of life. At an early age, she began to cultivate the poetic gift, and wrote, in her youth, a considerable number of hymns. She became a member of her father's church, at the age of fourteen, and, for nearly half a century, continued to adorn her profession, " In all the cares of life and love." Her affections were given, and her hand pledged, in early life, to a young man, named Elscourt. On the day preced- ing the date of their anticipated marriage, he had gone to the neighboring river for the purpose of bathing, and, get- ting beyond his depth, was drowned. Heart-broken at her grievous loss, she cherished his memory through life, and entertained no similar proposals from any other person. She gave her days to works of piety and benevolence, dif- fusing throughout her neighborhood the sweet savor of godliness, and attaching to herself, and more to her Sav- iour, the hearts of the sick, the sorrowing, and the needy. The hours of her sorrow were often relieved by tlie com- position of a hymn, expressive of her own spiritual condi- tion and aspirations. At the earnest and repeated solicita- tion of admiring and grateful friends, she yielded a reluc- tant consent to the publication of her " Poems, on Subjects chiefly Devotional," in two volumes (1760), under the as- sumed name of "Theodosia." Her venerable father, over 572 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. wliom, in liis declining years, slie had long watched with all a loving daughter's interest, tenderness, and anxiety, was taken from her by death, September 10, 1769. She had, in childhood, received an injury, from wiiich she had never fully recovered. In her later years, she was, in con- sequence, a great sufferer. For years, she was confined to her house, and much of the time to the couch of racking pain, all of which she endured with the utmost resignation and the sweetest patience. Her father's decease hastened her own, and she departed this life in November, 1778, at the age of sixty-one. The two volumes of her Poems, and a third prepared for the press by her own hand, with a brief sketch of the au- thor, were republished in 1780, by her admiring friend, the Rev. Caleb Evans, D.D., of Bristol, England. JN'early all her hymns, with much abridgment in some cases, have been appropriated to the service of the sanctuary or the family. One hundred and more of her productions are found in our modern Compilations. The following stanzas are from a hymn on "Christ, the Christian's Life": " Ob ! for the animating fire That tmied harmonious Watts' lyre To sweet seraphic strains ! — Celestial fire, that bore bis mind (Earth's vain amusements left behind) To yonder blissful plains. " There Jesus lives — transporting name! — Jesus inspired the sacred flame, And gave devotion wings ; With heaven-attracted flight she soared, The realms of happiness explored, And smiled, and pitied kings. " Come, sacred flame! and warm my heart, Thy animating power impart Sweet dawn of life divine ! Jesus ! thy love alone can give The power to rise, the power to live; Eternal life is thine. JOSEPH STENNETT. 573 Oh ! come, thou life of every grace ! Reveal, reveal thy lovely face, These gloomy clouds remove, And bid my fainting hope arise To thy fair mansions in the skies, On whigs of faith and love." JOSEPH STENNETT. 1663-1713. In Dr. Watts' "Eemnants of Time employed in Prose and Verse," is included the sublime liymn, beginning with " The mighty frame of glorious grace," of which, in a marginal note, he says : "In this ode, there are three or four lines taken from Mr. Stennett's ' Sacramen- tal Hymns'; for, when I found they expressed my thought and design in proper and beautiful language, I chose rath- er to borrow, and to acknowledge the debt, than to labor hard for worse lines, that I might have the poor pleasure of calling them my own." The lines thus borrowed are found in the 87th of the " Sacramental Hymns," of which the 7th and 11th stanzas are as follows : " He, that distributes crowns and thrones, Hangs on a tree, and bleeds, and groans: He on a cross resigns his breath. Who keeps the keys of hell and death. " Thus sin, death, and the powers of hell. Conquered, disarmed, and wounded fell : He mounted then his throne above, And conquers sinners by his love." Of these eight lines, the first two and the eighth Watts adopted mrhatim; while the third and fourth were adopt- 574 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ed for substance. The book, from wliicli these lines were borrowed, was first issued in 1697, with the title,—" Hymns in Commemoration of the Snfferings of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, composed for the Celebration of his Holy- Supper." AVatts, at this time, had published nothing; and, doubtless, with his great propensity to verse-making, made himself familiar with this humble volume from the very year of its j^ublication. Stennett, therefore, was proba- bly one of Watts' models, as well as his pioneer. Joseph Stennett was a native of Abingdon, on the edge of Berkshire, six miles south of the city of Oxford. His father, Edward, was from a respectable stock in Lincoln- shire ; and his mother, Mary Quelch, was of a reputable family in Oxford. The father, at an early age, entered the Dissenting ministry, and espoused the cause of the Parlia- ment and Commonwealth. At the Restoration, in common with the Nonconformists, he was subjected to many dis- abilities, privations, and persecutions, having, for a time, been imprisoned for conscience' sake. He removed to Wal- lingford, and took up his abode in the Castle, where he ex- ercised his ministry — sux^porting his family by the practice of medicine. He was thus enabled to give his children a liberal education. His three sons, Jehudah, Joseph, and Benjamin — the eldest, a j)hysician, and the other two, min- isters — were all distinguished for their learning ; as was, also, his daughter, Mrs. William Morton, of Knaphill, Buckinghamshire. The father died in 1689. Joseph w^as born in 1663, and spent his youth in Wal- lingford. Under the instruction of his godly parents, he early became pious, and connected himseK with his father's church. He received as good an education as the public school at Wallingford could confer, and then, with a view to the ministry, perfected himself as much as possible in the Hebrew and other oriental, as well as in the French and Italian, languages. In the liberal sciences and philos- ophy, also, he became proficient; but most in theology, both ancient and modern. At the age of twenty-two, he accepted an appointment JOSEPH STENNETT. 575 as a teacher in London, and continued in this employment for five years, taking an active part in the exciting conflicts resulting in the Revolution of 1688. At this date, he mar- ried Susanna, the daughter of George Gill, a French emi- grant of 1682, and a gentleman of the Privy Chamber to Charles II., whose estate, in 1685 (the era of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes), had been confiscated. Mr. Gill was a successful merchant, and his elder daughter had mar- ried the well-known Rev. Dr. Daniel Williams, Soon after, Mr. Stennett was persuaded to exercise his preaching gifts as an evening lecturer at a hall in Devonshire Square — the church (Sabbatarian Bax^tist) of which his father had been for a short time pastor, then worshipi^ing in that place. He was ordained their pastor, March 4, 1690. The congre- gation soon after removed to Pinners' Hall, where he con- tinued to exercise his ministry until his death, — preaching to his own people on the seventh day, and elsewhere, al- most invariably, on the first day of the week. Mr. Stennett was held in high esteem outside of his own denomination, being universally regarded as a truly pious and learned divine, an accomj^lished scholar, a genuine poet, and an exceedingly amiable gentleman. He numbered, among his personal friends, Mr. Nahum Tate, the poet- laureate, who said of him : " He has the happiness to be a good poet, without being a slave to the Muses." Prefer- ment awaited him in the Church of England, in case he would overcome his scruples against Conformity. Arch- bishop Sharp expressed a high opinion of him, as a divine, a poet, and a scholar. His " Version of Solomon's Song of Songs," in verse (1700), as well as his " Sacramental Hymns " (1697), was received with much favor. His pen was ever ready for the defence of his principles, and he published several brief works of the kind, particularly a reply (1704) to David Russen's " Fundamentals without a Foundation." His health having seriously declined, he was induced (1713) to remove to the residence of his sister, Mrs. Mor- ton, at Knaphill, but it was too late. He continued to fail, 576 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. until, in the full exercise of his faculties, he departed this life, July 11, 1713,— his widow and four children surviving him. His remains were interred in the church-yard of Hitchenden, Buckinghamshire, with a Latin epitaph, writ- ten by Dr. Ward, of Gresham College, engraved on hia tombstone. John Dunton speaks of " Stennett, the patron and tlie rule of wit, The pulpit's honor, and the saints' dehght." His "Works" were published (1732) in four volumes, not including his "Answer to Mr. Russen's Book upon Baptism." His Sabbath hymn, "Another six days' work is done," etc., by which he is now chieiiy known, contains, in the original form, fourteen stanzas ; of which the 1st, 10th, 11th, and 13th only are generally retained. The hymn, as now in use, is taken from Toplady's Collection (1776), who prob- ably composed the second stanza. The following lines are from " An Hymn " of nine stanzas : ' ' Awake, my muid ! awake, my song ! Awake, my heart ! awake, my tongue ! Join, with the grateful, praising throng, In offerings to our conmion Lord ; Wherever fleeting winds can blow, Whei'ever swelling waves can flow, Wliere beasts can rove, or plants can grow, All creatures praise his name with one accord. " That I may sing without control. To touch my lip, to touch my soul, Lord ! from the altar, send a coal, On which my dear Redeemer bled ; The flame of so divine a love, Too Ann for life or death to move, Will the best light and motive prove. To warm my heart, and to inform my head. SAMUEL STENNETT. 577 " So shall my tbouglits, so shall my songs, In concert with seraphic throngs, Rehearse what praise to thee belongs, With highest love and purest joy ; Till, soaring far from mortal eye, I quit this earth and pierce the sky, Then to thy radiant throne draw nigh, And all eternity in praise employ." SAMUEL STENNETT. 1727-1795. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Stennett, thongh not a supe- rior poet, wrote some of the most useful and familiar hymns in the English language. Thirty-nine of his hymns are found in Dr. Rippon's Selection (1787), for which the most of them were probably written. He was the great-grandson of the Rev. Edward Stennett, of Wallingford, England. His father and grandfather, both of them named Joseph, were also ministers of distin- guished excellence. [See the preceding Sketch. ] His father was, for many years, the pastor of the Baptist Church of Exeter, where the son was born in 1727, and where the lirst ten years of his life were spent. In 1737, his father removed to London, having accepted a call to the pastorate of the Bap- tist Church worshipping in Little Wild Street, in the imme- diate neighborhood of Lincoln's Inn Fields. Here the son enjoyed the very best instruction in learning under the tui- tion, at first, of the Rev. John Hubbard, Theological Tutor at Stepney, and then of the distinguished linguist. Dr. John Walker, of the Mile End Academy. Being of schol- arly lineage, he himself became a proficient in the sacred languages and literature. At an early age, he was received into the fellowship of his father's church, and, in 1747, became his assistant in the 37 678 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ministry. After his father's decease, he was ordained, June 1, 1758, as the pastor of the chiirjch, and continued in this position to the end of life. He received, also, a call, in 1767, to be the pastor of the Sabbatarian Baptist Church (Pinners' Hall), of which his grandfather had been pastor. Though he never formally accepted the call, he performed the duties of a pastor, and preached for them regularly every Saturday morning for twenty years, in addition to the performance of his duties as pastor of the church in Little Wild Street. In 1769, he published two volumes of "Discourses on Personal Keligion," containing a systematic exhibition of Practical Theology and Experimental Piety ; in 1783, "Discourses on Domestic Duties"; in 1786, "Discourses on the Parable of the Sower"; and, in 1790, "Discourses on the Divine Authority and Various Uses of the Holy Scriptures." He employed his pen, also, in defence of his Baptist views, in reply to the Rev. Dr. Stephen Addington. His " Remarks on the Christian Minister's Reasons for Ad- ministering Baptism by Sprinkling or Pouring of Water," appeared in 1772 ; and, in 1775, he published "An Answer to the Christian Minister's Reasons for Baptizing Infants, in a Series of Letters." He published, also, at different times, twelve Occasional Sermons. He excelled in beauty of style and elegance of diction. " In soft, tender, and in- sinuating persuasion and influence," it is said, " he was a master." He received the honorary degree of D.D., in 1763, from King's College, Aberdeen. He associated with some of the best society of the me- tropolis, by whom he was held in high estimation as a scholar, a divine, and a true gentleman. It is said that he enjoyed the personal friendship of his sovereign, George III., and that preferment in the Church of England was at his service. Obliging and kind in disposition, exemplary in morals and piety, he made friends everywhere. On the 16th of March, 1795, he was deprived of the wife of his youth. The blow proved too much for his infirm constitu- tion, and he sank under it, — surviving her loss only a few SAMUEL STENNETT. 579 montlis. He died— in joyful anticipation of tlie blissful world of which lie had so sweetly sung, in his own well- known hjann, " On Jordan's stormy banks I stand," etc., —at the rural retreat, that, for several years, he had occu- pied, near Highgate, breathing his last, August 25, 1795, in his sixty-eighth year. His " Works," with an " Account of his Life and Writings " by W. Jones, were published in 1824, in three volumes. One of his best hymns is the first in Rippon's Selec- tion : " To God, tlie universal King, Let all mankind theii' tribute bring; All that have breath ! your voices raise, In songs of never-ceasing praise. " The spacious earth on which we tread, And wider heavens stretched o'er our head, A large and solemn temple frame, To celebrate its Builder's fame. " Here the bright sun, that rules the day, ' . As through the sky he makes his way. To all the world liroclaims aloud The boundless sovereignty of God. " When from his courts the sun retires. And with the day his voice expires, The moon and stai-s adopt the song, And through the night the praise prolong. " The listening earth with rapture hears Th' harmonious music of the spheres ; And all her tribes the notes repeat, That God is wise, and good, and great. " But man, endowed with nobler powers. His God in nobler strains adores ; His is the gift to know the song, As well as sing with tuneful tongue." 580 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. THOMAS STERNHOLD. 1549. " Sternhold and Hopkins " are familiar words to tlie lov- ers of sacred song. They were the pioneers of the great host of congregational Psalm-singers of Great Britain, and greatly helped to make " the service of song " the rule, and not the exception, in the worship of God. Their versions of the Psalms of David, bound up with the Book of Com- mon Prayer, from the year 1562, furnished the people w^th the needful aids in this service. Thoma.s Sternhold was a native of the parish of Awre, near Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England, and was born at Hayfield, the ancestral estate of the family. Of the date of his birth, and the particulars of his early life and school- boy days, nothing definite is known. Anthony Wood, in his "Athena3 Oxonienses" (1691), says of him: "Whether educated in Wykeham's School, near Winchester, is as yet doubtful. Sure it is, that he, having spent some time in this University, left it without the honor of a Degree, and retiring to the Court of K. Hen. 8, was made Groom of the Robes to him ; and, when that King died, he left him in liis Will 100 INIarke. Afterwards he continued in that Office under K. Ed. 6, at which time he was in some es- teem in the Royal Court for his vein in Poetry, and other trivial Learning. But being a most zealous Reformer, and a very strict liver, he became so scandaliz'd at the amor- ous and obscene Songs used in the Court, that he forsooth turn'd into English Metre 51 of David's Psalms, and caused Musical Notes to be set to them, thinking thereby that the Courtiers would sing them instead of their Sonnets, but did not, only some few excepted. However, the Poetry and Music being admirable, and the best that was made and composed in those times, they were thought fit after- wards to be sung in all Parochial Churches, as they do yet continue." THOMAS STERNHOLD. 581 Wood further says : " What other Poetry, or what Prose this our Poet Sternhold hath composed, and left behind, I know not, nor any thing else of him, only that he died in London or Westminster, in fifteen hundred forty and nine. By his last Will and Testament, dated 22 Aug. and proved 12 Sept. an. 1549, wherein he is stiled Groom of the King's Majesty's Robes, it appears that he died seized of Lands in Slackstead in Hampsire, of the Farms of Conynger, Wil- lersley, and Holgreaves in the same County, and of Lands in the Parish of Bodmin, and elsewhere in Cornwall." This comprises about all that is known personally of this worthy old Reformer. Hopkins was his townsman, and associate from childhood. He, with others, completed what Sternhold began. The year before he died, Sternliold pub- lished a version of nineteen of the Psalms, with the title, — "Certayne Psalmes chosen out of the Psalter of David, and drawen into English Metre by Thomas Sternhold, Grome of ye Kynges Maiesties Robes." At the end of the year 1549, was published, — " All such Psalmes of David as Thomas Sternehold, late Groome of ye Kinges Maiesties Robes, didde in his Lifetime draw into English Metre." The book contained 37 psalms ; but Wood credits him with 51 translations. In 1562, the Versions of all the Psalms were published with the Book of Common Prayer, and called, — "The AVhole Booke of Psalmes collected into English Meetre by T. Sternhold, J. Hopkins, and others, conferred with the Ebrue, with apt notes to sing them witli- all. — Set forth and allowed to be sung in ill churches, of all the people together before and after Morning and Evening praier ; as also before and after sermons and moreover in private houses, for their godlie solace and comfort, laieng apart all ungodlie songs, and balades, which tend onelie to the nourishing of vice and corrupting of youth." " Certaine Chapters of the Proverbs of Solomon, drawn into Metre," sometimes ascribed to Sternhold, is said, by Lowndes, to be " untruely " printed under his name. The wonderful success of Sternhold and his coadjutors in the 582 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. work of reform, and the particular influence of the prac- tice of psalm-singing introduced by them, are graphically described by the godly Bishop Jewel, in a part of a Latin letter, written March 5, 1560, at London (" Works," Parker Society Edition, TV., 1230), of which the following is an accurate translation : " Religion is now somewhat more established than it was. The people are every where exceedingly inclined to the better part. Ecclesiastical and popular music has very greatly helped it on. For, as soon as they had once com- menced singing in public, in only one little church in Lon- don, immediately not only the neighboring churches, but even far-distant cities, began to vie with each other in the same practice. You may now sometimes see at Paul's Cross, after the sermon, six thousand persons, old men, boys, girls, singing and praising God together. This sadly annoys the mass-priests [sacrificos] and the devil. For they perceive that by these means the sacred discourses sink more deeply into the minds of men, and that their kingdom is weakened and shaken at almost every note." One of the Psalms then sung, doubtless, was Sternhold's 23d: ' ' My Shepherd is the living Lord, nothing therefore I need ; In pastures fair, with watei'S calm, he sets me forth to feed ; He did convert and glad my soul, and brought my mmd in frame, To walk in paths of righteousness for his most holy name. Yea, though I walk in vale of death, yet will I fear none ill, Thy rod, thy^staff , doth comfort me, and thou art with me still. And, in the presence of my foes, my table thou hast spread ; Thou shalt, O Lord ! fill full my cup, and eke anoint my head. Through all my life, thy favor is so frankly shewed to me, That in thy house, for evermore, my dwelling-place shall be." JOHN STOCKER. 583 JOHN STOCKER. Diligent researches, on tlie part of Mr. Daniel Sedgwick, the veteran hymnologist of London, and others, have failed to elicit anything relative to the personal history of John Stocker. He is known only as a contributor of original hymns to the Gospel Magazine, of London. In the March Number for 1776— in which, also, first appeared Toplady's " Rock of Ages " — was published Stocker's hymn, in nine stanzas, beginning " Thy mercy, my God! is the theme of my song," with the heading,—" I Avill sing of the Mercy of the Lord for ever. — Psalm Ixxxix. " The hymn is subscribed, " J. S. " Another hymn, signed " J. Stocker," appeared in the Octo- ber Number for the same year. Four more of his hymns appeared in the May Number for 1777, and thi'ee in the July Number for the same year. Among the latter, is found his " Gracious Spirit! Dove divine!" etc., inscribed "To God the Holy Ghost." It contains six stanzas. These nine hymns are his only memorial. It is said that he resided at Honiton, on the Otter, Devon- shire, England. It is conjectured that he was a friend of Toplady, who had been settled, several years, at New Ot- tery and Broad Hembury, both in the immediate neigh- borhood of Honiton, and who, in 1776, had become the Editor of the Oospel Magazine, at London. The first of these hymns, complete, was included in Toplady's Collec- tion, the same year (1776). One of the three hymns pub- lished in July, 1777 (wTitten, possibly, just before his de- cease), was entitled, " Tlie Departing Believer." Of its ten stanzas, the last five are subjoined : ' ' Adieu, my friends ! adieu, my foes ! I bid you aU farewell ; 584 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. My soul by faith her Saviour knows, And flies with him to dwell. " His hand shall guide me safe through death; His angels shall convey My soul to paradise, from earth. Triumphantly away. " Happy the soul that knows his power, The heart that feels his love ; Glad shall my ransomed spirit soar To richer joys above. " Let every saint, and every friend. Rejoice and sing with me. While I on angels' wings ascend My Saviour's face to see. " And, as I mount, I'll louder sing Salvation through the skies. And make the starry concave ring With praises as I rise." HUGH STOWELL. 1799-1865. The hymn beginning "From every stormy wind that blows," is one of the sweetest in the English language, and is a great favorite with devout people everywhere in Great Brit- ain and America. Its author held a high place among the scholars and divines of the Church of England. Canon Stowell was a native of the Isle of Man, his father, at the time of his birth, being the Rector of Ballaugh, near Ram- sey. He was born at Douglas, December 3, 1799. Edu- cated for the church, he entered St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, HUGH STOWELL. 685 in 1818, and graduated in 1822. He took deacon's orders in 1823, and was ordained to the priesthood, October 3, 1824, by the Bishop of Chester. He served as Curate, lirst at Shapscombe, Gloucester- shire, and then, for two years, at Huddersfield, when he accepted the Chapelry of St. Stephen's, Salford, over the river from Manchester. He married, in 1828, Anne Susan- nah, the eldest daughter of R. Ashworth, Esq., of Pendle- ton. His ministry was very successful, and his preaching so attractive that a large and beautiful building, called Christ Church, was erected for him by subscription, in which he gatliered an overflowing congregation. In 1845, he was appointed Canon of Chester ; in 1851, Chaplain to the Bishop of Manchester ; and subsequently Rural Dean of Salford. His sympathies were with the Evangelical party in the church, and he was a staunch friend and sup- porter of the Bible, Tract, Missionary, and other religious and benevolent Societies of the day. His hymn beginning with ' ' Lord of all power and mig'ht, " was written for the Jubilee of the British and Foreign Bi- ble Society, in 1854. His publications were numerous and valuable. The most important of them were: "A Collection of Psalms and Hymns, suited to the Services of the Church of Eng- land" (1831); "Miscellaneous Sermons" (1837); "Tracta- rianism Tested by Scripture " (1843) ; " Memoirs of Mrs. Stowell" (1851); " Nehemiah, a Model for Men of Busi- ness : Lectures " (1854) ; and " Lectures on Christianity in the Business of Life " (1858). In verse, he published : " The Pleasures of Religion, and other Poems " (1832) ; " Confes- sion and other Poems"; and " The Day of Rest and other Poems." Besides several Tracts, some of them of large cir- culation, pamphlets, and occasional sermons, he contributed to several religious serials. He died, October 8, 1865. Several of his Sermons were published after his decease, as also, forty-six of his hymns. " Memoirs of the Life and Labors of the Rev. Hugh Stow. 686 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ell," by tlie Rev. J. B. Marsden, appeared in 1868. His hymn on " Peace at the Mercy Seat " was contributed, in 1827, to The Wintefs Wreath^ from which it was copied into the February Number of Littell's Religious Magazine^ for 1828, Phila. It was reproduced by its author (1832) in his " Pleasures of Religion and other Poems." The follow- ing is his children's hymn (second and third stanzas omit- ted), on " The Day of Rest ": "Hail ! hallowed day of heavenly rest, To man in Eden given, — The day which the Creator hlessed, A type and pledge of heaven ! "And now a richer light is shed On thee, sweet day of grace ! Creation hides her lowly head, Before i-edemption's face. "We little children hail the day. Which breathes of peace and love, Which bids our toils and cares away, And tells of rest above. "We love the soothing Sabbath-bell; We love the house of prayer ; Sweet thoughts and hopes within us swell, Whilst we are gathered there. " Lord ! for thy day we bless thy name ; Thy law has made it sure. It stands from age to age the same. The birthright of the poor. " Oh! may these first-fruits of our time. These Sabbath-seasons, be Bright steps up which our souls may climb, Till they are safe in thee." NATHAN STEONG. 587 NATHAN STRONG. 1748-1816. De. Strong was a man of great energy, and of com- manding influence. His father, the Eev. Nathan Strong, D.D., was born at Woodbury, graduated at Yale College in 1742, and became, in 1745, the pastor of the Second Con- gregational Church of Coventry, Conn., where he died, Oc- tober 19, 1793. His mother was a native of Coventry, and the daughter of the Rev. Joseph Meacham, who was the pastor of the First Church of the town. He was born at Coventry, October 16, 1748. Educated, at the first, mostly at home, he entered Yale College in 1765, and graduated, with the first honor, in 1769. President Dwight, his classmate, was regarded as his equal in scholar- ship, but was his junior in years. He studied law for awhile, but soon abandoned it for the ministry. In 1772, he was appointed a Tutor in Yale College, and served one year. In the autumn of 1773, he accepted a call to be the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Hartford, Conn., as the successor of the Rev. Edward Dorr. He was ordained, January 5, 1774, and continued in that position to the end of life. He espoused the cause of his country, in the War of the Revolution, not only from his pulpit, and with his pen, but, for a season, as a chaplain in the army. After the war, he set himself, with all his might, to stem and beat back the floods of iniquity and infidelity that were, in con- sequence of that conflict, sweeping over the land. His preaching was plain, vigorous, pointed, and impressive. Both then, and throughout his ministry, he believed in, and labored for, " revivals of religion," and in at least four distinct instances his people were favored Avith the special effusion of tlie Holy Spirit, resulting in large accessions to the church. In the early part of 1796, appeared, from the New Lon- 588 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. don press, a volume of 331 pages, entitled, — " Calvinism Improved ; or, The Gospel illustrated as a System of Real Grace, issuing in the Salvation of All Men. A Posthumous Work of the late Reverend Joseph Huntington, D.D., Min- ister of the First Church in Coventry, Connecticut." As a native of Coventry, and more as a minister of the true Gos- pel, Dr. Strong most effectually withstood and vanquished this plausible assailant. The very same year, he issued his celebrated and masterly work, entitled, — " The Doctrine of Eternal Misery Reconcileable with the Infinite Benevolence of God, and a Truth plainly asserted in the Christian Scrij)tures, By Nathan Strong, Pastor of the North Pres- byterian Church in Hartford." This was followed, in 1798, by a volume of " Sermons," the delivery of which in his own pulpit had been followed by a powerful revival of religion. It was this revival that gave birth to " The Hartford Selection of Hjrmns : Com- piled by Nathan Strong, Abel Flint, and Joseph Steward. Hartford, 1799," — the compilation of which devolved prin- cipally upon himself. For twenty-five years, this book had a very large circulation, and was very extensively used in the churches of New England, chiefiy as a Supplement to Dr. Watts' Psalms and H}^nns. It gradually gave i^lace to Dr. Nettleton's " Village"^ Hymns," of 1824. ' Another volume of " Sermons," in the same line with the previoiis one, was issued in 1800. The same year he orig- inated, and, in connection with a large number of associate editors, conducted. The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, a monthly periodical in book form, of singular merit and adaptation to the needs of the time. It was continued for fifteen years. The following year (1801), he received the honorary degree of D.D., from the College of Nev/ Jersey, at Princeton. " The Connecticut Missionary Society," the pioneer Home Missionary Society of the age, was organized in 1798, mainly through his agency, and was principally directed by him until 1806. In the course of his ministry, he published several valuable occasional sermons. He was married, November 20, 1777, to the eldest daugh- NATHAN STRONG. 589 ter of Br. Solomon Smith, of Hartford. She died, October 17, 1784, leaving a son and a danghter. On the 20th of June, 1787, he married Anna McCurdy, of Lyme, Conn., who, after the birth of a son, died, March 22, 1789. He himself died, after a short, but painful, illness, December 25, 1816, less than three weeks before his classmate. Presi- dent Dwight, of New Haven. Dr. Strong had a keen sense of the ridiculous, and abounded, especially in the early years of his ministry, in wit and humor. He was a most charming companion, and a devoted pastor, endearing himself greatly to his people. He labored assiduously as a joreacher, and his services were sought for, continually, on public occasions. His influence in public affairs was great and commanding. He was a keen observer of men, and exhibited a remarkable pene- tration in detecting character. His loss was deeply felt, especially in New England. His poetic efforts were limited to a few hymns, the most of which Avere published anonymously in the "Hartford Selection." Eight of these, with Dr. Strong's name at- tached, were transferred by Dr. Nettleton (1824), eight years after the author's death, to the "Village Hymns." They are theological more than poetical, and seem to have been written for use in revival meetings. One of them, entitled, " Christ revealed in a Soul slain by the Law," is subjoined : " Smote by the law I'm justly slain; Great God ! behold my case ; Pity a sinner filled with pain, Nor di'ive me from thy face. " Dread terrors fright my guilty soul; Thy justice, all in flames. Gives sentence on this heart so foul, So hard, so full of crimes. *' 'Tis trembling hardness that I feel; I feax', but can't relent, — Perhaps, of endless death the seal : Oh ! that I could repent ! THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. " My prayers, my tears, my vows are vile, My duties black with guilt ; On such a wretch can mercy smile, Though Jesus' blood was spilt ? " Speechless I sink to endless night, I see an opening hell ! — But, lo ! what glory strikes my sight ! Such glory who can tell ? " Enrapt in these bright beams of peace, I feel a gracious God:— Swell, swell the note ; — Oh ! tell his grace j Sound his high praise abroad." JOSEPH SWAIN. 1761-1796. Mr. Swain was born (1761) at Birmingham, England. Left an orphan at an early age, he was apprenticed to an engraver. Before he came of age, he went up to London, and was led astray by bad company. Of a jovial disposi- tion, he composed songs and plays for the amusement of his comrades. Becoming alarmed at the thought of death, he bought a Bible, and, by its perusal, was led to embrace a Christian life. He was baptized. May 11, 1783, by the Rev. John Rijopon, D.D., and became an active member of the church. At length, he was induced to undertake the work of the ministry, and, in June, 1791, he took charge of a mission station in East Street, Walworth, near Surrey Gardens, London. A church was organized in December, of which he was ordained the pastor, February 8, 1792. He had, for several years, been writing spiritual songs, which he now published (1792) with the title, " Walworth Hymns," 192 in number. He abounded in labor, and his ministry was much prospered. In four years, his church WILLIAM BINGHAM TAPPAN. 591 increased from 27 to 200 members, and the place of worship was tlirice enlarged. Of an infirm body, lie soon lost his health, and after a severe illness of a fortnight, he died in great peace, April 14, 1796, in his thirty-fifth year. After his decease, were published (1797) : " Redemption, a Poem, with a Life of the Author"; and "Experimental Essays on Divine Subjects," in verse. The following stan- zas are the last half of his hymn on " Praise for Conver- sion": ' ' Sweet as angels' notes in heaven, When to golden harps they sound, Is the voice of sins forgiven, To the soul by Satan bound. " Sweet as angels' harps in glory. Was that heavenly voice to me. When I saw my Lord before me, Bleed and die to set me free. " Saints! attend with holy wonder; Sinners ! hear and smg his praise ; 'Tis the God that holds the thunder. Shews himself the God of grace." WILLIAM BINGHAM TAPPAN. 1794-1849. Me. Tappan was bom, October 29, 1794, at Beverly, Mass. His father, Samuel Tappan, was a teacher, and died when his son was only twelve years old. The latter served his time as an apprentice to a clock-maker, in Boston. When of age (1815) he found his way to Philadelphia, where he obtained employment in his trade. But the pur- suit was not congenial. His tastes were literary. As early as in his tenth year, he had written verse, and had continued ever since to cultivate the art. Leaving Philadelphia (1818), he took up his abode at Somerville, N. J., and de- 592 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. voted liimself awhile to study ; after whicli lie returned to Philadelphia, and became a teacher. In 1819, he published his "New England, and other Poems "; and, in 1820, his " Songs of Judah, and other Melo- dies." He contributed (1822) several short pieces to Tlie Presbyter ian Magazine, and other periodicals. The same year (1822) he published a volume of "Lyrics"; and mar- ried Amelia, the daughter of Major Luther Colton, of Long Meadow, Mass. Relinquishing his vocation as a teacher, he took the position (1826) of Salesman and General Super- intendent of the Depository of the "American Sunday- School Union " (organized two years before) at Philadelphia, in whose service he continued to the end of life. He had charge of the S. S. DejDository, at Cincinnati, Ohio, from 1829 to 1834, returning then to Philadelphia, where (1834) he published a fourth volume of Poems, and a fifth in 1836. He removed to Boston, Mass., in 1838, and became the General Agent of the " American S. S. Union " for ISTew England. He published " The Poet's Tribute " in 1840, and " Poems and Lyrics " in 1842. In 1841, he obtained from a Congregational Association, license to preach, in order the more fully to carry forward his agency in his visits to the churches. In the intervals of official service, he took occa- sion to revise his publications, and republished them in five volumes: "Poetry of the Heart" (1845); "Sacred and Miscellaneous Poems" (1846); "Poetry of Life" (1847); "The Sunday - School, and other Poems" (1848); and " Late and Early Poems " (1849). While preparing another volume for the press, he fell a victim to epidemic cholera, June 18, 1849, at West Needham, Mass. Among his pub- lications was "Memoirs of Captain James Wilson." The following closing stanzas of his Hymn on "Wor- ship " are a fitting sequel to this sketch : " 'Tis ours to sojourn in a waste, Barren and cold as Shinar's ground ; No fruits of Eslicol charm the taste, No streams of Meribah are found ; NAHUM TATE. 503 But thou canst bid the desert bud With more than Sharon's rich display ; And thou canst bid the coolmg flood Gush from the rock, and cheer the way. ■ We tread the path thy people trod, Alternate sunshine, bitter tears ; Go thou before, and with thy rod Divide the Jordan of our fears : Be ours the song of triumph given — Angelic themes to lips of clay ; And ours the holy harp of heaven, Whose strain dissolves the soul away." NAHUM TATE. 1652-1715. The " New Version of the Psalms of David, fitted to the Tunes used in Churches," by "N. Brady, D.D., ChajDlain in Ordinary, and N. Tate, Esq., Poet Laureate to his Maj- esty," was authorized in 1696. An Appendix of 22 hynms was added in 1703. The " Old Version," by Sternhold, Hopkins, and others, of the previous century, having become antiquated, and distasteful to scholarly worshippers, the "New Version" was undertaken by Tate and Brady, and twenty Psalms, as specimens, were published in 1695. On the completion of the whole Psalter, the work was submitted to the Bishop of London (Henry Compton, D.I).), and, having been ap- proved, the Royal Permission for its publication was given in the words following : "At the Court at Kensington, December the 3d, 1696, present the King's most excellent Majesty in Council. " Upon the humble petition of N. Brady and N. Tate, this day read at the Board, setting forth, that the petition- ers have, with their utmost care and industry, completed a 38 594 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. new Version of tlie Psalms of David in English metre fitted for public use, and humbly i^raying his Majesty's Royal Allowance, that the said Version may be used in such con- gregations, as shall think fit to receive it : " His Majesty, taking the same into his Royal considera- tion, is pleased to order in Council, that the said new Ver- sion of Psalms in English metre be, and the same is hereby, allowed and permitted to be used in all such Churches, Chapels, and Congregations, as shall think fit to receive the same." Thus sanctioned, the New Version gradually supplanted the Old, and is still regarded as the authorized Psalmody of the Church of England, having been, for nearly two centuries, printed with the Book of Common Prayer. The part taken by the comjDilers in the preparation of the work has never been divulged. But, as Tate was at the time the Poet Laureate, he has ordinarily been credited with the principal share of the translation, and with the revision of the whole. Nahum Tate was the son of the Rev. Faithful Teate, D.D., a native of County Cavan, Ireland, a graduate of the University of Dublin, minister of Ballyhays, and then of St. Werburgh's, Dublin— an author and a poet of consider- able repute, in the days of the Commonwealth, and of Charles II. The son was born in Dublin in 1652 ; was matric- ulated at the University in 1668 ; and, after his graduation, made his way to London and entered on a literary career. He published, in 1677, a volume of " Poems writ on sev- eral Occasions"; in 168.5, a compilation of "Poems by sev- eral Hands, and on several Occasions "; in 1686, " Memorials for the Learned, collected out of Eminent Authors in His- tory"; in 1691, "Characters of Virtue and Vice Described and Attempted in Verse, from a Treatise of Joseph Hall, Bishop of Exon." The next year (1692) he succeeded Thomas Shadwell as Poet Laureate. He had written eight Plays, partly borrowed from other writers, and ex- hibiting but little originality. In 1693, he published a "Present for the Ladies"; in NAHUM TATE. 595 1694, a "Poem on Promotion"; in 1695, an "Elegy on Archbishop Tillotson"; also, the same year (mth Dr. Bra- dy), "Twenty Psalms," and an "Elegy on Queen Mary"; in 1698, " Miscellanea Sacra, or Poems on Divine and Moral Subjects"; also (with Dr. Brady) the "New Version of the Psalms of David," by which his name has been im- mortalized ; in 1699, "Elegies"; in 1700, "Panacea, a Po- em on Tea"; in 1705, "The Triumph"; and, in 1710, an "Essay for Promoting Psalmody." Having lived, lor the most part, an improvident life, he died, deeply in debt, at his house, near the Mint, South- wark, August 12, 1715. "He possessed," says Taylor, in his History of the University of Dublin, "considerable learning, joined to a good share of wit, and very agreeable manners ; but he was too modest to push himself into those situations to which his merit fairly entitled him." His poetry was a great improvement on that which had so long maintained its place in the devotions of the Church. Though seldom rising to sublimity, it rarely falls below me- diocrity. Some of it is very inspiring. Among the better specimens is to be ranked his version of the 112th Psalm ; ' ' That man is blessed, who stands in awe Of God, and loves his sacred law ; His seed on earth shall be renowned And with successive honors cro^vned. His house the seat of wealth shall be, An inexhausted treasury ; His justice, free from all decay, Shall blessings to his heirs convey. The soul that 's filled with virtue's light Shines brightest in affliction's night. To pity the distressed inclined, As well as just to all mankind. His liberal favors he extends, To some he gives, to others lends , Yet what his charity impairs He saves by prudence in affau'S. Beset with threatening dangers round, Unmoved shall he maintain his ground; The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust. 696 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Ill-tidings never can surprise His heart that, fixed, on God relies; On safety's rock he sits, and sees The shipwreck of his enemies. His hands, while they his alms bestowed, His glory's future harvest sowed ; Whence he shall reap wealth, fame, renown, A temp'ral and eternal crown. The wicked shall his triumph see, And gnash their teeth in agony, While their unrighteous hopes decay, And vanish with themselves away." ANN TAYLOR. 175S-1830. Mrs. Taylor's maiden name was Ann Martin. She was born in 1758, and was the daughter of a London tradesman. He died in 1764, and she was left an oi-phan. Her mother had died in her infancy. Though deprived of both parents at so early an age, she was well educated. She connected herself, in youth, with the Independent Church, worshipping in Fetter-Lane, under the pastoral care of the Rev. James Webb. Her " somewhat extraordinary talent in poetical composition " attracted the attention and love of Mr. Isaac Taylor, a member of the same churcli, a young artist, and the son of Mr. Isaac Taylor, a well-known engraver. They were united in marriage (1781), and lived five years in Red Lion Street, Holborn, London. They then removed to Lavenham, Suf- folk, a picturesque place, sixty-two miles from London. Her daughter Ann was born in 1782, was married (1813) to Rev. Joseph Gilbert, and died in 1866. Her second daughter, Jane, was born in 1783, and died in 1823. Tliese two sisters became renowned and useful as writers, princi- pally for children and youth. [See Jane Taylor.] Her ANN TAYLOR. 597 elder son, Isaac, was born in 1787, and became an illustrious author and philosopher, dying in 1865. Her younger son, Jeffreys, born in 1793, also became a learned writer, and died in 1853. Seldom has any mother been more signally honored in her children. Their training engrossed her at- tention and tasked her energies, during the earlier period of her married life, more especially during the ten years of their residence at Lavenham, and the fifteen years of their subsequent abode at Colchester. In 1796, Mr. Taylor devoted himself to the work of the ministry, and accepted a call to the pastoral charge of a Dissenting congregation at Colchester, in Essex. In 1811, he accepted the charge of a congregation at Chipping On- gar, also in Essex, where he continued until his death, De- cember 11, 1829. Mrs. Taylor began to write for the press, after their re- moval to Ongar. Early in 1814, she published " Maternal Solicitude for a Daughter's Best Interests," — a volume that was well received, and that has been frequently republished, as Avell as translated into French. This was followed by "Advice to Mothers." The next year (1815), appeared her "Practical Hints to Young Females." In 1817, she pub- lished, in connection wdth her daughter Jane, " Correspond- ence between a Mother and her Daughter at School." She issued, in 1822, a "Present of a Mistress to a Young Serv- ant"; and, subsequently, "The Family Mansion, a Tale"; "Retrospection, a Tale"; and "Reciprocal Duties of Par- ents and Children." These works were written, in part, to beguile her long years of " perpetual and severe bodily suf- ferings." The death of her husband hastened her own. She died. May 27, 1830, surviving him but a few months. Her hymn, " There is a dear and hallowed spot," etc., was contributed by her in 1812 to TTie YouWs Magazine. 598 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. JANE TAYLOR. 1783-1824. That talent freqiiently comes by inheritance, is confirmed by the history of the Taylor family, of which Jane was so bright an ornament. Her grandfather, Isaac Taylor, was an eminent engraver of London, in the reigns of George II. and George III. He trained his two sons, Charles [1756- 1821] and Isaac [1759-1829], to his own profession, and both of them became proficients in their art. Charles is kno-vvn as the English Editor and Illnstrator of Calmet's "Dictionary of the Holy Bible" [1797-1801], in which he was aided greatly by his younger brother, Isaac, the father of Jane. Isaac married Ann Martin, a lady of superior endow- ments, who was herself the author of several excellent publications. [See Anx Taylor.] Their children, Ann, Jane, Isaac, and Jeffreys, all distinguished themselves in the literary world. Ann [1782-1866] married the Rev. Jo- seph Gilbert, first of Hull and then of Nottingham, and was associated with her younger sister, Jane, in most of her publications. Isaac [1787-1865] was the author of " The Natural History of Enthusiasm," " Saturday Evening," " En- thusiasm," and a large number of vigorous works on relig- ious themes. Jeffreys [1793-1853], though not as eminent as his brother, wrote, mostly for the young, a dozen books, in prose and verse. Jane Taylor was born, September 23, 1783, at her father's residence, Red Lion Street, Holborn, London. Three years afterwards, Mr. Taylor's engagements as an artist allowed him, while prosecuting his business in London, to remove with his family to Lavenham, a picturesque town in Suf- folk. Here they resided for ten years, and the sisters, favorably situated for the cultivation of the poetic spirit, very early began to amuse themselves and their friends by their compositions in verse. Some of Jane's verses were JANE TAYLOR. 699 written as early as her eighth year. The education of the sisters was conducted mostly by their father, who, also, gave them instruction in his own handicraft, so that they might have the means of self-support in after life. Mr. Taylor had gradually addicted himself, in his pious propensity for doing good, to the work of preaching the Gospel in the villages round about. Early in 1796, he accepted a call to be the pastor of a Dissenting congrega- tion in the populous town of Colchester, Essex, fifty miles from London, and was ordained to the ministry. Here, for fifteen years, the sisters practiced their art, aiding their father materially in both sketching and engraving for the works that he issued to please and instruct the young. In 1802, Jane, for the first time since her infancy, visited the metropolis, and formed many valuable acquaintances. Her first contribution to the press was "Tlie Beggar Boy," a sprightly ditty of eleven four-line stanzas, which appeared in "The Minor's Pocket-Book for 1804." The sisters became regular contributors to this serial. In 180*"), they ventured to send their first volume to the press, en- titled, " Original Poems for Infant Minds, by Several Young Persons." It was republished, soon after, in America, and, in a translation, both in Germany and Holland. The year following, a second volume of " Original Poems," and " Rhymes for the Nursery," met with like favor. The contributions of the two sisters to these volumes are not distinguishable. In 1810, Jane contributed several short poems to Josiah Conder's "Associate Minstrels." The sisters, soon after, issued a volume of " Original Hymns for the Use of Chil- dren," followed by "Original Hymns for Sunday- Schools." In September, 1811, the family removed to Ongar, Essex, Mr. Taylor having resigned his charge at the close of 1810, and having now accepted a call to Ongar. Jane abandoned her occupation as an artist, and devoted herself to litera- ture. The winter months of 1812 and 1813 were spent with her invalid brother Isaac, at Ilfracombe, Devonshire ; and the two succeeding years at Marazion, Cornwall. Here she 600 THE POETS OE THE CHURCH. numbered among her intimate friends, Anne, the only daughter of the Rev. Dr. Maxwell, of Bath, and subse- quently the wife of the gifted Rev. Henry Francis Lyte ; also. Miss Greenfell, the betrothed of Henry Martyn. During her sojourn in the West of England, she occu- pied her spare time in writing her " Display, a Tale," which appeared late in 1814. Her "Essays in Rhyme, on Morals and Manners," written at Marazion, followed in 1816. In February, 1816, at the solicitation of the conductors of the YouWs Magazine, she commenced her contributions to that periodical, and continued them during seven years. After her death they were collected by her brother Isaac, and published, in two volumes, as " The Contributions of Q. Q. to a Periodical Work." After a short visit to her sister Ann (who, in 1813, had mar- ried Mr. Gilbert, and removed to Masborough, near Rother- ham, Yorkshire), she returned, August, 1816, after a three years' absence, to her home in Ongar. She now engaged, with her mother, in the composition of a " Correspondence between a Mother and her Daughter at School," which was published the following year, having been completed at Hastings, Sussex, where she spent the succeeding winter. Shortly after her return to Ongar, in the summer of 1817, she made a profession of her faith in Christ, connecting herself with her father's church. To this event is assigned her hymn, " Come, my fond fluttering heart! " etc. A slow and fatal disease had shown itself, under which her health gradually gave Avay. Frequent journeys were undertaken and visits made to friends, year by year, with- out permanent relief. As far as her strength allowed, she engaged in works of piety and benevolence. In July, 1823, her uncle. Rev. James Hinton, died, and in November, her father's brother, Charles, followed. These bereavements deeply impressed her with the belief of her own approach- ing end. Fully prepared for the change, she calmly and JOHN TAYLOR. 601 hopefully awaited tlie hour of her departure, which occurred only a few months later, — April 12, 1824, She wrote (1823), the year before her decease, a hymn of twelve stanzas, on " The Things that are Unseen and Eter- nal," from which the following stanzas are taken : *' The Saviour whom I long have sought, And would, but can not see, — And is he here ! Oh ! wondrous thought ! And will he dwell with me? " I ask not with my mortal eye To view the vision bright ; I dare not see thee, lest I die ; Yet, Lord ! restore my sight I " Give me to see thee, and to feel The mental vision clear ; The things unseen reveal — reveal, And let me know them near. *' Illume this shadowy soul of mine, That still in darloiess lies ; Oh ! let the light in darkness shine. And bid the day-star rise. " Impart the faith, that soars on high Beyond this earthly strife. That holds sweet converse with the sky. And lives eternal life." JOHN TAYLOR. 1694-1761. Dr. John Tayloe was distinguished, in the former part of the last century, as a theological writer, and an Arian divine. He was born, in 1694, at or near Lancaster, Eng- land. He was educated at "Whitehaven, under the instruc- 602 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tion, principally, of Dr. Dixon. In 1715, lie was appointed to the Chapel of Kirkstead, Lincolnshire, an obscure posi- tion, with a very small salary, where he remained, as preacher and teacher, for eighteen years. In the mean- time, he became a diligent student of the Scriptures in the original tongues. In 1733, he was chosen the pastor of the Presbyterian congregation of ]S"orwich, having become a convert to the views expressed in Dr. Samuel Clarke's " Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity." In 1736, he published "A Prefatory Discourse to Mr. Joseph Rawson's Case"; and, in 1740, his " Scriptural Doc- trine of Original Sin proposed to Free and Candid Exami- nation," with a "Supplement" in 1741. This work pro- voked an extensive controversy, in which John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards took part. In 1745, he issued his elab- orate " Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistle to the Ro- mans ; to which is prefixed A Key to the Apostolic Writ- ings, or an Essay to explain the Gospel Scheme, and the Principal Words and Phrases the Apostles have used in describing it." The "Key" was reprinted in the third volume of Bishop Watson's Tlieological Tracts, as " the best Introduction to the Epistles, and the clearest Account of the whole Gospel Scheme, which was ever written"; while Archbishop Magee, on the other hand, declares " it is nothing more than an artificial accommodation of Scrip- ture Phrases to notions utterly repugnant to Christian doctrine. " " The Scripture Doctrine of Atonement " followed in 1750. The first volume of his " Hebrew Concordance adapted to the English Bible," " after the manner of Bux- torf," appeared in 1754, and the second, in 1757, — a work of great labor and learning, for which he received, from the University of Glasgow, the honorary degree of D.D. In 1757, he became the Principal of the Academy, just estab- lished by the Arians in the North of England, at Warring- ton, Lancashire. His remaining publications were two pamphlets, one of which was " A Sketch of Moral Philos- ophy " for the use of his class. His " Scheme of Scripture JOHN TAYLOE. 603 Divinity " was published after his death, by his eldest son, Richard Taylor, of Norwich (1762). It is reprinted as the first Article in Vol. I. of Bishop Watson's "Theolog- ical Tracts." . , . . i,r i ^ He died, without premonition, on the night of March 5, 1761 and his remains were buried at Kirkstead. On his tombstone is inscribed,-" Expect no Eulogium from this Stone. Enquire amongst the Friends of Learning, Liberty, and Truth ; these will do him justice." The poetry of Mr. Taylor, while careful in statement, and exact in rhythm, is lacking in warmth. The following hymn is one of his best : "Father of our feeble race, Wise, beneficent, and kind ! Spread o'er nature's ample face, Flows thy goodness unconfined: Musing in the silent grove. Or the busy walks of men, Still we trace thy wondrous love. Claiming large returns again. " Lord! what offeruags shall we bring, At thuie altars when we bow ? Hearts, the pure unsullied spring. Whence the kind affections flow ;— Soft compassion's feeling soul. By the melting eye expressed;— Sympathy, at whose control. Sorrow leaves the wounded breast; — " Willing hands, to lead the blind, Heal the wounded, feed the poor;— Love, embracing all our kind ; — Charity, with liberal store : Teach us, O thou heavenly King ! Thus to show our grateful mind, — Thus th' accepted offering bring,— Love to thee and all mankind." 604 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. THOMAS RAWSON TAYLOR. 1807-1835. Thomas Rawson Taylor was the grandson of Andrew Taylor, a farmer, of Humbleton, Nortliumberland, Eng- land. His father, Thomas (1768-1853), entered the minis- try in 1799, and took charge of a Dissenting congregation at Ossett, Yorkshire. He married Mary, the daughter of L. W. Rawson, of Leeds. Thomas was their eldest son, and was born at Ossett, May 9, 1807. In February, 1808, Mr. Taylor took charge of the Congregational Church of Brad- ford, a large manufacturing town, near Leeds, and here the son spent his boyhood. "He was a docile, affectionate, and home-loving child." He attended the grammar-school at Bradford from the age of seven to eleven years, when he was sent to Dr. Clunie's Academy, at Manchester. At fifteen (1822), he entered a mer- chant's counting-house as clerk ; but, the next year (1823), he became an apprentice to Mr. Dunn, a printer, at ]N"ot- tingham,— a devout man, in whose family his religious inclinations were greatly strengthened. At the end of three years, by the cheerful consent of Mr. Dunn, he gave up his occupation, and entered Airedale College as a stu- dent for the ministry. During his four years of prepara- tory study, he frequently preached in the neighboring vil- lages, with great acceptance and much success. In July, 1830, he became the minister of Howard Street Chapel in Sheffield, the home of the poet Montgomery. Pulmonary disease had already developed itself in his frail system, and soon interrupted his labors. During the next two years, he was not able to preach more than one fourth of the time ; and, at the close of this period, he was com- pelled to resign his charge. He now (1833) returned to Bradford, and, as far as his failing health allowed, he as- sisted his father, in the pulpit. For a short time, the fol- lowing year, he occupied the position of classical tutor at GERHAED TERSTEEGEN. 605 Airedale College. Gradually lie sunk, and wasted away, until March 15, 1835, when his beautiful life peacefully ended. In 1836, were published his " Memoirs and Select Re- mains," by W. S. Mathews ; also a volume of his " Sermons i:)reached in Howard Street Chapel, Sheffield." A second edition of his " Memoirs," etc., " with an Introduction by James Montgomery, Esq.," appeared in 1842. His poetic " Remains " give abundant evidence of high culture and promise in the divine art. The story of his life gives lustre to his sweet hymn, "I'm but a stranger here," etc., and to the lovely sonnet from his pen, here subjoined : " Oh ! just when thou shalt please would I depart. My Father and my God ! I would not choose, Ev'n if I might, the moment to unloose The bonds which bind my weak and worthless heart From its bright home. So I but have a part, However humble, there, it matters not. Or long, or short, my pilgrimage, — my lot Joyful or joyless, — if the flowers may start Where'er I tread, or thorns obstruct my path, I look not at the present ; many years Are but so many moments, though of tears ; My soul's bright home a lovelier aspect hath ; And if it surely shall be mine — and then For ever mine — it mattei-s little when ! " GERHARD TERSTEEGEN. 1697-1769. Gerhakd Tersteegew was born, November 25, 1697, in the town of Mors, near Diisseldorf, Germany. His father, who died soon after the son's birth, was a respectable 606 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tradesman, of the Kef ormed faith. Gerhard was the young- est of eight childi-en, and was carefully educated at the grammar-school of Mors, where he became acquainted with the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, showing great proficiency. He was of a feeble frame, of a scrupulous con- science, and religiously inclined. At the age of fifteen (1712), he was bound as an appren- tice to an elder brother, a shopkeeper, at Miihlheim, on the Ruhr. Through the influence mainly of a pious tradesman, with whom he here became acquainted, he was led, at the age of sixteen, to devote himself to the service of God. He gave himself to fasting, and to prayer by night, while his days were occupied with work. Coming of age, he determined to leave his occupation for one of greater retirement. He obtained a humble cottage near Miihlheim, where he lived, on the simplest diet, the life of a recluse, supporting himself by weaving silk ribbons. He greatly enjoyed his seclusion ; " I often thought," he said, " no king in the world could live so contentedly as I did at that time." A period of spiritual darkness, grow- ing, in some measure, out of the austerities of his mode of life, and continuing the greater part of five years, followed, — as described in a hymn written at this time, of which a translation is found in Miss Winkworth's "Lyra Ger- manica," Vol. II., beginning with "Jesus, pitying Saviour ! hear me." ["Jesu, mein Erbarmer ! hore."] He was delivered at length from the bondage of doubt, on which occasion he wi'ote, with his own blood, a remark- able self -dedication to his divine Redeemer. The following year (1725), he terminated his seclusion, by admitting a young friend, Heinrich Sommer, to live with him, and share in his daily labor at the loom. He still devoted two hours daily to private devotion, and gave much time to re- ligious composition, in poetry and prose. Miihlheim having been favored (1727) with a remarkable revival of religion. GERHAED TERSTEEGEN. 607 he was induced, at thirty years of age, to make occasional addresses at private religious meetings. So acceptable and useful were his instructions, that he shortly relinquished his ribbon-weaving, and devoted himself to the work of spiritual instruction, orally and with his pen, and to the care of the sick and poor. He now became the spiritual adviser and instructor of multitudes. A small income was provided for him by friends. A more suitable abode was obtained for the ac- commodation of visitors, who, in great numbers, resorted to him for spiritual and medical advice from all quarters. A dispensary was connected with it, and it became widely known as "The Pilgrim's Cottage." Here too he held public religious services, ordinarily to as many as the house could hold. He conducted a wide correspondence, and occasionally journeyed abroad on his pious errands. Thirty years (1727-1757) were thus almost incessantly oc- cupied, and a vast amount of good was done, principally among the humbler classes. He accomplished it all in the midst of great physical debility, with frequent attacks of severe ilhiess and neuralgic distress. He was held in great reverence and affection, but never appeared to seek the ap- plause or favor of men. Humble, modest, gentle, and un- assuming, often wholly absorbed in communion with the spirit-world, he lived a life of continual self-sacrifice and eminent godliness. At the age of sixty-one (1758), an internal injury result- ing from over-exertion in public speaking, brought him apparently near to the grave, and compelled him, on his partial recovery, to relinquish everything like preaching and public exhorting, and to confine himself to private con- versation and correspondence. This he continued to the end of life, toiling on, greatly emaciated, and full of suffer- ings. At length, he was afflicted with dropsy, which termi- nated his course, April 3, 1769, in his seventy-second year. He wrote 111 li^onns, the most of which appeared in his " Spiritual Flower Gfarden." They are of a superior order, both of poetry and devotion. They pertain mostly to the 608 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. school of Mystics, of which their author was regarded as the greatest poet. His " Spiritual Crumbs " is a collection of sermons and addresses, taken in short-hand ; of which an English translation has gone through several editions. His " Works " were i3ublished (1846) in eight volumes. A volume entitled, — " The Life and Character of Gerhard Ter- steegen, with Extracts from his Letters and Writings, translated from the German by Samuel Jackson," was is- sued (1832) at London. THEODORE [STUDITES]. 759-826. Theodore, of the Studium — so called because he was the Abbot of the monastery of Studium, built by the Consul Studius, in the suburbs of Constantinople — was born in 759, and, after he attained to the priesthood, distinguished him- self for his zeal in behalf of the worship of images. He was a brother of Joseph, the Archbishop of Thessalonica, and lived in the reigns of the Emperors Constantine Coprony- mus, Leo IV., and Constantine VI., the Empress Irene, and the Emperors Nicephorus I., Michael Curopalates, Leo of Armenia, and Michael Balbus. Theodore came into notice in the reign of Constantine VI., who, under the pretext that his wife Mary had sought to poison him, put her away (795) and married Theodecta, a maid of honor to his mother Irene. Theodore denounced the whole transaction. When Leo, the Armenian, called a council at Constantinople (814), in opposition to the wor- ship of images, Theodore Studites and his party took the ground, that doctrinal controversies were not to be dis- cussed in the palace, but in the church. At a subsequent council (816) Theodore used such violent language against the Emperor and the Iconoclast bishops and monks, that he was sent into exile ; but, being still unsubdued, he was THEODULPH [OF ORLEANS], 609 sent to prison, where, as the monks of his party represented, he suffered great hardships and cruelties. He died, in exile, at Chalcis, in the island of Eiiboea, Greece, November 11, 826. He wrote a number of hymns for the Rituals of the Grreek Church. THEODULPH [OF ORLEANS]. 821. More than a thousand years have passed since the hymn, "Gloria, laus, et honor tibi sit, Kex Christe Redemptor ! " ["All glory, laud, and honor to thee, Redeemer, King! " — Tr. J. M, Neale.] was written, during all which time it has been extensively sung in the Latin Church, on Palm Sunday. Theodulph, its author, was born in Cisalpine Gaul, and was invited, about 781, to the court of the Emperor Charlemagne. He was preferred, by imperial favor, to the Abbey of Fleury, and, about 793, to the bishopric of Orleans, as the succes- sor of Guitbert. He restored the ancient strictness of dis- cipline in his diocese, and founded schools for the educa- tion of his people. He continued in favor with Charle- magne until his death (814), and was highly esteemed by his son and successor, Louis le Debonnaire, who employed him at court. He was sent to attend Pope Stephen on his journey from Rome to Rheims (816) for the coronation of the Emperor. Two years later (818), he was suspected of complicity in the revolt of Bernard, the King of Italy, against his uncle Louis, and, though protesting his inno- cence, he was deprived of his benefices, and imprisoned in the monastery of Angers, where it is thought that he died about 821. It is related hj Clichtoveus (1519), that the hymn, Qoted 39 610 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. above, was composed by Theodulpli, in the prison at An- gers in 818 ; and that the Emperor, on Palm Sunday of that year, took part in the procession of the day at Angers ; and that as the procession passed the x)i'ison, Theodulph sang his hymn, with such effect, as to procure from the Emperor a mandate for his liberty and restoration to his former honors. But it is certain that Louis was not at Angers at that time, and there is no evidence that Theo- dulph was restored to office. Among the numerous works from his pen, published by Sirmond (1646) at Paris, are six books of " Songs," and ten Poems. THOMAS [DE CELANO]. No hymn of the Church of the Middle Ages has so gen- erally commended itself to the admiration of the learned and the devout as ' ' Dies irse ! dies ilia ! " [" That day of wrath, that dreadfiil day."— Tr. W. Scott.] Poets have vied with scholars of every grade and national- ity in its praises. Sir Walter Scott, whose version of a part of it, taken from his " Lay of the Last Minstrel," is noted above, expressed for it unbounded admiration. Dean Milman said : " There is nothing, in my judgment, to be compared with the monkish ' Dies irse ! dies ilia ! ' " Albert Knapp, the hymnologist, compares it to a blast from the trump of the resurrection. Dean Trench declares that its " merits have given the Dies Tree a foremost place among the master-pieces of sacred song." Mrs. Charles speaks of " the solemn and magnificent chant of the great medieeval hymn, 'the Dies Irse.' " Daniel, in his "Thesaurus Hymn- ologicus," says, " that, by universal consent, it is regarded as the highest ornament of sacred poetry, and the most precious treasure of the Latin Church." THOMAS [DE CELANO]. 611 The Poets of all Christian countries of the world have sought to give an exact translation, in their own vernacular, of this incomparable production. Dr. Lisco (1840), in a learn- ed monogram on the " Dies Irse," reproduces seventy trans- lations, mostly into German ; and, three years later, seven- teen more. The French versions are numerous, and the English, almost numberless. But, as in all similar cases, no translation can express the force, the sublimity, and the awful grandeur of the majestic original. Knapp affirms that its original power is inimitable in any translation. So say all the critics. It is a hymn of eighteen three-line stanzas, after the fol- lowing pattern : "Dies irse, dies Qla! Solvet S3eclum in favilla, Teste David cum Sybilla. " Quantus tremor est futurus, ^ Quaudo Judex est venturus, Cuncta stricte discussurus." Great doubts have been entertained, among the learned in such matters, as to its authorship. Some have ascribed it to the great Bernard ; others to Gregory, the Great. It has, however, been satisfactorily traced to the thirteenth century, and to the Order of Minorites, or Franciscans, as they are commonly called. Bartholomew, of Pisa, as early as 1401, ascribes it to Thomas de Celano, the author of the Life of St. Francis. Lucas Wadding, in his "Annales Minorum, sive trium Ordinum a S. Francisco instituto- rum" (Lyons, 1625-1648), explicitly, and without hesita- tion, includes this hymn among the writings of Thomas de Celano. Of those who accede to this high authority may be named, Mohnike, Rambach, Fink, Gieseler, Tholuck, Lisco, Daniel, and Knapp. Trench and Mone regard the proof as insufficient. The weight of authority favors greatly the claims of Thomas de Celano. He is so called, from Celano, a town on the borders of Lake Fucino, Abruzzo Ultra, Italy. The 612 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. date of liis birtti is unknown, but must be assigned to the latter part of tlie twelfth century. He was one of tlie first to attach himself to the Order of Minor Friars, founded (1208) by Francis of Assisi. He was put in charge, suc- cessively, of the Franciscan Convents of Worms, Metz, and Cologne ; and made Custos of the Rhine District of the Order. Francis died in 1226, and was canonized in 1230, Returning, at this latter date, to Assisi, Thomas, by ap- pointment of the Fojye, Gregory IX., wrote the Life of St. Francis, the manuscript of which is said to be in the keep- ing of the Cistercian monastery at Languepont, Soissons. Nothing further is known of him, not even the date of his death ALEXANDER RAMSAY THOMPSON. The Rev. Dr. Thompson is a native of New York City, a son of Col. Alexander R. Thompson (1792-1837), and was born in 1822. He graduated (1842) at the University of the City of New York, and studied theology at Princeton Seminary, N. J., finishing his course in 1845. Tlie same year, he was licensed by the Second Presbytery of New York, and preached awhile, as an assistant to the Rev. Jacob Brodhead, D.D., the pastor of the Central Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn, N. Y., and then to the Rev. Thomas Macauley, D.D., the pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Eighth Street, Astor Place, New York. Having received a call from the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, N. J., he was ordained, January 10, 1846, by the Presbytery of Elizabethtown. After a pastor- ate of less than two years, he was dismissed from his charge and undertook (1848) the gathering of a church at Bedford, in East Brooklyn, N. Y. ; but, at the close of the year, he be- came the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church of Tomp- ALEXANDER EAMSAY THOMPSON. 613 kinsville, Staten Island, N. Y., where lie continued three years. He took charge, in 1851, of the Reformed Dutch Church of Stapleton, Staten Island, N. Y., and remained seven years. He served (1859-1862) as Stated Supply of the Second Congregational Church of Bridgeport, Conn. ; and, in 1862, became the associate pastor of St. Paul's Re- formed Dutch Church, IN'ew York City, then worshiping in Twenty-first Street, and later in a new structure on j^'ortieth Street. At the decease of the senior pastor, the Rev. George W. Bethune, D.D., the same year, he became the sole pastor. In 1874, he accepted a call from the North Reformed Church, Brooklyn, N. Y. The honorary degree of D.D. was conferred on him in 1873. Besides contributions to various periodicals, he has pub- lished an "Address at the Funeral of S. R. Smith, D.D." (1852), and a " Tribute to the Memory of Rev. George W. Bethune, D.D." (1862). He was also a member of the Com- mittee of the General Synod that prepared, for the denomi- nation, the " Hymns of the Church, with Tunes," approved and authorized for use in the Church, June, 1869, — to which he contributed the hymn, " Wayfarers in the wilderness," etc., and five others, mostly translations from the Latin. One of his best is a translation of Ambrose's " Aurora coelum purpurat," etc., of which the first four stanzas are here subjoined : ' ' The morning' purples all the sky, The air with praises rings, Defeated hell stands sullen hy, The world exulting sings: ' ' While he, the King, all strong to save, Rends the dark doors away. And, through the breaches of the grave, Strides forth into the day. 614 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Death's captive, in his gloomy prison, Fast fettered, he has lain ; But he has mastered death, is risen, And death wears now the chain. " The shining angels cry, — 'Away With grief ; no sj)ices bring : Not tears, but songs, this joyful day, Should greet the rising King,' " DOEOTHY ANN THRUPP. 1779-1847. Miss Thkupp was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Thrupp, of Paddington Green, and was born, June 20, 1779, at Lon- don, England. She is known to history only by the few hymns that she contributed to "Hymns for the Young" (1830), which she edited for the London Religious Tract Society, and to Mrs. Herbert Mayo's " Selection of HjTnns and Poetry for the Use of Infant and Juvenile Schools," London. 1838. She died, at London, December 14, 1847. She wrote almost, if not quite, exclusively for the young. Her hymn, " Saviour! like a shepherd lead us," etc., is very good of its kind ; so is the following : " Let us sing, with one accord. Praise to Jesus Christ, our Lord ; He is worthy whom we praise ; Hearts and voices let us raise. " He hath made us by his power, He hath kept us to this hour. He redeems us from the grave, He who died now lives to save. AUGUSTUS MONTAGUE TOPLADY. 615 " What he bids us let us do ; Where he leads us let us go ; As he loves us, let us love All below and all above. " Angels praise him, so will we, Sinful children though we be ; Poor and weak, we'll sing the more, — Jesus helps the weak and poor. " Dear to him is childhood's prayer; Children's hearts to him are dear; Heart and voice, let all be given, All will find the way to heaven." AUGUSTUS MONTAGUE TOPLADY. 1740-1778. ToPLADY was the author of that most precious lyric, " Rock of ages! cleft for me!" etc, — one of the most popular hymns in the English language, and one that has found its way into nearly all the Collections. It has been adopted by the Roman Catholic Church, in its English original ; and, in the admirable Latin version of it (1848) by the Right Hon. William Ewart Gladstone, is likely to find a place in the Breviary. Augustus Montague Toplady was the son of Richard Toplady, a commissioned officer in the British Army, who was married, December 21, 1737, to Catharine Bate. Their first child, Francis, died an infant. In 1740, Major Toplady was ordered to Spain, and died at the siege of Carthagena. Their second child was born, November 4, 1740, at Farnham, Surrey, just before his father's death. He derived his name from his two godfathers, Augustus Middleton and Adol- phus Montague. 616 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Left to the sole care of his widowed mother from his infancy, his early education was not neglected. He was entered at Westminster School, of high repute, in the me- tropolis, and evinced a remarkable aptitude for learning. His mother had claims to an estate in Ireland, and took her son with her, on her journey thither. While at Cody- main, in Ireland, he strayed into a barn, where an unlet- tered layman, named James Morris, was preaching to a handful of people, from the text, — Ephesians ii. 13 : " But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." " Under that sermon," he says, "I was, I trust, brought nigh by the blood of Christ, in August, 1756." In another passage, he says, in- correctly, it was in " 1755." He now began a new life, and entered Trinity College, Dublin, as a student for the min- istry. As a relaxation from severer study, he composed during the next three years a considerable number of spiritual odes, poems and hymns. These early effusions he com- mitted to the press in 1769. They were published by Sarah Powell, at Dublin, and entitled, — " Poems on Sacred Subjects : Wherein the Fundamental Doctrines of Chris- tianity, with many other interesting Points, are occasion- ally introduced." The work contained 105 pieces. " Tliough awakened in 1755," he says, " I was not led into a full and clear view of all the doctrines of grace, till the year 1758, when, through the great goodness of God, my Arminian prejudices received an effectual shock, in reading Dr. Manton's Sermons on the xviith of St. John." From this time, to the end of his life, he was a decided Calvin- ist. Tyerman (Life and Times of Wesley, II. 315) records a letter written, September 13, 1758, in answer to one from Mr. J. Wesley, from which it would seem, that he had not yet read Manton. He received imposition of the hands of the bishop, on Trinity Sunday, June 6, 1762 ; and, shortly after, was pre- sented to the living of Blagdon, Somersetshire. Discover- ing that the place had been procured by purchase, he AUGUSTUS MONTAGUE TOPLADY. 617 resigned it, and not long after became the Vicar of Harp- ford, on tlie Otter, and of tlie adjacent parish of Fen Ottery, near Honiton, Devonshire. He exchanged these with the Rev. Mr. Luce, for the living of Broad Hembury, April 6, 1768, also in the same neighborhood. The living was rated at £80. Christophers speaks of " the delicious retreats on the banks of the Otter, amidst the beautiful hills which are overlooked by the western slopes of the Black Down range,"'where stands " the quiet i^arish church, of Broad Hembury." Here, amid the humble lace-workers of the district, he labored earnestly, during the next seven years, as his strength permitted. It was at Broad Hembury, that Toplady's soul-stimng hymns were composed. "Saturday, June 18, 1768," he writes, — "All day at home. Wrote several hymns; and, while writing that, which begins thus : ' When faith 's alert, and hope shines clear,' etc., I was, through grace, very comfortable in my soul." Till now he was altogether unknown to fame. In March, 1768, six students were expelled from St. Edmund's Hall, Oxford, in reality, for being "righteous overmuch." It created a great commotion among Low Churchmen. Top- lady, among others, denounced it, and wrote in defence of the Calvinism of the Articles. In reply to an Arminian tractate by the Rev. Dr. Nowel, he published (1769) " The Church of England vindicated from the charge of Armin- ianism." The same year, he published a translation of a Latin Essay by Jerome Zanchius, with the title, "The Doctrine of Absolute Predestination stated and asserted • with a Preliminary Discourse on the Divine Attributes ; accompanied with the Life of Zanchius." He had written it (1760) at the University in Dublin. A letter to Mr. Wesley followed in 1770, and "More Work for Mr. John Wesley," in 1772. "A Caveat against Unsound Doctrine," appeared in 1770, and three sermons in 1771. " Free Thoughts," etc., on " the Abolition of Ec- clesiastical Subscription," in 1771, and "Clerical Subscrip- 618 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tion no Grievance" (1772), preceded Ms elaborate work (1774) entitled, — "Historical Proof of the Doctrinal Cal- vinism of the Church of England," in two volumes. The same year, he published two sermons joreached at London, bearing on the same discussion. " The Scheme of Chris- tian and Philosophical Necessity Asserted," appeared in 1775. His repeated visits to the metropolis, where his mother resided, and his frequent publications, brought him to the notice of Lady Huntingdon and the circle of earnest preach- ers whom she delighted to encourage and patronize. He was invited to preach in her chapels, at London, at Brigh- ton and Bath, and became at once one of the most popular of evangelical preachers. He wrote continually, also, from early in 1774, for The Gospel Magazine (then newly re- vived), as "A. T.," or as "Minimus" or " Concionator"; and became, December, 1775, its editor, for seven months. He accepted, in April, 1776, a Lectureship for Sunday and Wednesday evenings, in the French Calvinist Reformed Church, Orange Street, Leicester Fields, London ; and con- tinued to minister there for the next two years. In 1776, he published his Compilation of " Psalms and Hymns for Public |ind Private Worship," on which he had bestowed much labor for some years. It contained 419 hymns, with- out the names of their authors, and many of the hymns considerably altered. The volume obtained much popular- ity, and has often been republished. His health continued to decline, so that he could no longer continue his public ministry. He preached but lit- tle after Easter, 1778, and died, as he had lived, full of faith, and hope, and joy, at his retreat at Knightsbridge, near London, August 11, 1778, in the thirty-eighth year of his age. His "Works" were published, in six volumes, by his friend and admirer, Mr. Walter Row, in 1794. The Collec- tion of Poems in this edition is very inaccurate, and has led to much confusion, both as to text and authorship. A cor- rect edition of his Poems and Hymns was published, in DANIEL TURNER. 619 1860, by Mr. Daniel Sedgwick, of London. Much of his poetry is quite similar to Charles Wesley's, with which, from the period of his conversion, he had been quite famil- iar. The following well-known hymn (1776), characteristic in style and sentiment, is from his Collection : "A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant-mercy I sing ; Nor fear, with thy righteousness on, My person and offerings to bring: The terrors of law and of God With me can have nothing to do ; My Saviour's obedience and blood Hide all my ti-ansgressions from view. " The work, which liis goodness began. The arm of his strength will complete ; His promise is Yea and Amen, And never was forfeited yet : Things future, nor things that are now, Not all things below nor above, Can make him his purpose forego. Or sever my soul from his love. *' My name from the palms of his hands Eternity will not erase ; Impressed on his heart it remains, In marks of indelible grace : Yes, I to the end shall endure, As sure as the earnest is given ; More happy, but not more secure, The glorified spirits in heaven." DANIEL TUENEE. 1710-1798. Mr. Turner was a Baptist minister, who, for half a cen- tury, had charge of a church at Abingdon, Berkshire, Eng- land, where he was universally regarded with respect and 620 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. veneration. He was born at Blackwater Park, near St. Albans, Hertfordshire, March 1, 1710. At an early age, he became a member of the Baptist Church of Hemel Hemp- stead, a short distance to the west of his father's farm, and where, having obtained a good classical education, he kept, in 1738, a boarding-school. Two years later (1740), he re- moved to Reading, on the Thames, and shortly after (1741) became the pastor of the Hosier Lane Baptist Church. In 1748, he removed to Abingdon, six miles south of Ox- ford, where he passed the remainder of his long and useful life. He died, on Wednesday, September 5, 1798, in the eighty -ninth year of his age. " His ministerial abilities," says the Evangelical Magazine, "useful writings, excellent character, and amiable disposition, rendered him through life universally resj^ected, and hold him up as an example to Christians in general, and Christian ministers in par- ticular. " He published (1739) an " Abstract of Grammar and Rhet- oric "; also, "Divine Songs, Hymns, and other Poems" (1747) ; "A Compendium of Social Religion " (1758) ; " Let- ters Religious and Moral " (1766) ; " Short Meditations on Select Portions of Scripture " (1771) ; and " Dissertations on Religion " (1775). His " Essays on Religion," in two vol- umes, appeared in 1780 ; and his " Expositions on Scrip- ture," in 1790. A volume of his " Poems Devotional and Moral " was i^rivately printed in 1794, several of which were transferred to TJie Protestant Dissentefs Magazine. Nine of his hymns appeared in Rippon's Selection (1787). The follomng stanzas, on the " Majesty of Grod," are a fair spec- imen of his style : "He speaks! and worlds obedient rise — Earth, suns and moons, and starry skies ; Anon his word of sovereign power Sinks them again to rise no more. "Around his throne, in solemn state, Mjrriads of flaming spirits wait, Swift to obey his sovereign will, And his high purposes fiiMl : — WILLIAM URWICK. 621 * ' His purposes, a vast profound, With awful darkness veiled around ! Yet wisdom, truth, and mei'cy, too, Break with delightful glory through. "He rules o'er all created things, O'er meanest worms and mightiest kings, He leads the stars their ample rounds, He gives the raging waters bounds. "Seraphs to him their rapture owe; His vengeance burns in hell below ; While here to man's apostate race. His Son reveals his richest grace." WILLIAM URWICK. 1791-1868. The Rev. William Urwick, D.D., for half a century, labored as an Independent minister in Ireland, with great success, universally respected and beloved. He was the only living son of William and Elinor (Eddowes) Urwick, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, where he was born, December 8, 1791. He was the great nephew of the Rev. Thomas Urwick (1727-1807), of Clapham, near London. He was of such a puny and sickly constitution, during his boyhood, that his life w^as frequently regarded as in the utmost peril. In 1799, his father died, but his mother lived to be ninety-five years old. He was sent (1807) to a boarding-school at Worcester, kept by the Rev. Thomas Belsher. The next year he obtained a situation at Bir- mingham, and, in 1809, became a member of the Independ- ent church under the care of the Rev. John Angell James, whose personal friendship he enjoyed. After frequent trials of his gifts, Mr. James recommended him as a candidate for the ministry, and, July 29, 1812, he 622 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. entered Hoxton Academy, of which, at the time, the Rev. Dr. Robert Simpson was Theological Tutor. In October, 1815, he visited Sligo, in the Northwest of Ireland, and preached for the Independent Chnrch of that town several months. He was ordained their pastor, June 19, 1816. He married, June 16, 1818, Sarah, daughter of Thomas Cooke, of Shrew^sbury, whom he had known from his childhood. After a successful ministry of eleven years, he accepted a call to York Street Chapel, Dublin, and removed thither at the close of October, 1826. Here, for thirty-nine years, he continued the devoted and endeared pastor of the same church, abounding in labors and active in every good proj- ect, and rising, steadily and surely, to a position of com- manding influence. He received the honorary degree of D.D., in 1832, from Dartmouth College, U. S. A. He published : " A Concise View of the Doctrine of Scrip- ture concerning the Ordinance of Baptism" (1823); "An Authentic Report of the Easky Discussion " (1825) ; " The Evils, Occasions, and Cure of Intemperance " (1829) ; " A Collection of Hymns adapted to Congregational Worship " (1829) ; " The True Nature of Christ's Person and Atone- ment " (1831) ; " One Hundred Reasons from Scripture for believing in the Divinity of Christ " (1832) ; " Value and Claims of the Sacred Scriptures, and Reasons of Separation from the Church of Rome " (1835) ; " The Duty of Chris- tians in regard to the Use of Property " (1836) ; " Extem- porary Prayer " (1836) ; " Grace in the Bud " (1838) ; " The Saviour's Right to Divine Worship Vindicated " (1839) ; "God in the Storm" (1839); "The Second Advent of Christ" (1839) ; "The Captain and his Crew" (1840) ; "The Ecclesiastical Movement in Scotland " (1843) ; " The Con- nection between Religion and the State " (1845) ; " Divine Laws Ordained for Blessing " (1848) ; " The Pax)al Aggres-* sion " (1850) ; " The Triple Crown, or the Power, Course, and Doom of the Papacy " (1852) ; " China," in " Two Lec- tures " (1854) ; " Earth's Rulers Judged " (1855) ; " Truth and Love,"—" in reply to Dr. Edgar " (1858) ; " History of Dublin " for the Religious Tract Society ; " Independency WILLIAM URWICK. 623 in Dublin in the Olden Time" (1862); " Clirist's World School," in Verse (1866) ; and " Biographic Sketches of J. D. La Toiiche, Esq." (1868). In the compilation of his Hymn-Book, he examined abont 150 volumes, and introduced a few hymns of his own. He had quite a rhjTning propensity, particularly in the decline of life. He frequently prepared one or more hymns to be sung on JSTew Year's Bay, or on Special Occasions. On the completion of his fiftieth year of ministerial ser- vice, a Jubilee Meeting was held, and, besides numerous flattering testimonials accorded him, he received a gift of £2,000 from his congregation. He now resigned his pas- toral charge, but continued in active service as long as his health allowed. He died, at his home near Dublin, July 16, 1868. The following hymn was prepared for New Year's Day, 1862: " Hitherto the Lord hath helped us, Here our souls this morn record ; Hitherto the Lord hath blessed us ; Raise the song with full accord : Hearts and voices ! All unite to praise the Lord. " For his mercy, still enduring. Still his truth and power the same, Stand for ever firm, assuring- All who love his holy name, He will never Let their hope be put to shame. * ' Forwards, forwards, then, with gladness, Gird your loins anew this day ; Rid of doubt, and sloth, and sadness, Strong in heart, through him, your stay, Brave the future. Nor distrust him, come what may." 624 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. BENJAMIN WALLIN. 1711-1782. The congregation tliat met at Horselydown, London, over whom Benjamin Keach was (1668) ordained pastor, is said to have been the first among the English Baptists that practised singing in public worship. Its introduction oc- casioned great opposition and a voluminous pamphlet con- troversy. In 1691, a portion of the church withdrew, and organized a new congregation at Maze Pond, Southwark, where singing was not to be tolerated. Of this congrega- tion, the Rev. Edward Wallin (1678-1733) became the pastor, in 1703. Benjamin Wallin was his son, and was born (1711) in Southwark, London. By the negligence of a nurse, he be- came a cripple from infancy. He was educated chiefly by the Rev. John Needham, a Baptist minister of Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Mr. Abraham West, his father's successor (1736), had accepted the charge on condition of the intro- duction of singing into public worship. He died in 1739, and, the following year, Benjamin Wallin was chosen to the pastorate of the church where he had been trained from infancy. Of this church, he remained the pastor until his death, February 19, 1782, at the age of seventy-one years, — "a man," says his tombstone, " (human frailty abated) exempt from all the faults, and endowed with all the virtues of a Christian minister." Besides about twenty occasional Sermons, the first of which was printed in 1746, and the last in 1780 (the most of which were Funeral Discourses), he published sevei'al short Essays on Practical Religion, and (1769) a volume of " Lectures on Primitive Christianity," " on the Epistle to the Church at Sardis," and " on the Faithful in the Days of Malachi"; of which a reprint was issued (1801) at Wil- mington, Del. He iDublished also (1850) a volume of "Evangelical BENJAMIN WALLIN. 625 Hymns and Songs, in Two Parts : The First, composed on various Views- of the Christian Life and Warfare ; The Second, in Praise of the Redeemer : Published for the Comfort and Entertainment of True Christians ; with Authorities at large from the Scriptures." The most of the " hymns were composed on special occasions, and with no further design than that of private use." Two of them were contributed by the author to the June Number of the Gospel Magazine for 1776. Both hymns were considerably modified. Toplady transferred them both, in this modified form, to his Collection, and thus made them familiar to the churches as now used. As the author was a well-known IDastor in London, at the time, it is probable that these modifications were made by himself, or with his sanc- tion. The following hymn, suggested by Rom. vii. 4, 6, was reproduced by D obeli : " Sing to the Lord, ye heirs of faith! Of Abraham's chosen seed, The law, that sentenced you to death, Is now through Jesus dead. *' Our Surety, by his cross, has broke The Law's condemning power ; For on himself our sins he took, And the hand- writing tore. " He bore our sins and set us free; No charge on us can lie ; His blood 's an all-sufficient plea Our souls to justify. * ' By legal works no more we strive To be discharged from guilt ; Dead to the law, to Christ we live. Whose blood for us was spilt. " Adore the Father's sovereign love, Who gave his only Son, Our curse and misery to remove, And make his mercy known." 40 626 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. RALPH WARDLAW. 1779-1853. The Rev. Dr. Wardlaw was born, December 22, 1779, at Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland. His mother, Anne Fisher, was the daughter of the Rev. James Fisher, the son-in-law and successor (as Professor of Theology) of the renowned Ebenezer Erskine, the father and founder of the Secession Church of Scotland. He is said, also, to have been a de- scendant, by his mother, of James V., King of Scotland. Six months after his birth, his father, William Wardlaw (1741-1821), removed to Glasgow, where he became one of its most honorable merchants and magistrates, as well as one of the pillars of the Secession Church. At eight, he was sent to the High School of Glasgow, and at twelve (1791) to the University of Glasgow, where he graduated, a mere boy (1795). Having experienced the power of divine grace, he entered the Divinity School of the Secession Church, and studied for the ministry under the instruction of the venerable Rev. Dr. Lawson, of Sel- kirk. As he was about to close his preparatory studies, and apply for license to preach, the Rev. Greville Ewing and the Rev. William Innes left the Established Church, and became (1798) the founders of the Scottish Congrega- tional Denomination. Young Wardlaw became deeply interested in the movement, and connected himself with the Congregational Church in Glasgow, of which Mr. Ew- ing had become the pastor. He now devoted himself to the gathering of a congregation in North Albion Street, of which he was ordained (February 16, 1803) the pastor. A humble edifice was erected, which the congregation soon outgrew ; and, in 1819, a commodious and substan- tial structure was built in West George Street, which was occupied by one of the largest, most intelligent, and most liberal congregations in the city. In 1811, he was associ- ated with Mr. Ewing as one of the Tutors of the Theolog- RALPH WAEDLAW. 627 ical School of tlie denomination,— a position that he con- tinued to fill, almost without additional remuneration, to the end of his life. As pastor and tutor, he rose steadily and surely to occujjy one of the very highest positions of influence out- side of the Established Church. Of the Congregational body of ministers, he was the acknowledged leader and chief. As a preacher he was universally popular, being regarded as one of the clearest, as well as most convincing, reasoners, in the Scottish pulpit. As a writer, he exerted a still more powerful influence for good — accurate in his statements, forcible in his arguments, and exhaustive in his discussions. His fame was not confined to Scotland, but ex- tended throughout England, and even New England. Yale College conferred (1818) on him the honorary degree of D.D. His literary industry was marvelous. His first venture from the press was " A Selection of Hymns for Public Wor- ship," prepared in 1803, to take the place of an inferior Collection, then in use among the Scotch Congregational - ists, known as " The Tabernacle Selection." The new book contained 315 hymns and seven doxologies. A few of the hymns were from his ow^n pen. The names of the authors w^ere not given, because, in part, " he found occasion to use such freedom, in enlarging, abridging, and altering, that they could not, with propriety, be assigned to their first composers." The Fifth Edition (1817) contained a " Supplement" of 171 additional hymns. The " Selection" evinces good taste and excellent judgment. It has had a large circulation. Dr. Wardlaw had exhibited a rhyming propensity, while at college, and frequently indulged it, as a recreation, in later years. He published : " Lectures on Romans iv. 9-2.5," a Defence of Infant Baptism (1807) ; " Sermons " (1809) ; " Discourses on the Principal Points of the Socinian Controversy" (1814) ; " Unitarianism Incapable of Vindication " (1816) : "Expository Lectures on the Book of Ecclesiastes," two volumes (1821) ; " A Dissertation on the Scriptural Author- ity, Nature, and Uses of Baptism " (1825) ; " Man Respon- 628 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. sible for his Belief," two Sermons (1825) ; " XYII Seiinons" (1829); "Friendly Letters to the Society of Friends" (1830) ; " Two Essays on the Assurance of Faith, and on the Extent of the Atonement and Universal Pardon " (1830) ; " Discourses on the Sabbath " (1832) ; " Civil Estab- lishments of Christianity Tried by the Word of God" (1832) ; " Christian Ethics ; or Moral Philosophy on the Principles of Divine Revelation " (1833); " National Church Establishments Examined " (1839) ; " Lectures on Female Prostitution in Glasgow " (1842); " Discourses on the Atone- ment " (1843) ; " Life of Joseph and the Last Days of Jacob " (1845) ; " Congregational Independence " (1848) ; and an " Essay on the Miracles " (1852). Numerous Arti- cles, also, appeared in periodicals, or as Prefaces and Intro- ductions to other publications. He died December 17, 1853. After his death, his " Systematic Theology " appeared in 1856-57 ; " Lectures on the Book of Proverbs," in 1861 ; " Lectures on the Epistle to the Romans," in 1861 ; " Lec- tures on the Prophecies of Zechariah," in 1862 ; and " Lec- tures on the Epistle of James," in 1862. " Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, D.D.," by W. L. Alexander, D.D., were published in 1856. The fol- lowing stanzas are from his 168th hymn, of which the sec- ond and third are omitted : ' ' Contemplate, saints ! the source divine, Whence all your joys have flowed : With wondering minds and praising hearts, ' Behold the Lamb of God ! ' " With holy mind, and heart renewed, Run ye the narrow road ? His sprinkled blood has cleansed your souls; ' Behold the Lamb of God ! ' " Each heavenly blessing ye receive Through Jesus is bestowed ; In every good your souls possess, ' Behold the Lamb of God 1 ' ISAAC WATTS. " Hope ye, in heaven with God at last To find your blessed abode ? Still, as the ground of all your hopes, ' Behold the Lamb of God ! ' " ISAAC WATTS. 1674-1748. Isaac Watts is a name of most precious memory. More than two centuries have passed since his birth, and yet no one, even to this day, so often leads the praises of the sanc- tuary, as the bard of Southampton. "Every Sabbath," wrote Montgomery in 1825, " in every region of the earth where his native tongue is spoken, thousands and tens of thousands of voices are sending the sacrifices of prayer and praise to God, in the strains which he prepared for them a century ago ; yea, every day, ' he being dead yet speaheth ' by the lips of posterity, in these sacred lays, some of which may not cease to be sung by the ransomed on their Journey to Zion, so long as the language of Britain endures." " Of Watts," said Dr. Dibdin, " it is im]30ssible to speak Avithout veneration and respect. His Hymns are the charm of our early youth ; his Logic, the well-knowTi theme of school-boy study ; and his Sermons, Essays, and other the- ological compositions, are a source of never-failing gratifi- cation in the advance, maturity, and decline of life. The man at four-score may remember, with gratitude, the ad- vantage of having committed the hymns of this pious man to his infantile memory." " My grandfather, Mr. Thomas Watts," says Watts, " had such acquaintance with the mathematics, painting, music, and poesy, etc. , as gave him considerable esteem among his contemporaries. He was commander of a ship of war (1656), and by blowing up of the ship in the Dutch war he was drowned in his youth." His widow survived until July 13, 630 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. 1693, taking an active and prominent part in the education of lier grandson. Their son, Isaac Watts, Sr., like his parents, was a thor- ough Puritan ; a deacon, also, in the Congregational Church of Southampton, and eminent for piety. Born in 1652, he came to years during the stormy days of persecution that characterized the later years of Charles II. He married in 1673, and had born to him four sons and five daughters. He was well educated, and addicted to the art of versifica- tion. He opened a boarding-school, that soon acquired considerable reputation, — pupils being sent to it even from America and the West Indies. His pastor, the Rev. Giles Say, had been ejected from St. Michael's in 1662 ; but, in March, 1672, on the " Declaration of Indulgence," had ob- tained license to preach in his own house. The " Declara- tion" was recalled in 1674, and the torch of persecution kindled anew. It was at this crisis, that the child, Isaac Watts, was born, July 17, 1674, in Southampton, Hampshire, England, the first-born of his mother. He was nursed and trained in times that greatly tried men's souls. Mr. Say and deacon Watts were both imi^risoned, a short time, for their non- conformity ; and tradition has it, that the mother of the poet had nursed him, seated on a stone near the prison door. Under his father's instruction, he developed a re- markable precocity. At the age of four years (1678) he "began to learn Latin," and made rapid progress in ele- mentary knowledge. He was sent (1680), at six years of age, to the free gram- mar-school of Southampton, then under the charge of the Rev. John Pinhorne, Rector of All Saints' Church, a gen- tleman of considerable ability, and much revered in after life by his eminent pupil. Three years later (1688), the persecution of Dissenters in England and Scotland raged furiously. The elder Watts was imprisoned again for six months ; and, on being released, was " forced to leave his family, and live privately in London for two years. " King Charles II. died, February 6, 1785, and was succeeded by ISAAC WATTS. 631 James II. Mr. Watts remained in London several months later, and probably until milder counsels began to prevail. Young Watts still continued at the grammar-school, and ("1683 or before") "began to learn Greek"; in 1684-5, he " learnt French," and " 1687 or 8," " learnt Hebrew." From a child he had been passionately fond of books, and his rhyming propensity began to be developed as early as his sixth year. The glorious " Revolution " was inaugurated by the landing of the Prince of Orange in England, No- vember 5, 1688, and persecution came to an end. The same year, Watts was brought " under considerable convictions of sin," and (1689) in his fifteenth year "was taught to trust in Christ." He continued under Mr. Pinhorne's in- structions ten years (1680-1690). The remarkable developments of the lad induced Dr. John Si)eed, a physician of the town, and other admiring friends, to offer him a University course at their expense. But, as this involved a surrender of his non-conformity, and " he was determined to take his lot among the Dis- senters," he respectfully and gratefiilly declined the offer. Having now " made himself master of the Latin, Greek, He- brew, and French, languages," he " left the grammar-school (1690) and came to London, to Mr. Howe's, to study plii- losophy, etc." The Rev. Thomas Rowe (1657-1705), brother of the Rev. Benoni Rowe, and son of Rev. John Rowe, all of London, at the decease (1678) of the learned Rev. Theophilus Gale, took charge of the Academy, taught by the latter at New- ington Green ; which he removed, first to Clapham, Surrey, and, at the Revolution (1688), to " Little Britain," in the im- mediate vicinity of St. Paul's Church, and the present site of the General Post-Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand, London. Here Watts resided until the early part of 1694, most dili- gently and successfully prosecuting his studies. A manu- script volume, containing twenty- two of his Latin Essays, on physical, metaphysical, ethical, and theological theses, is extant. Dr. Samuel Johnson says, they " show a degree of knowledge, both philosophical and theological, such as very few attain by a much longer course of study." 632 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Mr. Rowe, his teacher, was the pastor of an Independent church worshiping in Girdler's Hall, on the east side, near London AVall. Here Watts worshiped during his student life in London, and here, December, 1693, in his twentieth year, he first made a public profession of religion. In April, 1694, having finished, with the greatest credit, his academic career, including a thorough course of theologi- cal study, and being enfeebled by excessive application, he returned to his father's house at Southampton for rest and recreation — a slender youth, scarcely more than five feet in height, and yet one of the ripest scholars of his age any- w^here to be found in the kingdom. From the age of fifteen (1689), he had enlivened the se- verity of study by essays in poetry, both English and Latin, In allusion to these early efforts of his muse, Dr, Samuel Johnson says, — " his diction, though i^erhaps not always exactly pure, has such copiousness and splendor, as shows that he was but a very little distance from excellence, " So refined an ear must have taken no little offence at the rude and uncouth psalmody to which the humble congregation of Independents at Southampton were restricted. It is more than probable, that they still sung House's versions of the Psalms. The day of hymn-books had not yet come. Joseph Stennett's " Hymns for the Lord's Supper " did not appear until 1697. John Mason's " Songs of Praise " had appeared in 1683, but as yet had been little used among the Dissenters, as Mason belonged to "The Church." Tate and Brady's " New Version " of the Psalms was not au- thorized until 1698. The " Old Version " of Sternhold and Hopkins still kept its place in the churches of the Estab- lishment. Possibly this " Old Version " may have been in use among the Independents, to some extent. Patrick's Version was just then (1694) passing through the press. The Rev. John Morgan, of Romsey, Hampshire, says: " The occasion of the Doctor's hymns was this, as I had the account from his Avorthy fellow-laborer and colleague, the Rev. Mr. Price, in whose family I dwelt above fifty years ago. The hymns, which were sung at the Dissenting meet ISAAC WATTS. 633 ing-house at Southampton, were so little to the taste of Mr. Watts, tliat lie could not forbear complaining of tliem to liis father. The father bade him try what he could do to mend the matter. He did, and had such success in his first essay, that a second hymn was earnestly desired of him, and then a third and fourth, etc., till, in process of time, there was such a number of them as to make up a volume." This letter was addressed to the Rev. Dr. Thomas Gibbons, and published (1780) in his "Memoirs of Dr. Isaac Watts." Tradition, also, reports, that the first hymn thus composed was that excellent lyric, " Behold the glories of the Lamb," etc., a tradition to be traced, probably, to the fact, that this is the first hymn, numerically, of his first Book. The only one of his " Hymns," to which a date was afllxed by the author, is the sixty-second of his second Book,— " Sing to the Lord, ye heavenly hosts ! " etc., — which was " made in a great sudden storm of thunder, Au- gust the 20th, 1697," at Stoke I^ewington, near London, where he was then residing. During the thirty months of his sojourn at home (1694- 1696), Watts continued the prosecution of his studies, as well as the composition of his "Hymns and Spiritual Songs." In his brief "Memoranda," he says: "Came to Sir John Hartopp's, to be a tutor to his son, at Newington, October W, 1696." Sir John was one of the most eminent among the lay non-conformists of the period. He was an intimate friend of the renowned Rev. Dr. John Owen, of whose church he was a member. His wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of the Lord General Charles Fleetwood, whose second wife, Bridget Cromwell, was the eldest daughter of the Protector, Oliver Cromwell. Fleetwood and his wife had both died, the former only four years before (1692). Stoke Newington was a rural suburb of the metropolis, a few miles to the north. 634 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. In tliis pleasant retreat, and in tlie midst of a cliarming circle of highly -cultured Christian people, Watts found a delightful home for the greater part of six years. Sir John's family worshiped with Dr. Isaac Chauncey's con- gregation at the house of a Dr. Clarke, in Mark Lane, near the Tower of London. Here Watts preached his first ser- mon, on his birth-day, July 17, 1698 ; and, the next month, on a visit home, preached several times at Southampton. The next February (1699), he was chosen and began to preach as Dr. Chauncey's Assistant, at Mark Lane Church, occupying the pulpit every Sabbath morning. The same year, he began to be affected with the infirmity from which he suffered during the most of his subsequent life. It re- turned upon him, in the summer of the following year (1700), and still more severely in 1701. From June to No- vember, he was obliged to decline all public services, pass- ing his time at Bath, Southampton, and Tunbridge. Dr. Chauncey resigned the pastorate in April, 1701, and Watts, on his return to Newington, in IS'ovember, was called, January W, 1702, to be his successor. He was or- dained, March 18, 1702, ten days after the decease of King William. He was preceded in the pastorate by the emi- nent divines, Joseph Caryl and John Owen, as well as David Clarkson and Isaac Chauncey. He entered upon his work with much self-distrust and trembling. Again his health gave way, and in September he was laid aside by " violent Gaundice and cholic," from which he suffered, more than two months. Leaving Newington, he became the guest of Mr. Thomas Hollis, residing in the spacious street called " The Minonis," near the Tower. The son of Mr, Hollis became a distinguished benefactor of Harvard College. His constitution had become so enfeebled by disease, that, in June, 1703, the Rev. Samuel Price, a native of Wales, was chosen his assistant. His infinnities having, for four years, prevented his app] xation to study, he now, December, 1703, began to employ an amanuensis, to read to him and write for him. In June, 1704, the congregation ISAAC WATTS. 635 removed from Mark Lane to Pinners' Hall, Old Broad Street, in the very heart of the city, a place of hallowed memories to the Dissenters. After much importunity on the part of friends and admirers, he ventured to appear in print, and, December, 1705, published his " Hora3 Lyrica) ; Poems, chiefly of the Lyric Kind." The book was well re- ceived, and his reputation as a lyric poet was established. It brought him many flattering encomiums, and eight edi- tions were called for during the author's life-time. His brother, Enoch, residing at Southampton, had writ- ten to him, in March, 1700, urging him, at much length, and with a very plausible show of argument, "to oblige the world by showing it " his " hymns in print." The success of the " Lyi-ics " now determined him no longer to delay the publication of the Hymns, the most of which had been wiitten before the century commenced. He had, however, many misgivings as to the popular verdict. In a Prefatory. Essay, he sought most carefully to disarm criticism. He refers to the wretched state of the prevalent psalmody, and says : " Many ministers, and many private Christians, have long groaned under this inconvenience, and have wished, rather than attempted, a reformation. At their importu- nate and repeated requests, I have, for some years past, de- voted many hours of leisure to this service." He protests that he has sought to bring the hymns down to the capacity of the people : " The metaphors are gener- ally sunk to the level of vulgar capacities. I have aimed at ease of numbers and smoothness of sound, and endeav- ored to make the sense plain and obvious. If the verse appears so gentle and flowing as to incur the censure of feebleness, T may honestly affirm, that sometimes it cost me labor to make it so. Some of the beauties of poesy are neglected, and some wilfully defaced ; I have thrown out the lines that were too sonorous, and have given an allay to the verse, lest a more exalted turn of thought, or lan- guage, should darken or disturb the devotion of the weak- est souls." It was this very process, doubtless, that gave his hymns such a marvelous adaptation to the wants of the 636 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. worsMpers, and made them such universal favorites from tlie first. They were immeasurably in advance of every- thing of the kind then known ; and they struck a chord that, even now, has not ceased to vibrate. His " Hymns and Spiritual Songs : In Three Books," first appeared in July, 1707. The work contained 222 hymns, including 12 doxologies. A new edition was soon called for. It was issued in April, 1809, corrected and much enlarged. To the first book were added 72 new hymns ; 60 to the second ; 3 to the third ; besides 3 new doxologies and 4 "Hosannas." The text of the former edition had been carefully revised and corrected. Fourteen imitations of the Psalms were omitted, in order to be incorporated in his contemplated Book of Psalms. Tlie new hymns were also printed in a " Supplement." The hymn-book had hitherto been unknown in public worship. Neither Mason's " Songs of Praise," nor Sten- nett's " Hymns for the Lord's Supjjer," had been adopted as vehicles of public praise. No other book, then extant, was adapted to this service. Watts is conceded to have been the Great Reformer of Public Worship, in the matter of united Praise. He is the Father of Hymnody and its chief promoter. " Dr. Watts," says Montgomery, " may almost be called the inventor of hymns in our language ; for he so far departed from all precedent, that few of his composi- tions resemble those of his forerunners, — while he so far established a precedent to all his successors, that none have departed from it, otherwise than according to the peculiar turn of mind in the writer, and the style of expressing Christian truths employed by the denomination to which he belonged." Montgomery does not hesitate to speak of Watts, as " the greatest name among hymn- writers," — " since it has pleased God to confer upon him, though one of the lea t of the poets of his country, more glory than upon the greatest either of that or any other, by making his ' Divine Songs ' a mo-e abundant and universal blessing, than the verses of any uninspired penman that ever lived." — " We say this, ISAAC WATTS. 637 witliout reserve, of the materials of his hymns ; had their execution always been correspondent with the precionsness of these, we should have had a 'Christian Psalmist' in England, next (and that only in date, not in dignity) to the ' Sweet Singer of Israel.' " At the close of September, 1708, his congregation took possession of their new house of worship, Duke's Place, Bury Street, — erected on a piece of ground leased of Mr. Charles Great, previously occupied as his garden. It was forty by fifty feet, and had three large galleries. Tliey continued to worship here during the remainder of Watts' life. At the end of the year 1710, he removed his lodgings from the house of Mr. Hollis, to that of Mr. Bowes. His malady again made inroads upon his health, and re- turned upon him, in the autumn of 1712, with such vio- lence, as to unfit him for all public service. A violent fever, and a consequent distressing neuralgia, so over- powered him, as to deprive him, at times, of all apparent consciousness. At the request of Watts himself, his as- sistant, Mr. Price, was ordained, March 3, 1713, his co- X)astor. Sir Thomas Abney, a member of Parliament, and formerly (1700) Lord Mayor of the City of London, was a devout non-conformist. He had an estate at Theobalds, Hertford- shire, adjacent to the ruins of Lord Burleigh's Palace, in the immediate vicinity of Cheshunt and Waltham Park. His first wife was the daughter of the learned Rev. Joseph Caryl. In 1700, at the age of sixty-one, he married Mary Gunston, the sister of Thomas Gunston, Esq., "who died November 11, 1700, when he had just finished his seat at Newington," — the manor-house of Stoke Newington. Both Gunston and his sister. Lady Abney, who inherited the estate, were special friends of Watts, who wrote an Elegiac Poem, on the occasion of his death, and dedicated it to "Lady Abney, Lady Mayoress of London." After Watts had been prostrated by severe illness. Sir Thomas, in 1713, invited him to his seat at Theobalds, with the hope that the change might be beneficial. He accepted the invita- 63S THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. tion. Many years afterwards, lie said to Lady Huntingdon, — " This day thirty years I came hither to the house of my good friend Sir Thomas Abney, intending to spend but one single week under his friendly roof, and I have extended my visit to the length of exactly thirty years." It was a delightful rural retreat, much resorted to by the London gentry, and the abode of the choicest society. AVith a generosity unbounded, and a tenderness most exemplary, the noble baronet and his family ministered to their be- loved guest, supplying his every want, and alleviating to the utmost the severity of his malady. During a period of four years (1712-1716), Watts was laid aside from all public work. He ministered as his pa- tron's chaplain, and, when possible, preached a parlor ser- mon, on the evenings of the Lord's Days. In 1716, he published his " Guide to Prayer." Much of his leisure at Theobalds, when convalescent, he employed in the comple- tion of his "Psalms." In the Preface to his "Hymns" (1707), he had said : " After this manner should I rejoice to see a good part of the book of Psalms fitted for the use of our churches, and David converted into a Christian ; but, because I can not persuade others to attempt this glorious work, I have suffered myself to be persuaded to begin it, and have, through divine goodness, already pro- ceeded half way through." The work was at length prepared for publication, and issued at the opening of the year 1719. The Preface and Advertisement are dated December 1, 1718. In the Preface, after a kindly reference to Sir John Denham, Mr. Milbourne, and Mr. Tate and Dr. Brady, he says : " I have not refused, in some few psalms, to borrow a single line or two from these three authors ; yet I have taken the most freedom of that sort with Dr. Patrick, for his style best agrees with my design, though his verse be generally of a lower strain." The Rev. Dr. John Patrick, a brother of Bishop Simon Patrick, had, in 1694, published " The Psalmes of David, in Metre," of which Watts, in his Pref- ace, says : " He hath made use of the present language of ISAAC WATTS. 639 Christians in several Psalms, and left out many of the Judaisms. This is the thing that hath introduced him into the favor of so many religious assemblies ; even those very persons, that have an aversion to sing anything in worship but David's psalms, have been led insensibl^^ to fall in with Dr. Patrick's performance, by a relish of pious pleasure ; never considering that his work is by no means a just translation, but a paraphrase." The design of Watts was, " to accommodate the Book of Psalms to Christian worship ; and, in order to this," — " to divest David and Asaph, etc. , of every other character but that of a psalmist and a saint, and to make them always speak the common sense of a Christian." "With this view," he says, " I have entirely omitted some whole Psalms, and large pieces of many others ; and have chosen, out of all them, such parts only as might easily and natu- rally be accommodated to the various occasions of the Chris- tian life, or at least might afford us some beautiful allusion to Christian affairs. These I have copied and explained in the general style of the gospel." — "I have chosen rather to imitate than to translate ; and thus to compose a Psalm- book for Christians after the manner of the Jewish Psalter." " I have expressed myself, as I may suppose David would have done, had he lived in the days of Christianity." — " In all places, I have kept my grand design in view, and that is, to teach my author to speak like a Christian." It ^^'as a great innovation. It encountered a world of prejudices, well-nigh inveterate — prejudices, that, even to this day, maintain their hold upon large and respectable bodies of Christian people. To meet these difficulties, and overcome them, to counteract these prejudices, or mitigate their severity, and to defend his work against all opposi- tion, he prepared, " at the request of several ministers and private Christians who practised psalmody in this method themselves," and soon after published, "A Short Essay toward the Improvement of Psalmody"; having, in the Preface to his "Psalms," begged his readers to suspend their censures of his work, " tiU," he says, " they have read 640 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. my Discourse of Psalmody, which I hope will shortly be published." The "Psalms" was a work far in advance of anything previously published " for the service of song in the house of the Lord." He was admirably qualified for it, j)ossessing, as he did, a thoroughly educated and classical mind, great familiarity with the Hebrew text, a remarkable facility of versification, a lively imagination, a refined ear, a thorough acquaintance with the poetic literature, sacred and profane, of the age, and a cultivated poetic taste, — the whole sancti- fied by " an unction from the Holy One," by constant and devout intercourse with the spiritual world, and by a glow- ing zeal for the universal spread of the Gospel among his fellow-men. The " Hymns " had prepared the way for the " Psalms," and excited large expectations in the circle of his particu- lar friends. An edition of four thousand copies was sold the first year. Gradually the book supplanted Patrick, and Rouse, and Sternhold ; and was ado^^ted by a large proportion of the Dissenting congregations of the metrop- olis. It became popular throughout the kingdom, and in the British Colonies of the New World. Together with the " Hymns " it has been issued in numberless editions. Millions of copies have been circulated. It still commands an immense sale. For a hundred years and more after its first appearance, scarcely anything in the way of a Compila- tion appeared among the Dissenters (the Wesleyans ex- cepted), but as "A Supplement to Watts." Watts sup- planted all his predecessors, save in "The Establishment"; but, to this day, has never himself been supplanted. The use of " Watts' Psalms and Hymns " so generally among the Dissenting churches of England had much to do in keeping alive the flame of true devotion, during the long period of foraialism that characterized much of the eighteenth century. And now, though new compilations of hymns have, during the present century, been continu- ally seeking the patronage of the churches, not one of them can obtain or secure it among the Congregational, ISA^iC WATTS. 641 Presbyterian, or Baptist Cliurches of England and America, that is not largely composed of Watts' inimitable Spiritual Songs. To this day, Isaac Watts remains the peerless "Poet of the Sanctuary." But the most widely circulated of all his publications, and, in some respects, the most useful, was his " Divine and Moral Songs for the Use of Children," that ai^peared in 1720, though the greater part had been composed several years before. An immense number of copies of this little book have been put in circulation ; hundreds of thousands are printed yearly. The " Songs " have exerted an incalcu- lable influence for good over the infantile minds of at least five generations. They have been translated into a large number of European and other languages, and are known and loved throughout the world. " For children," says Dr. Samuel Johnson, " he condescended to lay aside the scholar, the philosopher, and the wit, to write little poems of devo- tion, and systems of instruction, adapted to their wants, and capacities, from the dawn of reason, through its grada- tions of advance in the morning of life. Every man, acquainted with the common principles of human action, will look with veneration on the writer, who is at one time combating Locke, and at another making a Catechism for Children in their fourth year. A voluntary descent from the dignity of science is perhaps the hardest lesson that humility can teach." In 1722, his venerated friends and patrons, Sir John Har- topp, and Sir Thomas Abney, both died. Lady Abney subsequently divided her time between Theobalds and her own manor-house at Stoke Kewington, when in the coun- try, and her house in Lime Street, when in the city, — from all which places Watts dates his letters and his publica- tions. His health, though much improved since 1716, con- tinued very precarious. " I am continually prevented," he says, in an address to his people, February 21, 1721, "in my design of successive visits to you, by the want of active spirits while I tarry in the city ; and, if I attempt to stay but a week or ten days there, I find a sensible return of 41 642 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. weakness ; so that I am constrained to retire to the coun- try air, in order to recruit and maintain this little capacity of service." He preached whenever on the Sabbath it was possible, though in great weakness ; but frequently he was kept from the pulpit for weeks and months. To compensate for the lack of public service, he occupied his time, when practicable, in the preparation of useful iDub- lications. Several volumes of " Sermons " were thus given to his people and the world, during the last twenty-five years of his life. His " Logic " was issued in 1724 ; his " Book of Catechisms," in 1728 ; his " Short View of Scrip- ture History," in 1730 ; his " Philosophic Essays," in 1732 ; his " Miscellaneous Thoughts in Prose and Verse," in 1734 ; his " Ruin and Recovery of Mankind," in 1740 ; and his "Improvement of the Mind," in 1741. Numerous Essays, on a great variety of subjects, theological, ecclesiastical, philosoi^hical, and political, were also issued by the godly recluse, — several of them on the jDliilosophy of the doctrine of the Trinity. He was honored, in 1728, by both the Universities of Ed- inburgh and Aberdeen, with the honorary degree of D.D. He took a deep interest in the progress of religion, both at home and abroad. He corresponded with a number of the leading clergymen of New England, including the Mathers, President Williams, and Jonathan Edwards ; also with Gov- ernor Belcher. He was profoundly moved by the news of " The Great Awakening " in New England, in 1740, and by the itinerant operations of the Wesleys, Whitefield, and their coadjutors. In Dr. Doddridge and his Academy, he took a very deep interest, as indeed in all that pertained to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. At Stoke Newington manor-house, where principally he resided from and after 1735, he was continually sought, for advice and counsel, and for the pleasure of his acquaintance, by all classes. Greatly revered and loved, as well as highly hon- ored, by an ever- widening circle of friends and admirers, in and out of the Establishment, and recognized everywhere as the Patriarch of the Dissenting clergy, he spent the last ISAAC WATTS. 643 few years of liis life in this delightful retreat. Gradually he declined in strength, but not a cloud darkened his sky, not a doubt disturbed the serenity of his peace. He died on the afternoon of Friday, November 25, 1748, in the sev- enty-lifth year of his age. A great concourse of sincere mourners attended the body to its final resting-place in Bunhill Fields, and a monument to his memory was erected in Westminster Abbey. In a little more than forty years, he had issued fifty-two distinct publications. His collected "Works," edited by the Rev. Drs. David Jennings and Philip Doddridge, were published (1753) in six quarto volumes. They have fre- quently been reprinted. " I question," says Dr. Jennings, " whether any author before him did ever appear with rep- utation on such a variety of subjects as he has done, both as a prose-writer and as a poet. However, this I may ven- ture to say, that there is no man now living (1753), of whose works so many have been dispersed both at home and abroad, that are in such constant use, and translated into such a va- riety of languages." " Few men," says Dr. Johnson, " have left behind such purity of character, or such monuments of laborious piety. He has provided instruction for all ages, from those w^ho are lisping their first lessons, to the enlightened readers of Malebranche and Locke ; he has left neither corporeal nor spiritual nature unexamined ; he has taught the art of reasoning, and the science of the stars." " He was one of the first authors that taught the Dissenters to court attention by the graces of language. Whatever they had among them before, whether of learning or acute- ness, was commonly obscured and blunted by coarseness and inelegance of style. He showed them that zeal and purity might be expressed and enforced by polished dic- tion." He was not only a polished writer, but, in his best days, an impressive preacher. A thin, spare man, scarcely moi'e than five feet in stature, his " bodily presence" was "weak "; his forehead was low, his cheek-bones rather prominent, his eyes small and gray, and his face, in repose, of a heavy as- 644 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. pect. But his voice was distinct and musical, lie was an adept in the art of pronunciation, his delivery was grave and solemn, and his manner indicative of a glowing zeal for God and the souls of men. He was one of the purest, as he was one of the most modest and amiable, of men. In the "Preface" to his "Miscellaneous Thoughts," March, 1734, he says : "I make no pretences to the name of a poet, or a polite writer, in an age wherein so many superior souls shine in their works through this nation." " I can boast of little more than an inclination and a wish that way." Yet Dr. Johnson truly says, in his "Lives of the English Poets" : " As a poet, had he been only a poet, he would probably have stood high among the authors with whom he is now associated." He was wont to attach to his printed sermons a hymn designed to accompany their delivery, and probably written at the same time. As a whole, they do not compare with his other hymns. Some of them have been taken to fill up the gaps in his hymn- book, occasioned by the transfer of several of his hymns to his Book of Psalms. "Oh ! that I knew the secret place," etc., was written to accompany a sermon (1721) on " Sins and Sorrows spread before God," from Job xxiii. 3, 4. " O happy soul, that lives on high," etc., follows two sermons (1721) on "The Hidden Life of a Christian," from Col. iii. 3. "What shall the dying sinner do ? " etc., accompanies his three sermons (1723) on " A Rational De- fence of the Gospel," from Rom. i. 16. "Jesus! thy blessings are not few," etc., also, is based on Rom. i. 16, and follows a sermon (1723) entitled, " I^one excluded from Hope. " "Am I a soldier of the cross," etc., ISAAC WATTS. 645 grew out of a sermon (1727) on " Holy Fortitude, or Reme- dies against Fear," from 1 Cor. xvi. 13. "Father of glory! to thy name," etc., is the sequel to a sermon (1727) on " The Doctrine of the Trinity, and the Use of it; or, Access to the Father, through Christ, by the Holy Spirit," from Eph. ii. 18. The first two lines of the 100th Psalm, as commonly sung,— ' ' Before Jehovah's awfiil throne, Ye nations! bow, with sacred joy," were written by the Rev. John Wesley, and substituted by him for the lines, as written by Watts, — " Nations! attend before his throne, With solemn fear, with sacred joy." Wesley, also, wrote the following stanza, — " He dies, the Friend of sinnei's dies ! Lo ! Salem's daughters weep around : A solemn darkness veils the skies, A sudden trembling shakes the ground ! " and substituted it for the stanza, as written by Watts, — ' ' He dies, the heavenly Lover dies ! The tidings strike a doleful sound On my poor heart-strings ; deep he lies In the cold caverns of the ground." The hymn beginning with ' ' Sinner ! oh ! why so thoughtless grown," is properly a reconstruction (by Dr. Rippon, 1787, prob- ably) of a lyric by Watts, beginning with ' ' Oh ! why is man so thoughtless grown ? " entitled, "The hardy Soldier," and inscribed "to the Right Honorable John, Lord Cust, at the siege of Na- mur," and written, therefore, in July or August, 1695. 646 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Many of his hymns give evidence of his love of natural scenery. The beautiful hymn, "There is a land of pure delight," etc., is said to have been written in his father's house at South- ampton, in a room overlooldng the river Itchen, with the charming Isle of Wight in the distance, and suggesting very naturally the couplet, " Sweet fields, beyond the swelling flood, Stand dressed in liying green." Possibly, the " sweet fields " were a portion of " the green glades of the N^ew Forest," on the other side of the river and hai^bor. The quiet waters of the harbor, doubtless, suggested the familiar stanza, — " There shall I bathe my weary soul In seas of heavenly rest, Axid not a wave of trouble roll Across my peaceful breast." GEORGE WEISSEL. 1590-1635. The Rev. George Weissel was a German Protestant divine of the early part of the seventeenth century. He was born (1590) at Domnau, Prussia. Yery few j)articulars of his life have been preserved. At an early age he devel- oped a remarkable poetic talent, and had the gift of inspir- ing others, Simon Dach particularly, with something of his own enthusiasm for the divine art. At the age of thirty- three, after long years of careful preparation for the cleri- cal profession, he was appointed to a ministerial charge in Konigsberg, Prussia. He was subjected to many trials during the " Thirty Years' War," and died in great peace CHARLES WESLEY. 647 at Konigsberg, August 1, 1635. His celebrated and popular Advent Hymn, "Macht hoch das Thor, die Thiiren weit," etc., ["Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!" — Tr. C. Winkworth], was composed about 1630. CHARLES WESLEY. 1708-1788. Charles Wesley, in the number of his compositions, greatly exceeds any other hymn-writer in the English lan- guage. To the Wesleyans of every name throughout the Christian world, he is the Father of Sacred Song. Thomas Jackson, his biographer, says : " It is as a writer of devotional poetry, that Mr. Charles Wesley will be permanently remembered, and that his name will live in the annals of the Church. In the com- position of hymns adapted to Christian worship, he certain- ly has no equal in the English language, and is perhaps su- perior to every other uninspired man that ever lived. It does not appear, that any person besides himself, in any section of the universal Church, has either written so many hymns, or hymns of such surpassing excellence." "Dur- ing the last fifty years [1841], few Collections of Hymns, designed for the use of evangelical congregations, whether belonging to the Established Church, or to the Dissenting bodies, have been made, without a considerable number of his compositions, which are admired in proportion as the people are spiritually-minded. His hymns are, therefore, extensively used in secret devotion, in family- worship, and in public religious assemblies. Every Sabbath-day, myil- ads of voices are lifted up, and utter, in the hallowed strains which he has supplied, the feelings of x)enitence, of faith, 648 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. of grateful love, and joyous hope, with which the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, has inspired them ; and are thus in a course of training for the more perfect wor- ship of heaven." "As long as the language in which they are written is understood, and enlightened piety is cherished, the hjnnns of this venerable man will be used as a handmaid to devotion," Charles Wesley was born, December 18, 1708, in the humble rectory of Epworth, Lincolnshire. His father, Samuel Wesley {q. v.), was the Rector of the parish. His mother, Susannah, was a daughter of the Rev. Samuel An- nesley, LL.D., one of the most eminent divines among the Dissenters, and whose father was a brother of Arthur, the iirst Earl of Anglesea. Charles was the youngest, save one (Kezia), of nineteen children, of whom only ten survived their infancy, — seven daughters and three sons, Samuel, John, and Charles. Such was the improvidence, in some respects, of the father, so numerous were his dejiendents, and so small his income, that their condition was exceedingly straitened, and their struggles ^^4th j^overty seldom intermitted. They had scarcely any intercourse with Dissenters, and were rigidly attached to the Church of England. The father had become extensively known as a ready writer of poetry, and the mother was a strenuous Jacobite. The utmost method and system prevailed in the house- hold, and both he and his brother, John, were trained to strict habits of regularity. The Iirst eight years of his life were passed at home, under the tuition of his mother. John, five years his senior, had been sent (1714) to the Charterhouse School, in London ; and, two years later (1716), Charles was entered at Westminster School, of which his eldest brother, Samuel (then about twenty-five years old, and by whom he was at first supported there), was one of the teachers. While the boy was thus laying t\\e foundation of his later eminence, Garret AVesley, or Wellesley, a gentleman of large fortune residing at Daugan, Ireland, and who was CHARLES WESLEY. 649 M. P. for the connty of Meath, havina: no issue, wrote to the Rev. Samuel Wesley, of Ep worth, offering, if he had a son named Charles, to adopt him as his heir. As the boy M^as yet too young to answer for himself, his Irish patron, for several years; contributed to his support. At length, Mr, Gr, Wesley in j)erson made the offer to the boy, who, on sonsideration, gratefully declined it. Whereupon Mr. Wesley bequeathed his estates with his name to his cousin, Richard Colley, who, in 1746, was raised to the peerage as Baron Mornington ; his son, GaiTet, in 1760, was created Earl of Mornington, and was the father of Arthur, the re- nowned Duke of Wellington. Charles, in 1721, was admitted as one of the King's scholars in St. Peter's College, and his expenses were borne by the foundation. His stay at Westminster was prolonged ten years, during which he was thoroughly fitted for the University. In 1726, being in his eighteenth year, he was elected to Christchurch College, Oxford, as his brother, John, had been five years before. The latter, having now graduated, had just obtained a fellowship in Lincoln Col- lege. "My first year at college," says Charles, "I lost in diversions; the next I set myself to study." "He pur- sued," says John, " his studies diligently, and led a regular, harmless life ; but, if I spoke to him about religion, he would warmly answer, — ' What ? would you have me to be a saint all at once ? ' and would hear no more. " John left Oxford in August, 1727, and did not return until Novem- ber, 1729. Early in his third year, Charles entered (1729) upon a methodical and serious mode of life. " Diligence," he says, " led me into serious thinking ; I went to the weekly sacrament, and persuaded two or three young stu- dents to accompany me, and to observe the method of study prescribed by the statutes of the University. This gained me the harmless name of Methodist. In half a year [after this] my brother left his curacy at Epwortli, and came to our assistance. We then proceeded regularly in our studies, and in doing what good we could to the bodies and souls of men." 650 THE POETS OF THE CHUKCH. Charles Wesley, it thus appears, was the first " Method ist." This was in the spring of 1729, to which date, therefore, the rise of " Methodism," as a great ecclesiastical movement, and a religions denomination, is to be traced. Charles began it, and John controlled and shaped it. Be- sides the two brothers Wesley, the little band included only William Morgan and Robert Kirkham, Charles took his degree of B.A., the same year, and presently began to take pupils — still prosecuting his studies for orders. His father died April 25, 1735, and the family home at Epworth- was broken up. Charles had graduated, M.A., in 1732, and had continued his work as a tutor. When John, in 1735, concluded to go to Georgia as a missionary, Charles was in- duced to accompany him, as secretary to Governor Ogle- thorpe. Though he had "exceedingly dreaded entering into holy orders," his scruples were now overcome, and he was ordained, in September, a deacon, by the Rev. Dr. John Potter, Bishop of Oxford, and, the Sunday following, priest, by the Rev. Dr. Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London. Mr. Wesley embarked, October 14, 1735, and sailed from Gravesend, on the 22d, but did not leave Cowes until De- cember 10, arriving, after a stormy passage, February 5, 1736, in the Savannah river. He was stationed at Frederica. After a stay of but little more than six months, he sailed from Charleston, August 16th, in the London Galley^ for London. The vessel was compelled, September 24, to put in at Boston, Mass., where he remained a month, reaching England, after a most perilous voyage, December 3, 1736. The year following he spent at London, Oxford, and Tiver- ton, visiting friends, and waiting on the Board of Trade. In the spring of 1738, he was prostrated by severe illness. Heretofore, he had espoused the doctrines of the Rev. Will- iam Law, and had rested in a legal righteousness. During his illness, under the instructions of the godly Moravian, Peter Bohler (who had selected him as his English teacher), and those of his simple-minded host at London, Mr. Bray, a brazier, he was brought to renounce his self -righteousness, and to obtain joy and peace in believing, on Whitsunday^ CHAELES WESLEY. 65^. May 21, 1738. To this date he looked back ever afterwards, as the era of his conversion. Recovered from his illness, he became, at the close of July, a curate for Mr. Stonehouse, the Vicar of St. Mary's, Islington, who subsequently became a Moravian. Meeting with much opposition from a portion of the parish and his diocesan, he continued there only eight or nine months. Following the example of Whitefield, he now resorted to the fields, and, June 24, 1739, he preached to thousands at Moorfields. From this time forth, he gave himself, with all his powers, to the work of an evangelist — going every- where, all over the Idngdom and the principality of Wales, extending his labors into Ireland, with manifold success, and no small tribulation. In all these respects he vied with his elder and more noted brother, John, whom, in some respects, he excelled as a popular x^reacher. On one of his tours, he came to Bristol, July 31, 1745, where and when he formed the acquaintance of Marma- duke Gwynne, Esq., of Garth, sixteen miles from Brecon, South Wales, — a gentleman of fortune, of high social posi- tion, and a magistrate, who had been converted to Method- ism, under the preaching of Howell Harris. Some two years later, Mr. Wesley, on his way to Ireland, visited Mr. Gw^ynne at Garth, and became enamored with his daughter, Sarah. Repeated visits of the itinerant preacher to Garth, and of Mr. Gwynne with his daughter to London, followed, resulting in Wesley's marriage, April 8th, 1749, to Miss Gwynne, by his brother, John. The bride was twenty-three years old, and her husband in his forty-first year. Tlie marriage was in all respects suitable, congenial, and of happy results. Eight children were born to them, of whom only the youngest three, Charles, Sarah, and Samuel, sur- vived their infancy. At the close of 1756, Mr. Wesley ceased to itinerate, con- fining his labors mostly to Bristol, the home of his family^ and London, to which he made frequent ofiic'al visits. Mrs, Gumley [Miss Degge], the aunt of Lady Robert TJanners^ in 1771, presented Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wesley with a 652 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. twenty years' lease of her town residence, richly furnished ; which henceforth became their home. It was in Chester- field Street, Marylebone, near Regent's Park, and three miles from " The Foundry," John's London home. In 1777, the lease of the Foundry expired, and the commodi- ous City Road Chapel was built. In these two renowned localities, or in some other of the city chapels, Mr. Wesley, when not disabled by disease, ordinarily preached twice on the Sabbath, during the remainder of his life. Though of a frail body, and a life-long victim of disease, he was spared to a good old age, — dying at his house in Chesterfield Street, Saturday, March 29, 1788, in his eightieth year. His re- mains were interred in Marylebone churchyard. Like his brother, John, and the great h^-mnist, AVatts, he was considerably below the middle stature, and, though stouter than John, not at all cori^ulent. He was short- sighted, abrupt, and impetuous, without affectation. His simplicity, integrity, frankness, and amiability were marked. In the words inscribed on the memorial Tablet, City Road Chapel, "as a preacher, he was eminent for abilities, zeal, and usefulness, being learned without pride, and pious without ostentation." Charles Welsey was the son of a poet, and the younger brother of a poet. Yet he seems not to have iDractised the divine art himself until long after the completion of his University career, and his entrance on the work of the min- istry. His first hymn, so far as known, is his " Hymn for Midnight," beginning with " While midnight shades the earth o'erspread," and written early in 1737, in his twenty-seventh year. The experience of divine grace, to which he ever afterwards re- ferred as the date of his conversion and true regeneration. May 21, 1738, stirred up within him the gift of holy song. From that day until the very day of his death, this gift was in lively and almost constant exercise. He seemed to think, to speak, to write, in poetic numbers, with a facility and propriety, of which there are to be found but few ex amples. CHARLES WESLEY. 653 A coinj)ilation of seventy psalms and hymns was pub- lished by the brothers, John and Charles, anonymously, in 1738. JN'one of these were composed by Charles Wesley ; 33 were from the pen of Dr. Watts, and 13 from Tate and Brady's Version. A volume of 223 pages and 139 hymns, entitled, " Hymns and Sacred Poems," followed in ljg39, the / most of it original ; fifty of the pieces were written by Charles, among which were : "Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day," etc., "Hail the day that sees him rise," etc., and " Hark! the herald angels sing," etc. The following year (1740), another volume of 209 pages and 96 hymns, with the same title, made its appearance, in which were first issued : "Christ! whose glory fills the skies," etc., "Depth of mercy, can there be," etc., "Jesus, Lover of my soul ! " etc.. and Oh! for a thousand tongues to sing," etc. The last of these hymns was written " On the Anniversary of" his "Conversion"; having, in the original, eighteen stanzas. An enlarged edition of the " Collection " of 1739, containing 96 hymns, was issued in 1741, and one, still larger, in 1743. The latter edition included several of Charles Wesley's hymns, among them his Ascension hymn, begin- ning with "Our Lord is risen from the dead." In 1741, he published, also, his 38 " Hymns on God's Ever- lasting Love," of which an enlarged edition was issued in 1756, to which the Church is indebted for that admira- ble hymn, " Sinners ! turn, why will ye die ? " etc. A fourth volume of 155 " Hymns and Sacred Poems " was brought out in 1742, in which appeared : 654 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Oh! for a heart to praise my God," etc., " Oh! that my load of sin were gone," etc., and "Vain, delusive world ! adieu ! " etc. " An Elegy on the Death of Robert Jones, Esq.," in abont 600 lines, by Charles Wesley, bears date, 1742, and was in- cluded (1744) in the third volume of Mr. Wesley's " Collec- tion of [213] Moral and Sacred Poems from the most Cele- brated English Authors," in which also appeared several other pieces from the pen of Charles. Eighteen " Hymns for the Nativity " appeared in 1744, including "Come, thou long-expected Jesus ! " etc., and "Light of those whose dreary dwelling," etc. His eleven " Hymns for the Watchnight " followed ; also, his eleven "Funeral Hymns," a tract of 24 pages. The same year (1744) Mr. Wesley published his 33 "Hymns for Times of Trouble and Persecution," one of which was "Ye servants of God ! your Master proclaim," etc. The " Hymns on the Lord's Supper " (1745) were one hun- dred and sixty-six in number, among which are found "Happy the souls to Jesus joined," etc., ' ' Jesus ! we thus obey, " etc. , and "Lamb of God ! whose bleeding love," etc. • His seven " Hymns for Ascension Day," and his sixteen " Hymns for our Lord's Resurrection," appeared in 1746. The same year he produced 32 " Hymns of Petition and Thanksgiving for the Promise of the Father"; seven "Hymns for the Public Thanksgiving Day, October 9, 1746"; "Gloria Patri, etc., or [24] Hymns to the Trinity"; and 26 " Graces before and after Meat"; — all of them small tracts. " Hymns for those that Seek, and those that Have, Redemption in the Blood of Jesus Christ," commonly CHAELES WESLEY. 655 called " Redemption Hymns," came forth in 1747, and con- tained " Come, sinners! to the gospel feast," etc., and "Love divine, all loves excelling! " etc. These were followed, in 1749, by two volumes of 455 " Hymns and Sacred Poems," all of them the production of Charles Wesley, including "Jesus! let thy pitying eye," etc., "Jesus, Lord! we look to thee," etc., " Lo ! on a narrow neck of land," etc., " O Love divine! how sweet thou art," etc., "Soldiers of Christ! arise," etc., and ■Thou hidden Source of calm repose," etc. Seven " Hymns for New Year's Day, 1750," came out at the close of the year 1749, and a succession of such Hymns appeared from year to year. In the issue " for New Year's Day, 1750," he first produced his splendid Jubilee Hjinn, " Blow ye the trumpet, hlow," etc., written, undoubtedly, for the Jubilee year, 1750. Nineteen " Hymns occasioned by the Earthquake, March 8, 1750," speedily followed that event. Then came "An Epistle to the Reverend Mr. John Wesley," and " An Epis- tle to the Reverend Mr. George Whitefield," both in 1755 ; followed by seventeen " Hymns for the Year 1756 : Par- ticularly for the Feast Day, February 6"; and, in 1758, by forty " Hymns of Intercession for all Mankind," one of which is "Lo! he comes, with clouds descending," etc. Another volume of 43 "Funeral Hymns" was issued in 1759, among which is found that charming production, " Come, let us join our friends above," etc. ; followed, the same year, by eight " Hymns on the Expected Invasion," and fifteen " Hymns to be used on the Tlianks- e5Q THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. ^ giving Day, November 29, 1759, and after it." In 1761, ap- peared liis 134 " Hymns for those to v^^hom Christ is All in all." Two volumes, containing 2,030 " Short Hymns on Select Passages of the Holy Scriptures," all of them by Charles Wesley, were published in 1762. From this over- flowing treasury, is derived ' ' A charge to keep I have, " etc. The next year (1763), he published his 100 " Hymns for Chil- dren"; and, four years later (1767), came forth a volume of 182 " HjTnns on the Trinity "; and another of 188 " Hymns for the Use of Families, and on Various Occasions." In the autumn of 1770, he produced "A Hymn on the Death of the Rev. George AVhitefield," and an " Elegy on the late Reverend George Whitefield, M.A." The removal of this apostolic preacher seems to have suggested the publication of a small volume of forty hymns, in 1772, with the title, " Preparation for Death, in several Hjnmns." Nothing further appeared from his pen until 1778, when he published his "Prayer for the Life of the Rev. John Wesley." His latest productions were : thirteen " HjTnns written in the Time of the ^iumults, June, 1780"; 32 " Hymns for the Nation " (1782), a tract of 47 pages ; and ten "Prayers for Condemned Malefactors" (1785), in 12 pages. About a score of his hymns appeared in prose produc- tions issued by himself and brother, at various periods ; and about 2,000 more w^ere left in manuscript (unpublished at the time of his death), some few of which have, from time to time, adorned the pages of Methodist and other periodicals. His " Poetical Version of nearly the whole Book of the Psalms of David," edited by the Rev. Henry Fish, was published in 1854. He is said to have written 7,000 hymns, of which, those that he published "would occupy about 3,000 closely-printed pages." Hence Mont- gomery says of him : " He was probably the author of a greater number of comj)ositions of this kind, with less va- riety of matter or manner, than any other man of genius CHARLES WESLEY. 657 that can be named." " It is probable," he adds, " that the severer taste of his brother, the Rev. John Wesley, greatly tempered the extravagance of Charles, i)runed his luxuri- ances, and restrained his impetuosity, in those hymns of his, which form a large proportion of the Methodist Col- lection." In his " Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists," John Wesley says, in the Preface, dated, "October 20, 1779": "In these Hymns there is no doggerel ; no botches ; nothing put in to patch up the rhyme ; no feeble expletives. Here is nothing turgid or bombast, on the one hand, or low and creeping on the oth- er. Here are no cant expressions ; no words without mean- ing." "Here are, allow me to say, both the purity, the strength, and the elegance of the English language ; and, at the same time, the utmost simplicity and plainness, suited to every capacity." This applies, of course, to the hymns of Charles Wesley, that are included in the " Col- lection " of 1780. The Rev. Dr. Adam Clarke, in a letter to his wife, dated October 11, 1819, says : " I write this, my dear Mary, in a situation that would make your soul freeze with horror ; it is on the last projecting point of rock of the ' Land's End,' upwards of two hundred feet perpendicular above the sea, which is raging and roaring most tremendously, threaten- ing destruction to myself and the narrow i^oint of rock on which I am now sitting. On my right hand is the Bristol Channel, and before me the vast Atlantic Ocean. There is not one inch of land, from the place on which my feet rest, to the vast American continent ! This is the place, though probably not so far advanced on the tremendous cliff, where Charles Wesley composed those fine lines, — ' Lo ! on a narrow neck of land, Twixt two unbounded seas I stand,' etc. The point of rock itself is about three feet broad at its ter- mination, and the fearless adventurer will here place his foot, in order to be able to say that he has been on the 42 658 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. uttermost inch of land in the British emi)ire westward; and on this spot the foot of your husband now rests, while he writes the following words in the same hymn : ' O God ! my inmost soul convert, And deeply on my thoughtful heart Eternal things impress ; Give me to feel their solemn weight, And tremble on the brink of fate, And wake to righteousness.' " The hymns of Wesley were very often suggested by in- cidents in his personal history. Thus, "See how great a flame aspires," etc., was written "after preaching to the Newcastle colliers," in praise to God for the wonderful success of his work among these hardy sons of toil. " The imagery of the first verse," says Stevenson, " was suggested by the furnace- blasts and burning pit-heaps, which even now are scattered thickly over the district for some miles around Newcastle- on-Tyne, and which illuminate the whole neighborhood." The latest effort of his muse was made on his dying bed. " Having been silent and quiet for some time," says Jack- son, " he called Mrs. Wesley to him, and requested her to write the following lines at his dictation : ' In age and feebleness extreme. Who shall a sinful world redeem ? Jesus ! my only hope thou art. Strength of my failing flesh and heart ; Oh ! could I catch a smile from thee, And drop into eternity.' " JOHN WESLEY. 659 JOHN WESLEY. 1703-1791. JoHwr Wesley, the Father and Founder of Methodism, was the son of the Rev. Samuel Wesley {q. -».), Rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He was born in the thatched rectory of that lowly parish, June 17, 1703. His mother, Susannah, was the daughter of the distin- guished Puritan, the Rev. Samuel Annesley, LL.D. John was her fourth son, the second and third sons having died in infancy. Samuel, the eldest son, was thirteen years older, and Charles, the youngest, five and a half years younger, than John. When the parsonage was burned down (1709), John very narrowly escaped an early death. Such was his devoutness and thoughtfulness as a child, that his father admitted him to the Lord's Supper at eight years of age. He Avas educated, until his eleventh year, by his accom- plished mother. Through the patronage of the Duke of Buckingham, he was admitted, January 28, 1714, to a schol- arship in the Charterhouse School, London, whither he now removed. In 1716, his brother, Samuel, having finished his undergraduate course, at Oxford, became a teacher at Westminster School, and acted as guardian of the boy, John, who, part of the time, was a member of his family. Though John Wesley "entered the School as the poor child of an impoverished parish priest," by his diligence and progress in knowledge, he obtained the high respect of his teachers and companions in study. In his seventeenth year, he was elected, June 24, 1720, to a scholarship in Christchurch College, Oxford, worth £40 per annum.. Here, also, he distinguished himself by his literary profi- ciency. He is described, at the expiration of four years, as " the very sensible and acute collegian, a young fellow of the finest classical taste, of the most liberal and manly sentiments." 660 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Not until his twenty-second year, did he determine to comply with his father's mshes, and enter holy orders He had thus far been only a nominal Christian. The read- ing of " The Christian Pattern " (by Thomas a Kempis), and " Rules of Holy Living and Dying " (by Jeremy Taylor), and the companionship of a godly friend, led to an entire recast of his daily life. He kept a strict watch over his thoughts and actions, communicated (at the Lord's Supper) every week, and strove to be a Christian in all things. Having pursued a suitable course of theological study, and taken his degree of B.A., he was ordained a deacon, September 19, 1725, by the Rev. Dr. John Potter, Bishop of Oxford. He preached, for the first time, a few days la- ter, at South Leigh, about ten miles west of Oxford. He was elected, March 17, 1726, a Fellow of Lincoln College. The summer following he spent with his parents ; and, re- turning to his college in September, he was chosen, IsTovem- ber 7, Greek Lecturer and Moderator of the Classes. He graduated, M. A., February 14, 1727, with a high reputation for scholarship. Leaving Oxford, August 4, 1727, he returned to Epworth, and officiated, both there and at Wroote, as his father's chaplain, until November 22, 1729. He was ordained priest, September 22, 1728, by Bishop Potter, at Oxford. On his return to Oxford, in November, 1729, " The Godly Club," referred to in the previous sketch, had been formed by his brother Charles and two other friends, to whom had already been applied, sportively, the name of "Methodists." John gladly united with them, and became the recognized leader of the "Movement." Early in 1730, he obtained a curacy (for three or six months), about eight miles from Oxford. His tutorship and his studies engrossed the most of his time, which was spent after the most exact method. In this he was the more confirmed by William Law's " Chris- tian Perfection," and his " Serioiis Call to a Holy Life," both of which he read with avidity. His father died, April 25, 1735 ; and, in September of the same year, John and Charles Wesley concluded to cast in JOHN WESLEY. 661 their lot with Oglethorpe's colonists in Georgia. They era- barked, October 14, 1735, but did not set sail until Decem- ber 10th. They derived great spiritual benefit from the pious Moravians, with whom they crossed the ocean. John Wesley was stationed at Savannah, but ere long, by reason of a love affair, was involved in great trouble and litigation. He concluded to return home, and set sail, December 22, 1737, arriving at Deal, England, February 1, 1738. Soon after his arrival at London (February 3d), he met with the Moravian, Peter Bohler, and, by frequent conver- sations with this excellent man, became convinced that his religious experience w^as both defective and erroneous. He connected himself with the Moravian society meeting in Fetter Lane, and. May 24, 1738, he obtained " joy and peace in believing." This he regarded as the date of his conver- sion. He evidently became, from this period, a new man, and entered upon a life of holy faith and ardent zeal, to which he had previously been a stranger. In June of the same year, he left England, in order to visit the Moravian head-quarters at Herrnhut, Saxony, returning to London in September, having, in the meantime, conferred with Count Zinzendorf, as to the views and policy of "The Brethren." In April, 1739, Mr. Whitefield having already set the ex- am j)le of open-air or field-preaching, at Bristol, Mr. Wesley went down to help him, and commenced his field-preaching career. He had already been excluded from the pulpits of most of th^ churches of London, and he seemed to be shut up to this course of labor. A great work w^as accomplished among the colliers of Kingswood. In the autumn, he re- turned to London, preached to thousands in Moorfields, Sunday, November 11, purchased the old "Foundry" building, near by, had it fitted up, and made it the head- quarters of Methodism. A separation from the Moravians followed, and the new society entered upon its grand career. John Wesley then and thus began his truly evangelistic labors, as an Itinerant preacher. From London and Bris- tol as the centres of his operations, he went everywhere 662 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. throughout England and Wales, with occasional excur- sions to Scotland and Ireland, preaching the word of life wherever he could get an audience, often encountering much opposition and even personal violence ; and inaugura- ted a great religious revival, affecting all classes of society in and out of " The Church," and extending itself eventu- ally throughout the world. Ordinarily, and until the infirmities of age compelled the use of a chaise, he travelled on horseback, or journeyed on foot. During the fifty-three years of his wonderful career as an itinerant preacher, he travelled, it is thought, aboiit 225,000 miles, or more than 4,000 miles yearly. He seldom preached less than two sermons daily, and often delivered three or four sermons or addresses the same day. The whole number of his preaching-services has been estimated at not less than 40,000, besides " an infinite number of ex- hortations to the societies after preaching, and in other oc- casional meetings." He lived to see the little brotherhood of 1739 expanded, in 1791, to 216 Circuits, served by 511 preachers, and counting 120,000 members, Mr. Wesley retained his Fellowship in Lincoln College, Oxford, until February 18, 1751, when he forfeited it by his marriage to Mrs. Vizelle, a widow with four children and a considerable fortune, residing in Threadneedle Street, London. It proved to be an unhappy connection, and was practically teiminated, by her leaving him (1771) ten years before her death. Until past four-score, he seemed scarcely conscious of any decline of vigor ; but early in 1790, he felt himself to be "an old man, decayed from head to foot," He took cold, February 17, 1791, after preaching at Lambeth. On the 23d, he preached his last sermon, in the dining-room of a magistrate, at Leatherhead, eighteen miles from London, on the text, "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found." Returning home to London, he lingered until AVednesday, IMarch 2, 1791, when he rested from his labors on earth. His remains were interred in a vault, behind the Chapel in City Road. He left no children. JOHN WESLEY. 663 Like his brother, Wesley was below the medium size, spare, well-proportioned, muscular, and strong. He had a clear, smooth forehead, an aquiline nose, and piercing bright eyes. His complexion was fresh, and his step firm and strong. He was a pattern of neatness and simi^licity. His benevolence was remarkable. Everything that he earned by his numerous publications, he expended on the Lord's work. In general scholarship and knowledge, he had few superiors. His familiarity with the original Greek of the New Testament was remarkable. In the pulijit, his " attitude was graceful and easy ; his action calm, natural, pleasing, and expressive ; and his voice, not loud, but clear and manly." Conciseness, brevity, and perspicuity char- acterized his style as a writer. He made great and constant use of the press ; and won- derful as were his labors as a preacher, he was continually wiiting, compiling, and publishing. His "Works" were published, shortly after his death, in thirty-two volumes octavo. He made numerous abridgments of voluminous publications, for the use of his "Societies." His "Chris- tian Library; or Extracts and Abridgments, etc., from various Writers," was published in fifty volumes. The Wesleyan Literature to which he gave birth is of immense proportions. As a poet, John Wesley, though correct and classical, does not compare with his brother Charles. While in col- lege, he indulged in versification as a recreation, but con- fined himself almost exclusively to translations from other languages. On the voyage to Savannah, in the winter of 1735-6, he made several translations of German hymns, some of which were included in the Collection of seventy " Psalms and Hymns " published (1738) by John Wesley, for the use of the Society worshiping in Fetter Lane, Lon- don. The progress of the work of grace at Bristol called for a larger book, and, in 1739, he published 139 "Hymns and Sacred Poems by John and Charles Wesley." The " Foundry " having been opened the following winter, he issued, in 1740, another volume of 96 " Hymns and Sacred eU THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. Poems by John and Charles Wesley. " [See Chakles Wes LEY.] The small " Collection " of 1738 was enlarged, in 1741, to 165 hymns to meet the wants of the Religious Societies. In 1742, John Wesley published a " Collection of [24] Ger- man Hymns"; and "A Collection of Thirty-six Tunes set to Music, as they are sung at the Foundry." In 1743, an- other edition of the "Collection," containing 138 hymns, was issued ; followed, in 1744, by a " Collection of Moral and Sacred Poems," in three volumes. Again, in 1753, an- other compilation appeared, as "Hymns and Spiritual Songs intended for the Use of Christians of all Denomina- tions." He published, also, in 1761, 132 "Select Hymns with Tunes annext." These several compilations were the work of John Wesley, and were designed chiefly for the use of the " Religious Societies " in his Connection. The Collection of 1753, enlarged from time to time, had reached the twenty-first edition in 1777, and was universally used by the Methodists in England. This was superseded, in 1780, by an entirely new Compilation of 520 pages, and 560 Hymns, entitled, " A Collection of Hymns for the Use of the People called Methodists," — a Collection, which, with a " Supplement " of 209 Hymns published in 1830, is the authorized Hymn-Book of the Wesleyans in England to this day. In all these " Collections " were included hymns transla- ted from the German, the most of which are properly cred- ited to John Wesley. Some of them have lost nothing by aj)pearing in an English dress. Among the few original hymns from his pen, the most remarkable is " The Chris- tian Pilgrim," of which the following three (out of seven) stanzas are exceedingly descriptive : ' ' How happy is the pilgrim's lot, How free from every auxious thought, From worldly hope aud fear ! Confined to neither court nor cell, His soul disdains on earth to dwell, He only sojourns here. SAMUEL WESLEY. No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in this wilderness , A poor way-faring man, I lodge awhile in tents below, Or gladly wander to and fro. Till I my Canaan gain. Nothing on earth I call my own ; A stranger, to the world unknown, I all then* goods despise ; I trample on their whole delight. And seek a comitry out of sight, A country in the skies. " SAMUEL WESLEY. 1662-1735. The father of the " Founders of Methodism " was born and bred a Puritan. He was the son of a non-conforming divine, whose father was ejected from his parish the year of his grandson's birth. The Puritan spirit, inherited from his ancestry, gave form and character to his own mental constitution. "Wesley, the father," says Isaac Taylor, " had renounced non-conformity and had cordially surren- dered himself to the guidance and control of the Church : he had put off the dissident, so far as he could, or as far as he was conscious of it ; but he could not lay down that non- conformity which belonged to the inner man. A stern moral force, and a religious individuality, went with him into the Church, nor left him as he entered it ; and it showed itself as an inherited quality in his sons." Samuel Wesley's grandfather, Bartholomew Westly, was born about 1595, married in 1619, having been liberally ed- ucated at the University and made himself familiar with physic as well as divinity, and was presented (about 1640) to the living of Charmouth, a village at the base of two QQ6 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. high hills in the southwestern extremity of Dorsetshire, England. The small living of Catherston, an adjacent vil- lage, was, as early as 1650, annexed to the former. He was ejected from both in August, 1662, and supported himself and family subsequently, until his death, by the practice of medicine. He survived his son, John, — dying, however, soon after. John Westley, the son of Bartholomew, was born about 1635, was dedicated to the ministry from his infancy, and received a corresponding education in his boyhood. After a due course of preparation, he was entered a scholar of New Inn Ha]l, Oxford, about 1653, graduating, B.A., 1657. As he was a member of the Independent ChuMch of Mel- combe Regis, near Weymouth, in the southern extremity of Dorsetshire, and was ordained by them as a preacher, it is quite probable that Melcombe was his native place. Having exercised his ministry successfully at Melcombe, Radipole, Tnrnwood, and at sea, he succeeded old Mr. Tobias Walton, May, 1658, at Winterbourne Whitchurch, near Blandford, Dorsetshire. He married a niece of the Rev. Dr. Thomas Fuller, the well-known author of " The Church History of Britain." They had two sons, Matthew and Samuel, and several daughters. After the Restoration, he was subjected to many trials, and even imprisonment for a short season. In August, 1662, he was ejected from Winterbourne. A kind friend offered him a very good house, rent free, at Preston, near Weymouth, wdiither he removed the next May ; and there, with short interruptions by persecution and imprisonment, he resided until his de- cease, about 1677. Samuel Westley was the younger son of the Rev. John Westley, and was born, November, 1662, at Winterbourne Whitchurch, just after his father's ejectment. His elder brother, Matthew, became a surgeon. The days of his boy- hood were spent at Preston. At a suitable age he w^as sent to the Free Grammar School at Dorchester, where he con- tinued until his father's death, at whicli time, under the instruction of Mr. Henry Dolling, he had nearly completed SAMUEL WESLEY. 667 his preparation for the University. Being a youth of con- siderable promise, he was sent to London, March 8, 1678, without his mother's application or charges, by some of the Dissenting party, to be entered at one of their academies. After spending a few months at a grammar-school there, he was entered at a private academy taught by the E,ev. Edward Veal, an ejected minister, then residing at Stepney, in the eastern suburbs of London. Here he remained two years, when he was sent to the academy of the Rev. Charles Morton, at Newington Grreen. Two years were spent with Mr. Morton, who shortly after (1686) emigrated to America, and became pastor of the Church of Charlestown, Mass., and Vice-President of Harvard College. While at Stepney, he attended the ministry of the eminent Stephen Charnock. " Before the close of 1680, he had taken down more than fifty of his sermons, and many hundreds of others." Having finished the course of study at Mr. Morton's, and having determined to quit the Dissenters and conform, he walked to Oxford, and entered as a servitor [" pauper scho- laris"] of Exeter College. He took his degree of B.A., June 19, 1688. Returning to London, he was ordained, August 7, 1688, a deacon, by the Rev. Dr. Tliomas Sprat, Bishop of Rochester, at his palace, Bromley ; and, Febru- ary 24, 1689, a priest, by the Rev. Dr. Henry Compton, Bishop of London, in St. Andrew's Church, Holborn. The same year, he married Susannah, the youngest daughter of the eminent Dissenting divine, Samuel Annesley, LL.D., who herself had some years before conformed. He ob- tained a curacy for a year, served one year as chaplain aboard the fleet, and then obtained another curacy for two years. He was then presented, through the influence of the Marquis of Normanby, with the humble living of South Ormsby, in Lincolnshire. In 1685, while at Oxford, he had published a face- tious work, entitled, " Maggots, or Poems on several Sub- jects never before handled," which obtained for him con- siderable notoriety. John Dunton, his brother-in-law, printed it, and encouraged him to write for the press. In 668 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. this way he had supported himself in the University. In company with Dunton and Richard Sault, he conducted (1690-1696) Tlie Athenian Gazette^ a sprightly publication. His facility of versification was so great, that " he used to write two hundred couplets a day." He published, in 1693, " The Life of our Blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ ; an Heroic Poem, in ten books." It was dedicated to Queen Mary, who, in return, presented him (1694) with the living of Epworth, also in Lincolnshire, — a market town of about two thousand peojDle, whose chief occupation was the cul- ture and manufacture of hem^D and flax. "Not a man among them could read a sermon without spelling a good ]3art of it." Mr. Wesley (he had now dropped the "t" from his name) devoted himself, with great diligence, to the cultivation of the spiritual interests of his parish, and the prosecu- tion of his literary labors. In March, 1695, he published his " Elegies on Queen Mary and on Archbishop Tillotson." His " Pious Communicant," with " Prayers and HjTnns," appeared in 1700. The same year, he issued " An Epistle to a Friend concerning Poetry," — a poem of 1,100 lines. " The History of the New Testament ; attempted in verse," appeared in 1701 ; followed, in 1704, by " The History of the Old Testament," also in verse. A Letter, written some years before in respect to Education among the Dissenters, got into print (1703, the year of John's birth), which pro- voked a bitter controversy, and drew from him (1704) " A Defence" of his Letter, and, in 1707, "A Reply to Mr. Palmer's Vindication." In 1705, he published a poem of 694 lines, entitled, " Marlborough, or the Fate of Europe," which procured him a chaplainship in the army. A poem, with the title, "Eupolis's Hymn to the Creator," which has been highly eulogized, completes the list of his poetic works. The humble living of Wroote, five miles distant, was given him in 1725, and transferred (1734) at his own request to his son-in-law. Rev. John AYhitelamb. The last six or seven years of his life were mostly occupied with his latest SAMUEL WESLEY. 669 and most elaborate publication, wliicli was x:)assing through the press at the time of his decease, Aioril 25, 1735. The book was published in October of the same year, and enti- tled, " Dissertationes et Conjecturse in Librum Jobi. " The Dissertations were fifty-three in number, and exhibited a vast amount of erudition. He was of a short stature, spare but athletic— his son John greatly resembling him. He was earnest, conscien- tious, indefatigable, and bold in his search for truth. He was ardently pious, a thorough royalist and high-church- man, a rigid disciplinarian in his house and in his church, a profound scholar, a ready wTiter, and, withal, impulsive and vivacious. All his life he was burdened with debt, and struggling with poverty. He lived to see his three sons thoroughly educated, and fully enlisted in his Mas- ter's service. He was the father of nineteen children, only ten of Avhom, three sons and seven daughters, survived their infancy. The following lines are taken from his " Epistle to a Friend," written in 1700 : "I envy not great Dryden's loftier strain Of arms and men, designed to entertain Princes and courts, so I but please the plain. Nor would I barter profit for delight, Nor would have writ like him : like him to write, If there's hereafter, and a last Great Day, What fire 's enough to purge his stains away ? How will he wish each lewd applauded line. Which makes vice pleasing, and damnation shine Had been as dull as honest Quarles', or mine ! With sixty years of lewdness rest content ; It mayn't be yet too late ! Oh ! yet repent: E'en thee our injured altar will receive ; While yet there's hope, fly to its arms and live ! So shall for thee their harps the angels string. And the returning prodigal shall sing ; New joys through all the heavenly host be shown, In numbers only sweeter than thy own." 670 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. 1690-1739. Samuel Wesley, Juisr., was the eldest son of Rev. Samuel Wesley, and the first-born of his mother, Susan- nah Annesley. He was born, at London, February 10, 1690, and was thirteen years older than his brother John. His childhood was passed at South Ormsby and ExDworth, Lincolnshire. From his infancy he was taught by one of the best of mothers to love and serve God. From her faithful instructions, he was sent (1704) to Westminster School, London, and, in 1707, was admitted a King's scholar of St. Peter's College, Westminster. He was much liked by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Sprat, Bishop of Rochester, who took him (1710) to his seat at Bromley, Kent, to read to him in the evenings. Having acquired the character of an excellent classical scholar, he was elected (1711) to a scholarship in Christ- church, Oxford. He took a high stand at the University, and, having received (1716) his degree of B.A., was ap- pointed an Usher of Westminster School, his brother, John, being then a pupil in the Charterhouse School, Lon- don, and a member of Samuel's household. The latter married a daughter of the Rev. John Berry, the Rector of Watton. He was ordained to the i^riesthood by the Rev. Dr. Francis Atterbury (who had succeeded his old friend. Dr. Sprat, in the See of Rochester), by whom, also, Mr. Wesley was very highly esteemed. It does not appear that he had, at any time, the charge of a parish, or a curacy ; his preaching was occasional only. He formed the friend- ship of Alexander Pope, Lord Oxford, and other men of distinction. He continued at Westminster until 1732, when he was appointed Head Master of the Free Grammar School, at Tiverton, Devonshire. At the beginning of 1736 (almost simultaneously with his father's book on Job), he published a Collection of his SAMUEL WESLEY, JUN. 671 poetic writings, with the title, " Poems on Several Occa- sions," dedicated to his Mend and patron, the Earl of Ox- ford. He was greatly attached to the High Church party, and was suspected of Jacobinism, but on insufficient grounds. He disliked greatly the irregularities of his brothers, John and Charles, and earnestly remonstrated with them. He died very suddenly, at Tiverton, early in the morning of November 6, 1739, in the forty-ninth year of his age. The inscription on his grave-stone describes him as — " A man for his uncommon wit and learning, for the benevolence of his temper, and simplicity of manners, deservedly beloved and esteemed by all. An excellent Preacher ; but whose best sermon was, the constant ex- ample of an edifying life : so continually and zealously employed in acts of beneficence and charity, that he truly followed his blessed Master's example in going about doing good : of such scrupulous integrity, that he declined occa- sions of advancement in the world, through fear of being involved in dangerous comi^liances, and avoided the usual ways to preferment as studiously as many others seek them." One of his sweetest poems is a paraphrase on Isaiah xl. 6-8, and was written on the occasion of a young lady's death. It was first published (1729) in a Collection of Mis- cellaneous Poems, edited by David Lewis : " The morning flowei-s display their sweets, And gay their silken leaves unfold ; As careless of the noon-day heats, And fearless of the evening cold. " Nipped by the wind's unkindly blast, Parched by the sun's du-ecter ray, The momentary glories waste. The short-lived beauties die away. " So blooms the human face divine, When youth its pride of beauty shows ; Fairer than spring the colors shine. And sweeter than the virgin rose. 673 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. " Or worn by slowly rolling years, Or broke by sickness in a day, The fading glory disappears, The short-lived beauties die away, " Yet these, new rising from the tomb, With lustre brighter far shall shine, Revive with ever-during bloom. Safe from diseases and dechne. " Let sickness blast, and death devour, If heaven must recompense our pains I Perish the grass, and fade the flower, If fli-m the word of God remains." HENKY KIEKE WHITE. 1785-1806. A short but brilliant career was all that was allotted tc Henry Kirke White. He was the second son of John and Mary [Neville] White, of K'ottingham, England, where he was born, March 21, 1785. His father was a bntcher, and the family were connected with the old Castle-gate Congre- gational Clinrch. He spent his fourth and fifth years in the small school of Dame Garrington, and has immortal- ized her in his Poem (1799) on " Childhood": ' ' In yonder cot, along whose mouldering walls. In many a fold, the mantling woodbme falls. The village matron kept her little school. Gentle of heart, yet knowing well to rule : Staid was the dame, and modest was her mien ; Her garb was coarse, yet whole, and nicely clean ; Her neatly bordered cap, as lily fair. Beneath her chin was pinned with decent care ; And pendent ruffles, of the whitest lawn. Of ancient make, her elbows did adorn. Faint with old age, and dim were grown her eyes, A pair of spectacles their want supi^lies ; These does she guard secure m leathern case. From thoughtless wights, in some unweeted place." HENRY KIRKE WHITE. 673 At six, lie was sent to the best school in Nottingham, tanght by the Rev. John Blanchard, where he spent five years in grammar-school studies, inclusive of French. At eleven, he wrote in one day a separate comj)osition for each of his twelve or fourteen classmates, for which they ob- tained particular commendation. Three years (1796-1799) were spent in the school of Mr. Shipley, where his prog- ress was rapid, and his talents were fully appreciated. Hitherto, he had assisted his father, as errand-boy and otherwise ; but his mother greatly desired to give him a thorough education, — and, for this purpose, opened a Ladies' Day and Boarding School, that met with considerable pa- tronage, and afforded her means to aid her son in his liter- ary aspirations. At fourteen, he was placed in a stocking loom, where he continued, chafing under the drudgery, for a twelvemonth. The next year, by the persistence of his mother, he ob- tained a situation in the Law-office of Messrs, Coldham and Enfield, of his native town. He now devoted himself with greediness, to the study of the law, and other literary pursuits. He obtained some knowledge of chemistry, astronomy, drawing, music, and electricity ; also of the Latin and Greek, of the Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, languages. He also developed a mechanical turn of mind. He became a member of a Literary Society ; lectured, at fifteen, for two hours and three-quarters, extempore, on "Genius"; and was elected one of the Professors of the Society. He wrote for several magazines, and won several prizes. At a very early age, he had begun to write in verse ; and, at the instance of several literary friends, he published, in 1803, a volume of his poetical productions, entitled,—" Clif- ton Grove ; a Sketch in Verse, with other Poems." Hith- erto, as his associates were nearly all Deists, he had inclined to that form of infidelity. But the conversion of one of them, Robert Almond, and several conversations with him, were blessed to his own conversion. He now determined, if possible, to enter the ministry ; and, with that intent, to 43 674 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. obtain a University education. His friend, Almond, had gone to Cambridge, and interested the Rev. Charles Sim- eon, Henry Martyn, and others, in his case. Arrangements were made to meet the expense of a University course. He obtained a release from the law-office, and, in October, 1804, went to Winteringham, on the Humber, Lincolnshire, to study with the Rev. Mr. Grainger. He entered St. John's College, Cambridge, as a sizar, early in October, 1805. At the next examination, he was adjudged the first man of the year ; also, at the great ex- amination of the following year. He had a fair prospect of obtaining every university honor, and of graduating as senior-wrangler. But the frail tenement gave way. The seeds of consumption had been sown, by reason of his con- stant and intense application to study night and day, long before he left home. At Cambridge, he suffered himself to abate not a whit in the ardor of his literary pursuit, but, to the very last, gave himself, unremittingly, to the acquisi- tion of knoAvledge. At length, the tension came to an end, his life- strings broke, and he died, in college, on Sunday, October 19, 1806, in the twenty-second year of his age. He was regarded as one of the most extraordinary and promising young men of the age. Robert Southey, after- wards Poet Laureate, interested himself greatly in his ris- ing fortunes, and, after his decease, published (1807) his " Remains," — poems, correspondence, and essays, — with an admirable biographical memoir. The Rev. Dr. Collyer, in his Selection of Hymns (1812), included ten of White's hymns, five of which had not before appeared. Lord By- ron, less than three years younger, was at Trinity College, Cambridge, while White was at St. John's, and until the year after his decease. In his caustic reply to the Edin- burgh Reviewers, entitled, " English Bards and Scotch Re- viewers," published, March, 1809, he makes mention of Henry Kirke White, in the following paragraph : "Unhappy White! while life was in its spring, And thy young muse just waved her joyous wing, HENRY KIRKE WHITE. 675 The spoiler came ; and all tliy promise fair Has sought the grave to sleep for ever there. Oh ! what a noble heart was here undone, When Science' self destroyed her fav'rite son ! Yes ! she too much indulged thy fond pursuit, She sowed the seeds, but death has reaped the fruit. 'Twas thine own genius gave the final blow. And helped to plant the wound that laid thee low. So the struck eagle, stretched upon the plain. No more through rolling clouds to soar again. Viewed his own feather on the fatal dart. And winged the shaft that quivered in his heart. Keen were his pangs, but keener far to feel He nursed the pinion which impelled the steel ; While the same plumage that had warmed his nest, Drank the last life-drop of his bleeding breast." A portion of his poems was left incomplete. Among these is the hymn, " Much in sorrow, oft in woe," etc., of which only the first ten lines were his. They were " written on the back of one of the mathematical papers " of White, and the fragment came into the hands of the Rev. Dr. Collyer, who published it in his Selection. The remaining fourteen lines, as now sung, were written by Fanny Fuller Maitland, and the hymn, thus completed, was included (1827) in her " Hymns for Private Devotion, Selected and Original." " The Christian : A Divine Poem," was the last and most elaborate efi'ort of his muse. He had "the sentence of death in " himself, when he wrote the last two stanzas : " Thus far have I pursued my solemn theme With self -re warding toil, thus far have sung Of godlike deeds, far loftier than beseem The lyre which I m early days have strung ; And now my spirits faint, aiid I have hung The shell, that solaced me in saddest hour, On the dark cypress ! and the strings which rung With Jesus' praise, their harpings now are o'er. Or, when the breeze comes by, moan, and are heard no more. 676 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "And must the harp of Judah sleep again ? Shall I no more reanimate the lay ? O thou, who visitest the sons of men, — Thou, who dost listen when the humhle pray ! One little space prolong my mom*nful day, — One little lapse suspend thy last decree ! I am a youthful traveller in the way, And this slight boon would consecrate to thee. Ere I with Death shake hands, and smile that I am free. HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS. 1762-1827. The liymn beginning "Whilst thee I seek, protecting Power! " has long been a great favorite \\i.th Christians of every name. It is found in almost all the Collections, and, more than all her other publications, has kept the name of the author in remembrance. In her day, she was quite a noted character. Helen Maria Williams was a native of London, where she was born in 1762. Her father, Charles Williams, of Aberconway, Caernarvon, Wales, held a high station in the War Office. Her mother was Miss Hay, of Naughton, of Scotch ancestry. In her early years, the family removed to Berwick-on-Tweed, where she obtained her education, and wTote (1779) her first poem, — " Edwin and Elfrida, a Legendary Tale." The next year, she came to London, and, under the patronage of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Kippis, a Unitarian divine, published (1782) her book. She was en- couraged to publish, the next year (1783), an " Ode on the Peace." This was followed by "Peru, a Poem "(1784); and these three publications were included in a " Collection of Miscellaneous Poems" (1786), in two volumes. Two HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS. 677 years later (1788), slie published a "Poem on the Slave Trade," in "easy, harmonious verse." Her works having furnished her a considerable profit, she went abroad in 1788, the era of the French Revolution, and was so fascinated with the life in Paris, that, early in 1790, she ex]_3atriated herself, and took up her abode in the turbulent French metropolis, having just published her novel, " Julia," in two volumes. In the autumn, she issued her "Letters written in France in the Summer of 1790." " A Farewell, for Two Years, to England : a Poem," ap- peared in 1791 ; " Letters from France," in 1792 ; and " Letters, containing a Sketch of the Politics of France," 3 vols., in 179.5. In this xniblication, she narra,tes her experience, while imprisoned in the Temple, from which she was liber- ated on the fall (1794) of Robespierre. A fourth volume, on the same topics, followed in 1796. The same year was issued her Translation of " Paul and Virginia," from the French of Bernardin de Saint-Pierre, interspersed with some of her own sonnets. She, also, edited (1796) a Se- lection of " Poems, Moral, Elegant, and Pathetic. " She had now become wholly identified with the " Revo- lution," and alienated from her British home. In the in- terest of the " Grand Republic," she published, in two vol- umes (1798), "A Tour in Switzerland," and (1800) her "Sketches of the State of Manners and Opinions in the French Republic," for which she was severely handled by the British Critic. Tliis was followed by her Translation (1803), in three volumes, of " The Political and Confidential Correspondence of Louis XVI., with Observations on each Letter." For several years she contributed to the New An- nual Register the Articles on "France." She translated, also, " The Personal Travels of M. de Humboldt," four vol- umes of which she jpublished in 1814, and the remainder in 1821. Her later Works were : " A Narrative of the Events " " in France from the landing of Napoleon Buonaparte, March 1, 1815, till the Restoration of Louis XVIII." (1815) ; " The Leper of the City of Aoste," a translation from the French 678 THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. (1817); and (1819) '' Letters on tlie Events which have passed in France since the Restoration in 1815." This last book contained her account of " The Persecutions of the Protestants in the South of France." In 1823, she pub- lished " Poems on Various Occasions," — a Collection of her previous Poems. She died, at Paris, December 14, 1827, "pre-eminent among the ardent female advocates of the French Revolu- tion"; "an ex- Jacobin, and one who toot as active a part in the business of the French Revolution as a woman could take"; — "the friend and admirer of Marat, and of various other equally enlightened assertors of the liberties of man- kind at that period." Her widowed mother resided with her in Paris, and the two were conspicuous members of the Protestant congregation over which the Rev. Messrs. Ra- baut, Monod, Marron, and Coquerel (Athanase) presided. The latter was her nephew and adopted son. She " filled a mother's vacant place " for him and his brother Charles, and brought them up. Coquerel, in the Preface to his " Christianisme Experi- mental," speaks of her as " one of the most remarkable fe- male writers of modern times, who justly bears the title of ' English Historian of the French Revolution,' whose works have been translated into all modern languages ; and " who " remained to the last the friend of Clarkson and Wilber- force, of Southey, Wordsworth, and Rogers, of Mrs. Bar- bauld and Mrs. Opie." He further states, — "The constant example of domestic piety set at home, led me, when yet very young, to the determination of waiving the wide and brilliant prospect of various advancement which our fam- ily connexions opened to us during the Imperial Govern- ment, and of entering the Church." Her " Sonnet to Hope," greatly admired by Wordsworth, is subjoined : " Oh! ever skilled to wear the form we love, To bid the shapes of fear and grief depart, Come, gentle Hope ! with one gay smile remove The lasting sadness of an achmg heart. WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 679 Thy voice, benign enchantress ! let me hear ; Say, that for me some pleasures yet shall bloom, That Fancy's radiance, Friendship's precious tear, Shall soften, or shall chase, misfortune's gloom. But, come not glowing in the dazzling ray, Which once with dear illusions charmed my eye. Oh I strew no more, sweet flatterer ! on my way The flowei-s I fondly thought too bright to die; Visions less fair will soothe my pensive breast. That asks not happiness, but longs for rest." WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 1717-1791. The "Great Awakening" of tlie eigliteentli century ex- tended into Wales, at an early date, and was greatly pro- moted by the apostolic labors of the Rev. William Will- iams. He was bom (1717) at Cefnycoed, near Llandovery, Caermarthenshire. He was educated for the medical pro- fession. The stirring preaching of the zealous Howell Har- ris, in Talgarth church-yard, was blessed to his conversion. He devoted himself to the Church, and, after a due course of preparation, having been ordained (1740) a deacon, was presented to two small churches, in Breconshire, about twelve miles from Llandovery. Following the example of Harris, Whitefield, and the Wesleys, he abounded in pul- pit service, and extended his labors all over the country. Nearly a score of times, he was summoned before his dioc- esan and tried for these irregularities. For the same rea- son he was denied ordination to the priesthood. He now withdi-ew from the Church of England, and en- tered the Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Connection, as an itinerant preacher, associating himself with the eminent Daniel Rowlands, one of the most successful preachers of the day. In 1739, he married Miss Mary Francis, in whom 680 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. he found an admirable companion and adviser. Taking the Principality as his field of labor, he went everywhere preaching the Word to his countrymen, and winning thou- sands to " the truth as it is in Jesus." During a ministry of forty-five years, he seldom travelled less than forty miles a week, or 2,000 miles a year. He resided, when at home, at Pantycelyn, in the parish of Llanfair-ar-y-bryn, near Llandovery. At one of the meetings of the Association with which he was connected, a trial was made of the poetic gifts of the several preachers present ; and such was the manifest supe- riority of Williams, that he was urged to cultivate the gift, and prei3are an evangelical psalmody for the Connection. He prepared a book of Welsh Hymns, which was published as the "Alleluia.-' It was printed (1745-1747) in six parts, at Bristol. Another book, called " The Sea of Glass," fol- lowed in 1752 ; still another, entitled, " Visible Farewell, Welcome to Invisible Things"; and a fourth, called, "Al- leluia again." These books, gathered subsequently into one volume, were speedily adopted, and are still used, by the churches in the Principality of Wales. Shortly after his first " Alleluia," he published, in verse, "A View of the Kingdom of Christ"; also, a Translation of Erskine on "Tlie Assurance of Faith"; also (1781), a sort of Pilgrim's Progress, called " Theomemphus," and an excellent book by the name of " Pantheologia. " He wi'ote not less than forty elegies, one of them for Whitefield (1771), of considerable length. His prose writings were not so numerous. Besides other and smaller works, he published (1768) " Three Men from Sodom and Egypt "; and, later, " The Crocodile of the River of Egypt." Though not as familiar with the English as with the old British tongue, he composed many hymns in English, fifty-one of which were published, at Bristol (1759), with the title, — " Hosannah to the Son of David ; or Hymns of Praise to God for our Glorious Redemption by Christ." Some of them were translations of his Welsh hymns. In 1772, he published his " Gloria in Excelsis : or WILLIAM WILLIAMS. 681 Hymns of Praise to God and the Lamb." It contained sev- enty-one Hymns, the last of which was divided into seven parts. These two volumes were reproduced in one (1859), by Mr. Daniel Sedgwick, of London. The latter of the two is said to have been composed at the request of Lady Hunt- ingdon. He died, after a lingering and painful illness, at his home, January 11, 1791, aged seventy-four years. The Gentle- mari's Magazine speaks of him as " a clergyman of distin- guished talents and character." It says : "In early life, a pious but amiable enthusiasm induced him to adopt the itinerant, but apostolic, mode of Methodism ; and uniting a talent for poetry to an insinuating and captivating elo- quence, he contributed greatly to its prevalence and sup- port." " Many of his hymns have the property of the ode, true poetic fire, striking imagery, and glowing expressions, united with the plaintive muse of the country. Their ef- fect on the people is astonishing ; and the veneration in which they are held is little short of devotion." " His im- agination gave variety and interest to his orations ; his pi- ety was warm, yet candid and charitable ; his manners sim- ple, yet affectionate and obliging ; and his moral conduct without blemish or imputation." The hymn beginning " Guide me, O thou great Jehovah! " a great favorite, was printed in a leaflet form in 1773, and is a translation, by himself, of one of his Welsh hymns. Three only of its four stanzas are now used. The following stanzas from the 22d hymn of his " Gloria " are quite char- acteristic : " My God, my Portion, and my Love, My AH on earth, my AU above, My AU when in the tomb ! The treasures of this world below Are but a vain delusive show, — Thy bosom is my home. 682 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. " Or friends, or wealth, relations near, And every thing the world calls dear, Are vanity and night ; Thyself, who flllest every space, Wilt thoroughly supply their place,— Thyself, my whole delight." CATHERINE WINKWOETH. 1829-1878. Miss Winkwoeth was the daughter of Henry Wink- worth, of AHerley, near Manchester, England. She was born, September 13, 1829, at London, and died in the year 1878. She is known, principally, by her vahiable contribu- tions to hymnology. Her familiarity with the German language, and its wealth of spiritual songs, is apparent in her several publications. The first publication of Miss Winkworth was her " Lyra Germanica — Hymns for the Sundays and Chief Festivals of the Christian Year. Translated from the Ger- man." The Preface is dated, "Alderley Edge, July 16th, 1855." It contained translations of 103 hjTiins selected from the Chevalier Bunsen's " Gesang und Gebetbuch," of 1833. They were " translated," she says, " not so much as specimens of German hymn-writing, as in the hope, that these utterances of Christian piety, which have comforted and strengthened the hearts of many true Christians in their native country, may speak to the hearts of some among us, to help and cheer those who must strive and suffer, and to make us feel afresh what a deep and true communion of saints exists among all the children of God in different churches and lands." The success of her first effort emboldened her to prepare and issue (1858) " Lyra Germanica : Second Series : The Christian Life." The 123 hymns in this series were "se- CATHEEINE WJ.NKWORTH. 683 lected for their warmtli of feeling and depth of Christian experience, rather than as specimens of a particular master or school." An edition of the " Lyra," containing some of the fine old German Chorales to which the hymns are sung in Germany, by vast congregations, was published (1862) with the title, "The Chorale Book for England." Miss Winkworth, the next year (1863), published an Eng- lish translation of the "Life of Amelia Wilhelmina Sieve- king," the Foundress of the Female Society for the Care of the Sick and Poor in Hamburg, Germany. Her " Chris- tian Singers of Germany," the Preface to which is dated, "Clifton, April, 1869," contains a fund of desirable infor- mation respecting the principal hymn-writers of Germany, from " the early dawn of German Sacred Poetry and Song," to the middle of the present century. She published later, — " Palm Leaves : Sacred Poems Selected and Translated from the German of Karl Gerok." The following stanzas are from a hymn of twelve stan- zas, " for the twentieth Sunday after Trinity," in the First Series of the "Lyra Germanica": *' Oh ! would I had a thousand tongues, To sound thy j)raise o'er land and sea ! Oh ! rich and sweet should be my songs, Of all my God has done for me ; With thankfulness my heart must often swell, But mortal lips thy praises faintly tell. " Oh! that my voice could far resound Up to yon stars that o'er me shine ! Would that my blood for joy might bound Through ev^ery vein, while life is mine ! Woidd that each pulse were gratitude, each breath A song to him who keeps me safe from death ! " 684 THE POETS OP THE CHUECH. ALFRED ALEXANDER WOODHULL. 1810-1836. Alfred Alexat^der Woodhull, M.D., was the younger son of the Rev. George Spafford Woodhull, and was born, March 25, 1810, at Cranbury, N. J. His mother was the eldest daughter of Col. John Neilson, of New Bruns- wick, N. J., an elder of the Presbyterian Church, and a citizen of great worth, and highly respected. His father (1773-1834) was the eldest son of the Rev. John Wood- hull, D.D. (1744-1824), for more than half a century, a useful, devoted, and honored minister of the Presbyterian Church, and pastor of the church of Freehold, N. J. Rich- ard Woodhull, his lirst American ancestor, came (1648) from England, and settled on Long Island, N. Y. Dr. John Woodhull married Miss Sarah Spafford, of Philadel- phia (a step-daughter of the Rev. Gilbert Tennent), a lady of great worth and piety. At the time of Alfred's birth, his father had, for twelve years, been the pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Cran- bury, N. J. ; but in 1820 (July 5) he became the pastor of the church of Princeton, N. J., where he continued twelve years, when he Avas transferred to the church of Middle- town Point, N. J., where he died, December 25, 1834. Alfred was prepared for college under the tuition of the Rev. Robert Baird, D.D., then a young man. Entering the Sophomore Class of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, he graduated in 1828, and began the study of medicine with Prof. Samuel L. Howell, M.D., also of Prince- ton. Having attended, for two years, the regular course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, he received the degree of M.D., and was appointed Attending [Resident] Physician of the Philadelphia Aims-House Hospital, for one year. At the expiration of the year, he commenced the regular practice of his profession at Marietta, Lancaster Co., Pa. Soon after (February 26, 1833), he married Miss ALFRED ALEXANDER WOODHULL. 685 Anna Maria, the eldest daughter of Dr. Dirch Salomons, of St. Eustasia, West Indies, and of Susan Smith, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Stanhope Smith, D.D., one of the Presi- dents of the College of New Jersey. He removed, in November, 1835, to Princeton, and en- tered upon the practice of his profession there, in partner- ship with his elder brother. Dr. John N. Woodhull. He had connected himself, the previous year, with the Presby- terian Church of Donegal, Pa., and, both there and in Princeton, was known as a sincere, devout, and humble Christian. In the exercise of his profession, he contracted an autumnal fever, which tenninated fatally, October 5, 1836. Though he had but just completed the first half of his twenty-seventh year, he had already obtained the confi- dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens in an eminent de- gree, and was most deeply and sincerely lamented. A most glowing eulogy of his character, as a Christian, a scholar, and a practitioner, was published in the Princeton Whiff, shortly after his death, from the pen of Prof. Albert B. Dod, D.D., to whom he had greatly endeared himself. He was addicted to versification, and wrote occasional poems, generally religious, several of which were contrib- uted to the Neio York Observer. His " Thanksgiving Hymn," " God of the passing year! to thee," etc., was a youthful production, and was contributed (1828) to the General Assembly's Collection of " Psalms and Hymns." During Ms last illness, in the near approach of death, he dictated the following beautiful stanzas : " There remaineth therefore a rest for the people of God." " Traveller! dost thou hear the tidings Borne unto thy weary ear, Soft as angels' gentlest wliispers Breathing from the upper sphere, Sweetly telling, Thy redemption now is near ? THE POETS OF THE CHUECH. ' In the desert's gloomy terrors, 'Mid the tempest's booming roar, Hark ! the still small voice of mercy- Breaking from yon peaceful shore, Sweetly telling, All thy toil will soon be o'er. ' Mourner ! when the tear of sorrow Wells from up thy stricken breast, Raise thy streaming eyes to mansions Where the weary are at rest, Sweetly telling. Here thou'lt be a welcome guest. ' Mortal ! when death's viewless arrow Quivers in thy fluttering heart, Lift thy lapsing thoughts to Jesus, Who disarms the fatal dart. Sweetly telling, I to thee my peace impart." CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH. 1807 . Bishop Wordsworth is of a literary family, and was highly favored in Ms early surroundings. His father, whose name he bears, was Master of Trinity College, Cam- bridge, England (1820-1841), and author of an " Ecclesias- tical Biography," and "Christian Institutes." His mother was Priscilla, a daughter of Charles Lloyd, Esq., an emi- nent banker of Birmingham. William Wordsworth, the Poet Laureate, was his father's elder brother. His grand- father, John Wordsworth, was learned in the law, of which he was a successful practitioner. His elder brother, Charles, is the Bishop of St. Andrews, Dunkeld, and Dunblane. Christopher Wordsworth was born, October 30, 1807, at Booking, Braintree, Essex, of which his father, at the time, CHEISTOPHEE WORDSWOETH. 687 was Dean and Rector. He was educated for the ministry ; prepared for college at Westminster School ; entered (1826) Trinity College, Cambridge (of which his father was the Master, and Vice-Chancellor of the University) ; received (1827) the Chancellor's Gold Medal for the best English Poem, — Subject, "The Druids"; in 1828, took the Porson prize, for the best translation of a passage from Shakespeare into Greek verse, and the Sir Wm. Browne Medal for the best Latin Ode,— Subject, "Hannibal"; — also his Medal for the best Greek and Latin Epigrams ; in 1830, took one of the Chancellor's Gold Medals for the two best proficients in classical learning among the commencing Bachelors of Arts ; and the same year, took his degree of A.B., and was chosen a Fellow of his College, having completed a bril- liant University career. The greater part of the years 1832 and 1833, he spent in Greece, of which visit he published a Journal, by the name of "Athens and Attica," — "a gem of classical criti- cism and research." In July, 1833, he took his degree of A.M. ; December 22, 1833, was ordained a Deacon, by the Bishop of Lincoln ; and June 7, 1835, a Priest, by the Bishop of Carlisle. He was elected, February 3, 1836, Pub- lic Orator of the University of Cambridge ; and, in April, Head Master of Harrow School, occupying the position un- til November, 1844. " By Royal Mandate," he received the degree of D.D., in 1838, from the University of Cambridge. The same year he married Susanna Hatley, a daughter of George Frere, Esq., of Twyford House, Berkshire. His " Inscriptiones Pompeianae " was published in 1837 ; Ms " Greece : Pictorial, Descriptive, and Historical," in 1839 ; his " Sermons Preached at Harrow School," in 1841 ; his " Theophilus Anglicanus," in 1843 ; and his " Discourses on Public Education," in 1844. He was preferred (1844), by Sir Robert Peel, to a Canonry in Westminster Abbey. He was Hulsean Lecturer at Cambridge, 1847-1848, and 1848-1849, and his two Courses of Lectures were published, " On the Canon of the Scriptures," and on " The Apoca- lypse." He also published his " Diary in France" (1845) ; 688 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. "Letters on the Church of Rome" (1847); "Babylon" (1850) ; " Memoirs of Wm. Wordsworth" (1851) ; " St. Hip- polytus and the Church of Rome " (1853) ; and his edition of "The New Testament in the Original Greek," with "Copious English Notes," 4 Parts, in 1856-1860. Seven volumes of " Sennons Preached in Westminster Abbey " were issued intermediately (1850-1859). These were fol- lowed by " Five Lectures delivered in Westminster Abbey," " on the Inspiration of the Bible," and " Five " more on "the Interpretation of the Old and New Testaments," in 1861. His favorite hymns mostly appeared in his " Holy Year ; or, [117] Hymns for Sundays and Holy-Days and for other Occasions " (1862). His " Journal of a Tour in Italy " ap- peared in 1863 ; and " The Holy Bible, with Notes and In- troductions," in Parts, at various dates, after 1864. His " Church of Ireland " was published, 4 Sermons in 1866, and 8 Sermons in 1869 ; his " Union with Rome," in 1867, and his " Sermons on the Maccabees and the Church," in 1871. Besides these, his principal publications, he has is- sued, at various periods of his active life, numerous Occa- sional Sermons and Essays, and edited several literary works. In 1850, he was jDref erred to the Vicarage of Stamf ord-in- the-Vale, Berkshire ; and, February 24, 1869, he was conse- crated Bishop of Lincoln. Several of his hymns have ac- quired considerable popularity, especially his hymn on " The Holy Day of Rest," beginning with " O day of rest and gladness." The following stanzas are the first half of a hymn in the Supplement (1863) to " The Holy Year": " The day is gently sinking to a close, Fainter and yet more faint the sunlight glows ; O Brightness of thy Father's glory, thou Eternal Light of light! be with us now; Where thou art present darkness cannot be ; Midnight is glorious noon, O Lord ! with thee. NIZOLAUS LUDWIG ZINZENDORF. " Our changeful lives are ebbing to an end, Onward to darkness and to death we tend : O Conqueror of the grave ! be thou our Guide, Be thou our Light in death's dai-k eventide ; Then in our mortal hour will be no gloom, No sting in death, no terror in the tomb. " NIKOLAUS LUDWIG ZINZENDORF. 1700-1760. Hymnology owes mucli to Count Zinzendorf. He was the Founder and most efficient Patron of the Society of United Brethren, commonly known as Moravians, Pos- sessed of a remarkable poetic gift, he became, in the matter of sacred lyrics, to the " Brethren," what Isaac Watts had already become to the Non-Conformists of England, and what Charles Wesley became to the Methodists. Zinzendorf was of high-born parentage, the Count, his father, having been " Premier-Minister " of the Elector of Saxony. He was born. May 26, 1700, at Dresden, Saxony. The learned and godly Philipp Jakob Spener, D.D., Court Chaplain, then in his sixty-sixth year, and the Electoral Princesses of Saxony and the Palatinate, were his bap- tismal sponsors. His father died six weeks after the child's birth, and in due time his widowed mother was again married. Nikolaus was then entrusted to the care of her venerable mother, the widow of Baron von Gersdorf, a lady of earnest piety and literary accomplishments — her- self a writer of hymns, arid a warm admirer of Spener, who died in 1705. Under her training, the child became another Samuel, and, at four years of age, had manifested a remark- able knowledge of Christian doctrine and love for the Gos- pel. From his very childhood, he appeared to have known both the Scriptures, and the God of the Gospel — Jesus Christ, to whom, in his sixth year, he was accustomed to 44 690 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. write, as a cliild to a parent. His greatest delight was to gather his little play-fellows about him, and to preach and pray with them. His pocket-money he gave to the poor. From 1710 to 1716, he was the pupil of the renowned pi- etist, August Hermann Franke, at the Royal School in Halle. Here he made great progress both in learning and in piety — occupying many of his leisure hours in the com- position of hymns, for which he had a remarkable gift. He founded among his school -fellows a religious society, called " The Order of the Grain of Mustard Seed," — bound to extend the kingdom of Christ, especially among the heathen. In 1716, his uncle and guardian. General Zinzen- dorf, sent him to the orthodox University of Wittenberg, to study law. His own preference was divinity, the knowl- edge of which he found time to cultivate. Here, too, he wrote many sacred lyrics, and sought every means to pro- mote the practice of piety. In the spring of 1719, having completed the course of study, he left the University, and spent two or three years, with a private tutor, in visiting the princiiDal cities of Hol- land, France, and Switzerland. The " Ecce Homo," in the picture gallery of Diisseldorf, with its inscrii^tion— " All this have I done for thee ; what doest thou for me ? "— deeply impressed him : " From this time," he says, " I had but one passion, — and that was He, only He." At Ober- berg, he became enamored, during a season of illness, with his fair cousin, Theodora, daughter of the Countess of Cas- tell ; but finding that his friend, Heinrich, Count of Reuss- Ebersdorf, was a suitor for her hand, he renounced his o\\ n claims on her heart and hand, and subsequently said to Charles Wesley, — "From that moment I was freed from all self-seeking." Returning to Dresden in May, 1721, he was appointed Judicial Councillor. He edited a weekly paper— 7'7^e Ger- man Socrates — in the interest of religion, and conducted religious meetings in his own house. In May, 1722, he bought a large estate, named Berthelsdorf, in Upper Lusa- tia, Saxony ; and, September 7, 1722, he married the Coun- NIKOLAUS LUDWIG ZINZENDORF. 691 tess Erdmuthe Dorotliee, sister of Ms friend, Count Reuss, — a lady, in whom lie found a most congenial companion. He was, at the time, " a remarkably handsome man, tall, and exactly of w^hat is termed aristocratic bearing and manners ; a ready speaker, with a clear, ringing voice, and graceful and imposing action." Meeting about this time with Christian David, a Mora- vian refugee, and learning from him of the persecutions of the Moravians by the Austrian Government, he olfered them an asylum at Berthelsdorf. In the summer of 1722, David and a few companions built a house at the foot of the Hutberg, on his estate, and gave it the name of Herrn- hut, — "the protection of the Lord." The settlement grew by almost constant arrivals of refugees and others, and Zin- zendorf identified himself with it completely ; so that, in 1732, he resigned his office at Dresden, and removed to Berthelsdorf, to superintend the affairs of the community. Such was the rapidity with which the society grew, that, as early as 1732, they began to send forth missionaries to the West Indies and Greenland. The same year, he was ordered by the Government to sell his estates and leave Saxony, on the charges of heresy and disloyalty. At Tu- bingen, whither he had retired, he obtained ecclesiastical orders, and became, December 19, 1734, an authorized min- ister of the Word. He then visited Denmark, Holland, Prussia, and England. At London, where he arrived, Jan- uary 20, 1737, he met with Charles Wesley, Whitefield, and other brethren of like mind, over whom he exerted a pow- erful influence. At Berlin, May 20, 1737, he was ordained a bishop of the United Brethren, having, in June, 1736, fixed his abode at Marienborn (about thirty-five miles from Frankfort-on-the-Main), where John Wesley visited him in July, 1738. In December, 1738, he sailed for the West Indies, on a visit to the Moravian mission in St. Thomas, and obtained the liberation of the imprisoned missionaries; returning, in the spring of 1739, by way of England. In the latter part of 1741, he visited the continent of America (again taking 692 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. England on his way), and spent a year, preacliing at Pliila- delphia, Germantown, Bethlehem, and among the Pennsyl- vania Indians. He returned, February", 1743, to England, and, April, 1743, to Germany. On the revocation of the edict of banishment, October 11, 1747, he gladly went back to Herrnhut, and made it his head-quarters. He visited England once more in 1749, and remained more than a year. Keturning thither again in 1751, he remained nearly four years, residing at Chelsea, London. His only surviv- ing son. Christian Renatus, died. May 28, 1752 ; and, after his return (1755) to Germany, his wife, also, was taken from him, June 19, 1756. In June, 1757, he married Anna Nitschmann, one of the venerable " sisters " of Herrnhut. He died, after four days of illness, of a violent catarrhal fever, May 9, 1760, having almost completed his sixtieth year. Zinzendorf is to be classed among the most devoted and useful men of the past century. His high birth, his large fortune, his distinguished social position, his eminent tal- ents, and his great literary attainments, as well as his am- bition, were all made subservient to the one great desire and aim of his ardent soul, — the advancement of the king- dom of Christ on the earth. Herrnhut, with all its appli- ances and organizations for the spread of the Gospel, is the fruit of his benevolence and godly zeal. The "jMustard Seed" that he planted there in 1722 has become a great tree, and has spread its branches over the earth. His literary activity kept pace with his Christian energy. He wrote more than a hundred treatises, large and small, historical, apologetical, doctrinal, and practical, all de- signed to promote his great end. Among his prose works, the principal are : " Conversations on Various Religious Truths"; "Jeremiah, the Preacher of Righteousness"; " Reflexions ISTaturelles"; " The Present State of the King- dom of the Cross of Christ "; and " The History of the Days of the Son of Man." At a very early age, he accustomed himself to poetic com- position, in which he acquired a remarkable facility. He NIKOLAUS LUDWIG ZINZENDORF. 693 wrote about 2,000 hymns, 540 of which are found in the German Hymn-Books of the "Brethren," and 205 in the "English Hymn-Book." In February, 1724, he began the revision of the Bohemian Hymn-Book ; and, in 1725, lie published " A Collection of Hymns for the Parish of Berth- elsdorf "; and "A Paraphrase, in Verse, of the Last Dis- course of Jesus before his Crucifixion. " Two years later (1727), he issued " A Selection of Prayers and Hymns, from Angelus Silesius"; and, in 1735, a Collection of German Poems. In 1739, he published a small Collection of his Hymns ; and, in 1741, a new Collection of Hymns com- posed by the " Brethren." While a resident of London, he printed, in 1753, a Collection of 2,169 German Hymns ; and, the year following (1754), the second part, containing 1,000 hymns. In company with Gambold, he published, also in 1754, " A Collection of Hymns of the Children of God, in all Ages, from the Beginning until Now, designed for the Use of the Congregations in Union with the Brethren's Church." This was the great "English Hymn-Book," a large part of w^hicli consists of translations from the Ger- man, many of them by Zinzendorf . This was followed, in 1755, by an Aj^pendix of 300 hymns. A Collection of his own Gennan hymns was published (1845) by Albert Knapj). A large portion of his hymns, both in German and Eng- lish, have scarcely any poetic merit; " some are fantastic and irreverent ; some mere rhymed prose ; others again have a real sweetness, fervor, and song in them." Among them, says Kiibler, " notwithstanding negligences of form and ex- uberance of feeling, are some of the finest, grandest, love- liest, and most touching effusions of sacred poetry. " The following, in the original, is a great favorite in almost every pious German household ; it is entitled, " Following Christ": ' ' Jesus ! day by day, Lead us on life's way : Nought of dangers will we reckon, Simply haste where thou dost beckon ; Lead us, by the hand. To oiu' fatherland. 694 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. ' ' Hard should seem our lot, Let us waver not ; Never murmur at our crosses, In dark days of grief and losses ; 'T is throug-h trial here We must reach thy sphere. " When the heart must know Pain for others' woe, When beneath its own 't is sinking, Give us patience, hope unshrinking ; Fix our eyes, O Friend ' On our journey's end. " Thus our path shall be Daily traced by thee: Draw thou near when 't is rougher. Help us most when most we suiler; And, when all is o'er, Ope to us thy door." THEODORE ZWINGER. 1533-1588. Peof. Theodoke Z winger, M.D., of Bale, Switzerland, the eminent physician, scholar, and poet, was born, of poor parents, August 18, 1533, at Bale, where his younger days were spent. At a suitable age, he was sent to Lyons, France, to learn the printer's trade. His father was a fur- rier, and would have brought him up to his own business ; but his mother, who was a sister of John Opiron, a famous printer of that period, prevailed to change the design. While at Lyons, he occupied his leisure hours in study. At the end of three years, he went to Paris, where he prosecuted, under the tuition of the celebrated Professor, Pierre Ramus, the study of Philosophy. From Paris he proceeded to Padua, Italy, where he spent six years in the THEODORE ZWINGER, 695 study of Medicine. Returning to Bale, his native place, lie obtained the Chair of Greek in the University, and, sub- sequently, of Moral and Political Philosophy. Afterwards, he was appointed Professor of Medicine, and, at the same time, was a most skillful and jDopular practitioner of the art. He died, of fever, after an illness of only two days, in March, 1588. His only son, Jacques, was born in 1569, and followed, with great success, his father's profession. Theodore Zwinger was one of the most learned men of the period. Moreri gives a list of sixteen of his Works, medical, philosophical, historical, and critical. His chief work, however, wsls his " Theatrum Vitse Humanse," pub- lished in 1565. It was begun by Conrad Lycosthene [Wolf- hart], the minister of the Protestant congregation at Bale, who had married Zwinger's widowed mother. He had sjient fifteen years on the work ; and, just before he died, March 25, 1561, he entreated his step-son to finish and pub- lish it. Zwinger lived to see a third edition of the work published. When Zwinger was on his death-bed, he is said to have composed the following paraphrase of the 122d Psalm : " O lux Candida, lux miLi Laeti conscia transitus ! Per Christi meritum patet Vitae porta beate. Me status revocat dies Augustum Domini ad domum : Jam sacra aetherii j)remam Lsetus limina templi. Jam visum Solymae edita Ccelo culmina, et aedium Coetus angelicos, sue et Augustum populo urbem : Urbem quam procul inflmis Terrse finibus exciti Petunt Christiadas, et Deum Laudant voce perenni : Jussam coelitus oppidis Urbem jus dare caeteris, Et sedem fore Davidis 696 THE POETS OF THE CHURCH. Cuncta in ssecla beati. Mater nobilis urbium ! Semper te bona pax amat Et te semper amantibtis Cedunt omnia recte. Semper pax tua moenia Colit ; semper in atriis Tuis copia dextera Larga munera fundit. Dulcis Christiadum domus Cive adscribe novitium : Sola comitata Caritas — Spesque Fidesque valete." This beautiful and sublime farewell to earth loses little in the admirable and spirited translation of the Rev. James Merrick {q. v.), here given in full : " Wbat joy, while thus 1 view the day That warns ray thirsting soul away, — What transports fill my breast ! For, lo ! my great Redeemer's power Unfolds the everlasting door, And leads me to his rest. " The festive morn, my God! is come, That calls me to the hallowed dome Thy presence to adore ; My feet the summons shall attend, With willing steps thy courts ascend And tread th' ethereal floor. " E'en now, to my expecting eyes. The heaven-built towers of Salem rise: E'en now, with glad survey, I view her mansions that contain Th' angelic forms — an awful ti'ain, And shine with cloudless day. *' Hither, from earth's remotest end, Lo ! the redeemed of God ascend, Then' tribute hither bring : Here crowned with everlasting joy. In hymns of praise their tongues employ, And hail th' immortal King ; — THEODORE ZWINGER. 697 *' Great Salem's King; -vvlio bids each state On lier decrees dependent wait ; In her, ere time begiin, High on eternal base upreared His hands the regal seat prepared For Jesse's favored Son. ' ' Mother of cities ! o'er thy head See Peace, with healing wings outspread, Delighted fix her stay ; How blessed, who calls himself thy friend ! Success his labors shall attend, And safety guard his way. *' Thy walls, remote from hostile fear, Nor the loud voice of tumult hear. Nor war's wild wastes deplore ; There smiling Plenty takes her stand, And in thy courts, with lavish hand, Has poured forth all her store. " Let me, blessed Seat ! my name behold. Among thy citizens, enrolled, In thee for ever dwell ! Let Charity my steps attend. My sole companion and my friend, And Faith and Hope farewell I " INDEX The principal Hymns of the Authors noticed in this Work, as found in the Collections now in common use. A broken heart, my God, my King . ■J-^'^J^^ A broken heart, O Lord ! T. Raffles A charge to keep I have . . ■C.W.dey A debtor to mercy alone. A.M. loplady A few more years shall roll I~f- Bonar A glory gilds the «acred page._ W. Cowper A hymn for martyrs sweetly sing Venerable Bede^'^x., J. M. Neale A light streams downward Miss Hinsdale A little child, the Saviour came. . W. Robertson A living stream, as crystal clear . ^ Mason -^ A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark Af. Lictker. Tr., F. H. Hedge A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty ° M. Luther, Tr., T. Carlyle A mind at perfect peace with God. ..H. Bonar A mother m^iy forgetful be Miss A . Steele A pilgrim and a Tr., Miss J. Borthwick A pili^rim through this lonely world.//, honar A present God is all our strength./". Doddridge A thousand oracles divine C. U eslcy Abba, Father ! hear thy child C. Wesley Abba, Father, while we sing E- Osier Abide in me and I in you . . ..£. H. Bicke^steth y Abide with me ; fast falls H. F. Lyle Above the stairy spheres „ ^ ^ ,, Ajnbrose, Tr., E. Casivall Absent from flesh ! O blissful thought,/. IVatts According to thy gracious ....J. Montgomery Again our earthly cares we leave ..J- i^---^ton Again our weekly labors end J. Stennett Again returns the day of holy rest. . W. Mason Again the holy morn Tr., E.Caswall Again the Lord of life. ..Mrs. A . L. Barbauld Again the Lord'.s own day.Tr., J. M.Ne^ile[.^) Again we lift our voice • • C. Wesley Ah, Head ! so bruised and wounded. C. IVesley Ah ! how shall fallen man /• W^'^-f Ah ! Jesus, let me hear thy voice A. heed Ah ! not like erring man is H. U. Oirderdonk Ah ! what avails my strife C. Wesley Ah Ah ! whilhet should 1 go -- ^ ■; i . , ., Ah ' wretched vile, ungrateful .Miss A. Steele And are there Alas ! and did my Saviour bleed /. Watts ^ -" -" "' "' Alas ! in wandering from the Lord. . . ./. Waits Alas ! what hourly dangers me. Miss A. Steele Alike in happiness or woe B. Beddome (o) All glorious God, what hymns. . .P. Doddridge All glory, laud and honor. . . .Tr., J. M. Neate All Glory, worship thanks, and. . .P. Gerhardt AH hail, Adored Trinity . .Tr., /. D.Chambers All hail, incarnate God ! Miss E. Scott All hail the gloiious morn .J. Peacock All hail the power of Jesus' name./i. Perronet All His servants, join to sing. ./. Conder All is dying, hearts are breaking C. Spitta, Tr., R. Massie All my heart this night rejoices P. Gerhardt, Tr,, Miss C. Winkworth All people that on earth do dwell W. Kethe All praise to him of Nazareth. . W. C. Bryant All praise to thee, eternal Lord ....M. Luther All praise to thee, my God. this night. . T. Ken All scenes alike engaging prove. ../Mme. Guyott All that I was, my sin, my guilt ... //. Bonar All things ate ready, come A. Midlane All ye Gentiles, praise the J. Montgomery All ye who owe to God \our. . Tr., 7, Wesley All ye who seek for sure relief Tr., I- . Casivall All ye who seek in hope and love. .A". Casivall •^Alleluia! Alleluia ! Alleluia !.Tr., J. M. Neale Alleluia ! Alleluia! hearts to...C. Wordsworth Alleluia ! best and sweetest. . ,Tr., J. Chandler Alleluia! song of sweetness. Tr., y. M. Neale Almighty Father, bless the . ..J. Montgomery -sAlmighty Father of mankind M. Bruce Almighty God. I call to Thee M. Luther Almighty God of love C.Wesley Almighty God I the pure and just. . E. Osier Almighty God ! Thy throne above.^. Chandler Almighty God ! Thy word is cau ..J. Caivood Almighty God, to-night J. M. Neale Almighty Lord, before Thy throne Miss A. Steele Almighty Maker, God ! /. Watts Almighty Maker of my fr.nme. . .Miss A. Steele Almighty Sovereign of the skies .V. Strong Almighty Spirit, now behold ..J. Montgomery Alone with Thee, with Thee alone.. 7'. //. Gill Along my earthly way... J. Edmeston Although the vine its fruit..//. U. Onderdonk Always with us— always with us. . £. //. Nevin Am 1 a soldier of the cc OSS I. Watts Amazing grace, how sweet the.. . "J. Seivton Amid the splendors of Thy state . , . .y.Jiififion \ :^^::i^:.o.Mrs:^-i^H^ p;;i^;y^;;^'i;j^Th;oTi^n;i":w:^7v^^ ! thither sh'ould Igo'....,,..,,,.C W:../.^' , An exile for the fa.th ^r /T^-^/i * See Introductory Note. tries Miss J. Taylor And are we now brought near.../". Doddridge And are we wretches yet alive /. Watts And are we yet alive C. Wesley And be it so— that till this hour T. Gibbons And can I yet delay. C. Wesley And can mine eyes O. Heginbothom And can my heart aspire so Miss A. Steele And canst thou, sinner ! Mrs. A. B. Hyde And did the Holy and the ]\i%X..Miss A . Steele And dost Thou come, O blessed. . -J. Mason And dost Thou say,—" Ask what" .7. Newton And have we heard the joyful sound.. A". Osier And is the time Miss J. Borthwick 700 INDEX OF HYMNS. And is there, Lord ! a rest R. Palmer And let this feeble body fail C Wesley And must I part with all I have. . .B. Beddome And must this body die /. Watts And now another week begins T. Kelly And now, my soul, another year ^9. Brown And now the solemn deed is done.. 5'. F. Smith And shall I sit alone .... S. Beddome And will the great, eternal God. .P. Doddridge And will the Judge descend P. Doddridge And will the Lord thus .Miss A . Steele And will the offended God again... 6". Ste}tnett And wilt Thou hear, O Lord 'Tx.^Neale Angel ! roll the rock away T. Scott Angels ! from the realms of J. Montgomery Angels ! lament, behold your.Tr., J. Chardler Angels rejoiced and sweetly sung W. Hum Another day has passed along. . . .J. Edmeston Another six days' work is done J. Stennett Apostles of the risen Christ, go forth. M Bonar Approach, my soul ! the mercy-seat. J. Newton Archangels ! fold your wings M. Bridges Arise, arise ! with joy survey T. Kelly Arise, great God, and let Thy J. Merrick Arise, my soul ! arise C. Wesley Arise my soul, fly up and run /. Watts Arise, my soul ! my joyful powers /. Waits Arise, my soul, on wings sublime. . . T. Gibbo-ns Arise, my soul, with rapture rise. .3'. P. Smith Arise, my tenderest thoughts !. . .P. Doddridge Arise, O God ! and let Thy grace . . y. Merrick Arise, O King of grace ! arise /. Watts Arise, ye saints ! arise T. Kelly Arm of the Lord ! awake, awake. W. Shrubsole Arm these thy soldiers C. Wordszvortk Around the Saviour's lofty throne.. .. T. Kelly Around the throne a circling ha.ni. J. M. Neale Around thy grave. Lord Jesus y. G.Deck Art thou a child of tears. T. Keble Art thou weary ? Art thou languid ? Stephen the Sabaite, Tr. y. M. Neale As by the light of opening day ... .y. Newton As every day Thy mercy spares. . W. Shrubsole As flows the rapid river S. P. Smith As Jesus died and rose again ... ... .M . Bruce As now the sun's declining. . .Tr., y. Chandler As oft with worn and weary feet. .y. Edmeston As pants the hart for cooling H. P. Lyte As shadows cast by cloud and sun. W.C.Bryant As the hart with eager looks. ..y. Montgomery As the sweet flower that. .y. W. Cunningham As when in silence vernal showers.. 7- Ripfion As when the weary traveler gains.. y. Ni-wton As with gladness men of old.... W. C. Dix Ascend thy throne. Almighty B. Beddome Ashamed of Jesus ! can it be y. Grigg Ask ye what great thing I know y. S. B. Monsell Asleep in Jesus ! ble»sed Mrs. M. Mackay Assembled at thy great W. B. Coliyer Astonished and distressed B. Beddome At anchor laid, remote from. . .A. 1\T. Toplady At the cross her station Tr., E. Caswall At the Lamb's high feast . . .Tr., R. Campbell At thy command, our dearest Lord.../. Watts Auspicious morning ! hail S. P. Smith Author of faith, eternal Word C. Wesley Author of faith, to Thee I cry C. Wesley Author of good, to Thee we t\xxn..y. M;rrick Awake, again the Gospel trump y. Keble Awake, all-conquering arm P. Doddridge Awake, and sing the song W. Hammond Awake, awake, O Zion B. Gough Awake, awake the sacred song. . Miss A . Steele Awake, glad soul ! awake y.S.B. Monsell Awake, my heart ! arise, my tongue../. Watts Awake, my soul ! and sing M. Bridges Awake, my soul ! and with the sun T. Ken Awake, my soul I in joyful lays .5'. Medley Awake, my soul ! lift. . . .Mrs. A. L. Barbauld Awake, my soul ! stretch evety../'. Doddridge Awake, my soul ! to joyful lays . . .5'. Medley Awake, my soul ! to meet the day .P.Doddridge Awake, my soul ! to sound His y. Barlow Awake, my tongue! thy tribute.. 5^. Needhant Awake, our drowsy souls Miss E. Scott Awake, our souls ! away our fears. . . ./. Watts Awake, ye saints ! and raise P. Doddridge Awake, ye saints ! awake T. Cotterill Awake, ye saints! to praiseyour King./. Watts Awaked by Sinai's awful sound S. Occotn Away from earth my spirit turns.. .R. Palmer Away from every mortal care. .... /. Waits Away, my unbelieving fear C. Wesley Awed by a mortal's frown E. Osier Be joyful in God, all ye lands, .y. Montgomery Be present at our table. Lord y. Cennick Be present. Holy Trinity.. . .Tr., y. M. Neale Be still, my heart y. Newton Be Thou exalted, O my God /. Waits Be thou faithful unto death B. Gough Be Thou, O God, exalted. . . . Tate and Brady Be tranquil, O my soul T. Hastings Be with me. Lord, where'er I go., .y. Cennick Before Jehovah's awful throne /. Watts Before the ending of the day Ambrose, Tr., y. M. Neale Before the heavens were spread /. Watts Before the Lord we bow p. S. Key Before thy mercy-seat W. H. Bathurst Begin, my soul ! th' exalted lay y. Ogilvie Begin, my tongue ! some heav'nly ..../. Watts Begone, unbelief, my Saviour y. Newton Behold ! a stranger's at the door. . y. Grigg Behold th' amazing sight P. Doddridge Behold ! the blind their sight receive /. Watts Behold ! the Christian warrior y. Montgomery Behold ! the day is come B. Beddome Behold the glories of the Lamb /. Watts Behold ! the grace appears /. Watts Behold ! the Lamb of God M. Bridges Behold ! the lofty sky /. Watts Behold the man ! how glorious T. Kelly Behold ! the messengers S. Victorinus Behold ! the morning sun /. Watts Behold ! the mountain of the Lord..yl/. Bruce Behold ! the Saviour of mankind ..S. Wesley Behold ! the shade of night is now receding Gregory, Tr., A'. Palmer Behold ! the sin-atoning Lamb . .y. hawcett Behold I the sure foundation stone.. . ./. Watts Behold ! the throne of grace . . . y. Newton Beliold ! the western evening. ?K. B. O. Peabody Behold ! Thy waiting servant, Lord. ./. Watts Behold ! we come, dear Lord . . . . y. .4. ustin Behold ! what condescending love.. 7. Peacock Behold! what pity touched /. Watts Behold ! what wondrous grace /. Watts Behold where, in a mortal hxm....W. Rnjield Behold ! where in the Friend W. Enfield Beneath Moriah's rocky side. A". M. McCheyne Beneath our feet and o'er our head. . .R. Heber Be.set with snares on every hand P. Doddridge Bethlehem, earth's noblest. ..Tr., E. Caswall Beyond, beyond that boundless .y. Conder Beyond the smiling and the weeping. H. Bonar Beyond the starry skies D. Turner Beyond where Kidroii's waters.. . S. F. Smith Birds have their quiet nests., .y S. B. Monsell Bless God, my soul Tate and Brady Bless, O Lord, the opening year. . . y. Newton Bless, O my soul ! the living Gnd /. Watts Blessed angels, while we silent lie. . T. Ken (a) Blessed are the dead who die B. Gough Blessed are the feet which bring y. Mason Blessed are the humble souls I. Watts Blessed are the men whose mercies. . ./. Watts Blessed are the pure in heart y. Keble Blessed are the sons of God y. Humphreys INDEX OF HYMNS. 701 Blessed are the sons of peace /. Watfs Blessed are the souls that hear /. iVaiis Blessed are the undefiled in heart /. IVaits Blessed be the dear uniting love C. Wesley Blessed be the everlasting God I. Watts Blessed be the I'ather and his love /. Watts Blessed be the tie that binds ... J. Faiucett Blessed be Thou, the God. . .//. U. Onderdonk Blessed be Thy love, dear Lord. ... y. A ustin Blessed be Thy name J. Montgomery Blessed City, Heavenly Tr., J. M. Neale Blessed Comforter, come down./i. M. Toplady Blessed Comforter. . Mrs. L. H. Sigourney BlessedCreator of the light C. Coffin Blessed day of God ! most calm J. Mason Blessed feasts of blessed. .Tr., J. D. Chambers Blessed feast of love divine Sir E. Denny Blessed Fountain, full of grace T. Kelly Blessed hour ! when mortal man. . . .T. Raffles Blessed inhabitants of Zlon. y. Ne%vton Blessed is the man who shuns the . . I. Watts Blessed is the man, whose heart doth./. Watts Blessed is the man Mrs. A. L. Barbauld Blessed is the man whose spirit H. F. Lyte Blessed is the tie that binds y. Faiucett Blessed Jesus ir.. Miss C. Winkivorth Blessed Jesus ! when my O. Heginbothotn Blessed morning, whose young /. Waits Blessed Salem, long e,\pected. .Tr., W. Mercer Blessed Saviour ! thee 1 love G. Duffield Blessed Trinity ! from mortal. Tr., H. W. Baker Blessing and honor and glory and H. Bonar Blow ye the trumpet, blow C. Wesley Body of Jesus, O sweet food A. C. Coxe Bound upon the accursed tree H. H. Milman Boundless glorj , Lord ! be Thine. . . . T. Kelly Bowed with a sense of sin I ...A. M. Toplady Bread of heaven ! on thee I feed ■ ■ y. Conder Bread of the world in mercj' broken. .R. Heber Brethren called by one Tr., W.Mercer Brethren, let us join to ble>-s .J. Cennick Brethren while we sojourn here y. .Sivain Bride of the Lamb, awake Sir E. Denny Brief life is here our portion.. .T., y. M. Neale Bright and joyful is the morn.. 7. Montgomery Bright as the sun's meridian . W. Shrubsole Bright King of glory, dreadful God !. /. Watts Bright Source of everlasting love y. Boden Bright with all His crowns.. .. Sir E. Denny Brightest and best of the sons of the. ./?. Heber Brightness of the Father's glory. ..j^. Robinson Bro'ad is the road that leads to death . /. Watts Brother, thou art gone to rest.. .//. H. Milman Brother, though from Mrs. C. L. Bancroft Brought to the font with holy care E. Osier Buried in shadows of the night I. Watts Burst, ye emerald gates ! . ..R. Kempenfelt By cool Siloam's shady rill R. Heber By faith in Christ 1 walk with God.. 7. Neivton By precepts taught of ages past Ambrose, Tr., y. M. Neale By the cross of Jesus H. Bonar By thy birth and early years R. Grant Call Jehovah thy salvation. . . y. Montgomery Calm ire, my (Jod ! and keep me H. Bonar Calm on the bosom of thy ...Mrs. F. D. Hetnans Calm on the listening ear of night. ..£. H. Sears Calmer of the troubled heart C. Wesley Can aught beneath a power.. . . Miss A. Steele Can sinners hope for heaven. ... B. Beddome Captains of the saintly band.Tr., H. W. Baker Cast thy burden on the Lord. R. Hill Cease, ye mourners, cease to. . . W. B. Collyer Change is our portion here y. H. Evans Cheer up, desponding soul y. Byrom Child of sin and sorrow T. Hastings Children ! liear the melting story. . T. Hastings Children of light ! arise and shine. ^/rj?. Denny Children of men, rejoice. .Tr., y. D. Chambers Children of the heavenly King y. Cennick Chosen not for good in me. ..R.M. McCheyne Christ and his cross is all our theme.../. Watts Christ, by heavenly hosts adored.//. Harbaugh Christ for every man hath died E, Osier Christ had regained the sky. , Ambrose Christ in highest heaven. .'iantolius Victorinus Christ is born, tell forth His . .Tr., y. M. Neale Christ is gone up with joyful sound ../?. Heber Christ is gone up, yet ere He y. M. Neale Christ is made the sure foundation Saru7n Brev., Tr., y. M. Neale Christ is our Corner-Stone .. .Tr., y. Chandler Christ is risen ! Christ is risen \..A.S. Giirney Christ is risen ! the Lord is . . . H. H. Milman Christ lay awhile in death's strong hand M. Lut/ier,1v.,R.Massie Christ leads me through no darker. .R Baxter , Christ of all my hopes the ground./?. Wardlaw Christ of the Holy Angels M. Rabanus ' Christ ! Redeemer of our race. . Tr., W. Mercer Christ ! the Father's mirrored M. Rabanus Christ the Lord is Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Christ, the Lord, is risen to-day C. Wesley I Christ, whose glory fills the skies C. Wesley j Christ will gather in His own j N.L.ZinzendorfXr.MissC. Winkworth j Christians, awake, salute the happy.. J'. Byrom I Christian, dost thou see them? j A ndrew 0/ Crete, Tr , y. M. Neale Christian ! seek not vet repose W. W. H02U Christians awake ! salute the . ..y. Byrom Christians, brethren, ere we part. .H. K. White Christ's everlasting. . . Santolius Victorinus Church of the ever-living God H. Bonar Circled by His enemies Tr., y. M. Neale Cling to the Mighty One H.Bennett Come, all harmonious tongues /. Watts Come, all ye chosen saints of God y. Hart Come, all ye saints of God y. Boden Come at the morning hour . . . .y. Montgomery Come, behold a great expedient /. Kelly Come, blessed Spirit, source of. . ../?. Beddome Come, dearest Lord, and bless y. Dobell Come, dearest Lord ! descend and /. U 'atts Come, divine F.manuel, come C. Wesley Come, ever-blessed Spirit !. . . . C Wordsworth Come, every pious heart ! S. Stennett Come, gracious Lord, descend and .. ./. Watts Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly. . . .S. Browne Come, guilty souls, and fly ... .y. Humphreys Come, happy souls ! approach your.../. Watts Come, heavenly Love! m'i'^ne. .Miss A . Steele Come hither, all ye weary souls /. Watts Come hither, ye faithful ..Tr., E. Caswall Come, Holy Ghost, all quickening. . .C Wesley Come, Holy Ghost, and Tr , E. Caswall Come, Holy Ghost, Creator ! come. . . .N. Tate Come, Holy Ghost, Eternal God./^. Doddridge Come, Holy Ghost, Eternal God N. Tate Come, Holy Ghost, in love . . .. R. Palmer Come, Holy Ghost, Lord God M. Luther, Tr., R. Massie Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts C. Wesley Come, Holy tihost,our souls inspire. Cr^fsry /. Come, Holy Ghost, who ever one Atnbrose, Tr., y. M. Neale Come, Holy Spirit, come, Let /. Hart Come, Holy Spirit, come, With.. .B. Beddome Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly 5. Browne Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove /. Watts Come, humble sinner, in whose E. yones Come in, thou blessed of the Lord. . . . T. Kelly Come in, thou blessed _/. Montgomery Come, Jesus, Redeemer ! abide R. Palmer Come join, ye saints, with heart 5". Medley Come, let our souls adore .. .Miss A . Steele Come, let our voices join to raise /. Watts Come, let us all unite to praise M. Madan 702 INDEX OF HYMNS. Come, let us anew, etc., Roll C, Wesley Come, let us anew, etc.. With C. IVesiey Come, let us join in songs of praise A. Pirie Come, let us join oui cheerful songs../. Watts Come, let us join our friends above..C IVesley Come, let us join our songs A. Pirie Come, let us lift our joyful eyes /. IVatis Come, let us lift our voices high /. IVat.s Come, let us praise the name of God. . C Coffin Come, let us search ourhearts E. Osier t'ome, let us sing of Jesus ...G. IV. Beihunj Come, let us sins the song .. .y. Montgomery Come, let us to the Lord y. Morrison Come, Lord, and tarry not H. Bonar Come, Lord, and warm each. . . .Miss A. Steeie Come, ma.;nify the Saviour's love E. Osier Come, my fond fluttering heart. il-//j-j y. Taylor Come, my Redeemer, come A. Reed Come, my soul, thy suit prepare y. Newton Come, O Creator Spirit. .... Ir., E. Caswall Come, O my soul, in sacred lays. . T. Blacklock Come, O thou traveler. . . ., C. Wesley Comeon, my partners in distress C. Wesley Come, poor sinners, come W. F. Lloyd Come, pure hearts, in sweetest measure Adam of St. Victor, Tt.,R. Camibell Come, sacred Spirit, from above./". Doddridge Come, saints, and adore... .il/zM i1/. De Fleury Come, Saviour. Jesus from Tr., y. Wesley Come, says Jesus' sacred. .y)/?-j. A . L. Barbauld Come, see the place where Jesus T. Kelly Come, shout aloud the O. Heginbothom Come, sound His praise abroad /. Watts Come, Spiiit, source of light B, Beddome Come, take His offers now C. Wesley Come, thou Almighty King C. Wesley Come, thou bright and C. K. von Rosenroth Come, thou desire of all Miss A. Steele Come, thou everlasting Spirit C. Wesley Come, thou Fount of every R.Robinson Come, thou Holy Spirit, come..Tr., E. Caswall Come, thou long-expected Jesus. ...C Wesley Come, thou soul-ir.in:5forming Spirit, .y. E^in.ns Come, thou who dost the soul.l'r., E. Caswall Come to Calvary's holy y. Montgomery Come, trembling sinner R. yones Come unto me, ye weary W.C. Dix Come up hither, come away E. H. Nevin Come, we that love the Lord /. Watts Come, weary souls, with sin Miss A. Steele Come, ye disconsolate T. Moore Come, ye faithful, raise the y. Hupton Come, ye lofty, come, ye lowly ...(4. T. Gurney Come, ye saints, and raise y. Hupton Come, ye saints, look here and T.Kelly Come, ye sinners, poor and wretched, .y. Hart Come, ye souls, by sin afflicted y. Swain Come, ye that know and fear G. Burder Come, ye that love the Lord I. Watts Come, ye that Iqve the Saviour's.M^j A . Steele Come, ye weary, heavy-laden y. Hart Come, ye wearv sinners, come C. Wesley Command thy 'blessing y. Montgomery Commit thou all thy griefs Tr., y. Wesley Compared with Christ A. M.Toplady Conquering kings their titles. .Tr., y. Chandler Creator of mankind Tr., y. Chandler (a) Creator of the rolling flood R.Heber Creator of the stars of night A mbrose Creator of the world, to thee. . C. Coffin Creator Spirit, by whose aid. ..Tr., y. D'-yden Crown him with many crowns M. Bridges Crown his head with endless W. Goode Crowns of glory, ever bright T. Kelly Dark was the night and cold y.Hawezs Daughter of Zion, from ;■■ 7- Montgomery Dawn purples all the east with light A mbrose, Tr. , y. M. Neale Day by day the manna fell 5". Conder Day divine, when sudden T. H. Gill Day of anger, that dread Thomas o/Celano Day of judgment, day of wonders. . y. Newton Day of wrath, O day of Thomas of Celano Day of wrath, that awful . . . Tho77ias of Celano Days and months quickly E. Caswall Dayspring of Eterniiy C K. von Rosenroth, Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Dear Father, to thy mercy Miss A. Steele Dear is the hallowed. .... y. W. Cunningham Dear Jesus, ever at my side E". W. Faber Dear Lord, amid the throng Sir E. Denny Dear Lord and Master mine T. H. Gilt Dear refuge of my weary hQ\x\. .Miss A. Steele Dear Saviour, I am thine P. Doddridge Dear Saviour, if these lambs. .Mrs. A.B. Hyde Dear Saviour, prostrate at thy 6". Stennett Dear Saviour, we are thine P. Doddridge Dear Saviour, when my Miss A . Steele Dear Shepherd of thy people y. Newton Dear ties of mutual succor W. C. Bryant Dearest of all the names above /. Watts Dearest of names, our Lord, our S. Medley Death cannot make our souls afraid.. ./. Watts Death may dissolve my body now /. Watts Death! 't is a melancholy day /. Watts Deathless spirit ! now arise A. M. Toplady Deep are the wounds which ivci.Miss A. Steele Deep in our hearts let us record /. Watts Deep in the dust before Thy throne../. Watts Deign this union to approve . W. B. Collyer Delay not, delay not, O sinner \. . .T. Hastings Depih of mercy ! — -can there be C. Wesley Descend, celestial Dove J. Fellows Descend from heaven, celestial Dovc.y. Hart Descend from heaven, immortal. ... /. Watts Did Christ o'er sinners weep B. Beddotn^ Dismiss us with Thy blessing. Lord ! J. Hart Disposer supreme Santolius Victor inus Do not I love Thee. O my . . ..P. Doddridge Do we not know that solemn word. . . ,/. Watts Does the Gospel word proclaim J. Newton Done IS the work that saves H. Bonar Down to the sacred wave S. F. Smith Draw, Holy Spirit, Thy seven-fold ... 7". Keble Draw, Holy Spirit, nearer C.J. P. Spitta Draw nigh and take the body.Tr.,/- M. Neale Draw nigh, draw nigh Tr.,y, M. Neale Dread Jehovah, God of nations .../'. Cotterill Dread Sovereign ! let my evening. . /. Watts Drooping souls, no longer mourn../'. Hastings Dying souls, fast bound in sin /. Hastings Each coming night, O Lord, we.. .J. D. Burns Early, my God I without delay /. Watts Earth below is teeming J.S. B. Monsell Earth has engrossed my love too long./. Watts Earth has many a noble city ..Tr., A. Caswall Earth has nothing sweet.. Tr., Miss F. E. Cox Earth to earth, and dust to dast.._/. //. Gurney Earth with her ten thousand T. R. Taylor Earth's transitory things decay /. Bowring Eight days amid this world of woe. ./. Anstice Emptied of earth I fain would.. .r4. M. Toplady Enthroned is Jesus now T.J.Judkin Enthroned on high. Almighty Lord! /. Haweis Kre earth's foundations, Tr.i1//.fi C. Winkworth Ere God had built the mountains.. W. Cowfier Ere I sleep, for every favor J. Cennick Ere the blue heavens were stretched. ./. Watts Ere the waning light decay Ambrose, Tr., R. Wrent Eternal depth of love divine. TV. L. Zinzendorf Eternal Father, Thou hast said. .../?. Palmer Eternal God, almighty Cause! S. Browne Eternal God, we look to Thee y. Merrick Eternal Power, whose high abode /. Watts Eternal Source of every good ! B. Beddome Eternal Source of every joy !. . . .,/*. Doddridge Eternal Spirit ! by whose. ...W. H. Bathurst INDEX OF HYMNS. 703 Eternal Spirit, God of ---,. ^ navies Eternall Spirit Source ofhgh t ^-FHart Eternal Spint Source of truth. •■■■■■_•/• ,^;,,, Eternal Spirit ! we confess. Weslev First of martyrs, Thou . .Santohtcs ^^%Zne Fling out the banner, let it float. G-J^-ff^,"' Flow fast, my tears ! the cause is. . . H^. S/urUy Fling to the heedless winds. ■ ■ . ■ ■ ■■^^- ^"i^Z Fly ye sinners, to yon mountain, i?. Burnkam rTTTyVatr^°ror'd-;-:::-;-^^^^^ ^°;:ii?hrsai-,?vh^fU^^^ ?-rrch^sXd-::..:^:^"^l^"^4^^^^ For th^ mLcies of the day.^.__. •/;_^^-^X'2 Every morning, mercies new.... ..-••• Every morning the r^ed Mrs. C. F. AU^'^^^^er^ Exalt the Lord our ood ■ • ■ >• , ^^ Extended on a cursed tree ..^.-P- ^f^;™ Faint not, Christian though the.y. ^ C . Mrs. Evani .J. Montgovicry .F. \V. Faber .B. Beddome Fair shines the morning star Turner Faith adds new charms to earthly../?, lurner Fa h, hope, -d charity . /. Mont^^^ery^ Faith'is the brightest evidence. . . . .^ . .A ^-«; Faith of our fathers! hving l:iii;f:i:K'i!^sr^hpcies^.5^«;^ Far as creation's bounds extend . . . /. f ^^^'^/^ Far as Thy name is known ■/• ^^^^'J Far downlhe ages now .. jTayfor Far from mortal cares retreating . . . ./. 1^°'^ Far from my heavenly home ..... - ^-.^-'/^^^ Father, at Thy footstool see . . Father, bless Thy word to all. . Father bv Thy love and power Father' for Thy promised blessing.^. 7>/j^/«« Fa her: hear th'e blood of Jesus , . . . C IVesley Father! how wide Thy glory shines. ./. Vl'^aJU Father ! 1 long. I faint, to see ... Father, I sing Thy wondrous grace_ ^^ ^^^^^^ ove C, IVesley Father'! in Thy mysterious ^r-^t^T. For thee, O dear, dear country. For those in bonds .C. Wesley ...T. Kelly ./. A nsl ' T. Hastings For Thrdekr" s^hu,'© Lord A'. Mant ? F^orbi'd fh^m not, • the Saviour. . T Hasiin^ Forget thyself, Christ bade f Hf-stings Forlve us. Lord ! to Thee we cry. F. H«.sttngs Forth from the dark and stormy sky. R- Hebjr Forth in Thy name, O Lord! \.%,o. ..L. Wesley Fountain of grace, rich, lull . . /. ^.amesion ^.°""" " of mt rev Mrs. A . Flowerdew Frequent the da^of God returns. . . .S. Bro^^ne VSllr fri.n\departs . J. Montgonury Friend of sinners, Lordofg lory f';,^,A From all that dwell below the sk;e^ . ./. »^a«. From Calvary a cry was. . . ./. » • yi^^^^^S";". From day to day before^ r eye.s,J.Mo?itgomery rubied ..I. Watts From deep distres.. _ From depths of woe 1--^- I h^e_^ ^_ ^^^^ .^ From distant corners /K. X. Alexander From Egypt lately come J nJ^is From every earthly V^.^^^^^.^.-fJ^etl Fa her, I stretch my hands to T nee. . C. W^_ ey Father in these reveal Thy love ^- /^rffy Father ! in Thy mysterious ^r-^'^Tsley- It^Z of'alSrZ iTnd In^d sea.- C.Words^ortk Fath:r of all, whose powerful voice. /. Wesley ^:;!;:-[|}:;^in:bivrr'"i//:^^^^ Father of mercies ! bow Thine £ Father of mercies ! condescend . . ■ y--^,.^ I prom Thy dear, piercea siae Father of mercies, hear ■ ; ^^1^^^/, Gently, my Saviour ! et me down . -J-J^'" of mercies . in Ihy wo ^^ ^gadridge I Give glor ft ^■" C. Wesley C.Wesley T. H. Gill From foes thai ivi^l.iu ^..- ; i/^a^ From Greenland's icy mo""'^'"^ ;; -i^- 'A^J'u' From highest Heaven, the t-'ernal.// iK, ^^^^'^ rhyword. Miss A.Steele U.ra ^"V ^""-^^d .;" ^^ ^ "7. ./. .l/^^^^^^^r^- FatKer of mercies ! send ihy P. Dodpjge^ | give ^^l^J^^ ^^^^^l.tt,^;, A /■ Watts_ Fathe |?:Kson,'^'?^^'a^ost.-V....C^f^ Father, Thine elect Father, Thy n ho lovest be praised Tr Miss C. Winkworth Father, Thy will, not mi^le ..../• Montgomery _ ■ ■ Thine each da. ful child Faiher; 't i^Thine eacWay to V-ld. .^£^j?;|; Fath Fear not Fierce was Give thanks to God, He reigns above../. WaJ^s Give thanks to God most high A JVatU Give to our God immortal praise /. Watts Give to the Lord, ye sons of f'^^^- p /•f^fj^ Give to the winds thy fears . . ...P- G^JT^^^rat Give us room that we may dwell . ■.■J-XiV was the wild billow ^^^ ^_ ^^^^^ j ^["^V'^l ^od on high, let .J. Mien Father, to Thy -"'"—''■- ' ' ^^ wSrdsworth Father who didst fashion me. Tr., H. W. BaHer Father', whose hand hath led me^o secui^ly . ose love and truth fulfil 704 INDEX OF HYMNS. Glory to God on high, our /. Hart Glory to God the i- ather be .J. Mason Glory to God who when with.. 7". D. Chambers Glory to God with joyful adoration E. Osier Glory to th' Almighty Father.. W. H. Bathurst Glory to the Father give /. Montgomery Glory to 1 hee, my God ! this night T. Ken Glory to Thee who safe hast kept T. Ken Go, and the Saviour's grace proclaim.. T. Morell Go, labor on, spend and be spent H. Bonar Go, labor on, while it is day H. Bonar "Go, preach My gospel," saith the.../. IVatts Go to dark Gethsemane J. Montgomery Go to the grave in all thy. . J. Montgomery Go to thy rest, fair chWA. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney Go, tune thy voice to varied songs.. T. Hastings Go up, go up, my heart H. Bonar Go, worship at Immanuel's feet. ...../. Watts God calling yet? shall. .Tr., Miss J. Borthwick God eternal. Lord of all !. . .Tr., /. E. Millard God eternal, mighty King J. E. Millard God from on high hath heard C. Coffin God in His earthly temple lays /. Watts God, in the gospel of His Son ..B. Beddome God in the high and holy place..y. Montgomery God is a Spirit, just and wise /. Watts God is gone up on high C Wesley God is in His holy temple J. Montgomery God is love, His mercy brightens. . ./. Bowring God is my strong salvation /. Montgomery God is our refuge and defense. .J. Montgomery God is our refuge in distress M. Luther God is our strength, away our fear E. Osier God is the name my soul adores /. Watts God is the refuge of His saints /. Watts God, most mighty, sovereii^n H. Harbaugh God moves in a mysterious way . . W. Cowper God, my King, Thy might confessing../?. Mant (iod, my Supporter and my Hope /. Watts God of Israel, we adore Thee T. Kelly God of mercy, God of grace ! H. F. Lyte God of mercy, God of love ! J. Taylor God of mercy, hear our prayer. ... 7". Hastings God of my childhood and my youth. ./. Watts God of my life! look gently oown .. /. IFatts God of my life ! through all my . ./". Doddridge God of my life. Thy boundless.. yl/z^.? C. Elliott God of my life, to Thee belong. ..Miss E. Scott God of my life ! to Thee I call W. Cowper God of my mercy and my praise /. Watts God of ray salvation ! hear C. Wesley God of our fathers, by whose P. Doddridge God of our life ! Thy various.. (?. Heginbothom God of our life, to Thee we call W. Cowper God of our salvation ! hear us .. .T.Kelly God of that glorious gift of grace . . ./. Monsell God of the morning! at whose voice../. Watts God of the morning ray T. Hastings God of the nations! bow Thine.. T. Hastings God of the passing year! to..^. A. Woodhull God of the sunlight hours \ Mrs. M. G. Saffery God our hope and strength abiding... ./. Keble God reveals His presence G. Terstcegen God shall charge His angel /. Montgomery God the Father, from Thy .. .. H. W. Baker God the Lord a King remaineth .J. Keble God, who madcst earth and heaven R. Heber God s glory is a wondrous thing.. /^ W. Faber God's holy law transgressed . ...B. Beddome God is the Lord, the heavenly King../. Watts Good news from heaven the angels bring Luther^ Tr., ^. T. Russell Grace, like an uncorrupted seed /. Watts Grace I 'tis a charming sound P. Doddridge Gracious Lord, incline Thine. . . W. Hammond Gracious Redeemer, shake C. Wesley Gracious Saviour, gentle W. H. Havergal Gracious Saviour, gentle Miss J. E. Lesson Gracious Saviour, thus before H. Bateman Gracious Spirit, Dove divine J. Stacker Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost. . . C, Wordsworth Grant me within Thy courts.. J. Montgomery Granted is the Saviour's prayer C. Wesley Great Creator ! who this day. Mrs. /. A . Elliott Great Father of each perfect gift. P. Doddridge Great Father of mankind ! P. Doddridge Great Former of this various . . . .P. Doddridge Great God ! and wilt Thou . . Miss J. Taylor Great God ! attend while 2ion sings.../. Watts Great God ! how infinite art Thou . . ./. Watts Great God ! impress our trifling. . . G. Burder Great God I indulge my humble /. Watts Great God ! let all my tuneful. O. Heginbothom Great God ! let children to thy. .E. Bickersteth Great God ! now condescend J. Fellows Great God, o'er heaven and earth . . E. Osier Great God of Heaven and earth. .P. Doddridge Great God of nations, now A. A. Woodhull Great God of wonders, all Thy ways. 5. Davies Great God I ihe nationsof the earth. T. Gibbons Great God ! this sacred day . . . .Miss A. Steele Great God ! to Thee my Miss A . Steele Great God ! to what a glorious height. /. Watts Great God ! we sing thy mighty. P. Doddridge Great God ! what do I see A. B. Ringwaldt, Tr., W. B. Colly er Great God ! when I approach. W. H. Bathurst Great God ! where'er we pitch T. Rippon Great God ! who hid from mortal C. Coffin, Tr., H. W. Baker Great God ! whose awful mystery E. Osier Great God ! whose universal sway. . . ./. Watts Great God ! with wonder /. Watts Great High Priest ! we view Thee.. . . ./. Hart Great is our guilt, our fears . . . .Miss A, Steele Great is the Lord, his works of might. /. Watts Great is the Lord, our God /, Watts Great is the Lord ! what tongue can. ./. Watts Great King of glory and of grace /. Watts Great King of glory ! come B. Francis Great King of nations ! heai; our. J. H. Gurney Great King of saints ! enthroned .J. Conder Great Lord of all Thy churches. W. Kingsbury Great mover of all hearts, whose hand. C. Coffin Great Prophet of our God ! /. Watts Great Ruler of all nature's frame ! P. Doddridge Great Ruler of the earth and . ..Miss A . Steele Great Shepherd of Thine Israel /. Watts Great Shepherd of Thy people, hear. J. Newton Great Shepherd of Thy ransomed,..,/. Newton Great Source of being and of. . . P. Doddridge Great Source of life, our souls./". Doddridge (a) Great Spirit ! by whose mighty. T. Haweis Great Sun of righteousness ! arise. . . . /. Waits Great the joy when Christians meet. G. Burder Guideme, O Thou great Jehovah ! W.Williams Guide us. Thou, whose name.. W.Williams (a) Had I the tongues of Greeks and Jews. /. Watts Hail, everlasting Spring P. Doddridge Hail, happy day, thou day of holy. 5. Browne Hail, holy day, most blest . . . Miss C. Elliott Hail ! holy, holy, holy, Lord ! Let. E. Perronet Hail ! holy, holy, holy. Lord ! C. Wesley Hail, holy Spirit, bright, immortal. 5. Browne Hail ! mighty Jesus, how divine... . B. Wallin Hail ! morning, known among. . . .R. Wardlaw Hail ! source of pleasures, ever . T. Blacklock Hail ! that head with. .Bernard of Clairvaux Hail the day that sees him rise ! C. Wesley Hail the joyful day's return R. Catnpbell Hail, Thou bright and sacred. Mrs. J. A . Elliott Hail ! Thou God of grace and. T. W. Aveling Hail ! Thou long-expected Jesus C. Wesley Hail ! Thou once despised Jesus !../. Bakewell Hail to the brightness of Zion's. . . T. Hastings Hail to the Lord's Anointed !. ./. Montgomery Hail to the Prince of life and P. Doddridge Hail to the Sabbath day S. G. Buljinch INDEX OF HYMNS. 705 Hail ! tranquil hour of closing day I. ..L. Bacon Hallelujah ! best and sweetest. Tr.,y. Cliatidler Hallelujah ! fairest morning Tr., Miss J. Borthmick Hallelujah ! Hallelujah I C. Wordszuorth Hallelujah ! He cometh with. E. H. Bickersteth Hallelujah ! joyful raise. _ C. N. Hall Hallelujah ! raise. Oh ! raise J. Conder Happy is he that fears the Lord /. Watts Happy soul ! thy days are ended C. Wesley Happy th e church, 1 hou sacred place. /. Watts Happy the heart where graces reign.. ./. Watts Happy the man, whose cautious feet . ./. Watts Happy the souls to Jesus joined C. Wesley Happy they that find a rest H. F. Lyte Hark ! a thrilling voice is sounding Ambrose, Tr., E. Casivall Hark ! a voice divides the sky C. ll-'eslcy Hark ! from the tombs a doleful sound. /. // 'atts Hark ! hark, my soul, Angelic E. W. Faber Hark ! hark, the notes of joy A. Reed Hark ! how all the welkin rings C. Wesley Hark ! how the choral song R. S. McAll Hark ! how the v/aichmen cry C. Wesley Hark ! my soul ! it is the Lord. . . W. Co7vper Hark! ten thousand harps and voices. T.Kelly Hark I the distant isles W. H. Batkurst Hark the glad sound ! the Saviour./". Doddridge Hark ! the herald angels sing .... C. Wesley Hark ! the nightly church .E. H. Bickersteth Hark ! the judgment trumpet. .A^. i". S. Benian Haik the loud triumphant strains T. Kelly Hark the notes of angi-ls singing T. Kelly Hark ! the song of jubilee. J. Montgomery Hark the sound of holy voices. C Wordsworth Hark ! the voice of Jesus calling.. .A. Midlane Hark ! the voice of love and mercy.../. Evans Hark ! 'tis the watchman's cry ..H. Bonar Hark to the solemn bell. . Mrs. J. L. Gray Hark I wliat mean those holy voices.y. Cawoud Hark, what mean ihose _/. Cawood Haste, traveler, haste, the night. IV. B. Collycr Hasten, Lord, to my release.. . J .'Montgomery Hasten, sinner ! to be wise T. Scott Hasten the time appointed. j1//j.ry. Borthivick Have mercy, Lord, on me Tate and Brady Have mercy on us, God most high./". /K. Faber He is coming, he is Mrs. C. F. Alexander He comes in blood-stained. .'1/>-j. C. L. Bancroft He dies — the friend of sinners dies /. Watts He has come ! the Christ of God H. Bonar He is here whom seers in old Tr.,/. M. Neale He is risen. He is risen . . Mrs, C. F. A lexander He knelt — the Saviour. . . Mrs. F. D. Hemans He lives! he lives ! and sits above . . /. Waits He lives— the everlasting God /. Watts He lives— the great Redeemer. . Miss A . Steele He reigns, the Lord, the Saviour reigns./. Watts He sendethsun. He sendeth. J/rj. A". F. Adams He spake, and gathering into. . 7. D. Chambers He that goeth forth with weeping. . /. Hastings He that hath made his refuge, God.. ./. Watts He who on earth as man was known../. Newton He who once in righteous Tr., E. Caswall Head of the Church, our risen Lord. ./. Conder Head of the Church triumphant C. Waley Head of the hosts in glory M. Bridges Heal us, Immanuel! hear our prayer li'. Cowfier Hear, gracious God, a sinner's cry.. 5. Medley Hear, giacious God, my humble. y)/7>j A. Steele Hear, gracious Sovereign, from. ..P. Doddridge Hear my prayer, O heavenly. . . Miss //. Parr \ Hear, O Sin ner ; mercy hails you A. Reed [ Hear what God, the Lord, hath W. Coiuper i Hear what the voice from heaven . . ./. Watts I Hearken, Lord ! to my. /. Montgomery Heart-broken, friendless, poor../. Montgomery , Hearts of stone ! relent, relent C. Wesley] Heavenly Father ! to whose eye /. Conder ' Heavenly Spirit ! may each heart../. Edineston Heirs of unending life B. Beddome Help us, O Lord, Thy yoke to wear /. Cotterill Heralds of creation I cry ./. Montgomery Here at Thy cross, incarnate God /. Watts Here I can firmly rest P. Gerhardt, Tr., Miss C. Winkworih Here, O my Lord, I see Thee sweet. H. Bonar Here at 1 by table. Lord ! we meet 5". Stennett Here in Thy name, eternal God!./. Montgomery Here, Lord! by faith I see Thee H. Bonar He's gone, see where His body lay /. Kelly He'.s gone, the Saviour's work on . . E. Denny Here the King hath spread his.^. A'. Tho7npson High in the heavens, eternal God !..../. Watts High in yonder realms of light /. Raffles High let us swell our tuneful , P. Doddridge His kingdom comes, ye saints, rejoice. .£. Osier Ho ! every one that thirsts ! C. Wesley Ho ! ye needy, come and welcome. . / Hart Holiest ! breathe an evening ./. Edmeston Holy and reverend is the name . ./. Needham Holy Bible ! book divine ./. Burton Holy, delightful day ! T. H. Gill Holy Father ! hear my cry . .. H. Bonar Holy Father ! 'I hou hast taught . . ./. M. Neale Holy Ghost ! dispel our. . . .Tr., A. M. Toplady Holy Ghost ! my soul inspire. ... R. Mant Holy Ghost that, promised, came..../?. Palmer Holy Ghost ! with light divine A. Reed Holy, holy, holy. Lord .. /. Conder Holy, holy, holy ! Lord God R. Heber Holy, holy, holy ! Lord God oi. .C.Wordsworth. Holy, holy, holy ! Lord God.. . /. Montgomery Holy, holy, holy ! Lord, God the . C. Wesley Holy, holy, holy, Lord! Self-exist'nt./. Ryland Holy Jesus, Saviour blest R. Mant Holy, Lord, the godly fail H.F. Lyte Holy offering, rich and rare. . ../. 5. B. Monsell Holy Saviour, we adore f. G. Deck Holy Spirit, come, we pray Tr., W. Mercer Holy Spirit, fount of blessing T.f.fudkin Holy Spirit, from on high W. H. Bathurst Holy Spirit, from on high Robert II. Holy Spirit, gently come W. Hammond Holy Spirit, in my heart R. Mant Holy Spirit, Lord of Light Robert II., Tr., E. Caswall Holy Spirit ! once "Xx.^Miss C. Winkworth Hope of our hearts ! O Lord I E. Denny Hosanna! be the children's song./. iT/cKi'^(!'/«^rj' Hosanna ! raise the pealing...//'. H. Havergal Hosanna to our conquering King ..../. Watts Hosanna to the living Lord I R. Heber Hosanna to the Prince of grace /. Watts Hosanna to the Prince of light /. Watts How are Thy servants blessed /. Addison How beauteous are their feet /. Watts How beauteous on the mountains. . .B. Gough How beauteous were the marks A. C. Coxe How beautiful the feet that bring./. Mason (a) How blest is he, how truly Miss A. Steele How blest the feet which bring. /. I\ftu^ How blest the man who^e cautious . . . I. Watts How blest the man whose / Merrick How blest the righteous. .Tl/rj. A. L. Barbauld How blest the sacred Mrs. A . L. Barbauld How blest were they who walked C. Coffin How bright these glorious spirits .... /. Watts How calm and beautiful the morn. T. Hastings How can I sink with such a prop . ./. Watts How can we adore, or worthily.. W. Hammond How charming is the place 5. Stennett How clearly are His torturing. Tr., E. Caswall How condescending and how kind ...I. ll'^atts How did my he.irt rejoice to hear /. Watts How far beyond our mortal Miss A. Steele How firm a foundation, ye saints. G. Keith (?) How full of anguish is the thought /. Watts 706 INDEX OF HYMNS. How gentle God's cominands. . . .P. Doddridge How graciously the Lord W. H. Bathurst How great the wisdom, power B. Beddonte How happy are the souls above R. Elliot How happy every child of grace C. Wesley How happy is the child M. Bruce How happy is the man who hears.. ..M. Bruce How happy is the pilgrim's lot. .J. Wesley How heavy is the night . . . /. Watts How helpless guilty nature X\e.'~,..Miss A. Steele How honorable is the place /. Watts How honored, how dear J. Conder How large the promise, how divine. . . ./. U'atts Kow long, O Lord, shall I complain.../. Watts How long shall earth's alluring. .Miss A. Steele How long the time since Christ began. R. Heber How lovely are 1 hy dwellings fair. . .J. Milton How oft, alas ! this wretched. . Miss A. Steele How oft have sin and Satan strove.. ../. Watts How pleasant, how divinely fair /. Watts How pleasant 't is to see /. Watts How pleased and blessed was I /. Watts How precious is the book divine. . . /. Fa-wcett How rich are Thy provisions. Lord I ./. Watts How rich Thy bounty. King of.. P. Doddridge How rich Thy gifts, almighty King ! A. Kippis How sad our state by nature is ! /. Watts How shall a contrite spirit pray. J. Montgomery How shall I follow Him /. Cotider How shall the sons of men appear.. 6'. Stennett How shall the young secure their /. Watts -How short and hasty is our life /. Watts How should the sons of Adam's race../. Watts How sweet and awful is the place. . /. Watts How sweet, how heavenly is the sight. _/. Swain How sweet the hour of closing. W. H. Bathurst How sweet the melting lay. Mrs. P. H. Brown How sweet the name of Jesus sounds. J. Newton How sweet to bless the Lord W. Urwick How sweet to leave the world awhile. T. Kelly How sweetly flowed the gospel's. . J. Bowring How swift the torrent rolls P. Doddridge How tedious and tasteless the hours, y. Newton How tender is Thy hand T.Hastings How vain are all things here below . . ./. Watts How vain is all beneath the skies.. D. E. Ford How welcome was the call H. W. Baker How will my heart endure P. Doddridge How wondrous and great ...//. U. Onderdonk How wondrous great, how glorious. . . . /. IVatts Humble Lord ! my haughty spirit...//. F. Lyie Humble souls who seek salvation.. ._/. Fawcett I asked the Lord that I might grow. _/. Newton I bless the Christ of God H. Bonar I bow me to Thy will. . . .Tr., F. W. Faber (a) I build on this foundation Tr., R. Massie I cannot call affliction sweet . ._/. Montgomery I did Thee wrong, my God H. Bonar I feed by faith on Christ, my. . J. Montgomery I give immortal praise /. Watts I have a home above H. Bennett I hear a voice that comes from far T. Kelly I hear the words of love . . H. Bonar I heard the voice of Jesus say H. Bonar I hold the sacred book of God E. Osier I know no life divided Tr.,/?. Massie I know that my Redeemer lives, And. C. Wesley I know that my Redeemer lives 5. Medley I lay my sins on Jesus H. Bonar I left the God of truth and light.y. Montgomery I lift my soul to God /. Watts I'll prai>e my Maker with my breath../. Watts I'll speak the honors of my King /. Watts I long to behold Him arrayed C. Wesley I love my God, but with no love. Mme, Guyon I love the Lord, He heard my cries. ../. Watts I love the Lord, whose gracious.. . T. Hastings 1 love the sacred book of God 7". Kelly I love the volumes of Thy word /. Watts love Thy Kingdom, Lord ! T. Dwigki love to see the Lord below /. Watts love to steal awhile away. Mrs. P. H. Brown 'm but a stranger here T. R. Taylor 'm not ashamed to own my Lord /. Watts once was a stranger to grace. R. M. McCheyne saw One hanging on a tree J. Newton say to all men, far. .Tr., Miss C. Winkworth see the crowd in Pilate's hall //. Bonar send the joys of earth away /. Watts sing th' almighty power of God /. Watts stand on Zion's mount . J. Swain thank Thee, uncreated Son _/. Scheffler thirst, but not as once I did W. Cowper thirst. Thou wounded N. L. Zinzendorf 've found a joy in sorrovt . ..Mrs. J. Crewdson 've found the pearl of greatest price. ._/. Mason waited patient for the Lord /. Watts want a heart to pray C. Wesley want a principle within C. Wesley was a wandering sheep H. Bonar will love Thee, all. . .Tr., Miss J. Borthwick will praise Thee every day W. Cowper will sing my Maker's praises R. Ge7-hard, Tr.. R. Massie worship Thee, sweet will F. W, Faber would be Thine, O take my heart.... .^. Reed would love Thee, God and Mme. Guyon would not live alway . . W. A. Muhlenberg f Christ is mine, then all is mine. .5. Beddome f God himself be for me P. Gerhard f God is mine, then present things. .j5. Beddome f human kindness meets return G. T. Noel i I must die, oh, let me die B. Beddome f Jesus be my friend. .Tr., Miss C. Witikworth f life in sorrow must be spent Mme. Guyon f on a quiet sea _. . A.M. Toplady f on our daily course our mind J. Keble f there be, that skills to reckon..../. M. Neale f Thou impart Thyself to me C. Igesley f through unruffled se.as A.M. Toplady n all my Lord's appointed ways J. Ryland n all my vast concerns with Thee. . . /. Watts n all things like Thy brethren .J. A nstice n deep distress lo God 1 cried E. Osier n duty and in suflfering too B. Beddome n evil long_I took delight /. Newton n expectation sweet J. Swain n His temple now behold Him J. Scheffler n loud exalted strains B.Francis n love, the Father's sinless child H. Bonar n memory of the Savioijr's love — J. Cotterill n our common celebration /. M. Neale n prayer together let us fall J. M. Neale n robes of judgment, lo ! he comes. ../. Watts n stature grows the Santolius Viciorinus n sweet exalted strains B. Francis n the Christian's home in glory.. 5. V. Harmer n the cross of Christ I glory J. Bowring n the hour of trial ./. Montgomery n the moining hear my voice../. Montgomery n the name of God, the Father../. W. Hewett n the silent midnight watches A. C. Coxe n the sun, and moon, and stars R. Heber n the waste howling wilderness ./. Keble n Thee I put my steadfast . . . Tate and Brady n Thine image Thou didst make ./. Scheffler n this calm, impressive hour T. Hastings n this world of sin and sorrow. Mrs. /. Madan n Thy glorious resurrection .. .€. Wordsworth n Thy great name, O Lord ! we /. Hoskins n Thy name, O Lord ! assembling. . . T. Kelly n time of fear, when trouble's T. Hastings n time of tribulation / Montgomery n true and patient hope C. Wesley n vain my fancy strives to paint /. Newton n vain my roving thoughts Miss A. Steele n vain the world's alluring Miss A. Steele n vain we seek for peace with God. . ./. Watts INDEX OF HYMNS. 707 Incarnate God ! the soul that. /. Newion Indulgent Sovereign of the skies./". Doddridge Infinite excellence is Thine /. Fawcett Inquire, ye pilgrims ! for the way. P. Doddridge Inscribed upon the cross we see ...T. Kelly Inspirer and hearer of prayer \..A. M. Toplady Inspii er of the ancient seers ! C. Wesley Interval of grateful shade P. Doddridge Is there a mourner true ? J. Keble Is there ambition in my heart /. Watts Is this the kind return _. /. Watts Isles of the deep, rejoice ! rejoice \.. .E. Denny It came upon the midnight clear. .E. H. Sears It is my sweetest comfort, Lord. . . .E. Casivall It is not death to die G. W. Betkune It is Thy hand, my God! ./. G. Deck Jehovah hath spoken ! the nations . . E. Osier Jehovah reigns, He dwells in light. . ../. Watts Jehovah reigns. His throne is high..../. Watts Jerusalem ! Jerusalem ! R. Heber Jerusalem, the glorious... ...Tr., J, M.Neale Jerusalem, the golden Tr., J. M. Neale Jesu, as though Thyself wert..Tr., .£. Caswall Jesu, behold the wise from far 7- ^ ustin Jesu, Creator of the world Tr., /". Caswall Jesu, meek and lowly H. Colli }is Jesu, redeemer of the world E. Caswall Jesu, the virgin's crown Ambrose (?), Tr., J. M. Neale ijesu, who broiightest redemption. .y. M. Neale Jesu, who from Thy father's throne. J. Anstice Jesus ! all-atoning Lamb C. Wesley Jesus, all hail, who for my sin F. W. Faber Jesus, and didst Thou leave t\vc.Misi A. Steele Jesus ! and shall it ever be J. Grigg Jesus, at whose supreme command. . C. Wesley Jesus, be near us when we. . . .Tr., E. Caswall esus, blessed mediator . . y. Cotder esus calls us o'er the. ..Mrs. C. F. Alexander esus, cast a look on me J. Berridge esus Christ, my Lord and Miss F. Taylor esus comes. His conflict over /. Kelly Jesus, delightful, charming name.. .5. Beddome Jesus demands the voice of joy . . W. Coode Jesus demands ihis heart of. . . .Miss A. Steele Jesus! engrave it on my heart S.Medlty Jesus, exalted far on high .. .T. Cotterill Jesus, lull of all compassion ! D. Turner Jesus, full of love divine B. Gough Jesus ! grant me this, I pray H. W. Baker Jesus ! guide onr way N. L. Zinzendorf Jesus ! hail ! enthroned in glory. ..J. Bakewell Jesus ! how much Thy namc.'l/rj. M. R. Peters Jesus ! how sweet Thy J. W. Alexander Jesus! I come to Thee N. S. S. Beman Jesus! Ilive to Thee H. Harbaugh Jesus! I love Thee evermore.../^. C. Benedict Jesus! I love Thy charming ...P.Doddridge Jesus ! I my cross have taken H. F. Lytc Jesus ! immortal King ! . A.C.H. Seymour Jesus, in Thy transporting Miss A . Steele Jesus invites His saints . . 1. Watts i is God ! the glorious bands../". W. Faber Jesus is gone above the skies. . . . I. Watts Jesus is the name we treasure. Tr , J. M. Neale Jesus ! Jesus ! come and save vs .//. Batetnan i! Jesus! visit me ....Tr, J?. P. Dunn Jesus ! Lamb of God ! for me R. Palmer esus ! let Thy pitying eye C. Wesley Jesus, Lord of Life eternal . .Tr., y. M. Neale Jesus, Lord, Thy servants see B. Schmolke, Tr., Miss F. E. Cox Jesus lives ! no longer now C. /'. Gellert, Tr., Miss F. E. Cox fesus. Lord ! we look to Thee C. Wesley esus, Lover of my soul ! C. Wesley esus. Master of the feast C.Wesley esus ! merciful and mild T. Hastings esus, mighty King in Zion y. Fellows , Jesus, my All, to heaven is gone. . y. Cennick I Jesus, my great high priest /. Watts j Jesus! my heart within me burns../?. Palmer I Jesus, my Lord, attend C. Wesley Jesus, m.y Lord ! how rich Thy../". Doddridge Jesus, my Lord, my chief Delight. .j5. Beddome Jesus, my Lord, ray God, my All \..li. Collins Jesus, my Saviour ! bind me fast. ..B. Beddome Jesus, my Saviour, let me be B. Beddome j Jesus, my sorrow lies too deep H. Bonar Jesus, my Strength, my Hope ! . . . . C Wesley Jesus, my truth, my way ! C. Wesley Jesus, name all names above.. Tr., y, M. Neale Jesus, name of priceless worth W. W. How Jesus ! name of wondrous love W. W. How Jesus, once for sinners slain y . Ha>t Jesus, our best beloved y. Montgomery Jesus, our Lord ! ascend Thy throne../. Watts Jesus, our hope, our Tr.. y. Chandler (a) Jesus, our Lord ! how rich Thy .P. Doddridge Jesus ! refuge of Thy people E. Osier Jesus, save my dying soul T. Hastings Jesus, seek Thy wandering sheep C. Wesley Jesus shall reign where'er the sun /. Watts Jesus, spotless Lamb of God y. G. Deck Jesus spreads His banner o'er us R. Park Jesus ! still lead on N. L. Zinzcndorf, Tr., Miss y. Borthwick Jesus, Sun of righteousness.C. K.Von Rosenroth Jesus, the Christ of God H. Bonar Jesus, the conqueror, reigns C. Wesley Jesu^, the name high over all C. Wesley Jesus ! the Shepherd of the sheep .. T. Kelly Jesus, the sinner's Friend! to thee..C. Wesley Jesus, the sinner's rest Thou art. /3. M. Toplady Jesus, the spring of joys divine.. J/zVj .<4. Steele Jesus! the very thought of Tr., E. Cas-wall Jesus ! the very thought is sweet Bernard de Clairvaux., Tr., y. M. Neale Jesus ! the word of mercy give C. Wesley Jesus ! these eyes have never seen../?. Palmer Jesus, Thou art my righteousness. ...C Wesley Jesus ! Thou art the dinner's .R. Burnhatn. Jesus, Thou everlasting King ! /. Watts Jesus, Thou Joy of loving hearts!../?. Palmer Jesus, Thou source divine Miss A. Steele Jesus, Thou source of calm repose. ..C Wesley Jesus ! Thy blessings are not few /. Watts Jesus ! Thy blood and Tr., y. Wesley Jesus ! Thy boundless love to me P. Gerhard. Tr., y. Wesley Jesus ! Thy church, with W. H. Batkurst Jesus, Thy mercies are untold Bernard de Clairvaux^ Tr., ?. M. Neale Jesus! Thy name I love y. C. Deck Jesus, Thy robe of N. L. Zinzendor/ Jesus, transporting sound C. Wesley Jesus ! we bow before Thy N. S. S. Beman Jesus ! we look to Thee . . C. Wesley Jesus ! we thus obey C. Wesley Jesus wept, those tears are over E. Denny Jesus! where'er Thy people meet..^. Cow/>er Jesus, while He dwelt below y. Hart Jesus, while our hearts are T. Hastings Jesus ! who died a world to save.. W. Ha7n7nond Jesus ! who knows full well y. Newton Jesus, who on His glorious throne.. y. Newton I esus, whom angel hosts adore H. Bonar Jesus! with all Thy saints above /. Watts Join all the glorious names /. Watti Joy to the world, the Lord is come. . ./. Watts Joyful be the hours to-day T. Kelly I udge me, O Lord ! and prove /. Watts Just are Thy ways and true Thy worth. /. Watts Just as I am, without one plea../l//.r.f C. Elliott • Just as Thou art, without one trace. /?. 5. Cook Keep silence, all created things ! /. Watts Keep us. Lord, oh keep us ever 7". Kelly Kindred in Christ ! for His dear y. Newton 708 INDEX OF HYMNS. King of kings ! and wilt. . .W. A. Muhlenberg Kingdoms and thrones to God belong../. Watts Know, my soul, thy full salvation...^. F. Lyte Lab'rers of Christ ! Mrs. L. H. Sigourney Laboring and heavy laden . . J. S. B. Movsell Laden with guilt and full of fears /. Watts Lamb of (Jod, Thou now ait seated. .J. G. Deck Lamb of God, whose bleeding love. . . C. Wesley Lands long benighted ! the. .. C. S. Robinson Lead, kindly Light, amid the..y. H. Newman Lead on, Almighty Lord T. Kelly Lead us, heavenly Father ! lead. ..y. Edmeston Let all on earth with song rejoice R. Mant Leaning on I'hee, my guide.. .Miss C. Elliott Let all the earth their voices raise /. Watts Let all the heathen writers join. ../. Watts Let all the just, to God wilh.. Tate and Brady Let children hear the mighty deeds. . ./. Walls Let everlasting glories crown /. Watts Let every creature join /. Watts Let every heart exulting. .Tr., J. D. Chambers Let evei-y mortal eni attend /. Watts Let every tongue Thy goodness speak../. Watts Let God. the Father, live /. Watts Let God, with awful pomp, arise E. Osier Let me be with Thee, where. . . .Miss C. Elliott Let me but hear my Saviour say /. Watts Let me go, the day is breaking. y. Montgoittery Let others boast how strong they be. ./. Watts Let party names no more B. Beidome Let plenteous grace descend on J. Newton Let saints on earth in concert sing C. Wesley Let saints on earth their anthems ...J. Evans Let sinners take their course /. Watts Let songs of praises fill the sky . . T. Cotterill Let the chuich new anthems. .Tr., y. M. Neale Let the land mourn through. .J. Montgomery Let the world their virtue boast.. C. Wesley Let them neglect Thy glory. Lord !.../. Watts Let us awake our joys W. K ingsbury Let us love, and sing, and wonder. . .J. i\ewton Let us sing with one Miss D. A . Thrufip Let us with a gladsome mind J. Milton Let worldly minds the world y. Nezuton Let Ziou and her sons rejoice /. Watts Let Zion's watchmen all awake. ./*. Doddridge Life is a span, a fleeting hour. . . .Miss A. Steele Life of the world, 1 hail Thee. Tr., R. Palmer Life is the time to serve the Lord. . . /. Watts Lift, my soul, thy voice Tr., W. Mercer Lift up to L od the voice of R. Wat dlaw Lift your eyes of faith, and see C. Wesley Lift up your heads, eternal. . . Tate and Brady Lift your heads, ye friends of Jesus . C. Wesley Lift up yoiir heads. ._■ -Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Light ot life, seraphic Fire ! C. Wesley Light of light ! Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Light of the anxious heart y. H. Newman Light of the lonely pilgrim's heart E. Denny Light of the soul, O Saviour blest E. Caswall Light of the world, shine on . . .E. Bickersieth Light of those whose dreary C. Wesley Light's glittering morn bedecks the sky Ambrose, Tr., y. M. Neale Like morning, when her early breeze. T. Moore Like Noah's weary dove. ..W. A. Muhlenberg Like sheep we went astray /. Watts Like the eagle, upward, onward H. Bonar Listen, sinner ! mercy hails you A. Reed Little traveler Zionward y. Edmeston Lo ! from the desert homes C. Co_ffin Lo ! God is here, let us adore G. Tersteegen, Tr., C. Wesley Lo ! God, our God, has come H. Bonar Lo ! He comes, let all adore Him T. Kelly Lo ! he comes, with clouds. . Cennick df Wesley Lo ! he cometh, countless y. Cennick Lo, I behold the scattering shades. . . /. Watts Lo ! now is our accepted day. .Tr., y. M. Neale Lo ! on a narrow neck of land C. Wesley Lo ! the mighty God appearing W. Goode Lo, the prisoner is released C. Wesley Lo ! unto us a child is burn . . . .y. Morrison (a) Lo ! what a glorious corner-stone /. Watts Lo ! what a glorious sight appears /. Watts Lo ! what an entertaining sight /. Watts Lo ! where the words of wisdom shine, j?. Osier Long as 1 live, I'll bless Thy name.. . ./. Watts Long have I sat beneath the sound.../. Watts Long plunged in sorrow, I resign.. A/ wf. Guyon Look down, O Lord ! and in our. . . T. Cotterill Look down, O Lord ! with P. Doddridge Look from Thy sphere of endless. /F. C. Bryant Look up, my soul ! with Miss A . Steele Look, ye saints ! the sight is glorious. . T, Kelly Lord, all I am is known to Thee. . /. Watts Lord ! as to Thy dear cross we. y. H. Giirney Lord ! at this closing hour E. T. Fitch Lord, at Thy feet we sinners lie 5. Browne Lord, at Thy table we behold J. Stennett Lo.d, bid Thy light arise W. H. Bathurst Lord ! dismiss us with i hy blessing.*^. Shirley Lord ! for ever at 1 hy side. . . y. Montgomery Lord, for the just Thou dost provide. J. Addison Lord God of my salvation //. F. Lyte Lord God, the Holy Ghost y. Montgomery Lord God, we worship I'hee y. Frank, Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Lord, have mercy, and remove..//. //. Milman Lord, have mercy, when we H. H. Milman Lord, how mysterious are Thy . .Miss A . Steele Lord ! how secure and blessed are /. Watts Lord ! how secure my conscience was../. Watts Lord, how shall sinners dare, . . .Miss A. Steele Lord, how the troublers of my peace.//. /'. Lyte Lord, 1 address Thy heavenly throne../. Watts Lord, I am come, Thy promise is,. . . .y. Newton Lord ! I am Thine, entirely Thine. . .S. Davies Lord! I am vile, conceived in sin /. Watts Lord, I approach the mercy seat y. Newton Lord ! I cannot let Thee go y. Newton Lord, I delight in Thee y. Ryland Lord! I have made Thy word my /. Watts Lord, I have sinned, but O forgive. .H. F. Lyte Lord ! I hear of showers of Miss E. Codner Lord, I look for all to Thee H. F. Lyte Lord ! I will bless Thee all my days. ./. Watts Lord, if at Thy command C. Wesley Lord, if Thou Thy grace impart C. Wesley Lord, in the desert bleak and bare. y. Anstice Lord ! in the morning Thou shalt hear./. Watts Lord ! in this sacred hour S.G. Buljinch Lord, in Thy great, Thy Miss A . Steele (a) Lord, in Thy name. Thy servants y. Keble Lord ! it belongs not to mycaie .. R. Baxter Lord, it is not life to live A.M. Toplady Lord Jesus ! are we one with Thee..^. G. Deck Lord Jesus, God and man //. W. Baker Lord Jesus, when I think y. G. Deck Lord Jesus, when we stand afar....fK. W. How Lord Jesus, why, why dost Thou.y. A nstice (a) Lord ! lead the way the Saviour. . . W. Croswell Lord, let me know mine end. .J. Montgomery Lord, like the publican I stand T. Raffles Lord, look on all assembled here y. Hart Lord, may the inward grace abound.. .A". Osier Lord, may the spirit o{..Mrs. L. H. Sigourney Lord, may we feel no anxious care./?. Baxter (a) Lord, my weak thought in vain. . . .R. Palmer Lord, now we part in Thy blest name./?. Heber Lord of all being, throned afar..6'. W. Holmes Lord of all power and might H . Stowell Lord of all worlds ! incline Thy T. Dwigkt Lord of earth ! Thy forming hand R. Grant Lord of eternal purity Tr., E, Caswall Lord of every land and nation /?. Robinson Lord of hosts ! how bright, how fair../?. Turner Lord of Hosts, to Thee we raise.J. Montgomery INDEX OF HYMNS. 709 Lord of immensity sublime Gregory I. Lord of life, Prophetic spirit J. Keble Lord of mercy and of might K. Heber Lord of my life ! Oh may Thy. .Miss A . Steele Lord of our hearts ! beloved of Thee. £. Denny Lord of the Church, we humbly pray. . E. Osier Lord of the harvest, bend Thine... f. Hastings Lord of the harvest ! hear C. IVesley Lord, on whose bounty we depend . E. Osier Lord of the harvest, once again y. A tisiice Lord of the harvest ! Thee we. . .y. H. Gurney Lord of the living harvest. ..y. S. B. Monsell Lord of the lofty and the low. ... T'. W. Aveling Lord of the Sabbath ! hear our . .P. Doddridge Lord of the worlds above ! /. IVntts Lord of the world's majestic frame. .. T. yervis Lord, pour Thy Spirit from on . '/. Montgomery Lord ! send Thy word and let it. . . . T. Gibbons Lord, shed a beam of heavenly day . y. Hart Lord ! lake my heart and let. . . .Tr., y. Wesley Lord ! teach us how to pray y. Montgomery Lord, that I may learn of Thee E. Osier Lord, Thou art my rock of strength Tr.. Miss C. IVinkworth Lord ! Thou hast called Thy grace to./. Watts Lord ! Thou hast scourged our y. Rarlozu Lord ! Thou hast searched and seen. . /. Watts Lord, Thou hast taught our hearts.. A'. Palmer Lord ! Thou hast won at length. \..y. Neiuton Lord, Thou on earth didst love. . R. Pahner Lord ! Thou wilt bring thejoyful R. Palmer Lord ! Thou wilt hear me when I /. Watts Lord, 1 hy children guide and W. W. Hoiv Lord, Thy Church hath seen Thee. ../-K. Goode Lord ! Thy glory fills the heaven R. Mant Lord, Thy word abideth H.W. Baker Lord! 'tis an infinite delight . /. Watts Lord ! 't is a pleasant thing to stand. ./. Watts Lord, we adore Thy boundless. .yTfzj.f^. Steele Lord ! we adore Thy vast designs /. Watts Lord, we are vile, conceived in sin . /. Watts Lord ! we come before Thee . W. Hammond Lord! we confess our numerous . /. Watts Lord ! we raise our cry to Thee.//. H. Milman Lord ! what a feeble piece /. Watts Lord ! what a heaven of saving grace./. Watts Lord ! what a wretched land is this /. Watts Lord I what avails our strife C. Wesley Lord ! what Thy providence Miss A. Steele Lord ! when I all things would T. H. Gill Lord ! when I quit this earthly stage../. Watts Lord ! when my raptured Miss A . Steele Lord! when Thine Israel we..../". Doddridge Lord ! when this holy C. Heginbothom Lord! when Thou didst ascend on..../. Watts Lord ! when we bend before Thy.J. D. Carlyle Lord! when we creation scan.... J. D. Carlyle Lord! where shall guilty souls /. Watts Lord ! with glowing heart I'll praise. ./^ S. Key Loud hallelujahs to the Lord /. Watts Love divine, all loves e.\-celling C. Wesley Loving shepherd of Thy . . . Miss J. E. Leeson Lowly and solemn be Mrs. h'. D. Hematis Majestic sweetness sits enthroned...?. Stennett Make haste, O man, to live H. Bo'iar Make us by Thy transforming. . :!//« A. Steele Maker of all things, God. .Tr.,/. Z>. Chambers Maker of all things, mighty Lord E. Osier, from P. Doddridge Maker of earth, to Thee alone.Tr.,7. M.Neale Man's wisdom is to seek W. Cowper Many centuries have fled y. Conder Many woes had Christ endured y. Hart Marked as the purpose of the skies.. C. T. Noel Mary to the Saviour's tomb /. Newton May not the sovereign Lord on high../. Watts May the grace of Christ, our Saviour./. Newton May we Thy precepts, Lord E. Osier Meekly in Jordan's holy stream.. .S. F. Smith Meet and right it is to sing C. Wesley Memory of the blest departed. . .A. T. Gurney Men of God, go take your stations 7'. Kelly Mercy, O thou Son of David ! ./. Newton Messiah, at Thy glad approach /)/. Bruce Mid evening shadows let us all be watching Gregory, I r., K. Palmer Mighty God ! while angels bless. . .A'. Robimon Mighty One, before whose {ace..W. C. Bryant Millions within Thy courts y. Montgo7nery Mine hour appointed is at hand N. Hermann, Tr., R. Massie Mistaken souls! that dieam of heaven./. Watts Mine eyes and my desire /. Watts More love to Thee Mrs. E. P. Prenti.is Morning breaks upon the tomb. W. B. Collyer Mortals, awake! with angelsjoin S'. Medley Most ancient of all mysteries F, W. Faber Most high and holy trinity. Tr.,yl/Mj F. E. Cox M uch in sorrow, oft in woe //. K. White Music ! bring thy sweetest ./. Edmeston My blessed Saviour, is Thy love... 7. Stennett My country ! 'tis of thee S. F. Smith My days are gliding swiftly by D. Nelson My dear Redeemer and mv Lord I. . . ./. Watts My drowsy powers ! why sleep ye so. ./. Watts My faith looks up to Thee .. .. . R. Palmer My Father, God ! how sweet the. P. Doddridge My former hopes are fled W. Cowper My God ! accept my early vows /'. Watts My God ! accept my heart this daj.y)/ Bridges My God and Father! while I.. Miss C. Elliott My God ! and is Thy table P. Doddridge My God ! how endless is Thy love /. Watts My God! how wonderful Thou... A". W. Faber My God, I love Thee, not because F. Xavier, Tr., E. Caswall My God, in whom are all the springs./. Watts My God ! is any hour so sweet.. yV/jj C. Elliott My God, my everlasting hope /. Watts My God, my Father! blissful. . ./1/?>j /i. Steele My God, my Father ! while \...Miss C. Elliott My God, my King ! thy various praise./. Watts My God, my Life, my Love ! /. Watts My God, my I'ortion, and my Love!../. Watts My God, my reconciled God y. Ma^vn My God ! oh ! could I make Xhe.Miss A . Steele My God ! permit me not to be /. Watts My God ! permit my tongue I. U atts My God ! the covenant of Thy. .P. Doddridge My God ! the Spring of all my joys.../. Watts My God ! Thy boundless love I \>Ta\ss.H .Moore My God ! Thy service well J'. Doddridge My God ! 't is to Thy mercy-f,eat. Miss A. Steelt My God, what monuments I see H. F. Lyte My gracious Lord ! I own Thy. .P. Doddridge My gracious Redeemer I love B. Francis My head is low, my heart is sad. 7- .S". B. Monsell My Helper, God ! I bless His..../". Doddridge My Jesus ! as Thou wilt B. Schmolke. Tr., Missy. Borthwick My Lord ! how full of sweet content. W, Cowper My Lord, my love, was crucified. . . 7- Mason My Maker and my King ! Miss A. Steele My never-ceasing song shall show /. Watts My opening eyes with rapture see. . . ./. Watts My rest is in heaven, my rest is not.//. F. Lyte My Saviour and my King /. Watts My Saviour hanging on the tree. . . ./. Newton My Saviour ! I am Thine. ..... P. Doddridge My Saviour, my almighty Friend ! /. Watts My Saviour, Thou Thy love to me..C Wesley My Saviour, whom absent I love... W. Cowper My Shepherd is the living Lord /. Watts My Shepherd will supply my need /. Watts My sins, my sins, my Saviour./. S. B. Monsell My soul ! be on thy guard G. Heath My soul ! come meditate the day. . . /. Watts My soul complete in Jesus.yl/rf. G. W. Hinsdatt 710 INDEX OF HYMNS. My soul doth magnify the Lord J. Mason My soul forsakes her vain delip:ht /. Watts My soul ! how lovely is the place /i Watts My soul lies cleaving to the dust /. Watts My soul! repeat His praise /. Watts My soul, triumphant in the P. Doddridge My soul with joy attend P.Doddridge My spirit longs for Thee J. Byrom My spirit looks to God alone /. Watts My spirit on thy care H. F. Lyte My spirit sinks within me, Lord /. Watts My sufferings all to Thee are known. C. Wesley My thoughts surmount these lower. , /. Watts My times are in Thy hand W. F. Lloyd My times of sorrow and of joy B. Beddome My trust is in the Lord H. F. Lyte Naked as from the earth we came /. Watts Nature with open volume stands /. Watts Near the cross was Mary. Tr.,y. W. Alexander Nearer, my God ! to Thee, .Mrs. S. F. Adams Nearer, O God, to Thee W.W. How New wonders of Thy mighty hand.. . C. Coffin New every morning is Thy love .. .J. Keble No change of time shall ever. . Tate and Brady No more, my God ! I boast no more. ./. Watts No more, ye wise ! your wisdom. .P. Doddridge No, no, it is not dying. Tr., R. P. Dunn No purple with his life blood . ..S. Victorinus No room for mirth or trifling here.. . . C. Wesley No seas again shall sever H. Bonar No track is on the sunny sky F. W. Faber Nor eye has seen, nor ear has heard../. Watts Not all the blood of beasts /. Watts Not all the outward forms on earth. . ./. Watts Not by the martyr's death. .Sa«/o/z«j Victorinus Not for the dead in Christ. yl/ri-. A.L. Barbauld Not here, as to the prophet's. . . J. Montgomery Not to condemn the sons of men /. Watts Not to the terrors of the Lord L Watts Not unto us, but Thee, O Lord T. Cotterill, from y. Cennick Not what I feel or do H. Bonar Not what I am, O Lord, but what. . .H. Bonar Not what these hands have done. . . .H. Bonar Not with our mortal eyes /. Watts Not worthy. Lord ! to gather. ..£■. Bickersteth Not yet. ye people of His grace T. H. Gill Now be my heart inspired to sing. .. /. Watts Now be the gospel banner T. Hastings Now begin the heavenly theme.. /I/". Madan (?) Now, by the love of Christ, my God../. Watts Now Christ gone up to whence he .. Ambrose Now doth the sun ascend the sky Ambrose, Tr., E. Caswall Now faintly smile day's hasty. . .Miss A. Steele Now for a tune of lofty praise /. Watts Now, from labor and from care. . . T. Hastings Now, from the altar of our hearts . . .?. Mason Now, God, be with us Miss C. Winkiuortk Now, gracious Lord ! thine arm. . . . .J. Newton Now I have found a Friend H.J. M. Hope Now I know the great Redeemer./?. Burnham Now I resolve with all my Miss A. Steele Now in song of grateful praise. ...5. Medley (a) Now, in parting. Father ! bless us. . .H. Bonar Now is th' accepted time ./. Dobell Now let my soul, eternal O. Heginbothom Now let our cheerful eyes P. Doddridge Now let our mournful songs record. . ./. Watts Now let our mourning hearts ..P. Doddridge Now let our songs arise _ W. Goode Now let our souls, on wings sublime. T. Gibbons Now let our voices join P. Doddridge Now let the feeble all be strong. .P. Doddridge Now let us join with hearts and. . . /. Newton Now let us raise our cheerful . . Miss A . Steele Now let your notes of praise. . .Miss F. E. Cojc Now may He, who from the dead. . ./. Newton Now may the gospel's conquering T. Kelly Now may the mighty arm a\»ake T. Kelly Now may the "-pirit's holy fire A*. Seagrave Now morning lifts her dewy. ._lr.,_/. Chandler Now, my soul, thy voice upraising Santolius Maglorianus, Tr., H. W. Baker Now, O God, Thine own I am. .-. . . . . C. Wesley Now shall my solemn vows be paid. . ./. Watts Now thank we all, our. Ir.^I^Iiss C. Winkwortk Now that the sun is beaming \ix\^i . . A mbrose Now that the daylight fills the sky.. Ambrose Now to the Lord a noble song /. Watts Now to the Lord, that makes us . ../. Watts Now to the power of God supreme /. Watts Now to Thy sacred house T. Dwigitt O blessed day, when first was.Tr., J. Chandler O blessed Jesus, Lamb of God J. G. Deck O blessed Saviour, is Thy love. . . J. Stennett O blessed sun ! whose splendor.Tr., R. Massie O bread, to pilgrims given Tr., R. Palmer O cease, my wandering W. A . Muhlenberg O Christ, our Hope, our Tr.,_/. Chandler O Christ, our King, Creator. . .Tr., R. Palmer O Christ ! our true and.Tr., Miss C. Winkwortk. O Christ, Redeemer of our race..//. W. Baker O Christ, the Lord of heaven ! to...R. Palmer O Christ, unseen yet truly near E. Osier (a) O Christ, who art both night. .Tr., W. Mercer O Christ, who hast prepared a place Santolius Victorinus, Tr., J. Chandler O Christ, with each returning.Tr.,/. Chandler O come, all ye faithful, joyfuily.Tr., W. Mercer O come and mourn with me. ..F. W. Faber (a) O come. Creator Spirit, blest Gregory I. O come, O come, Emmanuel Twelfth Century, Tr.,/. M. Neale O come, ye sinners, to your Lord C. Wesley O day of rest and gladness !. ...C. Wordsworth O dreadful glory, that doth make. . ./. H. Gill O faith ! thou workest miracles. . .F. W. Faber O Father, let me be W. H. Bathurst O Father of long-suffering grace J. Keble O Father, Thou who.Tr., i\Hss C. Winkwortk O Father, though the.. .Mrs. A. L. Barbauld O fount of good ! to own Thy. . .P. Doddridge O Garden of Olives, thou. .Miss M. de Fleury O give thanks to Him who made.. . .J. Conder O God ! beneath Thy guiding hand. ./^. Bacon O God, by whom the seed is given .. .R. Heber O God ! creation's secret force A mbrose, Tr.. J. M. Neale O God most high, the soul that../. Newton (a) O God, my heart is fully hent. Tate and Brady O God, my helper ever near /. Fawcett O God, my inmost soul convert C. Wesley O God, my strength and fortitude. T. Sternhold O God, my strength, my hope .. ..C. Wesley O God of Abraham ! hear. . . . . . T. Hastings O God of all the strength and ^owex.. Ambrose O God of Bethel ! by whose hand./". Doddridge O God of families, we own T. Raffles O God of hosts, the mighty Lord! N. Tate O God of love, O King of peace.. /i''. W. Baker O God of mercy, God of might. ..... /. Keble O God of mercy! hear my call .. .. /. Watts O God of truth, O Lord of might Ambrose, Tr.,/. M. Neale O God, our help in ages past .... /. Watts O God, our Saviour and our King. .5'. Browne O God, supreme, in rapt amaze./. D. Chambers O God that madest earth and sky R. Heber O God, the help of all Thy saints E. Osier O God, the Lord of time and place. . .Ambrose O God, the refuge of my soul.. .Miss A. Steele O God, the Son eternal. Thy R. Heber (a) O God ! Thou art my God /. Montgomery O God, Thy power is wonderful../". W. Faber O God, Thy soldiers' crown and guard. /3 mbrose O God, Thy soldiers' great reward Ambrose, Tr.,/. M. Neale INDEX OF HYMNS. 711 O God. unseen, yet ever near I E. Osier O God ! we praise Thee, and. Tate and Brady O God who gav'st Thy servant grace. /C. Heber O gracious Father, bend Thine car. Gregory I. O gracious God, in whom I Ywe.Miss A. Steele O grant me. Lord, myself to see ... .E. Osier O hand of bounty, largely spread. . . .R. Heber O happy band of pilgrims . Tr.,y. M. Neale O happy saints who dwell in light. _?■. Berridge O happy soul that lives on high /. Watts O help us. Lord ! each hour of..//. H. Milrnan O help us, Lord ! in all our need E. Osier O Holy Ghost, Thou fount of..Tr., E. Caswall O holy, holy, holy Lord !.. . J. IV. Eastburn O holy, holy, holy Lord ! Thou. ... J. Conder O Holy Lord, content to dwell W. IV. How O holy Saviour, Friend unseen. Tlfzi'j C. Elliott O Holy Spirit! come O.Allen O Holy Spirit, Fount of Miss J. E. Leeson O Holy Spirit, Lord of grace C. Coffin, Tr.,/. Chandler O how blest the congregation H. F. Lyte O Israel ! to thy tents repair T. Kelly O Jesu, God and Man F. IV. Faber O Jesu, source of holiness Tr., /?. Mant (a) O Jesus, bruised and 3frs. C. F. Alexander O Jesus Christ, ifsin there be E. Caswall O Jesus, full of grace ! C. Wesley O Jesus ! in this solemn hour W. B. Collyer O Jesus, Jesus, dearest Lord ! F. W. Faber O Jesus ! King most Tr., E. Caswall O Jesus, Lord of he.avenly Tr.,/. Chandler O Jesus. Saviour of the lost.£'. H. Bickersteth O Jesus ! sweet the tears 1 shed. . . .R. Palmer O Jesus, Thou art standing W. W. How O Jesus ! Thou the beauty art. Tr., A". Caswall O King of angels! Ir.,/. D. Chambers (a) O King of earth, and air, and sea R. Heber O Lamb of God ! still keep J. G. Deck O Lord, and will Thy pardoning. . J. Fellows O Lord ! another day is flown. . ..H.K. White O Lord! be with us when we D. Nelson O Lord, defend us as of old W. H. Bathurst O Lord ! how full of sweet . . . Mme. Guyon O Lord ! how good, hov/ great art. .H. F. Lyte O Lord ! how happy should we be. ../.A nstice O Lord ! how infinite Thy love H. F. Lyte O Lord ! how joyful 't is to see Santolius I'ictorimis, 'i'r.,/. Chandler O Lord ! I would delight in Thee. . ./. Ryland O Lord I in sorrow I resign Tr., W, Cowjier O Lord ! most high eternal King Ambrose., Tt..J. M. Neale O Lord I my best desire fulfill W. Cowper O Lord ! my Saviour and my King. .5'. Browne () Lord of earth, and air, and sea, .R. Heber (a) O Lord of heaven and earth. ...C. Wordsworth O Lord of hosts ! whose glory fills /. M. Neale O Lord, our fathers oft have. . Tate and Brady O Lord, our God ! arise R. Wardlaw O Lord ! our heavenly King /. Watts O Lord, Thou art my Lord B. Beddome O Lord, Thy Church with . . . W. H. Bathurst O Lord ! Thy peifect word B. Beddome O Lord, Thy pitying eye surveys. P. Doddridge O Lord ! Thy work revive, .yl/ri. /". H. Brown O Lord ! we now the path retrace. .J. G. Deck O Lord, who by Thy Ir., Massic O Love, beyond the reach of thought.y. Conder O Love, divine and tender. J. S. B. Monsell O Love divine ! how sweet Thou art.C. Wesley O Love divine ! that stooped to.O. W. Holmes O Love divine ! what hast 1 hou C. Wesley O Love ! how deep, how broad . . . y. M. Neale O Love of God, how strong and true.)*/. Sonar O Love, who formedst me to wear../. Scheffler O merciful Creator, hear Gregory I. O most merciful R. Heber O mother dear, Jerusalem ! D. Dickson O my God, how Thy salvation .y. S. B. Monsell O my soul ! what means this J. Fawcett O one with God the Father Ho-va O paradise eternal ! T. Davis O Paradise ! O Paradise ! . . . .F. PV. Faber O perfect God and perfect Man y. Anstice O perfect life of love H. W. Baker O sacred head, now Tr.,y. W. Alexander O .sacred head, once wounded P. Gerhard O sacred head, surrounded Bernard de Clairvaztx, Tr., H. W. Baker O Saviour, bless us ere we go F. W. Faber O Saviour, is Thy promise fled R. Heber O Saviour, lend a listening ear. . . T. Hastings O Saviour of the faithful dead R. Heber O Saviour ! who for man hast trod C. Coffin O Saviour, whom this holy morn R. Heber O sinner, lift the eye of faith. .Tr.,/. M. Neale O sinner, why so thoughtless ./. Rippon O Sion, open wide thy. . .Santolius Victorinus O Son of God, in glory. Mrs. C. F. .Alexander O sons and daughters, let us. Tr.,/. M. Neale O Spirit of the living God ! /. Montgomery O suffering Friend of human . . .6". G. Bulfinch O Sun of righteousness, arise. . P. Doddridge O Thou above all praise ■-->/• Montgomery O Thou almighty source of. . ..Tr , E. Caswall O Thou, by long experience Mme. Guyon O Thou essential I r , Miss C. Winkworth O Thou everlasting Father /. Montgomeiy O Thou, from whom all goodness. . . T. Haweis O Thou God of my salvation T. Olivers O Thou God, who hearest prayer !.. ./. Conder O Thou in earth and heaven adored. . E. Osier O Thou, in whose presence my soul /. Swain O Thou, my life, my light, my. J. Motitgomery O Thou, that hearest prayer ! /. Bzirton O Thou, that hear'st the prayer.^. JSL Toplady O Thou, that hear'st when sinners cry./. Waits O Thou, the contrite sinner's. .A/iss C. Elliott O Thou, the Father's image blest. .E. Caswall O Thou, to whom all Tate and Brady O Thou, to whose all-searching. Tr.,/. Wesley O Thou, who by a star didst guide./. M. Neale O Thou, who dost to man...Tr.,/. W.Hewett O Thou, who dry'st the mourner's .. T. Moore O I'hou, who gavest Thy servant. . . .R. Heber O Thou, who hearest the . . ..A. M. Toplady O Thou, who in Jordan didst . G. W. Bethune O Thou, who in the form of . . . . T. Cotterill (a) O Thou, who in the olive. Mrs. F. D. Hemans O Thou, whom wc adore C. Wesley O Thou, who;e all-reds:eming. . .R. M. Benson O Thou, whose bounty fills. .y)f?'j./. Crewdson O Thou, whose mercy gLiides my. J. Edmeston O Thou, whose mercy, truth S.V.A..E. Osler{?!) O Thou, whose own vast temple.. W. C. Bryant O Thou, whose sacred feet have.. ./. D. Burns O Thou, whose filmed and .A. R. Thompson O Thou, whose tender mercy.. .Miss A. Steele O timely happy, timely wise J. Keble O Trinity most blessed light. .Tr.,/. M. Neale O turn, great Ruler of the skies . . /. Merrick O who shall dare in this frail scene. . . ./. A'eble () wondrous type, O vision fair.Tr.,/. 3/. Neale O Word of God, Incarnate W. W. How O ye who followed Chri t. . .Tr., /. Chandler O Zion, open wide Thy gates.. Tr., E. Casnuall O Zion ! tune Thy voice P. Doddridge Object of my first desire A. M. Toplatly O'er the distant mountains. . .J. S. B. Monsell O'er the gloomy hills of darkness. W. Williams O'er the realms of pagan darkness.. 7". Cotterill O'erwhelmed in depths of woe..Tr., E. Caswall Of all that live, and move, and./. Montgojnery Of all the joys we mortals know /. Watts Of Him who did Bernard of Clairvaux Of the Father's love begotten Tr., H. W. Baker and J. M. Neale 712 INDEX OF HYMNS. Of Thy love some gracious token T. Kelly Oft as I look upon the road T. Kelly "' 'a sori.jw, oft in woe //. K. While bless the Lord, my soul. . ./• Montgomery bless the Lord, my soul ! /. Watts blessed souls are they /. Watts brothers, lift your voices.jE'. H. Bickersteth cease, my wandering. . W. A. Muhlenberg- come, all ye faithful.. Tr., E. Caswall come and mourn with me F. W. Faber come, loud anthems let us sing. ..jV. Tate could I speak the matchless 5. Medley could our thoughts and ..Miss A. Steele deem not they are blest W. C. Bryant for a beam of heavenly . . . W. H. Bathurst for a closer walk with God . . W. Cowper for a faith that will not. . . W. H. Bathurst for a glance of heavenly day J. Hart for a heart to praise my God. ...C. Wesley for a shout of s,acred joy ..... /. Watts for a sight, a pleasing sight /. Watts for a strong, a lasting faith /. Watts for a sweet inspiring ray. ...Miss A. Steele for a thousand tongues to sing. . C Wesley for an overcoming faith /. Watts for that flame of living, . . W. H. Bathurst for that tenderness of heart C. Wesley for the death of those S. F. Smith for the happy hour G. IV. Bethune for the peace which.. . .Mrs. J. Crewdson for the robes of. Mrs. C. L. Bancroft gift ot gifts ! Oh ! grace of. ..F. W. Faber had I, my Saviour! the wings.//. F. Lyte happy day, that fixed my. . .P. Doddridge give thanks to Him who made. .J. Conder how divine, how sweet the. . .J. Needham how happy are they C. Wesley how I love Thy holy law /. Watts how shall I receive I hee P. Gerhard how the thought of God ...F. W. Faber if my soul were formed for woe. ./. Watts it is hard to write for God. . ..F. W. Faber joyful sound I oh, glorious hour. T. Kelly let him, whose sorrow. I'r., Miss F. E. Cox let me, heavenly Lord ! extend.y. Merrich let my trembling soul be still. ._/. Bowring may my heart, by grace J. Fawcett may our lips and lives express E. Osier, from /. Watts mean may seem this house of. . T. H. Gill might I once mount up and see../. Watts not my own these verdant. . .T. F. Smith not to fill the mouth of fame. ..T.H. Gill praise our God to-day H. W. Baker praise ye the Lord, prepare your. M Tate render thanks to God ... Tate and Brady see how Jesus trusts himself./'". ]V. Faber sing to me of. . ...Mrs. M. S. B. Shimiler speak that gracious word again.y. Newton sweetly breathe the lyres R. Palmer tell me. Thou life and delight. T. Hastings that I could for ever dwell A. Reed that I could for ever sit C. Wesley that I could repent C. Wesley that I knew the secret place /. Watts that my load of sin weregone..C. Wesley that the Lord would guide my. . ./. Watts that the Lord's salvation H. F. Lyte that thou wouldst, the heavens. C Wesley that Thy statutes every hour . . ./. Watts the delights, the heavenly joys.. ./. Watts the hour when this material . J. Conder the sweet wonders of that cross../. Watts this soul how dark and blind.. .//. Bonar 't is delight without alloy /. Watts turn ye. Oh ! turn ye, for why.y. Hopkins 't was a joyful sound to hea.- N. Tate what a lonely path were ours. . .E. Denny what amazing words of grace. . .6". Medley Oh ! what, if we are Christ's. ... H, W. Baker Oh ! what stupendous mercy T. Gibbons Oh ! what the joy and the... .Tr.,/. M. Neale Oh ! what unbounded zeal and love. //'. Coivper Oh ! when my righteous Judge shall. 6". Shirley Oh ! where are kings and empires. .A. C. Coxe Oh ! where is now that glowing love. . T. Kelly Oh ! where shall rest be found /. Montgomery Oh ! wherefore. Lord, doth Thy dear. T. H. Gill Oh ' who, in such a world as . J. Montgomery Oh ! why so heavy, O my soul E. Caswall Oh ! worship the King, all-glorious.. /i. Grant Oh ! write upon my memory. Lord. . ./. Watts On God the race of man depend /. Watts On Jordan's bank the Baptist's cry C. Coffin, Tr.,/. Chandler On Jordan's stormy banks I stand. ..S. Stennett On our way rejoicing f.S.B. Monsell On the fount of life eternal. . .Tr., E. Caswall On the hill of Zion standing./:. //. Bickersteth On the mountain's top appearing T. Kelly On Thee, each morning, O my God.^. Kippis On this day, the first of days ...//. W. Baker On this, the day which saw the. . ./. M. Neale On towards Zion, on T. W. A veling On wings of living light W. W. How On Zion and on Lebanon. ..H. U. Onderdonk Once I thought my mountain strong. y. Newton Once in royal David's. .Mrs. C. F. Alexander Once more, before we part J. Hart Once more, my soul I the rising day../. Watts Once more, O Lord, Thy sign G. W. Doane Once more the solemn season calls C. Cojfin, Tr., W. Mercer Once more we come before our God. . . J. Hart Once to other lords we bowed T. Kelly One cup of healing oil. ..D. T. K. Drummond One prayer 1 have, all prayers../. Montgomery One sole baptismal sign R.Robinson One sweetly solemn thought Miss P. Cary One there is, above all others J. Newton Onward, Christian, though the S.Johnson Onward, onward, m.e.n. .Mrs. L. H. Sigourney Onward, onward, though the xegxon.S. Johnson Open now Thy gates.Tr., Miss C. Wink^vorth (Oppressed with noonday's scorching.//. Bonar Our country is Mrs. A . L. Barbauld Our festal morn is come W. H. Havergal Our few revolving years B. Beddome Our glorious home above./). T. K. Drummond Our God is love, and all His . . 7'. Cotterill (?) Our God, our Help in ages past /. Watts Our God stands firm, a rock M. Luther Our heavenly Father calls P. Doddridge Our heavenly Father ! hear J. Montgomery Our helper, God, we bless Thy. .P. Doddridge Our land, O Lord ! with songs C. Wesley Our land, with mercies crowned. £. T. Winkler Our life is hid with Christ H. Bonar Our limbs refreshed with slumber. y. M. Neale Our Lord is risen from the dead C. Wesley Our sins on Christ were laid . J. Fawcett Our souls shall magnify the... ."J. Montgomery Our times are in Thy hand W. F. Lloyd Ours is the grief who still. ../?. //. Bickersteth Out of the deeps of long distress /. Watts Out of the depths I cry to Thee. ...M. Luther Out of the depths of woe ..../. Montgomery Pain and toil are over .Mrs. C. F. Alexander Palms of glory, raiment bright./. Montgomery Parent of all, whose love displayed. .../?. A/aw/ Pardoned through redeeming grace.. .£■. Osier Part in peace, Christ's \\{e...Mrs. S. F. Adams Paschal Lamb, by God appointed./. Bakewell Pass away, earthly joy ! Mrs. H. Bonar Past IS her day of grace J. Keble (a) Peace be to this . . ..C. Wesley and J. Conder Peace, peace I leave with you T. Hastings Peace ! 't is the Lord Jehovah's../'. Doddridge INDEX OF HYMNS. 713 Peace, troubled soul, whose . W. Shirley People of the living God ! J. Montgomery Permit me, Lord ! to seek Thy..;)/zjj A. Steele Pilgrim ! burdened with thy sin G. Crabbe pilgrims in this vale of sorrow T. Hastings pilgrims we are, and strangers. . . . J. Burton planted in Christ, the living vine. 5. F. Smith pleasant are Thy courts above. . .H. F. Lyte plunged in a gulf of dark despair /. Pl^atts Poor, weak and worthless tho' I am._/. Newton Pour down Thy Spirit, gracious./. Newtoti (a) Pour out 1 hy Spirit from on...y. Montgomery Praise, everlasting praise be paid I. Watts Praise God, from whom all blessings. . . T. Ken Praise God, who sent His ...Tr.,/. Chandler Praise, Lord, for Thee in Zion waits.//. F. Lyte Praise, my soul, the King of heaven.//. F. Lyte Praise, O praise our God and ...//. IV. Baker Praise on Thee in Zion's gates J. Conder Praise the God of our salvation.. . . J. Conder Praise the Lord, His glories show. H. F. Lyte Praise the Lord through every. y. Mo"tgomery Praise the Lord, who reigns above.. C. iVesley Praise the Lord, ye heavens J. Kempthorne Praise the Saviour ! all ye nations \.B. Fj-ancis Praise the Saviour ! ye who know T. Kelly Praise to God, immortal. vT/rj. A. L, Barbauld Praise to God, who reigns above. /v. M. Benson Praise to the Holiest in the y. H. Newman Praise to the Lord, who left the sky E. Osier Praise to the radiant Source of../". Doddridge Praise to Thee, Thou great Creator./. Fawcett Praise waits in Zion, Lord ! for thee. /. Watts Praise ye Jehovah's name W. Goode Praise ye the Lord.e.\alt His name.../. Watts Praise ye the Lord, immortal choirs !../. Watts Praise ye the Lord, let praise.. .Miss A. Steele Praise ye the Lord, my heart shall.. . ./. Watts Praise to Him whose love has given..//. Bonar Pray without ceasing, pray C. Wesley Prayer is appointed to convey J. Hart Prayer is the breath of God in. . . .B. Beddome Prayer is the soul's sincere J. Montgomery Prepare us. Lord, to view T. Cotterill Prince of martyrs. Thou. .Santolius Victorinus Pris'ners of sin and Satan too J. Hoskins Proclaim the lofty praise . .Mrs. S. B.Judson Prostrate, dear Jesus I at thy feet.. 5. Stennett Put thou thy trust in God P. Gerhardt Quiet, Lord ! my froward heart J. Newton Raise thee, my soul, fly up and run. ../. Watts Raise your triumphant songs L Watts Redeemed from guilt, redeemed . . H. F. Lyte Redeemer ! now Thy work is done....C. Coffin Redeemer of the nations, come Ambrose, Tr., W.Mercer Rejoice, all ye .. Tr., A'liss J. Borthwick Rejoice in Jesus' birth C. Wesley Rejoice, rejoice, believers L. Laurenti Rejoice, the Lord is King C. Wesley Rejoice to-day with one accord..//. W. Baker Rejoice, ye righteous ! in the Lord. . . ./. Watts Rejoice, ye shining worlds on high. . ./. Watts Religi in is the chief concern y. Fawcett Remark, my soul, the narrow.. .P. Doddridge Remember thee, remember.. ..../?. Wardlaiu Repent ! the voice celestial cries./*. Doddridge Rest from Thy labor, rest J. Montgofnery Rest for the toiling hand H. Bonar Return, my roving heart ! P. Doddridge Return, my soul, enjoy tliy rest. . ..y. Stennett Return, my wandering soul W. B. Collyer Return, O God of love ! return /. Watts Return, O wanderer ! return W. B. Collyer Return, O wanderer, to thy home.. T. Hastings Revive Thy work, O Lord ! A. Midlane Rich are the joys which cannot.../*. Doddridge Ride on, ride on, in majesty H. H. Milman Rise, glorious Conqueror ! rise M. Bridges Rise, gracious God, and shine W. Hum. Rise, my soul ! and stretch thy. . .R. Seagrave Rise, O my soul ! pursue the path./. Needham Rock of ages, cleft for me ! . . . .A. M. Toplady Roll on, 1 hou mighty ocean \. . . .y. Edmeston Round the Lord in glory seated R. Mant Royal day, that chasest gloom. Tr.,_/. M.Neale Safe home, safe home in port J. M. Neale Safely through another week .J. Newton Saints ! with pious zeal attending. . . .J. Taylor Salvation doth to God belong P. Doddridge Salvation is for ever nigh /. Watts Salvation ! Oh! the joyful sound. .. /. Watts Saved ourselves by Jesus' blood T. Kelly Saviour, abide with us .J. M. Neale Saviour, bless Thy word to all T. Kelly Saviour ! breathe an evening J. Edmeston Saviour divine ! we know Thy. ..P. Doddridge Saviour, happy would I be E. H, Net/in Saviour, hasten Thine appearing J. G. Deck Saviour ! I follow on C. S. Robinson Saviour, I look to Thee T. Hastings Saviour, I Thy word believe A. M, Toplady Saviour, let Thy sanction lest. . . . T. Raffies Saviour ! like a shepherd. .Miss D. A. Thrupp Saviour of all, what hast Thou done.C. Wesley Saviour of our ruined race T. Hastings Saviour, send a blessing to us 7". Kelly Saviour, source of every blessing. ../?. Robinson Saviour! sprinkle many nations . . A. C. Coxe Saviour, teach me day by A.a.y.Miss J. E. Leesofi Saviour, through the desert lead us.... T. Kelly Saviour, Thy gentle voice T. Hastings Saviour, Thy law we. . . .Mrs. L. H. Sigourney Saviour! Thyself to me reveal C Wesley Saviour ! visit Thy plantation. . . J. Newton Saviour ! when, in dust to Thee R. Grant Saviour, who Thy flock art. (K. A. Muhlenberg Saviour, whom our hearts adore E. Osier Saviour, whose love could stoop E. Osier Saw ye not the cloud arise C. Wesley Say, sinner, hath a voice Mrs. A. B. Hyde See a poor sinner, dearest Lord. . . . .S. Medley See from Zion's sacred mountain.. T, Kelly See, gracious God ! before Thy.. Miss A. Steele See, how great a flame aspires C. Wesley See how the morning sun Miss E. Scott See in the vineyard of the Lord . . 7". Cotterill See Israel's gentle Shepherd P. Doddridge See, Jesus stands with open .Miss A. Steele See, oh ! see what love. C. Spitta, i'r., R. Massie See, the Conqueror mounts in..C. Wordsworth See the destined day arise R. Mant See the ransomed millions stand / Conder See, what a living stone /. Watts Seek, my soul, the narrow...//. U. Onderdonk Self-love no grace in sorrow sees. .Mme. Guyon Send out Thy light and truth../. Montgomery Servants of God ! well done !.../. Montgomery Servant of God ! well done ! . . . C. Wesley Servants of God, in joyful lays. ./. Montgomery Set in a high and favored place. ... .E. Osier Shall man", O God of life and light. . T. Dwight Shall science distant lands... W. Shrubsole"jr. Shall the vile race of flesh and blood.../. Watts Shall we go on to sin /. Watts Shepherd divine ! our wants relieve.. C. Wesley Shepherd of Israel ! bend Thine./*. Doddridge Shepherd of Israel ! from W. H. Bathurst Shepherd of Israel ! thou dost ..../*. Doddridge Shepherd of souls ! refresh and./. Montgomery Shepherd of Thine Israel, lead us.. .7. Conder Shine, mighty God ! on Zion shine. . ./. Watts Shine on our land. Jehovah, shine.. ../. Watts Shine on our souls, eternal God. P. Doddridge Shout, O earth W. H. Havergal Shout the glad tidings ... .W. A. Muhlenberg Show pity, Lord ! O Lord ! forgive /. Watts Since all the varying scenes of time./. Hervey 714 INDEX OF HYMNS. Since Christ our Saviour is slain N. Tate Since I've known a Saviour's name. . C. IVesley Since Jesus freely did appear .. . ./. Berridge Since Jesus is my friend P. Gerhardt Since on Thy footstool IV. A. Muhlenberg Sing, all ye ransomed of the P. Doddridge Suig, my tongue ! the .Tr., E. Casiuail Sing, O heavens I O earth !.../. 3'. B. Monsell Sing of Jesus, sing for ever T. Kelly Sing, sing His lofty praise T. Kelly Sing the great Jehovah's praise G. Sandys bing to the Lord a joyful song. /. S. B. Monsell Sing to the Lord in joyful strains. . . .M. Bruce Sing to the Lord Jehovah's name /. Watts Sing to the Lord most high T. Dwight Sing to the Lord of harvest . . J. S. B. Monsell Sing to the Lord, our Might H. F. Lyte Sir^ to the Lord, ye distant lands . . ./. Watts Sing to the Lord, ye heavenly hosts !../. Watts Sing we the song of those who../. Montgomery Sing, ye redeemed of the Lord \..P. Doddridge Sing, ye seraphs in the sky T. Davis Sinner, come up with me A.M. Toplady Sinner, hear thy Saviour's call J. Newton Sinner ! Oh ! why so thoughtless /. Watts Sinner ! rouse thee from thy.//. U. Onderdonk Sinners, come, the Saviour. .N. L. Zinzendorf Sinners ! lift up your hearts . /. Wesley Sinners i obey the gospel word C. Wesley \ Sinners ! the voice of God regard. . J. Fawcett i Sinners ! turn, why will ye die? . . ..C. Wesley Sion, ope thy \\:x\\o\i« (partly) The world is very evil Bernard De Morlaix, It., J. M. Neale The year begins with Thee. ./. Keble Thee, King of saints ! we praise C. Wesley Thee to laud in songs divine C. Wesley Thee we adore. Almighty Lord E. Osier Thee we adore, eternal Lord T. Cotterill Thee we adore, eternal Name ! /. Watts Thee will 1 love, my Strength .Tr., y. Wesley Their hearts shall not be. . ...Miss y. E. Leeson There is a blessed home H. W. Baker 716 INDEX OF HYMNS. There is a book, who runs may read. .J. Keble There is a calm -for those who. J. Montgomery There is a dear and hallowed. .Mrs A. Taylor There is a fountain filled with W. Co-wper There is a glorious world of light J. Taylor There is a God ! all nature Miss A. Steele There is a green hill far. Mrs. C. F.Alexander There is a holy sacrifice Misi C. Elliott 'Ihere is a house not made with /. IVaits There is a land of pure delight /. IVatts There is a Uttlc lonely Md. .A/rs. M. G. Saffery There is a sale and secret place H. F. Lyte There is a spot of consecrated. .Miss C. Elliott There is an hour of hallowed. ..W^. B. Tapfian There is an hour of peaceful. . ../F. B. Tappan There is an hour when I must part. . . .A. Reed There on a high majestic throne ..../. IVatts There's a friend for little c\\'Mx^a..A. Midlane There's a wideness in Cod's F. IV. Faber There's not a bird with lonely nest..C T. Noel These are the crowns that we shall. .//. Bonar These glorious minds, how bright. . . ./. Watts These mortal joys how soon P. Doddridge They come, God's messengers. . . .R. Campbell They whose course on earth is. . ..J. M. Neale Thine earthly Sabbaths, Lord \..P. Doddridge Thine for ever, God of Mrs. M. F. Maude Thine holy days returning R. Palmer Thine, Lord, is wisdom. Thine.. Tr., y. Wesley Think, O ye, who fondly W. B. Collyer Think well how Jesus trusts .. .,F. W. Faber This day by Thy creating word . W. W. How This day the Light of heavenly. . . W. W. Ho%v This day the Lord hath called. f{^. //. Bathurst This God is the God we adore J. Hart This is not my place of resting //. Bonar This is the day of toil //. Botiar This is the day the Lord hath made. ./. Watts This is the word of truth and love..../. Watts This life's a dream, an empty show.. ./. Watts This place is holy ground ... .J. Montgomery This stonp to Thee m faith we. .7. Montgomery This world is poor trom shore to shore. C. Giles This world would be a wilderness.. 5. Beddome Those whom many a land divides .y. M. Neale Thou art gone to the grave, but we. . .R. Heber Thou art my hiding-place, O Lord .. T. Raffles Thou art my Portion. O my God !.. . /. Watts Thou art, O God, the life and light. . T. Moore Thou art the Way, 10 Thee. . G. W. Doane Thou boundless source of O. Heginbothom Thou brightness of the _ . .Tr., y. C/taiidler Thou dear Redeemer, dying Lamb ! y, Cennick Thou framer of the light and daik. . . y. Keble Thou friend of sinners, who hast E. Osier Thou glorious sovereign of the.../". Doddridge Thou God. all glory, honor, power N. Tate Thou God of truth. Thou Lord of. . . Ambrose Thou gracious God, and kind W. Goode Thou great Creator, art possest C Cofflti Thou hidden love of God, whose might G. Tersteegen, Tr., y. Wesley Thou hidden Source of calm repose! C. Wesley Thou Judge of quick and dead . ..C. Wesley Thou icnowest. Lord, that they . . . .J . A^nstice Thou Lamb of God ! that on the. . .. T. Haweis Thou Lord of all above B. Beddome Thou lovely Source of true Miss A. Steele Thou, O CInist. art all I want C. Wesley Thou, G Lord, in tender love C. Wesley Thou of old time hast loved us..W. Cowper {a) Thou only source of true. . . .Miss A. Steele (a) Thou only Soverei.gn of my Miss A . Steele Thou plenteous source of light. ._/. H. Gurney Thou refuge of my weary soul. .Miss A. Steele Thou Saviour from Thy throne R. Palmer Thou sepst my feebleness C. Wesley Thou Son of God, and Son of man.. y. Ryland Thou spak'tt the word, and into one..C. Coffin Thou very present Aid C. Wesley Thou, who art enthroned above ! G. Sandys Thou who a tender parent art R. HillCi) Thou who earnest from above /. M. Neale Thou who didst leave Thy.. ..Tr., R. Casivall Thou, who didst on Calvary ...,./. D. Burns Thou, who loll'st the year around. .A^. Palmer Thou, whom my soul admires above../. Watts Thou, whose almighty word y. Marriott Thou whose never failing arm H. F. Lyte Though all the world my choice. .C Tersteegen Though I speak with.Tr., MissC. Winkworth. Though in midst of life we be M. Lnther Though nature's strength decay. ... 7". Olivers Though now the nations sit beneath. .i. Bacon Though sorrows rise and dangers ...R. Heber Though troubles assail and dangers. y. Newton Thrice blessed are the pure in ... .y. Keble (a) Thrice happy man, who fears the /. Watts ihrice happy souls, who born.. .P. Doddridge Thrice holy God, of wondrous.. ..y. Chandler Throned high is Jesus now T. y. yudkin Through all the changing scenes of. . .N. Tate Thiough all the dangers 'of ;he night. 7". Kelly Through endless years Thou. Tate and Watts Through every age, eternal God ! /. Watts Through good report and evil, Lord H. Bonar Through sorrow's night and ...H. K. White Through the day Thy love has spared. T. Kelly Through the love of God oMx.Mrs. M. B.Peters Thus far my God hath led me on.. .J. Fawcett Thus far the Lord has led me on /. Watts Thus saith the mercy of tlie Lord .. /. Watts Thus the eternal Father spake. . /. Watts Thus we confess the Saviour's love. . .E. Osier Thy bounties, gracious Lord! Miss E. Scott Thy Father's house ! R, Palmer Thy glory, Lord, the heavens. 7. Montgomery Thy goodness. Lord, our souls. T. Gibbons Tliy gracious presence. O my. ..Miss A. Steele Thy holy day's r'tturning R. Palmer Thy home is with the humble. . . .F. II'. Faber Thy lif; I read, my dearest Lord I..S. Stennett Thy mercy heard my infant prayer .R. Grant Thy mercy, my God ! is the theme, .y. Stocker Thy name, almighty Lord ! /. Watts Thy presence, gracious God I. . . J. Fa-wcett Thy sacred influence. Lord, impart.. .E. Osier Ihy way, not mine, O Lord ! H. Bonar Thy way, O God ! is in the sea y. Fawcett Thy will be done ! in devious way.y. Bowring Thy word, almighty Lord ! . .J. Montgomery Thy works, not mine, O Christ H. Bonar Till He come, O let the ....E. H. Bickerstetk Till its holy hours are past y. M. Neale Time by moments steals away.. y. Neivton Time hastens on, ye longing. . . P. Doddridge Time is winging us away /. Burton Time, thou speedest.Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Time's sun is fast setting ....H, Bonar 'T is a pleasant thing to see H. F. Lyte 'T is a point I long to know ..y. Newton 'T is by the faith of joys to come /. Waits 'T is by Thy strength the mountains./. Watts 'T is done: — that new and . ..//. W. Baker 'T is done,— th' important act is. ..S. F. Smith 'T is faith supports my feeble soul. j5. Beddome " 'T is finished," let the joyful . . . .S. Stennett " "T is finished ! '_' so the Saviour. . ..S'. Stennett 'T is for conquering kings to.Tr.,y. Chandler 'T is God, the Spirit, leads . J. Montgomery 'T is heaven begun below . . J. Swain 'T is midnight, and, on Olive's. JF. B. Ta/>pan 'T is my happiness below //'. Cowper 'T is not a cause of small import./". Doddridge 'T is not that I did choose Thee y. Conder 'T is pure delight without alloy /. Watts 'T is sweet to rest in lively A. M. Toplady 'T is the great Father v/s..Mrs. M. C. Saffery INDEX OF IDTMNS. 717 To bless Thy chosen race JV. Tate To Calvary, Lord, in spirit now E. Denny To Christ, the Lord, let every S. Stenneti To Christ, the Prince of peace.Tr., ^. Caswall To-day, O Lord, a holier work C. Coffin To-day, the Saviour calls S. F. Smith To-day, the Saviour rose J. Hoskins To-day, Thy mercy calls me O. AUeti To God be glory, peace.. Tr., Tate and Brady To God I cried when troubles rose. . ../. Walts To God most awful and most. J. Montgomery To God the Father, God the Son /. Watts To God the Father, God the Son . .E. Osier To God, the great, the ever-blessed../. Watts To God, the only Wise, our ...I. Waits To God, the only Wise, who .. /. Vi^atts To hail J bine advent, Lord...Tr., W. Mercer To hail Thy rising. Sun of life. ...J. Morrison To heaven I lift mine eyes /. Watts To heaven I lift my waiting eyes. . ../. Watts To Him that chose us first /. Watts To Him who loved the souls of men ./. Watts To Jesus, our exalted Lord . . .Miss A. Steele To Jesus, the Crown of my hope. . W. Cowper To Thee, my God and Saviour. ... 7". Haiueis To-morrow, Lord! is Thine P. Doddridge To our almighty Maker, God . . ./. Watts To our Redeemer's glorious Miss A. Steele To praise our Shepherd's W. H. Havergal To praise the ever-bounteous J. Needham To spend one sacred day /. Watts To the name of God on high H. Bonar To the name that brings salvation. y. jW. Neale To Thee be glory, honor, praise . . . Theodulph To Thee, my God and Saviour!.. ..7*. Haweis To Thee, my God, whose presence. ../. Mason To Thee, my Shepherd and. . .C. Heginhothom To Thee, O dear, dear J.S. B. Monsell To Thee, O Lord, with dawning .R. Heber To Thy pastures fair and large .J. Men ick To Thy temple I repair .J. Montgomery To us a Child of hope is born M. Bruce To your Creator, God Miss A . Steele Together with those symbols .J. Cennick Too long, alas, I vainly sought J. Burridge, horn J. Cennick Too soon we rose, the symbols H. Bonar Tossed upon life's raging G. W. Bethune Trembling before Thine awful./l. L. Hillhouse Trinity, Unity, Deity J. M. Neale Triumphant Lord, 1 hy goodness./". Doddridge Triumphant Zion ! lift thy head../'. Doddridge True bread of life in pitying mercy. ..H. Bonar Truths which prophets sought in vain./i. Osier 'T was by an order from the Lord. . . ./. Watts 'T was on that dark, that doleful /. Watts 'T was t^e commission of our Lord... /. Watts Unite, my roving thoughts P. Doddridge United prayers ascend to Thee.. W. B. Collyer Unshaken as the sacred hill . ./. Watts Unveil, O Lord, and on us shine.y. H. Newman Unveil thy bosom, faithful tomb! /. Watts Up to the hills I lift mine eyes /. Watis Up to the Lord, who reigns on high. /. ll'atts Uphold me. Lord, too prone to //. /". Lyte Uplift the blood-red banner B. Gough Upon the Gospel's sacred page. . . ._/. Boivring Upward I lift mine eyes /. Watts Upward, O Lord I to Thee .H. Bateman Upward where the stars are burning./i'^. Bonar Vain are all terrestrial pleasures, . . .D. E. Ford Vain are the hopes the sons of men.../. Watts Vain, delusive world ! adieu ! C Wesley Vain man, thy fond pursuits forbear. . ._/. Hart Vain were all our toil and labor. ...//. F. Lyie Victorious from the dreadful fight E. Osier Virgin-born, we bow before Thee R. Heber Wait, my soul I upon the Lord JV. F. Lloyd Wait, O my soul ! thy Maker's. ...B. Beddomt Wake and lift up thyself, my heart. .... 7". Ken Wake ! awake for. . . .Tr., Miss C. Winkmorth Wake from the dead, new life begin. . . E. Osier Wake the song of jubilee L. Bacon Wake thee, O Zion ! thy mourning./?. Palmer Waked by the trumpet's sound ..C, Wesley Warrior kings, fresh glory. Jr.,/. Chandler (a) Was it for me, dear Lord, for me..H. Bateman Watchman, tell us of the night !. . ./. Boivring Wayfarers in the wilderness, .y^. R. Thompson We are but strangers T. R. Taylor We are little Christian, ..1/rj. C. F. Alexander We are living, we are dwelling A. C. Coxe We bid Thee welcome in the. . .J. Montgomery We bless the Prophet of the Lord /. Watts We cannot always trace the way. . J. Bowring We come, O Lord ! before Thy L. Bacon We did not see Thee lifted high../. H. Gurney We give immortal praise /. Watts We give Thee but rhine own W. W. How We hail Thee, Lord, thy church's rock N. L. Zitizendor/^ ixova Jacobi We have a house above C. Wesley We lift our hearts to Thee /. Wesley We love 1 hee. Lord, yet not. Mrs. J. A. Elliott We mourn for those -who. Mrs. L. H. Sigourney We saw Thee not when Thou. . ./. H. Gurney We sing His love who once was slain . .R, Hill We sing the deep mysterious P. Doddridge We sing the praise of Him who died . . T. Kelly We sing to Thee, Thou Son.Tr., J. Cennick (a) We sinners, Lord, with. Bernard de Clairvaux We stand in deep repentance R. Palmer We stand on hallowed ground E. Osier We thank Thee, Father K.Mrs.L.H. Sigourney We thank Thee, Lord, for this our./. Cennick We tread the path our. .Mrs. A . L. Barbauld We wake ! we wake ! ye heavenly. . T. Ken (a) Weary of wandering from my God. ..C. Wesley Weary sinner, keep thine eyes.^. M. Toptady Weep not for a brother deceased . , C. Wesley Welcome, brethren ! enter in. . . ,/. Edmeston Welcome, days of solemn meeting. 5". F. Smith Welcome, O Saviour ! to my heart..//. Bourne Welcome, sweet day, of days the best. 6'. Browne Welcome, sweet day of rest ! /. Watts Welcome, Thou victor in the strife B. Schmolke, Tr., Miss C. Winkworth Welcome, welcome, dear Redcem'r \.W. Mason Welcome, welcome, sinner, here J. Conder We're bound for yonder land T. Kelly We've no abiding city here T. Kelly What a friend we have in Jesus . . . .H. Bonar What a strange and ..... Miss D. A . Thrupp What are these arrayed in white. . C. Wesiey What are these in bright array/. Montgomery What are those soul-reviving. ./. Montgomery What can relieve the troubled W. H. Bathurst What equal honors shall we bring . . /. Watts What finite power with ceaseless.;!/?'.?^ E. Scott What glory gilds the sacred page. . W. Cowper What grace. O Lord, and beauty E. Denny What hath God wrought ! might, . . /'. Gibbons What is life ? 't is but a vapor T. Kelly What majesty and grace 5. Stennett What our Father does is well B. Schmolke, Tr.. //. W. Baker What scenes of horror and of dread. y. Fawceti What secret place, what distant star. 7. H. Gill What shall I render to my God /. Watts What shall the dying sinner do /. Watts What shall we ask of God in. . ./. Montgomery What sinners value I resign /. Watts What star is this, with beams so bright C.Coffin,;Vx.,J. Chandler What strange perplexities arise 5. Davies What though downy slumbers.../". Doddridge What though my frail eyelids. .A.M. Toplady What though the arm of P. Doddridge S-0 / 718 INDEX OF HYMNS. What various hindrances we meet. fK. Co-wper Whate'er my God. ..Tr., Miss C. Winkivortk When adverse winds.. .Mrs. L. H. Sigourney When all Thy mercies, O my God \.J. Addison When along life's thorny road. ... y.G. Deck When as returns this. ...y)/rj. A. L. Barbauld When ac this distance, Lord !..../". Doddridge When at Thy footstool, Lord ! I bend.//. F. Lyte When, bending o'er the brink of. W. B. Collyer When blooming jouth is Miss A . Steele When came in flesh the incarnate. J. Anstice When Christ came down. j)/rj. C. F. Alexander When darkness long has veiled my. JK. Cowper When doomed lo death the .VV. C. Bryant When downward to the darksome. .Ti. Pahner When first before His mercy-seat. . .J. Newton When first o'erwhelmed with sin and._/. G. Deck When gathering clouds around I view./?. Grant When (lod of old came down from. . . .J. Keble When God restored our captive state./. Watts When God revealed His gracious. . . ./. IVatts When, gracious Lord ! when shall it. C I'.'esley When human hopes all v/\l\\ev.Miss C. Elliott When I can read my title clear . ../. IVatts When I can trust my all with God..y. Conder '^Vhen I survey the wondrous cross.../. Watts _-When I view my Saviour bleeding R. Lee When in our hour of.Tr., Miss C. Winkwortk When in the hour of lonely woe ._/. Cotider When Israel forth from Egypt went.../t. Osier When Israel of the Lord beloved W. Scott When Jesus dwelt in mortal clay. . . T. Gibbons When Jesus left His Father's. ._/. Montgomery When Jordan hushed his waters../". Campbell When languor and disease ... .A. M. Toplady When, like a stranger on our. J. Montgome/y When, Lord! to this our ...//. U. Onderdonk When, marshaled on the nightly.//. A". White When morning gilds the skies A. Caswall When musing sorrow weeps the. . . .G. T. Noel When, my Saviour ! shall I be . . . C Wesley When, O d:ar Jesus ! when shall \.J. Cennick When on Sinai s top I see J. Montgomery When on the brink of death. . . . W. B. Collyer When our heads are bowed . . . .H. H. Milman When, overwhelmed with grief ..../. Watts When, rising from the bed of death. J. Addison When shades of night around us close. .C. Coffin When shall I hear the inward voice. . C Wesley When sha>ll I, Lord, a journey take../". H. Gill When shall the voice of singing. .J. Edmeston When shall Thy love constrain C. Wesley When sins and fears prevailing.. A//ji A. Steele When streaming from the. .../K. Skrubsole,Jr. When the weary seeking rest H. Bonar When the worn spirit wants J. Edmeston When the blind suppliant in the..;K. C. Bryant When the patriarch was Tr., E. Caswall When the soft dews of kindly sleep.. .J. Keble When this passing world \%. .R. M. McCheyne When Thou, my righteous .. .Mrs. S. Shirley When through the torn sail the wild.. /f. Heber When thy mortal life is fled S. F. Smith When time seems short, and. ...G. W. Bethiine When waves of trouble round. .. V)/m C. Elliott When we, our wearied limbs to rest N. Tate When, wounded -.ox^. ...Mrs. C. F. Alexander \ Whence do our mournful thoughts.. ../. Walls Whene'er the angry passions. . ..Miss A. Steele Where high the heavenly temple... M. Bruce j Where is my God ? does He. . . Miss A. Steele i Where, O my soul, oh where 7'. Scott Where two or three, with sweet.. ..S. Stennett Where wilt Thou put . .Mrs. L. H, Sigourney Wherever two or three may meet.. T. Hastings Wherefore so heavy, O my soul . E. Cas-wall Wherewith, O Go-i, shall I draw C. Wesley While beauty clothes the fertile.. /I//jj^. Steele While carnal men, witli all their... .5, Beddome While I to grief my soul gave way...y. Newton While in sweet communion feeding.. ..£. Denny While in this sacred rite of Thine. .5. F. Smith While life prolongs its precious T. Dwight While mercy invites you T. Hastings While my Redeemer's near . . .Miss A. Steele While o'er our guilty land, O Lord. ..i". Davies While on the veigeof life I stand./'. Doddridge While others strive and hope Miss A. Steele While shepherds watch their flocks. ...A". Tate While thiough this changing.. y. Montgomery While verdant hill and blooming./I/?>j.^. Steele While, with ceaseless course, the. . .J. Newton Whilst Thee I seek Miss H. M. Williams Who are these arr.ayed in white. . C. Wesley (a) Who are these in bright array . . J. Montgomery Who are these like stars appearing //. T. Schenk, Tr , Miss F. E. Cox Who are these that come from far ? T. Kelly (?) Who are they whose little feet J. Edmeston Who can describe the joys that rise. ./. Watts Who can forbear to sing J. Swain Who is this that comes from Edom. . . T. Kelly Who is thy neighbor ? He . IF. B. O. Peabody Who of men hath skill to..Tr., /. M. Neale (a) Who shall ascend Thy heavenly /. Watts Who shall the Lord's elect condemn ? /. Watts Whom should we love like Ihee H. F. Lyte Why do we mourn departing friends. ./. Watts Why does your face, ye humble souls ! /. Watts Why doth my Saviour weep J. Keble Why doth that impious Herod fear Coelius Sedulius, Tr.,/. M. Neale Why is my heart so far from Thee ..../. Watts Why, Saviour, dost Thou come.../i. Campbell Why search ye in the narrow..//''. //. Batkurst Why should I fear the darkest hour./. Newton Why should the children of a King ../. IVatts Why should we dread our mortal. E. Osier (a) Why should we start and fear to die. ./. Watts Why sleep we, my brethren ? /. Hopkins Why that soul's commotion 7 . Hastin.^s Why will ye waste on trifling.. .P. Doddridge Wilt I hou not. my Shepherd J. Sckeffler With all my powers of heart and /. Watts With anxious eyes I look Miss C. Elliott With broken heart and contrite sigh...C Elvin With Christ we share a mystic. . J . M. Neale With earnest longings of the mind ../. Watts With ecstasy of joy . P.Doddridge With gentle voice the angel gave. . /. M. Neale With glory clad, with strength. Tate a^zd Brady With grateful hearts, with joyful . . A. Kippis With heavenly power, O Lord, defend . R. Hill With humble heart and tongue J. Fawcett With joy I see a thousand . . .P. Doddridge With joy may I behold the day. ...._/. Merrick With joy we hail the sacred . . .Miss H. Auber With joy we lift our eyes 7'. Jervis With joy we meditate the grace ...../. Watts With my substance I will honor B. Francis With my whole heart I've sought Thy./. Watts With one consent let all the earth . . ..A''. Tate With reverence let the saints appear . . /. Watts With sacred joy we lift our eyes .... 7". "Jervis With songs and honors sounding . . . /. Watts With songs of sacred joy ....P. Doddridge With tearful eyes I look around. ./if/.fi' C. Elliott With tears of anguish I lament 5. Stennett With thankful hearts our songs. .£■. Bickersteth With transport. Lord ! our souls../". Doddridge With willing hearts we tread .... .S". F Smith Witness, ye men and angels ! now../>. Btddome Within 'Thy temple's hallowed bound. i?. Osier Word upreme before creation . .J. Keble Work while it is to-day .J. Montgomery Workman of God, O lose not F. W. Faber Worship, honor, glory, blessing . .E. Osier Worship the Lord in the J.S. B. Monsell INDEX OF HYMNS. ? Worthy the Lamb of boundless .... W. S/iirlty Ye sinners ! fear the Lord T. Dwi, Would you win a soul to God. . IV. Hammond Ye sons and daughters of the..Tr.,y. M. Ne. Wouldst thou eternal life obtain ...R. Palmer Ye sons of men! v/ith joy .. .. P. Daddric Wretched, helpless, and distrest C.Wesley Ye that delight to serve the Lor'l . J.Wa Ye angels, who stand ronnA.Miss M. DeFleury Ye that in His courts are found 1 R. H Ye boundless realms of joy ! N. Tate Ye that pass by, behold the Man .. .C West Ye choirs of New Jerusalem ! Ye trembling souls ! dismiss your. ..5. Beddon Fulbert, Tr., 7?. Campbell Ye tribes of Adam ! join . . /. Wat Ye daughters of Zion ! declare, have..y. Swain Ye wretched, hungry, starving.. jVzjj A . Ste, Ye dying sons of men ! J. Boden Yes, for me, for me Me careth If. Bo Ye glittering toys of earth ! Miss A . Steele Yes, He is mine ! and naught of . . . //. F. Ye golden lamps of heaven P. Dodd> idge Yes, I do feel, my God, that \.J. S. B. M Ye hearts, with youthful vigor. ..P. Doddridg-e Yes, I will bless Thee, O my..&. Hegin Ye holy angels, bright. ... R. Baj:t;r (a.) Yes, my native land, I love thee. .6"./' Ye holy souls ! in God rejoice /. Watts Yes, the Redeemer rose ..P. D Ye humble souls ! approach Miss A. Steele Yes, we trust the day is breaking. . . . Ye men and angels, witness now. ..5. Beddome Yield to me now, for I am weak Ye mourning saints, whose P. Doddridge Your harps, ye trembling A. h Ye nations round the earth ! rejoice ../. Watts Your hearts and tongues, ye saints . Ye saints and servants of the.. 7i2/f««i/.5r«^;)' Zion, a mourner long ..B Ye saints ! your music bring A. Reed Zion ! awake, thy strength renew. /{' Ye servants of a martyred. .. .Tr., i?. Campbell Zion, dreary and in anguish "' . Ye servants of God ! your Master C.Wesley Zion is Jehovah s dwelling : . K.iy Ye servants of our glorious. . Tr.. R. Catnpbell Zion stands with hills surrr ndcd . .T. heily Ye servants of th' almighty King !..../. Watts Zion ! the marvelous story. . W. A . Muhlen 'erg Ye servants of the living God ! ;K.i/. i>a^/j?