Chapter XXIV
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CHAPTER XXIV.
SONGS OF GLOR Y.
"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Sion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads."
Thehe are many who look wishfully for immortal pleasures in heaven, while they withhold themselves from preparatory religious pleasures upon earth. And some, too, who with a sort of instinctive yearning for repose in the future, sing of eternal rest, though as yet they have not been fully submissive to Him who is the only source and giver of rest. There are moments in the life of human genius when divine and celestial realities assert their claims on the gifted soul, and call out from it songs and hymns, which have a music and a power for minds far more spiritual than the author's, a music and a power which the hymnist himself, perhaps, never so deeply felt. Thomas Moore, it may be, though expressing the aspiration of his own soul in one of its better moments, never knew with how deep a charm his verses touch the more fully sanctified spirit, who patiently longs for the moment of its upward spring into eternal life.
The bird let loose in Eastern skies
When hastening fondly home,
Ne'er stoops to earth his wing, nor flies
Where idle warblers roam; {
But high she shoots through air and light,
Above all low delay,
Where nothing earthly bounds her flight,
Nor shadow dims her way.
So grant me, God, from every eare,
And stain of passion free,
Aloft, through virtue's purer air,
To hold my course to Thee!
No sin to cloud, no lure to stay
My soul as home she springs';
Thy sunshine on her joyful way,
Thy freedom in her wings!
Many a heavenly-minded Christian, with whom Moore would have but little sympathy, will thank God for the pen of the man who has thus afforded him a tuneful form of expressing what he himself could never so express, while pluming his wings for a homeward flight. So, the same hymnist has furnished a song of glory which those whose heavenliness is a principle and habit, rather than a mere sentiment, will always sing with feelings richer probably, and holier, than the inspiration which gave it birth : — Thia world is all a fleeting show
For man's illusion given;
The smiles of joy, the tears of woe,
Deceitful shine, deceitful flow;
There's nothing true but Heaven!
And false the light on glory's plume,
As fading hues of even-,
And love, and hope, and beauty's bloom
Are blossoms gathered from the tomb;
There's nothing bright but Heaven!!
Poor wanderers of a stormy day,
From wave to wave we're driven;
And fancy's flash, and reason's ray,
Serve but to light the troubled way;
There's nothing calm but Heaven!
To those whose heavenly-mindedness is pure enough to long for the future without being embittered with the present, this hymn expresses 'a 'Christian's preference for heaven; a peaceful and holy superiority to the vanities of earth; but on other lips it may have another meaning: it may be the language of one who turns plaintively towards heaven in the crisis of bitter disappointment and vexation with the falsehoods of this world. Those who can sing from their hearts—
Thou know'st in the spirit of prayer,
We long Thy appearing to see,
Resign'd to the burden we bear,
But longing to triumph with Thee;
'Tis good at Thy word to be here,
'Tis better in Thee to be gone,
And see Thee in glory appear,
And rise to a share in Thy throne;
those who in "patience possess their souls," while they linger in sweet suspense on the shadowy borders of time, love rather the quiet and submissive joyfulness of songs like Anne Steele's hymn on "The Promised Land." Peacefully looking out into the brightening distance from her chamber of sickness, or from her garden terrace, where her Saviour's strength was made perfect in her weakness, or from the avenue of fir-trees where whispers of mortal strife sometimes touched her ear, she used to sing:—
Far from these narrow scenes of night
Unbounded glories rise,
And realms of infinite delight,
Unknown to mortal eyes.
Far distant land! could mortal eyes
But half its joys explore,
How would our spirits long to rise,
And•dwell on earth no more!
There pain and sickness never come,
And grief no more complains!
Health triumphs in immortal bloom,
And endless pleasure reigns!
From discord free, and war's alarms,
And want and pining care;
Plenty and peace unite their charms,
And smile unchanging there.
There rich varieties of joy
Continual feast the mind;
Pleasures which fill, but never cloy,
Immortal and refined!
No factious strife, no envy there,
The sons of peace molest;
But harmony and love sincere
Fill every happy breast.
No cloud those blissful regions know,
For ever bright and fair!
For sin, the source of mortal woe,
Can never enter there.
There no alternate night is known,
Nor sun's faint sickly ray;
But glory from the sacred throne
Spreads everlasting day.
The glorious monarch there displays
His beams of wondrous grace;
His happy subjects sing His praise,
And bow before His face.
Oh may the heavenly prospect fire
Our hearts with ardent love,
Till ways of faith and strong desire
Bear every thought above.
Prepare us, Lord, by grace Divine,
For Thy bright courts on high;
Then bid our spirits rise and join
The chorus of the sky.
Who can sing of Canaan without recalling some lovely
scenes of southern England, and thinking of one whose
harp was often strung in praise of —
• /ft V Sweet fields beyond the swelling flood?
\~ rf In the year 1r7•&2» there was a deacon of the Independent church at Southampton, whose son, in his eighteenth year, felt, now and then, during the Sunday psalm or hymn, X somewhat like a finely sensitive ear feels at the sound of a it file sharpening a saw; and he complained that the old
. ^\ hymnists were sadly out of taste. "Give us something
\\3 I better, young man," was the reply. The young man did
it; and the church was invited to close its evening service with a new hymn, thus :—
Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amidst His Father's throne;
Prepare new honours for His name,
And song's before unknown.
Let elders worship at His feet,
The church adore around,
With vials full of odours sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.
Those are the prayers of the saints,
And those the hymns they raise:
Jesus is kind to our complaints,
He loves to hear our praise.
Eternal Father, who shall look
Into Thy secret will?
Who but the Son shall take that book,
And open every seal?
He shall fulfil Thy great decrees,
The Son deserves it well;
Lo, in His hand the sov'reign keys
Of heaven, and death, and hell!
Now to the Lamb that once was slain,
Be endless blessings paid;
Salvation, glory, joy remain
For ever on Thy head.
Thou hast redeem'd our souls with blood,
Hast set the pris'n.ers free,
Hast made us kings and priests to God,
And we shall reign with Thee..
The worlds of nature and of grace
Are put beneath Thy power;
Then shorten these delaying days,
And bring the promised hour!
This was Isaac Watts's first hymn; a new vein' of song was opened; the little hymnist had struck a chord which gave birth to fresh harmonies in the church. Hymn followed hymn, until the young essayist published his first I / °/ and successful edition of "Hymns and Spiritual Songs." Young poets are susceptible of love and beauty, and Isaac soon paid court to the accomplished and pious Elizabeth Singer, afterwards better known as Mrs. Eowe. She told her suitor that she loved the jewel, but could not admire the casket, and thus lost the honour of being Mrs. Watts; while she sent the grieved young Christian poet to his Saviour's feet, devoutly to consecrate himself for life to science, philosophy, literature, and the service of holy song. How sweetly his disappointment in the creature melts in devotion to his Lord:—
How vain are all things here below!
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure hath its poison too,
And every sweet a snare.
The brightest things below the sky
Give but a flatt'ring light;
We should suspect some danger nigh
Where we possess delight.
Our dearest joys and nearest friends,
The partners of our blood,
How they divide our wav'ring minds,
And leave but half for God.
The fondness of a creature's love,
How strong it strikes the sense!
Thither the warm affections move,
Nor can we call them thence.
Dear Saviour! let Thy beauties be
My soul's eternal food,
And grace command my heart away
From all created good.
Thus driven back from the pursuit of conjugal pleasures, he turns to the future with more entire affection. Heaven brightens on him as earth withholds its smile ; and sitting at his parlour window, looking out upon the waters of the Itchen, with the Isle of Wight in the distance, and the rich landscape opening its inviting beauties on the other side of the river, he thought of Canaan, and the Jordan, and the final passage, and the calm and immortal repose of the inheritance beyond; and then arose that soothing and cheering hymn which, as long as Christianity expresses its hopes in the English language, will pleasantly sustain its title in the hearts of God's children, and assure them that "a prospect of heaven makes death easy." How many souls have felt this prospect brightening as they sang:— %
There is a land of pure delight,
Where saints immortal reign;
Infinite day excludes the night,
And pleasures banish pain.
There everlasting spring abides,
And never-with'ring flowers;
Death, like a narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
Sweet fields, beyond the swelling flood,
Stand dress'd in living green;
So to the Jews old Canaan stood,
While Jordan rolled between.
But tim'roun mortals start and shrink
To cross this narrow sea;
And linger, shivering on the brink,
And fear to launch away.
Oh! could we make our doubts remove,
Those gloomy doubts that rise,
And see the Canaan that we love
With unbeolouded eyes!
Could we but climb where Moses stood,
And view the landscape o'er,
Not Jordan's stream, nor death's cold flood,
Should fright us from the shore.
Watts passed from the mortal shore, and happily crossed the river, in his seventy-fifth year, after a season of
Calm decay and peace divine.
The beautiful retirement and holy friendships of Abney Park, the last retreat of Watts, would be associated in the mind who loves sweet songs of glory, with a picture once exhibited in the Royal Academy—a picture of George Herbert in his garden at Bemerton. That garden was the little earthly paradise where Herbert used to sing of a brighter land, and pour forth his warm desires for freedom to wing his way to rest. His paradise at Bemerton detained him but a little more than two years. Just before his soul ceased to be
An entangled, hampered thing',
he put a small manuscript into a friend's hand, saying, "Sir, I pray deliver this little book to my dear brother Farrer, and tell him he shall find in it a picture of the many spiritual conflicts that have passed betwixt God and my soul before I would subject mine to the will of Jesus my Master, in whose service I have now found perfect freedom. Desire him to read it, and then, if he can think it may turn to the advantage of any dejected poor soul, let it be made public; if not, let him burn it, for I and it are less than the least of God's mercies." "Brother Farrer" did not burn it: it was too precious a legacy; and were there nothing else in it but his hymn of desire after God and his "Home," it would be truly "the precious life-blood of a master spirit, embalmed and treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life." The song has a quaintness, here and there, which scarcely suits the modern taste; there are little curious conceits and grotesque allusions, which to us do not appear as natural as they really were to the writer himself; but the exquisite fancy, the rich imagination, the pregnant thought, the spiritual music, and the intensely holy feeling which show themselves in "the Temple," all combine in his rhythmical prayer for the freedom of "Home," and invite us to chant:—
Come, Lord, my head doth burn, my heart is sick,
While Thou dost ever, ever stay;
Thy long deferrings wound me to the quick,
My spirit gaspeth night and day.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
Yet if Thou stayest still, why must I stay?
My God, what is this world to me?
This world of woe? Hence, all ye clouds, away,
Away, I must get up and see.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
What is this weary world, this meat and drink,
That chains us by the teeth so fast?
What is this woman-kind, which I can wink
Into a blackness and distaste?
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
With one small sigh Thou gavest me th' other day
I Wasted all the joys ahout me;
And scowling on them as they pined away,
Now come again, said I, and plant me.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
Nothing but drought and dearth, but bush and brake,
Which way soe'er I look, I see.
Some may dream merrily, and when they wake,
They dress themselves and come to Thee.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
We talk of harvests; there are no such things,
But when we leave our corn and hay;
There is no fruitful year, but that which brings
The last and loved, though dreadful day.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
Oh loose this frame, this knot of man untie,
That my free soul may use her wing,
Which now is pinion'd with mortality,
As an entangled, hampered thing.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
What have I left, that I should stay and groan?
The most of me to heaven is fled;
My thoughts and joys are all pack'd up and gone,
And for their old acquaintance plead.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
Come, dearest Lord, pass not this holy season,
My flesh and bones and joints do pray;
And even my veree, when by the rhyme and reason
The word is stay, says ever, come.
Oh show Thyself to me,
Or take me up to Thee!
Herbert's hymn found an echo from the parish of another country parson. John Mason may have heard the voice from Bemerton in his rectory at Water-Stratford. At all events he breathed the spirit of Herbert; his manner is somewhat akin, and his diction marks his brotherhood. Like his predecessor in quaint but hallowed song, the secret of Mason's sweetness and power in divine melody was found in his private devotion. Six times a day he went aside to wrestle with his Lord in prayer; and his character and life exemplified the saying, "When thouprayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." The reward came on Mason in his strength to labour, and his grace to sing; in the fruit of his happy toil among his parishioners, and in the joys which his songs of praise called up around him while he lived, and perpetuated in the heart of successive generations with whom, though dead, he yet sings. His voice is still in our ears in his "Song of Praise for the Hope of Glory:"—
I sojourn in a vale of tears,
Alas, how can I sing?
Mv harp doth on the willows hang,
Distuned in every string.
My music is a captive's chains,
Harsh sounds my ears do fill;
How shall I sing sweet Sion's song
On this side Sion's hill?
Yet lo! I hear a joyful sound,
Surely I quickly come;
Each word much sweetness doth distil,
Like a full honey-comb.
And dost Thou come, my dearest Lord?
And dost Thou surely come?
And dost Thou surely quickly come?
Methinks I am at home.
Come then, my dearest, dearest Lord,
My sweetest, surest Friend;
Come, for I loathe these Kedar tents,
The fiery chariots send.
What have I here? my thoughts and joys
Are all pack'd up and gone;
My eager soul would follow them
To Thine eternal throne.
What have I in this barren land?
My Jesus is not here;
Mine eyes will ne'er be blest, until
My Jesus doth appear.
My Jesus is gone up to heaven
To get a place for me;
For 'tis His will that where He is,
There should His servants be.
Canaan I view from Pisgah's top,
Of Canaan's grapes I taste;
My Lord, who sends unto me here,
Will send for me at last.
I have a God that changeth not,
Why should I be perplext?
My God, that owns me in this world,
Will own me in the next.
Go fearless, then, my soul, with God
Into another room;
Thou, who hast walked with Him here,
Go see thy God at home.
View death with a believing eye,
It hath an angel's face;
And this kind angel will prefer
Thee to an angel's place.
The grave is but a fining pot
Unto believing eyes,
For there the flesh shall lose its dross,
And like the sun shall rise.
The world, which I have known too well,
Hath mocked me with its lies; How gladly could I leave behind
Its vexing vanities!
My dearest friends they dwell above,
There will I go to see;
And all my friends in Christ below
Will soon come after me.
Fear not the trump's earth-rending sound,
Dread not the day of doom, For He that is to be thy judge,
Thy Saviour is become.
Blest be my God that gives me light,
Who in the dark did grope;
Blest be my God, the God of love,
Who causeth me to hope.
Here's the Word's signet, comfort's staff,
And here is grace's chain;
By these Thy pledges, Lord, I know
My hopes are not in vain.
There are some modern songs of glory which are in sweet harmony with Herbert's music about "Home," and with the echoes of that music from the soul of the saintly 'Mason. There are "Parish Musings," which, as the musing hymnist modestly says, claim no merit but this, "that they are practical, not theoretical; not the cold musings of the head of one at ease, but the warm gushings of the heart of one toiling himself, and striving to lead others amid the dust and conflict of the journey of life." Ears that are finely tuned may, even in the passing bell, hear the Master's voice, "Arise, let us go hence;" but the voice, though solemn, is happy, for it calls us towards "Home:"—
Deep tolls the muffled bell
With its voice of woe;
Bidding solemn, sad farewell
To all things below;
Home, home!
Come home!
Thus it seems to say—
Where rest
Awaits the blest,
In eternal day!
Sweet sounds the Sabbath bell,
Summoning to prayer,
Bidding cheerful, glad farewell
To all worldly care;
Oh! enter in,
And from sin,
Thus it seems to say—
Here rest,
Where the blest
Come to kneel and pray!
Lord! so true to Thee alone,
Tune this discordant soul,
That with the same soft Sabbath tone
Whenever it may toll;
That sweet bell
Of joy may tell,
And ever seem to say—'
Home, home!
Come home!
Come to Christ away!
Do we cry, in childlike longing, "When, Lord?" and "How long?" the same sweet psalmist gives the answer, "Soon and for ever!" "Go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Mr. Monsell brings a holy song out^of "a dying Christian's last words," thus:—
"Soon and for ever,'*
Such promise our trust,
Tho' ashes to ashes,
And dust unto dust:
"Soon and for ever"
Our union shall be
Made perfect, our glorious
Redeemer, in Thee;
"When the sins and the sorrows
Of time shall be o'er,
Its pangs and its partings
Remembered no more;
Where life cannot fail,
And where death cannot sever,
Christians with Christ shall be
"Soon and for ever."
"Soon and for ever,"
The breaking of day
Shall drive all the night-clouds
Of sorrow away:
"Soon and for ever,"
We'll see as we're seen,
And learn the deep meaning
Of things that have been;
When fightings without us,
And fears from within,
Shall weary no more
In the warfare with sin;
Where fears, and where tears,
And where death shall be never;
Christians with Christ shall be
"Soon and for ever."
"Soon and for ever,"
The work shall be done;
The warfare accomplished,
The victory won:
"Soon and for ever,"
The soldier lay down
His sword for a harp,
And his cross for a crown.
Then droop not in sorrow,
Despond not in fear;
A glorious to-morrow
Is brightening and near;
When (blessed reward
Of each faithful endeavour)
Christians with Christ shall he
"Soon and for ever."
Mr. Monsell is always sweet and pleasant, though his music has mostly a plaintive tone, even when he sings of heaven. To some spirits this tone is always welcome; to others the future is full of bright, cheerful, and exultant songs. In dispensing "psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs," the inspiring Spirit deals with us according to our faith.
"I remember," said an old man,.the other day, his face brightening with the recollections which he was calling up —"I remember, some years ago, a minister coming into our neighbourhood to preach. He was a good man, and a good preacher; but I can mind his singing much better than his sermons.. He used to preach not far from where I lived; and when I saw the people flocking to the chapel, I used to go to hear the famous singer. Ah, he was a singer! And I believe one great secret of his music was, that his heart was in it. His voice was like an angel's, as they say, though I never heard an angel sing;. but I can scarcely think .that an angel, or any other singer, could beat that happy-looking preacher. He was a man with a long face, and a high, bald head. And his eyes used to sparkle as he sang, as if the hymns were coming up from his soul; and so they did. There was one hymn I always liked to hear him sing, he would sing it after the sermon; it was one of his•own composing,•and the tune was his, too. I learnt to sing it myself, and I taught my boy to sing it; and sometimes,, long after that singing preacher was gone to his own ' Jerusalem divine,' my boy and I, and three or four more,, used to get together of an evening, and sing it in full harmony. Oh, it was so rich; and it seemed to lift one towards heaven while we sang. This was the hymn:" —
Jerusalem divine,
When shall I call thee mine?
And to thy holy hill attain,
Where weary pilgrims rest,
And in thy gloriee blest*
With God Messiah,ever reign,?.
The saints and angels join
In fellowship divine,
And rapture swells the solemn lay:
While all with one accord
Adore their glorious Lord,
And shout His praise in endless day.
May I but find the grace
To fill an humble place
In that inheritance above;
My tuneful voice I'll raise
In songs of loudest praise,
To spread Thy fame, Redeeming Love!
Reign, true Messiah, reign!
Thy kingdom shall remain
When stars and sun no more shall shine,
Mysterious Deity,
Who ne'er began to be,
To sound Thy 'endless praise be mine!
The musical preacher and hynmist left happy impressions upon very many souls, besides the old man who recorded his music. The preacher was Benjamin Rhodes, the son of a schoolmaster at Hexborough, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. He was born in the year 1743, and had the advantage of a pious training by godly parents. Before he was eleven years of age, .his fatht r took him to hear Mr. Whitefield.; he was melted into tears, and received religious impressions which, though dimmed occasionally during his youthful course, finally led him to Christian decision and eminent devotedness to Christ. When about nineteen, his religious enjoyments were great. "In this happy season," he tells us, "my joy frequently prevented my sleep, while my soul was taken up with Him who is altogether lovely; and in ecstasies of joy, in the stillness of the night, I often sang my great Deliverer's praise." Thus his native musical powers, and his talent as a hymnist, were hallowed by religious delight. In the year 1766, he was employed by Mr. Wesley as an itinerant preacher, and was faithful and happy in that calling for about half a century. His end answered to the simplicity of his character and the integrity of his life; it was peace. He is now honoured as the author of that one hymn, the latter part of which the old man used to sing with such pleasure. Mr. Rhodes was not a rival of Charles Wesley,
but his " Jerusalem divine " may be a companion hymn for Wesley's songs of glory, the songs which, probably, come nearest to the apostolic standard of Christian hope. One of them melted the judge and the entire court in Exeter Castle, about twelve or thirteen years ago. A good young woman had been set upon by a villain, on her way from the Sunday school, and was left for dead by the roadside. On being discovered, she was restored to consciousness so far as to identify the perpetrator of the crime; and then she died, singing one of Charles Wesley's triumphant anthems of hope:—
How happy every child of grace,
Who knows his sins forgiven!
This earth, he cries, is not my place,
I seek my place in heaven;
A country far from mortal sight ;—
Yet, oh! by faith I see
The land of rest, the saints' delight,
The heaven prepared for me.
A stranger in the world below,
I calmly sojourn here;
Nor can its happiness or woe
Provoke my hope or fear:
Its evils in a moment end,
Its joys as soon are past;
But, oh! the bliss to which I tend
Eternally shall last.
To that Jerusalem above
With singing I repair;
While in the flesh my hope and love,
My heart and soul are there;
There my exalted Saviour stands,
My merciful High Priest,
And still extends His wounded hands
To take me to His breast.
What is there here to court my stay,
Or hold me back from home,
While angels beckon me away,
And Jesus bids me come?
Shall I regret my parted friends
Still in the vale confined?
Kay, but whene'er my soul ascends,
They will not stay behind.
The race we all are running now;
And if I first attain,
They too their willing head shall bow,
They too the prize shall gain.
Now on the brink of death we stand;
And if I pass before,
They all shall soon escape to land,
And hail me on the shore.
Then let me suddenly remove,
That hidden life to share;
I shall not lose my friends above,
But more enjoy them there.
There we in Jesu's praise shall join,
His boundless love proclaim,
And solemnize in songs divine
The marriage of the Lamb.
Oh, what a blessed hope is ours!
While here on earth we stay,
We more than taste the heavenly powers,
And antedate that day:
We feel the resurrection near,
Our life in Christ conceal'd,
And with His glorious presence here
Our earthen vessels fill'd.
Oh, would He more of heaven bestow,
And let the vessel break.
And let our ransom'd spirits go
To grasp the God we seek:
In rapt'rous awe on Him to gaze
Who bought the sight for me;
And shout, and wonder at His grace,
Through all eternity!
The counsel for the prosecution at the murderer's trial, in his appeal to the jury, described the death-scene, and rehearsed the hymn, a part of which the dying girl sang on her upward flight. The judge, the jury, all but the prisoner, wept. Who could help it? To hear, in that solemn court, the youthful martyr's song of glory! and such a song! Many hearts there on that day were ready to repeat the last song of the young murdered Christian :—
Oh, would He more of heaven bestow,
And let the vessel break,
And let our ransom'd spirits go
To grasp the God we seek!
THE END.
INDEX TO THE HYMNS.
PAGH
A Sure stronghold our God is He Luther 11
All praise to Thee, my God, this night.... Ken 53
A hymn of glory let us sing Bede 79
Away with our sorrow and fear C. Wesley 155
Almighty Father! the rolling year is full
of Thee Thompson 178
All thanks be to God 0. Wesley 215
All praise to the Lord C. Wesley 234
Awake, my soul, and with the sun Ken 244
Among those points of neighbourhood .... Wither 283
Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide .. Eenry F. Lyte .. 295
Before Thy heavenly "Word revealed .... Mrs. Julius Collins 18
Bright the visionjthat delighted Mant 31
Babe, the gift of God's sweet mercy Ephrem Syrus.... 59
By cool Siloam's shady rill Heber 62
Before the need-fare Bede 78
Before Jehovah's awful throne Watts 158
Blest day of God, most calm, most bright.. Mason 204
Blest day by God in mercy given Mant 208
Brightly shines the morning star Translation by Mant 243
Brother, thou art gone before us Milman 325
Blessing, honour, thanks and praise C. Wesley 328
Behold the glories of the Lamb Watts 352
Cheist, Thou the champion of that war-
worn host Lowenstern 11
Christ, my God, I come to praise Thee .... Gregory of Nazianzen 51
Christ, our day, our brightest light St. Augustine's time 54
2 A
PAGE
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire Gregory I. 71
Can I my fate no more withstand Queen Maria of Hungary 104
Come, then, Thou great Deliverer, come .. C. Wesley 151
Come let us join our friends above C. Wesley 155,331
Come ye that love the Lord Wattt 157
Come, oh come ! in pious lays Wither 172
Come, Thou all victorious Lord C. Wesley 214
Come, Divine Immanuel, come C. Wesley 218
Come, 0 Thou traveller unknown C. Wesley 222
Come, Thou fount of every blessing Robinson '. 225
Come, let us anew our journey pursue .... C. Wesley 262
Come, let us join our cheerful songs Watts 270
Come, all ye chosen saints of God Joseph Hart 308
Come, ye sinners poor and wretched Joseph Hart 313
Come, immortal King of Glory T. Olivers 341
Come, Lord, my head doth burn, my heart
is sick Herbert 355
Christ, whose glory fills the sky C. Wesley 266
Deak is the hallowed morn to me Allan Cunningham 209
Dark and dim the daylight rose Monsell 317
Down from the willow bough Caroline Bowles .. 320
Deep tolls the muffled bell Monsell 359
Fkom our midnight sleep uprising Early Christian .. 32
Fix, oh fix each crimson wound St. Bernard 90
Fear not, oh little flock, the foe Altenburg 103
Father of mercies, in Thy Word.... v Anne Steele 182
Far from these narrow scenes of night.... Anne Steele 351
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild C. Wesley 68
God save our gracious Queen Dr. John Bull.... 113
Glory, and honour, and praise Theodulf of Orleans 117
Great God, here at ease Madame Guion.... 123
God is a name my soul adores Watts 165
God of my days, God of my nights Susanna Harrison 269
God of my life, to Thee C. Wesley 287
Give glory to Jesus our Head C. Wesley 327
Heke from afar the finished height C. Wesley 46
Hear us now, 0 King eternal Gregory of Nazianzcn 49
PAGB
Holy art Thou, holy.... From the Saxon in the "Codex Exoniensis" 75
Hence in Thy truth Thy Church delights.. Mant 83
High the angel choirs are raising Thomas a Kempis 98
Holy Spirit, come, we pray King Robert of France 101
Has David Christ to come foreshow'd .... Samuel Wesley, Jun. 133
Hail to the Lord's Anointed James Montgomery 138
He dies, the Friend of sinners dies Watts 158
How happy is the pilgrim's lot John Wesley .... 160
High in the heavens, eternal G•od Watts 165
How shall the young secure their hearts .. Watts 193
Hail, thou bright and sacred morn Mrs..Lyte 196
Hearken to the solemn voice 0. Wesley ...,,.. 260
How sweet and awful is the place Watts 270
Hence, ye profane, far off remove C. Wesley 275
Happy soul, thy days are ended C. Wesley 326
How vain are all things here below Watts 353
How happy every child of grace C. Wesley 363
I Love (and have some cause to love) the
earth Quarles 84
I, whom of late Wither 128
If thy verse do bravely tower Wither 129
Inspirer of the ancient seers • C. Wesley.• 186
In age and feebleness extreme C. Wesley 224
I hear the tempest's awful sound Newton. 236
If Paul in Caesar's court must stand Newton 239
I thank my Lord for kindly rest Serridge 249
Interval of grateful shade Doddridge 264
Is it not strange, the darkest hour KeUe 307
In evil long I took delight Newton.. 314
In the midst of life we are in death Notker 322
In the midst of life, behold Luther 323
I sojourn in a vale of tears - Mason 357
Just as I am, without one plea Charlotte Elliott.. 39
Jesus, my Lord, in Thy dear name unite .. Anne Steele 42
Jesus, the only thought of Thee St. Bernard 86
Jesus, my Redeemer, lives
Louisa, Henrietta, Electress of Srandenburgh.. 105
Jesus, lover of my soul C. Wesley 152
Jesus, cast a look on me Serridge 159
PAOK
Jesu! bless our slender boat Wordsworth 229
Jesus, by whose grace I live Toplady 246
Jesus, the all-restoring "Word C. Wesley 256
Join, all ye ransomed eons of grace C. Wesley 259
Jerusalem divine B. Rhodes 361
Jerusalem the golden Bernardo/Morlaix 95
Jerusalem, my happy home Francis Baker,... 118
Lord, Thou art God First Christians ., 16
Long-suffering Jesus, precious Jesus Early Christian .. 34
Lead, Holy One, lead Clement of Alexandria 47
Lamb of God, I look to Thee C. Wesley 69
Let me true communion know St. Bernard 93
Leave all to God Anthony Vlric, Duke of Brunswick 107
Lord, Thy best blessings shed Henry F. Lyte.... 115
Let earth and heaven agree C. Wesley 151
Lord, when my raptured thought surveys.. Anne Steele 174
Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace Bernard Barton .. 191
Listed into the cause of sin C. Wesley 220
Launch thy bark, mariner Caroline Bowles .. 230
Lord, whom winds and seas obey C. Wesley 234
Lord, in Thy name and in Thy fear Wither 278
Lord, on this day Thou didst bestow Wither 286
Lo, the day of wrath, the day Thomas of Celano 336
My fatherland alone to me remains Gregory of Nazianzen 50
Maker of all, the Lord Ambrose of Milan 54
My dearest Protector, see how they detain.. Madame Guion .. 125
My Shepherd will supply my need Watts 140
My Lord, my love was crucified Maton 206
My God, now I from sleep awake Ken 267
My spirit on Thy care Henry F. Lyte.... 295
My God and Father, while I stray Charlotte Elliott.. 302
Now it belongs not to my care Richard Baxter .. 299
O Kino of glory Bede 78
O Thou, the first, the greatest friend Burns 145
O Love Divine, how sweet thou art C. Wesley 154
Oh, what a gloomy, cheerless scene Monsell 168
Oh book! infinite sweetness! let my heart Herbert 192
Oh day most calm, most bright Herbert 200
PAOE
On this first day, when heaven and earth
From Latin hymn, by Mant 207
0 Thou who didst prepare G. Wesley 232
O Thou jealous God! come down C. Wesley 263
Our Jesus freely did appear Bemdye 285
O Lord, my best desire fulfil Cowper 300
Oh ! what a sad and doleful night Joseph Hart 311
Praised be Thy name for ever, 0 our King Synagogue Service 17
Praise to God, immortal praise Letitia Sarliauld.. 177
Precious Bible! what a treasure Newton 189
Peace ! doubting heart; my God's I am!.. C. Wesley 303
Rock of Ages, cleft for me Toplady 35
Redeemer, of the nations, come Ephrem St/rus.... 61
Raise the conquering martyr's song Eede 80
.Rejoice for a brother deceased G. Wesley 331
Sing unto the Lord! Ancient Israel.... 2
Sweet hymns I attune Synagogue Hymn of Glory 17
Sleep well, my dear; sleep safe and free.... Luther 63
Sweet baby, sleep ; what ails my dear? .... Wither 64
See how great a flame aspires C. Wesley 212
Since Thou hast added now, 0 God! Wither 252
Since they in singing take delight Wither 281
Sons of God by bless'd adoption Joseph Hart 325
Sing from the chamber to the grave It. 8. Hawker.... 334
Stand th' omnipotent decree! C. Wesley 340
Saviour, when in dust to Thee Robert Grant .... 319
Soon and for ever Monscll 300
The God of Abraham praise T. Olivers 24
The godly grief, the pleasing smart C. Wesley 34
Thou lovely Source of true delight Anne Steele 40
'Tis gone, that bright and orbed blaze.... i'eJfc 55
To Thee, O God, be praises Ephrem Synis.... 58
They say 'tis a sin to sorrow R. S. Hawker...., 59
'Twas silence in Thy temple, Lord Keble 72
This is joy, this is true pleasure .. ..Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia 110
The spacious firmament on high Addison 137
Thee, 0 Lord, the good, the just C. Wesley 142
The busy tribes of flesh and blood Watts 146
PAGE
The Lord is our refuge, the Lord is our guide Henry F. Lyle.... 147
The royal ensigns onward go Vcnantius Fortunatus 76
The great day of wrath is coining Early Judgment Hyinn 82
The world is old and sinful Bernard ofMorlaix 94
Thou art, 0 God, the life and light T. Moore 167
There is a book who runs may read Keble 171
The table of my heart prepare C. "Wesley 184
The Spirit breathes upon the word Cowper 187
Thousands, 0 Lord of Hosts, to-day Seller 199
Thou God of glorious majesty C. Wesley 217
Through Jesn's watchful care Bi•rridge 247
To Jesus, my dear Lord, I owe Serridge 251
Thou Shepherd of Israel and mine G. Wesley 276
Thou God of truth and love 'C. Wesley 277
To grace, 0 Lord, a marriage feast Wither 280
The voice that breathed o'er Eden Keble 288
There is a fountain fill'd with blood Cowper 316
Thou Judge of quick and dead C. Wesley 347
The chariot, the chariot! its wheels roll on
fire Milman 348
The bird let loose in Eastern skies T. Moore .. 349
This world is all a fleeting show T. Moore 350
Thou know'st in the spirit of prayer C. Wesley 550
There is a land of pure delight Watts 354
We sat down and wept by the waters Hyron 20
When Israel of the Lord beloved Walter Scott 23
We adore Thy pure image Early Christian .. 33
Why should our garments, made to hide .. Watts 66
When Jesus left His Father's throne James Montgomery '70
When my dying hour must be St. Bernard 90
When ransom'd Israel came Samuel Wesley, Sen. .134
What though the spicy breezes Ueber 198
Who are these that come from far C- Wesley 212
Where the remote Bermudas ride Andrew Marvel .. 228
Why those fears ? behold,'tis Jesus .. Kelly - 240
When through the torn sail Ueber 242
What secret hand at morning light Helper 253
We will not close our wakeful eyes C. Wesley 261
When I survey life's varied scene Anne Steele 301
Yet think not, 0 my soul, to keep Henry f. Lyte.... 291
GENERAL INDEX.
PA0H
Ancient Israel's hymn 2
Africa's first love, and songs 10
Anonymous hymns in the early church , 32
Augustine's recollections of early hymnology 60
Above the clouds, in the west of England 164
A noble and gifted widow 103
Addisou's thoughts about Psalm exiv.: his boyhood 135
Anne Steele's home in Hampshire 173
Albert the good: his last hymn 12
A happy pilgrim, hymning on his way 196
Allan Cunningham's songs and hymns 209
A poet's visit to Portland, and its results 213
Andrew Marvel: his character, satires, and hymns 227
A prodigal rescued in a storm 235
A Christian bishop on shipboard 241
Awful scene in a transport ship 240
Amusing story of a clerical hymnist 248
Antidote for daily dangers 252
An old Christian's account of his morning music.. 255
A calm and holy sunset to life 297
A great Puritan: his versatile powers .. 299
Apostolic style of singing under trial .. 303
Abney Park, Watts's last retreat 355
Assize Court in tears 364
Approach of the Bridegroom felt by the Church 335
Baxter and his psalm-singing flock at Kidderminster 8
Byron, Scott, and Olivers, a trio 20
Byron, at Falmouth, and the lesson he received 21
PAGE
Burgundy and its saintly hymnists 88
Bernard of Morlaix in Ms monastic home 93
Brunswick family and its hymnists 106
Brixham, an interesting scene in its parish 'church 113
Burns in his better time as a psalm-writer 144
Berridge's hymn on Psalm cxxxi. 2, spoiled 158
Broughton, and its pastor 176
Boat scene and bridal party at Hull in the olden time 227
Bishop Burnet's good advice to a graceless pastor 176
Barbauld, Anna Letitia: her character and pursuits 176
Beautiful and impressive passage in Wesley's experience 184
Bernard Barton : his character and poems 190
Bright and cheerful piety in a hymnist 247
Berridge's racy letters and essays 250
Beautiful finish to a suffering life 271
Baxter, and his complex times •. 297
Bunhill Fields, and a funeral oration in 1768 324
Bemerton, and Herbert's rich bequest 355
Benjamin Rhodes, preacher and hymnist 362
Christianity cheerful in its nature I 3
Cornish psalmody and religious life 9
Cobdeu's last hours 12
Collins, Mrs. Julius: her translations 18
Clement of Alexandria, and Wesley 46
Challenge for a new style of hymn 352'
Cornish mother's lament 59
Chanting hymns of praise on a hill-side 172
Cowper and Newton, unlike and yet one 187
Charles Wesley's eye for beauties by the way 211
C-iarles Lamb's warning to Bernard Barton 190
Cornwall: one of its pits as seen by a Romish tourist 215
Cornish rhyme in honour of Charles Wesley 215
Christian genius in its last moments on earth 224
Caroline Bowles as Mrs. Southey at Keswick 230
Circumstances in their influence on a poet 245
Call from a waggish-looking parson, and its results 248
Chain of conversions 266
Classic divinity of England: its centre the Bible 180
Contentment in marriage 280
Clouds upon the mercy-seat 290
Cromwell and Richard Baxter face to face 298
PAfiB
Cowper's sufferings and songs 300
Christian tenderness learnt on Calvary 319
Carnbrae, and its surrounding scenery 330
Cornish death-song 334
Christian sympathy with the beauties and harmonies of nature 170
Devonian soenes,.poetie pilgrims 133
Danvers, Jane: her love for Herbert 202
Doddridge in tears, yet happy 263
Dreams suggestive of hymns 338
Dean Milman, family, and' course 348
Disappointment of Watts, and its happy issue 353
Egypt, her scenes and songsters 44
Evening songs, their succession in the Church 50
Elizabeth Singer's response to her poetic suitor 353
England's second birth-time 82
England's renovation in the seventeenth century 83
Easter reflections and feelings 307
Eirst Latin missionaries to England 74
F. B; P. in the Tower, and his long hymn 118
Foolish Dick, the happy pilgrim 161
Fragments of time well filled 266
Funeral hymns excelling in grandeur and power 329
Frequent prayer the secret of Mason's sweetness and grace.... 357
Germans, and their love of psalmody 10
Gregory of Nazianzen: scenes of his life and times 48
George Wither's portrait 65
Gregory the Great: his character and works 73
Germ of the " Dies Ira;" 82
Gustavus Adolphus: his character and victories 102
Guion, Madame: her conversion, trials, songs, and death 121
Grave-side anthems 322
Htmnic style of early language 1
Hymns in their influence on the spiritual life of the Church .. 2
Hymns favourites with children 4
HaEelujah victories 7
Hugh Capet of France, and his son Robert '100
PAOB
Hymn-menders instructed and reproved 150
Hymn-books for all classes 150
Holy Scripture in its'influence on great writers 183
Herbert: his person, short and full career 192
Henchman's plaintive record of Herbert's life 192
Heber: his last charge 198
Heaven in a little chamber of sickness 200
Hymn-composing in the saddle: its dangers and fruits 211
Hymnists gathering songs from the deep , 231
Hebrew talk about the secrets of truth 274
Hymns for everybody, by George Wither 278
House-warming in old times 283
Hart the hymnist: his experience and ministry 309
Henry H. Milman in his decline 325
Heaven'seen from the sick chamber 351
"Home," a summons from the muffled bell 359
Itinerant life, and its adventures 338
Irish hymn-menders 153
"In the midst of life we are in death" 323
Jambs Montuoiteby on the childhood of Jesus 70
John Bull the author of the National Anthem 113
John Wesley as a hymnist 159
Jewish consolation on a sick-bed 274
Joseph Hart's funeral 324
Ken: his trials and character 51
Keble, in harmony with the music of former ages 55
Kingly students and hymn-writers 100
Keble's beautiful interweaving of nature and grace 170
Kennicott's thirty years' labour on his Hebrew Bible : his gifted
"help-meet," and how she helped him ,... 181
Kelly and Lord Plunket, old school-fellow 241
Ken's recollections of Winchester 244
King Arthur's castle in North Cornwall 257
Lasting influence of hymns learnt in childhood 4
Lullabies, and their authors 63
Lichfield, private chat and public services 71
Lichfield, and its Cathedral Close '.. 136
PAGR
Louisa Henrietta of Brandenburgh, and her hushing song' .... 105
Lady Aletta, St. Bernard's mother 89
Land's End: its grandeurs 217
Leighton's time for deepest thought 257
Loneliness on New Year's Eve 262
Lady Huntingdon and Dr. Doddridge 263
Lyte, Henry F.: his birthplace and beautiful career 293
Lyte: his preaching and hymns 113
Laymen's hallowed geniufi 318
Last words suggestive to consecrated genius 328
Last Sunday of a parson 203
Last words of a departing Christian 360
Last moments of a murdered Sunday-school teacher 363
Melancholy Christians 3
Mesopotamia: its psalmists and psalmody 57
Monkish monarchs and martial rulers 102
Maria of Hungary, and her hymn in bereavement 103
Marriages oi princes by lot 108
Meditation about departed worthies 136
Montgomery's fine version of Psalm Ixxii 138
Mysteries in the history of old books 141
Moore's Irish Melodies, and his Wiltshire cottage 167
Monsell, and his "Parish Musings" 169
Milton and John Bunyan, their obligation to the Bible 183
Mason's character, by Richard Baxter 203
Mason and Herbert alike in piety and genius 206
Maut, as a translator of Latin hymns 207
Mant, ignorant of those about whom he lectured 208
Morning hymn in Mant's school days 243
Methodist clergyman of early times 249
Missionary sorrows in the Island of Zante 261
Methodist preacher and Polish Jew in happy companionship .. 273
Medical skill in Baxter's times 298
Mystery and joy of the cross 306
Monsell, and his sanctified muse 318
Monica and St. Ambrose 61
National character swayed by popular songs 6
National anthems and their power 7
Nature and grace in harmony 168
PAGE
Newton's illustration of variety in Christian character and
calling 188
Newton's eventful life 231
Night scenes in the Ionian Sea 261
Northampton, monthly devotion in its old meeting-house 264
Nuptial joys interwoven with praise and prayer 288
Notker, and his immortal hymn 323
Old age melted and hallowed by renewal of early impressions 5
Our English Bible, and what is in it 181
"Old Everton" on a " Christian wedding" 285
Olivers the hymnist and companion of Wesley 345
Old hymnists out of taste 352
Old man's story about a tuneful preacher 361
Pastoral recollections of first hymn lessons 5
Primitive Christian psalmody in relation to that of the Syna-
gogue 16
Poetic gifts hallowed for the good of the Church 19
Pomeroy, Dr.: his interesting story about Armenian psalmody 35
Palm-Sunday at Mentz in the time of Louis Debonnaire 116
Psalm from a prison window 116
Patmos, and its songs 117
Psalms "done into metre" 132
Prolific hymnists and fast poets 140
Peace and joy in affliction. 197
Piety associated with some false notions 204
Portland, and its people 213
Praise as the first act in the morning 254
Poverty, piety, and genius in a girl 269
Praise for the fountain opened, from a sufferer 315
Parish musings on Good Friday 316
Piety and taste in Cornwall 329
"Quebn of Hearts : " her parentage, life, character^ and hymn 108
Robert Hall, an incident in his history 31
Robinson of Cambridge: an adventure in a stage coach 225
Robert Hall's opinion of Robinson 226
Romantic adventures of a hymnist 235
"Rock of Ages :" its birthplace 246
Romantic scene in pilgrim life 258
"Rise and progress of Religion in the Soul" 266
Requiem by the bed-side of a departing saint 327
Redruth Churchyard, and its burial hymns 330
Remarkable traveller in 1753 338
Song of a persecuted girl in Cornwall 10
St. Paul's view of spiritual song 14
Synagogue hymns 17
Scott, Walter: his faithfulness to Byron 22
Scotch mothers, and the happy fruit of their psalmody 120
Saxon slaves in the Roman market 74
St. George and the Dragon 75
Saxon hymnology 75
St. Bernard's birthplace, parentage, character, and happy death 88
Sea Captain's death song 152
Scene from the top of an old tower 164
Songs above the storm 165
Songs from old Ireland 168
Scotland the birthplace of genius 178
Shaftesbury's " Characteristics: " their mischievous influence.. 189
Spmpathy of the soul with the outer world 195
Stories of other days, by an old Cornishman 219
Sabbath peace on the waters 233
Secret of happy and useful preaching 247
Suffering mingled with songs in the night 267
Solomon's Song: its claims and design 272
Sweets extracted from birthdays 287
Songs of suffering women 301
Susanna Wesley's last charge 327
Southampton psalmody in early times 352
Scene in Exeter Castle during the Assizes 363
Song of a murdered young Christian 364
Toplady and Olivers as controversialists and hymnists 27
"Ter Sanctu.1," "Gloria in excehis," and the " Te Deum" 30
Toplady's parish: his life and character 36
"Theodosia : " her .•thoughts and hymns 43
Theodulph of Orleans 117
Tiverton Grammar School and its old .master 133
"The spirit of the Psalms," by H. F. Lyte 146
PAGE
Thomas a Kempis: his cloister life, his " Imitation of Christ,"
and his hymns 97
Thompson's character: his grand closing hymn 178
Talk in a sea-side cottage 197
Tintagel ruins by the sea 258
Tinkling employment for a merry old man 284
Tales in verse 291
The decrees, and where to find them: a queer story 295
The young miner singing his own requiem 333
Triumphant song with the last breath 333
Thomas of Celano's judgment hymn 336
Thomas Moore's better moments and upward looks 349
"Veni Creator Spiritus:" its author 73
Venantius Fortunatus: his character and friends 76
Venerable Bede at Wearmouth: his last hours, etc 77
Winchester School 62
Watts and Wesley: their comparative merits in children's hymns 67
Wither, George : his sympathy with prisoners 127
Wesley, Samuel, sen.: his version of psalms 134
Wesley, Charles, as a psalmist 141
Wesley's dictionary and the preface to his hymn-book 148
Wesley as a hymn-mender 156
Women's voices in songs of creation 173
Walton's beautiful sketch of Herbert's conjugal life 202
"Wrestling Jacob," by C. Wesley, remarkably illustrated 222
Wordsworth at Heidelberg and on the Neckar 229
William of Wykeham and his school.. 243
Watch-night services among old Methodists 259
Wilson and his "Noctes Ambrosiante" 291
Women at the cross 319
Walter Scott's last breathings 336
Watts's first essay at hymn writing 353
Women devoted to song 38
Youthful suffering hushed by Bernard's hymn 95
Yearning for future repose 349
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