Illustrated history of hymns and their authors

Front matter

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Preface

IX

Near by his side sits one who has helped many a hesitating sinner into the kingdom, by teaching him to say,

" Just as I am, without one plea, But that thy blood was shed for irie."

Farther along is one whose lips were wont to say, and whose pen has taught the world to sing: —

" How sweet the name of Jesus sounds."

The early forests of America gave birth to one whose Indian face will be seen among the group. One who was

"Awaked by Sinai's awful sound," and then told the story in a hymn that God's children have ever since loved to repeat, as expressive of their own experience.

" India's coral strand" has darkened the face of another,

who has united with the blood bought throng in saying,

" Thou,, my soul forget no more The friend who all thy sorrows bore."

Passing thus along in alphabetical order, we meet the revered countenance of the " Father of Modern Hymnology," and gazing upon his pleasant features, we wonder why the object of his affection should have marred the serenity of that face, by saying, that while she loved the "jewel, she did not admire the casket." Certainly those who love to linger on Calvary's mount, will ever cherish the name of him, who in our devotions enables us to exclaim: —

"Alas! and did my Saviour bleed?

And did my Sovereign die?"

and then to add : —

11 When T survey the wondrous cross, On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride."

Near to Watts will be seen the cheerful face of one

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Preface.

who ranks with him in hymnic honor, one to whom the world is indebted for —

Let me to thy bosom fly."

Next to Charles Wesley comes the beaming countenance of his brother, John, whose voice is still echoing in his hymn to perishing sinners: —

" Ho ! every one that thirsts, draw nigh."

While passing thus around the circle, the reader will not fail to pause long enough to gaze upon the youthful face of Henry Kirk White, who rode "once upon the raging seas" of doubt and fear, and then when "safely moored " sang so sweetly of his rescue in

" The Star— the Star of Bethlehem."

The reader will no doubt be gratified to find Lady Huntingdon among the group; one who has gained a world-wide reputation by her gifts and graces, and as the author of that heart searching hymn that propounds the solemn question : —

"When thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come To take thy ransomed people home, Shall I among them stand? "

The interest that clusters around the romantic history of Madame Guyon will invite attention to her countenance, so meek and mild, and awaken desires to become better acquainted with her hymns, that still form a part of the songs of the sanctuary.

It will be needless to accompany the reader any further in words of introduction to such hymn-writers as the noble hearted Zinzendorf, the saintly Baxter, the eccentric Berridge and the heroic Luther, with many others whose portraits beautify our gallery; as they are "old enough to speak for themselves."

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Preface,

XI

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In the preparation of this work, we have been aided, in the synopsis and in other particulars, by our friend, Mr. Francis Jennings, who may be fitly denominated, a walking encyclopedia of hymnology. He is a native of British soil, around which cluster the most interesting associations of hymn history. Having devoted half a century in treasuring up dates and facts, it is no wonder, that, while his locks are becoming silvered with the frosts of many winters, his life-long zeal in this department remains unabated.

We have also received favors, which we would gratefully acknowledge, from Rev. F. M. Bird, Rev. Dr. E. F. Hatfield, Rev. H. Sheeleigh, David Creamer, Esq., and Mr. Philip Cressman.

To Mr. Asa Hull, author of "The Golden Sheaf," and other choice music books, we are also indebted for services rendered in harmonizing some of the music contained in this volume.

Of English publications on hymnology, that we have found serviceable, we may mention the following " Singers and Songs of the Church," by Josiah Miller, M. A. ; "Hymn-writers and their Hymns," by Rev. S. W. Christophers; "The Methodist Hymn Book and its Associations," by G. J. Stevenson ; " Historical Notes to the Lyra German ica," by Theodore Kubler. Of American issues: "Historical Sketches of Hymns," by Joseph Belcher, D. D. ; "Evenings with the Sacred Poets," by Frederick Saunders; and " Trophies of Song," by Rev. W. F. Crafts.

We have been highly favored in opportunities for gathering material for a book of this kind, as we have been brought into contact with so many pastors and others, who have furnished facts and incidents, fresh from their observation and experiences. During the past fifteen years, in the delivery of courses of Illustrated Sermons,

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C and in other evangelistic labors, it has been our privilege to preach in over six hundred churches, in nineteen states of the Union, among twelve different denominations, and in the German as well as the English language.

"With the abundance of matter on hand, for which we eannot find room in the present volume, we have arranged, Providence permitting, to go on immediately in the preparation of a second work to embrace mainly historical sketches of the hymns and hymn-writers of the present century, as well as the origin, singing, and authors of children's hymns and Sunday school songs. It will be of the same size, and illustrated with as many portraits and other engravings, as this book. Many of the portraits are already engraved, while others are in course of preparation.

As there are constantly new facts and incidents transpiring, connected with the singing of hymns, we have occasionally introduced floral letters, and in other ways have arranged our material in order to have all articles end with the bottom of the page, so that other pages can easily be inserted in other editions of this work. We shall be very grateful to any of our readers, if they can furnish us with any additional material for this book, or with any incidents or facts suited to our second volume. Communications to be sent to 1859 N. 12th Street Philadelphia Pa.

E. M. L.

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( the steel engravings are indicated by an asterisk. * )

Portrait of Thomas Ken. * frontispiece.

Author of " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. " Portrait of Henry Alford 35

Author of " Come, ye thankful people, come. " Portrait of Richard Baxter.* 43

Author of" Lord, it belongs not to my care."

Baxter before Jeffries 49

Portrait of John Bsrridge 59

Author of " happy saints who dwell in light." Portrait of Horatius Bonar....! 67

Author of " I heard the voice of Jesus say." Potrait of Phcebe H. Brown 75

Author of " I love to steal a while away." Portrait of Phoebe Cart.* ... 85

Author of " One sweetly solemn thought." Portrait of William Cowper 93

Author of " There is a fountain filled with blood. "

The Olney Cottage Prayer Meeting 103

cowper and his hares 117

Doddridge's Mother Teaching him from Dutch Tiles 129

Portrait of Phil'p Doddridge.* 133

Author of " Grace 'tis a charming: sound. "

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Engravings.

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Portrait of Timothy Dwight* 151

Author of "I love thy kingdom, Lord." Portrait of Charlotte Elliott 157

Author of " Just as I am, without one plea. " Portrait of John Fawcett, 167

Author of " Blest be the tie that binds." Portrait of Paul Gerhardt 173

Author of " Commit thou all thy griefs. " Portrait of Madame Guyon 185

Author of " I would love thee, God and Father. " Portrait of Henry Harbauqh 191

Author of " Jesus, I live to thee. " Portrait of Reginald Hebep* 203

Author of "From Greenland's icy mountains."

View of Greenland's Icy Mountains 209

Portrait of Rowland Hill 213

Author of" Cast thy burden on the Lord."

Rowland Hill's Surrey Chapkl 217

Portrait of Lady Huntingdon * 221

Author of " When thou, my righteous Judge, shalt come."

Huss Singing in the Flames of Martyrdom 231

Portrait of Adoniram Judson* 235

Author of " Our Father God, who art in heaven. " Portrait of John Keble 241

Author of " Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear. " , Portrait of Thomas Ken 245

Author of " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow." Church along side of and the tomb in which Ken was buried 249 Portrait of Martin Luther* 263

Author of "All praise to thee, eternal Lord. "

Luther Singing in the Streets 267

The Castle of Coburg 271

Portrait of Samuel Medley 281

Author of " Awake my soul in joyful lays. " Portrait of James Montgomery* 291

Author of " where shall rest be found." Montgomery's Residence* 295

Engravings.

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Portrait of John Nbwton 307

Author of " How sweet the name of Jesus sounds."

Monica watchino Augustine's departure 314

Portrait of Samson Occom 324

Author of" Awaked by Sinai's awful sound." Portrait of KrisIina Pal 331

Author of " thou my soul forget no more." Portrait of Robert RoBiNSon 345

Author of "Come, thou Fount of every blessing." Portrait of John Ryland 351

Author of" Lord, I would delight in Thee." Portrait of HaNS Sachs 355

Author of " Why vail thy self in gloo n, my heart? "

Residence of Anne Steel 360

Portrait of Samuel Stennett 367

Author of " On Jordan's stormy banks I stand." Portrait of Augustus Toplady 381

Author of " Rock of ages ! cleft for me."

Abney house where Watts lived and died 388

Portrait of Isaac Watts* 401

Author of " Alas ! and did my Saviour bleed."

Monument to Watts 405

A scene in an Illustrated Sermon 427

Portrait of Charles Wesley* 435

Author of" Jesus, lover of my soul."

Singingon A, Sinking Vessel 443

"The Sea" 450

A young Man sung to Christ 457

Portrait of John Wesley* 479

Author of " How happy is the pilgrim's lot. " Portrait of Henhy Kirk White 487

Author of " When marshaled on the nightly plain."

The Cloudy Pillar Leading the Hosts of Israel 490

Portrait of Nicholas Zinzendorf 499

Author of "Jesus, thy blood and righteousness." Church Singing in Olden Times 509 w

Addison And his hymns ' 25

"Sing and pray, eternity dawns" 28

Sarah F. Adams, and "Nearer, my God, to thee" 29

A blind girl's application of "Nearer, my God, to thee" 30

Draw me Saviour nearer 32

Alford and his hymns 34

King Alfred and his hymns 40

Baxter and his hymns 42

Baxter's hymns illustrated before an Indian Massacre 52

Beddome, author of " Did Christ o 'er sinners weep " 54

Bernard's hymn 700 years old 56

Berridge and his hymns , 58

Bonar and his hymns 66

Bonar's hymn, "As meant forme" 71

" " " I was a wandering sheep " 72

" " Sung to a weary teacher 73

Origin of " I love to steal awhile away" 74

Phoebe H. Brown and her hymns 77

A little girl stealing away to Jesus 81

A captive girl recovered by a hymn 82

Phoebe Cary, author of "One sweetly solemn thought" 84

Gamblers reclaimed by Miss Cary's hymn 86

Cennick, author of "Jesus my all to heaven is gone" 90

"Now will I tell to sinners round" 91

Cowper and his hymns 92 c w