4 While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

first, for it has had great Its author was an English

This hymn properly stands power over the minds of men. clergyman, the Rev. Augustus Montague Toplady, born in 1740. He was a man of feeble body but of intense feelings, and earnestly opposed the Methodist movement in the Church of England (see under No. 3). The hymn was first printed at the end of an article in the number for March, 1776, of the Gospel Magazine, of which Toplady was editor. He died in 1778.

[NOTES.-Verse 1, line 1. reads (in the ages." Cleft Verse 1, line 2. Verse 1, line 3.

Verse 4, line 2.

Rock of Ages. Isaiah xxvi, 4, margin) "Jehovah is the rock of for me. See Psalm 1xxviii, 15. See Exodus xxxiii, 22.

See St. John's Gospel xix, 34. Toplady wrote it, "When my eyestrings break in death." It was altered in 1815 by Dr. Cotterill, the editor of a hymn-book.]

2 Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ. Gal. vi, 14.

WHEN I 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.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.

3 See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down :
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so Divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

A great literary critic (Matthew Arnold) thought this the finest hymn in the English language. It was written by Dr. Isaac Watts, a prominent Independent clergyman of England; born 1674, died 1748. Dr. Watts set himself to improve the character of the hymns used in dissenting churches. In 1707-09 he published a book containing 365 of his hymns, of which this is one; and in 1719 another volume of free versions or "Imitations" of the Psalms. They became very popular, and for a long time no other hymns than those of Dr. Watts were sung in a great many churches in England and this country. He is often called "the Father of English Hymnody."

This hymn is founded on the text in Galatians referred to in its title. The thought in both hymn and text is that "worldliness dies in my heart when I look on the world's Maker dead for me on the cross."

There were five verses in the hymn as Dr. Watts published it, one of which is generally omitted.

3

In Temptation.

JESUS, Lover of my soul,

Let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide,
Till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide,

O receive my soul at last.

2 Other refuge have I none;

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed,

All my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenceless head

With the shadow of Thy wing.

3 Wilt Thou not regard my call?
Wilt thou not accept my prayer?
Lo, I sink, I faint, I fall!

Lo, on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand!
While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand,
Dying, and behold I live!

4 Thou, O Christ, art all I want;
More than all in Thee I find:

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint,
Heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name;
I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am,

Thou art full of truth and grace.

5 Plenteous grace with Thee is found,
Grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound;
Make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the Fountain art,
Freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart,
Rise to all eternity.

Of all hymns in the English language this, no doubt, is loved the best. It was written in 1740 by the Rev.

Charles Wesley; born 1707, died 1788. He was a clergyman of the Church of England, and took an active part in the Methodist movement, in which his brother John was the leader, and out of which all the Methodist churches have grown. The Wesleys put great faith in the power of hymns to teach religious truths to the people and to reach their hearts. Charles Wesley wrote more than 6000 hymns. Some were printed in hymn-books to be sung at the Methodist meetings, and some in tracts to be read and committed to memory at home. among the greatest of all hymn writers, and many of his hymns are sung in all branches of the Church.

He was

[NOTE.-Verse 1, line 3. Nearer waters. In a wide expanse

of waters a distant part may be lashed into fury by a passing storm, whilst around a given ship there is perfect calm. Or the nearer waters may be affected, while the distant waters are sleeping in the silent air. In life, as in nature, storms are local. And men cry for help, not against distant dangers, but out of their immediate troubles. Their life is amid "the nearer waters" of temptations, and to them the Lover of souls is indispensable.' J. Julian.]

4

An Evening Hymn.

ALL praise to Thee, my God, this

night,

For all the blessings of the light;

Keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
Beneath Thy own almighty wings.