"They breathe a devout spirit, recognize the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, and, as poetical compositions, some of them possess considerable beauty; but as a whole, they are incomparably inferior, both in language and sentiment, to the hymns of Charles Wesley. They are too imaginative for popular use; and are not sufficiently experimental for those persons who have felt the sorrows of penitence, and the peace and joy which arise from a vital faith in Christ crucified." The bishop's best composition in hymnic verse, and which has given him the greatest reputation, is his well-known Missionary Hymn. Agnes Bulmer. THIS accomplished lady was perhaps the most talented female author that has yet adorned the walks of Methodist literature. Her intellect was highly cultivated, and her piety deep and enlightened. She lived on terms of intimacy with some of the greatest and most useful men of her times, and took a lively interest in the progress of true religion in the world, especially in the Wesleyan Church, of which she was long a zealous member. Her principal work is "Messiah's Kingdom." She also wrote many smaller poems, that were published in the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, and was the author of several volumes of Scriptural biography, intended more especially for the use of young persons. Since her death, have appeared, in 1842, her "Select Letters," with an Introduction and Notes by the Rev. William M. Bunting. The letters are highly characteristic, referring mostly to personal piety, and to passing circumstances connected with the spread of evangelical truth; and the introduction and notes are valuable, the writer having "touched with a masterly hand, and in a truly Christian spirit, some of the most stirring controversies on ecclesiastical order which are agitated in the present day." Joseph Hart, "LATE minister of the gospel in Jewin-street," London, published in 1759, a volume of "Hymns on Various Subjects. With the Author's Experience." The number of hymns, no less than nine, which this humble volume contributes to the contents of the Hymnbook, justifies the following extract from the author's preface: "The following hymns were composed partly from several passages of Scripture laid on my heart, or opened to my understanding, from time to time, by the Spirit of God, or else hinted to me by other Christians, (of which latter there are indeed very few :) partly from impressions felt under different frames of spirit at the times when they were respectively written, and partly from spontaneous impulses or serious reflections on such subjects as accidentally occurred to my mind. I desire wholly to submit them, with myself, to the all-wise disposal of that God, the sweet enlivening influences of whose blessed Spirit I often felt while they were composing. All I would humbly wish is, that Jesus of Nazareth, the mighty God, the Friend of sinners, would be pleased to make them in some measure (weak and mean as they are) instrumental in setting forth his glory, propagating and enforcing the truths of the gospel, cheering the hearts of his people, and exalting his inestimable righteousness, upon which alone the unworthy author desires to rest the whole of his salvation." This pious wish has been signally granted; and though, like Cennick and Medley, he must be numbered among the least of the poets, some of his hymns have "become an imperishable inheritance to the people of God." Mr. Hart in doctrine was deeply Calvinistic. John Fawcett, D. D. DR. FAWCETT was first brought under religious influence by the preaching of Mr. Whitefield; and, at the age of nineteen, he was baptized on a personal profession of his faith, March 11, 1758, and became a member of the Baptist Church in Bradford, over which he was ordained pastor in 1764. He was the author of several works, both in prose and poetry; the greatest of which was the "Devotional Family Bible," which he completed, after four years' labor, in 1811; the work forming two large quarto volumes. "And to give the publication," says Jones, in his Christian Biography, "an additional impetus, the degree of doctor in divinity was conferred upon him by one of the American colleges." In the year 1782 he published a small volume of "Hymns, adapted to Public Worship and Private Devotion;" a new and corrected edition of which was issued in 1817. In the preface to this edition the author says: Nearly sixty years of his life have been employed in ministerial labors: he has seen more than one generation of his hearers pass away, and has witnessed many changes in the professing world; but, during this period, his views of evangelical truth have remained the same. These truths have 66 ... been his consolation amidst many afflictions; and, supported by them, he is ready to say, with good old Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation:"" which prayer of his was answered on the 25th of July, 1817, when he "departed," in the seventy-seventh year of his age. Dr. Fawcett was a self-taught man, and could read the sacred Scriptures critically in their original languages. "As a Christian minister," says a biographer, "it is scarcely possible to speak of him beyond his merits. His instructions were enforced by the powerful influence of a holy life; for his character was uniformly adorned with every Christian grace and virtue, though his unaffected humility and meekness, his fervent piety, and his ardent habitual devotion, were its most prominent features. . . . He took a lively interest in all those benevolent institutions which sprang up in his latter days, for the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom, such as the Bible, Missionary, and School Societies; and promoted them to the utmost of his power." His doctrinal opinions were those of moderate Calvinism. Henry More, D. D. THIS able divine was born in 1614. His parents being Calvinists, he was strictly educated in their principles; but, much against their wishes, he rejected those rigid tenets, and, after a residence of three years at Eaton, entered Christ College, Cambridge, of which he was made a fellow in 1639. In 1675 he obtained a prebend at Gloucester, which he soon after resigned in favor of his friend, Dr. Fowler; and satisfied "with a small, but independent competency," rejected offers of high preferment, which he might have obtained. He died in 1687. He was the author of "Song of the Soule, a Platonic Poem.' We know not whether he wrote any other hymns besides those in the Hymn-book. William Hammond, "LATE of St. John's College, in Cambridge," published a volume of original "Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs," in 1745. In this work first appeared the hymn in our collection by this author. It is a subject of no little interest and importance to ascertain the authorship of such hymns as were not composed by Charles Wesley. This we have endeavored to do; and the following list, it is believed, will be found correct. The authors of a few hymns are unknown. All the hymns in the Hymn-book, except those found in the following table, may, with great certainty, be assigned to Charles Wesley. By REV. JOHN WESLEY: 301. Come, Saviour, Jesus, from above. 384. Commit thou all thy griefs. 697. Eternal depth of love divine. 193. Extended on a cursed tree. 476. Father of all, whose powerful voice. 460. High on his everlasting throne. 12. Ho! every one that thirsts, draw nigh. 110. I thirst, thou wounded Lamb of God. |