Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/101

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 89

impressions of the brothers to Zinzendorf. John Wesley saw much of Zinzendorf when he visited Herrnhut in 1738. In 1741 Wesley had his famous conversation with the Count in Gray s Inn Walks, London. The paths of the two men, and of Methodists and Moravians, had parted. On his death-bed Zin zendorf rejoiced in the results he had seen at home and abroad. As for the heathen, I only asked for the first-fruits, and, behold, a harvest !

He wrote his first hymn at the age of twelve, and his last four days before his death. His list of hymns numbers more than 2,000. Some of them are marred by unbecoming familiarity with sacred things, others are spoiled by their diffuseness. His later productions are unreal and exaggerated ; but many of his hymns are distinguished by a certain noble simplicity, true sweetness, lyric grace, unshaken faith in the reconciling grace of Christ, entire self-consecration, willingness to spend and be spent in the Master s service, and fervent brotherly love. When he was dying, nearly a hundred members of the com munity gathered in and near his bedchamber. He spoke words of comfort to them, and as his son-in-law prayed, Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, he passed to his reward.

Hymn 70. O Love of God, how strong and true !

HORATIUS BONAR, D.D. Hymns of Faith and Hope, Second Series, 1864.

Bonar (1808-89) was a solicitor s son, born in Edinburgh, and educated at its High School and University. He was greatly influenced by Dr. Chalmers, then Professor of Theology, whom he considered to be the greatest man he ever met. While assistant minister at St. James s, Leith, he found the children very listless in public worship. The psalms and hymns were not to their taste, though they were fond enough of music. The young minister chose some of the more lively tunes and wrote words to them, which were printed on leaflets and dis tributed through the Sunday school of which he had charge. The success of that experiment led him to seek out suitable hymns and compose others. He became minister of the North Parish Church, Kelso, in 1837. In 1843 ne left the Established Church, but remained as Free Church minister in Kelso till

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