Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/248

 236 THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED

It was the first verse of this hymn by which John Wakefield Greeves showed his brother Frederic, who was under deep conviction of sin, the way to come to Christ.

The Rev. James Buckley, who took an active part in the first Methodist missionary meeting at Leeds in October, 1813, and preached the previous evening at Armley, quoted the second and third verses of this hymn on the night before he died in 1839. His last words were, For me the Saviour died.

Hymn 364. What am I, O Thou glorious God !

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1 749 ; Works, v. I. * Hymns for Believers, No. I. The second verse is omitted. Ver. I reads, On me, the vilest reptile me.

The first verse has given a voice to many a grateful heart in the review of God s mercies. The Rev. Joseph Agar often quoted it; and the Rev. W. J. Shrewsbury, who died in 1866, made his last appearance in public on a missionary platform at Grosvenor Street, where he began his brief address with the first verse of this hymn.

Hymn 365. My Saviour ! how shall I proclaim.

GERHARDT (163) ; translated by J. WESLEY (36).

O Welt, sieh hier dein Leben, published in Criiger s Praxis pietatis melica, 3rd edition, 1648 ; J. and C. Wesley s Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740 ; Works, i. 232. Extended on a cursed tree, headed &quot; They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced.&quot; Zech. xii. 10. From the German. Two of the nine verses are given here. The punctua tion of 1875, My Saviour, how shall I proclaim ? is happily changed.

Hymn 366. Glory to God, whose sovereign grace. CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740; Works, i. 287. Hymn for the Kingswood Colliers. The last two verses, which belonged to drunken colliers, are wisely omitted from such a collection as this Suffice that for the season past

Hell s horrid language fill d our tongues, We all Thy words behind us cast,

And loudly sang the drunkard s songs.

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