Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/275

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 263

Hymn 415. My Saviour, Thou Thy love to me.

GERHARDT (163) ; translated by J. WESLEY (36). Works, i. 139. Second part of Hymn 414.

Hymn 416. O Love divine, IIOAV sweet Thou art ! CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1749 ; IVorks, iv. 341. No. 5 in n series of six hymns in the same measure, headed Desiring to Love. Three verses are omitted.

It is one of the three Wesley hymns that Handel set to music. See 213. The tune was Wentworth.

Mr. Stead says, This is one of the hymns of Charles Wesley which enabled Methodism to sing itself into the heart of the human race. It is one of the most popular and helpful hymns which, originating in the Methodist hymnody, have found an honoured place in the hymn-books of almost every other denomination.

Hymn 417. Hark, my soul ! it is the Lord. WILLIAM CO\VPER (60).

��It appeared in Maxfield s Al-rj Appendix, 1768. In the Olney Hymns it is headed Love.st thuu Me ? John xxi. 16.

Even Cowper has not written anything more beautiful.

Earl Selborne wrote, Of his contributions to the Olney Hymns, this is perhaps the best.

Mr. Gladstone reckoned it one of the three greatest English hymns.

Mr. Bennet Kaye, who was assistant organist with Ur. Dykes, says that the doctor would often come to the boys rehearsals before morning service and practise with them the music for the day. Sometimes he would wander off into a new melody, and all would listen with rapt attention. One day he played over an air several times. It made a great impression on Mr. Kaye, who afterwards recognized it as St. Bees, the tune which has become wedded to Cowper s hymn. It takes its name from a place where the doctor had passed many pleasant hours.

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