Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/325

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 313

Soul of my soul (ver. 6) seems to come from Sir Richard Blackmore s Ode to the Divine Being

Blest object of my love intense, I Thee my Joy, my Treasure call,

My Portion, my Reward immense, Soul of my soul, my Life, my All.

Mr. C. L. Ford says he has been able to trace the expression virtually to Hooker.

Hymn 528. My soul, through my Redeemer s care.

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Short Hymns on Select Passages of Scripture, 1762 ; Works, ix. 325. Ps. cxvi. 8.

The father of the Rev. Alfred Barrett quoted the first verse of this hymn to his wife when she was dying, and said how happy it was to be able to appropriate those words to oneself. Indeed it is, was the reply, and through the mercy of the Redeemer, I have no fear of death. The Rev. William Bird said that just before his wife died she pressed his hand. I do love you, but I love God Almighty better ; my obligations to Him are infinitely greater. Yes

My soul, through my Redeemer s care, Saved from the second death I feel, My eyes from tears of dark despair, My feet from falling into hell.

Dr. Osborn taught George Bovvden to repeat this hymn when he was a boy of six, and the remembrance of it, some years later, was made the means of his conversion. He entered the ministry in 1851 ; was Governor of Kingswood School, 1885-92 ; and rendered conspicuous service as a Wesleyan minister for more than half a century.

Hymn 529. O for a heart to praise my God. CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; IVorks, ii. 77. Make me a clean heart, O God. Ps. li. 10 (Prayer-book Version).

In ver. 2, great was substituted for dear, 1 and gracious for dearest in ver. 5, in the Large Hymn-book of 1780. Three verses are omitted.

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