Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/439

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 427

found in the People s Hymnal, 380. Dr. Dykes s Rcquiescat is a perfect setting to the noble words. The hymn is said to have been a favourite with Queen Victoria, who often chose it for funeral services.

Hymn 837. Days and moments quickly flying. E. CASWALL (105).

This appeared in his Masque of Mary, ami other Poems, 1858, entitled Swiftness of Time. The last stanza is by Bishop Bickersteth.

It was especially composed for use at watchnight services or on New Year s Day. It is sometimes sung as a funeral hymn. Dr. Dykes s exquisite music adds greatly to the impressiveness of the words.

Hymn 838. A few more years shall roll.

DR. H. BONAR (70). Songs for the Wilderness, 1844.

In one of Dr. Bonar s note-books his son found two unrhymcd lines

A few more suns .shall rise and set, A few more years shall come and go.

These were worked out into the famous hymn written to the tune Selma. It was first printed on a fly-leaf for use in his own congregation on New Year s Day, 1843.

Dr. Bonar says, in a footnote to ver. 5, A few more Sabbaths here, The old Latin hymn expresses this well

Illic nee Sabbato succedit Sabbatum

Perpes laelitia sabbatizantium.

That hymn is by Peter Abelard, against whom Bernard of Clairvaux was the champion of orthodoxy. His love of Hcloise is one of the romantic stories of the Middle Ages.

Hymn 839. Hearken to the solemn voice.

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; Works, ii. 191. A Midnight Hymn.

The fourth verse is omitted.

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