hymns which are the best legacy to Christendom which we have from Bernard of Cluny. The author, the son of English parents, was born at Morlaix, France, about 1100. He is called Bernard of Cluny because he lived and wrote in a French town by that name. The translator, who has condensed the original very gracefully, was Dr. John Mason Neale. The most familiar and most widely used portion is "Jerusalem the Golden," which has its own distinctive tune, written by Alexander Ewing, a paymaster in the English army. THE FAVORITE PORTION OF "HORA NOVISSIMA" Jerusalem, the golden, With milk and honey blest! Sink heart and voice opprest: What social joys are there! What light beyond compare! And when I fain would sing them The assembly of the saints. There is the Throne of David; And there, from care released, The shout of them that feast; Are clad in robes of white! GENERAL FAVORITES HERE are several general favorites among English hymns which are used by practically all Christians. We know the hymns so well that we forget the writers and merely appropriate and sing what they wrote. We refer to the hymns-"Jesus, Lover of My Soul," "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me," and "Nearer my God to Thee." It has been said of the hymn, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," that it is the masterpiece of Charles Wesley, and that if "this were the only hymn he ever wrote, and the only service he ever rendered to humanity, it is sufficient to immortalize his name." A beautiful story is told concerning the origin of this hymn. Mr. Wesley was standing before the open window of his room one morning. He was looking out over the beautiful landscape which was in front of his home. As he looked he saw a little song bird which was being chased by a cruel hawk. The poor bird was badly frightened, and seeing the open window, flew through it and directly into Mr. Wesley's arms. With fluttering heart and quivering wing it nestled close to the singer and escaped a cruel death in the talons of the hawk. According to the story, Mr. Wesley himself was just then having some personal trials and was feeling the need of a refuge just as the little bird, which had flown into his bosom for protection. Out of this incident, and his personal experience, he took up his pen and produced the masterpiece of his many hymns. The hymn was first published in 1740, in "Wesley's Hymns and Sacred Poems." It has found its way into nearly every evangelical hymn book of the present day. In its wide use it is an example of the "communion of saints" which we confess in the Creed. WESLEY'S HYMN WHICH POINTS TO CHRIST AS SAVIOUR Let me to Thy bosom fly, Other refuge have I none; Hangs my helpless soul on Thee: All my help from Thee I bring: With the shadow of Thy wing. Thou, O Christ, art all I want; Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, Heal the sick, and lead the blind. Just and holy is Thy Name; I am all unrighteousness: Thou art full of truth and grace. Plenteous grace with Thee is found, Freely let me take of Thee: An interesting incident is recorded concerning this hymn which should, if that is possible, increase our appreciation of it as a hymn of faith and consolation in times of temptation and of trouble. A United Presbyterian clergyman was serving under the Christian Commission during the "War between the States." His duties took him out on the battlefield after the day's fighting was done. Here he came across a dying soldier, and asked him if he could do anything for him. He ministered to his physical wants and relieved him in every way possible. He asked if he could do anything more. The dying soldier said, "Please sing to me 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul.'" Although belonging to a Church that never sang hymns, he could not refuse the request of the dying soldier. Softly and tenderly he sang as he never sang before, with the thought that his singing was comforting a human soul in its extremity. The account says: "As the words floated out in the darkness, where the dead and the wounded lay, a strange quiet, like that of a great benediction, fell upon the earth, and the dying man clasped the hand of the singer with a heart full of gratitude. And he sang on: "Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, Till the storm of life is past; Safe into the haven guide; "With the closing strains there seemed to come a sweet peace over the dread battle plain. The soldier relaxed his grasp; the prayer was heard." The effect of the singing on the battlefield that night awakened this thought in the heart of that minister-if this hymn will do to die by, it will do to live by. It was in his after ministry a chief source for bringing comfort to dying souls. Its heart appeal and its implicit faith make it a hymn which belongs to every true child of God. That great German Lutheran theologian, Tholuck, once exclaimed to a class of his students, "I have but one passion. It is He! It is He!" That is the inner spirit of this hymn from the pen of Wesley. This explains why this hymn of the Methodist has been adopted and found such a large place in the hearts of the people of all evangelical churches. THE REFUGE OF THE SINNER In the year of American Independence, the March number of The Gospel Magazine contained a very remarkable article. It was called, "A Remarkable Calculation: Introduced here for the sake of the spiritual improvement subjoined Questions and Answers relative to the National Debt." In this article, by numerical calculations, man's sins are shown to be very numerous. By a most ingenious calculation, on the basis of so many sins per day, per hour and minute, the argument comes to a climax in overwhelming him with his frightful helplessness if he were to redeem himself from his debts. The purpose is to show the unspeakable value of Christ's atonement. Then follows as a "living and dying prayer for the holiest believer in the world," this hymn, which, because it so well expresses the |