The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-02-06
Writers of One Hymn.

The fame OF many writer's rests on q
single production. Defoe was a volum-
nous author, but robinson Crusoe"
is all that comes down to us. ''The
Burial of Sir John Moore" has embalm-
ed the memory of the Rev. Charles
Wolf, no less than that of the military
hero.
1t is SO in sacred poetry. Take most
faVorite hymns, and you will find their
authors composed nothing else popular.
Their genius seems to have been ex-
hausted by single happy effort. Let
us look at a few illustrations:
Come, thou fount Of every bless
ing" was the earliest and best perform
ance Of Robt. Robinson, awakened I'M
der the preaching of Whitefeld He
was unstable, becoming Methodist, In
dependent, Baptist, and finally dying
an avowed Socinian, in 1890
g Rock of Ages, is a glorious Chris
tian lyric, and Toplady has left nothing
half 50 precious. He began his minis
try amid the beautiful hills of Devon,
in 1863. Toplady was bitter enough in
dispute, but his spirit lost all its harsh
ness when he tuned the instrument of
sacred song.
Few hymns have been more frequent
ly sang at times of special religious
feeling than "Come, We sinners, poor
and needy" It's author was Joseph
Harte, born in London, 1712. He be
gan life as teacher.
The Rev. Edward Perronet gave to
the church that grand march of the
saints, "All hail the power of Jesus
name" His father was a clergyman
of the English Establishment, but re
himself labored under the patronage of
Lady Huntington, who died in 1871.
Nearer my God, to thee" has
probably touched more hearts than any
other modern hymn. Sarah Fuller
Flower, its author. was the younger of
two daughters of Benz amin Flower. In
1884 she was married to Adams, Il civil
engineer, and died in 1S49, at the age
of A. She was buried near Harlow,
Essex
Many wea'y pilgrims have been
cheered in passing through through the
dark valley by the consolation of ''Just
as | am, without one plea" Charlotte
Elliot vas an invalid from early years,
and died III 1871. She was the third
daughter of Charles Elliot, of Chaplain,
England.
Timothy Dwight, elected President
of Yale College in IT'S, prep red four
ponderous volumes Of theology, which
few clergymen ever took from the
shelf. His classic version of the 18TH
Psalm, 81 love Thy kingdom, Lord. .
will perpetuate his memory.
A few years ago, in New York, Phoebe
Cary died of consumption, at the age OF
As. She and her sister Alice were both
graceful poets. "One sweetly solemn
thought, written by Phoebe, in its pen
sive sadness, touches the heart like a
dirge.
"Sweet the moments rich in bic
ssing," one of the most inspiring songs
for the great congregation, was COM
posed by Sir Walter Shirley, converted
under the ministry of Venn, who died
in 1896. Shirley afterward preacht d in
England and Ireland.
About so years ago the Rev. DR..
Muhlenberg, rector Of st. Luke's Hos
pital, New York, wrote the well known
hymn, " would not live Away" Not
satisfied with it's spirit, the author has
since endeavored to correct its teach
ings, writing in 1868 an additional
verse which breathes the true feeling
of resignation. This is not generally
found, however, with the older verses.