Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-10-18
MOST POPULAR HYMNS.
How Some of the Most Famous Were
Written.

Written.
Strange and pathetic are many OF
the stories connected with the origin
Of famous hymns. In some cases,
however, fictitious romances have been
built round the beautiful words sung
in our chapels and churches. For many
years 1t was believed that Cowper's
God Moves in a Mysterious Way" was
written as an outpouring Of the poets
soul in gratitude for the Illustration OF
his attempted suicide in October. 1773.
The fact, however, that this hymn has
been found in a manuscript in which
the latest date is August, 1878, proves
that 1t was written before Cowpers at
tempt on his life.
Then, again, it is a popular belief
that Augustus Toplady wrote ROCK
of Ages" while sheltering from storm
between two limestone rocks In the
Mendips. No proof Of the story Is
forthcoming, however, and consequent
ly it must be accepted with caution.
But there is no doubt that the author
of Christians, Awake" John Byron,
composed that magnificent hymn as a
Christmas gift to his favorite daugh-
ter, Dorothy, for he inscribed upon the
manuscript, christmas Day for Dolly.
1t was characteristic of the late
Bishop Bickersteth, who wrote Peace,
Perfect Peace" that he always found
It easiest to express in verse whatever
subject was uppermost in his mind.
One day he heard a sermon delivered
by Canon Gibbon, vicar Of Harrogate,
on the text, Thou wilt keep him In
perfect peace whose mind is stayed
On Thee" and shortly afterward went
to visit an aged and dying relative,
Archdeacon Hill Of Liverpool. Bishop
Bickersteth found the archdeacon
somewhat troubled in mind, and, II
being natural to him to express In
verse the spiritual comfort which he
desired to convey, the bishop took up
a sheet of paper and there and then
wrote down the hymn just exactly as
1t stands, and read it to his dying
friend.
An example of a hymn being written
to suit a certain tune Is furnished by
the grand old favorite. II Think When
Read that Sweet Story of Old"
Mrs. Luke, the author, was very much
impressed one day by an old Greek
tune which she had seen the children
of the Normal Infant school, Gray's
Inn road, marching to, and while go
ing on the stage coach she wrote the
words to suit the music on the back
of an old envelope.
There are two accounts Of how
Just AS I Am" came to be written.
One authority asserts that 1t was
while she lay in great physical weak
ness on a sofa, the other members of
the family being present at a bazaar
in which all but the invalid were TAX
ing an active part, that Charlotte Ell
lott, the author Of the hymn, wrote
the words which have stirred the
hearts of thousands.
a young girl was going to the town to
choose a new dress for a ball. On her
way she met a priest who said she
ought not to go. However, she went,
but did not enjoy the evening at all
and returned home miserable. Char
lotte Elliott (for that was the young
girls name) went to confess to her
priest all about it, and asked what she
should do. He advised her to go home
and tell Jesus all about 1t. Just as
am" she said. "Yes. just as you
are" She returned home, and on her
knees composed the hymn. The proofs,
however, seem to point to the first
story, which is given by DR.. Julian.
DR.. Julian, by the way, tells us that
the total number of Christian hymns
in the 200 or more languages and dia-
lects in which they have been written
is not less than 100000. Germany
coming first with 100000 and England
next The most popular hymns, ac-
cording to a census which he has TAX
en-. are when Survey the Wondrous
Cross" Awake, My Soul, and With
the Sum-" Hark, the Herald Angels
Sing" and Rock Of Ages Cleft for
me"-Tit- Bits.