Bisbee daily review., 1910-03-27
Famous Poems and
 Their Authors

O could I speak tic meJcnless worth, O could l sound the glories forth. Which in my Saviour shine, I'd soar and touch the heavenly strings. And vie with Gabriel while he sings, in noes almost divine
 I'd sing the precious blood He split, My ransom from the dreadful guilt, Of sin and wrath divine;
 I'd sing His glorious righteousness. In which all-perfect heavenly dress
 My soul shall ever shine.
 I'd sing the characters He bears, And all the forms of love he wears.
 Exalted on His Throne:
 In loftiest songs of sweetest praise, would to everlasting days.
 Make all His glories known.
 Well. the delightful day will come. When my dear Lord shall bring me
 home,
 And I shall see His face;
 Then with my Saviour. Brother.
 Friend.
 A blest e ernity, Ell spend.
 Triumphant in His grace.
 Samuel Medley.
 Medley was e sailor in early life. choosing the sea in preference to an apprenticeship with a London oilnan, whose business he did not like. It was his privilege to claim the right to finish his apprenticeship in the British Navy. which he did as mid shipman on the" e"Buckingham" and the -Intrepid," the later under command of Admiral Boscawen- In confiic- on August IS. 175s. or Cape Lagos. Medley was severely wounded in the leg. He was taken to the home Of lis grandfather on the return of the fleet and the good old man set his mind and bent his efforts upon the religious conversion of the young sail or while under his roof recoverirS from his wound One Sunday even ing when they were together Grand father Tonge read a sermon by pr. Watts. which to Medley was an exact description of his case. and this. to- gether with the paternal prayers and instruction in his behalf, convicted him of sin. His conversion followed not long afterward. and in few years he entered upon a career of great value and usefulness 10 the Christian church. Whsn restored to heal h he joined Dr. Gifords church in Eagle street. London.
 Declining to return to tho navy. al- though assured of promotion in it, he, TaH mined to teach school, which he did both at Seven Dials and in King street. Soho. Manifesting in ,he course of a few years a disposition to preach, he was encouraged in this by his pastor. Dr. Clifford, and preached his first sermon in l766. justifying all that had been expected of him. A year later he took pastor al charge of the Baptist church at Wa ford. in Hert tfordshire, where he renamed until 1772. when he rem moved to LiyerDool. He undertook work among sailors. meeting with great success. His congregation grew so fast that a new church was huilt in 17S0. His services in it con tinued until I75S. His death occurred July IT. 1799, being attributable to ill., ness encountered on a missionary tour. and 10 jaundice. coupled with the effect of his old wound He wei comed dissolution. It had no terrors for him. Dying is sweet, sweet work" he said.
 His hymns were many. not ell of which have been preserved Thirty six were issued between 17S5 and 1790. In 1790 he published a small volume and another in 17s4. The judgment of some critics is that his hymns are not so notable for poetic quality as for piety. Bu. the one here reproduced is certainly admir-. able from every standpoint-enjoy- able for its literary charm as well as for its deep fervor. It was written in17s9. and is more popular in this country than in England. The music to which it is sung was adapted by Dr. Mason from "Arief' in 1S36, since when ''this hymn has been a part of the treasures of the American church. and is laid up in the ark of our Christ ian hymnody." The last verse is es- pecially rich in love. in faith and in the abiding certainty of a happy fut- ura Medley was horn at ChpEhuut