Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-29
RoMANcES OF HYMNS.
Memories and Associations Connected
With Great Church Muoic.


With Great Church Muoie.
All great religious movements have
been closely associated with hymns. In
addition to this there is attached to
many well known hymns a special ro-
nance, either on account Of their au-
thors or Of the conditions under which
they were written.
People who delight in hymn singing
at home and at church and chapel
know but little of the history of the
hymns they sing Most Of them have
a history as we'll as a romance. From
Famous Hymns and their Authors"
by Francis Arthur Jones, many inter-.
esting facts about the history Of hymns
are to be gathered. The beautiful
hymn abide With Me" was written
by Henry Francis Lyte at Brigham,
on the shore of Torbay, says the Lon
don Evening Standard, and 1t was his
well one Sunday evening to his con-
gregation. and after strolling down his
garden to the seashore he returned TO
his study when the sun had set, and
an hour later had written the hymn
and shown 1t to his family.
Another favorite evening hymn, "Sun
Of My Soul" was written by Canon
Ellerton in 1860 for q choral festival.
Those who have read Newman's
Apologize" are aware of the circum-
stances under which the famous hymn
Lead, Kindly Light" was written.
The music Is by DR.. Dykes Of Durham,
to which the cardinal attributed its
success more than to his own words.
Wesley's Christmas hymn, "Hark, the
Herald Angels Sing" originally writ,
ten "Hark. How All the Welkin Rings"
is to be found In all hymnals and has
been translated into many languages.
About the other favorite Christmas
hymn, Christmas Awake, Salute the
Happy Morn," q pretty story is told.
The author, John Byron, who lived
in 1745, had favorite daughter, Dolly,
for whom he had promised to write
something for Christmas day. She re-
minded her father Of his promise, and
among her Christmas presents was
an envelope containing the hymn. The
original manuscript headed Christ
mas Day for Dolly" is now in Cheet-
hams hospital, Manchester, and bears
evident traces Of having been carried
about in Dolly's pocket.
When Toplady in 1776 wrote his
Rock of Ages" he could not have
conceived that 1t would become so
widely known or so popular among
all shades Of religious opinion. 1t was
this hymn that Mr.. Gladstone trans
lated into three languages, and which
the prince consort asked for when on
his deathbed.
It was the hymn, too, that was sung
when the London went down in the
Bay of Biscay in 1866. The voices OF
the people singing Rock Of Ages" on
the doomed ship were the last thing
heard by those who were fortunate
enough to escape. 1t was this hymn,
too, that Gen. Stuart, the brave cav
airy leader Of the southern states.
sang with his dying lips.
Jesus, Lover Of My Soul" is a hymn
around which many traditions and sa-
cred associations cling. The story con-
nected with its origin may be legen-
dary, but 1t is no less beautiful. Its
author, Charles Wesley, was sitting
at his desk by an open window when
a bird pursued by hawk few In. The
bird was saved, for the hawk feared
to follow 1t. The incident inspired
Wesley to write his famous lines.
There is an interesting story In
connection with the origin Of Nearer
My God, to Thee" the favorite hymn
Of King Edward VII The author Of
the words was a Unitarian and the
daughter of two people who first met
in Newgate Jail, where her father was
imprisoned for. defending the French
revolution.
Hallowed by old association and
fraught with many memories are the
great church hymns like the "Te
Deum," which for more than a thou
sand years has been the song OF
Christendom. It was chanted at the
baptism of Clovis and sung at the
Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1t was sung
also after Agincourt and Waterloo. and
on all solemn ocasions when the heart
of the people has been moved to
Thanksgiving for victory on land or
sea.
Then there are the "Magnificat," the
virgins Hymn" and the "Nunc Dimit-
tis," which Bacon called our sweet
est canticle," both Of which are inti-
mately bound up with the stately ritual
of the Catholic church. Another inter-
esting and stately hymn from the
Greek Is Hail, Gladstone Light"
which Sullivan has incorporated into
his Golden Legend" and Is known In
our collection of Hymns Ancient and
Modern" with Keble's translation as
Hail, Gladdening Light" Accord
ing to a legend this hymn owes Its
origin to Athenagoras, who In the
fourth century was martyred for his
faith.
Nor must we forget the great bat
tie hymns, around which are woven
many romances. Such, for instance,
are the famous national hymns OF
France and Germany, the "Marseil-
laise" and Nun danket allie Gott,'
around both of which crowd many
memories Of nations either In the hour
of their direst need or in moments OF
their greatest victories.
Political Hymns.-Bird s. Coler, who
was Greater New York's first control
4 ...aa .anx,ninatnd for onuarnnr of