because of my faith," but "I come because I believe." The Hymn has been translated into LatinQualis sum, nec dicens quare-by Dr. Herbert Kynaston. See Loftie's Latin Year, p. 148. It has also been rendered into most of the European languages. The French version begins thus: "Tel que je suis, pécheur rebelle, UST as I am-without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am—and waiting not O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am-though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings within, and fears without, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am-poor, wretched, blind, Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am-Thou wilt receive, Just as I am-Thy love unknown Has broken every barrier down : Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come. Just as I am-of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come. CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT. 236.-Looking to Jesus. JOHN i. 29. "was I HIS Hymn," says Dr. Palmer, written because it was born in my heart, and demanded expression. recollect I wrote the stanzas with very tender emotion, and ended the last lines with tears." The Hymn was first given (in 1831 or 1832) to Dr. Lowell Mason, at his request, to be set to music. "On sitting down at home and looking it over, he became so much interested in it that he wrote for it the tune 'Olivet,' to which it has almost universally been sung. Two or three days afterwards we met in the street, when scarcely waiting to salute the writer, he earnestly exclaimed: Mr. Palmer, you may live many years, and do many good things; but I think you will be best known to posterity as the author of "My faith looks up to Thee.' In 1840 the Hymn was introduced into England through Dr. Andrew Reed's Collection, and it now appears in almost every approved Hymnal. In its simplicity, truthfulness, and fervour, as well as in its fitness and grace of expression, it ranks among the chief of modern Hymns. " 'During the American civil war, and on the evening preceding one of the most terrible of the battles, some six or eight Christian young men, who were looking forward to the deadly strife, met together in one of their rooms for prayer. After spending, some time in committing themselves to God and in Christian conversation, and freely speaking together of the probability that they would not all of them survive the morrow, it was suggested by one of the number that they should draw up a paper expressive of the feelings with which they went to stand face to face with death, and all sign it; and that this should be left as a testimony to the friends of such of them as might fall. This was unanimously agreed to; and after consultation it was decided that a copy of 'My faith looks up to Thee' should be written out, and that each should subscribe his name to it, so that father, mother, brother, or sister, might know in what spirit they laid down their lives. Of course they did not all meet again." 664.6664. MY faith looks up to Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary, Now hear me while I pray, O may I from this day Be wholly Thine. JROM Poems by Currer, Acton, and Ellis Bell, 1846, the pseudonyms of the three sisters Brontè. Anne was the youngest. The story of the brave, sorrowful lives of these children of genius is known wherever the English language is spoken. The author of this Hymn, and of another poem beginning: "I hoped that with the brave and strong died at Scarborough, 1849. "When near her end, being asked if she felt easier, she replied, It is not you who can give me ease; but soon all will be well, through the merits of our Redeemer." The word "cherish" in the last line is altered in most hymn-books to "welcome." Readers can judge for themselves whether this would be an improvement; we have thought it best to give the line as originally written. Strained were the cords of love by my sad will, I would have broke them had I had my way, But, Lord, it was Thy love, not mine, that still Held my heart back, my tottering steps did stay. And now the crumbs that from Thy table fall Are all I ask, more than is meet for me; Yet kiss and banquet, ring and robe, are all Waiting me, Father, in my home with Thee. Back to the door which ever open lay; Back to the table where the feast still stood; Back to the heart which never, night or day, Forgot me in my most forgetful mood. Drawn by Thy love, that found me when a child, And never for a moment let me go; Still, still Thine own, though soiled and defiled, I come, and Thou wilt make me clean, There feed me with Thyself, until I grow Feed me and set me up upon the Rock Higher than I, my shelter and my stay Against the rudest winter-tempest's shock, Against the fiercest sultry summer's day. Thus let my life in ceaseless progress move, On into deeper knowledge, Lord, of The length, the breadth, the height, the depth of Love, That first could care for, then did stoop to me. DR. J. S. B. MONSELL Lord! I was dumb, I could not speak But now, as touched with living flame, My lips Thine eager praises wake! Lord! I was dead, I could not stir For Thou hast made the blind to see, New hopes, new purposes, desires, And joys Thy grace hath given ; But yet how much must be destroyed, Thou, only Thou, must carry on When the flesh sinks, then strengthen Thou Make us to feel Thy service sweet, So shall we faultless stand at last C. 7. P. SPITTA. |