several years with Sir John Hartopp as the tutor of his son, carrying forward his own studies at the same time. On his twenty-fourth birthday Watts preached his first sermon. He became the assistant, and in 1702 was ordained the successor, of Dr. Isaac Chauncy, pastor of the Independent Church meeting in Mark Lane, London. Already, as Dr. Chauncy's assistant, he had been laid aside for several months by sickness, and soon after his ordination he was seized with a dangerous illness which left him so weak as to require an assistant of his own. From 1712 to 1716 he was again laid aside by a fever and its consequences, from which he never fully recovered. Happily he had the gift of making people love him. His church was always patient and sympathetic, and in his weakness and loneliness he was invited to the palatial home of Sir Thomas Abney, Theobalds, not far from London. Expecting to stay a week, he remained in the family for the rest of his life, thirty-six years, a loved and honored guest. Here he continued his care of his church, preaching when able and engaging in literary work. Lady Abney watched over him with unremitting care, shielding him, so far as she could, from anxiety and troubles, until he died, after a long illness, November 25th, 1748.

"Few men," said the great Dr. Johnson, "have left behind such purity of character or such monuments of laborious piety." His published works cover many departments-geography, astronomy, philosophy, theology, practical religion, and poetry. In all of these departments he was accomplished and useful. But his own estimate, that in completing his Psalms and Hymns he had produced his greatest work for the use of the

Church, is undoubtedly true. Providence had a special mission for him in that department, and through it his name and influence must always endure.

SOME POINTS FOR DISCUSSION

(1) Our hymns have never had a critic so severe as the late Matthew Arnold. But on the last day of his life he attended the Sefton Park Presbyterian Church, Liverpool, of which Dr. Watson (Ian Maclaren) is pastor. The hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," was sung. Coming down, afterward, from his bedroom in his brother-in-law's house to luncheon, Mr. Arnold was heard softly repeating to himself the opening lines. At luncheon he spoke of it as the greatest hymn in the language. Afterward he went out, and in ten minutes was dead. Does not such an incident (attested by Dr. Watson) show the importance of literary merit in hymns? It recalls the appeal of John Wesley for hymns "such as would sooner provoke a critic to turn Christian, than a Christian to turn critic."

(2) This hymn bore the title: Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ. Can you give the verse from St. Paul on which it is based?

(3) In the original hymn there was a fourth verse, reading as follows:

"His dying Crimson like a Robe

Spreads o'er his Body on the Tree,
Then am I dead to all the Globe,

And all the Globe is dead to me."

This verse was omitted from The Hymnal, and for that omission its editor was criticised. Is it better to

omit or retain the verse, and why? In his second edition Dr. Watts printed this verse within brackets, signifying that it might" be left out in singing without disturbing the sense." That fact does not, however, settle the question. The frequent omission of this verse by editors is explained by Canon Twells, in a sermon upon the hymn, in this way: 'The rather awkward use of the word 'globe' for 'world,' to meet the exigencies of rhyme, has, I suppose, vetoed this verse." Are there better

reasons?

(4) Dr. Watts very carefully revised the text of his hymns for the second edition. In this hymn the only change was in the second line, which originally read:

"Where the young Prince of Glory dy'd."

Was there sufficent reason for this change?

XIII

O STILL IN ACCENTS SWEET AND STRONG

THE TEXT OF THE HYMN

I O still in accents sweet and strong
Sounds forth the ancient word,
"More reapers for white harvest fields,
More laborers for the Lord."

2 We hear the call; in dreams no more
In selfish ease we lie,

But, girded for our Father's work,
Go forth beneath His sky.

3 Where prophets' word, and martyrs' blood,
And prayers of saints were sown,

We, to their labors entering in,

Would reap where they have strown.

4 O Thou whose call our hearts has stirred,
To do Thy will we come;

Thrust in our sickles at Thy word,

And bear our harvest home.

Rev. Samuel Longfellow, 1864

NOTE. The text is taken from Hymns of the Spirit, which Mr. Longfellow compiled, in conjunction with his friend, the Rev. Samuel John

son.