THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 309
He contributes two good hymns to the " New Congregational Hymn Book."
" Lamp of our feet, whereby we trace." No. 468.
This is taken from a piece of eleven verses on " The Bible," bearing date 1827, and in it several appropriate images are gathered together, without being crowded or confused ; and
" Walk ia the light, so shalt thou know," No. 682,
a hymn to be commended for its simplicity and comprehen siveness ; its unity of idea, happily retained along with variety in the aspects of that idea presented to view.
��THOMAS HASTINGS, Mus. Doc. BOEN 1784.
THIS writer is better known as a musician than as a poet ; but he deserves an honourable place as a hymn-writer. Without equalling the productions of men of decided genius, his hymns are pleasing and tasteful in conception and diction, and rich in scripture teaching and Christian sentiment. Their strong point is, as we might have expected from the special mission of the author, their adaptation for use in church psalmody. As musical, Milton remembered in his poetry " the, pealing organ," and the " full-voiced quire"
"In service high and anthems clear;"
and as Shakespeare often refers to the stage on which he acted, and writes with it in view, so this humbler bard writes not to be read but to be sung. Thus his book of hymns begins
" Attune the heart to praise,
In melody of song, The hallowed anthem sweetly raise Amid the choral throng."
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