388 OUR HYMNS :
published at Derby in 1848, and sold largely in England and Ire land ; that ten thousand copies of an edition published in London in 1849 were sold ; that a selection with additions was published in 1854, and sold largely, and also that some of the hymns were published as a penny book, " Hymns for the People." The edi tion of 1862 is complete, with fifty- six new hymns. It contains 150 pieces, some of them extending to more than twenty verses, and consists of hymns on the Divine attributes ; hymns for festivals, hymns addressed to Christ, and some to saints and angels ; hymns on the sacraments, on the spiritual life, on death, &c." Many of the pieces are of great beauty, and some have been gladly taken to enrich the new collections recently made by Christians of different denominations.
In the conclusion of his preface, the author says, "It is an immense mercy of God to allow any one to do the least thing which brings souls nearer to Him. Each man feels for himself the peculiar wonder of that mercy in his own case." In this devout and grateful spirit his poems are written.
" My God, how wonderful Thou art ! " No. 263.
This is part of No. 9 in Faber s collection of 1862. It had appeared in 1849 ; it is entitled, " Our Heavenly Father." In the "New Congregational Hymn Book," verses 6, 7, and 8 are omitted, and verse 9, given as a sixth verse, is slightly altered. The omitted verses are of the same character, and equal in beauty.
"Dear Jesus, ever at my side," No. 965,
is Faber s 69th hymn. It is entitled " The Guardian Angel," and was written for the school children. In the original it is
" Dear Angel, ever at my side."
It had appeared in his " Jesus and Mary, or Catholic Hymns," 1849. In the "New Congregational Hymn Book," verses 7 to 13, containing Roman Catholic doctrine, are omitted, and -a doxology is given as a seventh verse.
�� �
