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THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED

1866, when he took charge of the Chalmers Memorial Church, The Grange, Edinburgh. He was Moderator of the General Assembly in 1883. In 1848 he became Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Prophecy, which post he held during its twenty-five years existence. In every issue one hymn of his own was printed. His son says one table in his study was entirely devoted to proof-sheets, and for thirty years he said he had been continually in the hands of three separate printers for his editorial work, his prose, and his poetry. He was a lifelong student of the Greek and Latin classics and Patristic literature.

Canon Ellerton says there is no more striking testimony to Bonar's power as a 'sweet singer' than the very remarkable change which, during his lifetime, passed over the whole of Scotland in the matter of hymnody. 'The new wine of the Hymns of Faith and Hope has enriched the blood of all religious Scotland, and made it impossible for her to rest content with the merely veiled and indirect praise of her risen and ascended Lord which was all that her old Psalmody allowed her. Her heart grew hot within her, and at last she spake with her tongue, in new and freer accents of praise.'

Mr. Horder says, 'Dr. Bonar is probably the only example of a really great hymnist in modern times who has consecrated his gifts to the production of verses specially adapted for times of religious revival.'


Hymn 71. Was there ever kindest shepherd.

F. W. Faber, D.D. (54).

Appeared in hisOratory Hymns, 1854, headed 'Come to Jesus'. It begins, 'Souls of men, why will ye scatter?'


Hymn 72. The King of Love my Shepherd is.

Sir Henry Williams Baker, Bart.

Appendix to Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1868.

Sir H. W. Baker, eldest son of Admiral Sir H. L. Baker, was born in London, May 27, 1821. He succeeded to the baronetcy, and became Vicar of Monkland, Herefordshire, 1851; died February 12, 1877. As editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern, in which thirty-three of his own hymns appeared, and