THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 423
Bcngel says, Wouldst thou know what thou shalt have for a new name ! Overcome ! Before that thou askest in vain, and after that thou wilt soon read it written on the white stone.
Hymn 826. Why do we mourn departing friends. ISAAC WATTS, D.D. (3).
Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1709. The death and burial of a saint." There are few more tender lines than his verse, The graves of all His saints He blessed.
Verses 2 and 3 are omitted
Are we not tending upward too
As fast as time can move ? Nor would we wish the hours more slow
To keep us from our love.
Why should we tremble to convey
Their bcxiies to the tomb? There the dear flesh of Jesus lay,
And left a long perfume.
On October 2, 1770, when Whitefield was buried at New- bury Port, the Rev. Daniel Rogers prayed by the side of the coffin. He owed his conversion to Whitefield, and exclaimed, O my Father! my Father! He wept as though his heart were breaking, and all were bathed in tears. When he finished his prayer and sat down, one of the deacons gave out the hymn
Why do we mourn departing friends.
Some of the people sang, and some wept, and others sang and wept alternately.
Hymn 827. Blessing, honour, thanks, and praise. CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1742; Works, ii. iSS. A Funeral Hymn. Ver. 5 is omitted.
This is said to be the hymn that was sung by John Wesley and his sisters round the bed on which their mother s body lay, in obedience to her request, Children, as soon as I am released, sing a psalm of praise to God.
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