208 OUR HYMNS I
" Far from the world, Lord, I flee." No. 679.
This is said to have been the second hymn Cowper composed for the " Olney Collection." It deserves notice as containing the germ of the poem he afterwards wrote on " Retirement." This hymn has a history. On his journey to Huntingdon when re covering, the poet enjoyed communion with God. On reaching Huntingdon, he found himself left by his brother amongst strangers, and being depressed in mind he withdrew into a soli tary place and prayed. God heard him and cheered his heart. The next day being Sunday, he greatly enjoyed the service at church, and was struck by the devotion of a fellow-worshipper. Full of joy, he retired from God s house to the same " calm retreat," and there, having seen God as it were "face to face," he poured out his heart in this hymn.
There are eighteen of Cowper s hymns in the " New Congre gational Hymn Book." They are all taken from the " Olncy Collection ; " and admirable as they are, they are to be thought of as produced when the poet, though not young in years, was but trying his " prentice hand," and had not yet composed those master pieces upon which his reputation as a poet rests.
"Jesus, -where er Thy people meet." No. 883.
This is one of two hymns written, one by Cowper and the other by Newton, and headed " On opening a place for Social Prayer." The occasion is believed to have been the opening of a mansion, called the "Great House," in the neighbourhood of Olney, by Newton, for a religious meeting. There Cowper was amongst those who offered public prayer; and there Newton used to go for meditation and private prayer.
The much admired hymn
" To Jesus, the crown of my hope "
was written after his contributions to the " Olney Collection." It was probably the last hymn Cowper wrote. It is not given in the "New Congregational Hymn Book."
Authors and publishers are sometimes tempted to regard each
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