400 OUR HYMNS :
tions," 1850. The fourth edition, with considerable additions, appeared in 1854, the fifth in 1855, and the seventh in 1858. The seventh edition included thirty pieces. In the year 1858, the same writer published " Additional Hymns." She has kindly informed the author of this work that the earliest ap pearance of the above hymn was in the first edition of " Hymns and Meditations." It is given in the " New Congregational" with the omission of a fifth verse.
This talented authoress wishes to be known only as A. L. Waring, but many sympathizing and benefited readers will feel, that in the absence of dates and names, they know more of her through her beautiful spiritual hymns, than they do of some others whose life-story has long been written. Her hymns cannot be mingled and lest amongst the numerous productions of ordi nary writers. Their intrinsic excellence as Christian hymns has given them a hold upon the public religious mind. They have a character of their own. They recall to our memories the effu sions of Madame Guyon and her favourite doctrine of " Spi ritual Union," but they are free from what was exceptional and extravagant in her religious verses. They are rich in personal experience, an experience not much varied in its aspects, but of the most thorough and fruitful nature. Each Christian reader feels that what the writer describes he experiences in his best hours, and that it will be so with him more and more in pro portion as he is " crucified with Christ." Without attempt at word-painting or splendid descriptions of scenery, the writer is content to make her hymns the vehicle for conveying the impression of the power of Christianity within the domain of the soul to comfort and bless man in his daily life ; and the devout reader, as he reads, finds his Christian life strengthened and developed.
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