THEIR AUTHOES AND ORIGIN. 119
One of Dr. Doddridge s best hymns,
" While on the verge of life I stand,"
is not found in the " New Congregational Hymn Book." It is the poetic expression of a dream in which he seemed to meet with Christ, and to receive especial favours from Him, and to taste for a moment of the joys of the glorified. Hymn G2 :
" Gird on Thy conquering sword."
This begins with a different verse in Doddridge s Collection :
" Loud to the Prince of Heaven." O God of Bethel, by whose hand." No. 285.
This has been erroneously attributed to Logan. It bears date in Doddridge s own manuscript, Jan. 16th, 1736-7. The text is given thus: "Jacob s Vow; from Gen. xxviii. 20 22." It was in Doddridge s Collection when Logan was a child, but Logan claimed it in its altered form as his own, in his " Poems. 1781." It is not certain whether even the alterations were his. These, also, were probably appropriated from Michael Bruce.
" Grace ! tis a charming sound." No. 292.
This hymn resembles, and may have been taken from one by the Moravian hymn-writer, Esther Griinbeck, who was born at Gotha, 1717. Her hymn is No. 327 of the "Hymn Book of the United Brethren," and begins :
" Grace, grace, oh, that s a joyful sound !" " God of my life, through all its days." No. 302.
This hymn may be read autobiographically, especially verse three, in reference to the peaceful thankfulness in his heart when the last wave of his life was ebbing out at Lisbon. The words are :
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