154 OUR HYMNS :
one looking back with gratitude on the blessings God had given him, and waiting to be for ever with the Lord. He died on the 1st of January, 1785.
His hymns and poems were written to provide Christian words for the Scotch melodies, of which he was very fond. These words were to be used instead of the objectionable terms ordi narily used. His pieces were not intended to be printed, but were published, at the request of friends, first in 1784, with the title, " Original Hymns and Poems, written by a private Christian for his own use." The second edition was posthumous in 1820, and Mr. Daniel Sedgwick published a reprint of the work in 1862, with a biographical sketch of the author. The work consists of sixteen hymns and six poems, all full of scriptural thoughts, and some of them rich in Christian experience. The versification is easy, and the sentiment always good ; but there is little manifes tation of poetical talent. One hymn and a poem, " On the re viving ofReligion, in the year 1741-2," were first published in the Rev. George Whitefield s " Christian History," in 1742.
Zion, afflicted with wave upon wave. No. 610.
This is, we think, Grant s best piece. It was written to the air of the " Yellow-haired Laddie." In the " New Congregational Hymn Book," one inferior verse is omitted, and the other verses are slightly altered.
��JOSEPH HART.
17121768.
FOE the particulars of the history of this sacred poet we are indebted to his own " Experience," as it is given in his preface to his collection of hymns. He was born of pious parents in London, in 1712. He received a good education, and was occu pied at first as a teacher of languages. At the time when he was arriving at the age of manhood, he felt anxiety with regard to his spiritual interests. But, for several years, he was satisfied with
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