180 OUR HYMNS :
of age. As a hymn-writer, he is chiefly known for his favourite hymn,
" Hail ! Thou once despised Jesus." No. 335.
This is now introduced into almost all collections. It is believed to have first appeared in Madan s collection in 1760. Madan gave it in an abridged form. The entire hymn was given by the author to Toplady, who published it, with verbal alterations, to accommodate it to his own views, in his collection in 1776. It is sometimes given beginning with the second verse, and usually as it is in the " New Congregational Hymn Book," without the fifth stanza
" Soon we shall, with those in glory,"
a verse scarcely equal to the preceding. There is no doubt of this hymn being by Bakewell. It has always been known as his by his family, who frequently conversed with him about it.
��SAMUEL DAVIES, M.A. 17241761.
THIS eminent preacher and professor was born in the county of Newcastle, Delaware, America, November 3, 1724. He had pious parents, and was educated under the direction of the Rev. Samuel Blair, of Fog s Manor, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
About the year 1740, a religious movement began in the county of Hanover, chiefly through the reading, by a wealthy planter, of a few leaves of " Boston s Fourfold State." A Mr. Morris also was impressed with the claims of evangelical truth by reading " Luther on Galatians :" and, in consequence, called his friends together, and erected a meeting-house, which was called "Morris Reading Room." To meet the spirit of enquiry that had been awakened amongst the people, the Rev. William Robinson, a minister belonging to the Presbytery of New Bruns wick, paid a visit to the district ; and his labours were so much
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