222 OUR HYMNS :
congregation became very large, the meeting-house was enlarged, and, in 1790, the new and larger one in Byrom-street was erected. Mr. Medley was also very acceptable in his annual visits to the Tabernacle and Tottenharn-court-road Chapel. It was on one of these journeys, in 1798, that sickness canie upon him. His health had been impaired from the time of his re ceiving his wound in the naval action, but the immediate cause of his death was jaundice, terminating in dropsy. His mind was at first depressed by his affliction, but, regaining his composure, he gladly spent his remaining days in recounting God s provi dential arrangements for him, and in telling of the promises and blessings of the Gospel. Amongst his last words were" I am now a poor shattered bark just about to gain the blissful harbour, and, oh ! how sweet will be the port after the storm ! But a point or two more, and I shall be at my heavenly Father s house. 1 At another time, he said, "Dying is sweet work ! sweet work. My heavenly Father ! I am looking up to my dear Jesus, my God, my portion, my all in all," and then with a dying voice continued, " Glory ! Glory ! Home ! Home ! " Thus he departed in peace, and in Jesus, July 17th, 1799.
Mr. Medley s hymns appeared on broadsides as they were com posed. Thirty-six of these were issued between 1786 and 1790, and in 1789 he published a small volume of his hymns. More hymns were added in later editions. The modest preface dis claims merit on the part of the author, but expresses a desire to comfort Christians and glorify Christ, and at the same time to comply with the wish of many friends who had requested the pub lication of these hymns. If we try Mr. Medley by his hymns we must pronounce him no poet, though there is nothing wanting in his piety and zeal.
"Mortals, awake, with angels join." No. 344.
This is much above Mr. Medley s average, and borders closely on sacred poetry. It is taken from the third edition of the above- mentioned hymn-book, published 1800. Hymns 36G and 505 are from the second edition, 1789.
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