332 OUR HYMNS :
among the hymns of the Christian Church. For many years he addressed a poem to his congregation on New Year s day.
When the old " Congregational Hymn Book " appeared, it con tained no hymns by Dr. Baffles, though they were found in other collections. In consequence of this omission he prepared a supplement to be used by his congregation along with " Watts s Psalms and Hymns." This was published in 1853. But when the " New Congregational Hymn Book " was being prepared, Dr. Raffles readily consented to contribute. Four of its hymns are by,him Nos. 531, 747, 979, 988.
Thomas Stamford Raffles, Esq., B.A., stipendiary magistrate of Liverpool, who has written a very interesting memoir of his lamented father, has kindly given the dates and occasions of three of these hymns from the original MSS.
" Lord, like the publican, I stand. No. 531.
Dr. Raffles, being an exceedingly popular and eloquent preacher of the Gospel, had no doubt once and again preached from the favourite text that forms the subject of this hymn, " God be merciful to me a sinner." This is pre-eminently a minister s hymn, bringing out the meaning of the text, and just the hymn he would wish those impressed with a discourse on this text to sing. It bears date, " Seacombe, October 4th, 1831."
" High in yonder realms of light." No. 747.
This is not in Dr. Raffles MSS., but it is found wilh six stanzas in Dr. Collyer s collection of 1812. There are eight hymns by Dr. Raffles in that collection. They must have been written be fore he was twenty-four years of age, and they have the warmth, and eloquence, and pathos that marked his early style, as we see it in the memoir of Spencer, written at the same time. " God of families, we own." No. 979.
This bears date January 15th, 1823.
" Saviour, let Thy sanction rest." No. 988. This is dated November 3rd, 1852, " On the marriage of the
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