Page:Our Hymns.djvu/416

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396 CUE HYMNS I

nature " Independent." It was an extract from an American paper of that name. It was subsequently re-inserted in the same magazine, with music by Mr. Joseph Dyer, the schoolmaster of the Wesleyan School, Pocklington. It also appeared in " Select Music for the Young," Sunday School Union, where it is headed, "All Things Earnest: Composed by Joseph Dyer." In this way probably the mistake arose in the " New Congre gational," the name of the composer of the music being put for the author of the words. The hymn has been erroneously attri buted to George Dyer, author of the " Poetics," 1795. It is evidently a modern hymn. The words "Life is earnest," verse 2, are also found in Longfellow s " Psalm of Life." It is probably an American hymn, but we have not yet learnt the name of the author.

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THERE are three hymns in the "New Congregational Hymn Book," by a writer, G. R., who wishes to continue to be anonymous, as he was when the hymns were contributed, in order that they might stand or fall by their own merits. The hymns are the following :

" Come to our poor nature s night." No. 438.

" Soul, thy week of toil is ended." No. 948.

" Father of love and power." No. 987.

The writer wishes to be known as "A Leeds Layman." He was residing at Leeds when these three and twelve other hymns were contributed by him to the " Leeds Hymn Book," 1853. In the formation of that collection he took an active, though anonymous, part. Besides the hymns he contributed, he re-wrote eight others, and altered two. To the " Psalms and Hymns for the Baptist Denomination," 1858, he also rendered important assistance, altering some of the hymns and re-writing others,

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