THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 269
Professor of Greek at Cambridge, and Canon of Ely, 1867. He died at Torquay in 1889.
Dr. Kennedy also published Hymnolcgia Christiana, 1863.
Hymn 429. O God, my God, my all Thou art. SPANISH ; translated by JOHN WESLEY (36).
Appeared in Wesley s collection of Psalms and Hymns, 1738, the enlarged edition of that published at Charlestown in 1737. IVorks, \. 174. In Hymns and Sacred Poems it is headed God our Portion. From the Spanish. One verse is omitted
In holiness within Thy gates
Of old oft have I sought for Thee :
Again my longing spirit waits That fullness of delight to see.
Dr. Osborn says, This noble version of Ps. Ixiii. was inserted in the book of 1738, and therefore probably translated in America. The Spanish author is unknown.
Wesley writes, on April 4, 1737, I began learning Spanish, in order to converse with my Jewish parishioners ; some of whom seem nearer the mind that was in Christ than many of those who call Him Lord. This hymn may therefore be described as the first-fruits of Wesley s new branch of knowledge. He certainly lost no time in reaping in these fields.
Bishop Bickersteth said of the version in his Hymnal Com panion, It seems to the editor one of the most melodious and perfect hymns we possess for public worship.
Hymn 430. Nearer, my God, to Thee. SARAH FLOWER ADAMS.
Mrs. Adams was the younger daughter of Benjamin Flower, a bookseller, who was editor and proprietor of the Cambridge Intelligencer. He had been sent to Newgate for a defence of the French Revolution. There he was visited by Miss Eliza Gould, and married her after his term of imprisonment was over. Their eldest daughter, Eliza, had a great talent for music, and composed tunes for her sister s hymns. Sarah was born at Harlow, Essex, February 22, 1805 ; married William Bridges Adams, a civil engineer, in 1 834 ; died in London of consumption
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