34^ THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED
Jesu geh voran appeared in the Moravian Hymn-book, 1778. It is a cento from two of Zinzendorf s hymns, one of which was published in 1721, and has become a great favourite among German children. Mr. Pope says, In translation it is impossible, on account of rhyme and metre, to keep absolutely close to the original. Where the sentiment in one or two lines has had to be changed, a more optimistic tone has been adopted than that of the German original.
Hymn 623. O King of mercy, from Thy throne on
high.
THOMAS RAWSON BIRKS, D.D.
In the Companion Psalter^ 1874. Psalm Ixxx.
Dr. Birks (1810-83) was Fellow of Trinity College, Cam bridge, Hon. Canon of Ely Cathedral, Professor of Moral Philosophy, Cambridge, 1872. He married the daughter of Rev. E. Bickersteth.
Dr. Birks wrote more than one hundred hymns and versions of psalms, of which this version of Psalm Ixxx. is the most popular.
Hymn 624. Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling
gloom.
JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, D.D. (62).
Written on June 16, 1833, and published in the British Maga zine, March, 1834, headed Faith Heavenly Leadings. In Lyra Apostolica, 1836, it is headed Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness, and in Occasional Verses ; 1868, The Pillar of the Cloud.
The birth of this hymn is described in Newman s Apologia. His health had suffered from the strain of preparing his Arians of the Fourth Century, and in December, 1832, he went to the south of Europe with Hurrell Froude and his father. Gradually there came over him the feeling that he had a work to do in England. After leaving the Froudes he crossed to Sicily, where he fell ill of fever. His servant thought he was dying, but Newman replied, I shall not die, for I have not sinned against light, I have not sinned against light. On May 26 or 27,
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