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Fish

Hymnal Number: 587 Composer of "HAGUE" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.)

Philip Phillips

1834 - 1895 Hymnal Number: 897 Composer of "[I will sing you a song of that beautiful land]" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Phillips, Philip, commonly known as the "Singing Pilgrim," was born in Chautauqua County, N. York, Aug. 13, 1834. Although engaged in farming for a time, from an early age he devoted himself to music, and ultimately devoted himself to the work of a "Singing Evangelist," in which capacity he has visited most English-speaking countries. His popular hymnals are: (1) Early Blossoms, 1860; (2) Musical Leaves, 1862; and (3) The Singing Pilgrim, 1866. In these works he published one or two hymns, including "I have heard of a Saviour's love" (The love of Christ), as in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, 1878. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Edward Miller

1735 - 1807 Hymnal Number: 347a Composer of "CATON" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Edward Miller, Born in the United Kingdom. The son of a pavior (stone paver), Miller left home to study music at King's Lynn. He was a flautist in Handel's orchestra. In 1752 he published “Six Solos for the German Flute”. In 1756 he was appointed organist of St. George Minster Doncaster, continuing in that post for 50 years. He also gave pianoforte lessons. He published hymns and sonatas for harpsichord, 16 editions of “The Institues of Music”, “Elegies for Voice & Pianoforte”, and Psalms of David set to music, arranged for each Sunday of the year. That work had over 5000 subscribers. He published his thoughts on performance of Psalmody in the Church of England, addressed to clergy. In 1801 he published the Psalms of Watts and Wesley for use by Methodists, and in 1804 the history and antiques of Doncaster with a map. John Perry

Christian Friedrich Richter

1676 - 1711 Person Name: Christian Frederic Richter Hymnal Number: 568 Author of "Thou Lamb of God, thou Prince of Peace!" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Richter, Christian Friedrich, son of Sigismund Richter, Rath and Chancellor to Count von Promnitz at Sorau, in Brandenburg, was born at Sorau, Oct. 5, 1676. At the University of Halle he was first a student of medicine and then of theology. In 1698, A. H. Francke appointed him Inspector of the Paedagogium, and then made him, in 1699, physician in general to all his Institutions. In company with his younger brother, Dr. Christian Sigismund Richter, he made many chemical experiments, for which he prepared himself by special prayer; and invented many compounds which came into extensive use under the name of the “Halle Medicines," the most famous being the Essentia dulcis, which was a preparation of gold. He died at Halle, Oct. 5, 1711 (Koch, iv. 354, &c). Richter was one of the most important hymnwriters among the Pietists of the earlier Halle school; and his hymns possess the defects as well as the excellences of his school. They are emotional, and develop the idea of the spiritual union with Christ as the Bridegroom of the soul, with a minuteness that is hardly reverent (e.g. No. xi. below). They are also frequently not clearly thought out, and consequently somewhat obscure. Various of them are in unusual metres, and were wedded to tunes not very devotional in character. Apart from these defects there are various of his hymns worthy of note for their genuine, fervent piety, their childlike spirit of love to God, and the depth of Christian experience embodied in them. They appeared principally in the various Pietistic hymn-books of the period, especially in Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704 and 1714, and were collected and appended (as his Geistliche Lieder) to an essay edited by his brother (named above) and published at Halle, in 1718, as Erbauliche Betrachtungen vom Ur sprung und Adel der Seelen. Richter's hymns …which have passed into English are:— i. Gott den ich als Liebe kenne. For the Sick. Included in Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 647, in 7 stanzas of 8 lines, repeated, 1718, as above, p. 420, entitled, "Hymn in Sickness." According to Ehmann, in his edition of Gottfried Arnold, 1856, p. xii., it had previously appeared in Arnold's Heilsamer Rath und Unterricht für Kranke und Sterbende, 2nd edition, 1709. It is in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 603. Translated as :— God! whom I as love have known. A full and very good translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 1st Ser., 1855, p. 236. Repeated, abridged, in L. Rehfuess's Church at Sea, 1868, p. 53. A cento, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, taken from st. v., vi., iii., and beginning, "Let my soul beneath her load,” is No. 398, in the Unitarian Hymns of the Spirit, Boston, U. S. A., 1864. Another translation is: O God, Whose attributes shine forth in turn." By Miss Cox, 1864, p. 191. ii. Heine Armuth macht mich schreien. Supplication, or Longing for Christ. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 662, in 7 st. of 6 1. Repeated, 1718, as above, p. 381, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 769. Translated as:— Unto Him my spirit crieth . A good translation of st. i., ii., vi., by A. T. Russell, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. iii. Stilles Lamm und Friedefürst. Sanctification. A hymn on the Following of Christ the Lamb of God, and founded on Rev. xiv. 4. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch 1714, No. 432, in 8 st. of 5 1. Repeated in 1718, as above, p. 364, entitled. "On the name Agneta, which may be derived from Agnus, which in German is called a Lamb." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 922. Tr. as:— Thou Lamb of God, Thou Prince of Peace . A free tr., omitting st. iii., vii., by J. Wesley, in his Psalms & Hymns, Charlestown, 1736-7, p. 51, and Hymns & Sacred Poems, 1739 (P. Works, 1868-72, i.,p. 129). Included in the Wesleyan Hymn Book, 1780, No. 329 (1875, No. 338), and recently in the Methodist New Congregational Hymn Book, 1863, Mercer's Church Psalter & Hymn Book, 1857 and 1864, Holy Song, 1869, the American Methodist Episcopal Hymn Book 1849, and others. Another tr. is: "Holy Lamb and Prince of Peace." By J. Gambold, as No. 38 in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1742 (1886, No. 486). Eight others of his hymns have been tr. into English, viz:-- iv. Die sanfte Bewegung, die liebliche Kraft. Whitsuntide. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 454, in 9 st.; and in 1718 as above, p. 393, entitled, "Of the Joy in the Holy Ghost." Tr. as: "This Impulse so gentle, this Movement so sweet," as No. 551, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. v. Es glänzet der Christen inwendigem Leben. The Life of Faith. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 515, in 8 stanzas; and in 1718, as above, p. 398, entitled, "On the hidden life of believers." Repeated in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 410. It is Richter's finest hymn, and was (says Koch, viii. 249) a great favourite with Dr. F. Schleiermacher. It is founded on Col. iii. 3, 4, and gives a picture of what the inner life of a Christian should be: described from Richter's own experience. The trs. are: (1) "The Christian's Life inward displays its bright splendour." As No. 620, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. (2) "All fair within those children of the light." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 26. vi. Hüter! wird die Nacht der Sunden. Morning. A fine hymn, for use especially in Advent, and founded on Isaiah xxi. 11. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 599, in 9 st.: 1718, as above, p. 401, and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 460. Tr. as: (1) "Watchman! is the Night retiring." By H. J. Buckoll, 1842, p. 45. (2) "O Watchman, will the night of sin." By Miss Winkworth, 1855, p. 1. Repeated in Miss Warner's Hymns of the Church Militant , 1858, the Gilman-Schaff Library of Religious Poetry , 1881, &c. vii. Jesu, gib mir deine Fülle. Supplication. A prayer to Christ as the Great Physician. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 66, in 7 st., st. vii. being entitled "Answer." In 1718, as above, p. 406, entitled, "On Patience." In Burg's Gesang-Buch, Breslau, 1746, No. 289. Tr. as:— "Jesu grant Thou me Thy Fulness." In the Supplement to German Psalmody, ed. 1765, p. 47. viii. Jesus ist das schönste Licht. Love to Christ. On St. John xii. 36. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch, 1704, No. 349, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 379, entitled, "On Desire towards God and Christ." In the Berlin Geistlich Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 808. Tr. as:— "Jesus is my light most fair," as No. 630, in pt. i. of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 (1886, No. 450). ix. Mein Salomo dein freundliches Regieren. Peace in Believing. A fine hymn, founded on St. John i. 14. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 512, in 11 st. In 1718, as above, p. 416; and in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 424. Tr. as:— (1) "My Solomon! thy kind and gracious Sceptre," as No. 622, in pt. i., of the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754. In 1789, altered to "Jesus, my King, Thy kind and gracious sceptre" (1886, No. 384). (2) "Jesus, my King! Thy mild and kind control." By Dr. Bomberger, in Schaff s Kirchenfreund , 1849, p.337. x. O Liebe die den Himmel hat zerissen. Christmas. In Freylinghausen's Neues geistreiches Gesang-Buch, 1714, No. 34, in 9 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 414, entitled, "On the Incarnation of the Son of God." In the Unverfälschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 52. Translated as:-- "Oh! love that did the heavens rend asunder." By Miss Manington, 1864, p. 35. xi. O wie selig sind die Seelen. Love to Christ. Founded on Hosea ii. 19, 20, and Eph. v. 25. In Freylinghausen's Gesang-Buch., 1704, No. 512, in 10 st.: and in 1718, as above, p. 396, entitled, "On the high dignity of believers." In Porst's Gesang-Buch, ed. 1855, No. 412. It was (says Koch, viii. 297) originated by a dream Richter had about 1700, that in the hospital at Halle he would find a truly Christ-like soul. After searching all the wards he found an old neglected patient in a garret, with whom he conversed, and whom he found to be the person he was seeking. Inspired by her relations of her inner experience, he embodied her thoughts in this fine hymn. Tr. as:— "O what joy for them is stored." By Mrs. Bevan, 1858, p. 68. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

James McGranahan

1840 - 1907 Hymnal Number: 904 Composer of "[Our Lord is now rejected]" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) James McGranahan USA 1840-1907. Born at West Fallowfield, PA, uncle of Hugh McGranahan, and son of a farmer, he farmed during boyhood. Due to his love of music his father let him attend singing school, where he learned to play the bass viol. At age 19 he organized his first singing class and soon became a popular teacher in his area of the state. He became a noted musician and hymns composer. His father was reluctant to let him pursue this career, but he soon made enough money doing it that he was able to hire a replacement farmhand to help his father while he studied music. His father, a wise man, soon realized how his son was being used by God to win souls through his music. He entered the Normal Music School at Genesco, NY, under William B Bradbury in 1861-62. He met Miss Addie Vickery there. They married in 1863, and were very close to each other their whole marriage, but had no children. She was also a musician and hymnwriter in her own right. For a time he held a postmaster’s job in Rome, PA. In 1875 he worked for three years as a teacher and director at Dr. Root’s Normal Music Institute. He because well-known and successful as a result, and his work attracted much attention. He had a rare tenor voice, and was told he should train for the operatic stage. It was a dazzling prospect, but his friend, Philip Bliss, who had given his wondrous voice to the service of song for Christ for more than a decade, urged him to do the same. Preparing to go on a Christmas vacation with his wife, Bliss wrote McGranahan a letter about it, which McGranahan discussed with his friend Major Whittle. Those two met in person for the first time at Ashtubula, OH, both trying to retrieve the bodies of the Bliss’s, who died in a bridge-failed train wreck. Whittle thought upon meeting McGranahan, that here is the man Bliss has chosen to replace him in evangelism. The men returned to Chicago together and prayed about the matter. McGranahan gave up his post office job and the world gained a sweet gospel singer/composer as a result. McGranahan and his wife, and Major Whittle worked together for 11 years evangelizing in the U.S., Great Britain, and Ireland. They made two visits to the United Kingdom, in 1880 and 1883, the latter associated with Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey evangelistic work. McGranahan pioneered use of the male choir in gospel song. While holding meetings in Worcester, MA, he found himself with a choir of only male voices. Resourcefully, he quickly adapted the music to those voices and continued with the meetings. The music was powerful and started what is known as male choir and quartet music. Music he published included: “The choice”, “Harvest of song”, “Gospel Choir”,, “Gospel hymns #3,#4, #5, #6” (with Sankey and Stebbins), “Songs of the gospel”, and “Male chorus book”. The latter three were issued in England. In 1887 McGranahan’s health compelled him to give up active work in evangelism. He then built a beautiful home, Maplehurst, among friends at Kinsman, OH, and settled down to the composition of music, which would become an extension of his evangelistic work. Though his health limited his hours, of productivity, some of his best hymns were written during these days. McGranahan was a most lovable, gentle, modest, unassuming, gentleman, and a refined and cultured Christian. He loved good fellowship, and often treated guests to the most delightful social feast. He died of diabetes at Kinsman, OH, and went home to be with his Savior. John Perry

George Washington Doane

1799 - 1859 Person Name: George W. Doane Hymnal Number: 81 Author of "Thou art the Way: to thee alone" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Doane, George Washington, D.D. Bishop Doane was born at Trenton, New Jersey, May 27, 1799, and graduated at Union College, Schenectady, New York. Ordained in 1821, he was Assistant Minister at Trinity Church, New York, till 1824. In 1824 he became a Professor at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.; in 1828 Rector of Trinity Church, Boston; and, in 1832, Bishop of New Jersey. He founded St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, 1837, and Burlington College, Burlington, 1846. Died April 27, 1859.  Bishop Doane's exceptional talents, learning, and force of character, made him one of the great prelates of his time. His warmth of heart secured devoted friends, who still cherish his memory with revering affection. He passed through many and severe troubles, which left their mark upon his later verse. He was no mean poet, and a few of his lyrics are among our best. His Works, in 4 volumes with Memoir by his son, were published in 1860. He issued in 1824 Songs by the Way, a small volume of great merit and interest. This edition is now rare. A second edition, much enlarged, appeared after his death, in 1859, and a third, in small 4to, in 1875. These include much matter of a private nature, such as he would not himself have given to the world, and by no means equal to his graver and more careful lyrics, on which alone his poetic fame must rest.The edition of 1824 contains several important hymns, some of which have often circulated without his name. Two of these are universally known as his, having been adopted by the American Prayer Book Collection, 1826:-- 1. Softly now the light of day. Evening. This, in addition to its use in American hymnals, is also found in the English Collections, including Snepp's Songs of Grace & Glory.   Written in 1824. 2. Thou art the way, to Thee alone. Christ the Way. This, in the judgment of many, is the first of American hymns, and one of the most admirable and useful in the English language. In the United States its use is most extensive, and since its introduction into the English Collections by Bickersteth in 1833, Hall in his Mitre, in 1836, and others, it has grown in favour until it ranks with the most popular of the great English hymns. Near in merit to the foregoing stands a companion piece in the same work, which deserves to be better known :— 3.  Lord, should we leave Thy hallowed feet. The next three have been overlooked at home, but have obtained considerable circulation in English Collections. 4.  Father of mercies hear,  Thy pardon we implore.    Ash Wednesday or Lent.    A translation of "Audi, benigne Conditor" q.v.), published in his Songs by the Way, 1824, together with several other translations, thus anticipating by twelve years the great English movement in that direction.   Original translation in his Songs by the Way, 1875Miller (S. & S., p. 12) attributes this translation to Dr. Neale in error. 5.  Return and come to God.   Invitation.   In his Songs, &c, 1824.   It is found in  Hall’s Mitre, 1836; the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, and several others. 6.  To thee, 0 Lord, with dawning light.  Morning.    This hymn is attributed to Heber by Miller (S. & S. , p. 381) in error.  It is included in the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Hymns, 1852; in Windle and others.    It is from the Songs, &c, 1824. His later hymns, the dates of which are generally preserved in the last edition of his Songs by the Way, include the following, which are more or less in use :— 7.  Beloved, it is well.   All well in Christ.   This is entitled "To my wife"; is dated Mar. 12, 1833, and was written in a copy of Dr. Bedell's "It is well."    It is given in Kennedy, 1863. 8.  Broken-hearted, weep no more.    Assurance of Peace.    The date of this hymn is not preserved. It is found as early as 1829, when it appeared in the 2nd edition of Cleland's (Baptist) Hymns. 9.  Fling out the banner, let it float.    Missions, Home & Foreign.    This hymn, sometimes dated 1824 in error, was written at Riverside, 2nd Sunday in Advent, 1848, and is one of the author's latest effusions.    It is in extensive use both in Great Britain and America. 10.  He came not with His heavenly crown.   The two Advents. In his Songs by the Way, edition 1875, this poem is dated Dec. 1827.    In Dale's English Hymnbook, 1879, it is given with the omission of stanza iii., and in the American Protestant Episcopal  Hymnal,   1871,  it begins  with stanza iv., "Once more, O Lord, Thy sign shall be."    Full text in Lyra Sac. Amer., p. 92. 11.  Lift not thou the wailing voice.   Burial.   A funeral hymn, adopted by the Anglican Hymnbook, but dated 1826 in error, for 1830. 12.  What is that, mother?  The lark, my child. This is not a hymn, but a familiar and long popular song. 13.  "When darkness erst [once] at God's command. Israel in Egypt.    In Kennedy, 1863, No. 722. 14.  Young and happy while thou art.    Youth for Christ.   A favourite piece in many juvenile collections.   It is dated Sept., 1827, and is given in Songs by the Way, 1875. The Lyra Sacra Americana also contains the following:— 15.  Brightness of the Father's glory.    Morning. A tr. of "Consors Paterni luminis " (q.v.).   It is from the Songs, &c, 1824. 16.  Child that kneelest meekly there.     Child at Prayer.    Suggested by a cast from a piece of sculpture by Greenough representing a child at prayer. 17.  Grant me, Lord, Thy graces three.    Faith, Hope, and Charity desired. 18.  Perfect through suffering may it be.     Uses of suffering.    Dated in Songs by the Way, "The Breakers, June 1, 1853." 19.  Yes, it is a faithful saying.   Redemption. In his Songs, &c, 1824.             [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

George Keith

1638 - 1716 Hymnal Number: 546 Author of "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) George Keith, according to D. Sedgwick, was the author of "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord." Little is known about Keith, save that he was a publisher, a son-in-law of Dr. Gill, and the composer of several hymns. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872.

George J. Elvey

1816 - 1893 Hymnal Number: 790b Composer of "CALM" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) George Job Elvey (b. Canterbury, England, 1816; d. Windlesham, Surrey, England, 1893) As a young boy, Elvey was a chorister in Canterbury Cathedral. Living and studying with his brother Stephen, he was educated at Oxford and at the Royal Academy of Music. At age nineteen Elvey became organist and master of the boys' choir at St. George Chapel, Windsor, where he remained until his retirement in 1882. He was frequently called upon to provide music for royal ceremonies such as Princess Louise's wedding in 1871 (after which he was knighted). Elvey also composed hymn tunes, anthems, oratorios, and service music. Bert Polman

James Flint

1779 - 1855 Hymnal Number: 810 Composer of "HARVILLE" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Flint, James, D.D., born at Reading, Mass., 1779, and graduated at Harvard, 1802. In 1806 he became pastor of a Unitarian Church at East Bridgewater, Mass., from which he passed to East Church, Salem, 1821. Died in 1855. In 1820 he contributed one hymn to Sewell’s New York Collection, and in 1843 he also published A Collection of Hymns, to which he contributed from 10 to 12 originals. His best known hymns are:— 1. Here to the High and Holy One. This hymn, "On leaving an Ancient Church," appeared in the Cambridge Selection of 1828. 2. In pleasant lands have fallen the lines. Remembrance of our Fathers. Written for the bicentenary of Quincy, Mass., May 25, 1840, and published in his Collection, 1843. 3. Happy the unrepining poor. Appeared in Sewell's New York Collection, 1820. Dr. Flint's hymns are unknown to the English Collections. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon

1648 - 1717 Person Name: Madame Guyon Hymnal Number: 562 Author of "My sole possession is thy love" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Guyon, Madame. (1648-1717.) Jeanne Marie Bouyieres de la Mothe was the leader of the Quietist movement in France. The foundation of her Quietism was laid in her study of St. Francis de Sales, Madame de Chantal, and Thomas ä Kempis, in the conventual establishments of her native place, Montargis (Dep. Loiret), where she was educated as a child. There also she first learned the sentiment of espousal with Christ, to which later years gave a very marked development. She was married at sixteen to M. Guyon, a wealthy man of weak health, twenty-two years her senior, and her life, until his death, in 1676, was, partly from disparity of years, partly from the tyranny of her mother-in-law, partly from her own quick temper, an unhappy one. Her public career as an evangelist of Quietism began soon after her widowhood. Her first labours were spent in the diocese of Geneva, at Annecy, Gex, and Thonon, and in Grenoble. In 1686 she came to Paris, where she was at first imprisoned for her opinions in the Convent of St. Marie in the Faubourg St. Antoine, but released after eight months at the instance of Madame de Maintenon. She then rose to the zenith of her fame. Her life at all times greatly fascinated those around her; and the court, Madame de Maintenon, Fénelon (who ardently sympathised with her doctrine of pure and disinterested love of God), and Madame de Maintenon's College of Ladies at Cyr, came under the spell of her enthusiasm. But the affinity of her doctrines with those of Molinos, who was condemned in 1685, soon told against her. Her opinions were condemned by a commission, of which Bossuet was president. She then incurred Bossuet's displeasure by breaking the promises she had made to him to maintain a quiet attitude, and not return to Paris. She was imprisoned at Vincennes, Dec. 1695, and in the following year removed to Vaugirard, under a promise to avoid all receptions and correspondence, except by special permission. In 1698 she was immured in the Bastille, and not released until 1702. The Quietist controversy had meanwhile ruined the saintly Fénelon in the favour of Louis XIV., and obtained the condemnation by the Pope (1699) of his book (Maxima des Saints) written in defence of the doctrine of disinterested love. The remainder of Madame Guyon's life was spent in retirement with her daughter, the Marquise de Vaux, at Blois. She was visited there by numbers of persons of all ranks, some of them from foreign countries; and she had a considerable correspondence. She heard Mass daily, and died in full communion with the Roman Church. Madame Guyon's works fill 40 volumes. The principal ones are:— (1) Les Torrents (1683), a description of God's dealings with souls, founded on her own spiritual history. (2) Le Cantique des Cantiques interpreté selon le sens mystique. Le Moyen Court defaire oraison (1684). Her (3) Autobiography. (4) Poésies et Cantiques Spirituels (pub. 1722). The Cantiques Spirituels comprise nearly 900 pieces. The dates of composition are mainly to be gathered from internal evidence; some appear to have been written in the country; many were certainly written in her imprisonments at the Convent of St. Marie and Vincennes; many also apparently in her last sickness at Blois. They were composed to ballad tunes, and with an effortless facility, five or six hymns being often written in a day, while confined to her bed. She believed them to originate from the Divine impulse, more than from herself. The Cantiques are at once illustrated and interpreted by her Autobiography (which is one of the most remarkable books in the delineation of spiritual enthusiasm) and by her Commentary on the Song of Solomon, which applies its passionate love to the union of Christ with the soul. The leading ideas are, (1) the absorption of the soul, utterly emptied of self, into the Infinite Being of God: which is expressed at other times as the entire occupation of the soul, reduced to nothingness ("le néant, le rien"), and deprived of all independent will, by the Personality of God. The perfect state of the soul is one of complete passiveness; its energy is the energy of God directing and wielding the human powers; prayer becomes not the expression of desire, but rapt contemplation, wordless intercourse, and reception of the Divine Voice to the soul. (2) Pure and disinterested love of God, as Himself the Perfect Love, uninfluenced by any consideration of His favour and blessing either here or in eternity. If it be His will to cast the soul into hell itself, even this is to be accepted without fear or deprecation, if the Love of God remains as the joy of His creature. (3) The Love of God is consistent with terrible, often unintelligible or apparently capricious infliction of suffering and desertion on the soul He loves. A selection of 37 pieces from these poems was translated by the poet Cowper, in 1782 (published by his friend William Bull, in 1801). Bull had introduced the poems to him, and requested him to translate some of them. Whether Bull or Cowper selected the pieces for translation is uncertain, Their leading theme is that of Love unshaken, submissive, not asking for release, though under the extremity of desertion and suffering inflicted by God's Hand, which is heavy with anger and seems threatening destruction. Mixed with these awful seasons there are others, in which the manifestation of the Divine Love floods the soul with transport. The points of affinity with Cowper's thought are obvious; and Bull may have hoped that the spectacle of her unmoved belief in the hidden love of God might help to drive away the terrible delusion of his reprobation. The nervous style is very different from the flabby lines of the French: and Cowper designedly modified the amative metaphors, which, especially when they represent the dealings of Christ with her as His spouse, in language suggested by the caprice of Cupid or that of conjugal infidelity, are very painful and unconsciously irreverent. (See his letters to W. Unwin, 1782-3.) The most characteristic pieces are those beginning, "Twas my purpose on a day," "I suffer fruitless anguish," "Long plunged in sorrow," and "Source of Love, my brighter Sun." The translations from Madame Guyon's hymns which are in common use are mainly in American hymnbooks. They include :— 1. Ah! régnez sur toute la terre. Triumph of heavenly love desired. From her Cantique des Cantiques, vol. ii. No. 236. Translated by W. Cowper in his posthumous Poems Translated from the French of Madame de la Mothe Guion, fee., 1801, p. 14, in 3 stanzas of 4 lines, as, "Ah! reign, wherever man is found." It is in Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymnbook, 1866. 2. Amour que mon âme eat contente. The soul that loves God finds Him everywhere. From vol. ii., Cantique 108. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 33, in 9 stanzas of 4 lines, as "0 Thou, by long experience tried." This has been abbreviated and altered to "My Lord, how full of sweet content," in Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, N. Y., 1872, and others, and as "0 Lord, how full of sweet content," in the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858; the Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, &c. It is also in use in its original form. Cowper's translation is more nervous than the original, but not always close thereto. 3. Divin objet, auquel nul objet n'est pareil. The Nativity. From her works, vol. iv., Poëmes Héroїques, 1. W. Cowper's translation of the poem (1801, p. 1) begins "Tis folly all—-let me no more be told." The cento in common use begins on p. 4 with "Infinite God, Thou great unrivall'd One," and is composed of 14 lines, not consecutive in all cases, and with extraneous additions. 4. Esprit Saint, viena dedans nos cœurs. Charity. From vol. ii., Cant. 96, beginning with stanza iii. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 26, as "Spirit of charity dispense.” This is in American common use. 5. Je n'aime plus d'un amour mien. Life in the love of God. From vol. iv., sect. 2, cant. 80. An anonymous translation of a part of this as "I love my God, but with no love of mine," appeared in the Andover Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858; the Church Praise Book, N. Y., 1881, &c, in 2 stanzas of 6 lines. Of this translation st. i. is apparently an expansion of the four first lines of this short hymn; stanza ii. may be only an expansion of the two remaining lines, or may have added to it some verse of a hymn not identified. Guyon, vol. iii., cant. 136, is somewhat similar, especially at its close, but is on a much larger scale. 6. L'amour me tient asservie. Divine love. From vol. ii., cant. 155. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 38, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines, as “Love is the Lord whom I obey." It is generally used in an abbreviated form. 7. La fontaine dans sa source. Living Water. From vol. iv., cant. 81. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 28, in 2 stanzas of 4 lines, as “The fountain in its source." In 1812 it was given in Collyer's Selections, No. 322, with an additional stanza by Collyer. This is the form of the text in common use in Great Britain and America. 8. Mon cœur depuis longtems plongé. The Joy of the Cross. From vol. iii., cant. 97. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, pp. 81-84, in 12 stanzas of 6 lines, as "Long plung'd in sorrow, I resign." The following centos therefrom are in common use:— 1. "Long plunged in sorrow, I resign." 2. "O Lord, in sorrow I resign." 3. "Self-love no grace in sorrow sees." Of these centos 1 is in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866; and 2 and 3 in American collections. 9. Nous portons un doux témoignage. God's Chosen. Vol. ii., cant. 78. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 35, as "How happy are the newborn race." This is usually altered to "O happy they, God's chosen race," as in Mercer, 1854, and others. 10. Souffrons, puisqu’l le faut, souffrons toute la vie. The love of God the end of Life. From vol ii., cant. 165. Translated by W. Cowper, 1801, p. 50, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, as “Since life in sorrow must be spent." In the Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, and other American collections it is altered to "If life in sorrow must be spent." In addition to these there are also translations of hymns in common use, the originals of which are attributed to Madame Guyon. These we have not identified in her poetical works:— 11. By suffering only can we know. Resignation. This is part of a poem written at nineteen. In a letter written from Blois in 1717, Madame Guyon thus alludes to it: "I remember that when I was quite young, only nineteen years of age, I composed a little song in which I expressed my willingness to suffer for God. ... A part of the verses to which I refer is as follows: ‘By suffering only can we know.’ ”The translation in the American Hymns for the Church of Christ, 1853, is anonymous. 12. I would love Thee, God and Father. This we cannot identify. It appeared in the Andover Sabbath Hymnbook, 1858, No. 649, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is in Songs for the Sanctuary, 1865, Hatfield's Church Hymn Book, 1872, and others. 13. 'Tis not by skill of human art. Love. Not identified. The translation appeared in the Hymns for the Church of Christ, 1853, No. 606. [Rev. H. Leigh Bennett, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ===================== Guyon, Madame, p. 475, i. Other translations in common use are:— 1. From No. 3 on p. 476, i., the cento in Martineau's Hymns, 1840, No. 160, "Almighty Former of creation's plan" is taken. 2. Source of love, and Light of day. This in Martineau's Hymns, 1840, No. 425, is from W. Cowper's translation of Cantique 125, in 1801, p. 40. 3. To me remains nor place, nor time. This cento In Dale's English Hymn Book, 1874; "My country, Lord, art Thou alone," in Spurgeon's Our Own Hymn Book, 1866; and "All scenes alike engaging prove," are from No. 2 on p. 476, i. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

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