l6o THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED

Hymn 193. With joy we meditate the grace. ISAAC WATTS, D.D. (3).

Hymns and Spiritual Songs, 1 709. Headed Christ s compassion to the weak and tempted. Heb. iv. 15, 16 ; Matt. xii. 20. Ver. 3 is omitted

But spotless, innocent, and pure,

The great Redeemer stood, While Satan s fiery darts He bore,

And did resist to blood.

Ver. 4, And in His measure feels afresh.

Wesley omitted ver. 3 when he printed the hymn in his Charles- town Collection, 1737.

When John Fletcher was in Switzerland in 1781, his friend and companion, William Perronet, was seriously ill. He says, Every night after praying with me, he sings this verse at parting

Then let our humble faith address

His mercy and His power : We shall obtain delivering grace In the distressing hour.

Hymn 194. My sufferings all to Thee are known.

CHARLES WESLEY (i).

Hymns and Sacred Poems, 1740; Works, i. 274. Written in Stress of Temptation. Twenty verses. The first verse begins

I am the man who long have known

The fierceness of temptation s rage ! And still to God for help I groan :

When shall my groans His help engage?

The intensity of feeling in the complete hymn is almost too great for words.

Hymn 195. There is no sorrow, Lord, too light.

JANE CREWDSON (1809-63).

In A Little While, and other Poems, Manchester, 1862, headed Divine Sympathy.

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