It is not for anything in thee That he loves thee and will save thee. Oh thou best of all fathers, Have pity on the most wretched of all thy children. I was lost, but by thy mercy found; I was dead, but by thy mercy raised again. I was gone astray after vanity, But am now ready to appear before thee. Oh my Father, Come now in mercy receive thy child: Remit unto him all his sins; Clothe him with thy nuptial robe; Receive him into thy house; Permit him to have a place at thy feast, And forgive all those who are guilty of his death. The name of Langhorn well deserves a place among those worthies who, although associated by the influences of birth, education, and the force of circumstances with a corrupt church, have so fully relied on Christ as to keep their spiritual perceptions undimmed. "Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy." III. SONGS IN THE PILGRIMAGE. 1. LORD, DISMISS US WITH THY BLESSING. 3. SWEET THE MOMENTS RICH IN BLESSING. 5. WHILE THEE I SEEK, PROTECTING POWER. 6. HARK, THE VOICE OF LOVE AND MERCY. 7. WHEN MARSHALLED ON THE NIGHTLY PLAIN. 8. WHILE WITH CEASELESS COURSE THE SUN. 9. ON THE MOUNTAIN-TOP APPEARING. 10. IF I MUST DIE, OH, LET ME DIE TRUSTING IN JESUS' BLOOD. 11. AWAKE MY SOUL, IN JOYFUL LAYS. SONGS IN THE PILGRIMAGE. "SWEET THE MOMENTS, RICH IN BLESSING.” THE personal history of few writers of popular hymns is so little known at the present time, as that of Sir Walter Shirley, author of "Sweet the moments, rich in blessing," "Peace, troubled soul, whose plaintive moan," and "Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing." And yet the lives of few hymn-writers abound with more impressive and highly interesting incidents. Shirley wrote but few hymns, but these have a popularity commensurate with their merits, and seem likely to prove enduring. With the single exception of Bishop Ken's Doxology," and Perronet's "All hail the power of Jesus' name," no hymn is more universally used in public service than the following: LORD, dismiss us with thy blessing, Travelling through this wilderness. Thanks we give, and adoration, May the fruits of thy salvation With us evermore be found. Then, whene'er the signal's given Reign with Christ in endless day. The Hon. and Rev. Walter Shirley was born in the year 1725. He was brother to Earl Ferrars, and first cousin of Selina, Countess of Huntingdon. He was a frequent visitor to Lady Huntingdon's London residence, and there became acquainted with the Calvinist Methodist preachers. He was converted under the ministry of Mr. Venn, became intimate with Whitefield, took orders, and began to preach in the Church of England. After preaching with great success in his native country, he received the living of Loughrea, Ireland, where he continued to exercise his ministry for many years. In the year 1760 he was called to endure severe discipline, which had the effect of making him deeply humble. While Sir Walter had been receiving the truths of the gospel, and growing in Christian graces, his brother, Earl Ferrars, had been leading a most worldly and licentious life, which, after years of secret dishonor, ended in public shame. In the year mentioned he became greatly incensed with a Mr. Johnson, his steward, who had been a servant in the family for thirty years, and who had shown a good disposition towards Lady Ferrars in her case against a favorite mistress of the nobleman. The details of the whole case are too unprofitable for recital; but the earl finding his old servant fearlessly devoted to his duty, deliberately shot him, and made no concealment |