Thus may I rejoice to show Of His love who first loved me. Her "Sweet the Lessons Jesus Taught," is very tender in expression, and as the reader will note, is beautiful in form, but somehow it has not won the same popularity as the hymn just quoted. It is a lovely little hymn, notwithstanding many editors of hymnbooks have not recognized its merits: Sweet the lessons Jesus taught, When to Him fond parents brought Little ones, like me. Jesus did not answer nay, Bid them come another day; Jesus did not turn away Little ones, like me. No, my Saviour's hand was laid Jesus, when He blessed them, said Let them come to Me. Babes may still His blessing share; He will in His bosom bear Little ones, like me. Saviour, on my infant head Of Miss Leeson's personal history but little is known. She must have possessed a remarkable store of modest reserve, for while she was endued with large ability and had excellent poetic taste, she never sought great things for herself. Her best years for service were spent in retirement from the world. Her life began in England in 1815 and closed in 1883. She published "Hymns and Scenes of Childhood," and her various writings fill a dozen volumes, nearly all being poetical and designed for children. At her own request all her works were first published anonymously. Miss Leeson was a member of the Church of England for many years, but late in life her mind found rest and her heart consolation in the communion of the Church of Rome. CAROLINE MARIA NOEL HIS author of a noble Processional ΤΗ hymn was a native of London, and her father, himself a writer of repute of sacred verse, is known in hymnological literature as the Hon. Gerald Thomas Noel. Miss Noel's first hymn was written when she was seventeen years old, but for many years after her poetic moods were fitful. In 1861 she published a volume of verses especially designed for the sick and lonely. An enlarged edition was issued in 1870 which bore the title, "In the Name of Jesus, and Other Poems," and from this volume her Processional hymn is taken: At the name of Jesus Every knee shall bow, We should call Him Lord, Who from the beginning At His voice creation All the hosts of light, Humbled for a season, To receive a name Faithfully He bore it, When from death He passed. Bore it up triumphant With its human light, Through all ranks of creatures, To the Father's breast, Filled it with the glory Of that perfect rest. Name Him, brothers, name Him, With love as strong as death, But with awe and wonder, And with bated breath; He is God the Saviour, In your hearts enthrone Him; All that is not holy, All that is not true. In its light and power. Brothers, this Lord Jesus With His angel train; Meet upon His brow, And our hearts confess Him King of glory now. This hymn, one of the best of its class, is happily growing in favor in the United States. It has found a place in several of the standard hymnals published during the past ten years. Very little is known of the personal history of Miss Noel. It can be said, |