This soul-inspiring "Battle Hymn of the Republic" was the incarnation of patriotism and martial feeling pent up in the tune of "John Brown's Body." It was struck out of the white heat of unconscious inspiration - the soul's product of a mighty moment. It is indeed the most resonant and elevating of all American battle hymns.

When James Russell Lowell was editor of "The Atlantic," he declined to publish a poem written by Julia Ward Howe, and gave as his reason therefor that no woman could write a poem, and said that "Mrs. Browning's efforts were a conspicuous illustration of this fact." But Mrs. Howe did write a poem which "The Atlantic" did accept, and although Mr. Lowell wrote many verses which will long live in our literature, he produced nothing that will touch the popular heart as deeply as the glorious anthem —

"Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord."

T

MARY FAWLER MAUDE

HIS writer of one excellent hymn

was the daughter of George H. Hooper, of Stanmore, Middlesex, England, where she was born in 1819. In 1841 she was married to the Rev. Joseph Maude, who was curate of Chirk, near Ruabon. The hymn that made Mrs. Maude's name familiar to many church people is the following:

Thine for ever: God of love,
Hear us from Thy throne above;
Thine for ever may we be,

Here and in eternity.

Thine for ever: Lord of life,

Shield us through our earthly strife;
Thou the life, the truth, the way,
Guide us to the realms of day.

Thine for ever: Oh, how bless'd
They who find in Thee their rest!
Saviour, guardian, heavenly friend.
Oh, defend us to the end.

Thine for ever: Saviour, keep
These Thy frail and trembling sheep;
Safe alone beneath Thy care,
Let us all Thy goodness share.

Thine for ever: Thou our guide,

All our wants by Thee supplied,
All our sins by Thee forgiven,

Lead us, Lord, from earth to heaven.

The hymn was written in 1847 for Mrs. Maude's class in the girls' Sunday school at St. Thomas, Isle of Wight. It fulfils the requirements of a confirmation hymn as completely as any hymn in the language.

ANNE BRONTË

BETWEEN the years 1816 and 1820,

three remarkable sisters were born

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Brontëdaughters of the Rev. Patrick Brontë, who was vicar of Haworth, Yorkshire, England. The first literary venture of note of these sisters was a volume of poems published in 1846 under the pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. Shortly after the issue of this volume each sister agreed to write a novel, using the same pen-name as before. Charlotte wrote "The Professor," Emily, "The Romance of Wuthering Heights," and Anne, "Agnes Grey." The publishers rejected "The Professor on the score that the plot was deficient, and immediately Charlotte set to work on Jane Eyre," which was published in 1847, and gave its author international fame.

Not long after the appearance of "Agnes Grey," Anne's health began a serious de

cline, and during her last days, when blasted hopes and bodily weakness pressed heavily upon her, there came from her heart two plaintive and spiritual hymns. The more familiar of the two is the following:

Oppressed with sin and woe,

A burdened heart I bear;
Opposed by many a mighty foe,
Yet will I not despair.

With this polluted heart
I dare to come to Thee,
Holy and mighty as Thou art,
For Thou wilt pardon me.

I feel that I am weak,

And prone to every sin;

But Thou who giv'st to those who seek,
Wilt give me strength within.

I need not fear my foes ;

I need not yield to care;

I need not sink beneath my woes,