Liverpool, and found him somewhat troubled in mind, it was natural to him to express in verse the spiritual comfort which he desired to convey. Taking up a sheet of paper he then and there wrote down the hymn just exactly as it stands, and read it to this dying Christian. "I was with my father at the time, being home from school for the summer holidays, and I well recollect his coming into tea, a meal which we always had with him on Sunday afternoons, and saying, 'Children, I have written you a hymn,' and reading us Peace, perfect peace,' in which, from the moment that he wrote it, he never made any alteration. "I may add that it was his invariable custom to expect each one of us on Sundays at tea to repeat a hymn, and he did the same, unless, as frequently happened, he wrote us a special hymn himself, in which way many of his hymns were first given to the Church. "It is not always noticed that the first line in each verse of 'Peace, perfect peace,' is in the form of a question referring to some one or other of the disturbing experiences of life, and the second line in each verse endeavors to give the answer. Some years later than 1875 an invalid wrote to my father pointing out that he had not met the case of sickness, which induced him. to write two lines which appropriately can be added, but which he himself never printed in his own hymn book, so that I do not know how far he would wish them to be considered part of the hymn. "The hymn has been translated into many tongues; and for years I doubt if my father went many days without receiving from different people assurances of the comfort which the words had been allowed to bring to them. The most touching occasion on which, personally, I ever heard it sung was round the grave of my eldest brother, Bishop Edward Bickersteth (of South Tokyo), at Chiselden, in 1897, when my father was chief mourner. Peace perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? It is enough: earth's struggles soon shall cease, TO JOHN ELLERTON our hymnal is greatly indebted. Charles Wesley outranks him in the number of hymns accepted, as also James Montgomery and John Mason Neale. He is equaled by Bishop How. All others are below him. This is largely owing to the fact that so many of his hymns were written for special days or occasions for which only a few hymns were available. His only "general" hymn is a translation, beginning: 462 Sing Alleluia forth in duteous praise. Besides, there is an evening hymn, beginning: A hymn for the Lord's day, beginning: 28 This is the day of light. And another beginning: 32 Saviour, again to Thy dear name we raise. A hymn for St. Paul's Day (150); for the Purification (154); for St. Matthias' Day (155); for St. Barnabas' Day (161); for St. Bartholemew's Day (168); for St. Simon and St. Jude's Day (173); for Infant Baptism (208); for the Burial of the Dead (242); for the Laying of a Corner-stone (292); for the Restoration of a Church (299); and for the Dedication of a Burial Ground (302). He has besides given us one hymn for teachers (587), and a processional hymn of power (517). Of Canon Ellerton's hymns his biographer writes: "Not all have as yet been incorporated into the great hymnals; some perhaps never will be, for they vary much in quality. Some, however, the Church, having once counted them among her jewels of praise, will keep and guard to the end. "This is the Day of Light' will for many a year stand side by side with Jam lucis orto sidere, and Bishop Ken's 'Awake, My Soul'; 'Saviour, Again to Thy Dear Name We Raise,' has already taken such deep root wherever throughout Christendom English hymns are sung that its immortality is secured." Concerning the hymn beginning, "Now the laborer's task is o'er," this is the testimony: "It has been sung, and will continue to be sung, at the grave-side of princes, divines, statesmen, poets, artists, authors, as well as of many a Christian laborer in human life." And where there has been no singing it has often been read with touching pathos as most appropriate for a funeral service in a Christian home. This hymn is not as widely used in America as it is in England. On that account, and by reason of its shining merit, it is here given in full. 242 Now the laborer's task is o'er; Now the battle day is past; There the tears of earth are dried; There its hidden things are clear; There the work of life is tried There the penitents, that turn Father, in Thy gracious keeping There no more the powers of hell Can prevail to mar their peace; |