The Greenville Journal

HYMNS OF 200 TONGUES.

Origin of Many Sacred Songs Told by an English Authority.

There are no less than 400,000 Christian hymns, according to Dr. Julian, the celebrated English authority on sacred music, and they have been written in 200 or more languages and dialects, says the Philadelphia Press.

Most popular among these, he says, are: "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me;" "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing;" "Awake, My Soul, and with the Sun," and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

Some interesting stories are connected with the origin of a number of the famous hymns. For instance, it is told that the English prelate, Bishop Bickersteth, wrote "Peace, Perfect Peace" at the deathbed of a relative, Archdeacon Hill of Liverpool, and that the latter read the verses and complimented them before he passed away.

"Just As I Am," said Dr. Julian, was written by an invalid, Charlotte Elliott, while she was lying almost helpless upon a sofa. All her relatives had gone to an entertainment and as she suffered alone in her home she sighed that she might be taken away just as she was and the verses of the hymn which thousands now sing sprang into her mind.

John Byrom, the author of "Christians, Awake," wrote that beautiful hymn as a Christmas offering for his daughter. He inscribed upon the manuscript.

"Christmas Day for Dolly."

"Rock of Ages," it is said, was written by Augustus Toplady while he lay sheltered from a storm under two gigantic limestone rocks, but there is no proof upon which this can be based.