ng
tenderly and caressingly upon it was an emaciated hand. I could not see
the person to whom the voice and hand belonged, but that was
unnecessary--the story was all too clearly revealed: I knew that within
that close, uncomfortable room a human soul was struggling with the great
problem of life and death, and was slowly but surely reaching its
solution; I knew that in spite of her lowly surroundings her life was
going out serenely and triumphantly. I shall never forget the grave,
pathetic pleading in the frail young voice as these words were borne to
me on the oppressive air:

Other refuge have I none;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah, leave me not alone,
Still support and comfort me!"

Another Hymn of the Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee:
Let the water and the blood
From Thy riven side which flowed
Be of sin the perfect cure,
Save me, Lord, and make me pure.

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfil Thy Law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the Fountain fly:
Wash me, Saviour, or I die!

When I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

August Toplady, 1776.

A GREAT HYMN THAT GREW OUT OF A QUARREL

Although Isaac Watts' beautiful hymn, "When I survey the wondrous cross,"
is regarded by most critics as the finest hymn in the English language,
Toplady's "Rock of Ages" holds the distinction of being the most popular.
Perhaps no hymn ever written has so gripped the hearts of Christians of
all communions as this noble hymn.

A British magazine once invited its readers to submit a list of the
hundred English hymns that stood highest in their esteem. A total of
3,500 persons responded, and "Rock of Ages" was named first by 3,215.

We have tried the same experiment with a group of Bible students, and
"Rock of Ages" easily headed the list.

Augustus Montague Toplady, the writer of this hymn, was born on November