n
immeasurably poorer had these consecrated women failed to make use of
their heaven-born talent.

And, although we must deplore the apparent fact that "original utterance
in sacred song is departing from the Church," we must be forever grateful
to such gifted women as Catherine Winkworth and the Borthwick sisters,
who, through their excellent translations, gave to the English-speaking
world some of the choicest pearls of German hymnody.

Charlotte Elliott was the forerunner of the long line of women hymnists.
Then came Sarah Flower Adams, the writer of "Nearer, my God, to Thee,"
one of the greatest sacred lyrics ever given to the world, and probably
the finest ever written by a woman.

Sarah Flower was born at Harlow, England, February 22, 1805, the daughter
of Benjamin Flower, editor of the Cambridge "Intelligencer." The mother
died when Sarah was only five years old. A sister, Eliza, was a gifted
musician, while Sarah early showed talent along literary lines. In later
years Eliza wrote music for the hymns of her sister.

Sarah was fond of the stage. She believed that it could be made to teach
great moral truths as well as the pulpit. Her dreams of becoming an
actress, however, failed to materialize because of poor health. In 1834
she became the wife of John Bridges Adams, a civil engineer, after which
she made her home in London. Her health was seriously impaired through
caring for her sister, who died a consumptive in 1846, and she survived
her less than two years.

Her great hymn was written in 1840. It was published the following year
in a volume of hymns and anthems edited by her pastor, Rev. William
Johnson Fox. This man was a Unitarian, and for this reason Mrs. Adams has
also been classified with that sect. It is said, however, that she became
a Baptist near the close of her life. Other hymns written by her indicate
that she had arrived at a living faith in Christ. Perhaps the many trials
she suffered proved in the end to be the means of bringing her to the
Saviour. And thus was fulfilled in her own life the beautiful lines:

E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.

"Nearer, my God, to Thee" has probably aroused more discussion than any
other hymn. Because it is based entirely on the story of Jacob at Bethel
and omits reference to Christ, it has been called more Unitarian than
Christian. Many efforts have been made, but without much success, to
write a substitute hymn with a definite Christ