roduced a
prodigious amount of work. It is claimed that he wrote more than one
thousand hymn tunes. He also published fifty volumes of church music.
Some of the finest tunes in our American hymnals were composed by him.
Who has not found inspiration in singing that sweet and haunting melody
known as "Ortonville"? And how can we ever be sufficiently grateful for
the tune called "Toplady," which has endeared "Rock of Ages" to millions
of hearts? Besides these there are at least a score of other beautiful
hymn tunes that have been loved by the singing Church for nearly a
century, any one of which would have won for the composer an enduring
name.

Through the composing of tunes, Hastings was led to write words for
hymns. More than six hundred are attributed to him, although many were
written anonymously. "Hail to the brightness of Zion's glad morning" is
generally regarded as his best hymn. It strikingly reflects the spirit of
the missionary age in which Hastings lived.

Another very popular and stirring missionary hymn, written by Hastings in
1831, is a song of two stanzas:

Now be the gospel banner
In every land unfurled;
And be the shout, Hosannah!
Reechoed through the world;
Till every isle and nation,
Till every tribe and tongue,
Receive the great salvation,
And join the happy throng.

Yes, Thou shalt reign forever,
O Jesus, King of kings!
Thy light, Thy love, Thy favor,
Each ransomed captive sings:
The isles for Thee are waiting,
The deserts learn Thy praise,
The hills and valleys, greeting,
The songs responsive raise.

A hymn with the title, "Pilgrimage of Life," though very simple, is
singularly beautiful and very tender in its appeal. The first stanza
reads:

Gently, Lord, O gently lead us,
Pilgrims in this vale of tears,
Through the trials yet decreed us,
Till our last great change appears.

Hastings did not cease writing and composing hymns until three days
before his death. It is said that more of his hymns are found in the
standard church hymnals of America than those of any other American
writer. Their survival through almost a century is a testimony to their
enduring quality.

Key's Hymn of Praise

Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise thee
For the bliss Thy love bestows,
For the pardoning grace that saves me,
And the peace that from it f