lows.
Help, O God, my weak endeavor;
This dull soul to rapture raise;
Thou must light the flame, or never
Can my love be warmed to praise.

Praise, my soul, the God that sought thee,
Wretched wanderer, far astray;
Found thee lost, and kindly brought thee
From the paths of death away;
Praise, with love's devoutest feeling,
Him who saw thy guilt-born fear,
And, the light of hope revealing,
Bade the blood-stained cross appear.

Lord, this bosom's ardent feeling
Vainly would my lips express;
Low before Thy footstool kneeling,
Deign Thy suppliant's prayer to bless;
Let Thy grace, my soul's chief treasure,
Love's pure flame within me raise;
And, since words can never measure,
Let my life show forth Thy praise.

Francis Scott Key, 1823.

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY, PATRIOT AND HYMNIST

Francis Scott Key is known to every American child as the author of our
national anthem, "The star spangled banner"; but his fame as a Christian
hymnist has not gone abroad to the same degree. And yet, as the author of
"Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise Thee," he ranks among the foremost
of American hymn-writers.

Key lived during the stirring days of our country's early history. His
father was an officer in the Continental army who fought with distinction
during the Revolutionary War. Francis was born at Frederick, Maryland,
August 1, 1779. After receiving a legal education he began to practice
law in Washington, and served as United States district attorney for
three terms, holding that office at the time of his death.

The story of how he came to write "Star spangled banner" scarcely needs
to be repeated. It was during the War of 1812 that Key was authorized by
President Madison to visit the British fleet near the mouth of the
Potomac in order to obtain the release of a friend who had been captured.

The British admiral granted Key's request, but owing to the fact that an
attack was about to be made on Fort McHenry, which guarded the harbor of
Baltimore, Key and his party were detained all night aboard the
truce-boat on which they had come.

It was a night of great anxiety. A fierce bombardment continued during
the hours of darkness, and as long as the shore fortifications replied to
the cannonading, Key and his friends were certain that all was well.
Toward morning, the firing ceased,