Francis Turner Palgrave

“ The stronger the lyric element is, the more will the hymn bear the soul aloft. And the more cultivated taste of the present day is not satisfied with the mere rhymed prose which passed current in earlier days, but demands verse in which the religious feeling is so strong that it naturally takes on lyric forms. Hence, the hymns most frequently sung in our day are those which are the product of the vision and faculty divine. ”

“ Hence, the didactic element which hymns always do and ought to include is very apt to lower the poetical quality. The strict laws of poetry are in fact inapplicable in this region, and it is only a criticism which has no sypathy with the object of hymns that can complain that these laws are more or less set aside.” But it is quite clear from Mr. Palgrave’s own hymns that he regards the poetic as an essential element in every hymn worthy of the name — that the didactic purpose should be suffused with keen and high emotion which is sure to take on lyric forms ”

“ Among this number we should be disposed to include the name of Francis Turner Palgrave, who, if he cannot be called a great poet, assuredly holds a very high place among the critics of poetry — proof of which may be found not only in the fact that he now occupies the chair of poetry in the University of Oxford, but that he is the editor of what is certainly the finest collection of English lyrics yet produced. ”

“ And while he has written not a few poems that deserve remembrance, he has, if I mistake not, bent his energies still more earnestly to the production of hymns which should be suited to express the special sentiments and feelings of the present age — hymns destined to become still more valued as Christian thought grows more spiritual.
Our readers will be glad to hear a little of a man whose hymns often express their worshipping feeling.
Francis Turner Paigrave is the eldest son of Sir Francis Palgrave, the well-known historian, and his wife Elizabeth, from whom he derives his second name. ”

“ How accurately but how tenderly is the difficulty, and yet the longing, of our day for faith in the unseen Christ set forth in the following verses!
faith and sight in the latter days.
Iprae: sequar.
Thou sayst, “Take up thy cross
O man, and follow me;
The night is black, the feet are slack,
Yet we would follow Thee. ”

“ Palgrave’s with their distinctiveness of theme, their marked individuality, and delicacy of phrasing. The exaggerated tone, expressive of feelings far above the range of ordinary mortals, so often found in hymns, is conspicuous by its absence, and in its place there is what Mr. ”

“ He is best known, however, by his collection of English lyrics, which is a model of editing, and by his “Original Hymns,” of which the first edition appeared in 1867, followed by enlarged editions in 1868 and 1870. His object was “to try to write hymns which should have more distinct matter for thought and feeling than many in our collections offer, and so, perhaps, be of a little use and comfort to readers.” His hymns admirably fulfil this purpose. To those who are familiar with the monotony and dulness of the vast mass of hymns, it is a great relief to turn to Mr. ”