herself some months ago, as she sat and wrote an autograph of the simple and beautiful hymn. for reproduction here.

"The hymn as I first wrote it," said Miss Hankey, "consisted of fifty verses of four lines each. It was divided into two parts-'The Story Wanted' and 'The Story Told.' I wrote Part I. towards the end of January, 1866. I was unwell at the time-just recovering from a serious illness. -and the second verse really indicates my state of health, for I was, literally, 'weak and weary.' When I had written the first part, which consisted of eight verses, I laid it aside; and it was not until the following November that I completed the whole hymn. It is, perhaps, strange that the plea for the story, and not the story itself, should become the favourite hymn; but of course the second part is far too long for congregational singing."

Miss Hankey also composed a musical setting for "Tell me the old, old story," which is very simple and beautiful. Though frequently sung, however, it has never attained the popularity enjoyed by that published in the American hymnal.

"What has always greatly surprised me," continued Miss Hankey, "is that so many people, including hymnal editors, should look upon it

only as a children's hymn; I certainly had not children in my mind when I wrote it. However, if it answers its purpose, I suppose it matters very little whether it is sung by the young or the aged. I am sincerely grateful that my little hymn has proved a comfort and a blessing to so many."

Miss Hankey is the author of many other hymns, not one of which, however, has become very well known. Like many another hymnist, she will be remembered by a single composition.

A hymn which was perhaps more popular with children fifteen years ago than it is to-day is "There is a happy land, far, far away." It was written by Mr. Andrew Young in 1838. Mr. Young happened during that year to be spending his holiday in Rothesay, and one day called at the house of a friend, where he passed the afternoon. In the drawing-room a little girl began to play on the piano. The tune was a pretty little Indian melody, very simple, and Mr. Young, who was passionately fond of music, begged her to play it again. He remarked that it would make a capital tune for a children's hymn, and again asked to have it repeated. That night, as he slept, the tune still haunted him, and early in the morning he rose, and, while walking in the garden, wrote the hymn which has now become so

well known. It has been translated into many languages and dialects, and is a general favourite among the converted natives of China.

Mr. Andrew Young was born in Edinburgh, where he was educated, in 1807. At the early age of twenty-three he was appointed Head Master of Niddry Street School, Edinburgh, where, in less than ten years, he raised the number of pupils from 80 to 600. In 1840 he became Principal English Master at Madras College, St. Andrew's, where his success as a teacher was no less remarkable. This appointment, however, he resigned in 1853, and became Superintendent of the Greenside Parish Sabbath Schools. He died on November 30, 1889.

Though Mr. Young was the author of numerous hymns, many of which he wrote for his pupils, only one has stood the test of time-" There is a happy land."

One of the most widely known and best loved of all children's hymns is :

I think when I read that oneel 'story of shits.

When Jesus among emer, How He called little children as lambs to this fold I should like to have been with them thems

written in 1841. The authoress, Mrs. Jemima

Luke, is still happily with us, and is now (1902)