FAVOURITE HYMNS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22834, 19 March 1936, Page 12

FAVOURITE HYMNS

The favourite hymns of famous men and -women would make ah interesting' catalogue, writes a correspondent in a London newspaper* "Abide With Me" was King George's first choice, his partiality being shared,by Nurse Cavell and Lord Oxford. Gladstone's favourite was " Praise to the Holiest in the Height," and it was sung at his funeral. Every nation has its own taste in hymns; ".Nearer, my God, to Thee" was introduced into the broadcast memorial services hurriedly arranged ,itt the United States when the news was "flashed" of King George's death. The broadcasting companies were under the impression that this hymn was the .late King's favourite. It is certainly the great favourite of the United States. "Nearer, my God, to Thee" is the hymn to which the body of more than one President has been borne into' the s Capitol at Washington, for the state. It, too, was the hymn sung byher passengers when the Titanic went down. Probably Isaac Watts's magni* ficent " 0 God, our Help in Ages Past " takes as high a place as any in general* English favour. It may be recalled that it was chosen for a great mass meeting' in London after the outbreak of the war. It was also sung with moving effect at the coronation of King Geoi'ge and Queen Mary. *