FAVOURITE HYMNS

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 52, Issue 3756, 15 May 1936, Page 10

FAVOURITE HYMNS

The favourite hymns of famous men and women would make an interesting catalogue. “Abide With Me” was King George’s first choice, and was the only one sung at his funeral, writes the Manchester Guardian. There are some others which he especially esteemed. For the national

thanksgiving service for his restoration to health after his illness in 1928 the late King chose “All People That on Earth Do Dwell,” and “Praise, My Soul, the iKng of Heaven.” His partiality for “Abide With Me” was 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 in 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 Capitol at Washington for the lying-in-state. It, too, was the hymn sung by her passengers when the Titanic went down. Probably Isaac Watt’s magnificent “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” takes as i 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