Article October 17, 1901 Issue

Religious Items

Rev. Edwin D. Byington writes in The Congregationalist and Christian World, of the favorite hymns of Mr. McKinley. We quote from his excellent article:—

"In the future future histories histories of hymnody the most conspicuous and interesting incident narrated concerning 'Nearer, my God, to Thee,' will be that it was breathed from the lips of our martyred President in his last conscious moments; and that, on the day of his burial, millions of hearts and voices the world over joined in singing it. It has now been sealed with a sacrificial seal and crowned with the diadem of martyrdom.

"It deserves the honor. Written by a Unirarian, Mrs. Sarah F. Adams, in 1841, the word 'cross' gives a meaning to every line that appeals to all and repels none. All Protestants have adopted it; Romanists are satisfied with it; the Jews do not turn from it; even a Mohammedan might use it. Distinctively Christian, it still might become the universal hymn.

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