Williams, who earned the title of the "Watts of Wales," wrote the hymn originally in Welsh. Of him it has been said that "He did for Wales what Wesley and Watts did for England, or what Luther did for Germany." His first hymn-book, "Hallelujah," was published in 1744, when he was only twenty-seven years old. The Welsh hymnist originally intended to enter the medical profession, but, after passing through a spiritual crisis, he was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England. Because of his free methods of evangelism, he was denied full ordination, and later identified himself with the Wesleyan revival. Like Cennick and Perronet, however, he soon forsook the Wesleys, and now we find him a Calvinistic Methodist, having adopted Wales as his parish. He was a powerful preacher and an unusual singer, and for forty-five years he carried on a blessed work until, on January 11, 1791, he passed through "the swelling current" and was landed "safe on Canaan's side." In Praise of the Word of God Father of Mercies, in Thy Word What endless glory shines! Forever be Thy Name adored For these celestial lines. Here the Redeemer's welcome voice Spreads heavenly peace around; And life and everlasting joys Attend the blissful sound. O may these heavenly pages be My ever dear delight; And still new beauties may I see, And still increasing light. Divine Instructor, gracious Lord, Be Thou forever near; Teach me to love Thy sacred Word, And view my Saviour there. Anne Steele, 1760. ENGLAND'S FIRST WOMAN HYMNIST While Isaac Watts was working on his immortal version of "Psalms of David," a baby girl was born to a Baptist minister at Broughton, fifteen miles away. The baby was Anne Steele, destined to become England's first woman hymn-writer. This was in 1716. Her father, who was a merchant as well as a minister, served the church at Broughton for sixty years, the greater part without pay. The mother died when Anne was only a babe of three years. From childhood the future hymnist was delicate in health, and in 1735 she suffered a hip injury which made her practically an invalid for life. The hardest blow, however, came in 1737, when her lover, Robert Elscourt, was drowned on the day before he and Anne were to have been married. The grief-stricken young woman with heroic faith nevertheless rose above her afflictions and found solace in sacred song. It is believed that her first hymn, a poem of beautiful resignation, was written at this time: Father, whate'er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, Accepted at Thy throne, let this My humble prayer arise: Give me a calm and thankful heart, From every murmur free; The blessings of Thy grace impart, And make me live to Thee.