For half a century George N. Allen, composer of "Maitland," the music inseparable from the hymn, was credited with the authorship of the words also, but his vocal aid to the heart-stirring poem earned him sufficient praise. The tune did not meet the hymn till the latter was so old that the real author was mostly forgotten, for Allen wrote the music in 1849; but if the fine stanzas needed any renewing it was his tune that made them new. Since it was published nobody has wanted another. George Nelson Allen was born in Mansfield, Mass., Sept. 7, 1812, and lived at Oberlin, O. It was there that he composed "Maitland," and compiled the _Social and Sabbath Hymn-book_--besides songs for the _Western Bell_, published by Oliver Ditson and Co. He died in Cincinnati, Dec. 9, 1877. "AWAKE MY SOUL, STRETCH EVERY NERVE!" This most popular of Dr. Doddridge's hymns is also the richest one of all in lyrical and spiritual life. It is a stadium song that sounds the starting-note for every young Christian at the outset of his career, and the slogan for every faint Christian on the way. A _heavenly_ race demands thy zeal, And an immortal crown. Like the "Coronation" hymn, it transports the devout singer till he feels only the momentum of the words and forgets whether it is common or hallelujah metre that carries him along. A cloud of witnesses around Hold thee in full survey; Forget the steps already trod, And onward urge thy way! 'Tis God's all-animating voice That calls thee from on high, 'Tis His own hand presents the prize To thine aspiring eye. In all persuasive hymnology there is no more kindling lyric that this. As a field-hymn it is indispensable. _THE TUNE._ Whenever and by whomsoever the brave processional known as "Christmas" was picked from among the great Handel's Songs and mated with Doddridge's lines, the act gave both hymn and tune new reason to endure, and all posterity rejoices in the blend. Old "Christmas" was originally one of the melodies in the great Composer's Opera of "Ciroe" (Cyrus) 1738. It was written to Latin words (_Non vi piacque_) and afterwards adapted to an English versification of Job 29:15, "I was eyes to the blind." Handel himself became blind at the age of sixty eight (1753). "THERE IS A GREEN HILL FAR AWAY." Written in 1848 by Miss Cecil Frances Humphreys, an Irish lady, daughter of Major John Humphreys of Dublin. She was born in that city in 1823. Her best known name is Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander, her husband being the Rt. Rev. William Alexander, Bishop of Derry. Among her works are _Hymns for Little Children_, _Narrative Hymns_, _Hymns Descriptive and Devotional_, and _Moral Songs_. Died 1895. "There is a _green_ hill" is poetic license, but the hymn is sweet and sympathetic, and almost childlike in its simplicity. There is a green hill far away Without the city wall, Where our dear Lord was crucified Who died to save us all.