that the ministry of Mr. Steele had sadly thinned his congregation, asking, as he finished his tale, how he could best meet this emergency. "Go home," said Bishop Burnet," and preach better than Henry Steele, and the people will soon return." The result of this conversation is not recorded, but, at any rate, the Baptist congregation at Broughton was a flourishing one at the time of Anne's union with it many years later.

Early in life she commenced writing poetry, both rhyme and blank verse, under the assumed name of "Theodosia." She also produced, some years later, a version of the Psalms, which manifests much merit. But her talent for sacred poetry did not make its appearance until after, like most poets, she had learned in suffering what she taught in song. While still very

young, she had given her affections to one who was eagerly seeking her for his wife. Everything was arranged for the wedding, and the day was fixed. It dawned bright and fair, as did many another summer day; but, alas! it was destined to see the cup of bliss dashed from her lips. Early on that morning the intending bridegroom had gone to the river to bathe, and had sunk never to rise again. Some one who knew he had gone to bathe went to look for him, and aided in recovering his lifeless corpse. At the very time when, according to the nuptial arrangements, he would have been uttering the sacred vows, his lifeless body was brought home. The sight of the beloved.

dead almost made her brain reel, and it was hours and

days before she could even think of submission. It was a tempest of sorrow at first; then it subsided, and she penned one of our sweetest hymns on resignation. It is said that the particular hymn written upon her recovery after this great trial was the following. It is a long hymn, and in our modern collections only the first two verses and the last three verses are generally found.

"When I survey life's varied scene,

Amid the darkest hours,

Sweet rays of comfort shine between,
And thorns are mixed with flowers.

Anne Steele, both on account of an accident in girlhood and heavy attacks of illness at not infrequent intervals, loved the retirement of her Hampshire home. A quiet life suited her best. The garish foppery of fashion and the loud-voiced frequenters of life's dusty arena. were little suited to her taste. "The comfortablelooking old house in the village of Broughton, with its high roof and massive chimneys, its antique porch and rural garden palisades, overshadowed by the trees which beautified 'Theodosia's' birthplace," furnished the "calm retreat and silent shade" where she could pour forth her soul in sacred songs which, at that period of formalism and deadness, were eagerly welcomed and dearly prized by the few pious souls who knew of them. She says of herself: "I enjoy a calm evening on the terrace walk, and I wish, though in vain, for numbers sweet as the lovely prospect, and

gentle as the vernal breeze, to describe the beauties of charming spring; but the reflection how soon these blooming pleasures will vanish, spreads a melancholy gloom, till the mind rises by a delightful transition to the celestial Eden-the scenes of undecaying pleasure and immutable perfection." She sometimes wrote hymns on creation and providence; and although these lack the powerful originality of those of classical hymnists, they are full of warm, tender, thankful feeling.

In her father's diary we have these entries, and we reproduce them for the interest they bear to the lovers of her hymns:-"1757, Nov. 29. This day Nanny sent a part of her compositions to London to be printed. I entreat a gracious God, who enabled and stirred her up to such a work, to direct her in it, and to bless it for the good and comfort of many. I pray God to make it useful, and to keep her humble." Again: "Her brother brought with him her poetry, not yet bound. I earnestly desire the blessing of God upon that work, that it may be made very useful. I can admire the gifts that others are blessed with, and praise God for his distinguishing favours to our family. I have now been reading our daughter's printed books, which I have earnestly desired might be accompanied with the divine Spirit in the perusing."

This twofold prayer was answered. Anne was certainly kept humble by her many sufferings, and it must be equally certain that her hymns have quickened and comforted many a suffering sojourner in this vale of tears. It seems likely that the correspondence

thus initiated with the London publisher resulted in the publication of Anne's compositions, for in 1760 her "Poems on Subjects chiefly Devotional" appeared. This volume contained many of the hymns which are to be found in the hymnals of to-day, including such as these "Far from the narrow scenes of night;" "The Saviour calls; let every ear;" "Father of mercies, in thy word;" and, "When I survey life's varied scene." One other hymn is so full of Christian experience that it deserves quotation :

"When sins and fears prevailing rise,

And fainting hope almost expires,
Jesus, to thee I lift mine eyes,

To thee I breathe my soul's desires.

In 1769 Miss Steele lost her father, and this event proved a very bitter trial; indeed, it is said that she