Autograph Note Signed and poem by the Congregational minister James Bennett of Rotherham, with manuscript poem ('Psalm 149.3, Let the Saints sing about upon their beds') by James Gray of Nailsworth, titled 'Elijah's Interview with God'

Author: 
James Bennett (1774-1862) of Rotherham, Congregational minister; James Gray of Nailsworth
Publication details: 
Bennett's note dated from Rotherham, 26 November 1829. Gray's poem dated from Nailsworth. 19 January 1828.
£250.00
SKU: 13622

On a 4to leaf removed from an album, with Bennett's piece on one side of the leaf, and Gray's on the other. In fair condition, on aged and worn paper, with a short closed tear to the fore-edge. Bennett's note reads: 'Dearest Brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God made desire among us, that the Gentiles, from my mouth, should hear the word of the Gospel & believe. And God, who knoweth the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us: put no difference between us & them, purifying their hearts, by faith'. The note is signed and dated, and followed by the poem, which is initialed 'J. B.' It is 24 lines long, arranged in six four-line stanzas, beginning: 'To me, my God, my heavenly King, | In bursts of loudest praise I'll sing'. On the other side, Gray's poem is neatly written, beneath a fancy title. It consists of 36 lines, arranged in four nine-line stanzas. It begins: On Horeb's rock the Prophet stood; | The Lord before him past.' Gray's poem was published anonymously in a number of magazines ('The Monthy Traveller', 'The Lady's Book', 'The Saturday Magazine') from at least 1826. Bennett's poem does not appear to have been published.