Part 25 (1/2)

2 Watchman, does its beauteous ray Aught of hope or joy foretell?

(Antistrophe) Trav'ler, yes; it brings the day, Promised day of Israel.

3 Watchman, tell us of the night; Higher yet that star ascends.

(Antistrophe) Trav'ler, blessedness and light Peace and truth its course portends.

4 Watchman, will its beams alone Gild the spot that gave them birth?

(Antistrophe) Trav'ler, ages are its own.

See! it bursts o'er all the earth.

”YE CHRISTIAN HERALDS, GO PROCLAIM.”

In some versions ”Ye Christian _heroes_,” etc.

Professor David R. Breed attributes this stirring hymn to Mrs. Vokes (or Voke) an English or Welsh lady, who is supposed to have written it somewhere near 1780, and supports the claim by its date of publication in _Missionary and Devotional Hymns_ at Portsea, Wales, in 1797. In this Dr. Breed follows (he says) ”the accepted tradition.” On the other hand the _Coronation Hymnal_ (1894) refers the authors.h.i.+p to a Baptist minister, the Rev. Bourne Hall Draper, of Southampton (Eng.), born 1775, and this choice has the approval of Dr. Charles Robinson. The question occurs whether, when the hymn was published in good faith as Mrs.

Vokes', it was really the work of a then unknown youth of twenty-two.

The probability is that the hymn owns a mother instead of a father--and a grand hymn it is; one of the most stimulating in Missionary song-literature.

The stanza--

G.o.d s.h.i.+eld you with a wall of fire!

With flaming zeal your b.r.e.a.s.t.s inspire; Bid raging winds their fury cease, And hush the tumult into peace,

--has been tampered with by editors, altering the last line to ”Calm the troubled seas,” etc., (for the sake of the longer vowel;) but the subst.i.tution, ”_He'll_ s.h.i.+eld you,” etc., in the first line, turns a prayer into a mere statement.

The hymn was--and should remain--a G.o.d-speed to men like William Carey, who had already begun to think and preach his immortal motto, ”Attempt great things for G.o.d; expect great things of G.o.d.”

_THE TUNE_

Is the ”Missionary Chant,” and no other. Its composer, Heinrich Christopher Zeuner, was born in Eisleben, Saxony, Sept. 20, 1795. He came to the United States in 1827, and was for many years organist at Park Street Church, Boston, and for the Handel and Haydn Society. In 1854 he removed to Philadelphia where he served three years as organist to St. Andrews Church, and Arch Street Presbyterian. He became insane in 1857, and in November of that year died by his own hand.

He published an oratorio ”The Feast of Tabernacles,” and two popular books, the _American Harp_, 1832, and _The Ancient Lyre_, 1833. His compositions are remarkably spirited and vigorous, and his work as a tune-maker was much in demand during his life, and is sure to continue, in its best examples, as long as good sacred music is appreciated.

To another beautiful missionary hymn of Mrs. Vokes, of quieter tone, but songful and sweet, Dr. Mason wrote the tune of ”Migdol.” It is its musical twin.

Soon may the last glad song arise Through all the millions of the skies.

That song of triumph which records That ”all the earth is now the Lord's.”

”ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP APPEARING.”

This admired and always popular church hymn was written near the beginning of the last century by the Rev. Thomas Kelly, born in Dublin, 1760. He was the son of the Hon. Chief Baron Thomas Kelly of that city, a judge of the Irish Court of Common Pleas. His father designed him for the legal profession, but after his graduation at Trinity College he took holy orders in the Episcopal Church, and labored as a clergyman among the scenes of his youth for more than sixty years, becoming a Nonconformist in his later ministry. He was a sweet-souled man, who made troops of friends, and was honored as much for his piety as for his poetry, music, and oriental learning.

”I expect never to die,” he said, when Lord Plunkett once told him he would reach a great age. He finished his earthly work on the 14th of May, 1855, when he was eighty-five years old. But he still lives. His zeal for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ prompted his best hymn.

On the mountain-top appearing, Lo! the sacred herald stands, Joyful news to Zion bearing, Zion long in hostile lands; Mourning captive, G.o.d himself will loose thy bands.

Has the night been long and mournful?

Have thy friends unfaithful proved?