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 HYMNS OF 
 THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
_ 
 
limns of ttjt Carls Cijutcfr 
 
 BEING TRANSLATIONS FROM THE POETRY OF THE 
 
 LATIN CHURCH, ARRANGED IN THE ORDER 
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN YEAR 
 
 ICUtb "fcvmns for Sunoa^a ano XClceft=S)a\)s 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. JOHN BROWNLIE 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 "HYMNS OF OUR PILGRIMAGE," ETC. ETC. 
 
 WITH HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. C. G. M'CRIE, D.D. 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 "PUBLIC WORSHIP OF PRESBYTERIAN SCOTLAND," ETC. 
 
 ILontion 
 JAMES NISBET & CO. 
 
 21 BERNERS STREET 
 i8g6 
 
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. 
 
 At the Ballantyiie Press 
 
 k 
 
PREFACE 
 
 THIS volume is intended for hours of de- 
 votion, and the vast storehouse of sacred 
 poetry of the Latin Church has been put 
 under tribute to supply the material. 
 
 If an apology should be required for the 
 book, it may perhaps be enough to say 
 that, while south of the Tweed Latin hym- 
 nody has had considerable attention paid 
 to it, the subject has hitherto been all but 
 neglected in Scotland. There may be 
 reasons for this — we believe there are ; but 
 with these we have nothing to do here. 
 The fact remains that, while Anglicans can 
 point to a long list of names worthily asso- 
 ciated with this department of Christian 
 literature, including such well-known hym- 
 nologists as Trench, Neale, and Newman, 
 
PREFACE 
 
 we in Scotland have only two : Robert 
 Campbell, author of the " St. Andrews 
 Hymnal/' and Dr. Hamilton M'Gill, 
 author of " Songs of the Christian Creed 
 and Life," with the addition of Dr. Horatius 
 Bonar, who, besides reflecting the spirit of 
 the poetry of the Early Church in many of 
 his own hymns, has left us also a few 
 skilful renderings of the original. The 
 present volume is, we believe, the first of 
 its kind produced by Scotsmen and Pres- 
 byterians. 
 
 In making a selection, the translator has 
 experienced no difficulty in regard to the 
 quantity and quality of material at hand; 
 indeed, he has laboured under an embar- 
 rassment of riches. But the choice has 
 been made from the best, and care has been 
 taken to use only those hymns that might 
 be acceptable in point of doctrine to the 
 most fastidious. 
 
 It has been the aim of the translator to 
 give the idea and spirit of the Latin verses, 
 
PREFACE vii 
 
 and except in a very few instances abso- 
 lute faithfulness to the original has been 
 observed, with as much literalness as it is 
 possible to give to work of this sort. 
 
 As a rule the original measures have 
 been retained, and only in a few pieces, 
 where change seemed desirable, have diffe- 
 rent measures been adopted. 
 
 For the original text, the following collec- 
 tions have been used : — 
 
 Daniel, H. A. Thesaurus Hymnologicus. 
 
 5 vols. Halle and Leipzig, 1841-56. ... 
 Mone, F. J. Lateinische Hymnen des Mittel- 
 
 alters. 3 vols. Freiburg, 1853-55. 
 Wrangham, D. S. " The Liturgical Poetry of 
 
 Adam St. Victor. 3 vols. London, 1881. 
 Newman, J. H. Hymni Ecclesicz. Oxford and 
 
 London, 1865. 
 Neale, J. M. Hymni EcclesicE. London, 185 1. 
 Trench, R. C. " Sacred Latin Poetry." 
 
 London, 1886. 
 
 The translator desires to give expression 
 to his sense of indebtedness to Dr. M'Crie, 
 
PREFACE 
 
 whose share in this work is by no means 
 confined to the Introduction and Notes. It 
 was at his instigation that the task was at 
 first undertaken, and his help and co-opera- 
 tion as the work of rendering progressed, 
 were ungrudgingly given. 
 
 It will be cause for thankfulness to the 
 translator if the work of some of the happiest 
 hours of his life should meet with the ap- 
 preciation and approbation of his fellow- 
 countrymen, and awaken their interest in 
 a department of devotional literature which 
 has been too long neglected. 
 
 PORTPATRICK, 
 
 November 1895. 
 
INDEX OF LATIN TITLES 
 
 Sundays and Week-Days- 
 
 Die, dierum principe . 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 O nata lux de lumine 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 Tu Trinitatis Unitas '. 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Deus Creator omnium 
 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Deus, ego amo Te, nee 
 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 Lucis Creator optime 
 
 
 
 
 *3 
 
 Aurora jam spargit polum 
 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 Jesu, dulcis memoria 
 
 
 
 
 17 
 
 Deus, ego amo Te, nam 
 
 
 
 
 20 
 
 Te lucis ante terminum 
 
 
 
 
 22 
 
 Jam meta noctis transiit 
 
 
 
 
 23 
 
 Labente jam solis rota. 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 Splendor Paternce glorioe 
 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 Salvator mundi, Domine 
 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 Christe, lumen perpetuum 
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 Nox atra rerum contegit 
 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 Jam lucis orto sidere 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 Jam sol recedit igneus 
 
 
 
 
 3S 
 
x INDEX OF LATIN TITLES 
 
 Advent- 
 page 
 
 Christe, precamur annue .... 41 
 
 In noclis umbra desides .... 43 
 
 Veni, Veni, Emmanuel ! . . . • 45 
 
 Christmas — 
 
 Nato nobis Salvatore 49 
 
 Puer natus in Bethlehem . . . 52 
 
 Heu ! quid jaces stabulo .... 54 
 
 Quicumque christum quseritis ... 57 
 
 Epiphany — 
 
 Jesu, nostra Redemptio . . . .61 
 
 Dei canamus gloriam .... 63 
 
 Deus-Homo, Rex coelorum ... 65 
 
 Passion Week— 
 
 Vexilla Regis prodeunt 
 
 69 
 
 Pange, lingua, gloriosi, proelium 
 
 72 
 
 Lustra sex qui jam peregit 
 
 75 
 
 Crux ave benedicta .... 
 
 7S 
 
 Horae de Passione d. n. Jesu Christi . 
 
 80 
 
 Tu qui velatus facie 
 
 80 
 
 Hora qui ductus tertia 
 
 81 
 
 Crucem pro nobis subiit 
 
 82 
 
 Beata Christi passio . 
 
 82 
 
 Qui jacuisti mortuus . 
 
 • 83 
 
INDEX OF LATIN TITLES xi 
 
 Easter- 
 page 
 
 Finita jam sunt proelia .... 87 
 
 Plaudite, coeli 89 
 
 Mortis portis fractis 91 
 
 Alleluia, dulce carmen 93 
 
 Ascension— 
 
 Sterne Rex altissime .... 97 
 Fostquam hostem et inferna . . . ico 
 Coelos ascendit hodie .... 102 
 
 O Christe, qui noster poli . . . .104 
 
 Whitsuntide— 
 
 Veni, Creator Spiritus . . . .109 
 Veni, Sancte Spiritus . . . .111 
 O fons amoris, Spiritus . . . .114 
 
 Trinity— 
 
 Tu Trinitatis unitas 117 
 
 O Pater Sancte, mitis atque pie . . 118 
 
 Adesto, Sancta Trinitas . . . .119 
 
 All Saints— 
 
 Pugnate, Christe milites . . . .123 
 Audi nos, Rex Christe . . . .125 
 
xii INDEX OF LATIN TITLES 
 
 Communion — 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Eja O dulcis anima 129 
 
 O Esca viatorum 131 
 
 Jesu, dulcedo cordium . . . . 133 
 
 Verbum supermini prodiens . . 135 
 
 Death and Judgment — 
 
 Gravi me terrore pulsas . . . . 139 
 Appropinquat enim dies . . . -143 
 
 Heaven— 
 
 Jerusalem luminosa 149 
 
 Urbs beata Hierusalem (Part I.) . . 153 
 Urbs beata Hierusalem (Part II.) . .154 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 The Latin poetry of the Christian Church pre- 
 sents a tempting field for the exercise of scholar- 
 ship and research. The relation in which it 
 stands on the one hand to the classic poetry 
 of Greece and Italy, and on the other to the 
 Liturgies of the Eastern Church, the placing of 
 accent in the room of quantity, and the rise 
 and growth of rhyme — these and such-like mat- 
 ters will always prove attractive to experts and 
 specialists. They are, however, quite beyond 
 the scope of this brief paper. Those who wish 
 to make an exhaustive study of a subject which 
 has many sides and a copious literature, would 
 do well to betake themselves to such standard 
 works as are noted below. 1 The general reader 
 
 1 Mone's Laleinische Hymnen des Mittclalters ; Daniels 
 Thesaurus Hymnologicus ; Tischer's KircJunlieder-Ltxicon ; 
 
xiv HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 may find something to profit and to interest him 
 in the following general survey. 
 
 The title placed on our Saviour's cross, setting 
 forth His accusation — "Jesus of Nazareth, the 
 King of the Jews," was written in three languages 
 — in Hebrew and in Greek and in Latin. That 
 collocation of languages gives the order in which 
 the hymnody of the Church developed. 
 
 Hebrew hymnody is contained for the most 
 part in the Hebrew Psalter ; for the distinction 
 between psalms and hymns is not one that 
 admits of being applied to all Hebrew poetry. 
 Our Lord and His disciples, as they went out 
 to the Mount of Olives after the institution and 
 first observance of the Supper Sacrament, sang 
 a portion of the Great Hallel, which consists of 
 Psalms cxiii. to cxviii. inclusive. Their doing so 
 is described in the New Testament as singing 
 "an hymn," just as the singing of Paul and Silas 
 
 Trench's " Sacred Latin Poetry; " Neale's " Latin Hymns 
 and Sequences," and " Essays on Liturgiology and Church 
 History; " Duffield's "Latin Hymn-Writers and their 
 Hymns ; " Roundell Palmer's " Hymns : their History and 
 Development in the Greek and Latin Churches, Germany, 
 and Great Britain ; " Julian's " Dictionary of Hymnology." 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xv 
 
 in the Philippian prison is said to be singing 
 hymns unto God. 1 
 
 In the Eastern or Greek Church hymnody 
 was in both private and public use from earliest 
 times. The oft-quoted letter of the younger 
 Pliny, written soon after his arrival as Proconsul 
 in the provinces of Bithynia and Pontus, which 
 took place in a.d. no, informs the Emperor 
 that it was the practice of the Christians to meet 
 together on a certain day and sing antiphonally 
 (secum inviceni) a hymn to Christ as their God ; 
 while the "Apostolical Constitutions," which 
 take us back to the life of the Church in the 
 second or third centuries, enjoin the use of 
 morning and evening hymns of praise for God's 
 beneficence by Christ. From the ample stores 
 of Oriental hymnology there have come into 
 modern collections many of their gems, thanks 
 to the scholarship and versifying skill of Dr. 
 Neale, Keble, and Canon Bright. To the first 
 named we are indebted for such well-known 
 
 1 Matt. xrvi 30, vfjLvr)(TavT€s ; Acts xvi. 25, vfj.j/ovv, A.V. — 
 "Sang praises unto God;" R.V.— -"Were . . . singing 
 hymns unto God." 
 
xvi HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 renderings of Greek sacred pieces as " Fierce 
 was the wild billow," and, " The day is past and 
 over," as also for "Art thou weary, art thou 
 languid ? " From the author of the " Christian 
 Year " we have a beautiful English rendering of 
 a first or second century Greek hymn, preserved 
 by Basil, " Hail, gladdening Light, of His pure 
 glory poured ; w and from Canon Bright we have 
 the vesper or " lamplighting hymn," with its 
 opening invocation, " Light of gladness, Beam 
 Divine." 
 
 The Western Church came under Eastern 
 influence in the matter of hymn composition 
 in the fourth century. The first to compose 
 hymns in Latin verse was Hilary of Poitiers. 
 This theologian was banished to Phrygia by the 
 Emperor Constantius, because of his defence of 
 the Nicene Creed from the attacks of the Arian 
 party. During the bishop's exile, his daughter, 
 Abra, wrote to inform him that she had been 
 sought in marriage, although only in her thir- 
 teenth year. This drew forth a reply in which 
 the father left the decision to her own choice, 
 indicating at the same time a personal prefer- 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xvii 
 
 ence for continued virginity. Enclosed in the 
 communication were a Aymnus matutinus and 
 a Aymnus vesperinus. The morning hymn, 
 beginning Lucis largitor sploidida, is still ex- 
 tant, and has been styled "the oldest authen- 
 tic original Latin song of praise to Christ 
 as God." It is, however, more than doubtful 
 if the one for evening use survives; for the 
 hymn, Ad cceli clara non su??i digitus sidera, 
 given in the Benedictine edition of Hilary's 
 works, belongs to the sixth or seventh century, 
 and is probably of Irish authorship. 
 
 Another name associated with the rise of 
 sacred Latin poetry is that of Ambrose, Bishop 
 of Milan. It will ever be to the glory of this 
 fourth century Father that Augustine ascribed to 
 him his conversion, and sought baptism at his 
 hands. His illustrious convert tells, in the 
 ninth book of his " Confessions," how the bishop 
 defended the churches of Milan against the 
 intrusion of Arian modes of worship, in spite 
 of the efforts put forth by Justina, mother of 
 the Emperor Valentinian, to obtain one of the 
 basilicas for the use of the party she favoured. 
 
 b 
 
xviii HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 Alarmed by a report that he might be removed 
 by force, the devout people of the city sur- 
 rounded the bishop day and night, ready to 
 die with him rather than allow him to be 
 apprehended. 
 
 He, on his part, to stimulate their zeal and 
 sustain their courage, supplied them with hymns 
 to sing in honour of the Trinity. "Then," 
 writes Augustine, "it was first instituted that, 
 after the manner of the Eastern churches, 
 hymns and psalms should be sung, lest the 
 people should wax faint through the tediousness 
 of sorrow ; and from that day to this the custom 
 is retained, divers (yea, almost all Thy) con- 
 gregations throughout other parts of the world 
 following herein." Well nigh a hundred hymns 
 have at one time or another passed under the 
 title Ambrosian, but the number of authenti- 
 cated pieces is pitiably small, not exceeding 
 four. In that small group the Te Deu?n 
 laudamus, at one time ascribed to the Bishop 
 of Milan, does not find a place. For, as in the 
 case of the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, the Dies 
 Ir<z, and the Veni, Sancte Spiritus, the question 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xix 
 
 who wrote the Te Deum has not received a 
 final answer, if, indeed, it ever will. Of this, 
 however, we may be well assured, that in the 
 time of Jerome of the fifth century, hymns were 
 in general use throughout the Western as in the 
 Eastern Church. Writing to Marcellus, that 
 most scholarly and erudite among the Fathers 
 of the Latin Church assured his correspon- 
 dent " You could not go into the field but you 
 might hear the ploughman at his Hallelujah, 
 the mower at his hymns, and the vine-dresser 
 singing David's Psalms.' ' 
 
 From the days of Hilary and of Ambrose, of 
 Augustine and of Jerome, onwards through the 
 patristic period of Church history, and all down 
 the medieval centuries, there never failed to 
 be a goodly succession of hymn-writers. To 
 mention these, however briefly, would necessi- 
 tate a violation of the limits of this essay. We 
 refrain from attempting even an enumeration 
 all the more readily, because an opportunity 
 of giving brief biographical notices of the more 
 outstanding contributors to the treasures of 
 sacred Latin poetry will occur in the following 
 
xx HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 pages when specimens of their masterpieces are 
 submitted to the reader. 
 
 A few sentences may be added bearing upon 
 the hymns contained in the service-books of the 
 Church of Rome, and upon the relation of Latin 
 hymnody to the Churches of the Reformation. 
 
 The use of hymns for purposes of private 
 devotion preceded their insertion in the litur- 
 gical books of the pre-Reformation Church. 
 Up to the seventh century the Breviaries which 
 contained the prayers to be offered at the 
 canonical hours had as matter to be sung only 
 the words of Scripture. But the Spanish Coun- 
 cil which met at Toledo in a.d. 633, laid down 
 the general principle, that if in the worship of the 
 sanctuary prayers may be offered in the words 
 of uninspired men, so also may praise be sung. 
 From that time the Churches of Western Chris- 
 tendom inserted hymns in their service-books, 
 some of these compositions being of earlier 
 date, but the larger number being of more 
 recent times and of purely local interest. As 
 every diocese and religious order claimed and 
 exercised the right to construct its own ritual, 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xxi 
 
 Missal, and Breviary, there was endless variety of 
 contents, considerable alterations of old compo- 
 sitions, and a general deterioration of quality. 
 By the time Leo X. reached St. Peter's chair 
 the need for revision had become clamant. 
 Under the direction of that Medicean Pope, the 
 collection of hymns in use at Rome was recast ; 
 and ultimately the entire Breviary appeared in 
 revised form, when Urban VIII. was Pope, in 
 1631. In this revised Roman Breviary, which 
 is now in general use throughout the Papal 
 communion, the hymns of earliest composers — 
 say from Hilary to Gregory — are for the most 
 part allowed to remain, although in some cases 
 altered without real amendment ; but in the case 
 of those pieces which could not be conformed to 
 the laws of correct Latinity there was an entire 
 recasting. According to one authority, himself 
 a revisionist, upwards of nine hundred altera- 
 tions were made in the interests of metre, and 
 the first lines of more than thirty hymns were 
 altered. The Marquis of Bute executed a 
 translation of the Roman Breviary in 1879, 
 and then gave it as his deliberate judgment 
 
xxii HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 that the revisers, "with deplorable taste made 
 a series of changes in the texts of the hymns 
 which has been disastrous both to the literary 
 merit and the historical interest of the poems." 
 
 The Breviary of Paris has been subjected 
 to revisions in the sixteenth, seventeenth, and 
 eighteenth centuries. The third and latest re- 
 vision was intrusted to a commission of three 
 ecclesiastics, one of whom belonged to the 
 Jansenist party, while another was Charles 
 Coffin, then Rector of the University of Paris, 
 who did the greater part of the work of editing, 
 altering, and tinkering. Under Coffin's mani- 
 pulation only twenty-one hymns of the earlier 
 period were retained, and the number of those 
 from the pens of comparatively modern French 
 writers was largely increased. 
 
 While all conversant with the subject will 
 readily admit that both the Roman and the 
 Parisian Breviary contain some noble verses, 
 English versions of which are to be found in the 
 writings of Williams, Chandler, Mant, Caswall, 
 and Newman, as also in " Hymns Ancient and 
 Modern," the conviction is both general and well- 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xxiii 
 
 founded that the principles and practice of 
 liturgical revisionists have not been favourable 
 to the interests of purity and simplicity in the 
 case of ancient Latin hymnody. 
 
 Coming now to the relation in which Latin 
 hymnology stands to the movement and Churches 
 of the Reformation, it is to be noted that Luther 
 showed his appreciation of what was good in 
 the Church of his childhood when he rendered 
 into the language of the Fatherland sixteen old 
 hymns, twelve of these being taken from the 
 Latin and the remaining four from the Old 
 German of the Middle Ages. In his Colloquia 
 Mensalia, the sturdy Protestant is to be heard 
 censuring Ambrose as a wordy poet, but ex- 
 tolling the Rex Christe Factor omniu??i of Pope 
 Gregory as the best hymn ever written. As 
 with Luther, so with Melancthon and Zwingli 
 and their immediate followers. They published 
 collections and translations of the old Latin 
 hymns, and they continued the use of such com- 
 positions in their public worship to a limited 
 extent, even after they had ceased to employ the 
 Latin tongue in Church services. 
 
xxiv HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 It is well known, at least to Anglican clergy- 
 men, that the Church of England Book of 
 Common Prayer contains certain "Canticles," 
 to be used on Sundays and week days. Thus, 
 after the Old Testament lesson has been read, 
 the rubric provides that " there shall be said or 
 sung in English the hymn called Te Dewn 
 laudamus daily throughout the year." As an 
 alternative to this great Creed hymn of Western 
 Christendom there may be said or sung "this 
 canticle, Benedicite^ omnia opera" that is, the 
 Song of the Three Children, a part of the Greek 
 addition to the third chapter of Daniel, and a 
 paraphrase or expansion of the 148th Psalm. 
 Then in the Ordinal of the Church of England, 
 which provides for " the ordering of Priests n and 
 " the consecration of Bishops," there is a stage at 
 which there is to be sung or said, Veni, Creator 
 Spiritus. Of this hymn two English metrical 
 versions are given in the Prayer Book of 1662 — 
 that presently in use, an older and more diffuse 
 rendering, and one more terse and spirited, the 
 product of Bishop Cosin. 
 
 But it may not be generally known that many 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xxv 
 
 of the earliest service-books of the Continental 
 and Scottish Churches had hymns appended to 
 the Psalms in metre, some of which were versions 
 in the vernacular of old Latin compositions. 
 The French Psalter, edited by Marot in 1543, 
 had the Ave Maria along with the Decalogue, 
 the Belief, and the Lord's Prayer. The Dutch 
 Psalter of 1640 had the Te £>ctan i as well as 
 metrical renderings of the Decalogue, the Song 
 of Zacharias, of Mary, of Simeon, and of 
 Elizabeth. 
 
 In the case of the Church of Scotland, the 
 first edition of the Book of Common Order, 
 published in 1564, gave only the Psalms; but 
 the Bassandyne edition of the same book, pub- 
 lished eleven years afterwards, contained five 
 " Spiritual Songs ; n that of 1587 gave ten, while 
 some subsequent reprints have no fewer than 
 fourteen. Among these, "commonly used in 
 the Kirke and private houses," will be found 
 11 The Song of Simeon, called Nunc Dimittis" 
 " The Song of Blessed Marie, called Magnificat" 
 and Vent, Creator, The English of the last 
 named is taken from the First Prayer Book of 
 
xxvi HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION 
 
 Edward VI., published in 1549, and is the ver- 
 sion of this old hymn which occurs in "The 
 Fourme of Ordering Priestes," the longer and 
 older of the two renderings already referred to. 
 
 How it has fared with Latin hymns in 
 Protestant service-books from Reformation times 
 to the present day is too wide a field of inquiry 
 to enter upon at the close of this brief intro- 
 duction. This it is safe to affirm, that no hymnal 
 with any claim to completeness will be found 
 to omit such sacred and classic pieces as, 
 " Brief life is here our portion," " Come, Holy 
 Ghost, our souls inspire," " Jerusalem the 
 golden," " Jesus! the very thought of Thee," 
 " Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts," " O come, all 
 ye faithful," "O Jesus, King most wonderful;" 
 and all these are translations or paraphrases of 
 early Latin hymns. 
 
 With the increase of interest in all that con- 
 cerns the praise of God's children, which is so 
 marked a feature of recent times, there has come 
 an ever-growing appreciation of the grandeur 
 and beauty, the spiritual depth and longing 
 wistfulness that characterise the great body of 
 
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION xxvii 
 
 Latin hymnology; and, as the result of this 
 appreciation, the finest and sweetest products 
 are finding a larger place in quarters from 
 which, at no very far back point of time, they 
 were altogether excluded. Of this we have a 
 striking illustration in the contents of the most 
 recent attempt to construct a hymnal for use in 
 Presbyterian Churches. In the " Draft Hymnal/' 
 prepared by a joint - committee of the three 
 leading denominations in Scotland, there arc 
 557 hymns. Of these, five are confessedly 
 translations from the Greek, and twenty-six 
 from the Latin. With the Latin renderings 
 the names of Bishop Cosin, Dryden, Sir Walter 
 Scott, Caswall, Chandler, Neale, and Ray Palmer 
 stand honourably associated. 
 
 Ayr, October 12, 1895. 
 
Suntags an& Meefe H>ags 
 
Sun&ay /IDorning 
 
 DIE, DIERUM PRINCIPE 
 
 By Charles Coffin, born at Ardennes in 1676 ; Rector of 
 the University of Paris, 171 8 ; died, 1749. The most of 
 his hymns appeared in the Paris Breviary of 1736. In 
 that service-book this is the hymn for Sunday at Matins. 
 
 O day, the chief of days, whose light 
 Sprang from the dark embrace of night, 
 On which our Lord from death's grim thrall 
 Arose, True Light, to lighten alL 
 
 11 
 Death trembling heard the mighty Lord, 
 And darkness quick obeyed His word; — 
 O shame on us ! our tardy will 
 Is slow His summons to fulfil. 
 
 in 
 
 While Nature yet unconscious lies, 
 Come, let us, sons of light, arise, 
 And cheerful raise our matin lay 
 To chase the dark of night away. 
 
4 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 While all the world around is still, 
 Come, and with songs the temple fill, 
 Taught by the saints of bygone days, 
 Whose words were song, whose songs were praise. 
 
 Loud trump of Heaven, our languor shake, 
 And bid our slumbering spirits wake ; 
 Teach us the nobler life, and give, 
 O Christ, the needed grace to live. 
 
 VI 
 
 O Font of love ! Our steps attend ; 
 Those needed gifts in mercy send j 
 And where Thy word is heard this day, 
 Give Thou the Spirit's power, we pray. 
 
 VII 
 
 To Father and to Son be praise, 
 To Thee, O Holy Ghost, always. 
 Whose presence still the heart inspires 
 With sacred light and glowing fires. 
 
O NATA LUX DE LUMINE 
 
 The oldest text kn own of this hymn is from a tenth-century 
 MS. It is i?i the Sarum Breviary (1495), a ^ s0 * n ^at 
 of Aberdeen (1509), which is substantially that of Sarum, 
 and one of the very few surviving service-books of the 
 Pre- Reform at ion period in Scotland. 
 
 O Light that from the light wast born, 
 Redeemer of the world forlorn. 
 In mercy now Thy suppliants spare, 
 Our praise accept, and hear our prayer. 
 
 11 
 
 Thou who didst wear our flesh below, 
 To save our souls from endless woe, 
 Of Thy blest Body, Lord, would we 
 Efficient members ever be. 
 
 in 
 More bright than sun Thine aspect gleamed, 
 As snowdrift white Thy garments seemed, 
 When on the mount Thy glory shone, 
 To faithful witnesses alone. 
 
HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 There did the seers of old confer 
 With those who Thy disciples were ; 
 And Thou on both didst shed abroad 
 The glory of the eternal God. 
 
 From heaven the Father's voice was heard 
 That Thee the eternal Son declared ; 
 And faithful hearts now love to own 
 Thy glory, King of heaven, alone. 
 
 VI 
 
 Grant us, we pray, to walk in light, 
 Clad in Thy virtues sparkling bright, 
 That, upward borne by deeds of love, 
 Our souls may win the bliss above. 
 
 VII 
 
 Loud praise to Thee our homage brings, 
 Eternal God, Thou King of kings, 
 Who reignest one, Thou one in three, 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
TU TRINITATIS UNITAS 
 
 Attributed by some, but with a small degree of probability, 
 to Gregory the Great. The hymn occurs in all the 
 editions of the Roman Breviary, as also in the Sarum, 
 York, and Aberdeen Breviaries. 
 
 O Thou Eternal One in Three, 
 Dread Ruler of the earth and sky, 
 
 Accept the praise we yield to Thee, 
 Who, waking, lift our songs on high. 
 
 ii 
 Now from the couch of rest we rise, 
 
 While solemn night in silence reigns, 
 And lift to Thee our earnest cries, 
 
 To give Thy balm to heal our pains. 
 
 in 
 If in the night by Satan's guile 
 
 Our souls were lured by thought of sin ; 
 O bid Thy light celestial smile, 
 
 And chase away the night within. 
 
 i 
 
8 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 Purge Thou our flesh from every stain, 
 Let not dull sloth our hearts depress ; 
 
 Nor let the sense of guilt remain, 
 
 To chill the warmth our souls possess. 
 
 To Thee, Redeemer blest, we pray, 
 
 That in our souls Thy light may shine \ 
 
 So we shall walk from day to day, 
 Unerring in Thy way Divine. 
 
 VI 
 
 Grant it, O Father, in Thy love, 
 Grant it, O One-begotten Son, 
 
 Who with the Spirit reign above, 
 Now, and while endless ages run. 
 
Sun&ap Evening 
 
 DEUS CREATOR OMNIUM 
 
 ' St. AMBROSE, born at Lyons, Aries, or Treves in 340 ; 
 consecrated Bishop of Milan in 374 ; died on Easter 
 Eve, 397. He introduced antiphonal chanting into the 
 Western Church, and laid the foundatio?i of Church 
 music, which Gregory systematised. 
 
 I 
 
 Thy works, O God, Thy name extol, 
 Thou Ruler of the worlds that roll ; 
 The day is clad in garments bright, 
 And grateful sleep pervades the night, 
 
 11 
 That weary limbs from labour free, 
 By rest for toil prepared may be ; 
 And jaded minds awhile forget 
 The anxious thoughts that pain and fret. 
 
 in 
 Fast fades the sunlight in the west ; 
 Thy hand we own our day hath blessed ; 
 Now from the accuser's power we flee, 
 And lift our prayers in song to Thee. 
 
io HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 O Thou hast stirred our hearts to sing, 
 Hast tuned the praise our voices bring ; 
 From earth's vain loves our love hast won, 
 Hast lured our thoughts that heavenward run. 
 
 So, when the rayless gloom of night 
 Hath quenched in dark the expiring light, 
 Faith waves the ebon clouds away, 
 And dark is light, and night is day. 
 
 VI 
 
 That sin may ne'er an entrance make, 
 May slumber ne'er our souls o'ertake ; 
 Faith, wakeful, keeps the soul secure, 
 And sleep is sweet, and deep, and pure. 
 
 VII 
 
 The mind from sin's enticements free, 
 O let our dreams be thoughts of Thee ; 
 And by no envious foe oppressed, 
 Vouchsafe to Thy beloved rest. 
 
O DEUS, EGO AMO TE, 
 
 NEC AMO TE, UT SALVES ME 
 
 Attributed to Francis Xavier. Born at the Castle Xavier, 
 near Pan? pel una, Spain, in 1506; graduated at the 
 Paris University, where he became acquainted with 
 Ignatius Loyola ; as a Jesuit ?nissiona?y visited India, 
 Trava?icore, Ceylon, Malacca, and Japan; died, when 
 near Canton, in 1552. The original of this hymn is 
 supposed to be a Spanish sonnet. All that can be said 
 of the Lati?i version is that it is probably by Xavier, 
 or by some German Jesuit, and is at least as early as 
 1668. 
 
 O God, I love Thee, not alone 
 Because Thou savest me, 
 
 And those who love not in return 
 Are lost eternally. 
 
 Thou art mine own, O Christ ; Thine arms 
 
 Embraced me on the Cross ; 
 Thou didst endure the nails, the spear, 
 
 The bitter shame and loss. 
 
12 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 O sorrows numberless were Thine, 
 And all were borne for me — 
 
 The bloody sweat, the cruel death 
 Of bitter agony. 
 
 IV 
 
 Why, therefore, should I love Thee now, 
 
 O Jesus, ever blest ? 
 Not lest in hell my soul be cast, 
 
 Not that in heaven it rest. 
 
 No other hope my love inspires, 
 And wins my heart for Thee — 
 
 I only love Thee, Christ, my King, 
 Because Thou lovest me. 
 
LUCIS CREATOR OPTIME 
 
 By Gregory, surnamed the Great, born at Rome about 
 540 ; succeeded Pelagius iti tlie Papal Chair, 590 ; sent 
 August i?ie 07i a mission to Britai?i in 596 ; died in 
 614. He ranks among the Four Lati?i Doctors t and 
 because of the services he rendered to the ritual of the 
 Church y he zvas styled Magister Cseremoniarum. The 
 Gregorian tones or chants are the fruit of his study of 
 sacred music. 
 
 Thou, blest Creator of the light, 
 
 From whom the day its splendour brings, 
 Thy word the earth to beauty woke, 
 
 When light came forth on glowing wings. 
 
 The circle of the day is Thine, 
 
 The morn, and night in one are bound ; — 
 O hear our earnest prayer as now 
 
 The gloomy shades are gathering round ; 
 
14 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 O free our souls from guilty stains, 
 
 That we Thy favour still may know ; 
 And let no thought the mind possess, 
 
 To bind the heart to earth below. 
 
 IV 
 
 That we may beat at heaven's fair gate, 
 Where safely stored our treasure lies, 
 
 Purge us from every filthy stain, 
 Teach us all evil to despise. 
 
 Hear us, O Holy Father, hear, 
 And Thou the Everlasting Son, 
 
 Who with the Holy Spirit reign'st 
 While the eternal ages run. 
 
/I&onfcas /iDornfno 
 
 AURORA JAM SPARGIT POLUM 
 
 Placed by Duffield in a class which contains hymns formerly 
 called Ambrosian, but now known to be the work of other 
 hands. George Cassander, the liberal Catholic collec- 
 tor {1^6) y writes " Incognitus auctor" after the hymn, 
 which has a place in several old Hymnaria, such as the 
 Durham, the Cotton ian, and the Harleian. 
 
 I 
 
 Now daylight floods the morning sky, 
 
 And earthward glides the approaching day, 
 
 The dancing rays of sunlight chase 
 The gathered fears of night away. 
 
 ii 
 Hence dreams that cloud the soul ! away, 
 
 Ye terrors grim of midnight born ! 
 Whate'er the dark of night hath bred, 
 
 Die in the light that greets the morn ! 
 
 in 
 So when the day eternal breaks, — 
 
 That day for which our spirits long,— 
 Its light may fall to bless our souls, 
 
 E'en while we raise our morning song. 
 
1 6 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 To God the Father throned in heaven, 
 To Christ the one begotten Son, 
 
 And to the Holy Ghost be praise, 
 Now, and while endless ages run. 
 
flDon&ap JEvcniriQ 
 
 JESU, DULCIS MEMORIA 
 
 Generally, and there seems little reason to doubt correctly, 
 ascribed to Bernard of Clairyaux. Born in 1091 at 
 his father s castle near Dijon in Burgundy ; died, 11 53. 
 The monk of Citeaux, the first Abbot of Ct 'airvaux, the 
 Papal controversialist and the preacher of the Second 
 Crusade, is better known in our day as the author of a 
 hymn regarded by many as tlie sweetest and most Evan- 
 gelical in mediarual hymnody. The poem from which the 
 hymn is taken consists of nearly fifty quatrains on the 
 name of Jesus, known as the Joyful Rhythm of St. Ber- 
 nard. In the Ro7na?i Breviary three hymns are taken 
 fro?n the Rhythm, Jesu dulcis menioria, Jesu Rex Admir- 
 abilis, and Jesu decus angelicum. 
 
 I 
 
 O Jesus, when I think of Thee, 
 True gladness fills my heart : 
 
 But joy unspeakable 'twill be 
 To see Thee as Thou art. 
 
 11 
 O blessed name ! No note more sweet, 
 
 No music so divine ; 
 Its charms the dearest fancies greet 
 
 That with my memory twine. 
 
18 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 ill 
 
 To those who come with sin confessed, 
 Thy name their hope inspires ; 
 
 And every needy soul is blessed, 
 And granted all desires. 
 
 IV 
 
 To those who seek, ah ! Thou art found 
 
 Far more than all desire — 
 A living fount whose streams abound, 
 
 A flame of heavenly fire. 
 
 What tongue can e'er the charm express ? 
 
 What words its beauty show ? 
 For Thy dear name's sweet loveliness 
 
 No heart can ever know. 
 
 VI 
 
 Who only taste the heavenly bread, 
 
 They hunger for the feast ; 
 Who drink of Christ, the Fountainhead, 
 
 But find their thirst increase. 
 
JESU, DULCIS MEMORIA 19 
 
 VII 
 
 O Jesus, to my Fainting heart 
 
 When wilt Thou come to speak ? 
 
 O, when to me Thy bliss impart, 
 And more than I can seek ? 
 
 VIII 
 
 O I will feed and hunger still, 
 
 O I will drink and pine 
 Till Thou my famished spirit fill 
 
 With that blest name of Thine. 
 
ZTues&as /iDomfna 
 
 O DEUS, EGO AMO TE, 
 NAM PRIOR TU AMASTI ME 
 
 Credited by many to the co?nposer of the hymn which opens with 
 identically the same line, but proceeds quite differently. 
 It is, however, doubtful if this is the composition of 
 Xavier ; more probably it is the breathing of desire on 
 the part of some now unknown German Jesuit of the seven- 
 teenth century. 
 
 My heart goes forth in love to Thee, 
 O God, who first hast loved me ; 
 My freedom, lo, I lay aside, 
 Thy willing slave whate'er betide. 
 
 May memory ne'er a thought suggest, 
 That comes not forth at Thy behest ; 
 And may the mind no wisdom know, 
 That God all wise doth not bestow. 
 
O DEUS, EGO A MO TE 21 
 
 ill 
 
 May nothing be desired by me, 
 Save what I know is willed by Thee ; 
 And what of Thine I e'er attain, 
 I render back to Thee again. 
 
 IV 
 
 Take what Thou gavest — all is Thine ; 
 Dispose as suits Thy will divine ; 
 Rule, Lover of my soul ; I rest 
 In Thy blest will who knowest best. 
 
 That I may love Thee as I will, 
 O let Thy love my bosom fill ; 
 This gift alone endureth aye — 
 All else are dreams that flit away. 
 
TTuesfcas Evening 
 
 TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM 
 
 Sometimes ascribed to St. Ambrose. It is found in eleventh- 
 century Hymnaria of the Eriglish Church, a?id in the 
 Breviaries of Rome, Paris, Sarum, York, a?id Aberdeen, 
 generally as a hymn at Compline. 
 
 I 
 
 Maker of the world, we pray, 
 
 Ere the dark of night surround us, 
 
 Let Thy love beside us stay, 
 
 Throw protecting arms around us. 
 
 ii 
 Phantoms of the night away ! 
 
 Let no evil dream affect us ; 
 Pure as falls the light of day, 
 
 From the taint of sin protect us. 
 
 in 
 Hear us, Father, when we cry ; 
 
 Hear us, Christ, Thy grace extending ; 
 Hear us, Spirit, throned on high, 
 
 Three in one, through years unending. 
 
XKPle&nes&a^ /iDorning 
 
 JAM META NOCTIS TRANSIIT 
 
 This morning hymn is one of four attributed to St. Hilary. 
 Bom at Poitiers early in the fourth century; became 
 bishop of his native town about 350; died 13th January 
 368. His sai?it'sday [which gives name to Hilary Term 
 in English law courts) is celebrated on 14th January, in 
 order not to trench upo?i the octave of the Epiphany. 
 
 Gone are the shades of night, 
 The hours of rest are o'er ; 
 
 New beauties sparkle bright, 
 And heaven is light once more. 
 
 To Thee our prayers shall speed, 
 
 O Lord of light divine \ 
 
 Come to our utmost need, 
 
 And in our darkness shine. 
 23 
 
24 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 III 
 
 Spirit of love and light, 
 
 May we Thine image know, 
 
 And in Thy glory bright, 
 To full perfection grow. 
 
 IV 
 
 Hear us, O Father blest, 
 Hear us, O Christ the Son, 
 
 And Comforter the best, 
 Now. and till life is done. 
 
Me&nes&as Evening 
 
 LABENTE JAM SOLIS ROTA 
 
 By Charles Coffin. See page 3. Chandler s tra?isla- 
 tion, beginning, "And now the sun's declining rays," 
 is for " Ninth Hour, or three in the afternoon," of 
 Sunday. In " Hymns Ancient and Modern " Chandler s 
 rendering is given as an evening hymn, and with 
 coyisiderable alterations, the first line being, "As now 
 tJie suns declining rays " (No. 12). 
 
 Now sinks the glowing orb of day, 
 And silent night comes on apace ; 
 
 So gains our life the appointed goal, 
 That marks the limit of our race. 
 
 O Christ, uplifted on the Cross ! 
 
 Thine arms were stretched towards the 
 sky; 
 Grant us with love that Cross to seek, 
 
 And folded in those arms to die. 
 
26 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Now to the Father throned on high, 
 And unto Christ His only Son, 
 
 And to the Spirit, glory be, 
 
 Now, and while endless ages run. 
 
Ubursfca^ Aorntng 
 
 SPLENDOR PATERN^E GLORIA 
 
 This morning hymn is the complement of JEteme rerum 
 Conditor, and, like if, almost indisputably by St. Am- 
 brose. Its use was generally for Matins or Lauds on 
 Moudav ; by some monastic orders it ivas used daily. 
 
 I 
 
 From the Father's throne descending, 
 Light from out the realms of light ; 
 
 Font of light, all light transcending, 
 Brighter day in day most bright. 
 
 Shine, True Light, in radiant brightness, 
 Flashing forth perpetual ray ; 
 
 May Thy Spirit's searching lightness, 
 Fill our souls with endless day. 
 
 in 
 Father, come we humbly bending, — 
 
 Father of Almighty grace, 
 Who hast glory never ending. 
 
 Banish every sinful trace. 
 
28 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 When to do Thy will inclining, 
 Quell for us the tempter's wrath ; 
 
 Ne'er in trial's hour repining, 
 Lead us in the upward path. 
 
 May Thy rule our minds enlighten ; 
 
 Let no sin our lives defile ; 
 Fervent faith our spirits brighten, 
 
 Knowing nought of fraud or guile. 
 
 VI 
 
 Christ, the Bread of Life bestowing, 
 Faith our daily cup shall fill ; 
 
 Draughts of joy for ever flowing, 
 Drink we from the Spirit's rill. 
 
 VII 
 
 Thus our life in beauty gliding — 
 
 Purity like dawn of day, 
 Faith like sun at noon abiding, 
 
 Eve that knows no twilight grey. 
 
SPLENDOR PATERN& GLORIA 29 
 
 VIII 
 
 Forth in beauty rides the Morning — 
 
 Be Thy glory on us poured ; 
 Son, the Father's love adorning, 
 
 Father in th' Eternal Word. 
 
Uburs&as Bvening 
 
 SALVATOR MUNDI, DOMINE 
 
 Author unknown. Found in the Hymnaria of Sarum, and 
 York, also in the Sarum, York, Hereford, and Aberdeen 
 Breviaries. Used at Eton in Latin original at evening 
 service until about 1830. 
 
 I 
 
 Thou who hast led our steps this day, 
 Blest Saviour of the world, we pray, 
 Through all the night Thy care extend, 
 And save us to our journey's end. 
 
 11 
 Be present with us, Lord, who wait, 
 And lift our cry at mercy's gate ; 
 Take all our load of sin away, 
 And change our darkness into day. 
 
 in 
 
 Free Thou our minds from careless sleep, 
 
 Our souls from sin's allurements keep ; 
 
 And may our flesh from every stain, 
 
 All pure, we pray Thee, still remain. 
 30 
 
SALVATOR MUNDI, DOM IN E 31 
 
 IV 
 
 To Thee of purity the spring, 
 Our prayers ascend on soaring wing ; 
 Hear Thou our cry, and with the morn 
 May purity our souls adorn. 
 
 Glory be unto God always, 
 To Christ the Son eternal praise ; 
 Glory to God the Spirit be, 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
ffri&as /IDornfng 
 
 CHRISTE, LUMEN PERPETUUM 
 
 By Magnus Felix Ennodius, born at Aries about 473 ; 
 beca?ne Bishop of Pavia about 514 ; died, 521 ; buried 
 on ijth July of that year, which day is observed as his 
 stival by the Ro?nan Church. 
 
 I 
 
 Christ, the light that shines eternal,— 
 Light that gilds the rolling spheres, 
 
 Dawn upon our night, and keep us 
 Pure as light when day appears. 
 
 11 
 
 Let no gin of Satan snare us, 
 
 Let no enemy oppress ; 
 Wakeful aye with garments spotless, 
 
 May we walk life's wilderness. 
 
 in 
 
 Keep our hearts in Thy safe keeping, 
 Be Thy flock Thy special care ; 
 
 In Thy fold in mercy tend them, 
 Guard their footsteps everywhere. 
 
CHRISTE, LUMEN PERPETUUM 33 
 
 IV 
 
 And our souls shall sing triumphant 
 When Thy light our eyes shall see, 
 
 And the vows we owe are rendered, 
 God, the <rreat Triune, to Thee. 
 
jfri&ay Evening 
 
 NOX ATRA RERUM CONTEGIT 
 
 This hymn is classed by Duffield imder the heading 
 " Ambrosian," which includes compositions of Gregory 
 and other authors. Mone gives it as probably by St. 
 Gregory. 
 
 i 
 
 Dark night has drawn her curtain round, 
 And hid earth's hues in gloom profound ; 
 Now contrite at Thy feet we fall, 
 And make request, Thou Judge of all, 
 
 That Thou wouldst hide the guilt of sin, 
 And throughly purge our hearts within — 
 O Christ, dispense Thy grace, we pray, 
 To keep us guiltless day by day. 
 
 in 
 
 The awakened conscience, sore oppressed 
 By thought of sin all unconfessed, 
 Yearns in the gloom, to cast her load 
 At Thy blest feet, Redeemer, God. 
 
NOX ATRA RERUM CONTEGIT 35 
 
 IV 
 
 Dispel the darkness, Lord, we pray, 
 That in our mind holds dismal sway ; 
 Send forth Thy light, and bid us rest 
 In Thy calm peace, for ever blest. 
 
Satut&ap /IDotnina 
 
 JAM LUCIS ORTO SIDERE 
 
 Frequently ascribed to Ambrose, but not by his Benedictine 
 editors. A rendering of it by Dr. Neale is one of the 
 morning hymns in "Hymns Ancient a fid Modern," 
 "Now that the daylight fills the sky" (No. 4) ; but the 
 rendering has been considerably altered by the editors. 
 
 See in the east the morn arise ; 
 Seek, winged prayer, the glowing skies ; 
 Bring help from Heaven, that all our way 
 Be pleasing to our God this day. 
 
 11 
 
 May He restrain from words of sin ; 
 For bitter strife give calm within ; 
 Veil from our eyes the garish light, 
 That lures the soul to darkest night. 
 
 in 
 
 Pure may our inmost heart remain 
 
 From evil thoughts and fancies vain ; 
 36 
 
JAM LUCIS ORTO SIDERR 37 
 
 And may the curb our flesh control, 
 That drags to earth the aspiring soul. 
 
 IV 
 
 So, when the last stray beams of light 
 Shall fade before the return of night, 
 Kept in the path our feet have trod, 
 We shall give glory to our God. 
 
 To God the Father, throned in heaven, 
 To Christ, the one begotten Son, 
 And to the Holy Ghost be praise, 
 Now, and while endless ages run. 
 
Satur&a^ ^Evening 
 
 JAM SOL RECEDIT IGNEUS 
 
 recast of O Lux beata Trinitas, one of twelve hymns 
 the Benedictine editors regard as undoubtedly the work 
 of St. Ambrose, and which, in the older Breviaries, 
 was used at Vespers on Saturday. 
 
 I 
 
 Now sinks the fiery orb of day — 
 O One in Three, Eternal Light, 
 O Three in One, for ever bright, 
 
 Shine in our darkened minds, we pray. 
 
 ii 
 
 When morning breaks, our songs we raise ; 
 
 When evening falls, we still adore ; 
 
 When morn and eve shall come no more, 
 In mercy grant us still to praise. 
 
 in 
 All praises to the Father be, 
 All praise to the Eternal Son, 
 And to the Spirit, Three in One, 
 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
 38 
 
B&vent 
 
CHRISTE, PRECAMUR ANNUE 
 By ENNODIUS, Bishop of Pavia. (See p. 32). 
 
 To Thee, O Christ, our prayers shall rise, 
 With tears of sorrow blending ; 
 
 Come for our help Thou Holy One, 
 On our dark night descending. 
 
 11 
 
 Our hearts shall find their rest in Thee, 
 And e'en in dreams shall praise Thee : 
 
 And with each rising of the sun, 
 Anew their songs shall raise Thee. 
 
 in 
 
 Impart a noble life, and may 
 
 Our spirit's warmth be heightened. 
 
 Bid night depart, and with Thy love, 
 O may our lives be brightened. 
 
42 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 In hymns we pay our vows to Thee : 
 
 At vesper- hour we pray, 
 Erase the writing we have made, 
 
 Thine own let stand for aye. 
 
IN NOCTIS UMBRA DESIDES 
 By Charles Coffin. (Seep. 3). 
 
 WhEN evening shades around us close, 
 And bound in sleep our limbs repose, 
 The watchful soul, from slumber free, 
 Shall breathe its earnest prayer to Thee. 
 
 Desire of Nations, Word of God, 
 Thou Saviour of the World abroad, 
 Hear Thou our mournful prayer at length, 
 And raise the fallen by Thy strength. 
 
 in 
 
 Be near, Redeemer ; by Thy grace 
 
 Forgive our erring sinful race, 
 
 Bound in the prison-house of sin — 
 
 O, open heaven and lead us in. 
 43 
 
44 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 O Thou who cam'st to set us free, 
 To Thee, the Son, all praises be ; 
 To Father, Spirit, Three in One, 
 While the eternal ages run. 
 
VENI, VENI, EMMANUEL! 
 
 An antiphon. The term denotes a short versicle said at the 
 beginning and close of a psahn or psalms in the Breviary 
 Offices. This antiphon is by an unknown author. Dr. 
 Neale, who supposes it to be of twelfth century' date, pub- 
 lished a translation of it in 1851, beginning, "Draw 
 nigh, draw nigh, Emmanuel" an altered version of 
 which occurs in " Hymns Ancient and Modern" as an 
 Advent hymn, with first line altered to, " O come, O 
 come, Emmanuel" (No. 36). 
 
 Emmanuel, come ! we call for Thee ; 
 Come, set Thy captive Israel free, 
 Who, sore at heart, in exile wait 
 Their absent Lord, who tarries late. 
 Joy, joy, Emmanuel shall be born 
 For thee, O Israel, forlorn. 
 
 Come, Root of Jesse ! for our foes 
 In cruel snare our souls enclose : 
 
46 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 Bring us, we pray, from hell's dark cave, 
 From gulf profound Thy people save. 
 Joy, joy, &c. 
 
 in 
 
 Come, come, O Harbinger of day ! 
 Cheer Thou our hearts with heavenly ray, 
 Dispel the clouds of night that roll, 
 The dark of death that fills the soul. 
 Joy, joy, &c 
 
 IV 
 
 Come, Key of David ! in Thy might 
 Unlock for us the realms of light ; 
 Make safe the path that upward tends, 
 Close Thou the way that downward wends. 
 Joy, joy, &c. 
 
 v 
 
 Come, come, O Thou Almighty Lord ! 
 From Sinai once went forth Thy word, 
 When in the midst of eddying flame, 
 Thou didst Thy law in might proclaim. 
 Joy, joy, &c. 
 
Cbristmas 
 
NATO NOBIS SALVATORE 
 
 By ADAM OF St. Victor. A native of either Britain or 
 Brittany, probably the latter ; educated at Paris ; became, 
 about 1 130, a monk in the Abbey of St. Victor, then in 
 the suburbs, afterwards absorbed in the city of Paris ; 
 there he passed the j-emainder of his life, and died some- 
 where between the years 1172 and 1192. In liturgical ser- 
 vices the Gradual or Antiphon, sung between the Epistle 
 and Gospel, ended on festival days with the word Alleluia. 
 The final syllable of this vocable was prolonged in a 
 number of musical ?iotes called sequentia, and by t/ie 
 ninth century it became commo?i to adapt words to these 
 notes, which zvords are now called " sequences." Adam 
 of St. Victor was one of the most voluminous composers 
 of this hind of sacred Latin verse. 
 
 Let us tune our hearts and voices — 
 All creation wide rejoices, 
 
 For a Saviour has been born ; 
 Given to man, his weakness wearing, 
 Dwelling with the sad despairing, 
 
 Light and health our life adorn. 
 49 D 
 
5o HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 From the midst of Eden's gladness 
 Came the dower of death and sadness. 
 
 But the Saviour's life is ours. 
 Banished now are death and sorrow : 
 Life and joy from Christ we borrow, 
 
 More than dwelt in Eden's bowers. 
 
 in 
 
 From the height of heaven above us, 
 God looked down on earth to love us, 
 
 And He sent His only Son. 
 Now no more His face concealing, 
 Bridegroom like, His grace revealing, 
 
 Came He forth His work begun. 
 
 IV 
 
 Swift and strong, a giant glorious, 
 O'er our death He came victorious. 
 
 Girt with power His course to run. 
 Came he forth salvation willing, 
 Law and prophecy fulfilling, 
 
 Till the task assayed is done. 
 
NATO NOBIS SALVATORE 51 
 
 Jesus, who hast brought salvation, 
 Healing balm for every nation, 
 
 Thou our glory art and peace. 
 Praise Thy glorious deeds shall mention, 
 Who in humble condescension, 
 
 Cam'st Thy servants to release. 
 
PUER NATUS IN BETHLEHEM 
 
 The oldest form of this Christmas carol is found in a Bene- 
 dictine Processional belofiging to the beginning of the 
 fourteenth century. 
 
 I 
 
 ZiON is glad this glorious morn : 
 A babe in Bethlehem is born. 
 
 See where He lies in manger low, 
 Whose kingly reign no end shall know. 
 
 in 
 The ox and ass that filled the stall, 
 Knew that the babe was Lord of all. 
 
 IV 
 
 Out from the east the sages bring 
 Their treasures for an offering. 
 
 v 
 They humbly seek the lowly place, 
 And worship there the King of grace : 
 
PUER NATUS IN BETHLEHEM 53 
 
 VI 
 
 The Son of God, who made the earth, 
 A virgin mother gave Him birth. 
 
 VII 
 
 No poison from the serpent stains 
 The human blood that fills His veins ; 
 
 VIII 
 
 And though our flesh He meekly wears, 
 No mark of sin His nature bears ; 
 
 IX 
 
 That He might man to God restore, 
 And give the grace that once He wore. 
 
 x 
 
 Come while our hearts are full of mirth 
 And bless the Lord of lowly birth. 
 
 XI 
 
 The Holy Trinity we'll praise, 
 And give our thanks to God always. 
 
HEU! QUID JACES STABULO, 
 OMNIUM CREATOR? 
 
 By JEAN Momboir, with Johannes Mauburnus for the 
 Latin, and John M auburn for the English form of his 
 name. Bom in 1460 at Brussels ; a Canon Regular of 
 the Brethren of the Common Life in the Low Countries ; 
 died Abbot of the Cloister of Livry, not far from Paris, 
 in 1502 or 1503. In his large work, the " Spiritual 
 Rose-garden^" there is a rosary on the birth of Christ, 
 consisting of thirteen stanzas, which commence, Eja, 
 mea anima, Bethlehem eamus. The hymn beginning as 
 above consists of three stanzas taken from that poem. The 
 detached stanzas passed into many of the older German 
 hymn-books, met with great favour in the early Reformed 
 Churches, so long as the practice of singing Latin com- 
 positions survived among them, a?id still retain a place 
 in some German hymnals i?i an old translation, with for 
 opening line, Warum liegt im Krippelein. 
 
 I 
 {Loquitur peccator) 
 
 Wherefore in the lowly stall, 
 
 O Thou great Creator, 
 Dost Thou raise Thine infant call, 
 
 Glorious Renovator? 
 
HEU! QUID J ACES STABULO 55 
 
 Where Thy purple if a King ? 
 
 Where the shouts Thy subjects bring ? 
 
 Where Thy royal castle ? 
 Here is want with all her train, 
 Poverty proclaims her reign — 
 
 These Thy court and vassal. 
 
 [Jesus respondif) 
 Hither, by My love impelled, 
 
 Have I come to save thee ; 
 Sin has long thy nature held, 
 
 Powerful to enslave thee. 
 By My emptiness and woe, 
 By the grace that I bestow, 
 
 Do I seek to fill thee. 
 By My humble, lowly birth, 
 By this sacrifice on earth, 
 
 Blessing great I will thee. 
 
 111 
 {Laudant fideles) 
 Songs of praise, ten thousand songs, 
 Sing I will and laud Thee ; 
 
56 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 For such grace my spirit longs, 
 
 Ever to applaud Thee. 
 Glory, glory let there be, 
 Lover of mankind to Thee, 
 
 In the heaven supernal. 
 Let this testimony fly 
 Over earth, and sea, and sky, 
 Borne by songs eternal. 
 
QUICUMQUE CHRISTUM QLVERITIS 
 
 This hymn for the Epiphany forms part of a larger one of 
 very complex authorship, known as A solis ortus car- 
 dine, Et usque terrae limitem. This portion of that 
 Christmas hymn has by some been assigned to St. 
 Ambrose, but by a majority of judges to Prudentius, 
 "'the Horace and Virgil of the Christians," in the 
 estimate of the scholarly Ben tley. A urelius Pruden tius, 
 Clemens, or the Merciful, was born in 348, somewhere 
 in the north of Spain. After filling various secular 
 offices he retired, in his fifty-seventh year, into private 
 life, and devoted himself to the compositio?i of sacred 
 verse. He died circa 413, but where we are not told. 
 
 I 
 
 ye who seek the Lord, come nigh, 
 To heaven uplift your reverent eyes, 
 
 The Royal Banner of our God 
 Is blazoned on the midnight skies. 
 
 11 
 
 Brighter than when the sun at noon 
 Pours forth its radiance on the earth, 
 
 See yonder star its glory sheds, 
 
 And tells to man the Saviour's birth. 
 
58 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 O wisdom seeks the lowly stall, 
 And takes the guidance of the star, 
 
 To worship where the Incarnate lies, 
 And offer gifts from lands afar : 
 
 IV 
 
 With incense, worships the Divine, 
 With gold, a kingly tribute pays, 
 
 And at the feet of God made Man, 
 The myrrh in sweet profusion lays. 
 
 O Bethlehem, city ever blest ! 
 
 What honour more could come to thee ? 
 The cradle of the Incarnate God, 
 
 Who came to set His Israel free ! 
 
 VI 
 
 O Jesus, to the world revealed ! 
 
 To Thee let glory ever be, 
 To Father and to Holy Ghost, 
 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
EpipbaitE 
 
JESU, NOSTRA REDEMPTIO 
 
 Probably of the seventh or eighth century. Found in three 
 MSS. of the eleventh century in the British Museum 
 Library; also in the old Roman t Sarum, York, and 
 Aberdeen Breviaries. Chandlers rendering of this fine 
 hymn — "0 Christ, our hope, our heart's desire," and 
 which is to be found in most collections, is the hymn for 
 Evensong on Ascension Day in that author s "Hymns 
 of the Primitive Church." 
 
 Thou our Redeemer art, O Christ, 
 Our heart's desire, our fervent love ; 
 
 Creator of the worlds, Thou cam'st 
 To wear our flesh, from heaven above. 
 
 'Twas love that brought Thee to our aid, 
 To bear the burden of our woe, 
 
 To bow the head in shameful death, 
 And life, immortal life, bestow. 
 
 61 
 
62 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Asunder burst the bands of hell, 
 
 The captives hailed the glorious day ; 
 
 And by Thy mighty triumph crowned, 
 Thou art at God's right hand for aye. 
 
 IV 
 
 O may Thy mercy still abound. 
 
 That, by the goodness of Thy grace, 
 
 We daily o'er our sin may rise, 
 And see the beauty of Thy face. 
 
 Spring of our joy, be Thou, O Christ ; 
 
 Our great reward, hereafter be ; 
 And while the endless ages run, 
 
 Our praises shall be all of Thee. 
 
EI CANAMUS GLORIAM 
 By C. Coffin. {See p. 3). 
 
 Now let us tune our hearts to sing 
 The glory of the Almighty King ; 
 His hand unrolled the spacious skies, 
 Whose beauty lures our wondering eyes. 
 
 11 
 
 There are the clouds with treasure rare, 
 Slow floating in the higher air, 
 Whence come the soft refreshing showers, 
 To bless the springing of the flowers. 
 
 in 
 
 Rich is the treasure of Thy grace, 
 Prepared for us who seek Thy face ; 
 It falls from clouds that earthward roll, 
 And penetrates the inmost soul. 
 
 63 
 
64 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 And faithful hearts that thirsting pine, 
 Drink deeply of the draught divine, 
 And with an heavenly impulse rise, 
 To greet the sunlight in the skies. 
 
 O happy souls that evermore 
 Drink of the bliss Thou hast in store ; 
 May grateful love responsive flow 
 To all the love Thou dost bestow. 
 
 VI 
 
 Now, glory to the Three in One, 
 To God the Father, God the Son, 
 And to the Spirit, one in Three, 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
DEUS-HOMO, REX CCELORUM 
 
 By Bishop Marbodus. Born in An/'ou, 1035 ; successively 
 Archdeacon of Angers and Bishop of Rennes ; died in 
 1 125. Was author of a poem De Gemmis, which gives 
 a ??iystical explanation of precious stones much in favour 
 in the Middle Ages, 
 
 King of heaven, our nature wearing, 
 
 Pity lend the sad despairing ; 
 
 'Neath the sway of sin repining, 
 
 Formed from dust, to dust declining — 
 Tottering in our ruined state, 
 Strengthen by Thy goodness great. 
 
 11 
 
 What is man from sin descending ? 
 
 Child of death, all woes attending. 
 
 What is man ? a worm that clingeth 
 
 To the earth from which he springeth. 
 Wilt Thou forth Thine anger bring, 
 On a weak, defenceless thing ? 
 
66 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Shall not man, who earthward tendeth, 
 Look to God, who mercy sendeth ? 
 'Twere a task most unbefitting, 
 God o'er man in judgment sitting — 
 
 Yet should God in judgment speak, 
 Where shall man an answer seek ? 
 
 IV 
 
 As the shadow quickly flying, 
 Faint our life and sure our dying ; 
 As the cloud by tempest driven, 
 As the grass cut down at even ; — 
 
 King of heaven, in mercy great, 
 
 Pity the disconsolate. 
 
 _ 
 
passion Meefc 
 
VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT 
 
 By Venantius FORTUNATUS. Born in the district of 
 Treviso, Italy, about 530. In 565 he made a pilgrimage 
 to the shrine of St. Martin at Tours, and spent the 
 remainder of his years in Gaul. Through the influence 
 of his friend Queen Rhadegunda, Fortunatus became 
 Bishop of Poitiers in 597. Some place his death in 
 the year 609. Fortunatus must have been an author of 
 great industry and versatility. He wrote the life of St. 
 Martin in four books, containing 2245 hexameter lines ; 
 he threw off in profusion vers de societe" when wander- 
 ing from castle to cloister in Gaul ; and he composed a 
 volume of hymns for all the festivals of tlie Chri 
 year, which is now unhappily lost. This is his best 
 known hymn, Dr. Neales translation of which is inserted 
 for the Fifth Sunday in Lent, otherwise called Palm 
 Sunday, in " Hymns Ancient and Modern " (No. 84). 
 
 See the Royal banners 
 
 Wave across the sky, 
 Bright the mystic radiance, 
 
 For the Cross is nigh ; 
 
 And He who came our flesh to wear, 
 
 The Christ of God, was wounded there. 
 69 
 
7o HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 n 
 
 Deep the cruel spear thrust, 
 
 By the soldier given ; 
 Blood and water mingle, 
 
 Where the flesh is riven ; 
 To cleanse our souls the crimson tide 
 Leapt from the Saviour's riven side. 
 
 in 
 
 In the distant ages 
 
 Zion's harp was strung, 
 And the faithful saw Him, 
 
 While the prophet sung ; 
 Now Israel's Hope the nations see, 
 For Christ is reigning from the tree. 
 
 IV 
 
 Tree of wondrous beauty, 
 
 Tree of grace and light, 
 Royal throne to rest on, 
 
 Decked with purple bright ; 
 The choice of God, this royal throne 
 Whence Christ, the King, should rule His own. 
 
VEXILLA REGIS PRODEUNT 71 
 
 See the branches drooping ! 
 
 Laden, see they sway ! 
 For the price of heaven 
 
 On those branches lay ; 
 Ah ! great the price, that price was paid, 
 By Him on whom the debt was laid. 
 
PANGE, LINGUA, GLORIOSI, 
 PRCELIUM CERTAMINIS 
 
 This, ' ' one of the first of the Latin mediaeval hymns,' has been 
 credited to St. Hilary. It has also been ascribed to Clau- 
 dianus Mamertus, who died in 474. But by the majority 
 of authorities it is regarded as the composition of Fortu- 
 natus, and ranks next to the Vexilla Regis prodeunt 
 in their estimate. A rendering of it by Keble -will be 
 found in his ' ' Miscellaneous Poems," beginning, ' ' Sing, 
 my tongue, of glorious warfare," which is Dr. Neales 
 "Sing, my tongue, the glorious battle," in a somewkat 
 altered form. 
 
 Tell, my tongue, the glorious conflict, 
 Crowned with victory nobly won ; — 
 
 More than all the spoil of battle, 
 Praise the triumph of God's Son ; 
 
 How by death the crown of conquest 
 Graced Him when the strife was done. 
 
 11 
 
 Grieving sore o'er Eden's sorrow 
 When our race in Adam fell ; 
 
PANGE, LINGUA, GLOKIOSI 73 
 
 And the fatal fruit he tasted, 
 
 Welcomed sin, and death, and hell ; 
 God ordained a tree in Zion, 
 
 Eden's poison to dispel. 
 
 in 
 
 In the work of our Redemption 
 Wisdom met the tempter's foils \ — 
 
 On the ground he claimed, the Victor 
 Fought, and bore away the spoils : 
 
 And the bane became the blessing, 
 Freedom sprang amid his toils. 
 
 IV 
 
 From the bosom of the Father, 
 Where He shared the regal crown, 
 
 At the time by God appointed, 
 Came the world's Creator down — 
 
 God incarnate, born of Virgin, 
 Shorn of glory and renown. 
 
 List ! the voice of infant weeping. 
 Cradled where the oxen stand, 
 
74 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 And the Virgin mother watches, 
 Tending Him with loving hand, — 
 
 Hands and feet of God she bindeth, 
 Folding them in swaddling band. 
 
 VI 
 
 Blessing, blessing everlasting, 
 
 To the glorious Trinity ; 
 To the Father, Son, and Spirit, 
 
 Equal glory let there be ; 
 Universal praise be given, 
 
 To the Blessed One in Three. 
 
LUSTRA SEX QUI JAM PEREG1T 
 
 By some attributed to St. Ambrose, but genei'ally and -with 
 greater probability to Fortunatus. There is an imita- 
 tion of this hymn in English by Bishop Mant, beginning, 
 " See the destined day arise!" one of the Passion hymns 
 in " Hymns Ancient and Modern" [No. 99). 
 
 Thirty years by God appointed, 
 And there dawns the woeful day, 
 
 When the great Redeemer girds Him 
 For the tumult of the fray ; 
 
 And upon the cross uplifted, 
 Bears our load of guilt away. 
 
 11 
 
 Ah ! 'tis bitter gall He drinketh, 
 When His heart in anguish fails ; — 
 
 From the thorns His life-blood trickles, 
 From the spear wound and the nails ; 
 
 But that crimson stream for cleansing, 
 O'er creation wide prevails. 
 
76 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Faithful Cross ! in all the woodland, 
 Standeth not a nobler tree ; 
 
 In thy leaf, and flower, and fruitage, 
 None can e'er thy equal be ; 
 
 Sweet the wood, and sweet the iron, 
 Sweet the load that hung on thee. 
 
 IV 
 
 Noble tree ! unbend thy branches, 
 Let thy stubborn fibres bend, 
 
 Cast thy native rigour from thee, 
 Be a gentle, loving friend ; 
 
 Bear Him in thine arms, and softly, 
 Christ, the King eternal, tend. 
 
 Only thou could'st bear the burden 
 Of the ransom of our race ; 
 
 Only thou could'st be a refuge, 
 Like the ark, a hiding-place, 
 
 By the sacred blood anointed, 
 Of the Covenant of Grace. 
 
LUSTRA SEX QUI JAM PEREGIT 77 
 
 VI 
 
 Blessing, blessing everlasting, 
 
 To the glorious Trinity \ 
 To the Father, Son, and Spirit, 
 
 Equal glory let there be ; 
 Universal praise be given, 
 
 To the Blessed One in Three. 
 
CRUX AVE BENEDICTA 
 
 This little poe?n, which he pro?iounces " perfect i?i its kind," 
 is taken by Trench f?vm Daniels Thesaurus, without 
 any note of author or of date. 
 
 Hail, thou Blessed Cross, all hail ! 
 Death no longer can prevail. 
 On those arms extended high, 
 Did my King and Saviour die. 
 
 ii 
 
 Queen of all the trees that grow, 
 Medicine when health is low, 
 Solace to the cumbered heart, 
 Comfort thou when sorrows smart. 
 
 in 
 
 O ! most sacred wood, the sign 
 
 That eternal life is mine ; 
 
 On the fruit thy branches give, 
 
 Feeds the human heart to live. 
 
 78 
 
CRUX AVE BEN EDICT A 79 
 
 IV 
 
 When, around the Judgment-seat, 
 Friends of thine and foes shall meet, 
 Be my prayer, O Christ, to Thee, 
 And in love remember me. 
 
HOR.E DE PASSIONE D. N. 
 JESU CHRISTI 
 
 From a fourteenth century MS. } where it bears the title, 
 " Hours of the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, compiled 
 from the Prophets and the New Testament by the Blessed 
 Pope Urban " (b. 1302, d. 1370). 
 
 (ad primam) 
 
 (Tu qui v el atus facie) 
 
 Veiled was the glory of Thy face, 
 O Jesus, Lord of heavenly grace, 
 When mocking knees were bent in scorn, 
 And bitter stripes were meekly borne. 
 
 To Thee the prayer of faith we send, 
 In Thee we hope : O Lord, attend, 
 And in Thy mercy lead the way 
 
 To where Thy glory shines as day. 
 
 80 
 
HOR& DE PA SSI ONE Si 
 
 in 
 To Thee be highest honours paid, 
 O Christ, who wast by man betrayed, 
 Who on the cross of anguish sore 
 Didst die, that we might die no more. 
 
 (ad tertiam) 
 
 (Hora qui ductus tertia) 
 
 IV 
 
 O Christ, who in that hour of dread 
 Forth as a sacrifice wast led \ 
 Who, to retrieve our grievous loss, 
 Didst bear the burden of the cross. 
 
 v 
 O may Thy Love our hearts inflame ; 
 Be Thy pure life our constant aim ; 
 That we may win the heavenly rest, 
 And share the glories of the blest. 
 
 VI 
 
 To Thee be highest honours paid, 
 O Christ, who wast by man betrayed ; 
 Who on the cross of anguish sore 
 Didst die, that we might die no more. 
 
82 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 (ad sextam) 
 
 ( Crucem pro nobis subiit) 
 
 VII 
 
 For us the cruel cross He bare, 
 Endured the thirst while hanging there — 
 O Jesus ! Thou hast anguish borne, 
 Thy hands and feet with nails were torn. 
 
 VIII 
 
 Honour and blessing be to Thee, 
 O Christ, who hung upon the tree, 
 Who, by the offering of Thy grace, 
 Didst save from death our fallen race. 
 
 (ad nonam) 
 
 {Be at a Christi ftassio) 
 
 IX 
 
 Thy blessed Passion, Christ, be ours, 
 To set us free from Satan's powers ; 
 To aid our fainting souls to rise 
 To joys prepared in Paradise. 
 
HORJE DB PASSIONE 83 
 
 To Christ the Lord all glory be, 
 Who, hanging on the shameful tree, 
 Gave up His life with bitter cry, 
 And saved a world prepared to die. 
 
 XI 
 
 To Thee be highest honours paid, 
 O Christ, who wast by man betrayed, 
 Who, on the cross of anguish sore, 
 Didst die, that we might die no more. 
 
 (ad completorium) 
 (Qui jacuisti mortuus) 
 
 XII 
 
 O spotless King, who shared its gloom, 
 And lay at peace within the tomb, 
 Teach us to find our rest in Thee, 
 And sing Thy praise eternally. 
 
84 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 XIII 
 
 Come to our help, O Lord, who gave 
 Thy precious blood our souls to save ; 
 Lead us to Thine eternal peace, 
 Whose sweetest joys shall never cease. 
 
Easter 
 
FINITA JAM SUNT PR^LIA 
 
 Of unknown date and authorship. It has not been traced 
 further back than tlie Hymnodia Sacra, Munster, 1753. 
 
 I 
 
 Alleluia ! Alleluia ! 
 The din of battle now is dead, 
 And glory crowns the Victor's head ; 
 Let mirth abound, 
 And songs resound — Alleluia ! 
 
 11 
 
 Alleluia ! alleluia ! 
 The bitter pangs of death are past, 
 And Christ hath vanquished hell at last \ 
 Cheers are ringing, 
 Psalms are singing — Alleluia ! 
 
 in 
 
 Alleluia ! alleluia ! 
 
 And when the morn appointed broke, 
 87 
 
HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 All decked with beauty Christ awoke ; 
 O shout with glee, 
 Sing merrily — Alleluia ! 
 
 IV 
 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Hell hath He closed with His own hand, 
 The gates of heaven wide open stand ; 
 
 Let mirth abound, 
 
 And songs resound — Alleluia ! 
 
 v 
 
 Alleluia! Alleluia! 
 Tis Thy wounds, O Blessed Jesus— 
 'Tis Thy death from dying frees us, 
 
 That living, we 
 
 May sing with glee — Alleluia ! 
 
PLAUDITE, CGELI ! 
 
 A Jeszat hymn, taken by Walraff, in 1806, out of the Psal- 
 teriolum Cantiorum Catholicarum a Patribus Societatis 
 Jesu. 
 
 I 
 
 Shout praises, ye heavens, 
 
 And sigh them, soft air • 
 From highest to lowest, 
 
 Sing, sing everywhere ; 
 For black clouds of tempest 
 
 Are banished from sight ; 
 And spring, crowned with glory, 
 
 Is pouring her light. 
 
 11 
 
 Come forth with the spring-time, 
 
 Sweet flow'rets, and spread 
 Your rich hues around us 
 
 Where nature lay dead ; 
 Come, violets modest, 
 
 And roses so gay, 
 With lilies and marigolds, 
 
 Spangle the^way. 
 
go HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Flow joy song in fulness, 
 
 Flow higher and higher ; 
 Pour forth thy sweet measures, 
 
 Thou murmuring lyre ; 
 O sing, for He liveth, 
 
 As truly He said, 
 Yea, Jesus hath risen 
 
 Unharmed from the dead. 
 
 IV 
 
 Shout praises, ye mountains, 
 
 Vales catch the refrain ; 
 Frisk gaily, ye fountains ; 
 
 Hills, tell it again — 
 He liveth, He liveth, 
 
 As truly He said ; 
 Yea, Jesus hath risen 
 
 Unharmed from the dead. 
 
MORTIS PORTIS FRACTIS 
 
 By Peter of St. Maurice, sometimes styled Peter of 
 Cluny, but best know?i as Peter the Venerable. 
 Born in Auvergne, 1092 or 1094 ; began life as a 
 soldier ; aftenvards became a Benedictine monk ; elected 
 abbot of the ?nonastery of his order at Cluny in Bur- 
 gundy ; died there in 1156 or 11 57. The greater part 
 of his literary activity was given to the controversy 
 bet-ween the Clugnian and Cistercian, or "black" and 
 "white" monks. This Resurrection hymn is taken 
 from ' ' Some Rhythms, Proses, Sequences, Verses, and 
 Hymns" contained in the Bibliotheca Cluniacencis, 
 1623. 
 
 I 
 
 Burst are the iron gates of death — 
 
 A stronger power prevails ; 
 For, by the cross, the cruel king 
 
 Before the Victor quails. 
 O clear the light that shines afar, 
 
 Where darkness held its sway, 
 For God, who made the light at first, 
 
 Restores its gladdening ray. 
 
 11 
 
 That sinners might for ever live, 
 
 The great Creator dies, 
 And by His death to new estate 
 
 Our souls enraptured rise. 
 
92 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 There, Satan groaned in baffled hate, 
 Where Christ our triumph won — 
 
 For what to Him was deathly loss, 
 To man was life begun. 
 
 in 
 
 He grasps the envied prize, but fails, 
 And while he wounds, he dies ; 
 
 But calmly, and with mighty power, 
 The King secures the prize ; 
 
 And, leaving earth-, His triumph won, 
 He seeks His native skies. 
 
 IV 
 
 And now triumphant o'er the grave, 
 
 The Lord to earth returns ; 
 To new create our fallen race, 
 
 His soul with ardour burns ; 
 Down to the dwellings of the lost, 
 
 To dwell with man He came ; 
 And hearts in grievous bondage held, 
 
 Receive Him with acclaim. 
 
ALLELUIA, DULCE CARMEN 
 
 Found in three MSS. of the eleventh century in the British 
 Museum Library, and published by the Surtees Society 
 in the "Latin Hymns of the Anglo-Saxon Church" from 
 a MS. of the eleventh century, in Durham Library. 
 
 Alleluia, hymn of sweetness, 
 Joyful voice of ceaseless praise ; 
 
 Alleluia, pleasant anthem, 
 Choirs celestial sweetly raise : 
 
 This the song of those abiding 
 In the house of God always. 
 
 Alleluia, Mother Salem, 
 
 All Thy people joy in song ; 
 
 Alleluia, walls and bulwarks 
 Evermore the notes prolong : 
 
 Ah ! beside the streams of Babel, 
 Exiled, weep we o'er our wrong. 
 
 93 
 
94 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Alleluia, 'tis befitting 
 
 That our song should falter here ; 
 Alleluia, can we sing it 
 
 When the clouds of wrath appear ? 
 To bemoan our sin with weeping, 
 
 Now the time is drawing near. 
 
 IV 
 
 Trinity, for ever blessed ! 
 
 May we sing the gladsome lay, 
 When from sin our souls are severed, 
 
 And the clouds have passed away, 
 And we share the Easter glory, 
 
 In the realms of endless day ? 
 
ascension 
 
STERNE REX ALTISSIME 
 
 A hymn of complex authorship an d of frequently 
 altered text. 
 
 Eternal King, enthroned on high, 
 Redeemer, strong Thy folk to save ; 
 
 Thee, powerful death, by death o'ercome, 
 A royal crown of triumph gave. 
 
 Ascending to the throne of God, 
 
 Beyond the glittering host of heaven, 
 
 More power than human hand could give 
 To Thee, victorious King, is given. 
 
 in 
 
 Three kingdoms bow before Thee now — 
 The heavens above, the earth below, 
 
 Hell's dark abode — and to their Lord, 
 On bended knee, submission show. 
 
 97 G 
 
98 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 All awe inspired, the angel host 
 
 Behold man's changed estate, amazed ; 
 
 Our sinful flesh, by flesh renewed, 
 
 And man, true God, to Godhead raised. 
 
 O Christ, with God who dwelPst on high, 
 Be Thou to us, we humbly pray, 
 
 A lasting joy while here we wait, 
 Our great reward in heaven for aye. 
 
 VI 
 
 In earnest prayer we come to Thee ; 
 
 O may our sins be all forgiven, 
 And lift our hearts by Thy rich grace, 
 
 To where Thou art Thyself, in heaven. 
 
 VII 
 
 That when in clouds of Judgment dire, 
 Thou com'st with Thine angelic host, 
 
 We may escape the avenger's power, 
 And wear anew the crowns we lost. 
 
JETERNE REX ALT I SSI ME 99 
 
 VIII 
 
 To Thee, O Christ, all glory be, 
 Victor returning now to heaven ; 
 
 To Father, and to Holy Ghost, 
 
 Let praise through endless years be given. 
 
POSTQUAM HOSTEM ET INFERNA 
 
 By Adam of St. Victor. (See p. 49.) 
 
 Broken are the bands that bound us, 
 Spoiled are Satan's realms around us, 
 
 And to joys supernal now, 
 Christ returns with hosts attending, 
 And, as when at first descending, 
 
 Angel guards their homage bow. 
 
 Far above the stars ascending, 
 Faith alone His course attending, 
 
 Passing now from mortal sight ; 
 To His hand all power is given, 
 One with God He rules in heaven, 
 
 One in honour and in might. 
 
POSTQUAM HOSTEM ET INFERNA 101 
 
 ill 
 
 Victor on His throne uplifted, 
 See all rule to Him is gifted, 
 
 O'er Creation's wide domain. 
 Now for evermore He liveth, 
 Nevermore His life He giveth — 
 
 Once the sacrifice was slain. 
 
 IV 
 
 Once He wore our flesh in weakness, 
 Once He suffered, once in meekness 
 
 Gave Himself for sin to die. 
 Now no longer pain He knoweth: 
 Perfect peace for ever floweth, 
 
 Perfect joy is ever nigh. 
 
CCELOS ASCENDIT HODIE 
 
 Of unknown date and authorship. The text is in Daniels 
 Thesaurus, with " Alleluia " as a refrain. Dr. Neale 
 gives it in his " Mediceval Hymns a?id Sequences 1 ' as 
 " appare?itly of the hvelfih century." 
 
 To-day the lingering clouds are riven, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 Our glorious King ascends to heaven, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 ii 
 
 The heaven and earth His rule obey, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 Who sits at God's right hand for aye, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 in 
 
 See, all things are fulfilled at last, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 By David sung in ages past, 
 
 Alleluia ! 
 
CCELOS ASCEND IT HODIE 103 
 
 IV 
 
 And on the throne of high renown, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 The Lord is with His Lord set down, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 v 
 
 Now blessings on our Lord we shower, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 In this chief triumph of His power, 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 VI 
 
 Let praise the Trinity adore, 
 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 To God be glory evermore, 
 
 Alleluia ! 
 
 
O CHRISTE, QUI NOSTER POLI 
 
 Appeared in the Cluniac Breviary of 1686, and in that of 
 Paris, 1736, as also in later French Breviaries. From 
 his connection with the revised Paris Breviary^ this 
 hymn has been ascribed to Archbishop Charles de Vinti- 
 mille, bo7-n 1655, died 1746 ; but in neither the Cluniac 
 ?wr Paris Breviary is it marked as his. Chandler s 
 version of the hymn, beginning, " O Jesti, who art gone 
 before. To Thy blest realms of light" appears in Dr. 
 Martineaus "Hymns of Praise and Prayer" with 
 opening lines altered to, " The Crucified is gone before, 
 To the blest realms of light" and with other variations. 
 
 O Christ, who art ascended now 
 To realms of bliss above, 
 
 Inspire our souls to rise to Thee, 
 Upborne by faith and love. 
 
 Make us to seek those holy joys, 
 
 That they who love receive ; 
 
 That earthly mind can never know, 
 
 Nor faithless soul perceive. 
 104 
 
O CHRISTE, QUI NOSTER POLI 105 
 
 in 
 
 There, where Thou art, they reap reward 
 
 Who toiled at duty's call ; 
 For Thou dost give Thyself to them, 
 
 And Thou art all in all. 
 
 IV 
 
 By power divine, O let us come 
 
 Where glory cannot fade ; 
 And from Thy heavenly throne send down 
 
 The Spirit to our aid. 
 
 To Thee who art at God's right hand, 
 O Christ, to Thee be praise, 
 
 To Father, and to Holy Ghost, 
 Be glory given always. 
 

Mbitsunti&e 
 
VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS, 
 MENTES TUORUM VISITA 
 
 Of the authorship of this grand hymn nothing unquestioned 
 is known. It has been ascribed to Ambrose, Gregory, 
 Rhabanus Maurus (died 856), and Charlemagne. The 
 most widely prevalent opinion ascribes it to the last' 
 named person, but in the judgment of Dr. Julian s 
 assistant-editor "the hymn is clearly not the work of 
 St. Ambrose nor of Charles the Great. Nor is there 
 sufficient evidence to allow us to ascribe it either to 
 Gregory the Great, to Rhabanus Maurus, or to any of 
 the ecclesiastics connected with the court of Charles the 
 Fat." The hymn has not yet been found i?i any MS. 
 earlier than the latter part of the tenth century. 
 
 I 
 
 Come, Thou Creator Spirit blest, 
 
 And with Thy grace our minds pervade ; 
 
 May Thy sweet presence ever dwell 
 
 Within the souls which Thou hast made. 
 
 11 
 Thou Holy Paraclete ! the Gift 
 
 Sent down to earth from God Most High, 
 Thou Font of Life and fire and love, 
 
 Thy holy unction now apply. 
 
no HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 Sevenfold Thy gifts to us are given, 
 Of God's right hand the Finger Thou ; 
 
 The promise of the Father's grace, 
 
 With gifts of tongues, Thou dost endow. 
 
 IV 
 
 Make our dull sense enraptured glow, 
 And let our hearts o'erflow with love ; 
 
 The weakness of our flesh inspire 
 With heavenly valour from above. 
 
 Far from our souls the foe repel, 
 And let us know the bliss of peace ; 
 
 Guide Thou our steps, that evermore 
 Our hearts may learn from sin to cease. 
 
 VI 
 
 Lead us the Father's love to know ; 
 
 Reveal to us the Eternal Son ; 
 And Thee, the Sent of both, we'll praise, 
 
 While everlasting ages run. 
 
VENI, SANCTE SPIRITUS 
 ET EMITTE CCELITUS 
 
 A sequence universally regarded as one of the masterpieces of 
 sacred Latin poetry. As in the case of the Veni, Creator 
 Spiritus, the authorship is matter of dispute. Robert II. 
 of France, Hermannus Contractus (bom 1013, died 1054), 
 Stephen Langton the Archbishop of Canterbury, Pope 
 hinocent III. — these have all in turn been credited with 
 its production. Dr. Julian, the greatest living authority , 
 sums up the matter of authorship thus : " The seque?ice is 
 clearly not earlier than about the beginning of the thir- 
 teenth century. It is certainly neither by Robert II. nor 
 by Hermannus Contractus. The most probable author is 
 Innocent III." 
 
 Holy Spirit, come with power ; 
 Let Thy light, in darkest hour, 
 
 Shine upon our onward way. 
 Father of the humble heart, 
 Come, Thy choicest gifts impart — 
 
 Light our hearts with heavenly ray. 
 
U2 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 II 
 
 Thou canst best the heart console : 
 Sweet Thy sojourn with the soul — 
 
 Cooling breath at noon of day, 
 Calm Thy rest in toil and care, 
 Soft Thy shade in noontide glare — 
 
 Thou dost chase our tears away. 
 
 in 
 
 O ! Thou blessed Light of light ! 
 Let Thy beams in radiance bright 
 
 Fill our inmost heart for aye. 
 If Thou come not with Thy grace, 
 Nought of worth can take Thy place, 
 
 Nought but leads the soul astray. 
 
 IV 
 
 What is filthy, come, renew ; 
 
 What is parched, with grace bedew \ 
 
 Heal the wounded in the way. 
 What is stubborn, gently bend ; 
 To the chilled the life-glow send ; 
 
 Bring the erring 'neath Thy sway. 
 
VESL SANCTE SPIRITUS 113 
 
 To the faithful who repose 
 In the love Thy grace bestows, 
 
 Be Thy sevenfold gift alway — 
 Rich reward for service given, 
 Hope in death and joy in heaven, 
 
 Joy untold that lasteth aye. 
 
O FONS AMORIS, SPIRITUS 
 
 By Charles Coffin. (See p. 3.) // is a recast of the 
 Nunc nobis, Sancte Spiritns of St, Ambrose. 
 
 O Holy Spirit, font of love, 
 
 Thou source of life, and joy, and peace, 
 With holy fire come from above, 
 
 And bid our hearts their warmth increase. 
 
 11 
 
 O Thou who didst with love's strong cord 
 
 Unite the Father and the Son, 
 May we who love a common Lord, 
 
 In mutual love be bound in one. 
 
 in 
 
 Now to the Father throned on high, 
 
 And unto Christ His only Son, 
 
 And to the Spirit, glory be, 
 
 \ Now, and while endless ages run. 
 114 
 
Urinitp 
 
TU TRINITATIS UNITAS 
 
 A cento. Added to the Roman Brrciary in 1568. In a 
 subsequent edition it is the hymn for Lauds on Trinity- 
 Sunday. It is made up of the first stanza of a hymn 
 with the sa??ie opening, and of the third stanza of 
 the composition, iEterna coeli gloria, with a d oxo logy 
 added. 
 
 I 
 
 O Thou Eternal One in Three, 
 Dread Ruler of the earth and sky, 
 
 Accept the praise we yield to Thee, 
 Who, waking, lift our songs on high. 
 
 11 
 The star that tells the approach of day 
 
 Is lingering in the glow of morn, 
 And night and darkness fade away — 
 
 O Holy Light, our souls adorn ! 
 
 in 
 To God the Father throned in heaven, 
 
 To Christ the One Begotten Son, 
 And to the Spirit praise be given, 
 
 Now, and while endless ages run. 
 
O PATER SANCTE, MITIS ATQUE PIE 
 
 Found in tivo MSS. of the eleventh century, and included in 
 the York, Sarum, and Aberdeen Breviaries. 
 
 I 
 
 O Holy Father, gracious Thou and tender ; 
 O Jesus Christ, Thou much adored Son ; 
 Spirit most sweet, Thou Paraclete, Defender, 
 
 Eternally one ! 
 
 ii 
 Trinity Holy, Unity abiding, 
 True God Thou art, unbounded goodness Thou, 
 Light of the angels, trust of the confiding, 
 
 We hope in Thee now. 
 
 in 
 Thee all creation pays eternal homage ; 
 Thee all Thy creatures songs of glory raise ; 
 Now come we humbly, joining in the chorus, 
 O hear Thou our praise. 
 
 IV 
 
 Glory to Thee, O God of power almighty, 
 Triune yet One, and great Thou art and high ; 
 Hymns fitly tell Thy honour, praise, and glory, 
 Now and eternally. 
 
 118 
 
ADESTO, SANCTA TRINITAS 
 
 Authorship unknown. It first occurs in a MS. of the eleventh 
 century in the British Museum Library, has a place 
 in the English Breviaries of York, Hereford, and St. 
 Albans, and is printed in the "Latin Hymns of the 
 Anglo-Saxon Church." 
 
 I 
 
 Be present, Holy Trinity, 
 One glory Thou, one Deity ; 
 Where'er creation's bounds extend, 
 Thou art beginning without end. 
 
 The hosts of heaven Thy praise proclaim, 
 Adoring, tell Thy matchless fame ; 
 Earth's threefold fabric joins the song, 
 To bless Thee through the ages long. 
 
 in 
 
 And we, Thy humble servants, now 
 To Thee in adoration bow \ 
 Our suppliant vows and prayers unite 
 With hymns that fill the realms of light. 
 
 119 
 
i2o HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 One Light, we Thee our homage pay, 
 We worship Thee, O triple ray ; 
 Thou First and Last, we speak Thy fame, 
 And every spirit lauds Thy name. 
 
 Praise to the Eternal Father be ; 
 Thou only Son, all praise to Thee ; 
 And Holy Ghost to Thee be praise, 
 Great Triune God, yet One always. 
 
ail Saints 
 
PUGNATE, CHRISTE MILITES 
 
 Given in editions of tlie Paris Breviary subsequent to 1736, 
 along with the hymn Coelestii O Jerusalem,/^ the vigil 
 of All Saints Day at Lauds. Author not traced. 
 
 Christian soldiers in the conflict ! 
 
 Bear the banner of the cross \ 
 Rich reward shall crown the victor, 
 
 More than recompense for loss. 
 
 Not with paltry palms that wither 
 Shall the brow be gaily crowned, 
 
 But with light that shines eternal, 
 And with heavenly joy renowned. 
 
 in 
 
 Yours are mansions fair and comely — 
 There your souls in bliss shall rest ; 
 
 Stars shall sparkle in their radiance, 
 On the pathway of the blest. 
 
124 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 VI 
 
 Earthly joys are faint and fleeting, 
 Earthly favours quickly fade ; 
 
 Heavenwards lift your eyes, expecting 
 There your true reward is laid. 
 
 God be praised who crowns the victor, 
 Christ be praised who saves from sin ; 
 
 Equal praise to God the Spirit, 
 By whose aid we fight and win. 
 
AUDI NOS, REX CHRISTE 
 
 This pilgrim or processional hymn ivas first published from 
 a MS. of tlie eleventh ce?itury by Du Mevil at Paris, 
 1847 ; reprinted by Neale in his Hymni Ecclesias, in 
 1851, as Cantus Peregrinatorum. 
 
 Hear us, O Christ, our King ; 
 Lord, hear the prayer we bring, 
 And take the ordering of our way. 
 
 Refrain 
 
 Thy mercy, Lord, extend ; 
 Thy mercy, Lord, extend, 
 And take the ordering of our way. 
 
 O Thre in Unity ! 
 Protect us all each day : 
 In this Thy path divine we pray. 
 
126 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH $ 
 
 in 
 
 Send us a faithful guide : 
 An angel to abide, 
 Whose hand shall lead us to Thy throne. 
 
 IV 
 
 Our upward path direct, 
 From every foe protect, 
 And bring us back to claim our own. 
 
 Thy strong right arm extend, 
 And with Thy left defend, 
 And save us from the enemy. 
 
 VI 
 
 O Thou Creator wise, 
 Soon may our longing eyes 
 The glory of Thy kingdom see. 
 
 VII 
 
 Now glory let there be, 
 O Father, unto Thee, 
 From age to age eternally. 
 
Communion 
 
EJA O DULCIS ANIMA 
 
 Autlwr unkno7U7i. Belonging, according to A/one, to the 
 thirteenth or Jifteejith century. 
 
 I 
 
 See, sweet soul, my sister dear, 
 Now the bridegroom neareth ; 
 
 Haste, prepare a place for Him 
 Who in love appeareth. 
 
 Soon He comes, a gentle guest, 
 Comes with heart o'erflowing ; 
 
 All the best that heaven affords 
 In His love bestowing. 
 
 in 
 
 Where His gracious presence is 
 
 There is joy unending ; 
 Blessing with His friendship comes, 
 
 Every bliss transcending. 
 
 129 1 
 
130 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 Yea, He comes to rest awhile, 
 Thee with love entwining ; 
 
 At thy board He'll take His place, 
 By thy side reclining. 
 
 Up, my soul, to meet thy Spouse ; 
 
 Hark ! His footfall sounding ; 
 In thy bosom He will dwell 
 
 With His love abounding. 
 
 VI 
 
 Hold Him fast in fond embrace ; 
 
 Say thou'lt leave Him never, 
 Till the blessing of His love 
 
 Rest on thee for ever. 
 
O ESCA VIATORUM 
 
 Ascribed by seme to THOMAS AQUINAS, but believed by latest 
 and best authorities to have been composed by some un- 
 known German Jesuit of the seventeenth century. It has 
 not been traced further back than the Mainz Gesang-Buch 
 ofi66i, wliere it is styled " Hymn on the true Bread of 
 Heave*™ 
 
 O Food for pilgrims pining ! 
 O Bread for angels shining ! 
 
 O Manna fresh from heaven ! 
 In bountiful completeness, 
 O may Thy heavenly sweetness 
 
 To hungering hearts be given. 
 
 O Font of love surprising, 
 From Jesu's heart uprising ! 
 
 A pure refreshing flow ; 
 Nought else our thirst allayeth- 
 For this the pilgrim prayeth — 
 
 This draught of love bestow. 
 
132 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 III 
 
 Thy face we come revering, 
 O Jesus, now appearing 
 
 In sacramental rite. 
 O when in heaven, before it 
 Unveiled, may we adore it, 
 
 Our faith absorbed in sight. 
 
JESU, DULCEDO CORDIUM 
 
 In the Paris Breviary of 1736, this is the hymn for Lauds 
 for the festival of the Transfiguration. It is composed 
 of six stanzas of the Gospel Rhythm of St. Bernard, 
 beginning, Jesu, dulcis memoria, the fourth stanza of 
 which begins, Jesu, dulcedo Cordium. 
 
 I 
 
 Jesu, delight of every heart, 
 
 Thou font of life, Thou source of light, 
 Earth can no joy so real impart, 
 
 No soul can form a hope so bright. 
 
 11 
 
 Abide with us, O Lord, we pray, 
 
 And cause Thy heavenly light to glow ; 
 
 Drive from our minds the clouds away, 
 And let the world Thy sweetness know. 
 
 in 
 
 When Thou dost seek the humble heart, 
 
 Thy heavenly truth is freely given ; 
 
 Then vanities of earth depart, 
 
 Then glows the fervent love of heaven. 
 133 
 
134 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 IV 
 
 O Jesus, of Thy wondrous grace, 
 
 Make us Thy boundless love to know: 
 
 And when we see Thee face to face, 
 To us Thy matchless glory show. 
 
 They know how sweet the Lord can be, 
 Who deeply drink His love divine ; 
 
 How blest, who find their all in Thee, 
 Nor thirst for other joys than Thine. 
 
 VI 
 
 O Thou the spring whence pity flows ! 
 
 Light from the Fatherland to cheer ! 
 To us Thy glorious light disclose, 
 
 Nor let dark clouds afflict us here. 
 
VERBUM SUPERNUM PRODIENS 
 
 By St. Thomas of Aquino, the Angelical Doctor. Born 
 about 1225-1227 ; educated in the Benedictine monastery 
 at Monte Cassino, and at the University of Naples. 
 Having resolved to become a Dominican friar, St. 
 Tlwmas, after much opposition from his family , took the 
 vows of obedience, celibacy, and poverty at Naples, in 
 1243. The remainder of his life ivas spent in the service 
 oftJie Church at Paris, Cologne, Rome, Naples, Bologna. 
 When on his way to attend the Second Council of Lyons, 
 he died in the Benedictine abbey of Fossa Nuova, i?i the 
 diocese of Terracina, in 1274. This hymn was written 
 about 1263 for the office for use on Corpus Christi. It is 
 found in tlie Roman, Mozarabic, York, Sarum, Aberdeen, 
 Paris, and other Breviaries, its primary use being at 
 Lauds in Corpus Christi. 
 
 I 
 
 The Word, proceeding from above, 
 Yet still at God's right hand in heaven, 
 
 Came to His work impelled by love, 
 And soon life's day declined to even. 
 
 11 
 A traitor in His chosen band 
 
 Betrays his Lord to death and grave ; 
 But ere He died, with His own hand 
 
 Himself as food to man He gave. 
 
136 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 
 In double form the gift was made ; 
 
 He gave them of His flesh and blood, 
 That so the feast His love purveyed, 
 
 Might prove for man sufficient food. 
 
 IV 
 
 By birth a friend in Him we find ; 
 
 As food He fills the festal board ; 
 In death the ransom of our kind : 
 
 In heaven He is our great reward. 
 
 O Saving Sacrifice ! that made 
 
 The gates of heaven stand open wide, 
 
 Be Thou our strength, come to our aid, 
 When foes would crush on every side. 
 
 VI 
 
 To Thee, Good Shepherd, who for meat 
 Dost give Thy flesh to feed Thine own, 
 
 To Father, and to Paraclete, 
 
 Be praise through ages yet unknown. 
 
Beatb an& Judgment 
 
GRAVI ME TERRORE PULSAS 
 
 By Peter Damiani. Bom at Ravenna about 988 ; became 
 a ' ' religious ' ' of the order of the Monks of the Holy Cross 
 of Fo?itavellano t of which community he subsequently 
 beca??ie the Superior, founding in his day five monasteries 
 under the same rule ; was induced by Pope Stephen IX. 
 to accept the position of Cardinal-Bishop of Ostia, an 
 office he was allowed to resign by Pope Alexander II. in 
 1062. In retirement he lived a life of great asceticism 
 and self-mortification. On his return journey from 
 Rave?ma, whitlier he had %one as Papal legate on a 
 mission of inquiry and reform, he died of fever at Faenza, 
 in the monastery of Our Lady, 1072. 
 
 Terror grim the soul oppresses 
 When the day of death is near ; 
 
 Sighs the heart, the reins are sundered, 
 Quakes each part with anxious fear ; 
 
 While the mind the woe detaileth 
 
 Of the conflict to appear. 
 
 139 
 
i4o HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 Spectacle all woe inspiring 
 
 Who its terror can pourtray ? 
 See, the course of life is ended, 
 
 And the sickening flesh gives way, 
 For the wrestling soul in triumph 
 
 Breaks the bands that bid her stay. 
 
 in 
 
 Sense decays, and fails expression ; 
 
 Dark the world to melting eye ; 
 And the troubled breast in anguish, 
 
 Gasping, breathes her burdened sigh ; 
 Grace of form and glow of beauty, 
 
 From the withering body die. 
 
 IV 
 
 Thoughts, and words, and deeds forgotten, 
 
 Crowd around in grim array ; 
 And unwilling eyes behold them, 
 
 Be they closed or turned away ; 
 In the heart they seem to rankle, 
 
 Turn he wheresoe'er he may. 
 
GRAVI ME TERRORE PULSAS i 4 i 
 
 Vain the vow of new obedience — 
 Time for vowing is no more ; 
 
 Vain the sorrow of repentance, 
 For the day of grace is o'er ; 
 
 Conscience now the tortured sinner 
 Gnaws with pangs unfelt before. 
 
 VI 
 
 Draughts of sweet deluding pleasure 
 Give the bitter dregs at last ; 
 
 Come, unending pain and anguish, 
 With the short-lived rapture past ; 
 
 Then, what once appeared so worthy, 
 Is aside as worthless cast. 
 
 VII 
 
 Then, O Christ, Thou King victorious, 
 Come with succour in my plight ; 
 
 When the soul is freed from bondage, 
 In its hour of darkest night ; 
 
 Come, O Christ, Thy help extending, 
 Free me from the accuser's might. 
 
142 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 VIII 
 
 Headlong may the Prince of Darkness 
 With the hosts infernal fall ! 
 
 Thou, the Shepherd of Salvation, 
 Bid me follow at Thy call, 
 
 To the land where fulness dwelleth, 
 And those eyes shall see it all. 
 
APPROPINQUAT ENIM DIES 
 IN QUA JUSTES ERIT QUIES 
 
 A cento taken from the hymn, Heu ! Heu ! mala raundi 
 vita, published by Du Mivil in 1847, from a MS. of tic 
 twelfth century, in the National Library at Paris. The 
 poem from which the cento is taken consists of nearly 
 four hundred lines, and the cento begins at line 325. 
 
 Lo, the day, the day approacheth 
 When the just shall rest in peace, 
 
 When the patient souls shall triumph, 
 And the vile from troubling cease. 
 
 Day of life, who can abide it ? 
 
 Day of light, unseen before ; 
 Death, the fell destroyer, dieth, 
 
 Night and darkness are no more. 
 
144 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 ill 
 
 See He comes whom ages longed for — 
 Long expected King of kings — 
 
 Now He tarries not, and with Him 
 All His great salvation brings. 
 
 IV 
 
 O how blessed ! O how joyful ! 
 
 O what sweetness it shall be ! 
 When the eyes of those who loved Him 
 
 Shall their Lord and Master see. 
 
 v 
 
 Jesus then with sweet affection, 
 And in tones of tenderest love, 
 
 Shall invite His faithful people 
 To the joys prepared above. 
 
 VI 
 
 " Ye who held My truth unsullied, 
 Faithful stood in world of sin, 
 Suffered for the name ye honoured, 
 See the joys ye sought to win. 
 
APPROPINQUAT ENIM DIES 145 
 
 VII 
 
 " See the heavenly kingdom promised, 
 Long reserved, but now revealed ; 
 
 Now behold it, now possess it, 
 Now the princely sceptre wield." 
 
 VIII 
 
 O how sweet our earthly losses, 
 In the midst of gain like this ! 
 
 O how vain the world's possessions, 
 At the cost of so much bliss ! 
 
 IX 
 
 O how blessed then the mourners, 
 Who for Christ earth's sorrow bore, 
 
 By a scornful world neglected ! 
 They shall reign for evermore. 
 
 x 
 
 Now no terror grim shall haunt them— 
 Tears and sorrows are no more ; 
 
 Grinding want shall ne'er afflict them, 
 Crippled age nor weakness sore. 
 
146 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 XI 
 
 Peace eternal there abideth, 
 
 Hearts with festive gladness bound ; 
 
 There is youth with perfect vigour, 
 And with bloom unfading crowned. 
 
 XII 
 
 O just Judge ! in boundless mercy 
 Call me heavenward by-and-by, 
 
 For my soul is faint with longing, 
 And I wait with tearful eye. 
 
"toeaven 
 
JERUSALEM LUMINOSA 
 VER.E PACIS VISIO 
 
 The second in a group of three hymns, of all which the author is 
 quite unknown. First published by Monefrom a fifteenth 
 century MS., at Karlsruhe. This hymn has for title 
 in the original, De Gloria Coelestis Jerusalem quoad 
 dotes Glorificati Corporis — ' ' Of the Glory of the Heavenly 
 Jerusalem, so far as concerns the endowments of the 
 Glorified Body" and was a favourite at dedications and 
 other festivals. All tlie three of the series will be found, 
 with English renderings, in Dr. Neales "Hymns, 
 chiefiy Medieval, on the Joys and Glories of Paradise." 
 
 O city girt with glory ! 
 
 Thou scene of quiet rest, 
 Where dwells the King Eternal — 
 
 O beautiful and blest ! 
 
 Thy streets are filled with glorious song, 
 
 The praises of a myriad throng. 
 149 
 
150 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 With stones of polished beauty 
 Is reared thy structure fair • 
 
 And gems, and gold, and crystal 
 Are sparkling everywhere ; 
 
 With pearls thy gates are glittering gay, 
 
 And golden is thy bright highway. 
 
 in 
 
 For ever and in sweetness 
 
 Are Alleluias given ; 
 Unending is the feast day, 
 
 The royal feast of heaven ; 
 Whate'er within thy walls is stored, 
 Is pure and holy to the Lord. 
 
 IV 
 
 No clouds with sombre curtain 
 Thy glorious brightness screen ; 
 
 There shines the Sun Eternal, 
 And aye at noonday seen ; 
 
 There is no night to give repose, 
 
 For no one toil or trouble knows. 
 
JERUSALEM LU MINOS A 
 
 The vernal glow of springtime 
 Is bright and lasting there, 
 
 The wealth of summer's richness 
 Is scattered everywhere ; 
 
 And that fair realm can never know 
 
 The autumn's blast or winter's snow. 
 
 VI 
 
 The notes that fall in sweetness, 
 Where birds in woodland sing ; 
 
 The sounds of softest music, 
 That winds in summer bring, 
 
 Are wafted o'er that city bright, 
 
 In strains of unalloyed delight. 
 
 VII 
 
 There youth adorned with vigour 
 
 Ne'er into age declines ; 
 No aged fears the mortal, 
 
 Nor for the past repines • 
 For past and future are unknown : 
 The present reigns in heaven alone. 
 
152 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 VIII 
 
 No fleshly law can triumph, 
 
 And over reason ride ; 
 With bodies pure and stainless 
 
 The spirit shall abide ; 
 And power of flesh, and power of will, 
 Shall both one common law fulfil. 
 
 IX 
 
 O bright the heavenly glory, 
 This fragile frame shall wear, 
 
 When health, and strength, and freedom 
 Shall crown with beauty rare ; 
 
 And pleasure's draughts no sorrow know, 
 
 But everlasting joys bestow. 
 
 Now gladly bear true burden ; 
 
 With zeal thy task maintain, 
 And gifts shall crown thy labour, 
 
 And all thy loss be gain, 
 When decked with splendour thou shalt be, 
 Where glory dwells eternally. 
 
URBS BEATA HIERUSALEM 
 
 The author of this fine old rugged hymn is unknown. It is 
 conjectured to be of sixth or seventh century date. It 
 passed into many mediaeval Breviaries, sometimes entire, 
 but often divided into two parts. It was largely used 
 for the dedication of churches. 
 
 Part I 
 
 O vision bright of heavenly peace, 
 
 Jerusalem on high, 
 With living stones Thy walls are built, 
 
 All beauteous to the eye ; 
 A high-born bride, the angels stand 
 Around Thee, an attendant band. 
 
 ii 
 From heaven she cometh down prepared 
 
 Her nuptial hour to grace ; 
 With jewels decked she shall be led 
 
 To see her Bridegroom's face. 
 
 O fair her streets, her bulwarks fair, 
 
 For purest gold is everywhere. 
 153 
 
154 HYMNS OF THE EARLY CHURCH 
 
 in 
 Her gates, adorned with glowing pearl, 
 
 Stand open day and night, 
 And hither come the faithful souls, 
 
 And enter in His right, 
 For whom they bore the cruel shame, 
 That earth has linked to His dear name. 
 
 IV 
 
 All precious stones and shapely all, 
 
 By sore affliction made ; 
 Each in its place the Heavenly King 
 
 With His own hand has laid — 
 Such was the plan, that with the Elect 
 The walls of Zion should be decked. 
 
 Part II. 
 
 i 
 Most firm the sure foundation stands, 
 
 And strong the corner-stone, 
 To bear the walls that proudly rise, 
 
 And bind them into one ; 
 And Zion all her trust will lay 
 Upon the strength of Christ alway. 
 
URBS BE AT A HI BRU SALEM 155 
 
 Within that city, God beloved, 
 Flow streams of praise along ; 
 
 And towers and bulwarks echo forth 
 The gladness of the song ; 
 
 'Tis praise to God continually, 
 
 The Three in One, the One in Three. 
 
 in 
 
 Within Thine earthly temple, Lord, 
 We meet to seek Thy face \ 
 
 O ill Thy loving kindness, hear, 
 Diffuse Thy heavenly grace ; 
 
 Grant, as Thy people humbly bow, 
 
 Thine ample benediction now. 
 
 IV 
 
 Be found of all who seek Thee here, 
 
 And every need supply — 
 The joys of heaven that cheer the soul. 
 
 When streams of earth are dry \ 
 And in the greatness of Thy love. 
 Hereafter, open heaven above. 
 
INDEX OF FIRST LINES 
 
 Alleluia ! Alleluia ! . 
 Alleluia, hymn of sweetness . 
 
 Be present, Holy Trinity 
 
 Broken are the bands that bound us 
 
 Burst are the iron gates of death . 
 
 Christ, the light that shines eternal 
 Christian soldiers in the conflict 
 Come, Thou Creator Spirit blest 
 
 Dark night has drawn her curtain round 
 
 Emmanuel, come ! we call for Thee 
 Eternal King, enthroned on high . 
 
 For us the cruel cross He bare 
 From the Father's throne descending 
 
 Gone are the shades of night 
 
 Hail, thou blessed cross, all hail ! 
 Hear us, O Christ, our King . 
 Holy Spirit, come with power 
 
 PAGE 
 
 87 
 93 
 
 119 
 
 100 
 
 9i 
 
 32 
 123 
 109 
 
 34 
 
 45 
 97 
 
 82 
 27 
 
 23 
 
 78 
 125 
 hi 
 
i 5 8 
 
 INDEX OF FIRST LINES 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Jesu, delight of every heart 133 
 
 King of heaven, our nature wearing ... 65 
 
 Let us tune our hearts and voices .... 49 
 Lo, the day, the day approacheth . . . 143 
 
 Maker of the world, we pray .... 22 
 My heart goes forth in love to Thee ... 20 
 
 Now daylight floods the morning sky . . 15 
 
 Now let us tune our hearts to sing .... 63 
 
 Now sinks the fiery orb of day .... 38 
 
 Now sinks the glowing orb of day .... 25 
 
 O Christ, who in that hour of dread . . .81 
 O Christ, who art ascended now . . . .104 
 
 O city girt with glory 149 
 
 O day, the chief of days, whose light 3 
 
 O Food for pilgrims pining 131 
 
 O God, I love Thee, not alone . . . .11 
 O Holy Father, gracious Thou and tender . . 118 
 
 O Holy Spirit, font of love 114 
 
 O Jesus, when I think of Thee . . . -17 
 O Light that from the light wast born ... 5 
 O spotless King, who shared its gloom ... 83 
 O Thou Eternal One in Three .... 7 
 O Thou Eternal One in Three . . . .117 
 O vision bright of heavenly peace . . . . 153 
 O ye who seek the Lord, come nigh • • • 57 
 
 See in the east the morn arise .... 36 
 See, sweet soul, my sister dear . . . .129 
 
INDEX OF FIRST LINES 
 
 159 
 
 See the royal banners 
 Shout praises, ye heavens 
 
 Tell, my tongue, the glorious conflict 
 Terror grim the soul oppresses 
 The din of battle now is dead 
 The Word, proceeding from above 
 Thirty years by God appointed 
 Thou, blest Creator of the light 
 Thou our Redeemer art, O Christ 
 Thou who hast led our steps this day 
 Thy blessed passion, Christ, be ours 
 Thy works, O God, Thy name extol 
 To-day the lingering clouds are riven 
 To Thee, O Christ, our prayers shall rise 
 
 Veiled was the glory of Thy face . 
 
 When evening shades around us close . 
 Wherefore in the lowly stall . 
 
 ZiON is glad this glorious morn 
 
 69 
 89 
 
 72 
 139 
 87 
 135 
 75 
 13 
 61 
 
 30 
 82 
 
 9 
 102 
 
 4i 
 80 
 
 43 
 54 
 
 52 
 
 Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. 
 Edinburgh and London 
 
RECENTLY PUBLISHED 
 
 BY THE 
 
 Rev. John Brownlie 
 
 HYMNS OF OUR PILGRIMAGE 
 
 Crown 8vo. 2s. 
 
 "A volume worthy to rank with Dr. Bonar's ' Hymns of Faith 
 and Hope,' for their fervent evangelical faith, their bright and 
 joyous confidence, and their sweet melody." — Baptist Magazine. 
 
 11 It is evidently the outcome of a devout mind, nourished in the 
 evangelical traditions, represented by a long line of Scotch worthies 
 from Rutherford to Bonar, and to that portion of the Christian 
 public — happily a lar^e one — which is in sympathy with truth thus 
 stated, it is likely to be both welcome and helpful. The thought is 
 always clear, and the sentiment is unstrained, and there are musical 
 verses which prove that the writer has an indubitable share of the 
 lyric gift." — British Weekly. 
 
 "The minister of the Free Church, Portpatrick, is a sacred poet 
 of a high order. These hymns interpret the inmost thoughts and 
 aspirations of those who seek a better country, that is, an heavenly." 
 — Christian. 
 
 " These hymns breathe a true devotional spirit ; their theology is 
 sound, and weary pilgrims will here find much to cheer them on 
 their way to Zion." — English Churchman. 
 
 " Mr. Brownlie is one of our own ministers, and we are glad to 
 recognise the possession by him of the poetic gift. The hymn on 
 page 16, entitled, 'Songs of Zion sweetly singing,' is enough to 
 prove the fact."— Free Church Monthly. 
 
 "We may indeed say that many of Mr. Brownlie's hymns are 
 much superior to many that have been published in recent years." — 
 Glasgcnv Herald. 
 
 " Mr. Brownlie's versification is smooth and easy in a pre-eminent 
 degree ; there is not a feeble, far less a halting line in the whole 
 book from beginning to end. Mr. Brownlie is, we believe, a young 
 writer, but he has formed his style upon high models, and is sure 
 to work his way up to a distinguished position." — Glasgcnv Daily 
 Mail. 
 
 L 
 
BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
 
 Z I O N W A R D: 
 
 HYMNS OF THE PILGRIM LIFE 
 Crown 8vo. Is. 
 
 11 The hymns'ofthe Free Church minister of Portpatrick display 
 a genuine poetic gift and a devotional spirit that ought to commend 
 them to many readers."— Publishers Circular. 
 
 "A volume of short poems, full of faith and fine feeling." — 
 Literary World. 
 
 "These hymns will certainly become favourites. Their devout 
 sentiment and elegant expression place them in the forefront."— 
 Christian Treasury. 
 
 " Mr. Brownlie has already gained a high reputation as a hymn- 
 writer, and the contents of his latest volume are remarkable for 
 their sweetness and melody. The hymns on 'Submission' espe- 
 cially are clothed in beautiful language, and are full of fine and 
 noble thoughts." — Newcastle Daily Chronicle. 
 
 " A sweet collection of sacred songs, worthy to take its place 
 alongside of Bonar's ' Hymns of Faith and Hope.' The poetry is 
 chaste and simple, warm and glowing, leading up to higher con- 
 fidence and brighter hopes." — English Churchman. 
 
 "A small collection of hymns, many of them graced by deep 
 religious and poetic feeling." — Liverpool Mercury. 
 
 " The charm of the book is the clear thought and cheerful senti- 
 ment it expresses. The author treads through with perfect inde- 
 pendence in the steps of the late Dr. Bonar. He is a sweet singer 
 indeed." — Methodist Recorder. 
 
 "We have never tried it, yet we should think it a great risk to 
 publish verses. However, here we have something above the com- 
 mon order — really sweet melodious verse. The Church's hymnology 
 will thereby be enriched." — Methodist Neiu Connection Magazine. 
 
 "These little poems are all sweet and devotional." — Rock. 
 
 " Mr. Brownlie has already gained no mean praise as a writer of 
 sacred hymns. His former volume was well received, and now we 
 have another from his pen which we have no doubt will receive a 
 similar welcome." — Glasgow Daily Mail. 
 
 " These hymns have the merits of clearness of conception and 
 simplicity of style." — Glasgow Herald. 
 
 " No better work of the kind have we received from any new 
 writer for some time past." — Christian Leader. 
 
 "In some instances the author comes very near to high excel- 
 lence. ' ' — Independent. 
 
BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
 
 PILGRIM SONGS 
 
 Crown 8vo. Is. 
 
 "This volume, like those that preceded it, contains a collection 
 of hymns that recommend themselves by their simplicity of diction, 
 and the graceful expression they give to a warm devotional feeling." 
 — Scotsman. 
 
 11 Sweet little religious poems, reminding one of Keble's verses." — 
 Liverpool Mercury. 
 
 11 The third series of 'Pilgrim Songs ' fully maintains the standard 
 attained in the previous volumes. Their noble themes are expressed 
 in clear melodious language." — Glasgow Herald. 
 
 u The poems are all graceful in diction." — Dundee Advertiser. 
 
 11 Mr. Brownlie is a tried hand at hymn-writing. The present 
 series is up to the mark of those that preceded it." — Church Bells. 
 
 "Whether meditating on God's providence or praising Christ 
 for His great redemption, the author's lines breathe the spirit of 
 love and pious restfulness that will render them precious to man}'." — 
 Christian. 
 
 u Mr. Brownlie understands the art of hymn-writing. The faith 
 and piety which he seeks to express are clothed in the poetry of a 
 graceful fancy." — Dumfries Standard. 
 
 "This dainty volume has all those qualities which have won 
 popular favour for the two previous volumes." — Guide. 
 
 11 The quality of this fasciculus of short pieces is such as to render 
 it by no means improbable that the young Free Church minister of 
 the south may one day secure for himself a place of permanence, if 
 not of prominence, among Scottish hymn- writers." — Ayr Advertiser. 
 
BY THE SAME AUTHOR 
 
 Newly Published 
 
 THE REST OF GOD 
 
 Crown 8vo. Cloth extra. Is. 6d. 
 
 11 A book of real poetry. You read and cannot help reading on, 
 and after you have done you feel refreshed and exhilarated." — 
 Christian Leader. 
 
 " The pages unfold a vision of future glory such as faith in God 
 has inspired in many a soul ; but it requires a born poet to describe 
 it, and to celebrate in such verse as fills this book, the praise of 
 Him who giveth His people eternal rest." — Christian. 
 
 11 A poem of rare excellence. It is worthy of companionship with 
 the ' Pilgrim's Progress.' "We read it from the first page to the last 
 without the power of ceasing. There is a charm in it seldom found 
 in religious poetry." — News. 
 
 "The purity and piety of the sentiments expressed shine on every 
 page, and are worthy of the author who has written so many excel- 
 lent nymns." — Glasgozv Herald. 
 
 "The sweetness and tenderness of the poem will make devout 
 minds wish that this miniature spiritual epic had been longer and 
 more ambitious." — Christian Commonwealth. 
 
 11 'The Rest of God' is one of the best pieces of sacred verse 
 that we have looked upon of late. The theme, dazzling and lofty, 
 has been worthily treated." — Word and Work. 
 
 "It will win its way by the very same qualities as distinguished 
 the hymns : sweetness of expression and evangelical warmth." — 
 Sunday School. 
 
 11 ' The Rest of God ' will add lustre to his reputation as a writer 
 of mellifluous and sweetly imaginative verse. The thoughts are 
 clothed in chaste and beautiful language." — Dundee Advertiser. 
 
 "Sweetly musical songs of the angel life and its contrasts with 
 that of earth." — Liverpool Mercury. 
 
 LONDON 
 JAMES NISBET & CO., 21 BERNERS STREET 
 
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