known as "Lyra Fidelium." These facts of its credal foundation and origin as an outburst of joy and confidence over the defence of the Church make it a true hymn of the Church, one which is especially appropriate for us on Church festivals. We give herewith those stanzas which are most familiar and most widely used. A FESTIVAL HYMN ON THE CHURCH The Church's one foundation Is Jesus Christ her Lord; She is His new creation By water and the Word; From heaven He came, and sought her To be His holy Bride, With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died. Elect from every nation, Yet one o'er all the earth, Her charter of salvation One Lord, one Faith, one Birth; One holy Name she blesses, Though with a scornful wonder Men see her sore opprest, By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distrest; Yet saints their watch are keeping, Their cry goes up, "How long?" And soon the night of weeping Shall be the morn of song. Mid toil and tribulation, Shall be the Church at rest. A hymn which has found a place among the hymns which will live and which is known especially as the author's hymn by the title which is often given to it, "Dr. Dwight's Hymn," is that hymn from the pen of Yale's distinguished President which breathes in rhythmic poetry the spirit of David's beautiful "Song of Degrees." The hymn is usually sung to the tune St. Thomas, to which tune it was set by Aaron Williams, who does not claim authorship for the music, which while not credited to Handel, is generally believed to be a production of that master musician. DR. DWIGHT'S HYMN I love Thy Zion, Lord, The house of Thine abode; The Church our blest Redeemer saved I love Thy Church, O God! For her my tears shall fall; Beyond my highest joy I prize her heavenly ways, Her sweet communion, solemn vows, Her hymns of love and praise. Jesus, Thou Friend divine. Our Saviour and our King, Thy hand from every snare and foe Sure as Thy truth shall last, The brightest glories earth can yield, Among the seven hundred and sixty-five hymns written by Thomas Kelly is one on the safety of the Church which is worthy of a place in any good hymn book. The author, who was a son of an eminent Irish judge, was educated with a view to the law; but through spiritual conviction gave himself to the work of the ministry. With Rowland Hill, because of his earnest evangelical preaching, he was inhibited by the Archbishop of Dublin and compelled to preach in unconsecrated buildings. He eventually seceded from the Established Church and erected a number of places of worship in which he conducted worship and preached. This insight into the life of the author will materially increase our appreciation of his hymn in which he sings of the safety of the Church. HYMN ON THE SAFETY OF THE CHURCH Zion stands with hills surrounded; Zion kept by power divine; All her foes shall be confounded, Though the world in arms combine. Happy Zion, What a favored lot is thine! Every human tie may perish; Friend to friend unfaithful prove; Mothers cease their own to cherish; But no changes Can attend Jehovah's love. In the furnace God may prove thee, Thence to bring thee forth more bright, Thou art precious in His sight: God, thine everlasting Light. A hymn which emphasizes the security of the Church and which is growing in favor in all portions of it is Bishop A. Cleveland Cox's, "O Where are Kings and Empires Now." This hymn, which was first published in "The Churchman" in 1839, is a part of Bishop Cox's ballad, "Chelsea." Amid the rise and fall of nations we in the light of history see the full significance of this meaningful hymn. HYMN ON THE SECURITY OF THE CHURCH O where are kings and empires now, Of old that went and came? But, Lord, Thy Church is praying yet, We mark her goodly battlements, For not like kingdoms of the world Though earthquake shocks are threatening her, Unshaken as th' eternal hills, Immovable she stands, A mountain that shall fill the earth, A house not made with hands. Ο CHRISTIAN WAR HYMNS UT of the heroic struggles of the Thirty Years' War, which saved for the world the fruit of the sixteenth Me century Reformation, there stands forth one gigantic son of the Vikings, the noble Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden. His name is inseparably linked with one of the really great hymns of the Church— a hymn which was born in the midst of the conflict and is especially expressive of the faith and heroism which characterizes all true believers in the midst of trials and dangers. GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS' BATTLE SONG Fear not, O little flock, the foe Dread not his rage and power: What though your courage sometimes faints, Be of good cheer; your cause belongs He girdeth on His sword! As true as God's own word is true, Against us shall prevail. A jest and byword are they grown: Our victory cannot fail. |