5 For thy Church, that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore

Its pure sacrifice of love:
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.

6 For thyself, best Gift Divine!
To our race so freely given;
For that great, great love of thine,
Peace on earth, and joy in heaven:
Christ our God, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.
Folliott S. Pierpoint.

"One of the most delightful hymns of thanksgiving in the language." It was written for the second edition of Orby Shipley's Lyra Eucharistica, 1864, where it bears the title, "Holy Communion or Flower Services." It was written as a hymn to be sung at the celebration of

God

Now thank we all ouds and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers' arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours to-day.

2 O may this bounteous God
Through all our life be near us,
With ever joyful hearts

And blessed peace to cheer us;
And keep us in his grace,

And guide us when perplexed,
And free us from all ills

In this world and the next.
Martin Rinkart. Tr. by Catherine Winkworth.

This is called "The Te Deum of Germany," and is one of the most famous and historic of German hymns, being surpassed in influence and popularity among Germans by only one other hymn, and that is Luther's "Ein' Feste Burg ist unser Gott." "Thanksgiving" is the title of the German original, which begins "Nun danket alle Gott." Its first appearance in print, so far as known, was in J. Crüger's Praxis Pietatis Melica, 1648. Crüger was one of the most distinguished German musicians of the seventeenth century, and this was his most important publication.

His hymn tunes are described as "noble and simple," about twenty being still in use. "Nun Danket," the tune which accompanies this hymn, is his composition, being written especially for it.

Rinkart, the author of the hymn, was one of the most consecrated, faithful, and heroic pastors who lived in Germany during the trying ordeal of the "Thirty Years' War." His life was spent mainly in Eilenburg, where his devoted attentions to his flock during the terrible experiences of war, famine, and pestilence through which they passed has made his name immortal in the annals of pastoral fidelity. It is not known exactly when he wrote this hymn. Its appearance in the volume above named being coincident with the termination of the "Thirty Years' War" doubtless led to the oft-published story that it was written as a thanksgiving hymn in celebration of that event.

This origin is possible, and would add interest to the hymn; but Dr. Julian, Miss Winkworth, and other authorities incline to the opinion that it was written at an earlier date. No less than twelve different translations of the hymn have been made into English. That here given, by Miss Winkworth, is the most popular with modern editors of hymnals. It first appeared in the second series of her Lyra Germanica, 1858. The third stanza is omitted:

All praise and thanks to God

The Father now be given,
The Son and Him who reigns
With them in highest heaven,
The one eternal God,

Whom earth and heaven adore; For thus it was, is now

And shall be ever more.

This last omitted stanza is a version of the Gloria Patri. The first two verses are based upon Ecclesiasticus 1. 22-24: "Now, therefore, bless ye the God of all, which only doeth wondrous things everywhere, which exalteth our days from the womb,

and dealeth with us according to his mercy. He grants us joyfulness of heart, and that peace may be in our days in Israel forever: that he would confirm his mercy with us, and deliver us at his time!"

It is a matter of curious interest that the author of this most popular thanksgiving hymn of Germany, which is sung on all great national occasions, should be one who was called on to go through such an experience in war, pestilence, and famine as has rarely ever fallen to the lot of any man. Of his experience in famine Miss Winkworth, his most appreciative translator, remarks:

So great were Rinkart's own losses and charities that he had the utmost difficulty in finding bread and clothes for his children, and was forced to mortgage his future income for several years. Yet how little his spirit was broken by all these calamities is shown by this hymn and others that he wrote; some, indeed, speaking of his own country's sorrows, but all breathing the same spirit of unbounded trust and readiness to give thanks.

6 Thou didst accept their praises; Accept the prayers we bring, Who in all good delightest,

Thou good and gracious King.

Theodulph. Tr. by John M. Neale. From the Latin, "Gloria, laus, et honor," of the ninth century. The translator in his preface says:

This processional hymn for Palm Sunday

is said to have been composed by S. Theodulph at Metz, or, as others will have it, at Angers, while imprisoned on a false accusation, and to have been sung by him from his dungeon window, or by choristers instructed by him, as the Emperor Louis and his court were on their way to the cathedral. good Bishop was immediately liberated.

The

2 Whene'er the sweet church bell

Peals over hill and dell,

May Jesus Christ be praised!
O hark to what it sings,
As joyously it rings,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

3 My tongue shall never tire
Of chanting with the choir,
May Jesus Christ be praised!
This song of sacred joy,
It never seems to cloy,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

4 When sleep her balm denies, My silent spirit sighs,

May Jesus Christ be praised! When evil thoughts molest, With this I shield my breast,

May Jesus Christ be praised!

34

COM

C. M.

COME, ye that love the Saviour's name,
And joy to make it known,

The Sovereign of your hearts proclaim,
And bow before his throne.

2 Behold your Lord, your Master, crowned With glories all divine;

And tell the wond'ring nations round
How bright those glories shine.

3 When, in his earthly courts, we view
The glories of our King,
We long to love as angels do,
And wish like them to sing.

4 And shall we long and wish in vain?
Lord, teach our songs to rise:
Thy love can animate the strain,
And bid it reach the skies.

LORD, we come before it to wo

ORD, we come before thee now,

O do not our suit disdain ;

Shall we seek thee, Lord, in vain?

2 Lord, on thee our souls depend;
In compassion now descend;
Fill our hearts with thy rich grace,
Tune our lips to sing thy praise.

3 In thine own appointed way,
Now we seek thee, here we stay;
Lord, we know not how to go,
Till a blessing thou bestow.

4 Send some message from thy word,
That may joy and peace afford;
Let thy Spirit now impart
Full salvation to each heart.

5 Grant that all may seek and find
Thee, a gracious God and kind:
Heal the sick, the captive free;
Let us all rejoice in thee.

William Hammond.

Author's title: "A Hymn to be Sung at Public Worship." The original contains

eight double stanzas. It first appeared in the author's Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, 1745. Lyra Britannica, London, 1866, also gives the original. Hammond wrote in the first couplet of verse five:

Grant that those who seek may find,
Thee a God sincere and kind.

A very useful opening hymn, well calculated to inspire worship. It will be observed that this hymn throughout is directly addressed to Deity, and so cultivates the idea of the presence of God in public worship. The fifth stanza of the original is omitted above:

Comfort those who weep and mourn;
Let the time of joy return:
Those that are cast down lift up,
Strong in faith, in love, and hope.

36 COME

C. M.

OME, let us who in Christ believe,

Our common Saviour praise:

To him with joyful voices give
The glory of his grace.

2 He now stands knocking at the door
Of every sinner's heart:

The worst need keep him out no more, Nor force him to depart.

3 Through grace we hearken to thy voice, Yield to be saved from sin;

In sure and certain hope rejoice
That thou wilt enter in.

4 Come quickly in, thou heavenly Guest, Nor ever hence remove;

But sup with us, and let the feast

Be everlasting love.