tween God and man. Songs are easy sermons. Their power abides. The songs of George F. Root abide, and will remain in the memories and voices of our people, not only as reminders of the nation's heroic struggle for self-preservation, but as a constant, inspiring, and educating force in maintaining and strengthening the lofty sentiment of American patriotism."

X.

"THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC."

HEN the civil war broke out there was no great national hymn, generally accepted as such. It is safe to

say that not one in a thousand could sing from memory either "The Star Spangled Banner," or that ever beautiful and always inspiring, patriotic hymn, "America." For years the people had been discrediting our patriotic songs by neglecting to study them; and to-day newspapers and periodicals are disputing over the question whether or no we really have an appropriate national hymn; and the effort to form a common bond of sympathy or fellowship by the union of heart and and voice on memorized patriotic songs is usually a dismal failure.

Some nine or ten years ago there was a reunion of hundreds of students in Paris that included representatives from many countries. One