No fragment of the glorious temples at Jerusalem has survived the lapse of time; but the imperishable hymns of the Jewish worship rule the hearts of men with more than their pristine power, and still continue to inspire and elevate the conduct and devotions of successive generations of mankind. Fathers of the early Church, like Origin, Athanasius and Jerome, Basil, Ambrose and Augustine apostles of British Christianity, such as Columba, Cuthbert, Wilfrid, Dunstan and Bede-mediæval saints, like Bernard, Francis of Assisi, or Thomas of Villanova-statesmen, like Ximines, Burghley and Gladstone-have testified to the universal truth and beauty of the Psalms. With a psalm upon their lips died Wyclif, Hus, and Jerome of Prague, Luther and Melanchthon. Philosophers, such as Bacon and Locke and Hamilton; men of science, like Humboldt and Romanes; among missionaries, Xavier, Martyn, Duff, Livingstone, Mackay and Hannington; explorers, like Columbus; scholars, like Casaubon and Salmasius; earthly potentates, Charlemagne, Vladimir Monomachus, Hildebrand, Louis IX, Henry V, Catherine de Medicis, Charles V, Henry of Navarre, and Mary Queen of Scots have found in the Psalms their inspiration in life, their strength in peril, or their support in death. ROWLAND E. PROTHERO. XVIII. HISTORICAL AND HORTATORY. In addition to eighty-four psalms in metre, selected from the "New Version" of Tate and Brady, the "Proposed Book" of 1786 contained fifty-one "Hymns suited to the Feasts and Fasts of the Church, and other Occasions of public Worship, to be used at the discretion of the Minister." Some of these hymns were not well chosen, as, for example, the one beginning: Hark, my gay friend, that solemn toll Speaks the departure of a soul; 'Tis gone but where? There's none who knows, It is not to be wondered at that the proposed hymnal should have shared the fate of the "Proposed Book" itself, never winning any substantial recognition. The Prayer Book of 1789 contained the "Whole Book of Psalms in Metre," with twenty-seven hymns, more carefully selected. Of the psalms authorized in this, the first accepted Prayer Book of the American Church, the first lines of those still in use by us are these: 26 351 Have mercy, Lord, on me. 469 With one consent let all the earth. 471 Oh, praise ye the Lord. 472 O come, loud anthems let us sing. 479 Oh, with due reverence let us all. 480 For Thee, O God, our constant praise. 648 To Sion's hill I left my eyes. 655 No change of time shall ever shock. (401) |