The more important and canonical hymnals and praise-books had no place for "Sonnet," as the bugle-like air to this hymn was called. Rev. Jonathan Aldrich, about 1860, harmonized it in his Sacred Lyre, but this, and the few other old vestry and field manuals that contain it, were compiled before it became the fashion to date and authenticate hymns and tunes. In this case both are anonymous. Another (and probably earlier) tune sung to the same words is credited to "S. Arnold," and appears to have been composed about 1790. "I'M A PILGRIM, AND I'M A STRANGER." This hymn still lives-and is likely to live, at least in collections that print revival music. Mrs. Mary Stanley (Bunce) Dana, born in Beaufort, S. C., Feb. 15, 1810, wrote it while living in a northern state, where her husband died. By the name Dana she is known in hymnology, though she afterwards became Mrs. Shindler. The tune identified with the hymn, "I'm a Pilgrim," is untraced, save that it is said to be an "Italian Air," and that its original title was "Buono Notte" (good night). No other hymn better expresses the outreaching of ardent faith. Its very repetitions emphasize and sweeten the vision of longed-for fruition. I can tarry, I can tarry but a night, Do not detain me, for I am going. There the sunbeams are ever shining, O my longing heart, my longing heart is there. Of that country to which I'm going, The same devout poetess also wrote (1840) the once popular consolatory hymn,— O sing to me of heaven -sung to the familiar tune by Rev. E. W. Dunbar; also to a melody composed 1854 by Dr. William Miller. The line was first written When I am called to die, -in the author's copy. The hymn (occasioned by the death of a pious friend) was written Jan. 15, 1840. Mrs. Dana (Shindler) died in Texas, Feb. 8, 1883. "JOYFULLY, JOYFULLY ONWARD I MOVE." The maker of this hymn has been confounded with the maker of its tune-partly, perhaps, from the fact that the real composer of the tune also wrote hymns. The author of the words was the Rev. William Hunter, D.D., an Irish-American, and a Methodist minister. He was born near Ballymoney, County Antrim, Ire., May, 1811, and was brought to America when a child six years old. He received his education in the common schools and at Madison College, Hamilton, N. Y., (now Madison University), and was successively a pastor, editor and Hebrew professor. Besides his work in these different callings, he wrote many helpful hymns-in all one hundred and twentyfive of which "Joyfully, Joyfully," dated 1842, is the best. It began originally with the line,Friends fondly cherished have passed on before, -and the line, Home to the land of delight I will go, -was written, Home to the land of bright spirits I'll go. Dr. Hunter died in Ohio, 1877. THE TUNE. Rev. Abraham Dow Merrill, the author of the music to this triumphal death-song, was born in Salem, N. H., 1796, and died April 29, 1878. He also was a Methodist minister, and is still everywhere remembered by the denomination to which he belonged in New Hampshire and Vermont. He rode over these states mingling in revival scenes many years. His picture bears a close resemblance to that of Washington, and he was somewhat famous for this resemblance. His work was everywhere blessed, and he left an imperishable influence in New England. The tune, linked with Dr. Hunter's hymn, formed the favorite melody which has been the dying song of many who learned to sing it amid the old revival scenes: Death, with thy weapons of war lay me low; Strike, king of terrors; I fear not the blow. Jesus has broken the bars of the tomb, Joyfully, joyfully haste to thy home. “TIS THE OLD SHIP OF ZION, HALLELUJAH!” This may be found, vocalized with full harmony, in the American Vocalist. With all the parts together (more or less) it must have made a vociferous song-service, but the hymn was oftener sung simply in soprano unison; and there was sound enough in the single melody to satisfy the most zealous. All her passengers will land on the bright eternal shore, She has landed many thousands, and will land as many more, Both hymn and tune have lost their creators' names, and, like many another "voice crying in the wilderness," they have left no record of their beginning of days. "MY BROTHER, I WISH YOU WELL." My brother, I wish you well, My brother, I wish you well; When my Lord calls I trust you will Be mentioned in the Promised Land. Echoes that remain to us of those fervid and affectionate, as well as resolute and vehement, expressions of religious life as sung in the early revivals of New England, in parts of the South, and especially in the Middle West, are suggestive of spontaneous melody forest-born, and as unconscious of scale, clef or tempo as the song of a bird. The above "hand-shaking" ditty at the altar gatherings apparently took its tune self-made, inspired in its first singer's soul by the feeling of the moment-and the strain was so simple that the convert could join in at once and chant When my Lord comes I trust I shall -through all the loving rotations of the crude hymn-tune. Such song-births of spiritual enthusiasm are beyond enumeration-and it is useless to hunt for author or composer. Under the momentum of a wrestling hour or a common rapture of experience, counterpoint was unthought of, and the same notes for every voice lifted pleading and praise in monophonic impromptu. The refrainsO how I love Jesus, O the Lamb, the Lamb, the loving Lamb, O turn ye, O turn ye, for why will you die, Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, just now, |