"HOW HAPPY IS THE CHILD WHO HEARS." This hymn was quite commonly heard in Sundayschools during the eighteen-thirties and forties, and, though retained in few modern collections, its Sabbath echo lingers in the memory of the living generation. It was written by Michael Bruce, born at Kinneswood, Kinross-shire, Scotland, March 27, 1746. He was the son of a weaver, but obtained a good education, taught school, and studied for the ministry. He died, however, while in preparation for his expected work, July 5, 1767, at the age of twenty-one years, three months and eight days. Young Bruce wrote hymns, and several poems, but another person wore the honors of his work. John Logan, who was his literary executor, appropriated the youthful poet's Mss. verses, and the hymn above indicated-as well as the beautiful poem, "To the Cuckoo,"* still a classic in English literature, bore the name of Logan for more than a hundred years. In Julian's Dictionary of Hymnology is told at length the story of the inquiry and discussion which finally exposed the long fraud upon the fame of the rising genius who sank, like Henry Kirke White, in his morning of promise. THE TUNE. Old "Balerma" was so long the musical mouthpiece of the pious boy-schoolmaster's verses that *Hail, beauteous stranger of the wood, Attendant on the Spring; Now Heaven repairs thy rural seat, the two became one expression, and one could not be named without suggesting the other. "Balerma" (Palermo) was ages away in style and sound from the later type of Sunday-school tunes, resembling rather one of Palestrina's chorals than the tripping melodies that took its place; but in its day juvenile voices enjoyed it, and it suited very well the grave but winning words. How happy is the child who hears Instruction's warning voice, And who celestial Wisdom makes For she hath treasures greater far Robert Simpson, author of the old tune,* was a Scottish composer of psalmody; born, about 1722, in Glasgow; and died, in Greenock, June, 1838. "O DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED." Written about 1803, by the Rev. John A. Grenade, born in 1770; died 1806. O do not be discouraged, For Jesus is your Friend;} bis He will give you grace to conquer, And keep you to the end. The tune was evidently reduced from the still older "Sardius" (or "Autumn")-Hubert P. Main. Fight on, ye little soldiers, The battle you shall win, bis And when the conflict's over, nd when the conflict's over,,} } bis Before Him you shall stand, THE TUNE. The hymn was made popular thirty or more years ago in a musical arrangement by Hubert P. Main, with a chorus, I'm glad I'm in this army, And I'll battle for the school. Children took to the little song with a keen relish, and put their whole souls-and bodies-into it. "LITTLE TRAVELLERS ZIONWARD" Belongs to a generation long past. Its writer was an architect by occupation, and a man whose piety equalled his industry. He was born in London 1791, and his name was James Edmeston. He loved to compose religious verses--so well, in fact, that he is said to have prepared a new piece every week for Sunday morning devotions in his family and in this way accumulated a collection which he published and called Cottager's Hymns. Besides these he is credited with a hundred Sundayschool hymns. Little travellers Zionward, Each one entering into rest There to welcome Jesus waits, Gives the crown His followers win, Let the little travellers in. The original tune is lost-and the hymn is vanishing with it; but the felicity of its rhyme and rhythm show how easily it adapted itself to music. "I'M BUT A STRANGER HERE." The simple beauty of this hymn, and the sympathetic sweetness of its tune made children love to sing it, and it found its way into a few Sunday-school collections, though not composed for such use. A young Congregational minister, Rev. Thomas Rawson Taylor, wrote it on the approach of his early end. He was born at Osset, near Wakefield, Yorkshire, Eng., May 9, 1807, and studied in Bradford, where his father had taken charge of a large church, and at Manchester Academy and Airesdale College. Sensible of a growing ailment that might shorten his days, he hastened to the work on which his heart was set, preaching in surrounding towns and villages while a student, and finally quitting college to be ordained to his sacred profession. He was installed as pastor of Howard St. Chapel, Sheffield, July, 1830, when only twenty-three. But in less than three years his strength failed, and he went back to Bradford, where he occasionally preached for his father, when able to do so, during his last days. He died there March 15, 1835. Taylor was a brave and lovely Christian-and his hymn is as sweet as his life. In his last attempt to preach, young Taylor uttered the words, "I want to die like a soldier, sword in hand." On the evening of the same Sabbath day he breathed his last. His words were memorable, and Montgomery, who loved and admired the man, made them the text of a poem, part of which is the familiar hymn "Servant of God, well done.”* *See page 498 |