O Christ, our King, Creator, Lord, was made by Dr. Palmer. There is another translation that stands as a perpetual "memorial of Dr. Palmer's genius and taste." Archbishop Trench says the loveliest hymn in all the range of Latin sacred poetry, is Veni Sancte Spiritus. He also says that it could only have been composed by one "who had been acquainted with many sorrows and also with many consolations.” In 1858 Dr. Palmer took this charming Latin hymn in hand and made a translation that has been placed in nearly all American and English hymnals. Here is the hymn in full: Come, Holy Ghost, in love, Thine own bright ray! Divinely good Thou art; Thy sacred gifts impart To gladden each sad heart: O come to-day! Come, tenderest Friend, and best, Our most delightful Guest, With soothing power: Rest, which the weary know, Shade, 'mid the noontide glow, Peace, when deep griefs o'erflow. Cheer us, this hour! Come, Light serene, and still Dwell in each breast: We know no dawn but Thine, Exalt our low desires; While heavenward bound. Come, all the faithful bless; Give virtue's rich reward; Victorious death accord, And, with our glorious Lord, Dr. Palmer's splendid version has done much to deepen the interest in this great hymn. There are but few finer alliances of words and music found in any hymnal than these magnificent lines set to Thomas Hastings's New Haven. The hymn is rendered in the same meter as My Faith Looks up to Thee, and when sung to that tune it becomes one of the richest tones of the Church. It would be interesting to know whose sorrows and consolations gave the Church Veni Sancte Spiritus. Whose voice first sang it? What were the motives that craved it? For ages it was supposed to have been written by Robert II. of France about 1020. Others believe it came from the sorrowful heart of Hermannus Contractus, the cripple, in 1040. There are those who give the authorship to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, and say that he wrote it not far from 1215. Some later authori ties ascribe it to Pope Innocent III., who died in 1216. There are many pleasing incidents clustering around these time-honored hymns whose origin is involved in mystery. The memorable discussion between Martin Luther and Johann Eck, on the general power of the Pope, began at Leipsic on the twenty-seventh of June, and concluded on the sixteenth of July, 1519. It was the greatest gathering of theologians and dignitaries ever seen in Germany. Luther was one great whirlwind of energy, and totally insensible to fear. Eck was backed by the Church, and known as the "Goliath of controversy." The famous disputation settled nothing; but one incident of that brilliant occasion still shines out above the masterful orations of these two men. After the proceedings had begun with a Latin oration, the august assembly fell on its knees, and solemnly chanted Veni Sancte Spiritus. The powerful arguments of Germany's two greatest orators excited partisan strife and hate; but the sweet little hymn of an unknown singer touched a common heart, and for the moment it did what nothing else could-softened the asperities of the hour. XXIII. The Voice From Galilee. HERE is no more honored name in Church hymnody of the nineteenth century than that of Horatius Bonar. His hymns are among the sweet minor tones that are yearly growing in the love of the Church. He was born in Edinburgh in 1808. His first pastorate in the Established Church of Scotland was begun at Kelso in 1837. When the disruption of 1843 came he cast his lot with the Free Church, but remained at Kelso till 1866, when he was translated to the Chambers Memorial Church at Edinburgh where he served until his death in 1889. There is wonderment in the fact that no memoir of Dr. Bonar has been written. He was a very modest and reticent man, and had a dread of popularity. His daughter, the wife of the Rev. Marcus Dodds, Mrs. Mary Benar Dodds, tells us that her father never dreamed of winning poetic fame; and it is passing strange that his hymns, which are so numerous and many of them so divinely graceful, have no known history. When his son was questioned about the story of certain hymns his father had written, he said there was no publication, or authentic record of any sort, giving an account of their origin or history. But Mrs. Dodds says his first hymns were composed for Sunday School children, and it was in the quiet of Kelso that the greater number, and perhaps the best and sweetest of his hymns were written. She also adds that when her father settled in Edinburgh he wrote some good hymns in connection with the new effort made by Moody and Sankey, and others, to "sing the gospel," and these are included in the hymn-books used at evangelical meetings. Dr. Bonar will be best known and beloved as the author of Hymns of Faith and Hope. In that volume is found the beautiful hymn, The Voice from Galilee, which has carried his name wherever the English language is spoken: I heard the voice of Jesus say, Lay down, thou weary one, lay down I came to Jesus as I was, I heard the voice of Jesus say, The living water; thirsty one, Stoop down and drink, and live." I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life-giving stream, My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, |