Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-25
misftlIarrt0ms.
Hymns and Their Authors.

II is very interesting to know how some
Of our more popular and widely known
hymns and songs have originated. and
when we really ascertain, it is often enough
found that as "genius is BORN and as
Topsy ''only growed," SO the more pow
ertul and wonderful bits of lyric verse
emahated almost uneonsciously from: the
heart Of some deyout worshipper in some
moment of specially happy spiritual nflu
ence- And however strongly well-written
and carefully composed hymns may aDpeal
to our minds, and may aid us spiritually
in quieter, more reflective moods, it is un-
questionably true that the genuine heart
songs-those that breathe forth unstinted.
nnmeasured, unmetred devotion from
throats that are only attuned to natural
worship, and from souls that cannot grasp
the finer shadings of argument and the
artistic points OF poetry and music-do lit
us out of ourselves and our refined culture
into a realm of devotion far above and be-
vond. We all know something of this
from having heard the Jubilee Singers
but their comparatively cultivated music
is nothing, in this respect, To the shouts
and the ''spirituals" Of the Southern ne
groes, which have neither rhyme nor
metre. which have but one idea. expressed
in scarcely more than score of words.
repeated over and over again, but
whose irresistible faith and unquestioning,
unknowing spiritual power cannot fail to
touch the hardest heart.
The comparatively untutored singing Of
some Methodist camp meetings also shows
how much greater is the power of genu-
inc paise from the soul, than can be the
product of the most delicately cultured
voice when the heart is lacking.
Our national air, the great hymn to
| which is given the name of our country
Itself, was the result of a single sponta-
neous burst Of patriotic eloquence. The
author is an eminent Baptist minister, now
living within a few miles OF the center of
the Hub. He is the Rev s. F. Smith, ID.
d., and he is also the author OF some
thirty other hymns. 1t is in America that
his name will live. however; and. the bet
ter to give an idea Of the birth of his
great hymn, his own words may be
quoted -
lone day. think in the month of Feb
ruary, 1881 or 1882 in turning over the
leaves of music books, | fell in with the
tune. God save the King! though lid
not know il at that time to be the English
national air. | at once wrote a patriotic
hymn IN the same measure aud spirit, and
soon after gave it to Mr.. Lowell Mason.
together with other pieces, and thought
no more of it. On the next Fourth
OF July, | found that the piece was
brought out fol the first time at a
children's celebration of the day, in Park
street church, Boston. This was the be-
ginning Of its course. 1t gradually found
lis way into music books for children, and
into public schools in various places; and
thus, cannot but think. NAV have had an
influence in iniusing into many childish
hearts IA love of country. which prepared
them to battle for the right, the true and
the good, when the time of peril TO our in
stitutions and our country came
IL have often remarked that if | had
supposed the piece would have been so
popular. | should have taken more pair 0
to perfect it. Yes says some one, and
thus, perhaps. you would have spoiled it,
| II has won its way, most unexpectedly to
myself into the hearts of the people.
have heard most gratifying narratives OF
| the places where the circumstances under
which it has served as the expression Of
heartfelt love of country,-in schools, in
/ huts. on Western prairies, in churches. on
| the eve of battle, and in soldiers hos
/ pitfalls. never designed it for national
hymn. | never supposed was writing
one"
my country, 'fs OF thee,
Land of the noble