The age-herald., 1898-12-18

The first Christmas carol was sung to the startled shepherds of Judea, nearly two thousand years ago. It voiced the praises of the Newly Born; and 1t rang out on the frosty air:
 "Glory to God in the Highest; and on earth peace, good will toward men,"
 This is sung today by us and all Christen- dom, to celebrate the birth of the Christ The first carol' has been repeated yearly by all mankind.
 Many have been the meanings given to the word "Carol' but the simplest comes from the Latin derivation "carolare," which literally translated means ito sing songs of joy
 Christmas is the first joyous festival of the Christian church and carols are the songs of joy sung at th.s festival. And, though the word carol Is used for the Easter hymn and songs of other festivals, it rightfully belongs to the Christmas one alone.
 The history of the carol in Engand-and even today we look to England for the ma jority of our carols, has been varied from reign to reign. In early days the Chapel Royal choir sang carols at court. There is a record of Christmas kept by Henry VII. when the singers 'sang caroll." Queen Elizabeth kept Christmas in right royal fashion, with the singing of carols and with dancing" Charles I. ordered the mo- bility and gentry to keep opeE- house on Christmas day at the country seats, and Jbade them sing "carols and Joyous music" But Puritanism did away with "all observ- ation of the five-and-twentieth day of De- cember, commonly called Christmas day" and the Scottish parliament, in 1882, decreed against the singing of carols without or within kirks and all six uthers supersti- tions and papistical rites.'
 During the past few years a marked change has been observed in the matter of Christmas carols in England and in our own country. The great number of writers of music in England are one and all writ CTS of church music. And the carol has been one of their proudest compositions Many of the organists of this city have writtetn very beautiful carols which will go down in history
 Carol writing has been successfully tried by Sullivan, Stainer, Barnby. Monks. Dykes Calkin and Tours. And In our own country by Dudley Buck Horatio Parker George William Warren, Gerrit Smith, John Hyatt Brewer. Homer N. Bartlett, Fred erick Grant Gleason. Harry Rowe Shelley and others.
 hundred years have changed greatly At one time they were only wassails. to be sung over the punch bowl of the absolute kings. But the carol of today takes highest rank in music.
 If for no other reason than that of having been set to music by Mendelssohn the ''Hark, the Herald Angels Sing by the im- mortal Charles Wesley would be favor ite There are other qualities that make 1t appreciated. hawever, and here are the words as they will be caroled Christmas morning by many choir in this happy land:
 Harki the herald angels sino
 "Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth and mercy mild
 God and sinners reconciledp Joyful. all ye nations rise,
 Join the triumph of the skies With the angel host proclaim
 "Christ is born in Bethlehem!' Christ, by highest heaven adored,
 Christ the everlasting Lord; In the manager born a king,
 While adoring angels sing Peace on earth. to man good-will:.
 Bid the trembling soul be still. Christ on earth has come to dwell.
 Jesus, our Emanuel
 Hail! the heaven-born Prince of Peace,
 Hail. the Sun of righteousnessi Life and light to all he brings.
 Risen with healing In his wings. Mild he lays his glory by
 Born that man no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth,
 Born to give them second birth
 John Morrison's simple Christmas song telling of the birth of Christ Is probably the only one so closely connected with ''The Hymn of the Nativity" It is quite 2 favorite with children and every Christmas thousands of fresh, tender voices chime out:
 To us Child of hope is born:
 To us Son is given
 Him shall the tribes of earth obey
 Him all the hosts of heaven His name shall be the Prince of Peace,
 Forever more adored
 The Wonderful. the Counselor, n The great and mighty Lord! His power increasing stll shall spread, . His reign no end shall know; Justice shall guard his throne above.
 And peace abound below.
 ''Star of the East" by Reginald Hebe' without a doubt enjoys all the popnlari. the author could have ever wished for L carol. Its most popular musical arrange ment is perhaps that by Monk. who has adapted 1t to a most delightful melody. The words are: