The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-05
HYMNS AND THEIR AUTHORS.
INTERESTING SERVICE AT FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Rev. Arthur j. Smith Talked
of the Author of Hymns Writ
ten in the Early Centuries of
.ChriStianity-Tbe Hymns Were
read by the Pastor and Sung By
hc Choir and Congregation-Mr.
smith COmmends Monks and
Priests for Their Contributions TO
christian SonGS-German and
scottish Hymns Next Sunday Night.
Al the First Presbyterian Church last
/ night the pastor, the Rev. Arthur ]. smith
,,rducted an unusual service. There was
no sermon. In addition to the scripture
reading and an offertory solo by Miss
| sanmerIn, hymns were talked about and
suns.
Hymns were selected from In Excel
SIS" he hymnal of the church, which
4 were written between the third and twelfth
century. A brief sketch Of the author of
each hymn WAS given
The first hymn selected was by Am
i brese. entitled, "Oh, Jesus, Lord of Heav-
enly Grace" Mr.. Smith said Ambrose
was bora at These and was educated as
LAWYER He was chosen Bishop of
Nnar in very irregular manner, having
beer baptized, ordained and consecrated
in eigh, days.
He made a very good bishop, however.
4 One of his greatest works for the church
was The Introduction of CONGREGATIONAL
4 singing. MI. Smith then read the HYMN
H ana the congregation joined very heartily
in the singing.
Prudentins' hymn, "Of the Fathers
Love Bcgotten,' was next read and sung
The character of the poetry was spoken
H of. Its beauty and stateliness. Fortu-
mathis was a Spanish lawyer who, at the
age Of 81, gave up all for Christ He has
i been called the Virgil of the early church.
He wrote nearly 400 hymns.
Theoduph's hymn, "All Glory I4aud and
Honor was next announced. Mr.. Smith
said this hymn was first sang through a
prison window by the author as the PAIN
Sunday procession was passing King
I-ori4 the Pious heard ii and Immediately
ordered Theoduph's release.
Come Pure Hearts in Sweetest Meas
ures by Adam of st. Victor was the next
4 hymn Adam was abbot of the famous
H Abbey Of ST. Victor at Paris. He is con
II sidered one of the foremost of the early
n Christian poets. He wrote thirtv-six
{. hymns one of them was sung by a full
II choir in William the Conquerors death
chamber Mr.. Smith read the entire
H hymn with some feeling and then said
4 Protestants should give honor where honor
is due. He said; Some of the best
Il hymns in our Protestant hymnals contain
4 many hymns written by monks and priests
10 the Catholic Church, and some of
Il them viii live the longest and do the most
A good They will live in the minds, hearts
and outward lives of Gods children. This
is one of them"
The famous professional hymn, "Jeru-
Fl salem the Golden" by Bernard nf
Cluny, was read and sung Cuny, Mr..
Smith said, was the greatest abbey in
France in the twelfth century, but Ber-
Il nard was greater. The world sat at his
feet
The few verses in our English hymnais
are very small part of the entire poem.
Fl Eacn verse is like a diamond strung on a
necklace"
81 The last hymn was by Bernard of Clair
Fl vauX. Luther said of him: He is the
q best monk that ever lived" He had
81 marvellous power over men. Soon after
b he entered the monastery his five brothers
followed MIN. IL is said that mothers hid
theil sons wives their husbands so great
was his influence over them. One monk
said Of him: Il would rather live with
Bernard tLan enjoy all the Kingdoms of
Il TIE world" Said Mr.. Smith. HE was
e indeed a man of God. He could not have
i written the hymn, Jesus the Very
+. Thought of Thee With Sweetness Fills
Il My Heart if he had not been man who
Il was in close communion with Cod"
Next Sunday evening Mr.. Smith will
Il speak about some of the best known Ger
H man and Scottish hymns. The church
II was well filled, there's being many more
4 than usual present at this season of the
II year.