The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-26
WILLIAM RYAN.

The "Adeste F'ideles'' Is the one great Christmas hymn of the Latin church, and it has long been sung by Protestants as well as Catholics, it may be styled the one Christmas hymn of both hemispheres In it's Latin form 1t has been in devotion al use from time immemorial. It's author ship being in doubt; and since it was set to music by John Reading. a clergyman of the church of England born in 15sS, 1t has been sung to the same tune in all countries.
 Every Protestant denomination in the United States knows the "Adeste Fideles'' as 70, Come All Ye Faithful" It has been translated into many languages and is found in the vernacular in nearly all hymnals.
 The Germans have many beautiful Christmas hymns. They have Christmas carols. chorales and anthems; but these are little known outside Of the Lutheran church. The "Adeste F'ideles" is how ever just as familiar to the Lutherans of Germany. the Dissenters of England and the Presbyterians of Scotland as to the members of the two communions that give it something like liturgical rank-the Roman Catholic and the Anglican
 A writer in the Christmas number of the Alabama Catholic says in an article on the 'Adeste Fidees:'
 Tt is in many respects unsque in Chris tian hymnology. More than any other church song it blends prophecy. history, prayer. exultation and praise. If 1t were printed side by side with the Nicene creed it would be found an astonishing versifi- cation of that august prose Every line of the 'Adeste' fig a casket of faith and love Upon It's cadences many hours must have ] been spent for the specialization of su- blme truth into crisp and dazzling sylla- : bles. 'Adeste' approach; '1deles' ye faithful, laeti.' joyful: 'triumphantes victorious; 'venite, come -doremus let us adore; 'Dominium.' the Lord
 While the music Is simple 1t Is singu- larly moving when sung by a full choir or a large congregation I once heard 1t in St. Patrick's cathedral. New York, and the Gregorian music of the mass was not more inspiring. It was sung by three choirs. First there was a boys choir of about 200 voices, stationed near the altar Then semi-chorus of boys stationed In another part of the cathedral took 1t up and when the massive chorus of mems voices, in the lofty organ gallery. re- peated parts of the hymn. the effect was at once edifying and artistic
 Reading. who composed this tune, now so universally in vogue. was a curate at Dover. but was afterwards made chap lain to Charles I. He was staunch de fender of the King and because of this fact, Cromwell had him committed to the tower. While he was detained In prison Archbishop Land conferred upon him the parish of Chatham and made him prebend of Canterbury. Besides Adeste he composed "Dulce Domum."
 "Adeste Fideles' is sometimes called the "Portuguese Hymn" local authority on hymnology says this grew out of the fact that the Duke of Leeds heard 1t in the chapel of the Portuguese legation in London and thinking 1t was a part of the Portuguest service, spoke of 1t as such
 As the words of the musical mass arc the same for all seasons-the Kyrie, the Gloria, the Credo and so on, there is n, such thing a Christmas mass, correct ly speaking. But in the domain of clas- sic music Handels noble oratorio, the Messiah" with It's splendid Hallalujah chorus, Is a Christmas work and in Bos- ton and other musical centers 1t is sung annually during the Christmas season While Benjamin Guckenberger the musi- cal director. lived In Birmingham he gave the Messiah" at Christmas time, year after year.
 One of Bach's greatest works is his Christmas oratorio. which is really series of six cantatas; but notwithstand- ing the fact that it contains many ef-