Evening journal., 1921-12-15

the English composer, Joseph Barn
by (whose sweet and Low" is
universal favorite). and the Amer
J. lean composer, Louis II. Redner
(1S31-19Os).
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Charles Wesley (17O7-17ssl,
Younger brother of John Wesley, the
FOUNDER OF the Methodist denomina-
ton, shares with Iaac Watts, the
honor Of being the greatest producer
/ Of hymns. Wesley is credited with
the authorship Of over 5000 hymns,
Including such well-known favorites
as Love Divine, All Love Excell-
ing" Christ the Lord is Risen To-
day" Jesus, Lover OF My Soul" and
PA Charge TO Keep 1 Have" While
his hymns have been used by many
denominations the only one printed
IN the hymn book accompanying the
Church OF England's Common
Prayers Is 'Harkl The Herald An
gels Sing" The original hymn was
published In 1889 and has UNDER
gone many changes in the hymn
book just mentioned.
The music 10 by that distinguished
Jewish composer, Felix Mendels-
sohn Bartholdy GsO9-1S47), and
hence was written long after Wesley
died. It is an apt setting for the
text and raises to a high point of ex-
ultation the glorious song Of the
heavenly hosts.
80 Come All We Faithful"
II is not surprising that this stur-
dy. whole hearted tune (sung with
its alternative text, How Firm a
Foundation" was the favorite hymn
OF that full-blooded American. Theo-
dore Roosevelt His preference has
been shared by hundreds Of thou
sands OF men. women and children
Throughout the world.
The text Of 20 Come All Ye Faith
ful" is translated from a Latin hymn
OF the seventeenth or eighteenth
century. The original words. begin
ming "Adeste Fideles," are still fire.
quently used The translation which
we sing was made in England by the
Rev. Frederick oakley about 1850.
nc rhuift NA lHt HiuNiN ~ loA at
hnitely known. Various reasons
are given for its name-the Portu-
gese Hymn. Some investigator
say It was written by a Portuguese
chapel-caster named Marcus Portu-
gal; others that it was first sung in
the Portuguese Chapel in London, but
was written by an English organisi
named John Reading.
But whether this joyful manly
hymn be the work OF this or thai
man. or like a folk song, the com
bined product OF several men. Il is
one OF the hymns Of the ages which
apparently is to live for centuries
When we sing 1t we are keeping
alive the spirit and expression which
stirred many happy folks who have
gone before and countless numbers
which will follow after us.
Here We Come A-Caroling"
The original words OF ms tradi-
tional English Christmas song began
Here we come -wassailing" and
continued in the chorus Love and
JOY come to you, and to you your
e wassail too. The old song wa
s commonly sung py groups OF rev
4 eleres, particularly young women
. who went about Offering a hot drink
e merry song. and a pretty curtse!
% in exchange for a small gift. Theii
e. drink OF spiced ale was carried in q
! Wassail Bowl. The word "wassail'
b comes from the Anglo-Saxon "waes
hael meaning "Be in Healthl" Tn,
] bearers OF this bowl. which was gailS
decked with rosemary received pas
try and small change as they wen
from house to house. Their visit.
, were the fore-runners OF the New
Year open house calls which stir ar,
frequent in some parts Of our coun'
try.
The composition OF the contents o.
the bowl was ale. nutmeg. sugar
toast. and roasted crabs or apples
> II was also called Lambs Wool
, often the poorer people OF the Eng
lish villeges went round with thu
3 howl. adorned with "ribbands" and
/ bearing a golden apple atop, sing
I ing and begging money for II 81
that they too might buy Lamb
Wool" for it and regale themselves