Fair bays on each forehead, Up! up! oh my brothers, III. — Ancient Hymns. 20-THE MAGNIFICAT. THE Song of the Virgin Mary on learning that she was to be the mother of the Messiah takes precedence of all other hymns of the Church. There is a curiously persistent note in it, of the exaltation of the humble, and the humiliation of the powerful, that must have sounded ill in the ears of the monarchs and nobles and champions of the constituted order. It is peculiarly fitting that this revolutionary pean of gratitude should be adopted by the Church from the lips of a woman, for, as any one may discover who cares to look facts in the face, or even to read such a text-book as Mill's Subjection of Women," woman, after all these centuries, is still everywhere awaiting the fulfilment of the promise deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles." 66 My and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Y soul doth magnify the Lord, Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his hand maiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever. meo. Et exultavit spiritus meus: in Deo salutari ecce Quia respexit humilitatem ancillæ suæ: enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum nomen ejus. Et misericórdia ejus a progenie in progenies: timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in brachio suo: dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede: et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis: et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel puerum suum: recordatus misericordiæ suæ. Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros: Abraham, et semini ejus in sæcula. Gloria Patri, etc. 21-GLORIA IN EXCELSIS. AFTER the Magnificat, this may properly be regarded as the earliest Christian hymn. It is built up as from a foundation upon the angels' song which the shepherds heard who were keeping their flocks by night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa. But the anthem that sufficed for the angels at the Nativity was soon found inadequate for the Church that worshipped the Crucified. Hence the evolution of the Gloria, which by the end of the fifth century had been developed into the hymn which, with variations in one clause, is used alike by Greek, Latin, and Protestant believers all over the world. The text is here given in Latin and English. The Greeks say instead of "O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ," "Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit.” G LORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good-will towards men. We praise Thee, we bless Thee, we worship Thee, we glorify Thee. We give thanks to Thee, for Thy great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty, O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, That takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For Thou only art holy, Thou only art the Lord. Thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. GLORIA in excelsis Deos. Et in terra pax ho minibus bonæ voluntatis. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Glorificamus te. Adoramus te. Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam. [potens. Domine Deus, Rex cælestis, Deus Pater omniDomine Fili unigenite Jesu Christe. Domine Deus. Agnus Dei, Filius Patris. Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanctus. Tu solus Dominus. Tu solus altissimus Jesu Christe. Cum sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen. This hymn is believed to have been the morning song of the Christians in primitive days, - the hymn sung by the martyrs as the day dawned on which they were to be butchered, to make a Roman holiday. For nearly nineteen centuries it spans the history of our race with a ray of melody and light. This hymn has helped indeed. 22-NUNC DIMITTIS. SIMEON'S Song of thankfulness on seeing the infant Christ has been frequently paraphrased, but the nonmetrical version is most used and best known. L ORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word. For mine eyes have seen Thy salvation. Which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people. A light to lighten the Gentiles: and the glory of Thy people Israel. Glory be to the Father, etc. Ant. Salva nos. TUNC dimittis * servum tuum, Domine: secundum verbum tuum in pace. Quia viderunt oculi mei * salutare tuum. * Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum. Lumen ad revelationem gentium,* et gloriam plebis tuæ Israel. Gloria Patri. Ant. Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes: ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace. 23 THE CANDLE-LIGHT HYMN. THE Evening Hymn, the Phos Hilaron, quoted by St. Basil in the fourth century, dates from the first or second century. As the Gloria was the Christian's salute to the rising sun, so the Phos Hilaron was sung at eventide when the time of the lighting of lamps had come. It is still used as the Vesper Hymn in the Greek churches. The following is Keble's translation : [AIL, gladdening Light, of His pure glory pour'd HAIL, Who is the Immortal Father, Heavenly, Blest, Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Now we are come to the sun's hour of rest, We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Divine. Son of our God, Giver of life, Alone! Therefore in all the world Thy glories, Lord, they own. Amen. |