Evening Star Newspaper, March 30, 1929, Page 14

R e e e S e A B S R G S b “Munst Glorions Lord of Vite! That on This Bay Bidst Bring Away Captivity Chenre Captive, s 1o Win: This Joyons Bay, Dear Lord, With Joy Begin!” Fanter By Helen Fetter 2 | Muxzir #a~>OMORROW is the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon— | (l hence tomorrow is Easter fallen. Washington will listen to the cantatas, carols, anthems, and pgrhaps | join in the singing of the hymns, sung by soloists and choirs at morn- | ing, vesper and late evening services in more than 75 churches of | the city. The Russian Orthodox Church, however, does not celebrate its Easter until early May. Few other -acred compositions have the richly reverent and intense beauty of the traditional Russian Easter music. * ¥ PEOPLE generally rarely remind themselves of the fact that Easter was a religious Spring festival long before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ upcn the cross brought to that period of the year one of the two great festivals of the Christian church. Easter was, first of all, a time for celebrating the festival of Ostara, God- dess of Spring, according to the belief of the ancient Norsemen. Ostara was supposed to bring the earth rebirth. Life was the theme of those original Easter carols—new life on earth. To- day the Christian world listens to the story announcing definitely that there is lfe after death in another sphere which is the message of the Christian Eastertide. The early Easter carols were songs sccompanicd by dancing. The Easter egg and rabbit, symbols of prolific re- production, are still the symbols given in toy form to little children at Easter. ‘The Easter bunny has assumed legend- ary fellowship with Santa Claus. The many colors of the Easter eggs were originally planned to reflect the glory 3 of the Aurora Borealis, the rising sun, &0 significant in the frozen lands of the Norsemen, where the sun warmed and thawed running streams and made the earth fertile and livable again. In those pagan Easter rituals the hearth-fires were rekindled to disperse Winter's .evil, dying germs, and youths and maidens seeking marriage danced about the new fires or leaped over the flames. o ‘HE Greek and Latin word for Easter —celebration of the Spring festi- val—was pascha, a direct derivative from the Chaldee word signifying “passing” (the Hebrew, pesach), or the festival of the passing over of the He- brew households, as recorded in Exo- dus xii. Socrates, ecclesiastical historian of the Greeks, mentioned that in the Christian Church’s earliest days, while the memory of the actual crucifixion was still vivid, “the apostles had no thought of appointing festival days, but of promoting a life of blamelessness and piety.” He attributes the observa- tion of Easter by the’churches as re- sulting “just as many other old cus- toms have been established.” * & ok X IT is interesting that, musically and otherwise, so .aany of the original pagan Easter customs have been handed down to present days under the new cloak of Christian meanings or inter- pretations of the original significance, Christian churches continue the ritual of blessing water and its purifying qualities. In the old days the children carried garlands of flowers to decorate fresh springs and the banks of streams; tomorrow many Washington churches will have numerous baptisms of infants ?3 2 leading feature of the chief serv- ice. ‘The Christian version of the Easter carol is the most popular form, possi- bly excepting the hymn, which like- wise had its pagan origin in odes or songs of praise sung in honor of pagan gods or heroes. The anthems, on the contrary, are later in date and were originally planned to be sung, as the name indicates, antiphonally, or re- sponsively. Monday, at the White Lot, lighter themes of Easter music will be plaved by the United States Marine Band while the littlest folks of the National Cavpital roll their Easter eggs behind the Prezi- dent's Mansion, and eat candy chickens and rabbits. The children, too, will place bouquets of flowers in huge crosses in many children’s Easter services in churches tomorrow and. they will sing the most familiar carols. v The present-day version of the orig- inal Pascha Candle will be found on the altar of many churches. In olden days of early Christianity, in some of the cathedrals of medieval England, the Pascha candle was of huge dimensions. Records show that the elaborately con- structed brass candlesticks in Durham 1 Cathedral had a height of the central | H: stem of 38 feet, with branch candelabra for smaller candles at the four cardinal points, giving the entire height of 70 feet. The candles were lighted from an opening above. In Salisbury Cathedral, in 1517, the candle used for burning during the entire period of Whitsuntide, was 36 feet long of itself. After Whit- suntide was over, what remained of the Pascha candle was melted and made over into small candles given to the poor people. I'l‘ is easy to realize, through the me- dium of these Easter customs and music, that the world, Christian and pagan, has a supreme, unified intefest in the Spring festival known as Easter. Whether it be in celebration of the re- irth of earth itself as according to the ancient Norse idea, or the Christian be- lief in the rebirth of the human soul after passing through the veil of death, Easter is, and doubtless will remain to the end of time, the most vitally signifi- cant festival of the world in which we humans live. It is quite natural that * k% ok music, the art that gives the greatest! number of people emotional outlet for such celebrations, Should be the dom- inant feature of the services in all th 75 churches of Washingtor tomorrow. Hnitarian T}m musical program at the 11 o'clock service at All Souls’ Church (Unitarian), Sixteenth and Harvard streets, will comprise the following numbers: (Fourth e Con Moto” fendelssonn .Mozart Trio, “Extase’ Postiude, “Et Resurrexi Flora McGill Keefer, 'R:m-eonwto; Charles Trowbridge tmann, 3 Elsa Raner, violin; Richard Lorleberg, cello; Lewis Atwater, organ. i HE vested choir of the Pirst Univer- Claurch bells will ring from early morning till after dusk has| Congregations in mest of the Christian churches of | day, the year of our Lord 1929.| - @ongregational PECIAL Easter music will be ren- dered at First Congregational Church, Tenth and G streets, tomorrow at 9 am. and 11 am. The same pro- gram will be given at both services by the vested chorus choir of 60 voices, directed by Ruby Smith Stahl, assisted by the First Church Quartet, composad | of Ruby Smith Stahl, soprano; Doro- | thy, Wilson Halbach, contralto; Fran- cesco Della-Lana, tenor; Robert Howe | Harmon, bass, with Paul de Long Gakle | | at the organ. 2 | Following is the program: ORGAN, ;. .Edvard Grieg Stabat ...Gioachino Rossini ‘Magnus™), Theodore Dubois 110 ter “When the Sabbath Was Pas! Foster “An Easter Alleluiah” (a capella), Vulplus-Dickinson 5 Handel ‘Lamont Galbraith ‘The Mount Pleasant Congregational chorus of 60 voices, and the quartet composed of Elsie Schulze, soprano; Mary Apple, contralto; Willlam P. Shannahan, tenor, and Herman Fakler, bass, all under the direction of Norton M. Little, will present a special pro- gram of Easter music at the Mount Pleasant Congregational Church at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning. Claude{ Robeson will be at the organ. The program follows: Orean prelude, “Resurrection Morn" Anthems— “Tis Night. a Sabbath Calm" . Trowbridge rise. My Heart. and Sing!"....Warren “Hallelujah Chorus” ~(Messiah)..". Handel Bass solo, “Hosanna!" \Granier Organ postlude, Loret THE Church of the Epiphany will pre- sent the following music at the Easter services tomorrow, under the di- rection of Adolf Torovsky, organist and choirmaster: 11 AM Processional hymn, *Welcome, Happy Morn- “Hallelujah Chorus,” from Messiah” ..... O “Easter Processional Christ_Ou Mactarlane Te Deum in g ford Introit anthem, “Christ Is Arisen. Communion Service in E flat Sermon hymn, “The Strife Is OV Palestrina Offertory anthem, “The Promise of Resurrection” Cly Re 3 cessional hym Sullivan Processional hymn, “The Day of Resurrec- Magnificat in B f Offertory - anthem, Dawn” .. Recessional hym, St. Luke’s Protestant Episcopal Church, Fifteenth and Church streets northwest, announces special Eastertide music by the choir, E. R. Amos, director, and Louis Brown, organist, at the 11 o'clock service tomorrow morning. * ‘The choir and organist of the Church of St. Columba, Forty-second and Albe- marle streets, under the direction of James Dickinson, will render an Easter program at the 11 am. holy com- munion, which includes the following: Processional, “Welcome, Happy Morn- ing” Sullivan i ...Stainer Kyrie Eleison in B flat Tibl in G. 0" in them, “'As It Began to Dawn" Sanctus’ in A & Benedictus Qui Venit Agnus Dei in E flat.. Gloria_in Excelsis_in D. Nunc Dimittis in B flat. Recessional, “The Day o sse ‘Sol Services wifh Easter music at All Saints’ Church, Chevy Chase, Md., to- morrow will be holy communion at 7:30 and 9:30 am. and festival morning prayer and communion at 11 o’clock. Children's Easter festival at 4 p.m. The music at 7:30 a.m. will include: Processional Hymn, “Jesus Christ Is Risen “Communion Service' Offertory anthem, Maunder o, . Vincent “At ‘the Lamb's High | ! At the 11 o’clock service: Processional Hym, “Weicome, Happy Morn- Christ Our Passover” 1 “Te Deum” . €. Lutkin union’ rt H. Nobl “The Strife is o o It Began to Dawn artin Hymn, “The Day of Resurrec- The soloists are Emily Harrold and Bertha H. Gottsman, sopranos; Ml:fue- rite Groomes and Nellie Moran, altos; James T. Nicholson, tenor; Robert-H. Davidson, baritone; Willlam H. Waters, bass, and and directo; William' H. Taylor, organist T, Grace _Episcopal, Church, _Doroth: Burch Moore, organist, will' have thz 1 music tomorrow at 11 am., | With Winfleld Hart, baritone, as soloist: 1"3‘.‘:‘,“.:}. Hymn (100), “Welcome, Anthem, “Christ Our Passover”. “Te Dew “Jubllate” . Wi Introit Hymi '(1i3), “Jésus Chirlst Is ‘Tod! Anti-Communion Service. loris Tibl.” rmon Hymn (131, “The Strife Is O'er, the Battle Wi Offertory solo, “Angels Roll the Rock Hart.) : ;i Pesti ‘com rvice. 2 Felors cegmonin, se - Excels Rec: al 118), i SR L ‘There will be four services tomorrow salist Church (meeting in the Am- | the th street and the of 1 | music tomorrow: ¢ | Sunday at the Ninth' Street Christian Biida § o VAR # AU\ Fad avitin § & % g l Christian l 'HE choir of Vermont Avenue Chris- tian Church, W. E. Braithwaite, director, will present the following X Morning. Anthem, “At the Sepulchre' :Nevin jote.—This anthem was dedit 0 T, East, a prominent baritone solo- ist ‘of this cits. ale quartet and_obbligato trio for “Jesus Lives”. Evening. Anthem. “The Resurrecti Mixed quartet, “‘Hosanna, ‘women, Heyser Shelley ‘Granier-Schnecker The sifigers will include: Mrs. B. D. Shreve, soprano; Mrs. Helen Turley, contralto; Mrs. H. C. Littlefleld, so- prano; Thomas P. Russell, first tenor; W. E. Braithwaite, second tenor; Roland G. Comley, baritone; Wilbur G. Sindell, bass. . Mrs. H. C. Grimes is the organist. ‘The program of music for Easter Church is as follows: Morning Service, Cholr_anthem. “In the End Sabbath” . Soprans solo. “Hels Ren solo, Elsie M. English. Evening Service. llo solos— “‘Nocturne” . “Bong to the Eve .8, Zeble: Soprano solo, “Hosanna Mary CI O Bt of Triumph Neldlinger ““The of Trl . B e “Awake, Glad Soul': Brown ‘The Resurrection” Shelley Solos in the anthems by Mrs, T. R, Pirtle and Edns Padgett. Joseph Harrison is the organist and choir director. Mendelssohn -Wagner .Granier At H Street Christian Church, Sixth! and H streets southwest, the ‘music| feature tomorrow will be the presenta- Victor,” by p.m. service. . Haynie is di- | rector, Earle Phillips, organist, and the | chorus of 25 voices will have as solo- : Olive Cave, soprano; | Scates, soprano; Mrs. Earles Eustis, contralto; . Malcolm Scates, tenor; Mr. Haynle, baritone, and Frank Cook, bass. George Leich, tenor, and les Moore, bass, will present the following music tomorrow: MORNING SERVICE. et e Postlude, “Festival March EVENING SERVICE. Prelude, “Evensong” 5 Anthem, selection £ro Postlude, “‘Andante”. vin, ;| Carl W. k] sV fayiva ¥ abililfin VAT s avAT § 20r P a i dob T e e T Cantatag and Pageants “The Mighty Arm of God” (Goodell), at 8 p.m. tomorrow at Mount Ver- non Place M. E. Church South. “Light Out of Darkness” (Geibel), Presbyterian Church. “Christ the Victor” (Buck), at 8 p.m. at 8 pm. tomorrow at Georgetown tomorrow at Hamline M. E. Church, “Death and Life” (Shelley), at West Washington Baptist Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Olivet to Calvary” (Maunder), at Nineteenth Street Baptist Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Story of Easter” (Stultz), at Grace Reformed Church April 7. “The Conquering King” (Judson), at Lincoln Road M E. Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “The Atonement” (Shure), at Sherwood Presbyterian Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Christ the Victor” (Buck), at John Wesley A. M. E. Zion Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Victorious Redeemer,” at the Anacostia M. E. Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Hail the Victor” (Wooler), at Eldbrooke M. E. Church at 11 & m. tomorrow. “Christ the Victor” (Buck), at H. Street Christlan Church at 7:45 p.m. tomorrow. “O’er Death Triumphant” (Geibel), 11 a.m. tomorrow. at McKendree Methodist Church at “Everlasting Life” (Lowden), at Takoma Park Baptist Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. “Light Out of Darkness” (Geibel), at Metropolitan Presbyterian Church at 7:45 p.m. tomorrow. | “The King’s Highway,” pageant, at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow. “Christ of the Centuries,” 7:30 pm tomorrow. pageant, Georgetown Presbyterian Church at at Georgetown Lutheran Church at “The King's Highway,” pageant, at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Smedenborgian A’r the Church of the Holy City, Six- teenth and Corcoran streets, tI music of the Easter morning service jat 11 o'clock will include: nses_and_chants. Some, - Ye Faithtul, Raice the Simday gohool processional); All the Glory” and ok I TS rEndels TS IART) Members of choir: Mrs. Dorothy Neft iam Eliza~ Mr. Ch. F. Mar- , Mr. Russell B. Wooden, tenors; Mr. . Robinson, Mr. Frank M. 8, Mr, John C. Stevens, basses; organist and director, Miss Maud G. Sewall. “Awake, B. b .The Church of the Covenant will have the following music at the 11 am. service tomorrow: TR Bt ural of the Lambs” old Tolk melod Seventeenth Cen “Hosann: with {fir‘ “Easter Hymn." at- tock. Grainger o Hil’ Who Died and Rose . .. Plerce The music is under the direction o Harvey Murray and the quartet of solo ists includes Helen Howison, soprano: Charlotte Harriman, contralto; Louls Annis, tenor, and John Smith, basso. At the morning service at Takoma | Park Presbyterian Church the girls' Jackson, ylm:hm.gs vested choir and the adult choir will sing, antiphonally, Palestrin: “Vie~ tory,” the old Norman carol, “The Three Holy Womeén,” and Roberts’ “Our Christ.” There will be piano, and organ accompaniment. At the evening service the program a8t Statner lo, “The Risen an !Q&a:n‘.i oo, breii’ and vigin). K amennol’ Ostrow: Ru inier & Aia N & e AT the First Reformed Church, Thir- teenth and Monroe streets north- west, Karl Holer, organist and director, announces the following program for tomorrow at 11 o'cloc] “Hosal 5 (Solos, Louise R. Stambaugh and Harry J. Stambaugh.) violin, cel £y oler. he First auiine Organ, “Postlude in P Sunday ‘evening, April 7, Young People’s Chorus of Grace Re- formed Church, Fifteenth and O streets, will render A. M. Stultz's can- Apple, dirgctor, and C. M. Davison, or- ganist. Tie solos will be sustained by Jean Munn, Stella Hetrick, Mrs. Rossetta, so- pranos; Mary Apple, contralto; Christo- pher Tenley, bass, and Mr. Apple, tenor. I RKoman Catholic l ST. PATRICK'S Roman Catholic Church will have the following music at the scrvice at 10 a.m. tomor- ToW: Vidi Aquam ... Introit, “Resurrexi’ isgn Brevis’ ‘Missa Brevis' + Palestrina . .Palestrina tican Chant Kyrie Gloria Creds, “Mass of Sacre [ Ignace Mitterer Offertory, “Terra Tremuit”.. Vatican Chant Offertory Motet, “Exsultate Justi” Viadana (1564) Sanctus. “Missa Brevis" .. .Palestrina Benedictus, “Mass of S ¥ 4 ‘Heart Agnus Det, “Missa Brevis o Palestrina Communioh, “Pascha Nostri Vatican Chant | director, will be assisted by a chorus of 135 voices and a solo quartetcomposed of Edna Hillyard Howard, soprano; Clelia | Floravanti, contralto; Royden J. Dixon, | tenor, and James Nolan, baritone. At the Shrine of the Sacred Heart hurch solemn high mass will be cele- brated tomorrow at 11:30, when the mixed choir, under the direction of | Mary-Louise Sullivan, will give the fol- | lowing program: | j4vidi Aquam” i Introit. “Ressure; i Kyrie and Gloria froin i | .. Benedicamus Domina” acc Dies” and “Victimae | Offertory, “Fera Fremuit: ictus and Agnu; 5c) ‘The solo quartet is composed Mabel C. Latimer, soprano; Hazel Arth, contralto: Rcbert M. OLone, | tenor, and Talbert Haslett, baritone. | Other members of the cheir Sopranos—Miss Florence Brady, Miss 1 Mary Curtin, Miss June Doorley, Miss Martha Ford, Miss Glenn, - Miss Mrs, F. M. Hodges, Mrss J. C. Ladd. Mrs. J. A¥: Mrs. F. E. Phelps and Mrs. J. D, Powers. Fisher, J h A Callan, ‘Mahon L L tata, “The Story of Easter,” Carl B. Miss Jennie Glennan, organist and [gp . 8 | ‘Christ Arose”. % | Contralto solo (offertory), “Gior and Charles Wealeyi “Foundery Tune Book” (1742) “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” octave higher. UTHER PLACE MEMORIAL CHURCH will have special music at the 8 p.m. service tomorrow, when the quartet will sing under the direction of J. Walter Humphrey, bass, with gcuc‘gmpnmment at the organ by Lucille s. The other members of the quartet are Mrs. B. H. Smart, soprano; Marian Carle, alto, and R. D. Fillius, tenor. The music at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Eighth and B streets south- | west, at the 11 o'clock service tomorrow | morning includes the following: | Anthems— | " At the End of the Sabbath” | “They Have Taken Aw: 0 and alto du " Laira’ Lyle and Tenor solo, * The members of the choir include Laura Lyle, Anne Borjes, Selma Trede, Virginia Cooper, Catherine Gross, Frank Kingsbury and Willlam Nerlich. Lucy H. Paul is organist and director. The public is invited. ‘The choir of Georgetown Lutheran Church, Guy Campbell, director, will | sing the following music tomorrow: 1AM Anthems— ““They Have Taken Away My Lord”. .Stalner “Awake Up, My Glory”. arnby L 7:30 P.M. The Sunday school will present pageant “The Christ of the Centuries.” Solo parts will be sung by Mrs, J. C. Shackleford and Mr. Campbell. The vested cholr of Keller Memorial Lutheran Church, under the direction of Gertrude Lyons, will sing the follow- ing selections at the 6 o'clock service Easter morning: “In the End of the Sabbatl Duet, “The Magdalene" Mrs. D. H. Lawson the By Prelude for organ, ‘‘Easter Morning”.. Malling Postlude, “Easter March” Merkel The selections for the 11 o'clock service will be: 3 Prelude for organ, “Resurrection Morn,” Johnston /As It Began to Dawn”.. ~Martin “Awake, Thou That Sleepes Stainer y_the Vested Cholr. “I Know, That My Redeemer Liveth, from “The Messiah' "Handel Mrs. Law: Postlude, “Grand Choeur” -Frysinger Miss Lillian G. Wines will preside at the organ. At the 11 a.m. Easter service at Grace Lutheran Church the following musical numbers will be given by the choir under the direction of Mrs. F. A. Klinge, with Walter Christian Brandes at the organ: H"nn:y—of Resurrection’ “Da; “Hallelujah, Jesus Lives”. Anthems— .Shepherd .. Vail Bischoft At the 8 pm. service a special pro- gram of Easter music will be given by the choir. The following numbers will be included: “Hosanna".. at My Redeemer ark, Hark, My So “The Wondrous Morn”. en the Gates of the i The quartet of Grace Lutheran Church is composed of the following: Mrs. F. A. Klinge, soprano; Mrs. Fred- erick Winkelman, contralto; Thomas Leef, bass; Harold Martin, tenor. The .Granler Solo, Solo. voices. | ‘HE program for Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church at morning and | evening services tomorrow will be: | Organ prelude, “Resurrection Morn.” | Johnston | Anthem, “Christ Our Passover” Schilling | A ‘hen the Sabbath | assed g h-Leighter | viojin solo, “Adoration”. . Borawski Tenge solo,, “Open itie Gates of the M. . ‘‘Easter D: 1t Began nthem, “Behold_the Organ postiude, “Allel Soloists. on tomorrew’s program at | Organ prelude. Anth | mersla, Ruth Fisher, Guy B. Skinner and Albert W. Perry. Muslic.for the day will be under the ‘direction of Louise ‘The 11 o'clock service has ing selections: Organ prelude, “Easter Morning”. ... Ing Quartet, “They Have Taken Away ‘5-“1 s Lor . Harrington Quartet, Rise. Juniar cholr, “The Easter Bells Are Organ Bostiude, “Hallelujah Chorus”. Handel { At 8 pm. the numbers include: | Organ prelude, “Allegro Symphonique.” Faulkes Male quartet. “Chs the follow- Lowry 1-Peccia Cantata, “The New Life”.. J. H. Rogers e_Prophy Zolo. “Ciod Created Man to Be Im- m Chorus, “T Will Praise Thee, O Lord.” “Christ, Our Passover, Is Sacrificed p ey Ana e Bala Unio ‘Them: B | Organ postiude, e Hennns Aveelling.” | The music at Waugh M. E. Church tomorrow will be as follows: EVENING. artet ited_cholr.) Corere X 8. Joseph | 555" quartet is assisted by a chorus of 25| “The Easter Hymn” By Frederick Quble Orchaner N a score of Washington churches tomorrow, in many thousand other churches throughout Christendom, the “old Easter hymn,” programmed usually as “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today,” will be sung as it has been sung traditionally for two centuries. As popular as it is, the very insignia of Resurrection services, the {origin of this old classic remains utterly obscure despite the re- |searches of generations of hymnodists. No one knows whence it came, or who wrote it—500 years ago. Comparison of the words and music as we know them today, with the original form, shows that the piece has been revised and augmented by successive editors. John those great hymn-makers of the eighteenth cen- tury, had a hand in the change:. J(o:lfln ]lncludlng the tune in his 0 arles’ personal comj tion, and raising the subdued finish an The present fourth verse is said to be a doxology written by Charles Wesley and added to the work in later years. The hymn appeared originally in “Lyra Davidica,” a small collection of hymn-tunes and chorales published in London in 1708, printed by one J. Walsh, The title then was “The Resurrection.” In all probability the book was a private venture (according an article -last year in “The Choir”); Dr. Julian cred- its it to “some Anglo-German of the Pletist school of thought.” The com- piler stells us in his preface that his ob- Ject has been to introduce “a little freer air than the grave movement of the Psalm-tunes, as being both seasonable and acceptable,” and goes on to say that “in Germany where they have an abun- dance of divine songs and hymns set to short and pleasant tunes, the peasant at his plow, the servants at their labor, the |children’ in the street * * * make | use of these for the expression of their ks | Mirth, and have no such custom as we unhappily labor under of ballads and | profane songs.” He concludes by ex- | pressing the hope that his book “may yield a grateful savior both to God and man.” Eisewhere in the preface we are told that the basis of the work was “a col- lection of compositions for private use in which are two or three of the German hymns, to which others were recome mended to be added by some of that na- tion and encouragement given of good reception if they were made publick”; the editor intimates that he has “many more of this kind by him” voicing the hope that they may be published at some future time “for Use of the greater leflclenCy both in Musick and Relig- on.” * k% x THE words are a translation of an old Latin hymn dating from the four- teenth century. There is now in Mu- nich a manuscript of that date contain ing an Easter carol in Latin, beginning “Surrexit Christus hodie.” Other manu- scripts of the same hymn exist, having additional verses, but the first and se ond couplets, which are in all the man scripts. proved to ba the nucleus around which the hymn was to grow. But who was responsible for turning that Latin carol into English four centuries later? Comparing the first and second couplets of the Latin with the “Lyra Davidica” version, the transe lation appears literally the same as we know it today. We recognize also the “easy and pieasant tune” to which the Easter hymn is still sung. Whether the tune was composed for the words and who composed it is not known. Nothing more is known of the tune, in fact, than of the translation itself. In many hymnals the statement continues to be made that Dr. Worgan wrote the music, the fact that this gentleman was not yet born seeming not to make any difference, as Dr. Louis P. Benson observes in his “Studies of Familiar Hymns.” The learned hymnologist, W. T. Brookes, had a theory that this Easter hymn may have been written by Antoin Boehm, chaplain of a Lutheran chapel which had been opened for Prince George of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne, who, when the “Lyra b | Davidica” was published, had been on the throne six years. It is considered quite possible that the “Lyra” was com- piled for the private use of the small group which surrounded Boehm. x* k ok % IN 1742 the hymn was rescued from oblivion through the medium of John Wesley’s Foundery Tune Book.” Its use by the Methodists brought the tune into general favor and started it on a long career of popularity. Appearing at a time when Easter hymns were sadly lacking, already provided with a stirring | melody, the work quickly won a place on Easter programs, which it has main- tained to this day. In 1749 or early in 1750 John Arnold, & musician living at Great Warley, in Essex, published the second edition of a_collection of tunes called “The Com- pleat Psalmodist.” In this book, notes Dr. Benson, the same tune appears again, but the hymn has been made over, only the four lines of the trans- lated carol from “Lyra Davidica” re- maining. Even these were altered and two verses were added, entirely new, the whole making up substantially the modern form of the hymn. Little re- mained to be done beyond a little pol ishing and inclusion among the hymns sung in church, for which it waited until the beginning of the nineteenth century. At that time the Church of England was singing metrical versions of the Psalms. Tate and Brady's ver- sion was commonly bound in with the prayer books. Toward the end of the eighteenth century a few hymns had appeared at the end of the Psalme. How they got there is not known; it is Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, ) thought likely that some printer saw Pennsylvania avenue and Fifth street | Ignace Mitterer | Southeast, include Helen Clark Ham- ! end of the prayer book with hymns and fit to fill up a few blank leaves at tl:» i that. he made his own selection. Three i things are certain: That the hymns | were there; that they appeared with- out authority, and that they not only stayed in later editions of the prayer book, ‘but increased in number. | * K K % SOME time early in the nineteenth i century, at a date not yet fixed, the | Easter hymn was added to the littie igroup. The changes in the text were not many, and, thinks Dr. Benson, each i change was for the better. With the adding of the Wesley doxology, the story of the making of the hymn closes. 'Its gmost curious feature is the vell of anonymity that has not once lifted through all the 500 years since its Latin composition. But the appeal of its melody and its words appear to have i needed no specified authorship to sur- vive; it is as strong today as ever. i wu.m GOODELL'S newly pub- lished Easter work, “The Mighty Arm of God,” will non Place M. E. be sung at Mount Ver- Church South