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John Burton

1803 - 1877 Hymnal Number: d251 Author of "Savior, while my heart is tender, I would yield that heart to Thee" in School Carols Burton, John, jun, a popular hymn-writer for children, was b. July 23, 1803, at Stratford in Essex, in which place he carried on business as a cooper for about 50 years. He died in 1877. Mr. Burton was a member of the Congregational body, and a Deacon of the Chapel where he attended, His contributions to hymnody began in 1822, when he sent his first production to the Evangelical Magazine. He continued to contribute to that and other periodicals for many years, his signature in the former being "Essex, J. B.," and in the Child's Companion, J. B. Essex." His publications are:— (1) One Hundred Original Hymns for the Young, 1850; (2) Hymns for Little Children, 1851; (3) The Child-Life of David; (4) The Book of Psalms in English Verse, 1871; (5) Scripture Characters in Verse, &c. His Hymns for Little Children, containing 54 pieces, has been republished in Philadelphia, U.S.A., as My Own Hymn Book. He also contributed to the Union Hymn Book for Scholars, 1840. Some of his hymns have attained a measure of popularity, including “Thou that nearest prayer," "Come, let us sing our Maker's praise," and many others. In addition, the following are also in common use:— 1. Children who are gone to glory. Saints' days. 2. Children, you have gone astray. Invitation. Published in the Child's Companion, April, 1834, and his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, &c. 3. Come, let us sing our Maker's praise. For Orphans. In his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, No. 86, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. 4. Father of mercies, hear; On us, &c. Influence implored. In his One Hundred Hymns,1850, No. 97, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines; and partly rewritten in 2 stanzas of 8 lines. In Kennedy, 1863, No. 1209, beginning: "Father Of mercies, hear The song Thy children raise. 5. God is love, delightful truth. Love of God. Published in the Child's Companion, Aug., 1835, and again in his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, No. 20, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is given in the Silver Street Sunday School Hymn Book 1880. 6. Happy would it be for me. Early Piety. 7. Hark! a still small voice is heard. Christ's love for Children. This appeared in the Child's Companion, July, 1836, and the revised edition of the Union Hymn Book,&c, 1850, No. 14, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines. It is in various collections, including the Methodist Sunday School Hymn Book, 1879, and others. 8. Heavenly Father, we draw near Thee. Sunday Schools. Published in his One Hundred Hymns,1850, &c. 9. I often say my prayers. Prayer. Also from the Union H. Book, I84o; into Major's Bk. of Praise, &c. 10. None is like God, who reigns above. Omnipresence. Dated 1849, and given in his One Hundred Hymns, No. 4, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is reprinted in several school collections, as Stevenson's School Hymnal, 1880, No. 139. 11. Pilgrims we are and strangers. Life a Pilgrimage. From the Evangelical Magazine, 1829, 5 stanzas of 8 lines, commencing “Now let our praise be given," and headed "The Pilgrim's Song," into the Baptist Psalms & Hymns, 1858, No. 553, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines, st. i. being omitted. 12. Remember thy Creator now. Early Piety. From the Child's Companion, Sept. 1833, into his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, and the Methodist Sunday School Hymn Book, No. 243. 13. Saviour, while my heart is tender. Early Piety. Also from the One Hundred Hymns. It is in the Baptist Hymnal, 1879; Horder's Congregational Hymns, 1884; and others. 14. That kind eye which cannot sleep. Omniscience. But little known. 15. The Lord attends when children pray. Prayer. 1st printed in the Child's Companion, July, 1835, and again in Dec. 1837, and in the revised edition of the Union Hymn Book, 1840; and his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, No. 31, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines. It is in several collections, including Dr. Allon's Children's Worship, 1878, &c. 16. Though we are young our sins are great. Lent. In the revised edition of the Union Hymn Book, 1840; and his One Hundred Hymns, 1850 (in the latter as "Though I am," &c), No. 9, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. It is included in Major's Book of Praise, &c. 17. We do not love Thee as we ought. Lent. In the Methodist Sunday School Hymn Book, 1879, No. 286. 18. Why did Jesus come from heaven? Passiontide. From his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, No. 61, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, into Major's Book of Praise. 19. Why should we spend our youthful days? Youthful Piety. Printed in the Child's Companion, May, 1835, in his One Hundred Hymns, 1850, and as No. 252 in the Methodist. Sunday School Hymn Book, 1879. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

John Stocker

Hymnal Number: d92 Author of "Gracious Spirit, Love divine" in School Carols John Stocker, of Honitan, Devonshire. Contributed during 1776 and 1777 nine hymns to "Gospel Magazine" Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908

Adoniram Judson

1788 - 1850 Hymnal Number: d232 Author of "The Lord's prayer" in School Carols Adoniram Judson MA DD USA 1788-1850. Born at Malden, MA, his father being a Congregational pastor. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, RI, in 1807 and opened a school. He wrote an English grammar and mathematics textbook for girls. He then attended Andover Theological Seminary. studying Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. His friend, Jacob Eames, turned him from religion, but Eames died suddenly, and he Judson, shocked, turned back to God in 1808. In 1809 he became interested in missions. In 1810 he was licensed to preach by the Orange Vermont Congregational Association, preparatory to pastoral ministry. However, he had inclinations to overseas ministry, and, having failed to get an appointment from the London Missionary Society, persuaded the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ACBFM), to send him and his wife, Ann Hasaltine, and six others, as Baptist missionaries to India. They departed in 1812 on a 4-month voyage to Calcutta. Enroute, Ann miscarried their first child. Arriving there, having studied Baptist principles enroute, they decided to be baptized. They were, and they resigned from ABCFM, laying plans for creation of a Baptist Missionary society from the U.S. After experiencing various hindrances from the East India Company, they escaped India, and began mission work in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar) in 1813, becoming the first mission of American Baptists (where Judson labored for almost 40 years). They spent three years learning the Burmese language with the help of a tutor. They evangelized and did Bible translation. They spent 12 years making 18 converts from Buddhism. In 1817 a printing press came from America and a printer, George Hough, and his wife. They printed the first Christian tracts in the Burmese language, including 800 copies of the book of Matthew, translated into Burmese by Judson. That helped in gaining converts. In 1824, Rangoon having been taken by the British, Dr. Judson was charged with being a British spy and was held captive by the natives until the Burmese capitulated to the British in 1826. Thanks to his sickly wife’s efforts he was released after 21 months in squalid prison conditions, and was pressed to serve as a translator for the Burmese government during negotiations for the Treaty Yandobo. His wife died that year from complications of smallpox. In 1828 he moved his mission efforts to Moulmein, where, with help from a Jonathan Wade, he built a church and school and continued work on the Burmese Bible. He married Sarah Hall Boardman, widow of his late colleague, G D Boardman, who died at sea. She was a gifted linguist and teacher. He finished translating the Burmese Bible, after 24 years, in 1834, and he and wrote several tracts in that language. After the birth of her 8th child (most with her former husband), Sarah’s health declined, and they embarked for the U.S. She died enroute. He completed the trip and remained on furlough for nine months. He suffered from laryngitis due to pulmonary illness, and reduced strength, but was hailed a hero throughout the Christian community. When he talked, he had to use someone who could repeat his words in order to be heard above a whisper. While at Madison University in upstate NY, he met and married Emily Chubbock, a writer and educator. They returned to Burma in 1846 to continue work on an enlarged Burmese dictionary. It was compiled in 1849. Shortly thereafter, he contracted a respiratory fever and, while attempting to travel to a better climate for his health, died at sea in the Bay of Bengal. Most of their children died in infancy or when young. His legacy included establishing 100 churches, 8000 believers, and encouraging more missionaries to come to Burma after him, Sarah Cummings, Jason Tuma, and Eleanor Macomber, to name a few. His memoirs were published in 1853. He also wrote some hymns. Because of his efforts, Myanmar has the 3rd largest population of Baptist Christians in the world, behind the U.S. and India. Each July there is a Judson Day in Myanmar. Accolades given and institutions and organizations named after Judson in both Myanmar and America are too numerous to name here, but one can look them up. John Perry ============ Judson, Adoniram, D.D., born at Maldon, Massachusetts, Aug. 9, 1788, where his father was Pastor of a Baptist Church. He graduated at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 1807; and went in 1815, together with his first wife, as a Missionary to India. After encountering various hindrances from the East India Company, they began their mission in Burma. On June 8, 1824, Rangoon having been taken by the British, Dr. Judson was imprisoned by the natives, and was kept in captivity until the Burmese capitulated to the British in 1826. His first wife dying on Oct. 24, 1826, he married the widow of his late colleague, G. D. Boardman (ne'e Hull, April 10, 1834. He died at sea, April 12, 1850, and was buried in the deep. He translated the Bible into Burmese, and wrote several tracts in that language. A Burmese-English Dictionary was compiled from his papers. His Memoirs, by Dr. Wayland, were published in 1853. His hymns include :— 1. Our Father God, [Lord] Who art in heaven. The Lord's Prayer. This hymn is dated "Prison, Ava, March 1825," and was written during his imprisonment. It was given in his Memoirs, 1853, vol. i. p. 308. It is in common use in Great Britain and America. 2. Our Saviour bowed beneath the wave. Holy Baptism. This dates from 1829, or earlier, and is in 7 stanzas, It is said to have been "sung at the Baptism of several soldiers at Moulmein, British Pegu." St. i.-iii. usually form the hymn. 3. Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine. Holy Baptism. This is composed of st. vii., v., vi. of No. 2, and is found in Winchell's Collection, 1832. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Conrad Herman Louis Schuette

1843 - 1926 Person Name: C. H. L. Schuette Hymnal Number: d12 Author of "Almighty Lord of earth and heaven" in School Carols Schuette, Conrad Herman Louis, was born at Vurrel. Hannover, Germany, June 17, 1843, and in 1873 became a Professor in the Capital University, Columbus, Ohio. He contributed 5 original hymns and several translations from the German to the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal Columbus, Ohio, 1880, under the signature of "C. H. L. S." --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Sarah Betts Rhodes

1829 - 1904 Hymnal Number: d89 Author of "God, who made the earth, The air, the sky, the se" in School Carols Rhodes, Sarah Betts, née Bradshaw, wife of a Sheffield merchant, wrote "God Who made the earth" (Sunday School Festival) for the Sheffield Sunday School Union Whitsuntide Festival, 1870. The tune also was by Mrs. Rhodes. The hymn is in several collections, including the Methodist Sunday School Hymnbook, 1879, &c. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

L. H. Burry

Hymnal Number: d95 Author of "Hail, thou living Savior" in School Carols

R. E. Hudson

1843 - 1901 Person Name: Ralph E. Hudson Hymnal Number: d190 Author of "I'll live for him who died for me" in School Carols Ralph Hudson (1843-1901) was born in Napoleon, OH. He served in the Union Army in the Civil War. After teaching for five years at Mt. Union College in Alliance he established his own publishing company in that city. He was a strong prohibitionist and published The Temperance Songster in 1886. He compiled several other collections and supplied tunes for gospel songs, among them Clara Tear Williams' "All my life long I had panted" (Satisfied). See 101 More Hymn Stories, K. Osbeck, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1985). Mary Louise VanDyke

Sarah Flower Adams

1805 - 1848 Person Name: Sarah F. Adams Hymnal Number: d191 Author of "Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee" in School Carols Adams, Sarah, nee Flower. born at Harlow, Essex, Feb. 22nd, 1805; died in London, Aug. 14, 1848, and was buried at Harlow, Aug. 21,1848. She was the younger daughter of Mr. Benjamin Flower, editor and proprietor, of The Cambridge Intelligencer; and was married, in 1834, to William B. Adams, a civil engineer. In 1841 she published Vivia Perpetua, a dramatic poem dealing with the conflict of heathenism and Christianity, in which Vivia Perpetua suffered martyrdom; and in 1845, The Flock at the Fountain; a catechism and hymns for children. As a member of the congregation of the Rev. W. J. Fox, an Unitarian minister in London, she contributed 13 hymns to the Hymns and Anthems, published by C. Fox, Lond., in 1841, for use in his chapel. Of these hymns the most widely known are— "Nearer,my God,to Thee," and "He sendeth sun, He sendeth shower." The remaining eleven, most of which have come into common use, more especially in America, are:— Creator Spirit! Thou the first. Holy Spirit. Darkness shrouded Calvary. Good Friday. Gently fall the dews of eve. Evening. Go, and watch the Autumn leaves. Autumn. O hallowed memories of the past. Memories. O human heart! thou hast a song. Praise. O I would sing a song of praise. Praise. O Love! thou makest all things even. Love. Part in Peace! is day before us? Close of Service. Sing to the Lord! for His mercies are sure. Praise. The mourners came at break of day. Easter. Mrs. Adams also contributed to Novello's musical edition of Songs for the Months, n. d. Nearly all of the above hymns are found in the Unitarian collections of Great Britain, and America. In Martineau's Hymns of Praise & Prayer, 1873, No. 389, there is a rendering by her from Fenelon: —" Living or dying, Lord, I would be Thine." It appeared in the Hymns and Anthems, 1841. -John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Martin Rinkart

1586 - 1649 Hymnal Number: d196 Author of "Now thank we all our God" in School Carols Rinkart, Martin, son of Georg Rinkart or Rinckart, cooper at Eilenburg on the Mulde, Saxony, was born at Eilenburg, April 23, 1586.* After passing through the Latin school at Eilenburg, he became, in Nov., 1601, a foundation scholar and chorister of the St. Thomas's School at Leipzig. This scholarship also allowed him to proceed to the University of Leipzig, where he matriculated for the summer session of 1602, as a student of Theology; and after the completion of his course he remained for some time in Leipzig (he did not take his M.A. till 1616). In March 1610 he offered himself as a candidate for the post of diaconus at Eilenburg, and was presented by the Town Council, but the Superintendent refused to sanction this arrangement, nominally on the ground that Rinkart was a better musician than theologian, but really because he was unwilling to have a colleague who was a native of Eilenburg, and who appeared to have a will of his own. Rinkart, not wishing to contest the matter, applied for a vacant mastership in the gymnasium at Eisleben, and entered on his duties there in the beginning of June, 1610, as sixth master, and also cantor of the St. Nicholas Church. After holding this appointment for a few months, he became diaconus of St. Anne's Church, in the Neustadt of Eisleben, and began his work there May 28, 1611; and then became pastor at Erdeborn and Lyttichendorf (Lütjendorf), near Eisleben, entering on his duties there on Dec. 5, 1613. Finally he was invited by the Town Council of Eilenburg to become archidiaconus there, and in Nov. 1617 came into residence at Eilenburg. He died at Eilenburg, Dec. 8, 1649. A memorial tablet to his memory, affixed to the house where he lived, was unveiled at Eilenburg on Easter Monday, April 26, 1886. (Martin Rinkart’s Geistliche Lieder, ed., with a biographical introduction, and an extensive bibliography, by Heinrich Rembe and Johannes Linke, D.D., Gotha, F. A. Perthes, 1886; K. Goedeke's Grundris, vol. iii., 1887, pp. 169, 211, &c.) The greater part of Rinkart's professional life was passed amid the horrors of the Thirty Years War. Eilenburg being a walled town became a refuge for fugitives from all around, and being so overcrowded, not unnaturally suffered from pestilence and famine. During the great pestilence of 1637 the Superintendent went away for change of air, and could not be persuaded to return; and on Aug. 7 Rinkart had to officiate at the funerals of two of the town clergy and two who had had to leave their livings in the country. Rinkart thus for some time was the only clergyman in the place, and often read the service over some 40 to 50 persons a day, and in all over about 4,480. At last the refugees had to be buried in trenches without service, and during the whole epidemic some 8,000 persons died, including Rinkart's first wife, who died May 8, 1637. The next year he had an epidemic of marriages to encounter, and himself fell a victim on June 24. Immediately thereafter came a most severe famine, during which Rinkart's resources were strained to the uttermost to help his people. Twice also he saved Eilenburg from the Swedes, once in the beginning of 1637, and again in 1639 (see p. 319, i.). Unfortunately the services he rendered to the place seemed to have made those in authority the more ungrateful, and in his latter years he was much harassed by them in financial and other matters, and by the time that the long-looked-for peace came (Oct. 24, 1648) he was a worn-out and prematurely aged man. Rinkart was a voluminous writer and a good musician, but a considerable number of his books seem to have perished, and others survive only in single copies. He early began to write poetry, and was crowned as a poet apparently in 1614. Among other things he wrote a cycle of seven so-called "Comedies," or rather dramas, on the Reformation Period, suggested by the centenary of the Reformation in 1617. Three of these were printed respectively in 1613, 1618, and 1625, and two of them were acted in public. Rinkart's hymns appeared principally in the following works:— (1) Jesu Hertz-Büchlein. This was completed in 1630, and first published at Leipzig in 1636. No copy is now known. The second edition, published at Leipzig, 1663, is in the Royal Library at Hannover. (2) Der Meissnische Thränen Saat, Leipzig, 1637. In the Royal Library at Berlin. (3) xlv. Epithalami Salomoneo—Sulamitici cantica canticorum . . . Leibliche Geistliche und Uimmlische Braut Messe, Leipzig, 1642. In Wolfenbüttel Library. (4) Catechismus-wolthaten, und Catechismus-Lieder, Leipzig, 1645. In the Berlin Library. Dr. Linke, 1886, as above, gives a list of the first lines of all the hymns in the works of Rinkart which have come under his notice, and prints a selection from them, including 66 in all. The best of them are characterised by a true patriotism, a childlike devotion to God, and a firm confidence in God's mercy, and His promised help and grace. A few passed into the German hymn-books. Those which have been translated into English are:— 1. Alleluja, Lob, Preis und Ehr. This hymn… seems to be based on two hymns, beginning with the same first line, and both found in Rinkart's Braut Messe, 1642. Dr. Linke does not print the full text. (See Blätter für Hymnologie, 1886, p. 91.) ii. Nun danket alle Gott. Thanksgiving. The oldest text now accessible is in J. Crüger's Praxis, 1648, No. 183, in 3 stanzas of 8 lines; also in the Crüger-Runge Gesang-Buch, 1653, No. 187. It is also in Rinkart's Jesu Hertz-Büchlein, 1663, where the text slightly varies, and is entitled "Grace" ("Tisch-Gebetlein," i.e. a short prayer at table). There does not seem any good reason for supposing that it did not appear in the first ed., 1636, of the Hertz-Büchlein, and in any case it has no connection with the Peace of Westphalia. (A good specimen of the way in which stories of hymns are manufactured is in the Sunday at Home, Aug., 1888, p. 539, where a full and particular account is given of its legendary origin in Nov. 1648.) It is founded on Ecclesiasticus 1. 22-24; and st. i., ii. are indeed little more than a paraphrase of these verses, st. iii. being a version of the Gloria Patri. The fact that the regimental chaplains, when holding the special service of thanksgiving for the conclusion of the peace, were commanded to preach from this passage, may have suggested the theory that Rinkart's hymn was written for the same occasion. It gradually came into general use, successfully survived the period of Rationalism, and is now to be found in every German hymnbook, e.g. in the Berlin Geistliche Lieder, ed. 1863, No. 1022. It may be called the German Te Deum, and as such is used at all national festivals or special occasions of thanksgiving. It was recently used at the festal celebration of the completion of Cologne Cathedral, on Aug. 14, 1880, at the laying of the foundation stone of the new Reichstags building in Berlin, by the Emperor William, June 9, 1884, &c. The fine melody (set to the hymn in Hymns Ancient & Modern and most recent English collections) appears in the Praxis, 1648 (Crüger's Kirchenmelodien, 1649, No. 94), and in the Crüger-Runge Gesang-Buch, 1653, is marked with Crüger's initials. It has been described as adapted from a melody by Lucas Marenzo (choirmaster at Rome, who died 1598), or as adapted from a motet by Rinkart; but to prove either statement, very little evidence is forthcoming. The translations of the hymn into English are:— 1. Let all men praise the Lord. This is a tr. of st. i., iii., by Alfred Novello, as part of his version of the word-book to Mendelssohn's Lobgesang, or Hymn of Praise, 1843, p. 89. This form has passed into a number of hymnals, including the New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859; Dale's English Hymn Book 1874, and others. In the Baptist Hymnal, 1879, a tr. of st. ii. is added, of which 11. 1—4 are from Miss Winkworth's translation. 2. Now praise the Lord on high. In full as No. 53 in the Dalston Hospital Hymn Book, 1848. This appears to be the version which Kübler, in his Historical Notes to the Lyra Germanica, 1865, p. 247, says was made by Baron C. K. J. von Bunsen, for the opening of the German Hospital at Dalston, on Oct. 15, 1845. 3. Now let us all to God. In full, by A. T. Russell, as No. 201, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. 4. 0 let us praise the Lord, From hearts by true love guided. This is No. 240 in the Winchester Church Hymn Book, 1857, and seems to be intended as a paraphrase of the German. 5. Now thank we all our God. A full and very good translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Serv. 1858, p. 145, repeated in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 11, and her Christian Singers, 1869, p. 181. It has been included in many recent English and American hymnals, e. g. Hymns Ancient & Modern, 1861; People's Hymnal, 1867; Congregational Hymnal, 1887, &c, and in America in the Episcopal Hymnal, 1871; Presbyterian Hymnal, 1874, and many others, generally in full and unaltered. 6. Now all give thanks to God. In full as No. 264 in the Anglican Hymn Book, 1868 (1871, No. 307), marked as a versification by R. C. Singleton. Repeated in J. L. Porter's Collection, 1876. 7. Now all men thank ye God. In full by T. E. Brown, as No. 37 in the Clifton College Hymn Book, 1872. Other translations are:— (l) "Now let us praise the Lord." In full by J. C. Jacobi, 1722, p. 85 (1732, p. 144), repeated, altered, in the Moravian Hymn Book, 1754 to 1886. (2) "Now all, to God give thanks." By Dr. H. Mills, in the Evangelical Review, Gettysburg, 1851, p. 293, and his Horae Germanica, 1856, p. 14. (3) "Lift heart, and hands, and voice." By Miss Cox, 1864, p. 239. (4) “Now all give thanks to God." By J. D. Burns, 1869, p. 252. (5) “All hearts and tongues and hands." By N. L. Frothingham, 1870, p. 212. iii. So fahr ich hin mit Freuden. For the Dying. In his Meissnische Thränen-Saat, 1637, No. 24, p. 19, in 5 st.anzas of 8 lines, entitled "Even the same, and her soul-rejoicing Farewell Hymn. On May 8." St. i. is, "So fahr ich hin mit Frewden Aus diesem Jammerthal, Aus Angst, Gefahr und Leiden In Himmels-Frewden Saal, Da wir und alle Frommen Durch Gottes Wundermacht Zusaminen wiederkominen: In des zu guter Nacht." The title refers to the preceding hymn, which is in 19 stanzas, the initials of the stanzas forming the acrostic Christina Rinckardi. Dr. Linke abridges it and misprints the title, which is:— "Die Teutsche Jobs-Schwester (Christina M. Rinckart's Hertzgetrewe Ehe- und Creutz-genossin) und ihr Tagliches und behägliches Trost Lied. Aus ihrem längst erwählten und am 10. [not 30] Tage des Trosthühlen Meyen dieses 1637. Jahres zum letzten Ehrengedächtniss abgehandelten Leich-Text: des 77. Psalms." From this it is clear that both hymns are in memory of his wife, that she died on May 8, 1637, and that her funeral sermon was preached by her husband on May 10, 1637. The form translation into English is the greatly altered, or rather practically new text. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] * His own statement was that he “was born Anno 1586, Jubilate Sunday, on St. George's day, which was the 23rd of April, between 6 and 7 a.m." In 1586 however Jubilate S. (3rd Sunday after Easter) fell on April 24, while St. George's day is April 23. The entry in the Registers at Eilenburg says that he was baptised "Monday after Jubilate, the 25th of April," which is quite correct. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

St. Ambrose

340 - 397 Person Name: Ambrose of Milan Hymnal Number: d197 Author of "Now that the sun is beaming bright" in School Carols Ambrose (b. Treves, Germany, 340; d. Milan, Italy, 397), one of the great Latin church fathers, is remembered best for his preaching, his struggle against the Arian heresy, and his introduction of metrical and antiphonal singing into the Western church. Ambrose was trained in legal studies and distinguished himself in a civic career, becoming a consul in Northern Italy. When the bishop of Milan, an Arian, died in 374, the people demanded that Ambrose, who was not ordained or even baptized, become the bishop. He was promptly baptized and ordained, and he remained bishop of Milan until his death. Ambrose successfully resisted the Arian heresy and the attempts of the Roman emperors to dominate the church. His most famous convert and disciple was Augustine. Of the many hymns sometimes attributed to Ambrose, only a handful are thought to be authentic. Bert Polman ===================== Ambrosius (St. Ambrose), second son and third child of Ambrosius, Prefect of the Gauls, was born at Lyons, Aries, or Treves--probably the last--in 340 A.D. On the death of his father in 353 his mother removed to Rome with her three children. Ambrose went through the usual course of education, attaining considerable proficiency in Greek; and then entered the profession which his elder brother Satyrus had chosen, that of the law. In this he so distinguished himself that, after practising in the court of Probus, the Praetorian Prefect of Italy, he was, in 374, appointed Consular of Liguria and Aemilia. This office necessitated his residence in Milan. Not many months after, Auxentius, bishop of Milan, who had joined the Arian party, died; and much was felt to depend upon the person appointed as his successor. The church in which the election was held was so filled with excited people that the Consular found it necessary to take steps fur preserving the peace, and himself exhorted them to peace and order: when a voice suddenly exclaimed, "Ambrose is Bishop," and the cry was taken up on all sides. He was compelled to accept the post, though still only a catechumen; was forthwith baptized, and in a week more consecrated Bishop, Dec. 7, 374. The death of the Emperor Valentinian I., in 375, brought him into collision with Justina, Valentinian's second wife, an adherent of the Arian party: Ambrose was supported by Gratian, the elder son of Valentinian, and by Theodosius, whom Gratian in 379 associated with himself in the empire. Gratian was assassinated in 383 by a partisau of Maximus, and Ambrose was sent to treat with the usurper, a piece of diplomacy in which he was fairly successful. He found himself, however, left to carry on the contest with the Arians and the Empress almost alone. He and the faithful gallantly defended the churches which the heretics attempted to seize. Justina was foiled: and the advance of Maximus on Milan led to her flight, and eventually to her death in 388. It was in this year, or more probably the year before (387), that Ambrose received into the Church by baptism his great scholar Augustine, once a Manichaean heretic. Theodosius was now virtually head of the Roman empire, his colleague Valentinian II., Justina's son, being a youth of only 17. In the early part of 390 the news of a riot at Thessalonica, brought to him at Milan, caused him to give a hasty order for a general massacre at that city, and his command was but too faithfully obeyed. On his presenting himself a few days after at the door of the principal church in Milan, he was met by Ambrose, who refused him entrance till he should have done penance for his crime. It was not till Christmas, eight months after, that the Emperor declared his penitence, and was received into communion again by the Bishop. Valentinian was murdered by Arbogastes, a Frank general, in 392; and the murderer and his puppet emperor Eugenius were defeated by Theodosius in 394. But the fatigues of the campaign told on the Emperor, and he died the following year. Ambrose preached his funeral sermon, as he had done that of Valentinian. The loss of these two friends and supporters was a severe blow to Ambrose; two unquiet years passed, and then, worn with labours and anxieties, he himself rested from his labours on Easter Eve, 397. It was the 4th of April, and on that day the great Bishop of Milan is remembered by the Western Church, but Rome commemorates his consecration only, Dec. 7th. Great he was indeed, as a scholar, an organiser, a statesman; still greater as a theologian, the earnest and brilliant defender of the Catholic faith against the Arians of the West, just as Athanasius (whose name, one cannot but remark, is the same as his in meaning) was its champion against those of the East. We are now mainly concerned with him as musician and poet, "the father of Church song" as he is called by Grimm. He introduced from the East the practice of antiphonal chanting, and began the task, which St. Gregory completed, of systematizing the music of the Church. As a writer of sacred poetry he is remarkable for depth and severity. He does not warm with his subject, like Adam of St. Victor, or St. Bernard. "We feel," says Abp. Trench, "as though there were a certain coldness in his hymns, an aloofness of the author from his subject. "A large number of hymns has been attributed to his pen; Daniel gives no fewer than 92 called Ambrosian. Of these the great majority (including one on himself) cannot possibly be his; there is more or less doubt about the rest. The authorities on the subject are the Benedictine ed. of his works, the Psalterium, or Hymnary, of Cardinal Thomasius, and the Thesaurus Hymnologicus of Daniel. The Benedictine editors give 12 hymns as assignable to him, as follows:—1. Aeterna Christi munera. 2. Aeterne rerum Conditor. 3. Consors Paterni luminii. 4. Deus Creator omnium. 5. Fit porta Christi pervia, 6. Illuminans Altissimus. 7. Jam surgit hora tertia. 8. 0 Lux Beata Trinitas. 9. Orabo mente Dominum. 10. Somno refectis artubus. 11. Splendor Paternae gloriae. 12. Veni Redemptor gentium. Histories of these hymns, together with details of translations into English, are given in this work, and may be found under their respective first lines. The Bollandists and Daniel are inclined to attribute to St. Ambrose a hymn, Grates tibi Jesu novas, on the finding of the relics of SS. Gervasius and Protasius. These, we know, were discovered by him in 386, and it is by no means unlikely that the bishop should have commemorated in verse an event which he announces by letter to his sister Marcellina with so much satisfaction, not to say exultation.A beautiful tradition makes the Te Deum laudamus to have been composed under inspiration, and recited alternately, by SS. Ambrose and Augustine immediately after the baptism of the latter in 387. But the story rests upon a passage which there is every reason to consider spurious, in the Chronicon of Dacius, Bishop of Milan in 550. There is no hint of such an occurrence in the Confessions of St. Augustine, nor in Paulinue's life of St. Ambrose, nor in any authentic writing of St. Ambrose himself. The hymn is essentially a compilation, and there is much reason to believe, with Merati, that it originated in the 5th century, in the monastery of St. Honoratus at Lerins. [Te Deum.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) Also known as: Ambrotio, Ambrosio de Milán Ambrosius Mediolanensis Ambrosius Saint, Bp. of Milan Ambrosius von Mailand Aurelio Ambrogio, Saint, Bishop of Milan Aurelius Ambrosius, Saint, Bishop of Milan Milan, d. 397