Page:The Methodist Hymn-Book Illustrated.djvu/473

 THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 461

Hymn 902. Once more the sun is beaming bright. AMBROSIAN ; translated by JOHN CHANDLER (661).

yam lucis orto sidere is assigned to St. Ambrose, though we cannot be certain that it is his. It is as old as the fifth century, and is probably by some imitator of Ambrose. Chandler s translation is from the text in the Paris Breviary, 1736, and is given in his Hymns of the Primitive Church, 1737. The Latin text was substantially rewritten by Charles Coffin, then Rector of the University of Paris.

Hymn 903. O Jesus, Lord of heavenly grace.

ST. AMBROSE ; translated by JOHN CHANDLER.

Splendor paternae gloriac is a beautiful morning prayer to the Holy Trinity, but especially to Christ, as the Light of the World, for guidance through the day. It is ascribed to Ambrose by Fulgentius (died 533), by Bede and Hincmar. It is said to have been sung every Monday at matins in early times. Chandler s translation appeared in his Jfymns of the Primitive Church, 1837.

Ambrose (340-97), the son of a Roman noble, was born at Treves, and educated as a lawyer. He held a consular appoint ment at Milan, and had to preside at the election of a bishop. His tact and skill so delighted the people that a shout was raised, Let Ambrose be bishop. He tried to evade the office, but was forced to submit, and became bishop in 374.

He is the father of Church music in Latin Christianity. During his struggle with the Arian Empress Justina, the bishop and his people enlivened their long vigils with the music which so powerfully affected the young African teacher of rhetoric, who was to be known to all ages as St. Augustine. How greatly did I weep in Thy hymns and canticles, deeply moved by the voices of Thy sweet-speaking Church ! The voices flowed into mine ears, and the truth was poured forth into my heart, whence the agitation of my piety overflowed, and my tears ran over, and blessed was I therein. Augustine s mother bore a large part in that care and watching, and was stirred by these battle-songs. Her son says, This singing was imitated by many, yea, by almost all of Thy congregations throughout the world. Many hymns have been ascribed to Ambrose. A prefect of the Ambrosian Library in Milan gives good reasons for accepting eighteen hymns and four poems as genuine. He

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