Hymns like these which we have just quoted prepare us to sing William Augustus Muhlenberg's valuable contribution to our Christmas collection of hymns. It is
a hymn in which the echoing harmonies of heaven touch a responsive chord in our very souls. We feel the power in the words and the melody and are literally ready to shout when called to sing —
Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing,
Jerusalem triumphs, Messiah is King!
Sion, the marvellous story be telling,
The Son of the Highest, how lowly His birth!
The brightest archangel in glory excelling.
He stoops to redeem thee, He reigns upon earth:
Chorus. — Shout the glad tidings, exultingly sing,
Jerusalem triumphs, Messiah is King,
Messiah is King, Messiah is King.
Tell how He cometh; from nation to nation.
The heart-cheering news let the earth echo round;
How free to the faithful He offers salvation.
How His people with joy everlasting are crowned.
Mortals, your homage be gratefully bringing.
And sweet let the gladsome hosanna arise;
Ye angels, the full Alleluia be singing;
One chorus resound through the earth and the skies.
The text of this hymn has come to us unaltered from the pen of the author, who is the grandson of the Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in America, the Rev. Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, D. D. He bore a Lutheran name, but through attendance in English Sunday schools became an Episcopalian and carried his Lutheran spirit into that church, where he did a wonderful work in the development of hospital and other benevolent work in New York City.
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