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by Phil Kerr
0 Come All Ye Faithful It is impossible to trace the author ship of the original poem, “Adeste Fidelis,” from which “ O Come All Ye Faithful” has been translated. It was in widespread use in both France and Germany as early as the 17th century, although even the country of its origination is unknown. There have been more than 40 translations made into English. Catholics gen erally use the version made in 1841 by Frederick Oakeley beginning “Ye faithful, approach ye. . . .” The gen erally accepted Protestant translation, “ 0 come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,” first appeared in Mur ray’s Hymnal in England in 1852. The melody is of as uncertain origin as the words. It is known as Portuguese Hymn and is the tune often used with “How Firm a Foun dation.” A manuscript containing this melody, dated 1751 and signed by John Wade, was the cause for many generations of Wade receiving credit for having been the composer. But it has been proved that he was an itinerant music copyist who had been engaged to write down times which were already in existence. John Reading, an English organist of the 18th century, is also credited in many hymnals but research has proved that he learned the melody elsewhere, in his childhood. Marcos Antonio de Fonesca, a Portuguese choirmaster sometimes known as “ II Portugallo,” has often been credited, but he was bom in 1762 and the tune was in use long before that time. It was first called Portuguese Hymn by the Duke of Leeds, a prominent 17th-century London musician who had heard it used in the Portuguese Chapel (in London) and imagined it to be of Portuguese origin. “ How Firm a Foundation” was first printed in 1787, authorship cred ited simply to the initial “ K.” Besides the Portuguese Hymn melody, “ How Firm a Foundation” is now often sung with the melody Foundation (often erroneously credited to Anne Steele) which first appeared in 1817 under the name Bellevue and first joined to “ How Firm a Foundation” in 1844.
TW O authors this year
BROADMAN COMMENTS 1958 E. F. H a ig h t — Gives the lesson outline and scriptural exposition D u k e K . M c C a l l — A pplies the lesson to life today Use this well-established evangelical commentary on the International Sunday School lessons, featuring a concise ex planation of the lesson in the Bible, and a penetrating interpretation of this bibli cal message as it relates to everyday life. An index of previous Broadman Com ments from 1953 is included, enabling you to use the wealth of information contained in these earlier books. Ap propriate audio-visual aids are suggested for each lesson. $2.50 POINTS FOR EMPHASIS 1958 by Clifton J. Allen This compact little book, a favorite for years, gives a short introduction to the lesson Scriptures and explains their meaning, shows how the lesson has sig- nifiance for Christians today, and suggests practical “truths to live by.” 75$ Good Christmas Gifts! Visit your favorite bookseller and give him your order. ■ « I N PRESS Nashville, Tennessee Pocket-Size C onvenient fo r every class m em ber
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• Heart' searching messages • Thrilling testimonies • Outstanding features • Inspiring music MONDAY WEDNESDAY FRIDAY MUTUAL DON LEE NETWORK FOR FREE STATION LOG WRITE TO BIBLE INSTITUTE HOUR LOS ANGELES 17, CALIF.
The King's Business/December 1957
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