332. Hail to the brightness of Zion’s glad morning
Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872
A missionary hymn written in 1832, at the beginning of the modern missionary movement. It was first published in Spiritual Songs for Social Worship, 1833, a volume compiled jointly by Hastings and Mason, set to the present tune by Lowell Mason. Spiritual Songs was a notable volume, publishing for the first time such well-known hymns as “The morning light is breaking,” “My faith looks up to Thee,” and introducing in America, Toplady’s famous “Rock of Ages.”
For comments on Thomas Hastings see [Hymn 120].
MUSIC. WESLEY, also called “Hail to the Brightness,” was written by Lowell Mason for this hymn. It is a simple, straightforward melody, whose merit as a hymn tune is unquestionable.
For comments on Lowell Mason see [Hymn 12].