THE TUNES.
There is no room here to describe them all. Airs and chorals by Berthold Tours, Pinsuti, John Henry Cornell, Richard Storrs Willis, George C. Stebbins and Hubert P. Main have been adapted to the words—one or two evidently composed for them. It is a hymn that attracts tune-makers—literally so commonplace and yet so quiet and tender, with such a theme and such natural melody of line—but most of the scores indicated are choir music rather than congregational. Mr. Stebbins' composition comes nearest to being the favorite, if one judges by the extent and frequency of its use. It can be either partly or wholly choral; and the third stanza makes the refrain—
O dearly, dearly has He loved
And we must love Him too,
And trust in His redeeming blood,
And try His works to do.
“REJOICE AND BE GLAD!”
This musical shout of joy, written by Dr. Horatius Bonar, scarcely needs a new song helper, as did 474 / 416 Bishop Heber's famous hymn—not because it is better than Heber's but because It was wedded at once to a tune worthy of it.
Rejoice and be glad! for our King is on high;
He pleadeth for us on His throne in the sky.