MUSIC. ROSSLYN is an English melody taken from the Supplement to the Primitive Methodist Hymnal, 1912. The composer is not known.
418. The wise may bring their learning
Anonymous
A hymn setting forth the important lesson that children, however poor, may bring useful gifts to the King. It appeared anonymously in The Book of Praise for Children, published in England, 1881.
MUSIC. ELLON is a perfectly adapted tune for these words, though it was written originally for another hymn. The tune is popular with children and is sung with interest also by adults.
The composer, George F. Root, 1820-95, an American musician, studied music in Boston and then became a teacher and organist. In 1841, he became associated with Lowell Mason in teaching music in the public schools of Boston. Three years later he moved to New York, where he taught in various institutions, including Union Theological Seminary and the New York Institution for the Blind. In the latter place, the blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, was one of his pupils. Root organized and conducted many music institutes and joined his brother, E. T. Root, and C. M. Cady in the publishing of music in Chicago under the firm name, Root and Cady. He composed many tunes for religious and secular use, and during the Civil War wrote numerous “war songs” which became popular. He also wrote cantatas—Under the Palms, David, the Shepherd Boy, and others—which have been used by singing organizations all over America.
419. Tell me the stories of Jesus
W. H. Parker, 1845-1929
A hymn for children on the life of Christ. It first appeared in The Sunday School Hymnary, published in England, 1885. It was written by William Henry Parker, a member of the General Baptist Church in England, a layman, interested especially in Sunday school work. He was a machinist by trade, working nearly all his life in a large lace-making plant in Nottingham. For many years he composed hymns for anniversary festivals in the Sunday school. These were published in 1882 in a volume entitled, The Princess Alice and Other Poems.
MUSIC. STORIES OF JESUS was written for these words and included in a volume published by the National Sunday School Union, London.