Ruby T. Weyburn, in _The Youth’s Companion_, gives this fanciful
origin of the music of praise:
The Jews have an old tradition that when the world was done,
And God from His work was resting, He called to Him, one by one,
The shining troops of the angels, and showing the wonder wrought,
The Master asked of His servants what they of the vision thought.
Then one white angel, dreaming o’er the marvel before him spread,
Bent low in humble obeisance, lifted his voice, and said:
“One thing only is lacking--praise from the new-born tongue,
The sound of a hallelujah by the great creation sung.”
So God created music--the voices of land and sea,
And the song of the stars revolving in one vast harmony.
Out of the deep uprising, out from the ether sent,
The song of the destined ages thrilled through the firmament.
So the rivers among the valleys, the murmur of wind-swept hill,
The seas and the bird-thrilled woodlands utter their voices still;
Songs of stars and of waters, echoes of vale and shore--
The voice of primeval nature praising Him evermore.
And the instruments men have fashioned since time and the world
were young,
With gifted fingers giving the metal and wood a tongue,
With the human voice translating the soul’s wild joy and pain,
Have swelled the undying paean, have raised the immortal strain!
(2429)
* * * * *
Perhaps in nothing connected with religious practise are opportunities
more neglected than with regard to the praise of God. Multitudes who
receive the bounties of Providence know nothing of the emotion of
gratitude, and many awaken too late to a sense of their own ingratitude.
Billy Bray, the Cornish preacher, was a constant visitor among
the sick and dying. On one occasion he was sitting by the
bedside of a Christian brother who had always been very reticent
and afraid to confess joyously his faith in Christ. Now,
however, he was filled with gladness. Turning to Billy, whose
beaming face and sunny words had done much to produce this joy,
he said, “Oh, Mr. Bray, I am so happy that if I had the power
I’d shout ‘Glory.’” “Ah, mon,” said Billy, “what a pity it was
thee didn’t shout ‘Glory’ when thee hadst the power.” (Text.)
(2430)
See THANKSGIVING.