We must also mention a hymn of Francis Scott Key, who is known principally to Americans as the author of the patriotic song, "The Star-Spangled Banner," namely, "Before the Lord we bow, The God who reigns above, In joy and praise, This is truly a national thanksgiving hymn, which properly belongs to all Christian citizens. It was written in 1832 and probably especially for the Fourth of July celebration of that year. It therefore, in origin and in contents, blends the Christian and national sentiment into such a recognition of God as the Ruler, the Source of all blessings and the object of worship, as to give it a place of honor in any collection of hymns of thanksgiving and for patriotic purposes. In an especial manner it should appeal to Americans as a national birthday token to American independence, which recognizes the real and ultimate source of all civil as well as religious liberty to be the Lord God who reigns in the heavens and rules all the nations of the world. PATRIOTIC HYMNS HE civil liberty, proclaimed by the ringing of the "Liberty Bell" at Independence Hall, Philadelphia, was an echo of the "Hammer Strokes" struck at Wittenberg four centuries ago. "The Ninetyfive Theses" were the bold declarations of spiritual freedom which prepared the way for the declaration of American independence. Naturally, therefore, Lutherans, by the very compulsion of their religious liberty from the beginning of this country, have been American patriots of the highest order. A Lutheran minister reflected his Lutheran principles in one of the most dramatic scenes of revolutionary times when Rev. Peter Muhlenberg left his Lutheran pulpit at Woodstock, Va., threw aside his Lutheran robe and stood in full uniform as a Continental colonel, ready to lead his Lutheran men, as one of the heroic supporters of General Washington in the great war for American independence. Another Lutheran minister, Frederick Augustus, and a brother of the General, became a leader in civil affairs and was the first Speaker of the House of Representatives. A long line of equally patriotic Americans to the present day have shown their true Lutheranism in loyalty. as citizens. Lutherans in many countries, under various forms of government, true to scriptural principles, have always been subject to the powers that be and have cheerfully shown their loyalty to the government which gives them their civil rights and protection. We offer no apology, therefore, for Lutherans loving and using, as occasion offers, the patriotic hymns which have sprung from the life of the nation. Without exception these hymns have a history of their own. To know that history will help to understand their inner meaning and increase their value to those who sing them. In this spirit all good evangelical Christians will appropriate and use the hymns which link national patriotism with Christian faith and worship. When we think of patriotic hymns that which first comes to out minds is "My Country, "Tis of Thee," the hymn which by common consent is called "Our National Anthem." OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM My country, 'tis of thee, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, My native country, thee, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Let music swell the breeze, Our fathers' God, to Thee, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright The author of these words, the Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, D. D., says of their origin: "The song was written at Andover during my student life there, I think in the winter of 1831-32. It was first used publicly at a Sundayschool celebration of July 4th, in the Park Street Church, Boston." When we consider the popularity of this song and its practically universal use, we can appreciate the lines of a classmate of Dr. Smith, Oliver Wendell Holmes, who writes: "And there's a nice fellow of excellent pith, Fate tried to conceal him by naming him Smith." It is most interesting to note what Hezekiah Butterworth, a leading American hymnological authority, says concerning this hymn and the tune to which we all sing it. He says it was "written by Samuel Francis Smith while a theological student at Andover, February 2, 1832. He had before him several hymn and song tunes which Lowell Mason had received from Germany, and, knowing young Smith to be a good linguist, had sent to him for translation. One of the songs of national character struck Smith as adaptable to home use if turned into American words, and he wrote four stanzas of his own to fit the tune. "Mason printed them with the music, and under his |