Now with voices wondrous tender, While they now with joy and fearing When His brethren learn the story, Now the world with light rejoices, They have seen th' Anointed One. Seen by them, His body, wounded, Stands confessed, the Lord of might. Christ, Thou King, most gracious ever, Claim these restless hearts of ours, That with rapture ending never, We may justly praise Thy powers! AUGUSTINE It is probable that Augustine wrote no hymns. The hymns which are called Augustinian are associated with his name because they are based upon some of his sayings and were formerly supposed to have been of his composition. He was born at Tagasta, in Numidia, November 13, 354 a.d. In his youth he was profligate, but was the object of most devoted prayer on the part of his mother, Monica. In 386 he came under the spell of the eloquent Ambrose at Milan, was converted, and became bishop of Hippo in Africa, in 396. He is the most famous of all the Latin fathers and the most influential. He was called " the Numidian Lion." Tradition connects the "Te Deum " with him and Ambrose, as having been spontaneously uttered in responsive verses by them at the baptism of Augustine. Of the works of Augustine, says Professor March, "The Confessions'- his autobiography, is most read; 'The City of God' most praised." His power is felt to this day in theology, his hand is seen in the shaping of creeds and systems in every century since his own. He died August 28, 430. AUGUSTINIANI I DE GAUDIIS PARADISI Ad perennis vitae fontem mens sitivit arida; Dum pressuris ac aerumnis se gemit obnoxiam, Quam amisit, dum deliquit, contemplatur gloriam, Praesens malum auget boni perditi memoriam. Nam quis promat summae pacis quanta sit laetitia, AUGUSTINIAN I OF THE JOYS OF PARADISE For the fount of life immortal Open wide my heart would roll; While it grieves, itself regarding, Of the good now lost for aye. Who can tell how great the gladness |