The metaphors used in this hymn to describe the Word of God are very suggestive: “a garden,” “a deep, deep mine,” “a starry host.” Edwin Hodder was born in England but migrated at 19 years of age to New Zealand where he was one of a pioneer group of idealists who introduced progressive sociological ideas for which that country is noted. He returned to England where he was engaged in the civil service from 1861 until his retirement in 1897. Hodder wrote biographies and devotional works, and in 1863 issued _The New Sunday School Hymn Book_ which contained twenty-seven of his own hymns, including this one. _MUSIC._ FOREST GREEN is an arrangement of an English folk song called, “The Ploughboy’s Dream.” R. Vaughan Williams, 1872-, who arranged the tune is England’s leading living composer. He has collected and edited for publication many folksongs and carols, written several symphonies for the orchestra, and has composed numerous choral works. Some good hymnals use this tune as the setting for Phillips Brooks’ popular Christmas carol, “O little town of Bethlehem.” 291. The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1748 Here is an unusual rendering of Psalm 19, which Watts entitled, “The Books of Nature and of Scripture.” In the Psalm itself we find the Book of Nature in the first half and the Book of Scripture in the second half of the psalm. Instead of following this order, Watts sets the one over in couplets against the other, so that the first two lines of each stanza have to do with nature, the last two with Scripture. For comments on Isaac Watts, see Hymn 11. _MUSIC._ UXBRIDGE. This tune is by the American composer and teacher of music, Lowell Mason. The psalm tune “Burford” (228) is also named “Uxbridge” in some books. For comments on Mason see Hymn 12. 292. Lord, Thy word abideth _Henry W. Baker_, 1821-77 A hymn on the Scriptures, written for _Hymns Ancient and Modern_, 1861. For comments on Henry W. Baker see Hymn 143. _MUSIC._ RAVENSHAW is from _Ein Neu Gesangbüchlein_, 1531, the earliest German hymn book of the Bohemian Brethren, edited by Michael Weisse. The melody is older and was associated with a Latin hymn, _Ave Hierarchia, coelestis et pia_. The present arrangement is by William H. Monk. For comments on Monk see Hymn 40. For a note on the Bohemian Brethren and Michael Weisse see Hymn 544. THE MINISTRY 293. Shine Thou upon us, Lord _John Ellerton_, 1826-93 A hymn for teachers. For comments on John Ellerton, see Hymn 42. _MUSIC._ BROUGHTON. For comments on the composer of this melody, Thomas Hastings, see Hymn 120. 294. O still in accents sweet and strong _Samuel Longfellow_, 1819-92 The author’s title of this hymn is, “Behold the Fields are White.” For comments on Samuel Longfellow see Hymn 28. _MUSIC._ BELMONT. For comments on this tune see Hymn 197.