The much-discussed second stanza, omitted in the _Hymnary_ because of its seeming low estimate of man, is as follows: What though the spicy breezes Blow soft o’er Ceylon’s isle; Though every prospect pleases And only man is vile; In vain with lavish kindness The gifts of God are strown; The heathen in his blindness Bows down to wood and stone. The hymn is widely used among German speaking people in the following translation made by Dr. Ch. G. Barth, 1799-1862: Von Grönlands eis’gen Zinken, China’s Korallenstrand,— Wo Ophirs Quellen blinken, Fortströmend goldnen Sand,— Von manchem alten Ufer, Von manchem Palmenland Erschallt das Fleh’n der Rufer: “Löst unsrer Blindheit Band!” Gewürzte Düfte weben Sanft über Ceylons Flur; Es glänzt Natur und Leben Schlecht sind die Menschen nur. Umsonst sind Gottes Gaben So reichlich ausgestreut; Die blinden Heiden haben Sich Holz und Stein geweiht. Und wir, mit Licht im Herzen, Mit Weisheit aus den Höh’n, Wir könnten es verschmerzen, Dass sie im Finstern geh’n? Nein, nein! das Heil im Sohne Sei laut und froh bezeugt, Bis sich vor Christi Throne Der fernste Volkstamm beugt! Ihr Wasser sollt es tragen, Ihr Winde, führt es hin, Bis seine Strahlenwagen Von Pol, zu Pole ziehn; Bis der versöhnten Erde, Das Lamm, der Sünderfreund, Der Herr und Hirt’ der Heerde In Herrlichkeit erscheint! _MUSIC._ MISSIONARY HYMN, like the hymn to which it is sung, was written in a few minutes time. Miss Mary W. Howard of Savannah, Ga., read the words in the American edition of _The Christian Observer_, of February, 1823, and was so impressed with them that she requested a young bank clerk who had gone to Georgia from New England, to write a tune for them. He complied, and in a half hour handed her the tune which is now sung all over the world. The clerk was Lowell Mason. For further comments on Mason see Hymn 12. 334. We have heard the joyful sound _Priscilla Jane Owens_, 1829—c. 99 A missionary hymn written for the anniversary of a Sunday school in Baltimore in which the author had been a worker for many years. Priscilla Jane Owens, of Scottish and Welsh descent, was born and died in Baltimore where she was a public school teacher and an untiring worker in the Sunday school. Most of her hymns were written for children’s services. _MUSIC._ JESUS SAVES was composed by William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921, a native of Duncannon, Pa. He was a regimental musician during the Civil War and was skilled as an organist, gospel singer, and composer, and was editor and publisher of gospel songs. 335. We’ve a story to tell to the nations _Colin Sterne_, 1862-1928