Her home life with my father was almost idyllically happy, in the small manse at Lochearnhead, where there never was enough of money, yet where my parents exercised unceasing hospitality—almost foolish hospitality. They were both great readers, and used to read aloud to each other for hours. My mother was an excellent linguist, and her German translations were a great pleasure to her. That simple little hymn of hers which begins “O happy home,” is really an epitome of her home life with my father—they were so single-eyed in their longing to serve God: it came first with them always. For further comments on Sarah Findlater, see comments on her sister, Jane Borthwick, Hymn 54. _MUSIC._ O SELIG HAUS is a popular German melody written in 1854 by Edward Niemeyer. Information concerning the composer has not been traced. 359. Thou gracious God, whose mercy lends _Oliver Wendell Holmes_, 1809-94 Written by Oliver Wendell Holmes in 1869 to be read or sung at the annual meeting of the 1829 college class of Harvard University, of which he was a member. The famous class included in its membership J. Freeman Clarke, founder of the Disciples, and Samuel F. Smith, author of “America.” The forty years of retrospect, mingled with sunshine and shadow, are touched here with tenderness and grace. For comments on Oliver W. Holmes see Hymn 172. _MUSIC._ ES KAM DIE GNADENVOLLE appears in the _Gesangbuch mit Noten_ to the words, “Früh Morgens da die Sonn’ Aufgeht.” The composer, Johann Heinrich Egli, 1741-1810, was born in Seegräben, Switzerland. He was a pupil of Pastor Schmiedli at Wetzikon, and became a music teacher in Zurich, where he died. His compositions for voice, both sacred and secular, won great popularity in Switzerland. 360. There is beauty all around _John H. McNaughton_, 1863 A tender lyric in praise of the home where love dwells. Especially fine are the lines, All the earth is filled with love When there’s love at home, for it recognizes the wide influence of the home, the primary social institution where the first lessons of the Christian life are learned. A nation’s peace and prosperity is rooted in the quality of life found in its homes. The words and music are by John Hugh McNaughton, who was born 1829, in Caledonia, N. Y., of Scottish parentage. His lyrics have some literary qualities and Henry W. Longfellow once wrote to McNaughton: “Your poems have touched me very much.” He composed many popular songs, including “The Blue and the Gray,” and “Faded Coat of Blue,” which sold by the hundreds of thousands of copies. He is the author of a _Treatise on Music and Onnalinda_, a metrical romance. 361. Happy the home when God is there _Henry Ware_, Jr., 1794-1843