_MUSIC._ VESPERS is by the Russian composer Dimitri Stephanovitch Bortniansky who was born at Gloukoff, in the Ukraine, 1752, and died at St. Petersburg, 1825. He studied music at Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Venice, Italy, the Empress Catherine of Russia supplying the necessary funds. (It was this Empress Catherine who extended an invitation in 1786 to Prussian Mennonites to settle in South Russia, promising religious toleration, military exemption, and other special privileges.) Bortniansky became Director of the Imperial Kapelle, the Empress’ Church Choir. He was a distinguished composer of sacred music and has had a great and lasting influence on Russian church music. From his pen came the well-known chorale tune, “_Ich bete an die Macht der Liebe_” (No. 517). The word “Jubilate” means “to shout for joy.” It comes from the same Latin root as “jubilee” and “jubilant.” Its English pronunciation in singing is Jōo-bĭ-lä-tĭ. If you prefer the Latin, sing it Yōo-bā-lä-tĭ. 29. Now the day is over _Sabine Baring-Gould_, 1834-1924 Based on Proverbs 3:24: “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid; Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” The hymn was written for children, but is suitable for worshippers of all ages. Sabine Baring-Gould was educated at Cambridge and became a clergyman of the Church of England. He was a man of great industry and versatility, and possessed a wide range of interests. He wrote books on travel, biography, history, and is the author of several novels. He also edited several collections of folk songs. Baring-Gould is the author of “Onward Christian soldiers,” another hymn written for children, which has received a much wider use than originally intended. _MUSIC._ MERRIAL is a favorite tune for choir use in evening services. The average congregation can learn to sing it without difficulty, and when sung slowly and thoughtfully, it constitutes a deeply moving evening prayer. For comments on the composer, Joseph Barnby, see Hymn 21. 30. Sun of my soul, Thou Savior dear _John Keble_, 1792-1866 Another evening hymn, widely used, and destined to live as long as English hymns are sung. It is taken from the author’s _Christian Year_, a book of devotional poetry which sold 305,500 copies in forty-six years. The original poem of fourteen stanzas, composed November 25, 1820, appeared with the title, “’Tis Gone, that Bright and Orbèd Blaze,” and was headed with the text, “Abide with us” (Luke 24:29). The hymn represents a lone traveller pressing on his way after the sun has set, but trusting in Christ, the “Sun of the soul,” for guidance and protection, and lifting a prayer for the sick and poor and the helpless. Tennyson, too, likened Christ to the sun. Asked what Christ meant to him he paused beside a flower in the garden and answered: “What the sun is to that flower, Jesus Christ is to my soul. He is the Sun of my soul.”