101. Ride on, ride on in majesty _Henry H. Milman_, 1791-1868 A popular Palm Sunday hymn and incidentally one of the finest poems in our hymn books. It was written by Henry H. Milman at the age of 30, the year he was elected Professor of Poetry at Oxford University—1821. Henry H. Milman was born in London, the son of Sir Francis Milman, physician to the King. After a brilliant career at Oxford, he was ordained at 25, appointed Professor of Poetry at Oxford at 30. Later he became canon of Westminster and finally dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, which high office he filled with distinction. He is the author of thirteen hymns. Milman was interested, too, in drama and wrote several plays and translated Greek plays. He is best known, however, as a historian, having published _The History of the Jews_ in 1829, and the _History of Latin Christianity_ in 1855, both of them classics. _MUSIC._ ST. DROSTANE was written for the words “Ride on, ride on” for the _Congregational Hymn and Tune Book_, London, 1862. It has since come into wide use with this hymn. Other tunes also used with this text are “Winchester New” (369) and “Park Street” (272). For comments on the composer, J. B. Dykes, see Hymn 1. HIS PASSION 102. When my love to God grows weak _John R. Wreford_, 1800-81 A useful hymn, true to the Gospel record, and free from the emotional morbidity that is found in many passion hymns. John Wreford, an Englishman trained for the Unitarian ministry, was compelled to give up his ministry on account of a failing voice. He then opened a school at Edgbaston. The later years of his life were spent in retirement at Bristol. The original of this hymn written in 1837, received little notice until it was rewritten and improved by Samuel Longfellow, brother of the more famous Henry Wadsworth. In this revised form it has been included in a number of the best English hymnals. _MUSIC._ ORIENTIS PARTIBUS, the so-called “Donkey Festival Tune,” has a most peculiar origin. During the Middle Ages, the church in some parts of France celebrated January 14 as the “Feast of the Ass,” to commemorate the flight into Egypt. A beautiful young woman holding a child in her arms rode a donkey through the streets of the town and then into the principal church. The donkey, with its burden, stood beside the high altar while mass was celebrated, during which the hymn beginning with the line “_Orientis partibus adventatis asinus_” was sung. The melody of this hymn is the basis for our tune which was adapted by Richard Redhead and published in his _Church Hymn Tunes_, 1853. The original was the work of Pierre De Corbeil, Archbishop of Sens, who died in 1222. It is a virile tune worthy of its increasing place in modern hymn books. For Richard Redhead see Hymn 109. 103. ’Tis midnight and on Olive’s brow _William Bingham Tappan_, 1794-1849