The subject of the oratorio deals with the New Jerusalem and the text, selected from a Latin poem of the twelfth century by the monk Bernard de Morlaix entitled ‘The Rhythm of the Celestial Country,’ has been most skillfully translated by the composer’s mother, Isabella G. Parker. The oratorio consists of eleven numbers grouped into two parts, and the larger portion of it is choral, there being only four numbers for solo voices. The opening chorus, following the instrumental prelude in which the principal motives are set forth, begins with the words, _Hora novissima_ (‘Cometh earth’s latest hour’), which at once reveals the composer’s dignified style of choral writing. The most effective portion of the first part, however, is the fugal chorus. _Pars mea, rex meus_ (‘Most Mighty, most Holy’), which is built up on massive lines. Another very broad and truly splendid number is the joyous double chorus, _Stant Syon atria_ (‘There stand those walls on high’), which is in the second part. An _a cappella_ chorus, _Urbs Syon unica_ (‘City of high renown’), is finely developed in strict fugal form and leads over into the final number--broad and again fugally treated--for quartet and chorus, _Urbs Syon inclyta_ (‘Thou city great and high’), which forms a majestic close to a noble work, conceived on broad lines and constructed with conspicuous skill and scholarship. Among the solo portions the lovely soprano aria, _O bone patria_ (‘O country, bright and fair’), is especially distinguished by graceful, dignified and appealing melody.