The third Latin hymn ascribed to Columba, and beginning with the words “Noli Pater” is also a “Lorica.” It is connected with the lighting of fires on St. John’s Eve. In some prefatory remarks, its virtues are thus described:—“It is sung against every fire and every thunderstorm, and whosoever sings it at bedtime and at rising, it protects him against lightning.” NOLI PATER. Father, restrain Thy thunder, Thy lightning from our frame, Lest in our trembling wonder They smite us with their flame! Thou Awful One! we fear Thee, For there is none like Thee; In thy dread steps we hear Thee; And to Thy shelter flee. To Thee awake loud praises, One universal song The great creation raises, Sung by the angel throng: Our Jesus, King most loving! The lofty heavens extol: We see Thee grandly moving Where flashing lightnings roll. O King of kings! Thou reignest In righteousness and love; And righteous rule maintainest From Thy pure throne above. God’s love—a blessed fuel— Burns in my heart a flame; Like to a golden jewel Preserved in silver flame. Much is made of the elements in this composition. In the Gaelic one already referred to, Columba guards in the last verses against any tendency to Pantheism that might be connected with his expressions. He declares:— “I adore not the voice of birds, Nor the _sreod_, nor a destiny, or the earthly world, Nor a son, nor chance, nor woman; My Druid is Christ, the Son of God,— Christ, the Son of Mary, the Great Abbot, The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. My estates are with the King of kings; My order is at Cenannus and Moen.” _Cenannus_ is now Headfort in Meath, where Columba erected a monastery. _Moen_ is now Moon, in Kildare. The renderings of hymns given in the preceding paragraphs will convey some idea of the hymnology of the Gaelic Church. The singing of these Latin compositions awoke echoes for ages along the glens of Gaelic Scotland as well as in the forests of Germany; among the Swiss and Italian Alps, as well as along the sweet hills of Devon and Cornwall. They indicate a practical literary activity which served well its generation; and frequently helped to soothe the relentless spirit of revenge of the Pagan nations of the period.