Throughout this varied experience the stream of medieval Latin hymnody has continued its course. As an accompaniment of Roman Catholic worship this was only to be expected. The conquest by the Latin hymn of areas beyond the limits of the Roman Church is more significant. The most recent hymnals of leading Protestant denominations, to which the Latin hymn in translation has made a modest but genuine contribution, bear witness to the ageless character of this hymnody. Modern investigation of hymn sources, their origins, authorship and influence, has created the study of documentary hymnology as it is known today. In the processes of this inquiry the medieval Latin hymn has been invested with new interest in the minds of a multitude of worshipers, both Catholic and Protestant, who have hitherto been unaware of, or indifferent to, their common heritage. Illustrative Hymns I. _Splendor paternae gloriae_ 1. Splendor paternae gloriae, De luce lucem proferens, Lux lucis et fons luminis, Dies dierum illuminans, 1. O Splendor of God’s glory bright, O Thou that bringest light from light, O Light of light, light’s living spring, O Day, all days illumining; 2. Verusque sol illabere, Micans nitore perpeti, Iubarque sancti Spiritus Infunde nostris sensibus. 2. O Thou true Sun, on us thy glance Let fall in royal radiance, The Spirit’s sanctifying beam Upon our earthly senses stream. 3. Votis vocemus et Patrem— Patrem perennis gloriae, Patrem potentis gratiae— Culpam releget lubricam, 3. The Father, too, our prayers implore, Father of glory evermore, The Father of all grace and might, To banish sin from our delight: 4. Informet actus strenuos, Dentem retundat invidi, Casus secundet asperos, Donet gerendi gratiam. 4. To guide whate’er we nobly do, With love all envy to subdue, To make all-fortune turn to fair, And give us grace our wrongs to bear. 5. Mentem gubernet et regat, Casto fideli corpore; Fides calore ferveat, Fraudis venena nesciat. 5. Our mind be in his keeping placed, Our body true to him and chaste, Where only Faith her fire shall feed To burn the tares of Satan’s seed. 6. Christusque nobis sit cibus, Potusque noster sit fides; Laeti bibamus sobriam Ebrietatem Spiritus. 6. And Christ to us for food shall be, From him our drink that welleth free, The Spirit’s wine, that maketh whole, And mocking not, exalts the soul. 7. Laetus dies hic transeat, Pudor sit ut diluculum, Fides velut meridies, Crepusculum mens nesciat. 7. Rejoicing may this day go hence, Like virgin dawn our innocence. Like fiery noon our faith appear, Nor know the gloom of twilight drear. 8. Aurora cursus provehit, Aurora totus prodeat, In Patre totus Filius, Et totus in Verbo Pater.