When the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1823 appointed a committee to prepare a new hymn-book for that body, Key was made a lay member of it. Another member of the committee was Dr. William Muhlenberg, who in that same year had published a little hymnal for use in his own congregation. It was in this hymnal, known as "Church Poetry", that Key's beautiful hymn, "Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise Thee," was first published. In Dr. Muhlenberg's hymn-book the hymn had only three stanzas, and that is the form in which it has since appeared in all other hymnals. In 1900, however, Key's autograph copy of the hymn was discovered, and it was found that the hymn originally had four stanzas. The missing one reads: Praise thy Saviour God that drew thee To that cross, new life to give, Held a blood-sealed pardon to thee, Bade thee look to Him and live. Praise the grace whose threats alarmed thee, Roused thee from thy fatal ease, Praise the grace whose promise warmed thee, Praise the grace that whispered peace. Another excellent hymn, "Before the Lord we bow", was written by Key in 1832 for a Fourth of July celebration. A bronze statue of Key, placed over his grave at Frederick, Md., shows him with his hand outstretched, as at the moment when he discovered the flag "still there," while his other hand is waving his hat exultantly. Bryant's Home Mission Hymn Look from Thy sphere of endless day, O God of mercy and of might! In pity look on those who stray Benighted, in this land of light. In peopled vale, in lonely glen, In crowded mart, by stream or sea, How many of the sons of men Hear not the message sent from Thee! Send forth Thy heralds, Lord, to call The thoughtless young, the hardened old, A scattered, homeless flock, till all Be gathered to Thy peaceful fold. Send them Thy mighty Word to speak, Till faith shall dawn, and doubt depart, To awe the bold, to stay the weak, And bind and heal the broken heart. Then all these wastes, a dreary scene That makes us sadden, as we gaze, Shall grow with living waters green, And lift to heaven the voice of praise. William Cullen Bryant, 1840. AMERICA'S FIRST POET AND HIS HYMNS William Cullen Bryant, America's first great poet, was also a hymn-writer. Although he did not devote much of his thought and genius to sacred lyrics, he wrote at least two splendid hymns that merit a place in every hymn collection. The one, "Thou, whose unmeasured temple stands," is a church dedication hymn of rare beauty; the other, "Look from Thy sphere of endless day," is unquestionably one of the finest home mission hymns ever written.