"Old Hundred" has often lent the notes of its great plain-song to the sonorous lines, and "Duke Street," with superior melody and scarcely inferior grandeur, has given them wings; but the choice of many for music that articulates the life of the hymn would be the tune of "Samson," from Handel's Oratorio so named. It appears as No. 469 in the _Evangelical Hymnal_. Handel had no peer in the art or instinct of making a note speak a word. "JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME!" This hymn, also by Watts, is often sung as a Christmas song; but "The Saviour Reigns" and "He Rules the World" are bursts of prophetic triumph always apt and stimulating in missionary meetings. Here, again, the great Handel lends appropriate aid, for "Antioch," the popular tone-consort of the hymn, is an adaptation from his "Messiah." The arrangement has been credited to Lowell Mason, but he seems to have taken it from an English collection by Clark of Canterbury. "O'ER THE GLOOMY HILLS OF DARKNESS." _Dros y brinian tywyl niwliog._ This notable hymn was written, probably about 1750, by the Rev. William Williams, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, born at Cefnycoed, Jan. 7, 1717, near Llandovery. He began the study of medicine, but took deacon's orders, and was for a time an itinerant preacher, having left the established Church. Died at Pantycelyn, Jan. 1, 1781. His hymn, like the two preceding, antedates the great Missionary Movement by many years. O'er the gloomy hills of darkness Look my soul! be still, and gaze! See the promises advancing To a glorious Day of grace! Blessed Jubilee, Let thy glorious morning dawn! Let the dark, benighted pagan, Let the rude barbarian see That divine and glorious conquest Once obtained on Calvary. Let the Gospel Loud resound from pole to pole. This song of anticipation has dropped out of the modern hymnals, but the last stanza lingers in many memories. Fly abroad, thou mighty Gospel! Win and conquer, never cease; May thy lasting wide dominion Multiply and still increase. Sway Thy scepter, Saviour, all the world around! _THE TUNE._ Oftener than any other the music of "Zion" has been the expression of William Williams' Missionary Hymn. It was composed by Thomas Hastings, in Washington, Ct., 1830. "HASTEN, LORD, THE GLORIOUS TIME." Hasten, Lord, the glorious time When beneath Messiah's sway Every nation, every clime Shall the Gospel call obey. Mightiest kings its power shall own, Heathen tribes His name adore, Satan and his host o'erthrown Bound in chains shall hurt no more. Miss Harriet Auber, the author of this melodious hymn, was a daughter of James Auber of London, and was born in that city, Oct. 4, 1773. After leaving London she led a secluded life at Broxbourne and Hoddesdon, in Hertfordshire, writing devotional poetry and sacred songs and paraphrases.