3 Watchman, tell us of the night; Higher yet that star ascends. (Antistrophe) Trav'ler, blessedness and light Peace and truth its course portends. 4 Watchman, will its beams alone Gild the spot that gave them birth? (Antistrophe) Trav'ler, ages are its own. See! it bursts o'er all the earth. "YE CHRISTIAN HERALDS, GO PROCLAIM." In some versions "Ye Christian _heroes_," etc. Professor David R. Breed attributes this stirring hymn to Mrs. Vokes (or Voke) an English or Welsh lady, who is supposed to have written it somewhere near 1780, and supports the claim by its date of publication in _Missionary and Devotional Hymns_ at Portsea, Wales, in 1797. In this Dr. Breed follows (he says) "the accepted tradition." On the other hand the _Coronation Hymnal_ (1894) refers the authorship to a Baptist minister, the Rev. Bourne Hall Draper, of Southampton (Eng.), born 1775, and this choice has the approval of Dr. Charles Robinson. The question occurs whether, when the hymn was published in good faith as Mrs. Vokes', it was really the work of a then unknown youth of twenty-two. The probability is that the hymn owns a mother instead of a father--and a grand hymn it is; one of the most stimulating in Missionary song-literature. The stanza-- God shield you with a wall of fire! With flaming zeal your breasts inspire; Bid raging winds their fury cease, And hush the tumult into peace, --has been tampered with by editors, altering the last line to "Calm the troubled seas," etc., (for the sake of the longer vowel;) but the substitution, "_He'll_ shield you," etc., in the first line, turns a prayer into a mere statement. The hymn was--and should remain--a God-speed to men like William Carey, who had already begun to think and preach his immortal motto, "Attempt great things for God; expect great things of God." _THE TUNE_ Is the "Missionary Chant," and no other. Its composer, Heinrich Christopher Zeuner, was born in Eisleben, Saxony, Sept. 20, 1795. He came to the United States in 1827, and was for many years organist at Park Street Church, Boston, and for the Handel and Haydn Society. In 1854 he removed to Philadelphia where he served three years as organist to St. Andrews Church, and Arch Street Presbyterian. He became insane in 1857, and in November of that year died by his own hand. He published an oratorio "The Feast of Tabernacles," and two popular books, the _American Harp_, 1832, and _The Ancient Lyre_, 1833. His compositions are remarkably spirited and vigorous, and his work as a tune-maker was much in demand during his life, and is sure to continue, in its best examples, as long as good sacred music is appreciated. To another beautiful missionary hymn of Mrs. Vokes, of quieter tone, but songful and sweet, Dr. Mason wrote the tune of "Migdol." It is its musical twin.