128 THE METHODIST HYMN-BOOK ILLUSTRATED
Hymn 131. While shepherds watched their flocks by night.
NAHUM TATE (17).
Supplement to the New Version , probably in 1699.
Hymn 132. It came upon the midnight clear. EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS, D.D.
Dr. Sears was born at Sandisfield, Massachusetts, 1810, and became a Unitarian pastor in the same State. He died in 1876 at Weston, Massachusetts, where he had been pastor of the Unitarian Church since 1865. His views were largely Swedenborgian. He believed in the absolute divinity of Christ. From 1859 to 1871 he was one of the editors of the Monthly Religious Magazine.
This hymn was sent to the Rev. Dr. Morrison, as editor of the Christian Register, about December, 1849. He says, I was very much delighted with it, and before it came out in the Register read it at a Christmas celebration of Dr. Lunt s Sunday school in Quincy. I always feel that, however poor my Christmas sermon may be, the reading and singing of this hymn are enough to make up for all deficiencies.
Hymn 133. Let earth and heaven combine.
CHARLES WESLEY (i).
Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord, No. 5; Works, iv. 109. Vcr. 3 is omitted
See in that Infant s face
The depth of Deity, And labour while ye gaze To sound the mystery : In vain ; ye angels, gaze no more, But fall, and silently adore.
Hymn 134. Glory be to God on high.
CHARLES WESLEY (i). Hymns for the Nativity of our Lord, No. 4 ; Works, iv. 108.
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