"God of Years"

If U. S. religionists are dubious as to how well they are doing in the unsettled present, they are in no doubt about the glories of their past, and these glories they keep bright with anniversary celebrations. Having lately joined with other churches in celebrating the centenary of the birth of Evangelist Dwight Lyman Moody (TIME, Aug. 17), U. S. Presbyterians next laid plans to recall the fact that Presbyterian foreign missions were instituted a century ago. From this spring to next autumn the centenary will be celebrated with a pageant, a play, many a speech and a broadcast dinner. To the Centennial Council it seemed that a special hymn was needed for their occasion and for one they offered $50. Last week three Presbyterian judges announced the winner from among 200 entries. Title: God of Years, Thy Love Hath Led Us, by Dr. Jay Glover Eldridge, dean of the faculty of the University of Idaho.

Pious, energetic Dean Eldridge, who had never before written a hymn, set his words to the "Ode of Joy" from the Ninth Symphony of Beethoven, directed it be sung "with exultation." First stanza:

God of years, Thy love hath led us, Thou hast been our bulwark strong, Wall of fire against the wicked, Sword of power against the wrong. Thou hast blest of old Thy servants As they bore Thy message far; We who follow in their footsteps Evermore their debtors are.

Pleased with the prospect of getting $50, Dean Eldridge said: "I am going to tile the bathroom floor."

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