struggle to get it before the public and test its merit. To enable him
to bring it out before the New York Academy of Music, where
(unfortunately) he determined to make his first trial, his brother
kindly lent him four hundred dollars (which he had laid by to purchase a
little home), and he borrowed two hundred more elsewhere.

The performance proved a failure, the total receipts being only
forty-two dollars, Keller was $500 in debt, and his brother's
house-money was gone. But he refused to accept his failure as final.
Boston (where he should have begun) was introduced to his masterpiece at
every opportunity, and gradually, with the help of the city bands and a
few public concerts, a decided liking for it was worked up. It was
entered on the program of the Peace Jubilee and sung by a chorus of ten
thousand voices. The effect was magnificent. "Keller's American Hymn"
became a recognized star number in the repertoire of "best" national
tunes; and now few public occasions where patriotic music is demanded
omit it in their menu of song.[33]

[Footnote 33: In Butterworth's "_Story of the Tunes_," under the account
of Keller's grand motet, the following sacred hymn is inserted as "often
sung to it:"--

Father Almighty, we bow at thy feet;
Humbly thy grace and thy goodness we own.
Answer in love when thy children entreat,
Hear our thanksgiving ascend to thy throne.
Seeking thy blessing, in worship we meet,
Trusting our souls on thy mercy alone;
Father Almighty, we bow at thy feet.

Breathe, Holy Spirit, thy comfort divine,
Tune every voice to thy music of peace;
Hushed in our hearts, with one whisper of thine,
Pride and the tumult of passion will cease.
Joy of the watchful, who wait for thy sign,
Hope of the sinful, who long for release,
Breathe, Holy Spirit, thy comfort divine.

God of salvation, thy glory we sing,
Honors to thee in thy temple belong;
Welcome the tribute of gladness we bring,
Loud-pealing organ and chorus of song.
While our high praises, Redeemer and King,
Blend with the notes of the angelic throng,
God of salvation, thy glory we sing.
--_Theron Brown_.]

It is pathetic to know that the composer's one great success brought him
only a barren renown. The prize committee, on the ground that _none_ of
the competing pieces reached the high standard of excellence
conte