astor in Norrkoping and a writer of
some note, who contributed twelve hymns, and Erik Soderberg, writer and
publicist, who is the author of seven.

Eleven hymns by two of Finland's great poets, Johan Ludvig Runeberg and
Zachris Topelius, are also found in the appendix.

Kingo's Sunrise Hymn

The sun arises now
In light and glory,
And gilds the rugged brow
Of mountains hoary;
Be glad, my soul, and lift
Thy voice in singing
To God from earth below,
Thy heart with joy aglow
And praises ringing.

Like countless grains of sand,
Beyond all measure,
And wide as sea and land
Is heaven's treasure
Of grace which God anew
Each day bestoweth,
And which, like pouring rain,
Into my soul again
Each morning floweth.

Keep Thou my soul today
From sin and blindness;
Surround me on my way
With loving-kindness,
And fill my heart, O God,
With joy from heaven;
I then shall ask no more
Than what Thou hast of yore
In wisdom given.

Thou knowest best my needs,
My sighs Thou heedest;
Thy hand Thy children feeds,
Thine own Thou leadest;
What should I more desire,
With Thee deciding
The course that I must take
Than follow in the wake
Where Thou art guiding?

Thomas Kingo (1634-1703).

KINGO, THE POET OF EASTER-TIDE

Denmark's first great hymnist, Thomas Kingo, hailed from the land of
Robert Burns. His grandfather, who also bore the name of Thomas,
emigrated from Scotland to Denmark near the end of the 17th century to
become a tapestry weaver for Christian IV.

The boy who was destined to become one of Denmark's most famous spiritual
bards was born in Slangerup, December 15, 1634. At the age of six years
he entered the Latin school of his native city, and ten years later
became a student of the school in Frederiksborg. The principal of this
institution, Albert Bartholin, discovered unusual gifts in the lad and
took him into his own home. After completing theological studies at the
university, he returned in 1668 to his native city of Slangerup as
Lutheran parish pastor.

About this time he began to attract attention as a writer of secular
poetry. It was not until 1673, however, that his first collection of
hymns appeared under the title, "Spiritual Songs, Firs