He
that believes and is baptized," "O dearest Lord, receive from me," "I
come, invited by Thy Word," "Softly now the day is ending," and "The sun
arises now."

Grundtvig, a later Danish hymn-writer, pays Kingo this tribute: "He
effected a combination of sublimity and simplicity, a union of splendor
and fervent devotion, a powerful and musical play of words and imagery
that reminds one of Shakespeare."

The Great White Host

Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright,
With palms they stand--who are this band
Before the throne of light?
Lo, these are they, of glorious fame,
Who from the great affliction came,
And in the flood of Jesus' blood
Are cleansed from guilt and blame;
Now gathered in the holy place
Their voices they in worship raise,
Their anthems swell where God doth dwell
'Mid angels' songs of praise.

Despised and scorned, they sojourned here,
But now, how glorious they appear!
These martyrs stand a priestly band,
God's throne forever near.
So oft, in troubled days gone by,
In anguish they would weep and sigh;
At home above, the God of love
The tears of all shall dry.
They now enjoy their Sabbath rest,
The paschal banquet of the blest;
The Lamb, their Lord, at festal board
Himself is host and guest.

Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea,
All hail! now safe and blest for aye;
And praise the Lord, who with His Word
Sustained you on the way.
Ye did the joys of earth disdain,
Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain;
Farewell, now bring your sheaves, and sing
Salvation's glad refrain.
Swing high your palms, lift up your song,
Yea, make it myriad voices strong:
Eternally shall praise to Thee,
God, and the Lamb, belong!

Hans Adolph Brorson, 1763.

BRORSON, THE POET OF CHRISTMAS

No Scandinavian hymn has attained such popularity in recent years as
"Behold a host." This sublime "glory song" was first given to the world
after its writer, Hans Adolph Brorson, had gone to join the "host,
arrayed in white" that sings "before the throne of light."

It was published by his son in a collection entitled "Hans Adolph
Brorson's Swan-Song," which appeared in 1765, a year after the famous
Danish hymn-writer had gone to his final rest. Th