obably few Protestants who, when they have sung "Come, ye
disconsolate, where'er ye languish," have been conscious of the fact that
it was written by a Roman Catholic. There is indeed no place where the
"communion of saints" becomes so apparent as in the hymn-books of
Christendom. The authors of our great hymns have come from practically
every Christian communion, proving that in every church group there are
souls who are living in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Thomas Moore, the author of the hymn mentioned above, is probably better
known for his ballads and other poems than for his hymns. Lovers of
English lyric poetry will always remember him as the writer of "The last
rose of summer," "Believe me, if all those endearing young charms," "The
harp that once through Tara's halls," "Oft in the stilly night," and a
number of other ballads that have lived through the years and have made
the name of Thomas Moore famous.

Moore, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 1779, was a man of
curious make-up. True to his Celtic nature, he possessed a fiery temper
that often brought him into embarrassing situations.

Jeffrey, the famous critic, once aroused Moore's ire by saying unkind
things about his poetry. Moore resented this and promptly challenged
Jeffrey to a duel. The authorities interfered before any blood was shed.
It was then discovered that one of the pistols contained no bullet,
whereupon the two men became fast friends.

Moore was one of the few men who ever made a financial success of the
business of writing poetry. For "Lalla Rookh" he received $15,000 before
a single copy had been sold.

Moore's hymns, thirty-two in number, first appeared in his volume of
"Sacred Songs," published in 1816. Most of these hymns were written to
popular airs of various nations. They have attained greater popularity in
America than in Great Britain. One of the most famous of his hymns is
"Sound the loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea."

Like most men of poetic bent, Moore was a poor financier and business
man. At one time he accepted a government position in the revenue service
at Bermuda. He did not enjoy his tasks, and so he placed his duties in
the hands of a deputy, while he went on a tour of America. The deputy,
however, absconded with the proceeds of a ship's cargo, whereupon Moore
found himself liable for the loss of $30,000.

"Come, ye disconsolate" was so changed by Thomas Hastings, the great
American hymnist, that