"The Christian Graces" (1862) A Cantata for Sabbath Schools by George Frederick Root, 1820-1895 Poetry by Mrs. Marr Ann Whitaker. Boston: Henry Tolman & Co., 201 Washington St. [Source: "The Silver Chime," pages 94-128] The following Cantata may be sung book in hand, with the children arranged in the usual way as a choir, or it may be committed to memory, and receive some additional interest by observing a plan similar to the one here proposed. Have banners, or cards prepared, with the names of the characteristics personified by the semi-choruses printed upon them. Let the sticks to which they are attached be light, and long enough to rest upon the floor, that it may be easy and graceful for the children to hold them while singing. The banners for the solos should be a little larger , and stand a little higher than the others, and of these Charity should be a little the highest. If more uniformity is desired than the banners will make, each semi-chorus may have some distinguishing badge or dress, but this is not necessary. Faith may have the figure of a cross, and Hope of an anchor, somewhere upon their dresses. Charity will need no emblem except the crown or wreath which will be placed upon her head during the singing. It is supposed that they are in every Sabbath school young ladies who could take these solo parts. They are rather too difficult for children. It will be seen that there are ten banners in each semi-chorus. If there are more than forty singers, it will be a good plan for those who do not hold banners to join the various semi- choruses as companions. When the children take their places, let the A semi-chorus stand on the right, B on the left. The other semi-choruses in the center.B next to A and D next to C. Faith, Hope and Charity should stand in the fromt—Charity in the center. The solos and semi-chorus should step forward, as they sing their parts, and back to place when they finish. If desired, the accompaniest can play some appropriate piece while the choir are assembling. If the place is favorable they might march in. Let the first chorus follow the Intro- duction in time. The chorus and semi-chorus are written in two parts, but it is expected that generally but two will be sung The bass will, however, sound well sung in the con- tralto voice , that is, an octave higher than it is written, and played. Connect the pieces smoothly together. In No. 1 let a few voices sing the semi-chorus. Provision is made in No. 16 for a march, which may be long or short, simple or complicated, as circumstances may decide. If long, the music may be repeated, or another march may be added by the player. The marching should commence to the instrumental march, and continue through the first verse of the chorus. At the commencement of the second verse the choir should be in their first position. At the words, “Receive now thy crown,” Faith and Hope should place a wreath or crown upon Charity’s head, and at the word “crown,” all should bow. So all should bow again at the word “greeting,” and again at the word “crown,” which follows in the next line. At the third verse the marching may be resumed, and continued through the verse. At the Finale the semi-choruses step forward in turn and sing, after which full chorus. PERSONIFICATIONS. SOLOISTS: Charity . . . Soprano Hope . . . . . Mezzo Soprano Faith . . . . Contralto [FULL] CHORUS: All voices [with or] without SOLOISTS SEMI-CHORUSES: [A] Boys (1) Courage (2) Firmness (3) Justice (4) Energy (5) Endurance (6) Self-Control (7) Fidelity (8) Candor (9) Philanthropy (10) Magnanimity (11) Companions [B] Girls Pity Patience Gentleness Goodness Modesty Meekness Resignation Benevolence Purity Contentment Companions [C] Boys Industry Perserverance Cheerfulness Temperance Watchfulness Conscientiousness Sincerity Integrity Discretion Judgement Companions [D] Girls Reverence Humility Knowledge Truth Kindness Forbearance Forgiveness Trustfulness Sympathy Gratitude Companions Contents INTRODUCTION No. 1. FULL CHORUS. “Peace on Earth.” No. 2. SOLO. (Faith.) “Lift your hearts.” No. 3. SOLO. (Hope.) “Joy, joy to the Nations!” No. 4. SOLO. (Charity.) “O happy day.” No. 5. FULL CHORUS. “Lo! the promised Day is Breaking.” No. 6. SOLO. (Charity.) “Lovely children of the Graces.” No. 7. FULL CHORUS. “Mighty art Thou.” No. 8. SEMI-CHORUS A. “Where the battle rages fiercely.” No. 9. SOLO. (Faith.) “Onward, then, ye Faithful.” No. 10. SOLO.(Hope.) “I, too, will lead you forward.” No. 11. SEMI-CHORUS B. “O sad and suff’ring world.” No. 12. DUET. (Hope and Faith.) “There, too, our power shall be.” No. 13. SEMI-CHORUS C. “Where trial with its fiery darts.” No. 14. SOLO. (Charity and Chorus.) “While truth and God inspire you.” No. 15. SEMI-CHORUS D. “Were’er in rev’rent quietude.” No. 16. FULL CHORUS. (March.) “The Trumpet is sounding.” No. 17. TRIO. (Faith, Hope, and Charity.) “Ye valiant hearts and true.” No. 18. FULL CHORUS. (Finale.) “Glad reign of Peace and Joy.” No 1. FULL CHORUS. "Peace on Earth." Peace on earth, Peace on earth, Peace on earth, Good will to man! Reign, O heav’n born Charity, Sov’reign of all hearts. Reign supreme, celestial one, Claim on earth thy rightful throne, Make the waiting world thine own; Reign, O reign supreme. [SEMI-CHORUS [A].] Queen of Graces, crowned of Heav’n, By the Prince of Peace ordained, Queen of graces, crowned of Heav’n; May thy Kingdom spread Till all nations own thy sway, Land and sea thy voice obey; Haste, O haste eternal day, Day of Light and Love. No. 2. SOLO. (Faith.) "Lift your Hearts." 1. Lift your hearts in adoration, Joyful new to you I bring; Unto man labors a Saviour, Let the earth recieve her King. Open wide the yielding portal Of your hearts, ye happy few. Welcome in the joys immortal He will freely give to you. 2. Ye who now in sorrow languish, Of each earthly hope befeft, Ye whose lot is pain and anguish, List! for you His throne He left. Ye who bound in sin’s hard fetters, Sigh in vain, for liberty. He will send them all asunder, He will make his people free. No. 3. SOLO. (Hope.) "Joy, joy to the Nations!" 1. Joy! joy to the nations, Messiah to come, His kingdom of peace has descended; How bright is its promise, how glorious its hope, The dominion of darkness is ended. No more condemnation to those who repose In Him with the heart’s full confiding, Almighty to save them, all bounteous and good, His love with them ever abiding. 2. Rejoice, O ye people, sing loud in His praise, The world His rich grace now possessing, Victorious o’er evil, and darkness, and death, His arm brings salvation and blessing, Light dawns from the heavens, the daystar shines clear, In brightness, in beauty and glory, Go spread the glad tidings the wide earth around, And millions shall echo the story. 3. Ye whose souls are ever striving With the pow’rs of death and sin, Watching for the world’s redemption, Look! believe! ’tis found in Hum. Praise His name, the great Immanuel, “Wonderfull,” and “Counsellor,” Praise his name, the “Everlasting,” Savour, God and Comforter. No. 4. SOLO (Charity.) "O happy day." 1. O happy day of peace and love, We hail thy opening dawn, With hearts attuned to holy joy, And prayerful hopes newborn. How welcome to a dying world The fresh, inspiring air, Thou bringest from the realms above, Where all is pure and fair, Where all is pure and fair. 2. Let every heart its fountains fill From love’s free living spring, Let none refuse the blessed gift, The precious offering; Stern pride and anger then will die, Quench’d by that stream divine, And from the heav’nenkindled eye Bright rays of mercy shine, Bright rays of mercy shine. 3. Light of the world, divinest power, To thee alone ’tis given The fallen spirit up to lift, And raise its hopes to heaven; ’Tis thine with strong and gentle words To soothe the morner’s woe, ’Tis thine to heal the wounded soul, When burning teardrops flow, When burning teardrops flow. No. 5. FULL CHORUS. "Lo! the promised Day is Breaking." 1. Lo! the promised day is breaking, See its glorious light appear, Angel notes are softly stealing On the morning’s wakeful ear. Hark! they float around and near us, Holy strains of peace and love, Falling on the list’ning spirit From the happy world above. Lo! Lo! Lo! the glorious light appears. 2. Yes! the promised day is breaking, Darkness, Hatred reign no more, For Immanuel comes to vanquish Sin and death, and man restore. Welcome, welcome gracious Saviour, Welcome Kingdom of our God, Dwell with us in pow’r and glory, Make on earth thy blest abode. Lo! Lo! Lo! the glorious light appears. 3. O the joy of His appearing, Life divine His words impart, And the strength he gives shall enter Into ev’ry open heart. Now the Queen of Chistian graces Is by Him enthroned there, Sov’reign of the best and purest, Brightest of the good and fair. Lo! Lo! Lo! the glorious light appears. No. 6. SOLO. (Charity.) "Lovely Children of the Graces." 1. Lovely Children of the Graces, Chosen for a work divive, Glad and holy is your mission Where the sons of sorrow pine, Armed by Faith, by her supported, Go ye forth in strength and power, Hope will by your faithful leader, Love will on you blessings shower. 2. Go ye forth with trust unfailing, Ye shall surely victors be, Myriad souls are sadly waiting For the hour that sets them free, Fly, O fly, ’tis yours to rescue All oppressed by wrong or sin, Give the evil spirits battle, Let the strife of love begin. 3. Into every sould ye enter Life and light, and joy will come, Drive away the pow’rs of darkness From Immanuel’s sacred throne, Glorious then the human spirit, Free, and pure, and satisfied, In his name possess and fill it, Who for man hath lived and died. No. 7. FULL CHORUS. "Mighty art Thou." 1. Mighty, mighty art thou ever, Faith, Glorious, glorious gorious is thy pow’r, Arm us, shield us, by our strong defence, Guard us, guard us, guard us evermore. Helper strength’ner, lifebreath of our souls, Breath’d on by thee, mountains shake and fall, Wondrous, wondrous deeds that we shall do, Holy, holy, thy heav’n inspiring call. 2. Beauteous, beauteous art thou ever, Hope, Brightness, glory they glad path adorn, Cheering, cheering is thy thrilling voice, Ringing, ringing in this happy morn. Loveliest, brightest, Charity, art thou, None can rival, none so fair as thee. Fair as morning, bright as ave’s first star, Queen of graces, O blessed Charity. 3. List’ning, list’ning wait we on thy will, Longing, longing for thy blest command, Send us, send us, vallant in thy love, Onward, onward, conquering all lands. No. 8. SEMI-CHORUS A. "Where the battle rages fiercely" 1. Where the battle rages fiercely, Where the battle rages fiercely, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. Where the wrong contends with right, Where the wrong contends with right, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. Where the wrong oppressor smiteth, Where the wrong oppressor smiteth, Where the wrong oppressor smiteth, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. 2. 'Gainst all hatred and foul malice, 'Gainst all hatred and foul malice, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. And, in persecutions's fires, And, in persecutions's fires, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. And, in passion's stormy whirlwind, And, in passion's stormy whirlwind, And, in passion's stormy whirlwind, Firmly will we stand, Firmly will we stand. No. 9. SOLO. (Faith.) “Onward, then, ye Faithful.” 1. Onward, then, ye faithful, I will be your shield, Onward to the conflict, Never, never yield, My strong arm is with you, Powerful to sustain, Lean upon me ever, Lean, and not be vain. 2. For the strength of ages Thus is giv'n to you, Trust its mighty power Evil to subdue. Onward, thee, ye faithful, I will be your shield, Onward to the conflict, Never, never yield. No. 10. (Hope.) "I, too, will lead you forward." 1. I, too, will lead you forward, My banner is unfurl'd, Behold it upward lifted, To cheer a doubting world, There, in the butter contest, I'll bear it bright and pure, My arm shall e'er defend it, To make the vict'ry sure. 2. Above you waving freely, In starry light 'twill shine, Your pathway o illumine, To bless your work divine. Then follow me, your leader, My banner is unfurled, Behold it upward lifted, To cheer a doubting world. No. 11. SEMI-CHORUS B. “O sad and suff’ring world.” 1. O sad and suff'ring world, Oppress'd by sin and woe, We weep, we weep o'er thee, We weep, we weep o'er thee. We hear thy sighs and prayers, We see thy falling tears, And mourn, and mourn for thee, And mourn, and mourn for thee. We come, we come from far, Above you azure sky, How bright, how bright my home, How bright, how bright my home. We have its peace and joy, We have its worship pure To bless, to bless thee now, To bless, to bless thee now. 2. Where wrong and care and woe, Where hunger's pangs are felt, Our help, our help must be, Our help, our help must be. Where loved ones mourne there dead, Where friendless hearts beat lone, Our comfort still we bring, Our confort still we bring. By faithful, soothing words, By kind and gentle deeds Our love we e'er will show, Our love we e'er will show. To thee, O blessed Faith, And thee, o smiling Hope, Each heart, each heart we'll turn, Each heart, each heart we'll turn. No. 12. DUET. (Hope and Faith.) “There, too, our power shall be.” 1. There, too, our power shall be Your gentle, hearts to fill, Our watching eyes will see, Our love uphold you still; A holy calling yours-- Sad human hearts to bless, To point where peace endures, And perfect happiness. 2. O sacred work of love, Divinest ministry, To lead these souls above, And set the sin-bound free; Go forth, ye seraph-band, We your glad steps attend, Go forward hand in hand, Press onward to the end. No. 13. SEMI-CHORUS C. “Where trial with its fiery darts.” 1. Where trial with the fiery darts Awaits the soul of man, Where wild temptation, beck'ning on His dark, unholy clan, Allures with treach'rous, crue pow'r To sin, despair and woe. Where mask'd in beauty Vice is thron'd, And smiles on all below. [ReFRAIN sung after each verse] Then will we battle for the right, There will we bring false deeds to light, There will we strike with pow'r and might For truth and God. 2. Where weak and troubl'd spirits auail, And feebly try to fly, Enchanted by each glitt'ring maze That meets the 'wilder'd eye, Whree mocking laugh and angry worda Fall on the tortured ear. Where evil wileds, with iron arm, His scimitar of fear. No. 14. SOLO. (Charity and Chorus.) “While truth and God inspire you.” 1. [SOLO] While "Truth and God" inspire you, Your weapons all divine, And clad in heav'n's own armor, Where gems of glory shine, No evil power can harm you, No fetters e'er enchain, For God, and Truth and Freedom To never fight in vain. [CHORUS] For God and truth and freedon We never fight in vain, So evil power can harm us, No fetters e'er enchain. 2. [SOLO] Faint not nor be ye weary, The blessed bread from heav'n, In all its promis'd fullness, To you shall now be given, The holy, living water, Which He alone bestows, Still from the fount Eternal In purest freshness flows. [CHORUS] We not faint or weary, To us shall now be given The holy, living water, The glessed bread from heaven. 3. [SOLO] Bright visions of the future Come thronging on my sight, And sin, and woe, and darkness, Seem melting into light; A world of love is turning To heav'n its upward gaze, And heart to heart responding In notes of fervent praise. [CHORUS] Bright visions of the furure Come thronging on our sight, And sin, and woe, and darkness, Seem melting into light. [SOLO and CHORUS with ovelapping voices] [SOLO] For God and Faith, for God and Faith and Freedom, We fight, we fight, we faight, but not in vain, No evil can harm, No fetters enchain, For God and freedom , we never fight in vain. [CHORUS] For God and Faith and Freedom, For God and Faith and Freedom, We fight, but not in vain, We fight, but not in vain; No evil pwe'r can harm us, No fetters can enchain, For God and truth and freedom, we never fight in vain. No. 15. SEMI-CHORUS D. “Were’er in rev’rent quietude.” 1. Where'ver in rev'rent quietude The mind is lowly bending, And 'neath Earth's solemn mysteries The eagle-glance decending, When from the silent deeps of tho't Truth's spirit-voice is calling, And on the ardent waiting soul Her inspiration falling. There will we sing His lofty name, Who called to life Earth's wondrous frame. 2. Where'ver the fond, enraptur'd eye Drinks in all holy beauty, While heart of man to Nature's heart Respongs in love and duty, Where hoarry mountains rear their heads In strength sublime reposing, Or vales of tranquil loveliness Their flow'ry eyes are closing, Theer will we draw All hearts above, To sing his pow'r, His boundless love. 3. Where genius, star of mighty mind, O'er newborn thought is pouring A flood of heav'nly, radiant light, God's world to man restoring, Now burning on the poet's page, Or from, the canvas glowing, Now where the silent marble breathes Or music's life is flowing, There will we point To Him afar, Great sourch of light, Bright morning star. No. 16. FULL CHORUS. (March.) “The Trumpet is sounding.” 1. The trumpet is sounding-- our banner unfurled, Come forth at the glad, thrilling call, Our cause, it is sacred, and righteous and true, Then on, noble hearts, one and all; With faith to uphold us, and Hope for our guide, In triumph and pow'r will we go. No perils shall daunt us, no doubting prevail, For right will the wrong overthow. 2. But none can inspiree us, and none can sustain, O Charity, none like to thee, Fair sov'reign of graces-- receive now the crown, Thou chief of the bright, blessed three; Thy realm is unbounded, All hearts shall be thine, Thy reign ever pure, just and free, Receive thou our greeting, receive thou thy crown Thou chief of the bright, blessed three. 3. Now on to the conflict, on, on to the strife, For holy the war that we wage, Our hearts ever strengthen'd by Faith, Hopw, and Love, We fear not the foe's blinding rage; We trumpet is sounding, our banner unfurl'd, Come forth at the glad, thrilling call; Our cause, it is sacred, and righteous, and true, Then on, noble hearts, one and all. No. 17. TRIO. (Faith, Hope, and Charity.) “Ye valiant hearts and true.” 1. Ye valliant hearts and true, Press firmly, gladly on, The conflict waits for your, The vict'ry must be won. Tho' long and fierce the strife, Tho' strong the foes ye meet, Fear not for earth's new life At last your eyes will greet. 2. O tried and faithful souls, Content with pain or loss, Who welcome trial's darts, And onward bear the cross, Look up! your strength is there, Your foes shall surely fall, Still on your true cross bear, Its pow'r will crush them all. 3. Brave hearts, by duty bound, Ye hold the magnet-line Whose touch, the wide world round Will thrill with love divine. When he who called us forth, His ministers to be, Shall claim his throne on earth, Earth purified and free. No. 18. FULL CHORUS. (Finale.) “Glad reign of Peace and Joy.” 1. [SEMI-CHORUS A] Glad reign, glad reign, glad reign of peace and joy, Rejoice ye people of the Lord, His arm, His arm will sin's fell pow'r destroy, Stern death, stern death falls slain by His dread word. 2. [SEMI-CHORUS B] Bright morn, bright morn, we herald in thy day, When Faith and Hope and Love will rule all hearts, Receeive, receive us, make no long delay, Light shines! light shines! the darkness now departs. 3. [SEMI-CHORUS C] Uplift, uplift the standard of our faith, Blest cross, blest cross, to thee, to thee we'll cling Thro' fire and tempest, on thro' life and death, Thine, thine the strength, our souls the offering. 4. [SEMI-CHORUS D] Blest cross, no gloom enshrouds thee in this hour, O wondrous love that changed thy gloom to light, We feel, we feel thy silent, guick'ning pow'r; Help, help us, lift from earth her veil of night. 5. [FULL CHORUS] He comes! He comes! Messiah, Prince of peace, On earth, earth to reign in glory now, To burst all bonds, all prisoned souls release, Come forth, come forth, before His footstool bow. 6. [FULL CHORUS] Praise Him, praise Him, great Victor, Savior, King, Supreme in in night, in majesty and pow'r. Holy, holy Lord, God omnipotent! Praise Him, praise Him, O praise Him evermore, A-men.