332 Hail to the Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning
Thomas Hastings, 1784-1872
A missionary hymn written in 1832, at the beginning of the modern missionary movement. It was first published in Spiritual Songs for Social Worship, 1833, a volume compiled jointly by Hastings and Mason, set to the present tune by Lowell Mason. Spiritual Songs was a notable volume, publishing for the first time such well-known hymns as “The morning light is breaking,” “My faith looks up to Thee,” and introducing in America, Toplady’s famous “Rock of Ages.”
For comments on Thomas Hastings see Hymn 120.
MUSIC. WESLEY, also called “Hail to the Brightness,” was written by Lowell Mason for this hymn. It is a simple, straightforward melody, whose merit as a hymn tune is unquestionable.
For comments on Lowell Mason see Hymn 12.