The best that heaven could bring

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The best that heaven could bring

Translator: John Brownlie (1907)
Tune: LAKE ENON
Published in 2 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, Noteworthy Composer
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

I
The best that heaven could bring—
First fruits, an offering free—
Was brought from far, when, by the star,
The wise men came to Thee.

II
No sceptre, and no throne!
The magi were amazed,
As, with surprise, on humble guise
And poverty, they gazed.

III
But there Thy God-head shone,
Despite the manger bed;
O Christ, the Lord, Incarnate Word!
’Twas there Thou laid’st Thy head.

Source: Hymns from the East #09

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Translator: John Brownlie

Brownlie, John, was born at Glasgow, Aug. 6, 1857, and was educated at Glasgow University, and at the Free Church College in the same city. In 1884 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Glasgow; in 1885 he became Assistant Minister of the Free Church, Portpatrick, and on the death of the Senior Minister in 1890 he entered upon the full charge of the Church there. He has interested himself in educational matters, became a Member of the local School Board in 1888, a governor of Stranraer High School in 1897, and Chairman of the governors in 1901. His hymnological works are:— 1. The Hymns and Hymnwriters of the [Scottish] Church Hymnary, 1899. This is a biographical, historical, and critical companion to that hymnal, and is well done and… Go to person page >

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