Henry Martyn Dexter, author of The England and Holland of the Pilgrims and of a monograph on Roger Williams that defended the Massachusetts Plantation against the charge of intolerance, died in New Bedford on this date in 1890. Dexter was editor of The Congregationalist and also translated from the Greek what is thought to be the oldest Christian hymn whose author is known.



It was about the year 200, closer in time to the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus than are we to the deaths of Adams and Jefferson, that Clement of Alexandria, whose memorial is kept immediately after that of my own patron in early December, recorded the lines of the hymn in his Peidagogos, for use in his school. Clement was the teacher of Origen, and there is no reason not to think that the great scholar sang this hymn when an ardent and studious boy.



At his death, Origen is described as being buried with honour as a confessor of the Faith. For a long time his sepulchre, behind the high-altar of the cathedral of Tyr, was visited by pilgrims. Today, as nothing remains of this cathedral except a mass of ruins, the exact location of his tomb is unknown.



A long way from the vibrant happiness and promise of youth, and a melancholy image, if that were all. But of course it is not, for we are redeemed. And all our tombs will one day be unknown, except to Him whose own, to His triumph and to our eternal life, is empty.



Shepherd Of Tender Youth



Shepherd of tender youth, guiding in love and truth

Through devious ways; Christ our triumphant King,

We come Thy Name to sing and here our children bring

To join Thy praise.



Thou art our holy Lord, O all subduing Word,

Healer of strife. Thou didst Thyself abase

That from sin’s deep disgrace Thou mightest save our race

And give us life.



Thou art the great High Priest; Thou hast prepared the feast

Of holy love; and in our mortal pain,

None calls on Thee in vain; Help Thou dost not disdain,

Help from above.



Ever be Thou our guide, our shepherd and our pride,

Our staff and song; Jesus, Thou Christ of God,

By Thine enduring Word lead us where Thou hast trod,

Make our faith strong.



So now, and till we die, sound we Thy praises high

And joyful sing; infants and the glad throng

Who to Thy church belong, unite to swell the song

To Christ, our King.