Messiah! at Thy glad approach. M. Bruce. [Adven.] This hymn, which we have ascribed to M. Bruce (q.v.) on evidence given in his memoir in this work, was written probably about 1764-65, for a singing class at Kinnesswood, Scotland, and was first published by John Logan in his Poems, 1781, p. 113, No. 7, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines. Although a vigorous hymn, and possessing much poetic beauty, it has not come into extensive use. In the American Church Praise Book, N. Y., 1881, stanzas vi. and iv. are given as "Let Israel to the Prince of Peace." Original text as in Logan's Poems in Dr. Grosart's Works of M. Bruce, 1865, p. 144.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
