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channels only

Channels Only

Words: Mary E. Maxwell (details uncertain)
Music: Ada Rose Gibbs (b. Oct. 5, 1864; d. Apr. 16, 1905)

Note: Little is known of either the author of the words or the composer of the tune. The Wordwise link below will give you a guess as to the identity of Mary Maxwell. Though this hymn clearly has its roots in holiness teaching, it does convey some truths worth considering.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

What exactly is a “channel”? In the physical realm, it’s a canal or a conduit. Most often we think of it as a something such as a river bed or a hose, along which water flows from one place to another. More broadly speaking, wires can be a channel through which electricity is delivered. In social interaction, an individual can be a channel of information from one person to another, or one group to another. This gets us closer to the use Mary Maxwell makes of the word.

In human affairs, individuals are appointed to fulfil responsibilities as messengers, envoys, ambassadors, mediators or intermediaries. These and other terms are used in the Scriptures. The term “apostle,” used eighty times in the New Testament means sent one (e.g. I Tim. 1:1), and the word “angel” means messenger (e.g. Lk. 2:10). All of these represent humans or spirit beings sent to represent another, and communicate between two parties.

A willingness to be commissioned to be a channel of God’s Word to others is seen in the person of Isaiah (Isa. 6:8), and the angel Gabriel (Lk. 1:19). Epaphroditus carried information back and forth between the Philippian church and the Apostle Paul. And truly of each believer it can be said, “We are ambassadors for Christ” (II Cor. 5:20; cf. Eph. 6:20).

(1) How I praise Thee, precious Saviour,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Channels only, blessèd Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

As ambassadors for Christ, He and His message are of first importance. We are significant too of course, but if we seek to advance ourselves we will be less effective as channels. To go back to my earlier illustrations, the hose and the electric wire are significant, but they are only appreciated to the extent that they efficiently deliver water or electricity.

It is best if, as Christ’s ambassadors, we say with John, “He must increase, but [we] must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). In terms of the practical effect, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Emptied of the distracting and hindering effects of self-promotion and the crippling effects of sin, a clean and open channel works the best.

(2) Just a channel full of blessing,
To the thirsty hearts around;
To tell out Thy full salvation
All Thy loving message sound.

(3) Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.

Questions:

  1. What are some of the things that tend to hinder us from being effective channels for the Lord?
  2. How does the role of an ambassador in diplomatic circles parallel a Christian ambassador? (And what are the differences?)

Links:

Today in 1829 – Carl Glaser Died

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Carl Gotthelf Glaser was born in Germany, where he received musical training, first from his father, then from others. He became a teacher of voice, violin and piano. Glaser also composed choral music and was a well known conductor. His hymn tune Azmon is used with O for a Thousand Tongues.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.

(2) Today in 1905 – Ada Gibbs Died

Little is know of Ada Rose Gibbs. She was apparently part of the Keswick Convention moment. She married William James Gibbs around 1898, in London. He was at one time superintendent of the Methodist Central Hall, in Bromley, Kent. Mrs. Gibbs composed the tune that is used for the hymn Channels Only.

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Channels only, blessèd Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

(3) Today in 1796 – Joseph Swain Died

Englishman Joseph Swain (1761-1796) was apprenticed to be an engraver when he was young. He later moved to London, where he put his faith in Christ, and was baptized by Pastor John Rippon. The latter is known in hymn history for his book Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors (which included How Firm a Foundation). Joseph Swain himself went on to become a Baptist clergyman, and a hymn writer. Some historians state that he died on this date at the young age of 35. Others place the date of his death two days earlier.

The most familiar of his songs is the beautiful O Thou in Whose Presence, which borrows the poetry of the Song of Solomon to describe his love for the Lord. The original has eighteen stanzas. Here is a sampling.

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,
And cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.

His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,
That waters the garden of grace,
From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of His face.

Love sits on His eye-lids, and scatters delight
Through all the bright mansions on high;
Their faces the cherubim veil in His sight,
And tremble with fullness of joy.

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Joseph Swain’s hymn How Sweet, How Heavenly Is the Sight is much less known. But it has a message for every local church. The author revels in the blessing of Christian fellowship, and the expression of Christlike love in the community of believers. The Bible says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1). Yet so many times there are conflicts and petty rivalries in our churches that are most unchristian. The Apostle Paul had to deal sternly with the church at Corinth over this issue (I Cor. 3:1-3).

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another’s peace delight,
And so fulfil His Word!

When each can feel his brother’s sigh
And with him bear a part!
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart!

When, free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide,
And show a brother’s love!

When love, in one delightful stream,
Through every bosom flows,
When union sweet, and dear esteem,
In every action glows.

Today in 1226 – Francis of Assisi Died

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Francesco Bernardone was born in central Italy. At the age of 22 he had a significant spiritual experience and determined to devote himself to a life of poverty and service for Christ.

A few years later, he formulated his lifestyle into a set of rules, applying to Pope Innocent III for permission to found a religious order along these lines. It was granted, and the Franciscan order was born. Barefoot, and having given up all earthly possessions, members went out two by two, preaching the need for repentance, and aiding the poor and the sick wherever they went, frequently working compassionately among lepers. They slept in hay lofts or leper houses along the way.

Francis died at the age of 44, but his great love of the natural world is commemorated in his hymn, All creatures of our God and King.

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

(2) Today in 1837 – Mary Maxwell Born

At least, we think Mary E. Maxwell was born then. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the authorship of the hymn Channels Only. Nowhere is data available for the woman credited with writing it. However, there was a popular author in England whose name was Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837-1915). She married a John Maxwell in 1874, and it is thought that she may be the “Mary E. Maxwell” credited with the hymn-poem.

Whatever the authorship, this song says some important things. Preeminently, that we have nothing of spiritual worth to give needy people. Rather, the Lord wants us to be channels of His love and blessing to them. The Bible speaks of being “a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (II Tim. 2:21). That is what God expects of us–to His glory, not our own.

Using a slightly different gardening analogy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (I Cor. 3:6-7). He says, “I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (I Cor. 15:3). And he adds later, “I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (vs. 10). Are you a channel the Lord can use?

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Channels only, blessèd Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.

(3) Today in 1888 – Homer Rodeheaver Born

Homer Alvan Rodeheaver began his gospel music ministry as a song leader with evangelist Billy Sunday. Uniquely, he held his trombone in one hand, as he led. Another gospel musician, George Stebbins, called it his “magic wand.” Stebbins said he was impressed with:

His great gift as a leader and…the ease with which he controls vast multitudes of people; also his winsome personality which renders him a worthy and invaluable associate of the great evangelist with whom he has been working for many years.

Mr. Rodheaver appears briefly (with his signature trombone) at the beginning of this very old film clip, as he introduces Billy Sunday to a waiting audience. Billy speaks of the reasons for his support of Prohibition.

Homer Rodeheaver wrote the music for a number of gospel songs. Among them, Good Night and Good Morning, and Then Jesus Came. In later years he founded the Rodeheaver-Ackly Company (eventually becoming the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack Company), publishers of gospel music.