Today in 1896 – Harriet Beecher Stowe Died

Mrs. Stowe was a person of many accomplishments, especially considering the limitations often placed on women in the nineteen century. Daughter of a Congregational clergyman named Lyman Beecher, and sister of another, Henry Ward Beecher, she married a seminary professor, and taught at a college herself. She authored the best-selling anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin in 1852, and wrote more than 40 other books.

It was at the request of her brother that Harriet Stowe created the beautiful morning hymn, Still, Still with Thee. It is said the author habitually rose at 4:30 each morning, going for walks in the quiet dawning to ponder the things of God.

The hymn seems to be a meditation on Psalm 139:18, “When I awake, I am still with You.” The Lord promised believers on this side of the cross that we will have His continuing presence with us (Matt. 28:20). And in eternity it is His desire “that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:3).

For this song, most hymn books use the tune Consolation, based on a melody by Felix Mendelssohn. But try singing it to Joseph Barnby’s lovely tune Alverstoke and you may never go back to the other. (Alverstoke is one of the alternate tunes for the hymn you can listen to on the Cyber Hymnal.)

Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.

So shall it be at last, in that bright morning,
When the soul waketh and life’s shadows flee;
O in that hour, fairer than daylight dawning,
Shall rise the glorious thought, I am with Thee.

(2) Today in 1942 – Andrae Crouch Born

Crouch’s career has included being a singer, songwriter, music producer, and pastor. His best-known gospel songs are: The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power, Through It All, and My Tribute.

To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me;
With His pow’r He has raised me.
To God be the glory for the things He has done.

Though his songs have some merit, Andrae Crouch has been instrumental in blurring the important distinction between sacred and secular music. He has worked as a producer and arranger for Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Elton John, and he became only the third gospel musician to have his star enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To be so linked with those who are demonstrably morally corrupt is to my mind a violation of God’s call to separation (II Cor. 6:14–7:1).