Menu

June 2022

Today in 1820 – Elvina Hall Born

,

Sitting in the choir loft one August Sunday morning, Elvina Mabel Hall listened to Rev. George Schreck offering the pastoral prayer. As he prayed on, her mind began to wander (has that every happened to you?). She thought of the cross of Christ and its meaning to her. Then, taking her hymn book, she turned to a blank page at the beginning and jotted down the words of a simple poem. Later, it was discovered that those words exactly fit a tune written earlier by the church organist. And that is how the hymn Jesus Paid It All was born!

The song expresses a wonderful truth. That when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary He took upon Himself the punishment for all sin. As the Bible puts it, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). “And He Himself is the propitiation [the full satisfaction of God’s justice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world” (I Jn. 2:2).

But does that mean everyone is automatically saved? No, it doesn’t. The payment has to be accepted personally. If someone offers you a cheque, you don’t get the benefit of it until you take it and cash it. It has your name on it, but it’s not yours to benefit from until you accept it. We do that in spiritual terms by trusting in what Jesus did for us on the cross.

That is what John 3:16 is saying: “God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” And “you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26). In the words of Mrs. Hall’s hymn:

I hear the Saviour say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all…

(2) There Is a Balm in Gilead (Data Missing)

This is another of those traditional Spirituals whose origins are lost in the mists of time. The inspiration for the text is taken from the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22).

Gilead was famous for a medicinal salve made from the gum of the storax tree. And it was available close by, just east of the Jordan River. The expression became proverbial. The balm (or ointment) is used as a symbol of God’s power to cleanse and restore His sinful people, if only they would reach out to Him.

The southern kingdom of Judah had backslidden, and they faced the painful chastisement of God (destruction and captivity at the hands of the Babylonians). But it was not as if there was no remedy available. They needed to turn to God in repentance and faith. The healing balm for sinners today is Christ and His saving work on the cross.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Here is the inimitable Paul Robeson, singing his version of the song. (Note that the refrain of the song comes first.)

Today in 1851 – Theodore Baker Born

,

A skilled musical scholar, Mr. Baker wrote his doctoral dissertation on the music of the Seneca Indians of North America. He also served as an editor for music publisher G. Schirmer Incorporated. Baker has given us English translations of two carols: How Great Our Joy! and, Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming. He also translated the 1597 Dutch hymn of thanksgiving, We Gather Together. This was originally written to celebrate that country’s deliverance from Spain, but it’s often used today in Thanksgiving Sunday services.

The fitness of gratitude to God for all His blessings is a frequent theme of the Psalms (e.g. Ps. 30:4; 35:18; 50:14; 90:1-2). In contrast, thanklessness is described as one of the base sins of the unsaved (Rom. 1:21). Believers are exhorted, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thess. 5:18). And, “therefore by Him [Christ] let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

Whether it is praising God for deliverance through a military victory, or for His abundant mercies day by day, bringing glory to God is always appropriate. Baker’s hymn begins:

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own.

(2) Today in 1879 – Frances Havergal Died

Though she lived only into her early 40’s, English author Frances Ridley Havergal is considered one of our greatest hymn writers. The poetic beauty, warmth, and devotional power of her writing is outstanding.

Though they never met, Miss Havergal was an admirer of Fanny Crosby, and wrote a touching poem to her. It says in part:

Dear blind sister over the sea,
An English heart goes forth to thee.
We are linked by a cable of faith and song,
Flashing bright sympathy swift along;
One in the East and one in the West,
Singing for Him whom our souls love best,
Singing for Jesus, telling His love,
All the way to our home above.”

Frances Havergal wrote many hymns, and quite a few are still in use. Take My Life, and Let It Be; Like a River Glorious; I Gave My Life for Thee; and Who Is on the Lord’s Side? are several examples of her work. For Golden Harps Are Sounding, she wrote both words and music.

Frances Havergal was one of those authors who could write quickly, on a sudden inspiration. One day she walked to a boys’ school with a friend, waiting outside while he attended to some business. Weary from the walk, she leaned against the playground wall to rest. But returning to her ten minutes later, her friend found her busily penciling a hymn poem on an old envelope. It is a fine hymn about the ascension of Christ and His present ministry in heaven.

What is the Lord Jesus doing now? And how many sermons have you heard on this important subject? The Lord Himself said to His followers, “I go to prepare a place for you…[and] I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (Jn. 14:2-3). And we are told, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (I Jn. 2:1)–One who “is also able to save to the uttermost [completely and forever] those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25).

Here, in part, is Havergal’s hymn on the subject:

Golden harps are sounding, angels voices sing,
Pearly gates are opened, opened for the King;
Jesus, King of glory, Jesus, King of love,
Is gone up in triumph, to His throne above.

Pleading for His children in that blessèd place,
Calling them to glory, sending them His grace;
His bright home preparing, faithful ones, for you;
Jesus ever liveth, ever loveth, too.

Today in 1972 – John Scholfield Died

,

Mr. Scholfield worked as a school teacher and later as a real estate broker. He also ministered as a soloist and member of a quartet at evangelistic meetings, and he wrote a number of hymns. The best known of these is Saved, Saved! written in 1911 while Scholfield was serving with Baptist evangelist Mordecai Ham. (It was under the preaching of Ham in 1934 that Billy Graham trusted Christ as his Saviour.)

“Saved” is a good, muscular Bible word. It includes the ideas of rescued, made whole, and preserved. Occasionally in the Scriptures it is used of a physical deliverance. “[God] saved Noah, one of eight people…bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (II Pet. 2:5). But usually we think of it in terms of the eternal salvation God grants to those who put their faith in Christ as Saviour.

The Bible says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). And to Christians, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Tit. 3:5).

John Prentice Scholfield’s song on that theme says:

I’ve found a Friend, who is all to me,
His love is ever true;
I love to tell how He lifted me
And what His grace can do for you.

Saved by His power divine,
Saved to new life sublime!
Life now is sweet and my joy is complete,
For I’m saved, saved, saved!

 (2) Nathaniel Niles (Data Missing)

The Lord promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye [i.e. with my eye upon you]” (Ps. 32:8).

This reassuring promise became the basis for a hymn published in 1873. We know little about the author, whose name was Nathaniel Niles (1835-?). We do know he was a lawyer who lived in New Jersey and worked in New York City, commuting day by day on the train.

On one occasion, on his way to work, he picked up his newspaper, settling down to read. But the words of Psalm 32:8 kept running through his mind. Finally, on the margin of the newspaper, Niles jotted down some lines of poetry on the theme. By the time he reached his destination the poem was done. Later, hymn writer Philip Bliss provided a tune, and the song Precious Promise went on to be much used by Dwight L. Moody in his evangelistic work.

Precious promise God hath given
To the weary passerby,
On the way from earth to heaven,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

I will guide thee, I will guide thee,
I will guide thee with Mine eye
On the way from earth to heaven,
I will guide thee with Mine eye.

When temptations almost win thee
And thy trusted watchers fly,
Let this promise ring within thee,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

When thy secret hopes have perished
In the grave of years gone by,
Let this promise still be cherished,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

When the shades of life are falling
And the hour has come to die,
Hear thy trusty Pilot calling,
“I will guide thee with Mine eye.”

Today in 1793 – Henry Lyte Born

,

Born in Ednam, near Kelso, in Scotland, Henry Francis Lyte abandoned early thoughts of a medical career in favour of Christian ministry. He served as a pastor in England, and was the author of many hymns. In his final pastorate, lasting 23 years, he laboured faithfully in the fishing village of Lower Brixham, Devonshire.

Two or three of his hymns are found in many hymn books: Abide with Me; Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken; and Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven. The latter, published in 1834, is based on Psalm 103. In more recent times, it was brought to prominence by a special occasion. The wedding of Queen Elizabeth II on November 20, 1947, took place on the hundredth anniversary of Lyte’s death. At (then Princess) Elizabeth’s request, the hymn was used for the Processional. (Coincidentally, on a personal note, June 1st is also the date of my own wedding anniversary. And my wife and I likewise used this hymn as our Processional.)

For couples preparing for marriage this is an option worth considering. What is commonly known as “Here Comes the Bride” has become the traditional music for the bridal procession. But that is actually the Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin, a secular opera by Richard Wagner–and the marriage in the story is a failure! If the tune Lauda Anima is used for Lyte’s hymn, and played at a stately walking pace, the song can serve to emphasize the spiritual dimension of a Christian wedding. The hymn begins:

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
To His feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Who, like me, His praise should sing?
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!

(2) It’s Just Like His Great Love (Data Missing)

Nothing is known about Edna R. Worrell, other than her name. (And even her middle initial is in doubt, some giving it as “R,” others as “H.”) It is possible she lived in the Philadelphia area, but that is uncertain too.

We do know that she produced a gospel song in 1903 called It’s Just Like His Great Love. As the title sugests, it’s about the depth and consistency of the Lord’s great love for His children. We marvel at His grace and patience, even in the face of our weakness and waywardness.

A friend I have called Jesus, whose love is strong and true,
And never fails howe’er ’tis tried, no matter what I do;
I’ve sinned against this love of His, but when I knelt to pray,
Confessing all my guilt to Him, the sin clouds rolled away.

It’s just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,
It’s just like Jesus to keep me day by day,
It’s just like Jesus all along the way,
It’s just like His great love.

Sometimes the clouds of trouble bedim the sky above,
I cannot see my Saviour’s face, I doubt His wondrous love;
But He, from heaven’s mercy seat, beholding my despair,
In pity bursts the clouds between, and shows me He is there.

O, I could sing forever of Jesus’ love divine,
Of all His care and tenderness for this poor life of mine;
His love is in and over all, and wind and waves obey,
When Jesus whispers “Peace, be still!” and rolls the clouds away.