Today in 1635 – Melchior Teschner Died

Melchior Teschner attended the University of Frankfurt. There he studied music, as well as philosophy and theology. He became a Lutheran cantor in Schmiegel and at Fraustadt (where he also taught in the parish school). In 1614 he was appointed pastor at Oberpritschen, where his son, and then his grandson, were to succeed him as pastors.

He is best known in English hymnody as the composer of the tune St. Theodulph, used with the hymn All Glory Laud and Honour. The text of the hymn was written by Theodulph of Orleans, around the year 820. The structure of the hymn is a bit unusual, as the refrain comes before each stanza.

All glory, laud and honour,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and Blessèd One.

(2) Today in 1918 – Charles Case Died

Charles Clinton Case lived most of his life in Gustavus, Ohio. His father was a violinist, and when Charles was 9, a neighbour gave him a small violin, which he mastered, long before he could read music. At the age of 16, he attended a singing school, without his parents’ support. He financed the training by borrowing money from a neighbour. For three winters in a row, he attended the school, working on his father’s farm in the summers.

Later in life, he also studied under some prominent gospel musicians of the day, George Root, Horatio Palmer, Philip Bliss, George Webb, and others. Soon after Charles Case began teaching music, the parents of gospel composer James McGranahan moved to a house two miles from the Cases’ home, and the two young men became friends. Case wrote and edited a number of gospel song books.

Charles Case gave us the tunes for Why Not Now? and Shining for Jesus. The first of these is a simple invitation hymn by Daniel Whittle:

While we pray and while we plead,
While you see your soul’s deep need,
While our Father calls you home,
Will you not, my brother, come?

Why not now? Why not now?
Why not come to Jesus now?
Why not now? Why not now?
Why not come to Jesus now?

A second bright melody of Case’s was fitted to words by Charles Inglis that seem to have been inspired by the exhortation of the Lord Jesus in Matt. 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Shining for Jesus everywhere I go,
Shining for Jesus in this world of woe;
Shining for Jesus, more like Him I grow;
Shining all the time for Jesus.

Shining all the time, shining all the time;
Shining for Jesus, beams of love divine;
Glorifying Him every day and hour;
Shining all the time for Jesus.