Today in 1862 – Francis Duckworth Born

Francis Duckworth was born in Rimington, in England. Though he took great interest in music, he had little formal training. He became the organist of a Methodist church in the early part of the twentieth century, and composed a number of hymn tunes. He has given us the beautiful tune Rimington which can be used with the hymn Ashamed of Jesus. (You can hear the tune on the Cyber Hymnal connected to another hymn, and also see a picture of Mr. Duckworth here.)

Jesus, and shall it ever be,
A mortal man, ashamed of Thee?
Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?

Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend
On whom my hopes of heav’n depend!
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere His name.

(2) Today in 1864 – William Martin Born

William Clark Martin was a Baptist pastor who served several churches in the United States. He has left us some gospel songs that remain in common use: My Anchor Holds, Still Sweeter Every Day, and The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet.

The name of Jesus is so sweet,
I love its music to repeat;
It makes my joys full and complete,
The precious name of Jesus!

“Jesus,” O how sweet the name!
“Jesus,” every day the same;
“Jesus,” let all saints proclaim
Its worthy praise forever!

(3) Today in 1918 – Wilbur Chapman Died

John Wilbur Chapman was a Presbyterian pastor, and one of the founders of the Winona Lake Bible Conference. In his later years he became an itinerant evangelist, with a fruitful ministry in many parts of the world. Chapman wrote eight books, and several hymn texts. The two best-known are both excellent: One Day, and Our Great Saviour.

One Day, first published in 1911, carries us through the life of Christ, all the way from His incarnation to His coming return.

One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!

Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely forever;
One day He’s coming–O glorious day!

Our Great Saviour (also commonly known as Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners) extols many of the virtues of the Son of God, and blessings we receive from His hand. The song makes use of a truly great hymn tune, Hyfrydol, written by Roland Pritchard. (It is used with a number of hymns, as the video clip below illustrates.)

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Saviour, makes me whole.

Hallelujah! what a Saviour!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.