This patriotic song, that became the battle cry of the Union in the American Civil War, first appeared in the February edition of The Atlantic Monthly, in 1862. The composer of the tune is unknown. It had been used for many different lyrics previously, including the abolitionist song that begins, “John Brown’s body lies a-mouldering in the grave.” It was to give a more uplifting text to the fine tune that Julia Ward Howe wrote her Battle Hymn.
(2) Today in 1909 – Bev Shea Born
Though he has been associated with American evangelist Billy Graham for about 60 years, George Beverly Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada. He had a rich baritone voice, enhanced by careful training. (Early on, his vocal coach was renowned operatic baritone John Charles Thomas.)
Mr. Shea’s style is plain and unaffected, uncluttered by vocal tricks or fancy arrangements. His diction is crisp and clear–you can understand every word. He looks his audience squarely in the eye and delivers a message, using music. A modest and godly man, to many of us he sets the standard. He defined what it meant to minister in song, rather than simply perform. When this post was originally written (in 2010), Bev had celebrated his 100th birthday, was in good health, and was still singing.
The Wonder of It All is a song for which Bev Shea wrote both words and music. It celebrates the love of God for us as an incredible thing above all others.
There’s the wonder of sunset at evening, The wonder as sunrise I see; But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is the wonder that God loves me.
O the wonder of it all, the wonder of it all– Just to think that God loves me! The wonder of it all, the wonder of it all– Just to think that God loves me!
The song most often associated with Bev Shea is his testimony song, I’d Rather Have Jesus. He wrote the tune to accompany a poem by Rhea Millar. Listen to this incomparable minister of the gospel below.
I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand.
Than to be the king of a vast domain And be held in sin’s dread sway. I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.
America had its “Quaker Poet” in John Greenleaf Whittier, and Bernard Barton was given the same title in England. Barton went into a corn and coal business with his brother. But he abandoned that enterprise in great sorrow, when his wife died after only one year of marriage. He obtained work as a tutor for awhile, and then got a job as a bank teller, work he continued for 40 years. A man of regular habits, it was said that when he returned home for lunch each day, housewives along the road as he passed knew it was time to put the potatoes on to boil!
Bernard Barton was a prolific poet, writing 10 volumes of devotional verse. He was also a friend of many literary figures of the day, including Charles Lamb, Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Southey. Edward Fitzgerald (who translated The Rubdiydt of Omar Khayyam) married Barton’s daughter.
Quite a number of Bernard Barton’s poems were turned into hymns, among them Walk in the Light, and Lamp of Our Feet. The latter reminds us of the great blessing God has given us in the Scriptures. It is, among other things, “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105).
Lamp of our feet whereby we trace Our path when wont to stray; Stream from the fount of heav’nly grace, Brook by the traveler’s way.
Bread of our souls whereon we feed, True manna from on high; Our guide and chart wherein we read Of realms beyond the sky.
Pillar of fire, through watches dark, Or radiant cloud by day; When waves would break our tossing bark, Our anchor and our stay.
Word of the ever living God, Will of His glorious Son; Without Thee, how could earth be trod Or heav’n itself be won?
Yet to unfold thy hidden worth, Thy mysteries to reveal, That Spirit which first gave thee forth, Thy volume must unseal.
Lord, grant us all aright to learn The wisdom it imparts And to its heavenly teaching turn With simple, childlike hearts.
(2) Today in 1834 – Charles Spurgeon Born
There is no question that Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a remarkable man. Converted on January 6th, 1850, he preached his first sermon the same year, at the age of sixteen. Two years later, he became a pastor, moving on at the age of twenty to a life-long ministry in London. Soon he was preaching to audiences of ten thousand people (in the days before electronic amplification).
By the time he was twenty-two Spurgeon was the most popular preacher of his day. His sermons, still available, contained strong doses of Bible doctrine, combined with sound biblical scholarship. Yet they were anything but dry. Hearers sensed his good humour, his heart for God, and his love for the people. Many consider him to be the greatest English-speaking preacher of all time.
And Spurgeon’s preaching was only part of the contribution made by this outstanding man. He established orphanages that housed 500 children, and founded a college for training pastors (seeing about 900 graduate from it before his death). He operated 21 city missions providing the poor with food, clothing and free education. He authored 135 books and edited 28 others–many of these are still in print. His sermons were published, selling 25,000 copies each week, and eventually being translated into 40 languages.
All of this and more occupied his 18-hour work days until the time of his death at the age of 58. At his passing 100,000 filed past his coffin to pay their respects, and the two-mile funeral procession through the streets of London rivalled that of royalty. Spurgeon penned a number of hymns, including the lovely Communion hymn, Amidst Us Our Beloved Stands.
Amidst us our Belovèd stands, And bids us view His piercèd hands; Points to the wounded feet and side, Blest emblems of the Crucified.
What food luxurious loads the board, When at His table sits the Lord! The wine how rich, the bread how sweet, When Jesus deigns the guests to meet!
(3) Today in 1932 – Annie Barker Died
Annie Herbert Barker was a school teacher, and she also wrote a number of songs. She and her husband were pioneer settlers in Montana. They moved to San Rafael, California in 1888, where she lived the remainder of her life.
Mrs. Barker has given us one gospel song, When the Mists Have Rolled Away, which is still found in some books. The idea of the song is that things that puzzle us here will be made clear in heaven. There is an allusion to the words of the Apostle Paul, “Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (I Cor. 13:12).
Many years ago, I stood with my own father on the summit of one of the Adirondack Mountains. The early morning mist was still settled in the valley below, and my father was inspired to sing Annie Barker’s song. But a more remarkable incident relates to the author herself.
In January of 1932, the hymn was used on a Christian radio program beamed out from Los Angeles. And before the soloist sang he said, “We wish to dedicate this song to its author, wherever she may be.” At the time, Annie Barker was the resident of a seniors home, penniless, alone and forgotten. Providentially, she heard the words of the singer, and the rendition of her song. Then, she asked one of the attendants to help her into bed. A few moments later, she passed into eternity, ushered into the presence of the Lord, where the mists of time were swept away.
When the mists have rolled in splendour From the beauty of the hills, And the sunlight falls in gladness On the rivers and the rills, We recall our Father’s promise In the rainbow of the spray: We shall know each other better When the mists have rolled away.
We shall know, as we are known, Never more to walk alone, In the dawning of the morning Of that bright and happy day, We shall know each other better, When the mists have rolled away.
We shall come with joy and gladness, We shall gather round the throne. Face to face with those that love us We shall know as we are known. And the song of our redemption Shall resound through endless day When the shadows have departed And the mists have rolled away.
Joseph Bromehead was educated at Queen’s College, Oxford, and served as curate of Eckington, Derbyshire, until his death. He produced one of several versions of a longer hymn that was at least two centuries old in Bromehead’s time. Renowned hymn historian John Julian considered this hymn so historically important that he devoted more than three pages to it. The original manuscript is now in the British Museum, in which the author is identified as F.B.P. One hymnologist claims this stands for Francis Baker, Pater (Father Francis Baker).
Jerusalem, my happy home! Name ever dear to me; When shall my labours have an end, In joy, and peace, and thee?
When shall these eyes thy heaven built walls And pearly gates behold? Thy bulwarks, with salvation strong, And streets of shining gold?
There happier bowers than Eden’s bloom, Nor sin nor sorrow know: Blest seats, through rude and stormy scenes, I onward press to you.
Apostles, martyrs, prophets there Around my Saviour stand; And soon my friends in Christ below Will join the glorious band.
O Christ do Thou my soul prepare For that bright home of love; That I may see Thee and adore, With all Thy saints above.
The “Jerusalem” of the hymn is, of course, a reference to the heavenly kingdom, described in the book of Revelation as New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2; cf. Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12). Some versions of the song from the early nineteenth century attach the stanza (by an unknown author) that now concludes the hymn Amazing Grace. Though not part of the original, it certainly fits the theme.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years, Bright shining as the sun, We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise Than when we’d first begun.
(2) Today in 1928 – Handel Parker Died
Handel Parker lived in the small village of Oxenhope, in West Yorkshire. He was one of a large family of musicians, most of whom were named after famous composers. Having left school at the age of 13, he went to work in a textile mill as a wool sorter, but after seven years he turned to music as a profession. He taught flute and violin. To those instruments he added the trombone. He assisted many brass bands in the West Yorkshire area, both as player and conductor, gave organ recitals and conducted choirs.
Parker was also a composer of sacred music, and he produced a number of hymn tunes. His beautiful Deep Harmony, written around 1900, is sometimes used with Isaac Watts’s hymn, Sweet Is the Work. I can remember singing the hymn in a male choir, back in the 1960s. (For more on Isaac Watts, and a list of some of his hymns, see Today in 1674.) Deep Harmony also became part of the standard repertoire of the legendary Black Dyke Mills Band in England. They played it at all their concerts for many years. Sit back and enjoy another brass band version of the tune below.
Sweet is the work, my God, my King, To praise Thy name, give thanks and sing, To show Thy love by morning light And talk of all Thy truth at night.
My heart shall triumph in my Lord And bless His works and bless His Word. Thy works of grace, how bright they shine! How deep Thy counsels, how divine!
Thomas Shepherd was a clergyman in England. He began ministry in Anglican churches, but in 1694 he became pastor of the Independent Castle Hill Baptist Meeting, Northampton (a congregation later pastored by hymn writer Philip Doddridge). Shepherd also wrote a number of hymns, but only a fragment of one remains in common use.
The hymn Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? is based on the Lord’s call to discipleship:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Matt. 16:24
This is not a popular message today, but it is still in the Scriptures! The Lord is issuing a call to discipleship. And for a believer to “deny himself” is not the same as self-denial (e.g. refusing a second piece of pie, or a trip to Disneyland). To deny the Self is to reject selfishness and self-interest at its very root, submitting to the will of God in all things. The follower of Christ is to be totally committed to Him, even if it means persecution and death.
The stanzas of the hymn have at least four different authors. But Thomas Shepherd is credited with giving us the first of them.
Must Jesus bear the cross alone, And all the world go free? No, there’s a cross for everyone, And there’s a cross for me.
The consecrated cross I’ll bear Till death shall set me free; And then go home my crown to wear, For there’s a crown for me.
(2) Today in 1866 – Tell Me the Old, Old Story written
Arabella Katherine Hankey, better known as “Kate” to her friends, was a wealthy banker’s daughter who lived in England. In her early thirties, she took gravely ill, and was told that if she didn’t spend at least the next year in bed she would die. She agreed to the confinement, but took with her a stack of writing paper. While bedridden, Miss Hankey wrote a long (50-stanza) poem on the life of Christ. Part I she called “The Story Wanted,” and Part II was entitled “The Story Told.”
From the first section, which hymn historian John Julian says was completed on this date, comes our hymn, Tell Me the Old, Old Story. The second section, completed on November 18th of the same year, has given us a second hymn, I Love to Tell the Story.
Tell me the old, old story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. Tell me the story simply, as to a little child, For I am weak and weary, and helpless and defiled.
Tell me the old, old story, tell me the old, old story, Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in, That wonderful redemption, God’s remedy for sin. Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon; The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.
Katherine Hankey was devoted to Sunday School work. She also made a trip to South Africa to care for an infirm brother. That trip awakened as well a keen interest in foreign missions, leading her to commit all of the profits of her literary efforts to worldwide evangelism.
Sabine Baring-Gould was brilliant–though sometimes eccentric. He was a kind of Renaissance man who dabbled in many things and did them well. Born into the English upper class, he mastered six languages, and became an Anglican clergyman at the age of 30. He wrote over 100 books, including 30 novels, and a 16-volume work called Lives of the Saints. He was also known as an architect, an archeologist, an artist, a collector of English folk songs, and a teacher. (Apparently, he sometimes taught classes with his pet bat perched on his shoulder!)
John H. Parker’s recent book Abide With Me (New Leaf Press, 2009), tells us that Sabine Baring Gould fell in love with a beautiful mill worker named Grace Taylor. But, before he would consider marrying her, so she would fit into upper-class society, he sent her to school to learn to pronounce English properly. George Bernard Shaw used Baring-Gould and Grace Taylor as models for his characters Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle in his play Pygmalion (which later became the musical My Fair Lady).
Two of the hymns of Sabine Baring-Gould have remained in use: Onward Christian Soldiers, and a lovely evening hymn called Now the Day Is Over.
Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh, Shadows of the evening Steal across the sky.
Jesus, give the weary Calm and sweet repose; With Thy tenderest blessing May mine eyelids close.
Grant to little children Visions bright of Thee; Guard the sailors tossing On the deep, blue sea.
Comfort those who suffer, Watching late in pain; Those who plan some evil From their sin restrain.
Through the long night watches May Thine angels spread Their white wings above me, Watching round my bed.
When the morning wakens, Then may I arise Pure, and fresh, and sinless In Thy holy eyes.
Here is an interesting version of this hymn: a men’s “quartet,” which is actually one singer in a multi-track recording. Not professional, but nicely done.
2) Today in 1896 – Joseph Barnby Died
Joseph Barnby was an acclaimed composer, conductor and organist in nineteenth-century England. From his early teens, he was an outstanding choirmaster and he served as an organist in four London churches. Mr. Barnby was knighted in 1892. He edited several hymnals, and wrote 246 hymn tunes. Among the latter are Sandringham, for the hymn O Perfect Love, Merrial, for the above hymn (Now the Day Is Over), and Laudes Domini for When Morning Gilds the Skies.
When morning gilds the skies my heart awaking cries: May Jesus Christ be praised! Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair: May Jesus Christ be praised!
Does sadness fill my mind? A solace here I find, May Jesus Christ be praised! Or fades my earthly bliss? My comfort still is this, May Jesus Christ be praised!
His full name was Johannes Chrisostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart and, though he died at the relatively young age of 35, he is considered one of the greatest composers who ever lived. Mozart created over 600 musical works. Spiritually, his faith seems to have combined elements of both Catholicism and Protestantism, but comments in his letters suggest his beliefs were both sincere and deeply held. For example, he wrote:
Let us put our trust in God, and console ourselves with the thought that all is well if it is in accordance with the will of the Almighty, as He knows best what is profitable and beneficial to our temporal happiness and our eternal salvation.
Though he is not considered a hymn writer, several of his melodies have been used as hymn tunes. His tune Ariel is commonly used with O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth, and the tune Ellesdie is used in some hymn books with Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling, and Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken.
Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken, published in 1824, was written by Henry Lyte, author also of Abide with Me.
Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee. Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known. Yet how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still mine own.
Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Saviour, too. Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue. And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might, Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.
Here is a congregation singing Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken, to the tune Ellesdie.
(2) Today in 1839 – John Julian Born
The man’s name is sometimes written as John D. Julian, though there was no middle name given on his birth certificate. Englishman John Julian was an Anglican clergyman, but he is best known for his massive two-volume work on hymn history called Dictionary of Hymnology, subtitled Origin and History of Christian Hymns and Hymn Writers of All Ages and Nations, Together with Biographical and Critical Notices of Their Authors and Translators.
First published in 1892, this encyclopedic work was revised and updated by the author in 1907. In 1,768 double-columned pages, Julian gives us the history of over 30,000 English, American, German, and Latin hymns, and more. Though further research has shown he was very occasionally incorrect, he has given us an essential resource for the study of our hymnody.
(3) More from Fanny Crosby – Never Give Up
In October of 1941, Winston Churchill went to speak at Harrow School. Britain had just come through the frightful bombing raids of the Blitz, and this was much on the great man’s mind. He said to those assembled:
For everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period–I am addressing myself to the School–surely from this period of ten months, this is the lesson: Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never–in nothing, great or small, large or petty–never give in, except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
The same message of courage and steadfastness is fitting for soldiers of Christ.
Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Cor. 15:58)
Fanny Crosby published Never Give Up, a song on the theme in 1903, when she was 83 years of age. The tune was written by Ira Allan Sankey, son of the man who worked for many years with evangelist Dwight L. Moody. I. A. Sankey was president of Biglow and Main Music Publishers in New York City, the company that published many of Fanny Crosby’s songs.
Never be sad or desponding, If thou hast faith to believe. Grace, for the duties before thee, Ask of thy God and receive.
Never give up, never give up, Never give up to thy sorrows, Jesus will bid them depart. Trust in the Lord, trust in the Lord, Sing when your trials are greatest, Trust in the Lord and take heart.
Never be sad or desponding, There is a morrow for thee; Soon thou shalt dwell in its brightness, There with the Lord thou shalt be.
Mary Mapes Dodge was born in New York City. She went on to become a well-known author in nineteenth-century America. She wrote the children’s novel, Hans Brinker; or The Silver Skates in 1865, and it has remained in print ever since. (That novel is credited with introducing the sport of speed skating to America.) Mrs. Dodge also co-edited the publication Hearth and Home with Harriet Beecher Stowe, and edited St. Nicholas Magazine for children.
Mary Dodge has given us one hymn only, and appropriately it is a children’s hymn. But Can a Little Child Like Me? contains a lesson for all–that our gratitude to God can be expressed from day to day by living in a way that pleases Him.
Can a little child like me Thank the Father fittingly? Yes, oh yes! be good and true, Faithful, kind, in all you do; Love the Lord, and do your part; Learn to say with all your heart,
Father, we thank Thee, Father, we thank Thee, Father in heaven, we thank Thee.
For our comrades and our plays, And our happy holidays, For the joyful work and true That a little child might do, For our lives but just begun, For the great gift of Thy Son,
(2) Today in 1850 – Jeremiah Ohl Born
Jeremiah Franklin Ohl was an Evangelical Lutheran pastor serving in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. He supplied the fine tune St. Chrysostom for Frances Havergal’s hymn of dedication, Jesus, Master, Whose I Am. The song is based on Paul’s reference to God as the One “to whom I belong and whom I serve” (Acts 27:23).
Jesus, Master, whose I am, Purchased Thine alone to be, By Thy blood, O spotless Lamb, Shed so willingly for me, Let my heart be all Thine own, Let me live for Thee alone.
Other lords have long held sway; Now Thy name alone to bear, Thy dear voice alone obey, Is my daily, hourly prayer; Whom have I in heaven but Thee? Nothing else my joy can be.
Jesus, Master, whom I serve, Though so feebly and so ill, Strengthen hand and heart and nerve All Thy bidding to fulfil; Open Thou mine eyes to see All the work Thou hast for me.
(3) Data Missing – Some Golden Daybreak
Here is another song on which I wanted to offer a brief comment, but for which I could find no precise dates.
Sometime in 1934, pioneer radio pastor Reverend C. A. Blackmore preached a series of messages on the prospect of the second coming of Christ. In one he proclaimed, “Dear friend, all your suffering and pain will be over. You’ll have a new body. Arms and legs that are missing will be replaced. Friend, we’ll be like Jesus! You’ll have a glorified body some day, some golden daybreak when Jesus comes back.” A few days later, he received a letter from a woman who’d been bed-ridden for more than two decades. She thanked him for his sermon, and for the hope of that “golden daybreak” of Christ’s return.
Another who listened carefully to Pastor Blackmore’s encouraging message was his son Carl, the pianist and soloist for the broadcast. Carl Blackmore (1904-1964) was a gifted servant of the Lord in his own right. Pondering what the Bible calls “the blessed hope” of Christ’s return (Tit. 2:13), he wrote the words and music of a little chorus he called Some Golden Daybreak. But thinking the song incomplete, he asked his father to supply verses to go with it. The elder Blackmore replied, “I’m not much of a poet, but with the Lord’s help I’ll give it a try.”
Some time later, he awoke in the early morning hours, unable to sleep. As he meditated on the soon coming of Christ, lines of poetry began to form in his mind. They were added to complete the gospel song, with his son supplying the melody.
Some glorious morning sorrow will cease, Some glorious morning all will be peace; Heartaches all ended, school days all done, Heaven will open–Jesus will come.
Some golden daybreak Jesus will come; Some golden daybreak, battles all won, He’ll shout the vict’ry, break through the blue, Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
English clergyman Edward Henry Bickersteth Jr. was an honours graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge. He serve as vicar of Christ Church, Hampstead, was later dean of Gloucester and bishop of Exeter. He edited three hymn books and wrote about 30 hymns himself. In his editorial capacity, he did not hesitate to add words of his own when he sensed a particular hymn was either weak, or its thought incomplete. He did this with both Lead, Kindly Light, and Nearer, My God, to Thee. Two hymns of his own creation are Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing, and Till He Come (a lovely Communion hymn).
“Till He come,” O let the words Linger on the trembling chords, Let the “little while” between In their golden light be seen; Let us think how heaven and home Lie beyond that, “Till He come.”
See, the feast of love is spread, Drink the wine, and break the bread; Sweet memorials, till the Lord Calls us round His heavenly board; Some from earth, from glory some Severed only, “Till He come.”
Another of Bickersteth’s hymns, Peace, Perfect Peace has a unique structure. Each two-line stanza except one begins with a question, and then provides the answer. It may be effectively sung responsively by a congregation, either dividing men and women’s voices or, in a larger group, assigning different sections of the congregation to sing question and answer.
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace, perfect peace, by thronging duties pressed? To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away? In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.
Peace, perfect peace, our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.
Peace, perfect peace, death shadowing us and ours? Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers.
It is enough: earth’s struggles soon shall cease, And Jesus call us to Heaven’s perfect peace.
This covers many situations that concern us. But when a sister of the bishop’s read the text she noted there is nothing there about physical suffering. “That is soon remedied,” he responded, and jotted down the following. As far as I know, it has never been included with the published hymn, but it would fit nicely after the fifth stanza.
Peace, perfect peace, ’mid suffering’s sharpest throes? The sympathy of Jesus breathes repose.
(2) Today in 1941 – Eugene Bartlett Died
Eugene Monroe Bartlett Jr. wrote a gospel song, published in 1939, that celebrates the victory won at Calvary. Bartlett is considered one of the founding fathers of Southern Gospel music. He was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2000. He served several American churches with a music ministry, and was the Director of Church Music for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. He was a much sought-after music teacher, and wrote several hundred songs. Two years before he died of a brief illness, Bartlett wrote Victory in Jesus.
I heard an old, old story, how a Saviour came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me. I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning, Then I repented of my sins and won the victory.
O victory in Jesus, my Saviour forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.
3) Today in 1986 – Oswald Smith Died
Oswald Jeffrey Smith was a Canadian pastor and hymn writer, ministering for years in the city of Toronto. Each year, the Bible college where I trained used to present a Christmas concert at the People’s Church, where he served. Pastor Smith was in attendance, then about 80 years of age. He was the embodiment of his song, Joy in Serving Jesus–written when he was in his early twenties. Another hymn of his he simply called Saved! It has an interesting story associated with it.
Even though he would eventually be used of the Lord to accomplish great things, Smith was struggling in his early days. In 1919 evangelist Paul Rader had come to Toronto to hold an evangelistic campaign in Massey Hall. Oswald Smith wanted to be involved, but it was at a difficult period in his life. Out of work, and discouraged, he offered to usher at the meetings, but was told he was not needed. He tried to do some counseling, but says he was ignored. Finally he took on the job of selling souvenir songbooks. At least he would have some part in the event. But he continued to feel, as he put it, “out of everything.”
Then, at one meeting, the song leader announced they were going to sing a new song included in the crusade songbook. Pointing down to where Smith was standing with his stack of books he said, “That young man down there wrote this hymn!” (Though it was newly published, Smith had actually penned it in 1917.) So they sang it. The melody poured forth from the 3,400 people gathered, and it almost seemed, the author recalls, “as though they would lift the roof.” The experience encouraged him, and he felt energized to continue serving the Lord. The song begins:
Saved, saved, saved! My sins are all forgiv’n; Christ is mine, I’m on my way to heav’n; Once a guilty sinner, lost, undone, Now a child of God, saved through His Son.”
Saved! I’m saved through Christ, my all in all; Saved! I’m saved, whatever may befall; He died upon the cross for me, He bore the awful penalty; And now I’m saved eternally– I’m saved! Saved! Saved!
John Mason Neale is known mainly as a translator of ancient Greek and Latin hymns.
Neale’s translated hymn Christian, Dost Thou See Them, was written by Andrew of Crete in the seventh century. He also produced the carol, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, and hymns such as Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain, The Day of Resurrection, Jerusalem the Golden, and Christ Is Made the Sure Foundation, from ancient texts.
For Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid? he took an idea from an eighth-century hymn by Stephen of Mar Saba, but almost the entire text of the hymn is Neale’s own work. (“Languid” means fainting and weak.)
Art thou weary, art thou languid, Art thou sore distressed? “Come to Me,” saith One, “and coming, Be at rest.”
If I ask Him to receive me, Will He say me nay? Not till earth and not till heaven Pass away.
Finding, following, keeping, struggling, Is He sure to bless? Saints, apostles, prophets, martyrs, Answer, Yes!
John Neale also wrote the carol Good King Wenceslas, based on the life of a godly king from nearly a thousand years before his time. Wenceslas, who lived around 907 to 935 A.D., was Duke of Bohemia (part of the Czech Republic). Raised by his godly grandmother, he determined to rule Bohemia on Christian principles.
It was a great pleasure for Wenceslas to do all in his power to aid the poor. Long before Christmas became a time known for gift-giving, he himself developed that practice. Sadly, Wenceslas’s twin brother was an unbeliever who plotted to return Bohemia to pagan ways. One day, he met the king, and without warning stabbed him to death. It is reported that Wenceslas sank to the ground murmuring, “Brother, may God forgive you.” He was only about thirty years old at the time.
Though Neale’s song does not give us much in the way of Bible doctrine, it tells a story of Christian charity and sacrificial giving. The moral comes in the last stanza: When we bless others with the love of Christ, we ourselves are blessed.
Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gathering winter fuel.
“Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.” Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together, Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger, Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly, You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”
In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing, You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
(2) Data Missing – Blessed Be the Name
This is one of those popular gospel songs I wanted to include, though we have little data concerning its origin. The words were written in the nineteenth century, by a man named William H. Clark, about whom we know nothing else. The tune seems to have been that of an old camp meeting song, worked over by hymn writers Ralph Hudson and William Kirkpatrick. Sometimes the refrain is paired with Charles Wesley’s O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.
All praise to Him who reigns above In majesty supreme, Who gave His Son for man to die, That He might man redeem!
Blessèd be the name! Blessèd be the name! Blessèd be the name of the Lord! Blessèd be the name! Blessèd be the name! Blessèd be the name of the Lord!
Redeemer, Saviour, Friend of man Once ruined by the fall, Thou hast devised salvation’s plan, For Thou hast died for all.
God Is the Fountain is a hymn by Benjamin Beddome. (Originally, his first line was “Love is the fountain…” using the word love as a title for the Lord.) The hymn is perhaps better known in England than on this side of the Atlantic.
Beddome was a Calvinistic Baptist pastor, serving a church in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water for 55 years. A lovely stream flows through the centre of the town, and this may have been an inspiration for the hymn just mentioned. Pastor Beddome wrote over 800 hymns, most of them relating to his sermon on a particular Sunday, and to be sung at the close of the service.
God is the fountain whence Ten thousand blessings flow; To Him my life, my health, and friends, And every good, I owe.
The comforts He affords Are neither few nor small; He is the source of fresh delights, My portion and my all.
He fills my heart with joy, My lips attunes for praise; And to His glory I’ll devote The remnant of my days.
(2) Today in 1825 – Albert Midlane Born
Albert Midlane has the distinction of being the only hymn writer I know of who lived his entire life on the Isle of Wight. The Isle of Wight is a scenic island in the English Channel, off the southern coast of England. Queen Victoria had her summer home there in Midlane’s day, and Charles Dickens wrote David Copperfield while staying there.
Mr. Midlane was a Christian businessman who credited his Sunday School teacher with encouraging him to write poetry. He wrote over 300 hymns in his lifetime, but only one is in common use today, Revive Thy Work, O Lord, published in 1872.
Revive Thy work, O Lord, Thy mighty arm make bare; Speak with the voice that wakes the dead, And make Thy people hear.
Revive Thy work, O Lord, Create soul-thirst for Thee; And hungering for the Bread of Life O may our spirits be.
(3) Today in 1893 – Phillips Brooks Died
Phillips Brooks had memorized around 200 hymns as a boy, and he was often heard singing them in his room at Harvard University. Later, he became an Anglican (Episcopal) pastor, and he has been called the greatest American preacher of the nineteenth century. He became known for the boldness of his evangelical sermons, calling people to faith in Christ in New England, a Unitarian stronghold at the time.
Though a lifelong bachelor, Brooks took a great interest in children. He wrote several hymns, but by far the most famous is his carol, O Little Town of Bethlehem, a reminiscence of his visit to the Holy Land in 1865, and his attendance at a service in the Church of the Nativity. A star in the floor of that church (seen here) marks the place where it is believed Christ was born.
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light; The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
(4) Today in 1993 – Thomas Dorsey Died
Thomas Andrew Dorsey (the hymn writer, not the famous band leader), was a black entertainer known professionally as Georgia Tom. He had been a blues singer for years, and even written popular songs. Then, during a period of serious illness, he gave his heart and life to Christ. From that day he went on to write about four hundred gospel songs, actively serving the Lord for nearly half a century. One of his compositions in particular has remained popular ever since. The writing of it came about as follows.
In 1932, Mr. Dorsey was invited to sing at a series of revival meetings in St. Louis. He did not want to accept, as his wife was expecting their first child at any time. But she urged him to go. Then, during the first or second night of the meetings, a telegram was brought to him. It conveyed the sad news that his wife had died giving birth to a son. Grief-stricken, Dorsey drove back home. Within a few hours, his baby son died as well. He buried them both in the same casket.
In despondency, Thomas Dorsey went to visit a friend. As they talked the musician was encouraged with the thought that whatever happened, he was in the hands of a loving God. After a while, he sat down at the piano and began to improvise the prayer-song, Precious Lord, Take My Hand.
Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.
When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near, When my life is almost gone, Hear my cry, hear my call, Hold my hand lest I fall:
Here are two interesting versions of this song. In the first, Thomas Dorsey himself tells the story of how the song came to be written, followed by a distinctive black gospel version of the song. The second is a choral version, with quite different lyrics. But the main focus is on the conductor. I include it as an example of masterful choral conducting.
