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Hymn Almanac October

Today in 1895 – Avis Christiansen Born

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Avis Marguerite Burgeson was a lifelong Chicago resident who attended the great Moody Church, pastored for many years by Dr. Harry Ironside. In 1917, Avis Burgeson married Ernest Christiansen who became a vice president of Moody Bible Institute. A modest and retiring woman, Mrs. Christiansen sometimes used pen names–Avis Burgesson, Christian B. Anson and Constance B. Ried. She began writing poems in childhood, and before her death in 1985 had written thousands of them–many of which were turned into insightful and singable gospel songs. Here are a few that she has given us.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
Blessed Calvary
Blessed Redeemer
Come, Come, Ye Saints*
Fill All My Vision
How Can It Be?
It Is Glory Just to Walk with Him
Jesus Has Lifted Me
Love Found a Way
Only One Life to Offer

*This is a much revised version of a Mormon hymn, rendering it more in keeping with orthodox Christianity.

One Sunday evening at Moody Church, Avis Christiansen heard a message by Paul Rader on John 3:16. He emphasized the love of God that provided for our salvation in the cross of Christ, and said, “Love found a way.” Musician Harry Dixon Loes was struck by the words, and quickly jotted down a few phrases. He gave them to his friend Avis, and the ideas later became her song,

Wonderful love that rescued me, sunk deep in sin,
Guilty and vile as I could be—no hope within;
When every ray of light had fled, O glorious day!
Raising my soul from out the dead, love found a way.

Love found a way, to redeem my soul,
Love found a way, that could make me whole.
Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,
Love found a way, O praise His holy Name!

Space won’t permit a discussion of many of Christiansen’s fine songs, but consider Blessed Calvary for a moment. The words are Avis’s. The tune was supplied by Lance Brenton Latham. Latham was an accomplished concert pianist. (I was privileged to hear him when he was in his eighties, and his playing even then was amazing!) He was also a pastor. But his most recognized accomplishment was his founding of a children’s club that eventually became the worldwide Awana Youth Association. The Christiansen and Latham hymn says:

I look at the cross upon Calvary,
And O what a wonder divine!
To think of the wealth it holds for me–
The riches of heaven are mine.

Blessed Calvary, precious Calvary!
‘Neath thy shadow I’ll ever abide;
Blessed Calvary, precious Calvary!
‘Twas there Jesus suffered and died.

The cross is my hope for eternity–
No merit have I of my own;
The shed blood of Christ my only plea–
My trust is in Jesus alone.

(2) How Blest Was That Life (Data Missing)

Both the author of the words and the composer of the tune are unknown for this little song. (You can hear the tune played on the Cyber Hymnal.)

How Blest Was That Life reflects on how wonderful it would have been to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching, during His days here upon earth. But it reminds us as well that we serve a living Saviour, who continues to be accessible to us, and whom we will one day see.

How blest was that life once lived upon earth,
The life of the Saviour of men!
What joy was their part who learned at His feet,
Who loved and who worshipped Him then!

I know that He liveth, Redeemer and Friend,
To bless and to comfort our way;
I know the glad song of the heavenly throng—
He liveth, He liveth today!

The Friend of our need, the Hope of the world,
Abides with us still as of old;
When wandering far in sorrow and sin,
He leadeth us home to the fold.

Thou art not afar, in regions unknown:
Our faith reacheth up unto Thee;
And still, through the mists of ages long past,
The Saviour of sinners doth see.

Today in 1841 – William Ogden Born

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William Augustine Ogden showed a talent for making music early on. He began studying the subject at the age of 8, and was reading music with some facility in two years. Not long after, it was discovered he was able to write down the music notation of a melody after hearing it played or sung. In adulthood, with the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted, organizing a male choir that became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland.

After the war, Ogden resumed his study of music. Hymn writers Lowell Mason and Thomas Hastings were among his teachers. He published numerous songbooks of his compositions, and taught music at many schools in the United States and Canada. In 1887, he because Superintendent of Music in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio.

A number of William Ogden’s gospel songs, or ones for which he provided the melody, are still in use. Among them are:

Bring Them In
He Is Able to Deliver Thee
Look and Live
Seeking the Lost

Ogden has given us songs of invitation, calling sinners to look to Christ for salvation, as well as songs of exhortation to carry the gospel to those who need to hear it.

Look and Live speaks of the perceptive look of faith. It draws upon an incident in the Old Testament (Num. 21:5-9, especially vs. 9), which the Lord Jesus later used as a picture of Himself (Jn. 3:14-15). That same “look” of faith for salvation is also reflected in a text that was the means of bringing Charles Haddon Spurgeon to Christ: “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!” (Isa. 45:22).

I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!
The message unto you I’ll give;
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”

Look and live, my brother, live,
Look to Jesus now and live;
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you look and live.

Life is offered unto you, Hallelujah!
Eternal life your soul shall have,
If you only look to Him, Hallelujah!
Look to Jesus Who alone can save.

Seeking the Lost finds its inspiration in the parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk. 15:3-7). I can remember singing this song with a male choir 50 years ago. (There is a nice melody section for the basses in the chorus.)

Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating
Wanderers on the mountain astray;
“Come unto Me,” His message repeating,
Words of the Master speaking today.

Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wanderer back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer
Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain.

Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint and raising the fallen,
Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.

(2) Today in 1958 – George Bennard Died

George Bennard’s name will be forever linked to his gospel song, The Old Rugged Cross. That hymn became almost an instant favourite after its publication around 1915. It has remained so, ever since.

Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873. When he was young, he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, in a Salvation Army meeting. He and his wife later worked with the Salvation Army for a number of years. Then he entered evangelistic work on his own, holding meetings in the United States and Canada. Hymn writer Al Smith speaks of meeting him in a drugstore, in his latter years, and describes him as “an elderly man with flowing snow white hair and very thick glasses.”

We are indebted to Mr. Bennard for other songs in addition to his best-known one. One that you will find in some songbooks is the challenge to evangelism and missions, Speak, My Lord. It is based on the vision of Isaiah in Isa. 6:1-8. There, when God sought for a messenger, the prophet responded, “Here am I! Send me.” May we be as ready to do the Father’s will.

Hear the Lord of harvest sweetly calling,
“Who will go and work for Me today?
Who will bring to Me the lost and dying?
Who will point them to the narrow way?”

Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I’ll be quick to answer Thee;
Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I will answer, “Lord, send me.”

Soon the time for reaping will be over;
Soon we’ll gather for the harvest home;
May the Lord of harvest smile upon us,
May we hear His blessèd, “Child, well done.”

(3) More from James Montgomery

The son of a clergyman, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, for many years he turned his back on his early upbringing, and abandoned the church of his youth. But the Lord kept seeking the prodigal, and eventually he repented of his backslidden ways, and recommitted himself to Christ. Desiring restoration to church fellowship as well, he wrote:

People of the living God,
I have sought the world around,
Paths of sin and sorrow trod,
Peace and comfort nowhere found.
Now to you my spirit turns–
Turns a fugitive unblessed:
Brethren, where your altar burns,
O receive me into rest.

By God’s grace, James Montgomery became one of the great hymnists of the evangelical church. In his Christian Psalmist, published in 1825, he included a beautiful hymn for the Lord’s Supper. Called According to Thy Gracious Word, It was inspired by the words of the Lord Jesus in Lk. 22:19, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

According to Thy gracious word,
In meek humility,
This will I do, my dying Lord,
I will remember Thee.

Thy body, broken for my sake,
My bread from heaven shall be;
The testamental cup I take,
And thus remember Thee.

When to the cross I turn mine eyes,
And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
I must remember Thee;

Remember Thee, and all Thy pains
And all Thy love to me;
Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains,
Will I remember Thee.

Today in 1958 – Margaret Simpson Died

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Margaret Mae Simpson was the daughter of Albert Simpson, the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. Delicate as an infant, she nonetheless lived until the age of 80.

Margaret wrote the tune for her father’s missionary hymn, The Regions Beyond, published in 1904. The phrase is taken from II Cor. 10:16, where Paul expresses his purpose “to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you [i.e. areas beyond Corinth].”

To the regions beyond I must go, I must go
Where the story has never been told;
To the millions that never have heard of His love,
I must tell the sweet story of old.

To the regions beyond
I must go, I must go,
Till the world, all the world,
His salvation shall know.

To the hardest of places He calls me to go,
Never thinking of comfort or ease;
The world may pronounce me a dreamer, a fool,
Enough if the Master I please.

(2) More from John Newton

An encouraging–though little known–hymn of John Newton’s, that he entitled The Lord Will Provide, was published in his hymn book, Olney Hymns, in 1779.

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;
From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied
So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;
Yet, since we have known of the Saviour’s great name,
In this our strong tower for safety we hide:
The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”

Today in 1865 – Hugh Stowell Died

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Hugh Stowell, born in 1799, on the Isle of Man, was an Anglican clergyman who served his denomination in a number of positions. He was also a great man of prayer. His son wrote, “My father’s last utterances abundantly showed his love of and delight in prayer. Almost every word was prayer…The morning of his death the only articulate words that we could catch, uttered two or three hours before his decease, were ‘Amen! Amen!’”

His passion to commune with God is indicated by the only hymn of his that is still in common use, From Every Stormy Wind That Blows. Because it uses the imagery of the Old Testament “mercy seat,” let’s take a moment to look at the Scripture regarding that.

The context is God’s instruction to Israel for building a worship centre called the tabernacle. The most sacred item in the tabernacle, kept by itself in an inner sanctuary called the holy of holies, was the ark of the covenant. In the ark, among some other things were to be placed the stone tables inscribed with the Ten Commandments. The lid of the ark, made of solid gold, was called the mercy seat. (Note: the “cubit” [kewbit] is about 18 inches.)

The High Priest and the Ark of the Covenant

You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. And you shall make two cherubim [angelic beings] of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat….And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat….And there I [the Lord] will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat.

Exod. 25:17-22
Graphic Mercy Seat Diagram

In between the two golden cherubim, Jehovah God manifested His presence in the form of a glorious light that the Jews called the shekinah. Picture the arrangement, referring to this simplified drawing. Above, was the revealed presence of a holy God. Below, his righteous and holy Law, broken many times by the people. How could such a holy One meet and have fellowship with a sinful people? The answer: The only way was for the shed blood of a substitute to intervene. This was symbolized in an annual ceremony under the Law of Israel.

Once a year, the high priest entered the holy of holies and applied the blood of a sacrifice to the mercy seat. This portrayed the way that the shed blood of a substitute came between a holy God and His broken Law. And this symbolism was finally fulfilled in reality at the cross of Calvary. “Christ died for our sins” (I Cor. 15:3). We are able to have our sins forgiven, and find acceptance with God, through faith in the sacrifice of Christ.

Hugh Stowell pictured his fellowship with God as an approach to the mercy seat, where the justice of a holy God was satisfied through Christ. Through the blood of Christ shed on the cross, he was able to have access to God.

From every stormy wind that blows,
From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sure retreat;
’Tis found beneath the mercy seat.

There is a place where Jesus sheds
The oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all besides more sweet;
It is the blood bought mercy seat.

There, there, on eagles’ wings we soar,
And time and sense seem all no more;
And heaven comes down, our souls to greet,
And glory crowns the mercy seat.

(2) More from Isaac Watts – Jesus Shall Reign

Isaac Watts was both a brilliant man and a very significant hymn writer. For good reason he has been called “the Father of English Hymnody.”  His Jesus Shall Reign, a paraphrase of Psalm 72, pictures the coming reign of Christ. But nearly two centuries ago there was a remarkable illustration of the transforming power of the gospel that foreshadows the blessings of the Messiah’s coming kingdom

By 1821, missionary work had already been taking place on the Pacific island of Fiji. Many had come to Christ. Then, one day, the people there were terrified to see a Tonga war canoe appear on the horizon. No wonder they were fearful. The Tonga warriors were ferocious head-hunters and cannibals. But incredibly they had not come that day to kill. They wanted to buy a Bible. Somehow they had heard about Christ, and wanted to know more.

Even more remarkable, this was their second attempt to reach Fiji. A canoe had been sent out some time before, only to vanish without a trace. Now, a second boat had made the perilous journey across 250 miles of open ocean on the same urgent quest. They had not even realized that a Bible would be completely useless to them. Not one of them could read! But a solution was proposed.

Seeing in their earnestness the call of God, a missionary named John Thomas agreed to return with them to teach the Word of God. Over the next twenty years, on Tonga and the neighbouring islands, that ministry was visited with such blessing that thousands put their faith in the Saviour. Then, on Whit-Sunday (Pentecost) of 1862, an amazing worship service was held.

Under the spreading umbrella of a banyan tree, some 5,000 native Christians assembled. The meeting was led by “King George,” a local ruler who had himself been a cannibal in his younger years. He too was now a dedicated follower of Christ. Around him sat a coterie of old chiefs, warriors who had fought many a grisly battle in days gone by.

All rejoiced in God’s gracious salvation, and their faces radiated with sublime joy. King George announced that the islands would now be governed according to Christian principles. Formerly bound by wicked cruelty and dark superstition, they now bowed the knee to Christ.

One hymn chosen to be sung that day was Jesus Shall Reign. Picture the scene in 1862. As the sunlight beamed down on that South Sea island, dancing and sparkling on the incoming waves, 5,000 native believers lifted their voices and sang, in their own tongue, “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth his successive journeys run.” Delivered from heathen darkness by the power of Christ, they were the living embodiment of the words.

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Doth his successive journeys run;
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

From north to south the princes meet
To pay their homage at His feet;
While western empires own their Lord,
And savage tribes attend His Word.

To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.

Peoples and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name.

Blessings abound where’er He reigns;
The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;
The weary find eternal rest,
And all the sons of want are blessed.

Today in 1810 – Henry Alford Born

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Henry Alford was an Anglican clergyman, born in London. At the age of 16, he wrote in his Bible: “I do this day, in the presence of God and my own soul, renew my covenant with God, and solemnly determine henceforth to become His, and to do His work, as far as in me lies.” He became an eloquent preacher in Victorian England. In addition, he wrote a scholarly four-volume commentary on the Greek New Testament, translated a number of hymns, and wrote some of his own. Before his death, Alford specified what he wanted on his tombstone. In English translation the Latin inscription reads: “The inn of a traveller on his way to Jerusalem.”

Dean Henry Alford has given us two fine hymns that are still in use: Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand, and Come, Ye Thankful People, Come. The former hymn, a thrilling depiction of the saints triumphant in the heavenly kingdom, was sung at the author’s own funeral.

Ten thousand times ten thousand in sparkling raiment bright,
The armies of the ransomed saints throng up the steeps of light;
’Tis finished, all is finished, their fight with death and sin;
Fling open wide the golden gates, and let the victors in.

Bring near Thy great salvation, Thou Lamb for sinners slain;
Fill up the roll of Thine elect, then take Thy power, and reign;
Appear, Desire of nations, Thine exiles long for home;
Show in the heaven Thy promised sign; Thou Prince and Saviour, come.

The second hymn appears, in the beginning, to be a thanksgiving hymn, a harvest hymn. But Dean Alford saw the prophetic application of the words, based on the Parable of the Tares (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43).

Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;
From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,
Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;
Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;
Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

Graphic Thanksgiving (1)

(2) Today in 1835 – Folliot Pierpont Born

Folliot Sandford Pierpont was a distinguished classical scholar in England. He taught for a number of years, and published some poems, but he is known in hymnody for one song only, the hymn of thanksgiving, For the Beauty of the Earth.

In the song he lists many of the blessings for which we should be grateful to God. And of course we need more than an annual Thanksgiving Day for this. Each day of the Christian’s life should be thanksgiving day (I Thess. 5:18).

For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Today in 1816 – William Bradbury Born

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The name of William Batchelder Bradbury may not be too familiar to some, but he made a great contribution to our hymnody. Bradbury was a pioneer in music for children, both in the public school system and in the Sunday School. And it was this man who first encouraged Fanny Crosby to begin writing hymns.

A church organist, William Bradbury also organized singing classes, and taught music in the public schools. With his brother, he founded the Bradbury Piano Company. He devoted much time to composing and editing, and was the composer of dozens of gospel hymn tunes, such as those for Jesus Loves Me, Holy Bible, Book Divine, Even Me, Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us, The Solid Rock, Sweet Hour of Prayer, and many more.

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer,
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known;
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief,
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.

(2) Today in 1818 – Silas Vail Born

Silas Jones Vail, born in Brooklyn, New York, trained as a hatter. He clerked in a store, and later had a successful business of his own. Vail also compiled and published collections of songs. His book The Athenaeum Collection included 10 new songs by popular composer Stephen Foster. Then, in 1874, in collaboration with Horace Waters and W. F. Sherwin, Vail published Songs of Grace and Glory, a book of Sunday School songs.

In the book was printed, for the first time, Fanny Crosby’s lovely song, Close to Thee. Silas Vail composed the tune for it. Well, actually, he composed the tune before the words were written. Then Vail went to see Fanny Crosby, and played it for her, asking that she think of some words to go with it. While he was playing it, Fanny said, “That refrain says ‘Close to Thee; close to Thee.” The composer agreed, and a new song was born.

“‘Then I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach Me; For who is this who pledged his heart to approach Me?’ says the Lord. ‘You shall be My people, And I will be your God.’” (Jer. 30:21-22)

“Let us draw near with a true heart and full assurance of faith.” (Heb. 10:22)

Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee,
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.

Not for ease or worldly pleasure, nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee, close to Thee,
Gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.

(3) Today in 1945 – George Stebbins Died

American musician George Coles Stebbins was born in 1846, and lived through almost a century of the development of gospel music. He studied music in Buffalo and Rochester, New York, then moved to Chicago, where he became acquainted with many of the gospel songwriters of the day, George Root, Philip Bliss, and Ira Sankey.

He served as the director of music in a couple of churches, but in 1876, evangelist Dwight L. Moody persuaded him to focus on evangelistic ministry. He directed the choir for Moody’s first evangelistic campaign in that year. And for the next quarter of a century he was associated with Mr. Moody and other evangelists.

In addition to serving as a choir director and song leader, George Stebbins composed hundreds of hymn tunes, and assisted in the publication of a number of song collections. Among many others, he wrote tunes for:

Calling Today
Have Thine Own Way, Lord
I’ve Found a Friend
Jesus, I Come
Must I Go and Empty-handed?
Saved by Grace
Saviour, Breathe an Evening Blessing
Take Time to Be Holy
There Is a Green Hill Far Away
Throw Out the Lifeline
Ye Must Be Born Again

Fanny Crosby’s fine gospel song Saved by Grace had an interesting beginning. In his book, Reminiscences and Gospel Hymn Stories, Mr. Stebbins tells what happened.

During the August Conference at Northfield in 1893, Fanny Crosby, who was a guest in Mr. Sankey’s summer home, was invited to address the conference at one of its sessions. At the close of her remarks, she quoted the verses of Saved by Grace….That evening Mr. Sankey asked, “Fanny, where did you get the hymn you quoted?”…She replied, with a smile, that she had stored it away in her memory, to use when she was asked to address meetings, and added, “I don’t intend to let any of you singers have it, either.” Meaning thereby that she did not want it set to music, lest it become well known and less desirable for her individual use.

However, there was a reporter at the meeting, who took down the words in shorthand. Not knowing of Fanny’s wish to keep the poem for her exclusive use, he published it in the paper. Ira Sankey and George Stebbins spoke of this afterward. Sankey felt that since they had become widely known, they should be set to music, and he asked his friend Mr. Stebbins to write a tune. It became a song much used in Dwight Moody’s meetings–and there’s no evidence that Fanny Crosby objected in the end.

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing;
But oh, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!

And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace;
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall.
I cannot tell how soon ’twill be;
But this I know—my All in All
Has now a place in heav’n for me.

Some day: till then I’ll watch and wait,
My lamp all trimmed and burning bright,
That when my Saviour ope’s the gate,
My soul to Him may take its flight.

Today in 1864 – Hold the Fort inspired

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Hymn writer Philip Paul Bliss has given us a couple of songs based on contemporary incidents. Hold the Fort relates to something that happened during the American Civil War.

Graphic Civil War

A company of Union soldiers was commanded to defend an important supply depot at Altoona Pass. (A million and a half rations were stored there.) Soon surrounded by a much stronger force of Confederate troops, it looked as though the cause was hopeless. But suddenly, an officer caught sight of a white signal flag being flown from Kenesaw Mountain, 20 miles away. Soon, a message was conveyed across the miles: “Hold the fort; I am coming.” (William Tecumseh Sherman). A cheer went up from the men, and they redoubled their efforts and were able to hold on until Sherman arrived with reinforcements and drove the enemy back. (If you’d like to see a picture of the man who sent the signal, and a picture of his actual signal flag, check here.)

Bliss took this as an illustration of our spiritual conflict, and of the need to remain faithful to our charge, and continue on until Christ comes again.

Ho, my comrades! see the signal waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.

“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”

There is also a fascinating story behind Philip Bliss’s song, Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. A harbour on Lake Erie, at Cleveland, was set up with a series of lights to guide ships in safely. Above the harbour was a lighthouse. Then, along the channel that led to an inner basin that was the Cleveland harbour there was a series of lamps lit.

But one day, the man responsible for lighting the lower lights carelessly neglected his duty. He reasoned that the lighthouse was good enough, and no one had ever yet failed to make the harbour. So he decided not to bother igniting the channel lights.

That night a terrible storm blew up, with waves rolling in like mountains, and the moon and stars obscured by black clouds. Nearing the harbour was a ship, and on deck this conversation took place between the captain and the pilot, amid the roar of the storm:

“Are you sure this is Cleveland?” asked the captain.
“Quite sure, sir,” replied the pilot.
“Where are the lower lights?”
“Gone out, sir.”
“Can you make the harbor?”
“We must, or perish, sir!”

But they did not make it. And the ship went down with great loss of life. Bliss applied this story to the need for Christians to share their faith. From heaven shines the great light of the gospel, through the Word. But we bear the lesser lights along the shore, commissioned to guide sinners into the safe harbour of God’s salvation.

Brightly beams our Father’s mercy from His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

Let the lower lights be burning!
Send a gleam across the wave!
For to us He gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.

Graphic Riverside Church

(2) Today in 1930 – God of Grace and God of Glory written

Modernist pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick wrote this hymn for the opening service of Riverside Church, in New York City (pictured to the left). On one occasion, when our family was visiting friends in the city, my father and his friend attended a concert given by renowned organist Virgil Fox at the large and magnificent edifice

In his day, Fosdick stoutly denied the inspiration of Scripture, seeing the Bible rather as a record of the evolution of religious thought. In a famous sermon, “Shall the Fundamentalists Win?” he opposed those who held to the fundamental doctrines of the apostolic faith. While many of us would disagree with Fosdick’s theology, and with that of Riverside Church over the years, the hymn in question has some merit–and a certain irony in its defense of Christ, given the views of the author!

God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power.
Crown Thine ancient church’s story,
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,

Lo! the hosts of evil ’round us,
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways.
From the fears that long have bound us,
Free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,
For the living of these days.

Today in 1226 – Francis of Assisi Died

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Francesco Bernardone was born in central Italy. At the age of 22 he had a significant spiritual experience and determined to devote himself to a life of poverty and service for Christ.

A few years later, he formulated his lifestyle into a set of rules, applying to Pope Innocent III for permission to found a religious order along these lines. It was granted, and the Franciscan order was born. Barefoot, and having given up all earthly possessions, members went out two by two, preaching the need for repentance, and aiding the poor and the sick wherever they went, frequently working compassionately among lepers. They slept in hay lofts or leper houses along the way.

Francis died at the age of 44, but his great love of the natural world is commemorated in his hymn, All creatures of our God and King.

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

(2) Today in 1837 – Mary Maxwell Born

At least, we think Mary E. Maxwell was born then. There is a bit of a mystery surrounding the authorship of the hymn Channels Only. Nowhere is data available for the woman credited with writing it. However, there was a popular author in England whose name was Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837-1915). She married a John Maxwell in 1874, and it is thought that she may be the “Mary E. Maxwell” credited with the hymn-poem.

Whatever the authorship, this song says some important things. Preeminently, that we have nothing of spiritual worth to give needy people. Rather, the Lord wants us to be channels of His love and blessing to them. The Bible speaks of being “a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (II Tim. 2:21). That is what God expects of us–to His glory, not our own.

Using a slightly different gardening analogy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (I Cor. 3:6-7). He says, “I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (I Cor. 15:3). And he adds later, “I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (vs. 10). Are you a channel the Lord can use?

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me
That I might Thy channel be.

Channels only, blessèd Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.

Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest
Graciously with each command.

(3) Today in 1888 – Homer Rodeheaver Born

Homer Alvan Rodeheaver began his gospel music ministry as a song leader with evangelist Billy Sunday. Uniquely, he held his trombone in one hand, as he led. Another gospel musician, George Stebbins, called it his “magic wand.” Stebbins said he was impressed with:

His great gift as a leader and…the ease with which he controls vast multitudes of people; also his winsome personality which renders him a worthy and invaluable associate of the great evangelist with whom he has been working for many years.

Mr. Rodheaver appears briefly (with his signature trombone) at the beginning of this very old film clip, as he introduces Billy Sunday to a waiting audience. Billy speaks of the reasons for his support of Prohibition.

Homer Rodeheaver wrote the music for a number of gospel songs. Among them, Good Night and Good Morning, and Then Jesus Came. In later years he founded the Rodeheaver-Ackly Company (eventually becoming the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack Company), publishers of gospel music.

Today in 1832 – Lina Sandell Born

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Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg (Lina Sandell) was born in Sweden, the daughter of Lutheran pastor Jonas Sandell. Not physically strong as a child, she often stayed inside in her father’s study, while friends were out playing. A poetic gift appeared early on. Lina published her first book of poems when she was only 15.

When she was 26, Lina and her father were crossing Lake Vattern on a boat trip. Suddenly, the boat pitched, and he fell overboard and was drowned before her eyes. This tragedy deeply affected her. God used it to turn her toward a ministry of writing hymns. Over succeeding years she wrote about 650 of them, becoming known as the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden.” Her deeply devotional songs played an important part in the revival that took place in her home country in the nineteenth century. Carolina Sandell married a Stockholm merchant, C. O. Berg, at the age of 35, but she continued to initial her hymns L. S.

Legendary soprano, Jenny Lind, “the Swedish Nightingale,” was well known for her classical concerts on both sides of the Atlantic. But as a woman of faith she used to visit the common working men as they laboured, singing for them many of Lina Sandell’s hymns. Jenny Lind helped to get Lina Sandell’s hymns published.

Swan on a nest

Two songs Lina Sandell wrote are still in common use: Day by Day, and Children of the Heavenly Father (Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara meaning, literally, Safer Can Nothing [Be]). Though some historians date the latter song from 1858, shortly after the death of Sandell’s father, she likely wrote it when in her mid-teens. It was, however, sung at her father’s funeral, and that may account for the confusion. The second of the stanzas printed below has a poignant appropriateness to her loss.

Children of the heavenly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

What He takes or what He gives us
Shows the Father’s love so precious;
We may trust His purpose wholly–
‘Tis His children’s welfare solely.

Note: Sometimes the hymn is entitled More Secure Is No one Ever, and is begun with the last stanza of Sandell’s poem:

More secure is no one ever
Than the loved ones of the Saviour
Not yon star on high abiding
Nor the bird in home-nest hiding.

Another of this author’s hymns voices a commitment to depend on and follow the Lord, day by day. You can see the full hymn, and hear the tune, on the Cyber Hymnal.

I with Thee would begin, O my Savior so dear,
On the way that I still must pursue;
I with Thee would begin every day granted here,
As my earnest resolve I renew
To be and remain Thine forever.

Let Thy Word all divine be my lamp in whose light
I may constantly keep to Thy way;
And each day wouldst Thou cleanse me anew, make me white
In the blood shed for me on that day
The cross Thou didst suffer, Lord Jesus.

(2) The Wise May Bring Their Learning (Data Missing)

This fine children’s hymn appeared in 1881, but we know nothing of the authorship. It expresses clearly many of the ways a child can honour and serve the Lord. The tune was written by Edward Hopkins.

The wise may bring their learning, the rich may bring their wealth,
And some may bring their greatness, and some bring strength and health;
We, too, would bring our treasures to offer to the King;
We have no wealth or learning; what shall we children bring?

We’ll bring Him hearts that love Him; we’ll bring Him thankful praise,
And young souls meekly striving to walk in holy ways;
And these shall be the treasures we offer to the King,
And these are gifts that even the poorest child may bring.

We’ll bring the little duties we have to do each day;
We’ll try our best to please Him, at home, at school, at play;
And better are these treasures to offer to our King;
Than richest gifts without them—yet these a child may bring.

Today in 1808 – Allen Chatfield Born

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Allen William Chatfield was an Anglican clergyman, and a scholar who graduated from Cambridge winning first class in classical honours. He wrote Songs and Hymns of Earliest Greek Christian Poets in 1876, and several of the ancient hymns he translated were published and used. Among them is Lord Jesus, Think on Me, written in Greek by Synesius of Cyrene, around 430 AD. It says in part:

Lord Jesus, think on me
And purge away my sin;
From earthborn passions set me free
And make me pure within.

Lord Jesus, think on me,
With many a care oppressed;
Let me Thy loving servant be
And taste Thy promised rest.

Lord Jesus, think on me
Nor let me go astray;
Through darkness and perplexity
Point Thou the heavenly way.

(2) Today in 1918 – Donald Hustad Born

Donald Paul Hustad has had a long and varied career in Christian music, extending over more than six decades. An outstanding organist and choral director, a music historian, an editor with Hope Publishing Company, and a composer of sacred music, Hustad has received many honours over his time of ministry. He was associated with the Billy Graham Evangelist Association for years as a crusade organist, and with Moody Bible Institute. In later years, he served as Professor of Church Music at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

During Mr. Hustad’s time at Moody, he was a guest organist in my home church in Hamilton, Ontario. My father, our regular organist was a little intimidated by this, being self-taught, but he asked Hustad’s advice about various things, and played a bit for him. Graciously, Don Hustad said, “Don’t change a thing. You’re doing very well.” High praise from a man who has since become an associate of the American Guild of Organists, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in London!

Don Hustad arranged an old Irish folk tune and it became the hymn tune Slane, to which we sing Be Thou My Vision. The name comes from the fact that it was on Slane Hill, around 433 AD, that Patrick defied a royal edict of pagan King Logaire. He earned the king’s respect by his courage, and was allowed to continue his missionary work in Ireland.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Mr. Hustad wrote a number of  books on church music, including the useful Dictionary-Hand­book to Hymns for the Liv­ing Church, and composed several hymn tunes himself, such as Highlands, to fit Grant Colfax Tullar’s I’ve Heard the King. Tullar’s original poem was created during the Second World War. He had just listened to a broadcast of Britain’s King George VI over the radio, and compared the Christians supreme privilege of communicating with the King of Kings.

 I’ve heard the King! The King of heaven!
Nor can I e’er forget the music of His voice.
I’ve heard the King! His call I’ve answered.
I’ve made the King of heav’n my everlasting choice.

He came to me, and with Him came a blessing.
He spoke to me, and glory filled my soul;
His voice I heard, so charming and so wondrous.
I’ve heard the King, and hearing am made whole.

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