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Today in 1685 – George Handel Born

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Graphic George Handel

George Frederick Handel was a German composer, born in Prussia–though he spent 50 years of his life in England, and became a British citizen. In his early years, his father pushed him toward a career in law, and discouraged his interest in music. But it is difficult to ignore true genius. Finally, his father accepted his son’s love of music, and Handel devoted himself to a lifelong study of the subject.

By the time George was 9 years old, he was writing cantatas, and sonatas. By the age of 12 he had mastered the organ to the extent that he sometimes substituted for his own teacher! He was also a skilled performer on the violin, the oboe, and the harpsichord. He spent 3 years in Italy, writing operas, then made England his permanent home in 1712. Handel was blind for the last 6 years of his life, but he continued to write. He died in 1759, and is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Handel was far from perfect. A temperamental musician with a short fuse, he was reputed to  swear at performers in several languages when they were not up to his high standard. But he was also quick admit his failing and apologize. And, in spite of his weaknesses, George Handel was a committed Christian, and a member of the Lutheran church. He was a man of prayer, who sought to serve the Lord with his sacred music. When someone commented that people found Messiah excellent “entertainment,” he replied, “I should be sorry if I only entertain them. I wish to make them better!”

It struck me, on reading about the latter conversation, that Handel’s words strike to the heart of a conflict regarding sacred music in the churches of today. Some insist on being entertained, but the words of Colossians 3:16 alert us to quite another purpose: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing [exhorting] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

George Frederick Handel’s output was enormous: about 24 oratorios, more than 40 operas, 40 concertos, plus many sonatas, cantatas, chamber duets, and other pieces of church music. Quite a few hymn tunes are credited to him, most being adapted from his compositions. For example: the tune Antioch, is used with Joy to the World, and Christmas, with While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night. Here’s a spirited rendition of Joy to the World.

The incomparable oratorio Messiah was written in 1741, in the astoundingly short period of 24 days. Handel ate little, and rarely left his room, as he composed. At one point, a servant entered with some food, as Handel was just completing the well-known Hallelujah Chorus. He turned to the servant with tears streaming down his face and exclaimed, “I did think I did see all heaven before me, and the great God Himself!” When the king of England attended a performance of Messiah, he rose to his feet during the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. In adherence to protocol, the entire audience stood too. Standing for this exalted exclamation of worship is a worthy custom that has endured for over 250 years.

Here are two selections from Handel’s  masterpiece, performed by two different choirs: And the Glory of the Lord, and the familiar Hallelujah Chorus.

To my mind, this masterpiece may be the greatest piece of music ever written. If you have never taken the opportunity to attend a live performance with a large choir and full orchestra, I recommend this as a life-changing experience. (Or purchase a good recording, and listen over and over–the next best thing). Handel takes us through the life of Christ, and on into eternity, using a careful arrangement of the Scriptures. For your interest, here are the Scriptures quoted:

  • PROMISE AND FULFILMENT–prophecies of the Messiah’s incarnation, the story of His birth, His earthly life and ministry: Isa. 40:1-5; Hag. 2:6-7; Mal. 3:1-3; Isa. 7:14; Isa. 40:9; Isa. 60:1-3; Isa. 9:2, 6; Lk. 2:8-11; Zech. 9:9-10; Isa. 35:5-6; Isa. 40:11; Matt. 11:28-30.
  • REJECTION AND REDEMPTION–Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension to the Father’s right hand: Jn. 1:29; Isa. 53:3; Isa. 50:6; Isa. 53:4-6; Ps. 22:7-8; Ps. 69:20; Lam. 1:12; Isa. 53:8; Ps. 16:10; Ps. 24:7-10; Heb. 1:5-6; Ps. 68:18.
  • PROCLAMATION AND CONSUMMATION–the preaching of the gospel, the resurrection of the saints, Christ’s coming reign, with some concluding words of worship and encouragement: Ps. 68:11; Isa. 52:7; (Rom. 10:15); Rom. 10:18; Ps. 2:1-4, 9; Rev. 19:6; Rev. 19:16; Job 19:25-26; I Cor. 15:20-22, 55-57; Rom. 8:31, 33-34; Rev. 5:12-13.

I have often wondered whether it would be possible to create a series of Bible studies, built on these texts, studies that would include listening to appropriate sections of the oratorio.

(2) Today in 1816 – John Bode Born

John Ernest Bode was an English clergyman and scholar. The time came when his daughter and two sons were facing confirmation, a public testimony to their faith, in accordance with the practice of the Church of England. It was for them that he penned the words of the hymn, O Jesus, I Have Promised. (His original version read, “O Jesus, we have promised…”) He told them, “I have written a hymn containing all the important truths I want you to remember.” And whether or not our churches have an official ceremony of confirmation, there is value in John Bode’s poetic advice.

O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

Today in 1805 – Sarah Adams Born

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Sarah Fuller Flower was the daughter of British journalist and politician Benjamin Flower. She married an inventor and civil engineer named John Adams, working as a actress for a time, and receiving popular acclaim for her portrayal of Lady Macbeth in 1837. She is described in accounts of the day as being “tall and singularly beautiful.” But her stage career was cut short by ill health, and she turned to writing. She died in 1848 of tuberculosis.

In 1841, Sarah Adams published Vivia Perpetua, a dramatic poem about an early Christian martyr. (Perpetua’s courage and nobility in the face of death are powerfully described in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs.) Mrs. Adams also wrote magazine articles and a number of hymns. One of her devotional poems says in part:

He sendeth sun, He sendeth shower,
Alike they’re needful for the flower:
And joys and tears alike are sent
To give the soul fit nourishment.
As comes to me or cloud or sun,
Father! Thy will, not mine, be done!
Can loving children e’er reprove
With murmurs whom they trust and love?
Creator! I would ever be
A trusting, loving child to Thee.

Sarah Flower Adams was a lifelong Unitarian. But her most famous hymn, Nearer, My God, to Thee, is found in orthodox and evangelical hymnals throughout the English speaking world. Mrs. Adams wrote it at the request of her pastor to go with a message he planned on Jacob’s encounter with God recorded in Genesis 28:10-16.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

When you sing this hymn, I encourage you to add the stanza written by Edward Bickersteth. It gives the song a stronger finish, reflecting our hope in Christ as it does.

There in my Father’s home, safe and at rest,
There in my Saviour’s love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.
Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee.

(2) Today in 1822 – George Heath Died

English clergyman George Heath was born in 1745. He was apparently Unitarian in his beliefs (They deny the deity of Christ.). Yet he somehow became the pastor of a Presbyterian church! He was later “proven unworthy,” and was dismissed “for cause.” One would expect that it was a doctrinal issue. Mr. Heath, has, however, given the world an excellent hymn, a challenge to the Christian soldier entitled, My Soul, Be on Thy Guard.

My soul, be on thy guard;
Ten thousand foes arise;
The hosts of sin are pressing hard
To draw thee from the skies.

O watch, and fight, and pray;
The battle ne’er give o’er;
Renew it boldly every day,
And help divine implore.

Ne’er think the victory won,
Nor lay thine armour down;
The work of faith will not be done,
Till thou obtain the crown.

Today in 1801 – John Newman Born

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During a time of illness and great discouragement, John Henry Newman penned the words of the hymn Lead, Kindly Light. (It was written on June 16th, 1833.) The author’s disappointment with the Church of England of his day eventually turned him toward the Church of Rome, where he became Cardinal Newman, later in life.

Hymn historian Robert Guy McCutchan says of Newman’s song, “No more beautiful hymn, nor one more dignified, has been written in English.” That seems a rather overstated position, but it is a lovely hymn and not without merit.

McCutchan classes “with the morn those angel faces smile” as one of the “exquisite phrases” in the poetry. That is ironic, since, when Newman was asked years later what the phrase meant, he responded that he had no idea! This reminds us of the need for our hymns to be true to Scripture, and speak clearly. We can admire well-written poetry–and Newman’s contribution certainly is that–but we need more.

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

(2) Today in 1950 – Charles Naylor Died

Charles Wesley Naylor served as a pastor with the Church of God for 13 years before a serious accident–a large tent pole falling on his back–made him an invalid for the last 40 years of his life. He wrote many hymns and gospel songs, but they are not in common use today. One of his selections is O Praise the Lord! a song based in part on the shortest Psalm in the Bible, Ps. 117, which says:

Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles [the KJV has “nations”]! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

As Pastor Naylor’s hymn puts it:

O praise the Lord, all ye nations!
Praise Him, all ye people!
For His merciful kindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the Lord endureth forever:
Praise ye the Lord!

Praise Him, praise Him!
Praise ye the Lord!
Praise Him, praise Him!
Praise ye the Lord!

O praise the Lord, all ye nations!
Praise Him for His goodness!
For He saveth His people from all their sins,
And preserveth the souls of all who will trust Him:
Praise ye the Lord!

(3) Data Missing – When I Walk Up the Streets of Gold

There are a number of songs for which we have little information, and I want to include a few of them from time to time. The author of the lyrics for this gospel song is unknown. We do know that the tune was composed by Homer Morris (1875-1955), which likely gives us a clue as to the time frame when the words were created. Mr. Morris was an American composer and music editor. He also conducted hundreds of singing schools.

When I Walk Up the Streets of Gold is a reminder to us that the things that burden and fret believers here will be left behind when we go to be with the Lord.

The burdens of life may be many,
The frowns of the world may be cold;
To me it will matter but little,
When I walk up the streets of gold.

When I walk up the streets of gold,
When I walk up the streets of gold;
How my heart will rejoice in that morning,
When I walk up the streets of gold.

With joy I shall enter that city,
The face of my Saviour behold;
And I shall be changed and be like Him,
When I walk up the streets of gold.

For ages and ages I’ll praise Him,
And never grow weary or old;
Love-crowned I’ll abide in His presence,
When I walk up the streets of gold.

Today in 1867 – Barney Warren Born

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Barney Elliot Warren was converted in 1884 at revival meetings near Bangor, Michigan. Two years later he joined an evangelistic singing group as a bass singer. Warren also served as a Church of God pastor, producing song books and hymnals for the Gospel Trumpet Company. He is credited with writing some 7,000 songs, though few are used today.

One song that is still found in some books is Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory, based on I Pet. 1:8 (KJV), where the apostle speaks of the Lord Jesus, “whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

Though the blessings of God are often beyond description, it’s in praising Him for what we are able to comprehend that our souls are strengthened and encouraged. That seems to be the meaning of Nehemiah’s words, when he told the people of Israel, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev’ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory,
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Saviour’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.

(2) Today in 1953 – Frederick Lehman Died

Frederick Martin Lehman’s family came to America from Germany in 1868, settling in a one-room log cabin in Iowa. Lehman put his faith in Christ at the age of 11. He studied for the ministry at Northwestern College in Naperville, Illinois, and went on to pastor churches in Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri. But much of his ministry involved writing gospel songs. He produced hundreds of them, also compiling 5 song books. In 1911 he helped to found the Nazarene Publishing House.

His best known song is The Love of God, but consider some of the text for There’s No Disappointment in Heaven. Lehman was struggling with a letdown on a Monday morning, after what he describes as “a particularly disappointing Sunday” at the church he where he was then the pastor. He says, “Satan helped me count my disappointments!” But suddenly the Lord reminded him of the eternal prospect of the child of God. He says, “I saw beyond the disappointments in this vale of tears.” Taking up a pencil, he wrote:

There’s no disappointment in heaven,
No weariness, sorrow or pain;
No hearts that are bleeding and broken,
No song with a minor refrain.
The clouds of our earthly horizon
Will never appear in the sky,
For all will be sunshine and gladness,
With never a sob or a sigh.

I’m bound for that beautiful city,
My Lord has prepared for His own;
Where all the redeemed of all ages
Sing “Glory!” around the white throne;
Sometimes I grow homesick for heaven,
And the glories I there shall behold;
What a joy that will be when my Saviour I see,
In that beautiful city of gold.

Today in 1802 – Leonard Bacon Born

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Leonard Bacon was born in Detroit, where his father was a missionary to the Indians. In childhood, he was a classmate of John Brown, who later became a famous abolitionist. Bacon was educated at Yale and Andover Theological Seminary, then ordained as a pastor in 1825, serving a church in New Haven Connecticut for 41 years. He was appointed Professor of Theology at Yale, and lectured on Church Polity.

Leonard Bacon had an interest in hymnody, and was both a writer and compiler of hymns. Only one of his songs is still found in some books today, the national hymn O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand.

O God, beneath Thy guiding hand
Our exiled fathers crossed the sea;
And when they trod the wintry strand,
With prayer and psalm they worshipped Thee.

Thou heard’st, well pleased, the song, the prayer:
Thy blessing came; and still its power
Shall onward, through all ages, bear
The memory of that holy hour.

(2) Today in 1821 – James Walton Born

Little is known of English composer James George Walton, other than the dates of his birth and death (in September of 1905), and the fact that he edited a book in 1874 called Plain Song Music for the Holy Communion Office. In that volume is found a adaptation of Henry Hemi’s tune St. Catherine, Virgin and Martyr (now simply called St. Catherine). It is a fine tune, used today with the hymns Faith of Our Fathers, and Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me.

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
O, knit my thankful heart with Thee
And reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone I am;
Be thou alone my constant flame.

(3) Today in 1973 – Claudia Mays Died

Claudia Faustina Lehman Mays was the daughter of American pastor Frederich Martin Lehman. She wrote the harmony for many of her father’s songs, including There’s No Disappointment in Heaven, and The Love of God. (In the latter hymn, “the guilty pair” is, of course, a reference to Adam and Eve, to whom God gave the very first hint of a coming Saviour in Gen. 3:15.)

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Today in 1678 – Pilgrim’s Progress published

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John Bunyan was a poor tinker (pot mender) who became a great Puritan preacher, and the renowned author of Pilgrim’s Progress, the classic Christian allegory. Bunyan wrote the book while serving time in prison for preaching without a license. The story concerns a pilgrim who is delivered from the City of Destruction and makes his way to the Celestial City. It teaches many lessons about the Christian life.

Graphic Pilgrim Fighting Apollyon.jpg

In the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the pilgrim is confronted by Apollyon (Satan), who rages,

“I am an enemy of the Prince [Christ]; I hate His person, His laws, and people. I am come out on purpose to withstand thee.”

And for about half a day there follows a fierce battle, vividly described by Bunyan, in which the devil hurls fiery darts “as thick as hail.” But by using the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit (see Eph. 6:16-17), the pilgrim is victorious, and the devil leaves him for a season.

At one point in John Bunyan’s immortal tale, there is a conversation between Mr. Valiant for Truth, and Mr. Great Heart. The lines of verse found there were adapted in 1904 by  Percy Dearmer, and have become the hymn He Who Would Valiant Be.

He who would valiant be ’gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy follow the Master.
There’s no discouragement shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent to be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round with dismal stories
Do but themselves confound—his strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might; though he with giants fight,
He will make good his right to be a pilgrim.

(2) Today in 1823 – James Burns Born

James Drummond Burns earned a Masters degree from the University of Edinburgh, and received his theological training from Dr. Thomas Chalmers. He served as a Free Church pastor at Dunblane, Scotland, but resigned three years later due to ill health. When his health improved, he engaged in pastoral ministry in two other churches. But when sickness troubled him once more, he traveled abroad to recover.

Though Drummond wrote a number of hymns, only one has remained in common use. Hushed Was the Evening Hymn is based on the story of the boy Samuel, serving in the tabernacle of Israel. (Not “the temple,” as the hymn has it. The temple structure was not built until King Solomon’s time, about a century and a half later.) At first, little Samuel thought the voice he heard in the night was Eli’s, the elderly priest of Israel. But he later realized, with Eli’s help, that it was the summons of the Lord.

The boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” (I Sam. 3:1-4)

James Burns’s hymn makes a personal application of Samuel’s readiness to hear and obey the Lord. We too should be alert to the voice of God communicated through His Word, and prompt to respond.

Hushed was the evening hymn,
The temple courts were dark;
The lamp was burning dim
Before the sacred ark;
When suddenly a voice divine
Rang through the silence of the shrine.

The old man, meek and mild,
The priest of Israel, slept;
His watch the temple child,
The little Levite, kept;
And what from Eli’s sense was sealed
The Lord to Hannah’s son revealed.

O give me Samuel’s ear,
The open ear, O Lord,
Alive and quick to hear
Each whisper of Thy Word,
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.

At times, the words are almost indistinguishable in this congregational use of the hymn. However, the video clip will give you a chance to become familiar with the tune, if it is unknown to you. (Both congregation and organ sound much better if you use good headphones.)

Today in 1647 – Johann Heerman Died

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Johann Heerman was born in Silesia, the fourth son of a Protestant couple. None of the Heerman’s other sons had survived childhood, and when Johann took seriously ill, his mother vowed that if God would spare him she would pay to have him educated. Heerman began writing poetry at the age of 17, and became a Lutheran pastor at the age of 26.

During the Thirty Years’ War, Pastor Heerman’s home was plundered several times and he lost all his possessions. He was troubled with ill health, and finally a chronic nose and throat infection made it necessary for him to give up preaching in 1634. He retired a year later.

Johann Heerman wrote some fine devotional poetry, publishing it, along with the collected poems of others in Devoti Musica Cordis (Music for a Devout Heart). Some 16 of his poems have been translated and have become English hymns. One of these is the startling confession, Ah, Holy Jesus, How Hast Thou Offended?

Ah, holy Jesus, how hast Thou offended,
That man to judge Thee hath in hate pretended?
By foes derided, by Thine own rejected,
O most afflicted.

Who was the guilty? Who brought this upon Thee?
Alas, my treason, Jesus, hath undone Thee.
’Twas I, Lord, Jesus, I it was denied Thee!
I crucified Thee.

(2) Today in 1840 – Jonathan Atchinson Born

Jonathan Burtch Atchinson, a veteran of the American Civil War, was a Methodist clergyman, serving churches in New York and Michigan. He was a strong supporter of Sunday School ministry, and the author of many gospel songs.

His hymn of invitation, Let Him In, was used with great blessing in the Moody-Sankey evangelistic meetings. I have a recording of famed operatic baritone John Charles Thomas singing this hymn. However, musically, its repeated leap from an A flat to a high F may be too much for some congregations!

There’s a Stranger at the door,
Let the Saviour in, O let the Saviour in;
He has been there oft before,
Let the Saviour in, O let the Saviour in.
Let Him in, ere He is gone;
Let Him in, the Holy One,
Jesus Christ the Father’s Son,
Let the Saviour in, O let the Saviour in.

Another of Mr. Atchinson’s contributions is In the Shadow of His Wings. I’ve heard it used effectively as a men’s quartet number.

In the shadow of His wings
There is rest, sweet rest;
There is rest from care and labour,
There is rest for friend and neighbour;
In the shadow of His wings
There is rest, sweet rest,
In the shadow of His wings
There is rest (sweet rest).

There is rest, there is peace,
There is joy, in the shadow of His wings:
There is rest, there is peace,
There is joy, in the shadow of His wings. 

(3) Today in 1903 – Joseph Parry Died

Joseph Parry was born of poor parents in the iron district of southwest Wales. At the age of 10 he left school to begin work in the iron furnaces. But with the singing culture of Wales, and the fact that his mother was a fine singer, it was not long before Joseph’s unusual gifts in the area of music were revealed and put to use.

After his thirteenth birthday, the family moved to Pennsylvania, but Joseph Parry spent most of his adult life in Wales, as a university professor and a composer. He wrote light operas, 11 cantatas, 3 oratorios, choral anthems, and piano pieces, as well as over 400 hymn tunes. From 1873 to 1879, Joseph Parry was Professor of Music at the Welsh University College at Aberystwyth–a school still known for its academic excellence. Aberystwyth is a resort town on the west coast of Wales. Joseph Parry named his most widely used and admired hymn tune after the town.

The tune Aberystwyth is used in many hymn books with Charles Wesley’s hymn, Jesus, Lover of My Soul. It is an inspired pairing. Wesley’s hymn is considered by some one of the greatest hymns in the English language. It has been a spiritual help and encouragement to many over the years. Charles Spurgeon recounted the following incident relating to it:

An ungodly stranger, stepping into one of our services at Exeter Hall, was brought to the cross by the words of Wesley’s verse, Jesus, Lover of My Soul. “Does Jesus love me?” he said; “then why should I live in enmity to Him?”

Parry’s majestic tune is worthy of this great hymn. If you are not used to singing in a minor key, it may take a bit of getting used to, but give it a try. (And please don’t sing the hymn too fast.)

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Today in 1497 – Philipp Melanchthon Born

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Philipp Melanchthon was a German reformer, a friend and coworker of Martin Luther’s. A brilliant scholar and theologian, he was the author of the Augsburg Confession. However, he lacked administrative skills and the courage to stand firm in times of controversy. When Luther was in hiding, Melanchthon made theological compromises with Catholicism that threatened to take Lutheranism away from its founding principles.

He is not a significant hymn writer, but in 1534 Philipp Melanchthon published a hymn called Lord God, We All to Thee Give Praise, extolling the ministry of the angels of God.

Lord God, we all to Thee give praise,
Thanksgivings meet to Thee we raise,
That angel hosts Thou didst create
Around Thy glorious throne to wait.

They shine with light and heav’nly grace
And constantly behold Thy face;
They heed Thy voice, they know it well,
In godly wisdom they excel.

They never rest nor sleep as we;
Their whole delight is but to be
With Thee, Lord Jesus, and to keep
Thy little flock, Thy lambs and sheep.

Graphic Sunset3

(2) Today in 1867 – Now the Day Is Over published

English clergyman Sabine Baring-Gould is best known as the author of the hymn Onward, Christian Soldiers. However, he did write others. Among them is a lovely evening hymn called Now the Day Is Over.

Night time is, for many, a time of increased anxiety and worry that robs us of needed slumber. But when these threaten to overwhelm us we can commit ourselves to the God of whom Scripture says, “Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4). We can entrust the long night hours to Him, the One “who gives songs in the night” (Job 35:10; cf. Acts 16:24-25).

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.

(3) Today in 1928 – William Boyd Died

William Boyd studied under Sabine Baring-Gould, and then attended Worcester College, Oxford. He was ordained as an Anglican clergyman in 1877, eventually becoming vicar at All Saints Church, in London. He contributed the hymn tune Pentecost to a 1868 collection of Thirty-two Hymn Tunes Composed by Members of the University of Oxford. (This tune is the only one of the 32 that remains in common use today.)

We use the tune Pentecost for the hymn Fight the Good Fight, by John Monsell. Note the last line of the second stanza printed below. What a statement of the essence of the Christian life: “Christ is the path, and Christ the prize!” Amen!

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right;
Lay hold on life, and it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.

Run the straight race through God’s good grace,
Lift up thine eyes, and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

Today in 1838 – Chester Allen Born

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Little is known of Chester G. Allen. He was a nineteenth century teacher and composer who compiled collections of music for schools and churches. For a time he edited the New York Musical Gazette, and he taught music in the public schools of Ohio. Mr. Allen contributed to several collections of gospel songs, collaborating with William Bradbury and others. His tune Allen (later called Joyful Song) is used with Fanny Crosby’s hymn, Praise Him, Praise Him.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessèd Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honour give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long:

Praise Him! Praise Him!
Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Ever in joyful song!

(2) Today in 1930 Franklin Sheppard Died

After graduating from university with highest honours, Franklin Lawrence Sheppard moved to Boston to take charge of the Isaac A. Sheppard Company, the foundry of his father’s stove and heater manufacturing firm. He attended Zion Protestant Episcopal Church there, and was their organist. Later he became a Presbyterian and joined the Second Presbyterian Church of Baltimore, where he was director of music, and was active in the Sunday School.

Sheppard became president of the Presbyterian Board of Publication. In 1911, he served on the committee that produced the Presbyterian Hymnal, and in 1915, he edited the denomination’s song book, Alleluia. We know him in hymn history today chiefly for the hymn tune Terra Beata, to which we sing the hymn This Is My Father’s World.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

(3) Today in 1932 – Elmo Mercer Born

William Elmo Mercer was born in Louisiana. He attended Louisiana College, and George Peabody College for Teachers. Beginning in 1951, Mercer was associated with the John T. Benson Publishing Company, of Nashville, Tennessee, as a music editor (retiring in 1981). He was a long-time member of Park Avenue Baptist Church, in Nashville, where he served as the pianist for 38 years. Elmo Mercer composed over 1,600 hymns and gospel songs, and arranged many more. His best-known composition is Each Step I Take. The song was written when he was 19, during a dark period in his life. It was one of his first successful compositions, though he’d been writing for about 5 years before that.

Each step I take my Saviour goes before me,
And with His loving hand He leads the way.
And with each breath I whisper, “I adore Thee;”
Oh, what joy to walk with Him each day!

Each step I take I know that He will guide me;
To higher ground, He ever leads me on.
Until some day the last step will be taken,
Each step I take just leads me closer home.

Today in 1884 – Luther Bridgers Born

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Luther Burgess Bridgers fell in love with a beautiful Kentucky girl. After a romantic courtship, the two were married. Bridgers was a pastor, and even served briefly on the foreign mission field. But wherever the Lord led him, since the age of seventeen, he had been a zealous preacher of the gospel, calling others put their faith in Christ. As the years flowed by, God gave the happy couple three little boys, and the Bridgers prayed they would grow up to honour and serve the Lord.

One morning in 1910, Luther Bridgers left home to conduct some gospel meetings in another town. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw his wife standing at the gate with the baby in her arms and a boy on each side. All were blowing kisses to Daddy as he headed for the train. Then two weeks went by. After the last meeting on his schedule, he went to his lodgings to sleep, but was wakened by a phone call at one in the morning. “Is this Mr. Bridgers?” He responded that it was. “Well, we are sorry to tell you that your house caught fire tonight, and your wife and children have burned to death.”

He stood in shattered silence, holding the receiver. He says it seemed to him the devil was laughing at him and saying, “God doesn’t love you. Are you going to worship a God like that?” But Pastor Bridgers dropped to his knees by the telephone and prayed, “Lord, I have preached the gospel to other people, and told them it would comfort them in every hour of sorrow. Grant that this same gospel may comfort me.” And the Lord answered his prayer.

It’s been widely reported that it was at this time that the Lord gave Bridgers a new song called He Keeps Me Singing, born out of a deeper love for the Lord. However, thanks to correspondent Alec Stevens for his convincing evidence, this does not seem to be so. The hymn was published in 1910, selection 21 in a songbook called The Revival #6, edited by Charles Tillman. The Breckenridge News (Vol. XXXV) reported the tragic fire about a year later, March 29, 1911.

My guess is that the song may have been used at the memorial service, as a testimony to Luther Bridgers faith, and that someone assumed it had been written for the occasion. I know of another instance where this seems to have happened–with Lina Sandell’s beautiful hymn, Day by Day. Many came to believe the song was written after the tragic drowning death of her father, but it was actually written some years before.

There’s within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go.

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way,
Though sometimes the path seems rough and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

(2) Today in 1914 – Ira Stanphill Born

Ira Forest Stanphill was an evangelist who preached the gospel in more than 40 countries around the world. But he is best known today as a song writer. Beginning at the age of 17, he wrote over 600 hymns before he died in 1993. Happiness Is the Lord, I Know Who Holds Tomorrow, Room at the Cross, and Mansion Over the Hilltop are several of his songs that are quite well known. The story behind the creation of the last of these is as follows:

At an evening meeting in Dallas, in 1945, a young businessman rose to give his testimony. He told how he had gone through a period of severe financial reversal. As things grew worse, he became despondent. Though he was a believer at the time, he could not understand why God was allowing this to happen. One day, to get away from the discouragements at work, he decided to take a drive out into the country. There, on a lonely road, he came upon a dilapidated shack. Half the windows were broken, and it looked as though the hovel was ready to collapse.

In the yard a small child was playing with her doll–which seemed in a similar state of decay, with its stuffing falling out. But what impressed the man was that the girl seemed cheerful in her play. Greeting her, he asked if he could speak with her a moment. “No!” she said sharply, obviously warned not to talk to strangers. But he persisted. “I just wondered how you can be so happy, living in a broken down house like that.” “Oh,” she said brightly, “my daddy’s come into a lot of money now, and he’s building us a brand new house just over that hilltop.”

The Lord spoke to the man through those words. He suddenly realized that whatever problems he might face here, there was a glorious future awaiting him. He said it was like God was saying, “Son, don’t you know I have a mansion prepared for you just beyond those clouds?”

Seated in the audience that night, listening to the testimony, was Ira Stanphill After the meeting, he went home to bed. But he awoke early the next morning with that testimony still on his mind. Inspired by it, he created the gospel song. One stanza says:

Though often tempted, tormented and tested,
And like the prophet my pillow a stone;
And though I find here no permanent dwelling,
I know He’ll give me a mansion my own.

I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop,
In that bright land where I’ll never grow old;
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk the streets that are purest gold.

Here is some down-home Country–laid on about as thick as you’ll find it anywhere–by a husband and wife team on their cable TV program. They strike me as totally sincere, and would be a lovely couple to get to know. Country is not particularly my cup of tea, but the young lady has a lovely voice, and this song seems to call for that style of music.

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