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Today in 1769 – O for a Closer Walk written

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The usually reliable Robert McCutchan gives December 9th for the date of writing, but it may be the song was begun today, and edited or completed then.

Oh For A Closer Walk

We have become accustomed to thinking of an “idol” as some kind of statue before which the heathen bow down in worship. But the Bible greatly expands this narrow definition. We learn that idolatry is actually an attitude, or a state of mind. That it need not be associated with a figure of wood or stone. For example, the Bible states that “covetousness…is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). The life-controlling lust and craving for anything means it has become an idol to us. It could be a car, or another man’s wife. Or it could be something more abstract and intangible, such as power or popularity.

In 1769, William Cowper (pronounced Cooper) published a hymn about the need for a consistent walk with the Lord that avoids all idolatry. Cowper was troubled throughout his life with chronic depression. But at one point he moved to the little English village of Olney, where he became friends with the pastor of the local church, John Newton (the man who gave us the hymn Amazing Grace). Cowper boarded in the village with a Rev. and Mrs. Morley Unwin, and Mrs. Unwin also became his friend and counsellor.

In the Unwin’s back garden, John Newton and William Cowper met, nearly every day, to work together on a project that greatly encouraged and helped the latter. They produced a new hymn book, creating nearly 350 of the hymns between them. I have an exact reproduction of Olney Hymns near me as I write. One of these songs Cowper called Walking with God. It is now commonly known as O for a Closer Walk with God. Of writing these lines of verse, Cowper commented the next day:

I began to compose them yesterday morning before daybreak, but I fell asleep at the end of the first two lines. When I awaked again, the third and fourth verses were whispered to my heart in a way I have often experienced.

The Bible text Cowper put with his song is Gen. 5:24, “And Enoch walked with God.” It means he lived in close fellowship with the Lord, in consistent faith and obedience toward Him. But William Cowper’s words reflect the experience of times of dryness and coldness in our spiritual lives that sometimes come. We may long for the early vigour and passion of the time when we first trusted Christ as Saviour. He recognizes that sometimes the problem may be a divided allegiance–that we have allowed other things to come between us and the Lord.

Above is the hymn, exactly as it was originally published. You will notice that 240 years ago, the letter “s” was sometimes printed much like our “f”–except when it was found at the end of a word. (In the second stanza we have the word blessedness which Olney Hymns has rendered bleffednefs!)

Dora Greenwell

(2) Today in 1821 – Dorothy Greenwell Born

Dora (Dorothy) Greenwell was born into a wealthy family, but circumstances made it necessary for her father to sell the family estate, Greenwell Ford. This began a life of hardship for Dora herself. Ongoing health problems complicated what hymn historian J. R. Watson calls a sad and unfulfilled life. Dora lived for 18 years with her widowed mother, who discouraged her friendships and did not understand her longing for a fuller, freer existence. There is a possibility that she struggled later with an addiction to opium–possibly administered because of the physical pain she endured.

Dora Greenwell may have been physically frail, but she had a keen mind and a loving heart. She took a particular interest in helping mentally handicapped children. And she was an able author whose devotional writings and poetry fill many volumes. The hymn that is most commonly associated with her is I Am Not Skilled to Understand, published in her book Songs of Salvation, in 1873. Ira Sankey included it in his Sacred Songs and Solos, under the title My Refuge, My Saviour, with the text, “The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Saviour” (II Sam. 22:3).

I am not skilled to understand
What God hath willed, what God hath planned;
I only know at His right hand
Is One who is my Saviour!

I take Him at His word indeed;
“Christ died for sinners”–this I read;
For in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my Saviour!

That He should leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I,
Before I knew my Saviour!

Today in 1830 – Christina Rossetti Born

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Christina Georgina Rossetti was born in London, into a family of brilliant artists and authors. She was considered to have a beauty of face that had a “religious” quality, and she was a model for a number of famous painters in her day, such as James Whistler and William Holman Hunt. Family friends included Charles Dodgson (better known as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland).

Christina was shy and retiring, but a woman with strong Christian convictions. She turned down at least one offer of marriage from a man for who she had great affection, being concerned about significant differences in their beliefs. Christina Rossetti published three books of poetry and four devotional books. At its best, her poetry compares favourably with that of the most prominent English poets. Her most famous song is a Christmas carol called In the Bleak Midwinter. (The tune was composed by classical composer Gustav Holst).

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.

(2) Today in 1855 – Judson Van DeVenter Born

Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter was born and raised in Michigan. He studied both music and art–in fact toured Europe in 1885 visiting famous art galleries and studying painting. For several years he taught art and penmanship in public schools, finally becoming the supervisor of art in the high school of Sharon, Pennsylvania.

During those years, Van DeVenter was an active layman in the Methodist Episcopal Church. he sang in the choir, and eventually obtained a license to preach. Then he began evangelistic work, travelling throughout America, England and Scotland. He spent the last years of his life in Florida, where he had a significant influence on a young evangelist named Billy Graham. Billy says Judson Van DeVenter was a frequent visitor at the Florida Bible Institute in the late 1930s, and the students loved to gather in his home for fellowship and singing.

Mr. Van DeVenter published a number of gospel songs that are still in use, such as: I Surrender All, Sunlight in my Soul, and We Shall Shine as the Stars. Concerning the first of these, the author said:

I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing.

All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Saviour,
I surrender all.

Here is a nicely sung version of I Surrender All. But… (pet peeve coming, here) to me, the incessant percussion is just a distraction. It does nothing for the song whatsoever. For more about the problem of drums in the services of the church, see the article Drums in Worship.

We Shall Shine as the Stars was inspired by a prophecy in the book of Daniel: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).

We may tarry awhile here as strangers,
Unnoticed by those who pass by;
But the Saviour will crown us in glory,
To shine as the stars in the sky.

We shall shine as the stars of the morning,
With Jesus the Crucified One;
We shall rise to be like Him forever,
Eternally shine as the sun.

And one final song from this good man: Sunlight, about the difference Christ can make in a life.

I wandered in the shades of night
Till Jesus came to me
And with the sunlight of His love
Bid all my darkness flee.

Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today,
Sunlight, sunlight all a long the way;
Since the Saviour found me,took away my sin,
I have had the sunlight of His love within.

(3) Today in 1924 – William Neidlinger Died

William Harold Neidlinger played the organ at St. Michael’s Church, in New York City. He also conducted several men’s and women’s choirs, and taught vocal music. Neidlinger put together a book entitled Small Songs for Small Singers that was used as a standard text in the kindergartens of America for many years. Research for this volume awakened his interest in child psychology to the extent that he eventually abandoned his music career and established a school for handicapped children in East Orange, New Jersey.

Mr. Neidlinger has given us only one song in common use, the Christmas carol entitled The Birthday of a King.

In the little village of Bethlehem,
There lay a Child one day;
And the sky was bright with a holy light
O’er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light
’Twas the birthday of a King.

Today in 1820 – Charles Deems Born

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Charles Force Deems was a Methodist clergyman and college professor. For a time, he served as president of the Women’s College, in North Carolina. Later he moved to New York City, where he edited a newspaper called The Watchman, and founded the Church of Strangers. (Unusual name!)

Deems wrote a number of hymns, but we’ll look at one. In 1872, when he was serving the church just mentioned, he became discouraged by the struggles of the new work. In his troubled mood Pastor Deems was much helped by a phrase in the 23rd Psalm, “I shall not want,” and he wrote a hymn about it.

I shall not want: in deserts wild
Thou spread’st Thy table for Thy child;
While grace in streams for thirsting souls,
Thro’ earth and heaven forever rolls.

I shall not want: my darkest night
Thy loving smile shall fill with light;
While promises around me bloom,
And cheer me with divine perfume.

I shall not want: Thy righteousness
My soul shall clothe with glorious dress;
My blood-washed robe shall be more fair
Than garments kings or angels wear.

I shall not want: whate’er is good,
Of daily bread or angels’ food,
Shall to my Father’s child be sure,
So long as earth and heaven endure.

(2) Today in 1844 – John Norris Born

John Samuel Norris was born on the Isle of Wight, but he attended school in Canada, and was ordained as a Methodist clergyman in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1868. Afterward, he pastored churches in Canada and the United States (Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa).

Pastor Norris wrote the tune for Ernest Blandy’s 1890 gospel song Where He Leads Me. In many churches, this simple hymn is used on the occasion of a believer’s baptism. It expresses the saints’ desire to “walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). (And Mr. Blandy got the order right: grace now, glory to come, Ps. 84:11.)

I can hear my Saviour calling,
I can hear my Saviour calling,
I can hear my Saviour calling,
“Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.”

Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow,
Where He leads me I will follow;
I’ll go with Him, with Him, all the way.

He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
He will give me grace and glory,
And go with me, with me all the way.

manger scene

(3) Today in 1859 – Joseph Cook Born

The Lord Jesus Christ “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (I Pet. 2:14). In order to do this, He had to be sinlessly perfect Himself–otherwise He would have deserved to die for His own sins. The Bible describes the perfection that enabled the Lord Jesus to take our place under the wrath of God. He “was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). In another place it says He is “holy, harmless [blameless], undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26). That truth is brought out in a Christmas hymn.

It was for a Christmas card competition in 1919 that a pastor named Joseph Simpson Cook (1859-1933) wrote the poem Gentle Mary Laid Her Child. His entry won the competition, and it was subsequently turned into a carol, borrowing the tune Tempus Adest Floridum, used also with Good King Wenceslas. Dr. Cook was born in England, but came to Canada as a young man. He was educated at McGill University in Montreal, and served a number of churches in Canada. His carol twice makes reference to the sinless “undefiled” nature of Christ that qualifies Him to die for us.

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
There He lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger:
Such a Babe in such a place, can He be the Saviour?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found His favour.

Gentle Mary laid her Child lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, but no more a stranger:
Son of God, of humble birth, beautiful the story;
Praise His name in all the earth, hail the King of glory!

Here is a choral arrangement of this hymn. I’m sure this little church choir is doing their best, but the rendition seems a little slow and plodding. This is especially noticeable, given that the tune is also used with Good King Wenceslas, which is usually sung much more brightly

Today in 1841 – Clara Scott Born

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Clara H. Fiske was a trained musician who taught at a Ladies Seminary in Lyons, Iowa. She married Henry Clay Scott in 1861. Two decades later, she published a popular collection of songs by many authors on both sides of the Atlantic. Called the Royal Anthem Book, it was the first of its kind to be published by a woman. Gospel music composer Horatio Palmer was a great encouragement to Mrs. Scott, and helped her publish many of her songs. But the only one of them in common use today is Open My Eyes That I May See.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.

(2) Today in 1850 – Frank North Born

Frank Mason North was a Methodist Episcopal clergyman who pastored churches in New York City and elsewhere for twenty years. He also served as secretary of the Church Extension and Missionary Society of New York City, and was corresponding secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

busy street

It was a meeting of Pastor North with Caleb Winchester that led to the writing of a stirring hymn. Winchester was compiling hymns for the Methodist Hymnal to be published in 1905, when he met North in New York City. He asked him to write a hymn to be included in the book. The latter protested that he was not a hymn writer, but he agreed he would try to come up with something.

Frank North was preparing to preach a sermon on Matt. 22:9, “‘Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’” A verse from Jesus’ parable of the Marriage Feast, it pictures for us the gospel call. And Mr. North was particularly struck by the American Revised Version which says, “Go ye therefore unto the partings of the highways.”

Other Bible versions use words such as street corners, intersections, and crossroads. North pictured in his sermon some of the world’s great crossroads, and discussed the particular spiritual problems found in the cities of the world. These concerns were then eloquently expressed in his moving hymn, Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life.

Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear your voice, O Son of Man.

In haunts of wretchedness and need,
On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed,
We catch the vision of Your tears.

The cup of water given for You,
Still holds the freshness of Your grace;
Yet long these multitudes to view
The sweet compassion of Your face.

The video clip below comes from St. John’s Episcopal Church, in Detroit, Michigan. It is interesting for several reasons. I certainly enjoy the dignity and power of a great pipe organ, well played. The choral descant is lovely, too.

You will note that there is a lot going on, during the singing of the hymn. In my own church experience, the choir usually slips into their places from side doors on the platform, and during the prelude, not during the singing of a hymn. (And exactly what the gentleman on the platform is doing at times, I’m not sure. But it is sometimes distracting!)

Finally, we get not only the hymn here, but the American National Anthem to begin this service. Though I’m not from a liturgical tradition, I can recall as a small boy that our morning worship services for many years began with Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow, God Save the King, and O Canada. (A bit much, I think!–though I’m grateful for my country, and do believe we should pray for God’s blessings on our Queen.)

(3) Today in 1884 – Jane Bonar Died

Jane Catharine Lundie was born in Scotland. After losing her father and mother in 1832, she was sent to school in London. On her return, she lived for a time with her sister Mary. When Mary died, Jane married famed Scottish hymn writer and pastor Horatius Bonar. The latter wrote dozens of fine hymns, but his wife is remembered today chiefly for one, Jesus Is Mine (or Fade, Fade, Each Earthly Joy).

Fade, fade, each earthly joy, Jesus is mine!
Break every tender tie, Jesus is mine!
Dark is the wilderness, Earth has no resting place,
Jesus alone can bless, Jesus is mine!

Tempt not my soul away, Jesus is mine!
Here would I ever stay, Jesus is mine!
Perishing things of clay, born but for one brief day,
Pass from my heart away, Jesus is mine!

Farewell, ye dreams of night, Jesus is mine!
Lost in this dawning bright, Jesus is mine!
All that my soul has tried left but a dismal void;
Jesus has satisfied, Jesus is mine!

Today in 1873 – Thou Art Coming written

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This gloriously passionate hymn about Christ’s second coming has the further distinction of being the first hymn of many that Frances Ridley Havergal wrote. It expresses her earnest longing to see her Saviour. Truly she can be numbered among those the Apostle Paul describes “who have loved His appearing” (II Tim. 4:8). It is unfortunate that this great hymn is so little known, and so often omitted from our hymnals. All five stanzas of Thou Art Coming are worth reading, and they can be found on the Cyber Hymnal, but here are three.

Thou art coming, O my Saviour,
Thou art coming, O my King,
In Thy beauty all resplendent,
In Thy glory all transcendent;
Well may we rejoice and sing:
Coming! in the opening east
Herald brightness slowly swells;
Coming! O my glorious Priest,
Hear we not Thy golden bells?

Thou art coming, Thou art coming;
We shall meet Thee on Thy way,
We shall see Thee, we shall know Thee,
We shall bless Thee, we shall show Thee
All our hearts could never say:
What an anthem that will be,
Ringing out our love to Thee,
Pouring out our rapture sweet
At Thine own all glorious feet.

O the joy to see Thee reigning,
Thee, my own belovèd Lord!
Every tongue Thy name confessing,
Worship, honour, glory, blessing
Brought to Thee with one accord;
Thee, my Master and my Friend,
Vindicated and enthroned;
Unto earth’s remotest end
Glorified, adored, and owned!

Here is the tune played on an antiquated pipe organ. A little rushed perhaps. And I prefer a slight retard in the last line or two of each stanza (or at least in the final one). Even so, what a blessing the text of this song is! And below is a list of just a few of the many hymns contributed by this skilled and godly author.

Another Year Is Dawning
From Glory to Glory
Golden Harps Are Sounding
I Am Trusting Thee, Lord Jesus
I Could Not Do Without Thee
Jesus, Master, Whose I Am
Lord, Speak to Me
O Saviour, Precious Saviour
Standing at the Portal
Thou Art Coming
Truehearted, Wholehearted
Who Is on the Lord’s Side?

(2) Today in 1929 – William Parker Died

William Henry Parker was born and died in Nottingham, England. Hymn historian Robert Guy McCutchan says he was “apprenticed in the machine construction department of a large lacemaking plant in Nottingham, remaining in the employ of the same company for the greater part of his life.” Other sources say that he was the owner of an insurance company. Perhaps he was somehow involved in each of these occupations.

William Parker was a Baptist layman, who attended the Chelsea Road Baptist Church, and was greatly interested in the work of the Sunday School. His 1885 gospel song Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, was inspired by the often repeated request of the children in his Sunday School class, “Teacher, tell us another story.”

Tell me the stories of Jesus I love to hear;
Things I would ask Him to tell me if He were here;
Scenes by the wayside, tales of the sea,
Stories of Jesus, tell them to me.

First let me hear how the children stood round His knee,
And I shall fancy His blessing resting on me;
Words full of kindness, deeds full of grace,
All in the love light of Jesus’ face.

Another of Parker’s songs is a prayer to the Holy Spirit–which is a bit unusual. Since the Holy Spirit is Himself God, the third Person of the Trinity, it does not seem wrong to address Him. However, that is not the pattern the Scriptures give us.

The Spirit of God works as a Facilitator of our prayers (Rom. 8:26-27), but we are to address God the Father, on the authority of the standing we have through faith in Christ (i.e. “in Jesus’ name,” cf. Jn. 14:13). “For through Him [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven…” (Matt. 6:9). Apart from this concern, Parker’s prayer is a worthy and biblical one.

Holy Spirit! hear us; help us while we sing;
Breathe into the music of the praise we bring.
Holy Spirit! prompt us when we kneel to pray;
Nearer come and teach us what we ought to say.

Holy Spirit! shine Thou on the Book we read;
Gild its holy pages with the light we need.
Holy Spirit! give us each a lowly mind;
Make us more like Jesus, gentle, pure and kind.

Today in 1635 – Melchior Teschner Died

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

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

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

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

(2) Today in 1918 – Charles Case Died

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today in 1594 – John Cosin Born

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John Cosin was a Church of England clergyman. He was deposed during the Puritan era of Oliver Cromwell, at which time he ministered to the exiled royal family in France. After the Restoration, he was appointed bishop of Durham Cathedral in the north of England. A liturgical scholar, he assisted in the revision of the Book of Common Prayer. It is this volume that contains his paraphrase of Veni, Creator Spiritus, written about six centuries before Cosin’s time, and now known to us as his hymn Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire.

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire;
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost Thy sev’nfold gifts impart.

Praise to Thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Thy blessèd unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love;
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight.

(2) Today in 1880 – Jeanette Threlfall Died

The daughter of a wine merchant, Jeanette Threlfell had a life filled with tragedy. Born in Manchester, England, she was orphaned at a young age and went to live with relatives. Later she met with two serious accidents. The first lamed and disfigured her. The second left her a virtually helpless invalid. But she is described as a cheerful woman of beautiful character, always more interested in others than in herself. Those with whom she stayed described her as a “beloved inmate” of their home.

It is possible her disability may have given her more time to pursue the writing of poetry. She produced several volumes of verse. From a volume entitled Sunshine and Shadow, comes the following hymn for Palm Sunday that takes its title from the opening words.

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to His breast,
The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state,
Nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” that ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Here is a choral arrangement of this hymn. The children are rather “pitchy,” but for the most part it is well done.

Today in 1832 – Louisa May Alcott Born

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Louisa May Alcott is known today as the author of such stories as the best-selling novel Little Women, but at the age of 13 Miss Alcott also wrote a hymn–the only one she ever produced–about the struggles of the soul to do what is right. The Apostle Paul would certainly agree with her discouragement (cf. Rom. 7:15), though she says nothing of the Bible’s solution, through Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit who indwells each believer (Rom. 8:3-4).

A little kingdom I possess,
Where thoughts and feelings dwell,
And very hard I find the task
Of governing it well;
For passion tempts and troubles me,
A wayward will misleads,
And selfishness its shadow casts,
On all my will and deeds.

Dear Father, help me with the love
That castest out my fear!
Teach me to lean on Thee and feel
That thou art very near.
That no temptation is unseen,
No childish grief too small,
Since Thou, with patience infinite,
Dost soothe and comfort all.

Today in 1930 – Joseph Hall Died

Joseph Lincoln Hall wrote sacred oratorios, cantatas and anthems, as well as hundreds of gospel songs. He was also involved in the editing and production of several hymnals. In addition, Joseph Hall was an exceptional choral director and song leader. As a publisher of Christian music he was associated with the Hall-Mack Publishing Company, later purchased by the Rodeheaver Company.

There are a couple of gospel songs still found in some books for which Joseph Hall provided the tunes. The one he wrote for Does Jesus Care? by Frank Graeff, he described as his “most inspired” piece of music. The refrain certainly provides a strong testimony and affirmation that the Lord does indeed care for His children.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares,
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.

Mr. Hall also supplied the tune for I Belong to the King, by Ida Reed:

I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love,
I shall dwell in His palace so fair,
For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above,
And His children in splendour shall share.

I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love,
And he never forsaketh His own.
He will call me some day to His palace above;
I shall dwell by His glorified throne.

(3) That Beautiful Name (Data Missing)

We know next to nothing about Jean Perry (1865-1935), the author of the hymn That Beautiful Name. It has a Christmas theme, especially in the opening stanzas. But it also relates the manger to the cross, which I think is important. Christmas is more than a sentimental story about a Babe born in a stable. It involves the incarnation of the Son of God, born to be our Saviour.

Of the author of the words, little is known. But an interesting story centres around the tune written by Mabel Johnston Camp. Apparently, the hymn poem was given to her by the author and she attempted to compose a tune to suit it. Dissatisfied with the result, she tore up the manuscript and dropped it in the waste basket. But her husband came by, some time later, and spotted the scraps. On a whim, he took them up and patiently fitted the pieces back together. Norman Camp believed the music provided a lovely setting for the words, and he convinced his wife to have the song published. Praise the Lord for His wise providence!

I know of a name, a beautiful name,
That angels brought down to earth;
They whispered it low, one night long ago,
To a maiden of lowly birth.

That beautiful name, that beautiful name,
From sin has power to free us!
That beautiful name, that wonderful name,
That matchless name is Jesus!

I know of a name, a beautiful name,
That unto a Babe was given.
The stars glittered bright throughout that glad night,
And angels praised God in heav’n.

The One of that name, my Saviour became,
My Saviour of Calvary.
My sins nailed Him there; my burdens He bare.
He suffered all this for me.

Today in 1904 – Jeremiah Rankin Died

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Jeremiah Eames Rankin pastored churches in New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, as well as in Washington D.C. In 1889, he became president of Howard University in that city.

Dr. Rankin wrote a number of gospel songs. But only one remains in common use. He based God Be with You Till We Meet Again on the etymology of the common word “goodbye.” The expression is actually a contraction of “God be with ye.” The first recorded use of it as a farewell is found in a letter written in 1573, where it is spelled godbwyes.

Rankin has restored the original thought, giving us a prayer for the Lord’s continuing care of the one we are parting from. It is reminiscent of the words of Paul when he bid farewell to the elders of the church at Ephesus: “I commend you to God and to the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32). The hymn was written in 1880, during the years Jeremiah Rankin was pastor of a church in Washington.

God be with you till we meet again;
By His counsels guide, uphold you,
With His sheep securely fold you;
God be with you till we meet again.

Till we meet, till we meet,
Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;
Till we meet, till we meet,
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
‘Neath His wings protecting hide you;
Daily manna still provide you;
God be with you till we meet again.

God be with you till we meet again;
When life’s perils thick confound you;
Put His arms unfailing round you;
God be with you till we meet again.

(2) Today in 1946 – John Clements Died

John Ralston Clements was born in Ireland. His family came to America in 1870, and he put his faith in Christ at the age of 18 through the preaching of D. L. Moody. He went on to an active ministry for the Lord, serving as president of the Practical Bible Training School in Lestershire, New York, for 17 years. He described himself at one point as “a three-score-and-sixteen-year-old Christian Endeavourer.”

Mr. Clements also wrote more than 5,000 hymns. In 1893 he published Jesus Leads. It is one of many songs that reflect upon the shepherd care of the Lord that the Bible speaks of so often (cf. Ps. 23).

Like a shepherd, tender, true,
Jesus leads, Jesus leads,
Daily finds us pastures new,
Jesus leads, Jesus leads;
If thick mists are o’er the way,
Or the flock ’mid danger feeds,
He will watch them lest they stray,
Jesus leads, Jesus leads.

Six years later, John Clements published what is likely his best-known song, No Night There. The hymn is based on the description of the heavenly city given to us in Rev. 21-22. It was gazing at a sunset in California that inspired the author with the theme. He says:

The sky, riot with every hue in the spectrum of colour–so majestic, that I was afraid to move for fear of it disappearing. It actually took my breath away. And then came the thought: Darkness will soon follow this great spectacle. But some day I’ll be in the land where there is no night but eternal day, and with it no pain, no death nor fears. Just one glorious day that will never end, in a place that Jesus has gone to prepare for us….That evening I wrote No Night There.

In the land of fadeless day,
Lies “the city foursquare,”
It shall never pass away,
And there is “no night there.”

God shall “wipe away all tears”
There’s no death, no pain, nor fears;
And they count not time by years,
For there is “no night there.”

All the gates shall never close,
To “the city foursquare,”
There life’s crystal river flows,
And there is “no night there.”

There they need no sunshine bright,
In “that city foursquare,”
For the Lamb is all the light,
And there is “no night there.”

Today in 1787 – Andrew Reed Born

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Andrew Reed was born in London, England, and later became a pastor in that city. He was also widely known as a social activist, being largely responsible for founding such institutions as: the London Orphan Asylum, the Royal Hospital for Incurables, the Asylum for Fatherless Children and more.

Reed wrote 21 hymns as well, one of which he called Prayer in the Holy Spirit. In his lovely little hymn (which we now know as Holy Ghost, with Light Divine) Andrew Reed speaks of the Spirit of God coming into his life. In his prayer, he gives the Spirit full permission to remove any pretender from the throne.

Holy Ghost, with light divine
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.

Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.

(2) Today in 1862 – Adelaide Pollard Born

Adelaide Addison Pollard was a Bible teacher and missionary, and the author of over 100 hymns and gospel songs. She died in 1934 of a ruptured appendix. Only one of her hymns is in common use today, and the incident that led to its composition is interesting.

Adelaide Pollard believed the Lord wanted her to go to Africa as a missionary. It was a noble cause, but for some reason the funds for the trip did not come in. As Miss Pollard waited on the Lord to provide, her discouragement grew. Then, one evening in 1902 she attended a small prayer meeting.

In the group was an elderly woman whose prayer pricked Adelaide’s doubting, troubled heart. The woman said, “It’s all right, Lord. It doesn’t matter what you bring into our lives. Just have Your own way with us.” Letting God have His way. The would-be missionary pondered that. Could it be she was insisting the Lord accept her way instead of submitting to His?

Adelaide Pollard considered what she had heard that evening, and before retiring to bed she composed a hymn of dedication called Have Thine Own Way, Lord. She went on to become an itinerant Bible teacher, and she taught for eight years at the Missionary Training School in New York City. Ironically, she did get to serve in Africa for a short time, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Sometimes, it may not be a matter of having the wrong plan, but of our failure to wait for God’s best time.

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

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