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Hymns

Today in 1521 – Martin Luther Called to Account

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Martin Luther was the great theologian and hymn writer of the Protestant Reformation. He had opposed the errors of the Church of Rome for a number of years, and now was summoned before the Diet of Worms (Vorms) and commanded to renounce his views. Pope Leo X had condemned him the year before, and now Johann von Eck presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings and demanded to know whether he still believed what was taught in them. The next day Luther gave his now famous declaration:

Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures, or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.

(2) Today in 1879 – Nathaniel Carlson Born

Nathaniel Carlson was educated at the Free Church Bible School, in Chicago Illinois, and at Northwest Bible College, in Iowa. He served as a pastor in the Evangelical Free Church, and was the author of many hymns and translations. Around 1935, he produced He the Pearly Gates Will Open, an English translation of Frederick Blom’s Swedish hymn. It reminds us that our only hope of heaven is through faith in the finished work of Christ. He is the one who is able to open heaven’s gate to us.

Love divine, so great and wondrous,
Deep and mighty, pure, sublime!
Coming from the heart of Jesus,
Just the same through tests of time.

He the pearly gates will open,
So that I may enter in;
For He purchased my redemption
And forgave me all my sin.

Love divine so great and wondrous!
All my sins He then forgave!
I will sing His praise forever,
For His blood, His pow’r to save.

(3) Lonesome Valley (Data Missing)

Though we know little about the origin of this traditional spiritual, it carries an important and powerful message. There are some burdens that can be shared, but there are others that we must take personal responsibility for on our own. That is the explanation for a seeming contradiction between Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens,” and Galatians 6:5, “Each one shall bear his own load.”

By way of a practical example, a husband may be able to help and encourage his pregnant wife, but she is the one carrying that little life, and she alone is the one who will give birth. Another example that is particularly relevant to the history of the song is the misery and abuse suffered by African Americans because of slavery and racial prejudice. We may be able to sympathize to some extent, but that is a tragedy that was unique to them.

When we suffer opposition for the cause of righteousness, we know that the Lord Jesus faced a similar thing (Jn. 15:18-20). However, when the Lord bore the weight of the world’s sin upon Himself on the cross, that is an aspect of His suffering that was unique. He did something no other person was able to do. In that sense, the pathway to Calvary was a lonely one.

Likewise it’s true that there are burdens each of us bear that no one else can fully appreciate or understand. No one except the Lord Himself, who during his life faced the same kinds of struggles we do (Heb. 4:15-16). Because He did, He is able to help and encourage us in our lonely walk (cf. II Tim. 4:16-18).

Jesus walked this lonesome valley.
He had to walk it by Himself;
O, nobody else could walk it for Him,
He had to walk it by Himself.

We must walk this lonesome valley,
We have to walk it by ourselves;
O, nobody else can walk it for us,
We have to walk it by ourselves.

You must go and stand your trial,
You have to stand it by yourself,
O, nobody else can stand it for you,
You have to stand it by yourself.

Today in 1829 – Carl Glaser Died

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Carl Gotthelf Glaser was born in Germany, where he received musical training, first from his father, then from others. He became a teacher of voice, violin and piano. Glaser also composed choral music and was a well known conductor. His hymn tune Azmon is used with O for a Thousand Tongues.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer’s praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of Thy name.

(2) Today in 1905 – Ada Gibbs Died

Little is know of Ada Rose Gibbs. She was apparently part of the Keswick Convention moment. She married William James Gibbs around 1898, in London. He was at one time superintendent of the Methodist Central Hall, in Bromley, Kent. Mrs. Gibbs composed the tune that is used for the hymn Channels Only.

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.

(3) Today in 1796 – Joseph Swain Died

Englishman Joseph Swain (1761-1796) was apprenticed to be an engraver when he was young. He later moved to London, where he put his faith in Christ, and was baptized by Pastor John Rippon. The latter is known in hymn history for his book Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors (which included How Firm a Foundation). Joseph Swain himself went on to become a Baptist clergyman, and a hymn writer. Some historians state that he died on this date at the young age of 35. Others place the date of his death two days earlier.

The most familiar of his songs is the beautiful O Thou in Whose Presence, which borrows the poetry of the Song of Solomon to describe his love for the Lord. The original has eighteen stanzas. Here is a sampling.

O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight,
On whom in affliction I call,
My comfort by day, and my song in the night,
My hope, my salvation, my all.

O, why should I wander an alien from Thee,
And cry in the desert for bread?
Thy foes will rejoice when my sorrows they see,
And smile at the tears I have shed.

His lips as a fountain of righteousness flow,
That waters the garden of grace,
From which their salvation the Gentiles shall know,
And bask in the smiles of His face.

Love sits on His eye-lids, and scatters delight
Through all the bright mansions on high;
Their faces the cherubim veil in His sight,
And tremble with fullness of joy.

He looks, and ten thousands of angels rejoice,
And myriads wait for His word;
He speaks, and eternity, filled with His voice,
Re-echoes the praise of her Lord.

Dear Shepherd, I hear and will follow Thy call;
I know the sweet sound of Thy voice.
Restore and defend me, for Thou art my All,
And in Thee I will ever rejoice.

Joseph Swain’s hymn How Sweet, How Heavenly Is the Sight is much less known. But it has a message for every local church. The author revels in the blessing of Christian fellowship, and the expression of Christlike love in the community of believers. The Bible says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133:1). Yet so many times there are conflicts and petty rivalries in our churches that are most unchristian. The Apostle Paul had to deal sternly with the church at Corinth over this issue (I Cor. 3:1-3).

How sweet, how heavenly is the sight,
When those that love the Lord
In one another’s peace delight,
And so fulfil His Word!

When each can feel his brother’s sigh
And with him bear a part!
When sorrow flows from eye to eye,
And joy from heart to heart!

When, free from envy, scorn, and pride,
Our wishes all above,
Each can his brother’s failings hide,
And show a brother’s love!

When love, in one delightful stream,
Through every bosom flows,
When union sweet, and dear esteem,
In every action glows.

Today in 1862 – Lelia Morris Born

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Lelia Naylor lived in Ohio. With her mother and sister she opened a millinery shop, working there for many years. She married Charles H. Morris, and the couple was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at holiness camp meetings. Lelia was encouraged to write hymns by H. L. Gilmour (who wrote the gospel song The Haven of Rest). She went on to write over 1,000 of them, in addition to many tunes. (This, in spite of being blind, later in life.) A few examples of her songs:

Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart
Nearer, Still Nearer
Sweet Will of God
Sweeter as the Years Go By
The Fight Is On
‘Tis Marvelous and Wonderful
What If It Were Today?

It is impossible to quote from all of these, but in 1898 Mrs. Morris gave us the lovely Nearer, Still Nearer.

Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Saviour– so precious Thou art!
Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest”;
Shelter me safe in that “Haven of Rest.”

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King;
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Published the same year was the hymn of invitation Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart. The refrain of the song came to Mrs. Morris in an unusual way.

Lelia Morris was attending a camp meeting in Maryland one Sunday morning. After a powerful message was presented on the need for repentance and faith in Christ, an “altar call” was given. One who came forward was a woman of obvious wealth and refinement.

As the woman knelt and prayed, Mrs. Morris saw that she was in some distress. Moving to her side, she put her arm around the weeping seeker. It soon became clear that she supposed there was something she had to do for God to earn salvation, rather than simply receiving it as a free gift in Christ.

Mrs. Morris said earnestly and gently, “Just now, your doubtings give o’er.” And the song leader who joined them added, “Just now, reject Him no more.” And the evangelist himself coming alongside said, Just now, throw open the door,” to which Mrs. Morris added, “Let Jesus come into your heart.” With that, the woman did so, receiving Christ as her Saviour (cf. Jn. 1:12-13). And strange as it may seem, Mrs. Morris was inspired to turn that three-way exchange into the refrain of the hymn, written later.

If you are tired of the load of your sin,
Let Jesus come into your heart;
If you desire a new life to begin,
Let Jesus come into your heart.

Just now, your doubtings give o’er;
Just now, reject Him no more;
Just now, throw open the door;
Let Jesus come into your heart.

If it’s for purity now that you sigh,
Let Jesus come into your heart;
Fountains for cleansing are flowing nearby,
Let Jesus come into your heart.

Graphic Sailing Ship

(2) Today in 1870 – Emma Willard Died

Emma C. Hart was the daughter of a Unitarian clergyman, one of his 17 children! She married Dr. John Willard, and became an Episcopalian.

Emma Willard was a champion of women’s education, and she founded the first women’s school of higher education, a school that became Troy Female Seminary. During an ocean voyage in 1839, she wrote the song of assurance Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.

Rocked in the cradle of the deep,
I lay me down in peace to sleep;
Secure I rest upon the wave,
For Thou, O Lord, hast power to save.
I know Thou wilt not slight my call,
For Thou dost mark the sparrow’s fall.

And calm and peaceful is my sleep,
Rocked in the cradle of the deep.

Perhaps it is the word “deep” that attracted bass soloists to this old song. Here is a recording from nearly a century ago of Wilfred Glenn singing it. And yes, he has a deep voice!

Today in 1846 – Come, Come, Ye Saints written

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Englishman William Clayton converted to Mormonism in 1837, moving to America in 1840. He became the private secretary of the cult’s founder, Joseph Smith, later heading to Utah with Mormon leader Brigham Young. Once settled there, he played second violin in the Salt Lake City orchestra.

William Clayton wrote the Mormon hymn Come, Come, Ye Saints, claiming he created the song during the group’s trek to Utah. But part of it was already published two years before, in a song about death and heaven. In 1966 Avis Christiansen took some of Clayton’s opening stanza and produced a fine hymn which emphasizes not the locating of the Mormon sect in the American West, but the prospect of the Christian’s home in heaven. Here is part of Mrs. Christiansen’s song:

Come, come, ye saints, no toil nor labour fear,
But with joy wend your way;
Though hard to you life’s journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
God’s hand of love shall be your guide,
And all your need he will provide;
His pow’r shall every foe dispel,
All is well, all is well!

God hath prepared a glorious home above
Round His throne, for His own,
Where they may rest forever in His love,
Toil and tears all unknown.
There they shall sing eternal praise
To Him who saved them by His grace.
Through heaven’s courts the song shall swell,
All is well, all is well!

Edward Cottrill (young)

(2) Today in 1902 – Edward Cottrill Born

My father was a gospel musician with many years of experience playing in a church orchestra, playing the organ, and leading choirs and other musical groups. He also composed a simple tune called Garside to go with Henry Harbaugh’s hymn, Jesus, I Live to Thee.

Back in the 1940’s Edward Cottrill’s quartet had a weekly gospel broadcast over station CHML in Hamilton, Ontario. That was the era of live radio, and the program was preceded by a crime drama. On one particular hot summer’s evening, in the drama, the police were supposed to track down an offender, finally surrounding him in a small shed. Then they were to break down the door, and one of the officers was to shout, “Look out! He’s going through the window!”

At this point the script called for the sound effects man to make the appropriate shattering noise. What was used for this was a collection of small metal plates which, when hit in just the right way, sounded like breaking glass. But, the fellow had this device in his pocket, and when he reached for it with sweaty, nervous fingers, it got stuck. The more he panicked and pulled, the stucker it got!

Meanwhile, of course, you couldn’t just have dead air time. So, the “police” were frantically ad-libbing. “Look out! [sounds of scrambling feet] He’s going through the other window…” “No, he’s coming back your way…! He’s going through the other window”

My father laughed, telling the story, saying there seemed to be more windows than you could ever imagine in that tiny shed! But finally, in desperation, somebody spotted a vase of fresh flowers on the studio piano. He grabbed it, and hurled it to the floor with all his might, shouting the appropriate line. Then, the crook was nabbed, and the program came swiftly to an end–with broken glass and water everywhere.

In those days, actors used to slip completed pages of their scripts off the top and carefully let them fall to the floor. These were now scattered about, a sodden mass. The studio looked as though some kind of hurricane had just swept through! But there was no opportunity to clean up. It was time for my father’s gospel program.

The actors in the drama moved away, and the Dayspring Quartet stepped gingerly around the microphone to sing their theme song, “Here from the world we turn, Jesus to seek…” The listening audience was unable to appreciate the unplanned irony of those words!

That lovely hymn, used each week for their opening, is called Moments of Prayer. It was written in 1876, by Fanny Crosby.

Here from the world we turn, Jesus to seek;
Here may His loving voice tenderly speak!
Jesus, our dearest Friend, while at Thy feet we bend,
O let Thy smile descend! ’Tis Thee we seek.

Saviour, Thy work revive; here may we see
Those who are dead in sin quickened by Thee;
Come to our hearts tonight, make every burden light;
Cheer Thou our waiting sight; we long for Thee.

(3) Today in 1912 – Nearer, My God, to Thee played

Titanic

Based on the report of a Canadian passenger, it is a persistent claim, whether true or not, that Nearer My God to Thee was played and sung as the now famous Titanic sank with a loss of hundreds of lives.

Wallace Hartley, the ship’s bandleader, and a Methodist, was known to like the song, and had requested that it be played at his funeral. We do know that the band courageously played on deck as passengers were being loaded into the lifeboats. Sadly, all of the musicians went down with the ship.

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!

In spite of what various dramatized accounts of the sinking of the great ship portray, if  the hymn Nearer, My God, to Thee was played as it sank, it was not the familiar American tune Bethany that was used, but more likely the English tune Horbury. The video clip below comes from the 1958 film A Night to Remember. It get’s points for historical accuracy for using Horbury!

Today in 1895 – O God of Light published

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Born in Ireland, Arthur Sidney Clibborn was the son of a linen mill owner. Though raised in a Quaker home, he later joined the Salvation Army. After marrying the daughter of the Army’s founder, William Booth, he changed his name to a hyphenated Booth-Clibborn. Arthur and Catherine worked with the Salvation Army in France, Switzerland, Belgium and Holland. Booth-Clibborn wrote over 300 hymns.

The words of O God of Light were first published in the Salvation Army’s War Cry magazine. The author says they were written “in times of persecution and imprisonment.” It is a stern and audacious prayer, reminiscent of the words of David, who wrote, “Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it” (Ps. 141:5). It is a bold prayer, inviting discipline if it is needed. Booth-Clibborn’s hymn seems to reflect a similar spirit. But he speaks with confidence that the rod of chastening is in the hand of a loving Father (cf. Heb. 12:5-11).

O God of light, O God of love,
Shine on my soul from heaven above!
Let sin appear in Thy pure ray
As black as on the judgment day;
Let perfect love apply the test,
And all that’s wrong make manifest.

O take Thy plummet and Thy line,
Apply them to this heart of mine,
And thus reveal each crooked place,
By contrast with true righteousness!
Let holy truth condemn each sham;
Show what Thou art, and what I am.

O smite and spare not, faithful God!
A Father’s hand still holds the rod;
O make my sin-stained conscience smart,
And write Thy law upon my heart
So plainly, that my will shall bow
In full surrender, here and now!

(2) More from Oswald Smith

Since Canadian hymn writer Oswald Jeffrey Smith wrote more than 1,200 hymn texts, he is another whose work is difficult to cover in a series of brief entries. The precise date when his song God Understands was written is unknown, but it was created around 1935 to minister to one particular person.

Dr. Smith’s youngest sister Ruth, and her husband Clifford were freshman missionaries serving in Peru. They were preparing to come home to Canada on their first furlough. But shortly before they left, Clifford was killed in a car accident. Ruth returned home with their two small boys, a grieving widow at the age of 26. Oswald Smith dedicated God Understands to his sister, and says it was a great comfort to her. And there’s this postscript: In God’s good time, the two boys grew up to become ministers of the gospel.

God understands your sorrow, he sees the falling tear,
And whispers, “I am with thee;” then falter not, nor fear.

He understands your longing,
Your deepest grief He shares;
Then let Him bear your burden,
He understands, and cares.

God understands your heartache, He knows the bitter pain;
O, trust Him in the darkness, you cannot trust in vain.

God understands your weakness, He knows the tempter’s pow’r;
And He will walk beside you however dark the hour.

Today in 1716 – Felice de Giardini Born

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Felice de Giardini was a chorister at the Milan Cathedral. While there, he studied both voice and violin, later playing in various orchestras in Rome and Naples. An outstanding artist, he toured Europe and gave a number of concerts in England, and later took up residence there. Near the end of his life he moved to Moscow, but died only months after arriving. Giardini composed four hymn tunes, but only one is still in popular use, Italian Hymn, to which we sing Come, Thou Almighty King.

Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy name to sing, help us to praise!
Father all glorious, o’er all victorious,
Come and reign over us, Ancient of Days!

To Thee, great One in Three,
Eternal praises be, hence, evermore.
Thy sovereign majesty may we in glory see,
And to eternity love and adore!

Video: Come Thou Almighty King (tune Italian Hymn)

(2) Today in 1850 – Adoniram Judson Died

Adoniram Judson is known as the first Baptist foreign missionary sent out from America. He and his wife Ann sailed for India in 1812. Forced out of India by the East India Company, he went to Burma, where he laboured for 6 years before seeing his first convert. He suffered hardship and painful trials. A conflict between the British and the Burmese led to his imprisonment for many months. By 1834 he had translated the Bible into Burmese, and later completed a Burmese-English dictionary. It was during the years he was translating the Bible that Judson wrote the baptismal hymn Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (not to be confused with Isaac Watts’s hymn of the same name).

Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine,
On these baptismal waters shine,
And teach our hearts, in highest strain,
To praise the Lamb for sinners slain.

We love Your Name, we love Your laws,
And joyfully embrace Your cause;
We love Your cross, the shame, the pain,
O Lamb of God, for sinners slain.

We sink beneath the water’s face,
And thank You for Your saving grace;
We die to sin and seek a grave
With You, beneath the yielding wave.

And as we rise with You to live,
O let the Holy Spirit give
The sealing unction from above,
The joy of life, the fire of love.

Today in 1779 – Luise Reichardt Born

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C. Luise Reichardt was born in Berlin, Germany. Her father was a composer and music teacher. Luise became a singer and vocal music teacher, first in Berlin, then in Hamburg (where she also became the director of a women’s choir). Tragedy struck her life when her fiancée died shortly before they were to be married. Later, she also lost her voice, surely devastating for a singer. She composed over 90 songs and choruses of her own, as well as translating and arranging the works of others. Miss Reichardt is known in hymnody as the composer of the tune Armageddon, to which we sing Frances Havergal’s Who Is on the Lord’s Side?

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Saviour, we are Thine!

Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Saviour, we are Thine!

(2) Today in 1957 – Michael Card Born

Well known contemporary Christian song writer and performer, Michael Card, was born in Madison, Tennessee. The son of a doctor, and grandson of a Baptist clergyman, Mr. Card earned a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies at Western Kentucky University, receiving in 1997 the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Michael Card’s many songs give evidence of careful Bible research. His best known song is perhaps El Shaddai, a piece that incorporates some Hebrew names for God found in Scripture, in the refrain.

  • El Shaddai means God Almighty, as in: “Also God said to him: ‘I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body’” (Gen. 35:11).
  • El Elyon means Most High God, as in: “And he blessed him and said: ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth’” (Gen. 14:19).
  • Adonai means Lord or Master, as in: “Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications (Ps. 130:2).

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Elyon no Adonai
[God Almighty, God Almighty, Most High O Lord]
Age to age You’re still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, erkamka na Adonai
[God Almighty, God Almighty, I will love You, O Lord]
We will praise and lift You high,
El Shaddai.

Today in 1817 – Caroline Noel Born

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The Bible says of the Lord Jesus Christ:

He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.

Phil. 2:8-10

That passage became the basis for a fine hymn called At the Name of Jesus, written by Caroline Maria Noel. Miss Noel, the daughter of a pastor in England, tried her hand at writing poetry during her teens, but abandoned the practice for years afterward. Finally, in the last 25 years of her life, she was struck down and bedridden by a painful and crippling illness.

As has sometimes happened, limitations in one aspect of her life caused her to pursue another. Caroline Noel once again began to exercise her poetic gifts, publishing a collection of verse in 1870 called The Name of Jesus, and other Verses for the Sick and Lonely. Her hymn is from the book.

At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

In the video clip below, this hymn is sung to the tune Camberwell. To my mind, James Mountain’s tune Wye Valley fits it better, and it’s more singable. (This is the tune used for LIke a River Glorious.) To hear it played, check the Cyber Hymnal.

(2) Today in 1829 – William Booth Born

One day in early May of 1912 a horse drawn carriage drew up at the entrance of the Royal Albert Hall in London. Out stepped an elderly man with flowing white hair and beard. He was wrapped well against the damp spring weather, but even at 83 years of age he walked with an upright military bearing. The man was the guest speaker that day, and when summoned to the podium he proceeded to address his audience for a full hour. Though there was no electronic amplification, it is said the 7,000 assembled heard it all clearly.

He concluded his speech with these passionate words:

While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight–I’ll fight to the very end!

Though no one knew it, that was to be the last time he would speak in public before the Lord called him home. The man was none other than General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army. To honour him, those gathered sang a hymn written by Booth himself–one composed years before for an evangelistic campaign. It became the unofficial anthem of the Salvation Army and came to be known as The Founder’s Song. Its title as first published in 1893 was Boundless Salvation, sometimes called O Boundless Salvation.

My sins they are many, their stains are so deep,
And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
But useless is weeping; thou great crimson sea,
Thy waters can cleanse me, thy waters can cleanse me,
Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me!

The tide is now flowing, I’m touching the wave,
I hear the loud call of the Mighty to Save;
My faith’s growing bolder, delivered I’ll be;
I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters,
I plunge ’neath the waters they roll over me.

And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
Shall gladly be spent in promoting His praise
Who opened His bosom to pour out this sea
Of boundless salvation, of boundless salvation,
Of boundless salvation for you and for me.

(3) Today in 1899 – John Sweney Died

John Robson Sweney was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania in 1837. During the American Civil War he led the military band of the Third Delaware Regiment. After the war he was appointed Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. He held that position for almost 30 years, subsequently earning the degree of Doctor of Music.

Before 1871, Sweney wrote secular music for various purposes. But from that date he devoted his talent to the production of sacred music, composing the tunes for nearly 1,000 gospel songs. Here are a few of them. For the ones marked with an asterisk, Mr. Sweney collaborated with Fanny Crosby, who contributed the lyrics.

Beulah Land
Fill Me Now
More About Jesus
*My Saviour First of All
Sunshine in My Soul
*Take the World, But Give Me Jesus
*Tell Me the Story of Jesus
*Unsearchable Riches
*Victory Through Grace
Will There Be Any Stars?

Crosby and Sweney’s Victory Through Grace says:

Conquering now and still to conquer, rideth a King in His might;
Leading the host of all the faithful
Into the midst of the fight;
See them with courage advancing, clad in their brilliant array,
Shouting the name of their Leader, hear them exultingly say:

Not to the strong is the battle,
Not to the swift is the race,
Yet to the true and the faithful
Vict’ry is promised through grace.

Conquering now and still to conquer, Jesus, Thou Ruler of all,
Thrones and their sceptres all shall perish,
Crowns and their splendour shall fall,
Yet shall the armies Thou leadest, faithful and true to the last,
Find in Thy mansions eternal rest, when their warfare is past.

Today in 1598 – Johann Cruger Born

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Johann Cruger was born near Guben, Prussia. He settled in Berlin in 1615, where he became organist and cantor of St. Nicholas Cathedral. He is considered one of the foremost musicians of his day, and his work in editing Praxis Pietatis Melica (The Practice of Piety Through Melody) has been called the most important work on the subject of hymnody produced in the seventeenth century. In the third edition of this book, the hymn tune Nun Danket appeared. It is used with Martin Rinkart’s hymn Now Thank We All Our God.

Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
Who from our mothers’ arms has blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.

(2) Today in 1813 – Jane Borthwick Born

A member of the Free Church of Scotland, Jane Laurie Borthwick was a gifted translator. She and her sister Sarah produced a book of translations of German hymns entitled Hymns from the Land of Luther. Their work has given us My Jesus, As Thou Wilt, and Be Still, My Soul. The former hymn, in German Mein Jesu, Wie du Willt, was written by Benjamin Schmolk around 1704.

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! Oh, may Thy will be mine!
Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign;
Through sorrow, or through joy, conduct me as Thine own,
And help me still to say, my Lord, Thy will be done!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! Though seen through many a tear,
Let not my star of hope grow dim or disappear;
Since Thou on earth hast wept, and sorrowed oft alone,
If I must weep with Thee, my Lord, Thy will be done!

Here is a nicely done guitar solo of the tune for the above hymn.

In my opinion, Be Still, My Soul ranks as one of the finest hymns in the English language.

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Key

(3) Today in 1830 – Joseph Parker Born

English clergyman Joseph Parker was one of the foremost evangelical preachers of his day. A contemporary of Spurgeon’s, he became the champion of the poor, uneducated and underprivileged.

He wrote a number of books, and his sermons of many years fill 25 large volumes. Parker was not a hymn writer, but he has given us one perceptive song entitled God Holds the Key.

God holds the key of all unknown,
And I am glad;
If other hands should hold the key,
Or if He trusted it to me,
I might be sad, I might be sad.

The very dimness of my sight
Makes me secure;
For, groping in my misty way,
I feel His hand; I hear Him say,
“My help is sure, My help is sure.”

Today in 1886 – Charles Marsh Born

,

The father of Charles Howard Marsh was a Congregational pastor in Iowa. Charles became a gifted musician, playing both piano and organ, directing choirs, and composing many songs, anthems and instrumental works. He was also known for his poetry and painting. In 1932, he became professor of organ at the University of Florida.

In 1910, Marsh provided the tune for Henry Ostrom’s gospel song, Is It the Crowning Day?

Jesus may come today
Glad day, glad day!
And I would see my Friend;
Dangers and troubles would end
If Jesus should come today.

Glad day, glad day!
Is it the crowning day?
I’ll live for today, nor anxious be;
Jesus, my Lord I soon shall see.
Glad day, glad day!
Is it the crowning day?

(2) Today in 1962 – Esther Rusthoi Died

Graphic Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Samuel Kerr emigrated from Scotland to America, where he married Diana Rose Crater, and began to raise a family. A son, Philip, was born in 1906, and Esther came along three years later.

As they grew up, both she and her brother demonstrated a gift for making music. They went on to play instruments, and compose and arrange songs in praise of God. Philip also wrote a book on the history of hymns called Music in Evangelism. As a young woman Esther married Howard Rusthoi, and the couple served the Lord diligently for a number of years. However, ill health cast a shadow over her life. One who knew writes of “dear suffering Esther.” She died in 1962, at the age of 53.

But Esther Rusthoi has given to the church a testimony of her faith in the form of a beautiful gospel song. In 1941 she published When We See Christ. Whether her own suffering had commenced by then, or she wrote of what she knew of others, it provides a heart-warming message for us all.

Oft-times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

(3) Today in 1968 – Softly and Tenderly sung

Martin Luther King killed at motel

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) was an American clergyman, social activist, and prominent leader in the African-American civil rights movement. King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Prize in 1964 for his efforts to end racial discrimination. He was slain by a sniper’s bullet on April 4th, 1968. The motel in Memphis (pictured here), where Rev. King was assassinated while standing on the second floor balcony, is now the site of the National Civil Rights Museum. At a memorial service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Will Thompson’s gospel song Softly and Tenderly was sung. Though the author meant it as an invitation to faith in Christ, it is sometimes used at funeral services in the sense of God calling home the loved one who has died.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

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