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Hymns

Today in 1829 – Frederick Whitfield Born

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English clergyman and hymn writer Frederick Whitfield was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and went on to hold various positions in the Church of England. He published about 30 volumes of prose and verse, and a couple of his songs can be found in some hymnals today. Most familiar to us is O How I Love Jesus.

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
It sounds like music in my ear,
The sweetest name on earth.

O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
Because He first loved me!

This is rather unsubstantial fare, as far as any depth of teaching is concerned. Its focus on me and my weak love for the Lord so bothered a well-known hymn writer that he created a song with a different perspective to counter it. You can check it out at Today in 1838. But there is another of Whitfield’s hymns, I Saw the Cross of Jesus, that makes a much stronger gospel statement.

I saw the cross of Jesus, when burdened with my sin,
I sought the cross of Jesus, to give me peace within;
I brought my soul to Jesus, He cleansed it in His blood;
And in the cross of Jesus I found my peace with God.

I love the cross of Jesus, it tells me what I am–
A vile and guilty creature, saved only through the Lamb;
No righteousness, nor merit, no beauty I can plead;
Yet in the cross of glory, my title there I read.

Sweet is the cross of Jesus! There let my weary heart
Still rest in peace unshaken, till with Him, ne’er to part;
And then in strains of glory I’ll sing His wondrous power,
Where sin can never enter, and death is known no more.

(2) Today in 1868 – Austin Miles Born

Charles Austin Miles trained to be a pharmacist, but once he began writing gospel songs he abandoned that career to devote his time to sacred music. As well as writing many songs himself, he served as an editor at Hall-Mack Publishers for decades, even after its merger with the Rodeheaver Company.

Among Miles’s contributions to our hymn books are: A New Name in Glory, Dwelling in Beulah Land, If Jesus Goes with Me, and In the Garden, as well as the music for Still Sweeter Every Day, and words and music of the little chorus Wide, Wide as the Ocean.

In the Garden is extremely popular, but it really contains little in the way of biblical truth, being more of a sentimental ballad. Austin Miles wrote it after meditating on the meeting of Mary Magdalene with the risen Christ, as recorded in Jn. 20:11-18.

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

The book of Revelation pictures the Lord giving to each of the saints in heaven a white stone, with a new name written on it (Rev. 2:17). The stone seems to be what we might call a “new birth” certificate, and a reminder of the saint’s acceptance by God. Perhaps that new name is also the one recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27) which lists all of the redeemed. That thought captivated Charles Austin Miles. He published A New Name in Glory in 1910.

I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord:
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.

There’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
And the white robed angels sing the story,
“A sinner has come home.”
For there’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for heaven,
Never more to roam.

Today in 1740 – John Fawcett Born

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English pastor and hymn writer John Fawcett was converted to Christ at the age of 16, through the ministry of George Whitefield. He first joined the Methodists (some say the Anglicans), but three years later began attending a Baptist church and was eventually ordained by that group. Though he remained the pastor of a small church, he was a man of recognized scholarship and ability. Fawcett wrote a number of books, and several of our hymns, including Blest Be the Tie that Binds, How Precious Is the Book Divine, and possibly Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing.

Pastor Fawcett made the following quaint comment regarding his hymns:

I blush to think of these plain verses falling into the hands of persons of an elevated genius, and refined taste. To such, I know, they will appear flat, dull and unentertaining…If it may be conducive, under divine blessing to warm the heart or assist the devotion of any humble Christian in the closet [i.e. alone in his room], the family or the house of God, I shall therein sincerely rejoice, whatever censure I may incur from the polite world.

John Fawcett

How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration giv’n;
Bright as a lamp its pages shine
To guide our souls to heav’n.
Its light descending from above,
Our gloomy world to cheer,
Displays a Saviour’s boundless love,
And brings His glories near.

Oh precious book of light and life
Thou source of truth and love,
In Thee we view God’s matchless grace,
And all His goodness prove,
Oh precious book whose light e’er shines
With bright and cheering ray,
To guide our souls until the dawn
Of the eternal day.

(2) Today in 1887 – Virgil Brock Born

There have been several husband and wife hymn writing teams throughout history, and this is about one of them. Brock was born to Quaker parents. He was converted at the age of 16, and was ordained a clergyman of the Christian Church at age 19. In 1914, while Virgil Brock was serving in Greens Fork, Indiana, he met and married a talented singer and pianist named Blanche Kerr. They became known far and wide in evangelistic ministry as The Singing Brocks. Virgil Brock wrote more than 500 gospel songs, with Blanche composing the music for most of them.

The picture to the right came from a friend of my wife’s. By a little camera trick, it looks as though someone is able to hold the sun between his fingers. But we know that’s not possible. Our sun is actually a star, many times the size of the earth. But at a distance of 93 million miles, it appears quite small. And looking at the picture, I’m reminded of how the troubles of today can loom large in proportion to the eternal joys of heaven. But for the believer a glorious eternal day is awaiting beyond the sunset of this life. That sunset became the theme of a popular gospel song by the Brocks. The writing of it came about as follows.

One day the Brocks were visiting in the home of gospel musician Homer Rodeheaver. The house offered a perfect view of the western sky, and all were entranced by the incredible sunset that evening. The heavens seemed, in Brock’s words, to be “ablaze with the glory of God.” Afterward, at the dinner table, the beautiful display became a topic of conversation. Seated among the guests was a blind man named Horace Burr, Virgil Brock’s cousin.

Mr. Burr stated that he had never “seen” a more beautiful sunset–a comment which surprised his companions. But he responded, “I see through other people’s eyes, and I think I often see more. I see beyond the sunset.” The phrase struck Pastor Brock and he immediately began singing the first phrases of a new hymn. At the suggestion of his wife, the couple went to the piano and, he says, “Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written, and we sang the entire song together.”

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Saviour, heav’n is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning–
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting–
Beyond the sunset forevermore.

Here is a Country version of the song that I think is nicely done.

Today in 1910 – Timothy Matthews Died

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Englishman Timothy Richard Matthews was educated at Cambridge, and became an Anglican clergyman in 1853, retiring 54 years later after a full life of ministry. Rev. Matthews also studied organ under George Elvey, and the two men became lifelong friends. As a musician, Timothy Matthew wrote more than 100 hymn tunes, but only one is in wide use today. He wrote the tune Margaret to go with Emily Elliot’s hymn poem Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne. (Some hymn books call the tune Elliot in her honour.) For a bit more about Emily Elliot and her hymn, see Today in 1836.

This song is more of a meditation on the incarnation than a true Christmas carol, though it’s rightly sung at that season of the year. Emily Elliot describes the humble birth of the Saviour, and notes that there was no room for Him in the inn of Bethlehem–and how many later made no room for Him in their lives. In fact, they crucified Him, as the hymn’s third stanza reminds us. Then comes the powerful application: When Christ comes again, will He make room for me at His side? A change in the refrain ends the hymn with a positive testimony:

When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”

My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.

(2) Today in 1915 – Vernon Charlesworth Died

English hymn writer Vernon John Charlesworth wrote a number of gospel songs, but A Shelter in the Time of Storm is the only one in common use today. Mr. Charlesworth served the Lord as a co-pastor of the old Surrey Chapel. Five years later, he was appointed headmaster of Charles Spurgeon’s Stockwell Orphanage.

Vernon Charlesworth’s gospel song celebrates our safety and security in Christ. And there are quite a number of texts in the Word of God, especially in the Psalms, that remind us of the Almighty’s protecting care (cf. Ps. 18:2; 59:16; 62:2). When Ira Sankey set Charlesworth’s hymn to music, it was he who added the refrain. Sankey gave the song the rather unwieldy title My God Is the Rock of My Refuge, referencing the text Ps. 94:22, “The Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.”  We know it by the simpler title above.

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Today in 1874 – Standing at the Portal published

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Frances Ridley Havergal was in the habit of sending New Year’s cards, rather than Christmas cards. And, being a skilled devotional poet, she wrote the verses they contained herself. One of these that has become a hymn is Another Year Is Dawning. And if you were a friend of hers in 1874, you would have received a card containing the hymn poem, Standing at the Portal. Note how the second stanza below contains virtually a word-by-word quotation of Isa. 41:10, which says:

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 40:10

Standing at the portal of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us, hushing every fear;
Spoken through the silence by our Saviour’s voice,
Tender, strong and faithful, making us rejoice.

Onward, then, and fear not,
Children of the day;
For His Word shall never,
Never pass away.

“I, the Lord, am with thee, be thou not afraid;
I will help and strengthen, be thou not dismayed.
Yea, I will uphold thee with My own right hand;
Thou art called and chosen in My sight to stand.”

candle

(2) Today in 1919 Matilda Edwards Died

English hymn writer Matilda Barbara Betham-Edwards has given us a lovely children’s prayer hymn. Though she wrote other poetry, and a number of books, God Make My Life a Little Light is the only hymn for which she is known today. It was published in a magazine called Good Words, in 1873. And whether we are children, teens, or adults, that is what the Lord asks of us. We are to “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). In the words of the Lord Jesus,

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Matt. 5:16

God make my life a little light
Within the world to glow;
A little flame that burneth bright,
Wherever I may go.

God make my life a little song
That comforteth the sad
That helpeth others to be strong,
And makes the singer glad.

God make my life a little staff
Whereon the weak may rest,
That so what health and strength I have
May serve my neighbours best.

Today in 1830 – Alexander Ewing Born

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Alexander Ewing was a Scotsman. He studied law at Marischal College in his hometown. And when the Crimean War broke out, Ewing joined the army, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel. But his greater interest was in music. He learned to play the violin, cello and cornet, and took a keen interest in choral music.

We know Alexander Ewing in hymnody for one contribution only, the hymn tune Ewing that is used with the hymn Jerusalem the Golden, a hymn about the heavenly kingdom, written around 1145 by Bernard of Cluny. Mr. Ewing was a member of the Harmonic Choir in Aberdeen, Scotland. He brought his new tune to choir practice one night, and that group was the first to sing it. (To see a little more about Ewing and the hymn mentioned, see Item #2 in post called Today in 1819.)

Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest,
Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed.
I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there,
What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.

(2) Today in 1918 – Annie Hawks Died

Annie Sherwood Hawks wrote about 400 hymns during her lifetime, but only one is in common use today. I Need Thee Every Hour is a reminder of our total dependence on the Lord.

Permit me a brief personal reminiscence about this hymn. It was the signature song of a friend of our family named Ralph Hunter, perhaps the finest tenor soloist I ever heard in person. And he did not even sing solos until he was “discovered” by a neighbour, singing in his garden, and told that he should share his voice with the world. He was in his forties at the time.

Ralph Hunter was a humble man, a painter employed in a large International Harvester plant. My cousin Jack tells of being hired by them as a young man, and of his trepidation about his first day on the job. Would they mock his Christian faith? How would he be able to stand for Christ among the other men? But he says that as he entered the plant on that first day, he heard an amazing sound, a soaring tenor voice, from high in some scaffolding, singing a beautiful gospel song written by Alfred Ackley (with music by his older brother Bentley):

I am amazed that God could ever love me,
So full of sin, so covered o’er with shame;
Make me to walk with Him who is above me,
Cleansed by the pow’r of His redeeming name.

I am amazed that God would ever save me,
Naught but the cross could take away my sin;
Through faith in Christ, eternal life He gave me,
Now He abides forevermore within.

It was Ralph Hunter singing. And my cousin reports that the Lord used this testimony in song to give him courage and confidence in the workplace.

Many times, I heard Mr. Hunter sing Annie Hawks’s I Need Thee Every Hour. A special setting of the words was written for him, adapting a tune from Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly. In the Lord’s time, I look forward to joining Ralph in the heavenly choir as we continue to sing the praises of God forever.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

Editor’s note: I have found a recording of Mr. Hunter singing this very piece. Here it is: Ralph Hunter-I Need Thee Every Hour (mp3).

Today in 1792 – Edward Perronet Died

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Edward Perronet was born in England, the descendant of a distinguished French family that had fled the continent in a time of religious oppression. Like his father before him, Edward became a pastor, and he joined with the Wesleys in their evangelical outreach. This was during the 1740s and 1750s when the “Methodists” as they came to be known were suffering much persecution. Their street preachers were often violently attacked. In that regard, this note appears in Wesley’s diary:

From Rockdale we went to Bolton, and soon found that the Rockdale lions were lambs in comparison with those of Bolton. Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire. Stones were hurled and windows broken.

When Perronet escaped, Wesley said that he was so covered with mud that “one could scarce tell what or who he was.” But these stalwart Christians stood firm. They declared with Paul, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation, for everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). It was in the glow of such faith that in 1779 Edward Perronet penned what has been called the “National Anthem of Christendom,” All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.

All hail the power of Jesus’ name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all.

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all.

Several tunes have been commonly used with this text. For a discussion of them, and my opinion as to which is best, see Today in 1819.

(2) Today in 1878 – Edward Caswall Died

Englishman Edward Caswall is known in hymnody chiefly for his translation work. He produced English versions of ancient Latin hymns, giving us, notably, When Morning Gilds the Skies and Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee.

Jesus, the very thought of Thee
With sweetness fills the breast;
But sweeter far Thy face to see,
And in Thy presence rest.

O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind Thou art!
How good to those who seek!

(3) Today in 1921 – The First Christian Radio Broadcast

early radio

Though Canadian inventor Reginald Fessenden made an experimental radio broadcast of a Scripture reading and a hymn in 1906, today’s date marks the real beginning of Christian broadcasting. On primitive equipment, something like what is seen here, an outreach began that would soon girdle the globe.

Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh is credited with being first, with the broadcast of its church service. Not thinking much of the whole idea, the senior pastor missed his appointment with history when he called upon his assistant, Lewis Whittemore, to preach. Two technicians from a local station assisted, dressed in choir robes for the service, so they would be less conspicuous.

Sacred music was immediately a part of the content being sent out over the airwaves, giving listeners an opportunity to hear old favourites and be introduced to new selections. A Pittsburgh newspaper of the day commented about Calvary Episcopal’s broadcast:

It is marvelous, this transmitting of church services by radio. One can almost imagine being in church. The blending music of the sixty men and boys lifted in song, and the ring of the deep-set voice of the preacher, all make the service seem realistic.

Today in 1773 – Amazing Grace written

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What a note of praise on which to begin the New Year! John Newton wrote Amazing Grace to go with a sermon preached on this date. The hymn was inspired by the wonderment of King David at receiving the promises of God contained in what is now known as the Davidic Covenant.

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, O Lord God.” (I Chron. 17:16-17)

The author of the final stanza of the song, as printed in most of our hymn books (“When we’ve been there ten thousand years…”) is unknown, and it does not appear with the hymn until about 50 years after its creation. Even so, it makes a fitting conclusion to this great song, beginning:

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

(2) Today in 1850 – Elizabeth Head Born

Elizabeth Ann Porter Head was the wife of London insurance broker Albert Head, who also served as the chairman of the Keswick Convention. Elizabeth (Bessie) wrote a number of hymns, but only one is widely used today, a song about the work of the Spirit of God called O Breath of Life.

O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
Revive Thy church with life and power;
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
And fit Thy church to meet this hour.

(3) Today in 1882 – Thomas Tiplady Born

Thomas Tiplady was born in Yorkshire, England, one of a family of ten children. In those days of child labour, he was working in a cotton mill by the age of ten. Tiplady served as a Methodist clergyman for many years, and was one of the first to pioneer the use of films in evangelism. He also authored a number of books, and several hymns. The only one of the latter in common use today is Above the Hills of Time, to go to  the tune Londonderry Air, considered one of the most beautiful melodies ever written.

Above the hills of time the cross is gleaming,
Fair as the sun when night has turned to day;
And from it love’s pure light is richly streaming,
To cleanse the heart and banish sin away.
To this dear cross the eyes of men are turning,
Today as in the ages lost to sight;
And so for Thee, O Christ, men’s hearts are yearning,
As shipwrecked seamen yearn for morning light.

(4) Today in 1919 – Lewis Hartsough Died

Lewis Hartsough was an American Methodist clergyman. For 15 years he pastored churches in New York State. Then he requested a transfer out west, for health reasons, going on to minister in various capacities in Utah, Wyoming, Iowa and the Dakotas. He served as music editor of a hymn collection called The Revivalist, and Hartsough wrote a number of hymns himself, but only one is in common used today, I Am Coming, Lord. It is a response to the Lord’s assurance, “The one who comes to Me I will be no means cast out” (Jn. 6:37).

I hear Thy welcome voice
That calls me, Lord, to Thee,
For cleansing in Thy precious blood
That flowed on Calvary.

I am coming Lord!
Coming now to Thee!
Wash me, cleanse me in the blood
That flowed on Calvary!

Though coming weak and vile,
Thou dost my strength assure;
Thou dost my vileness fully cleanse,
Till spotless all, and pure.

Today in 1823 – William Cushing Born

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William Orcutt Cushing was a pastor in the United States (see also here). Ill health after the death of his wife forced him to resign from public ministry. But he went on to write over 300 hymns during the latter part of his life. Among them are:

Follow On
Hiding in Thee
Ring the Bells of Heaven
There’ll Be No Dark Valley
Under His Wings
When He Cometh

Hiding in Thee was written at request from Ira Sankey that Cushing provide something that would help him in his evangelistic work. The author said of this hymn, “It is the outgrowth of many tears, many heart conflicts and soul yearnings, of which the world can know nothing.”

O safe to the Rock that is higher than I,
My soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly;
So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be;
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,” I’m hiding in Thee.

Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee,
Thou blest “Rock of Ages,”
I’m hiding in Thee.

How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe,
I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe;
How often, when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul.

(2) Today in 1837 – John Sweney Born

John Robson Sweney began his music career early. While still in his youth he began teaching music in the public schools and leading Sunday School programs. He took violin and piano lessons, and became a skilled choral conductor as well. For many years he was professor of music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy. He earned a Doctor of Music degree in 1886.

Mr Sweney composed the music for over a thousand gospel songs. Sweney was a frequent collaborator with Fanny Crosby on songs such as: Tell Me the Story of Jesus, Take the World But Give Me Jesus, My Saviour First of All, and Unsearchable Riches, a lesser-known song of Fanny’s.

Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ,
Wealth that can never be told!
Riches exhaustless of mercy and grace,
Precious, more precious than gold!

Precious, more precious,
Wealth that can never be told!
Oh, the unsearchable riches of Christ!
Precious, more precious than gold.

(3) Today in 1951 – Elton Roth Died

Elton Menno Roth served with travelling evangelistic groups, and was a music teacher at several Bible colleges. He wrote over a hundred hymns and a number of anthems. His Ecclesia Choir toured the United States in 1931. Only one of his songs remains in common use, In My Heart There Rings a Melody, for which he wrote both words and music.

The song was written in Texas, in the summer of 1923, during an evangelistic crusade in which Elton Roth was involved. He went for a walk one afternoon but, becoming oppressed by the suffocating heat, he looked for a place of shade and shelter. Spotting a church, he tried the door and found it open. No one was around, and he found the coolness of the sanctuary refreshing. As he walked up and down the aisle, a song of praise rose from within him. It seemed heaven-sent. He says, “I hurried into the pastor’s study to find some paper. I drew a staff and sketched the melody, remaining there for an hour or more to finish the song, both words and music.”

That evening the composer had a group of over 200 boys and girls sing it for the first time in an open-air meeting. After the children had sung, those gathered around joined enthusiastically in the new hymn. Roth says, “I was thrilled, as it seemed my whole being was transformed into a song.”

I have a song that Jesus gave me,
It was sent from heav’n above;
There never was a sweeter melody,
‘Tis the melody of love.

In my heart there rings a melody,
There rings a melody with heaven’s harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody;
There rings a melody of love.

I love the Christ who died on Calv’ry,
For He washed my sins away;
He put within my heart a melody,
And I know it’s there to stay.

Today in 1678 – William Croft Baptized

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As far as I’m aware, the exact day of the birth of William Croft is unknown, but he was baptized as an infant on this date. Croft was an English choir master and organist of great ability. In 1713, he received a doctor of music degree from Oxford University. He became the organist of Westminster Abbey, and was recognized as the foremost church musician of his day. Composer of a number of hymn tunes, we know him today chiefly as the one who supplied the tune Hanover for Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim, and the tune St. Anne that we use with O God, Our Help in Ages Past.

Our God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

There is no shortage of versions of Isaac Watts’s great hymn on YouTube–some worth being there, and some perhaps not! Here are two renditions for your consideration. The first has some recording glitches at the beginning and end that need editing out. But stay with it. This is a fine example of congregational praise, augmented by a choir.

The second video is quite different. It gives us an example of using a hymn tune not as a setting for the text, but for a display of incredible virtuosity. Master Organist John Hong plays variations on the tune St. Anne.

(2) Today in 1993 – Ira Stanphill Died

Ira Forest Stanphill was born in 1914 to homesteaders on the plains of New Mexico. He went on to become an author, composer, singer, and preacher of the gospel. Stanphill wrote his first gospel song in 1930, and went on to give us dozens more. His music often has something of a western flavour, and his most popular song is likely Mansion Over the Hilltop.

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.

Some other songs he wrote are:

Happiness Is the Lord
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Jesus and Me
Room at the Cross for You
Supper Time
We’ll Talk It Over
You Can Have a Song in Your Heart at Night

Today in 1849 – It Came Upon the Midnight Clear published

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Edmund Hamilton Sears wrote this popular Christmas carol at the request of a pastor friend. It was published in Boston’s Christian Register. Fifteen years earlier, Sears had written another carol (that I believe is superior), Calm on the Listening Ear of Night. But here is a sample stanza of It Came Upon the Midnight Clear.

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold;
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
From heaven’s all gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

(2) Today in 1876 – Philip Bliss Died

Philip Paul Bliss was one of the nineteenth century’s greatest gospel songwriters, with dozens of songs to his credit. Many are still found in our hymnals. (See Today in 1838 for a list.) One that is less often used is a powerful hymn of commitment the author called simply My Prayer. It is one of those songs that would provide a wealth of material for Bible study and meditation. Here it is, in its entirety.

More holiness give me, more strivings within.
More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.
More faith in my Saviour, more sense of His care.
More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.
More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.
More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.
More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.

More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,
More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.
More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,
More blessèd and holy, more, Saviour, like Thee.

train wreck

On the above date, Philip Bliss and his wife were on their way back to Chicago by train. They had spent Christmas visiting some relatives in Pennsylvania, and Bliss was looking forward to getting back to assist D. L. Moody with a great evangelistic campaign, early in the new year. But it was not to be.

As the train approached Ashtabula, Ohio, it had to cross a bridge spanning a ravine 80 to 100 feet deep. Suddenly, the bridge gave way, plunging the train into the gorge. The wooden railway cars quickly caught fire. Philip Bliss was able to crawl free of the wreckage, but when he realized his wife was still inside, he went back into the car in an attempt to free her. Both of them perished, along with about a hundred others. In a strange irony, Bliss had addressed an audience the night before the accident and said to them, “I may never pass this way again.” Then he sang a solo entitled, I’m Going Home Tomorrow.

Sometime later, the Blisses’ trunk was discovered. Inside was what may have been Bliss’s last written song, My Redeemer, awaiting a tune. It was, in effect, a last testimony of this godly man. His close friend James McGranahan supplied the melody and it was sung shortly after in the great Moody Tabernacle, with Major Daniel Whittle, another hymn writer, sharing the story behind it.

I will sing of my Redeemer,
And His wondrous love to me;
On the cruel cross He suffered,
From the curse to set me free.

Sing, oh sing, of my Redeemer,
With His blood, He purchased me.
On the cross, He sealed my pardon,
Paid the debt, and made me free.

I will praise my dear Redeemer,
His triumphant power I’ll tell,
How the victory He giveth
Over sin, and death, and hell.

I suppose it has to do in part with one’s hymn-singing tradition, but in my experience this beautiful song is sometimes sung too quickly. The fact that “On the cruel cross He suffered” ought to cause us to reflect reverently on what Calvary means to us–as should the truth of the sinner’s “lost estate,” and his condemnation under “the curse.” The results of Christ shedding His blood on the cross are wonderful, but the fact of it, the event itself should be approached with holy awe.

If we’re not careful, a quicker pace can tend to trivialize sobering truths. (For instance, listen to this.) The group in the example below does better–though actually, I might take the song a bit slower still.  And apart from the tempo, there is a sense of tenderness and worship in the very singing style of the latter that breathes a deeper understanding of the text.

(3) Today in 1881 – The Lily of the Valley published

Charles William Fry was the Salvation Army’s first band leader. He has left us this one gospel song that is still in common use, The Lily of the Valley. It was first published in the Salvation Army’s periodical, War Cry.

I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

He’s the Lily of the Valley, the Bright and Morning Star,
He’s the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

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