Born in Ireland, Henry Lake Gilmour went to sea at the age of 16 to learn navigation. When the ship reached Philadelphia, he decided to seek his fortune in America. He became a house painter, and served during the Civil War with the 1st New Jersey Cavalry. During a battle, he was captured, and spent months in a Confederate prison. After the war, Gilmour trained as a dentist, an occupation he had for many years.
In 1869 he moved to Wenonah, New Jersey, where a Methodist church was organized, at first meeting in his home. He served the church for years as a Sunday School superintendent and choir director. He was also in great demand as a song leader in the camp meetings of the day. Gilmour wrote many gospel songs, and published more than 16 song compilations.
The most familiar song of Henry Gilmour’s today is The Haven of Rest. In it he pictures the sinner seeking a safe harbour, and he presents the Lord Jesus Himself as that harbour.
My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea, So burdened with sin and distressed, Till I heard a sweet voice, saying, “Make Me your choice”; And I entered the Haven of Rest!
I’ve anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest, I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep o’er wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I’m safe evermore.
I yielded myself to His tender embrace, In faith taking hold of the Word, My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul; The “Haven of Rest” is my Lord.
The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole, Has been the old story so blest, Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have A home in the Haven of Rest.
If you are unsure of the eternal safety of your own soul, listen to the simple gospel appeal of an Irish pastor, based on Henry Gilmour’s song.
(2) Data Missing – As a Volunteer
The gospel song As a Voluteer, published in the early twentieth century, is a call to action. With Paul the author summons believers to serve the Lord, and “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (II Tim. 2:3). The author of the words is W. S. Brown, but I’ve been able to find out nothing more about him.
A call for loyal soldiers comes to one and all; Soldiers for the conflict, will you heed the call? Will you answer quickly, with a ready cheer, Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
A volunteer for Jesus, a soldier true! Others have enlisted, why not you? Jesus is the Captain, we will never fear, Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
Yes, Jesus calls for soldiers who are filled with pow’r, Soldiers who will serve Him ev’ry day and hour; He will not forsake you, He is ever near; Will you be enlisted as a volunteer?
Mary Bridges Canedy Slade was a pastor’s wife who lived out her whole life in Fall River, Massachusetts, the town made famous by the 1892 Lizzie Borden murder case. Mrs. Slade had died ten years before this, but could well have known the Bordens, since the town was not that large. She was a teacher and a writer, an assistant editor of The New England Journal of Education. Mary Slade wrote a number of gospel songs, and several of them are still found in some books.
Tell It Again is based on a true incident. Years ago, a missionary visited a dying boy in a tent in a gypsy encampment, in England. Bending over him, he recited the words of John 3:16, “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The dying boy listened, and faintly whispered, “Nobody ever told me.”
We do not know all the circumstances of course. But what a tragedy–that there are still some who have never heard the gospel of grace. Paul asks pointedly, “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Rom. 10:14). Mary Slade’s hymn says:
Into the tent where a gypsy boy lay, Dying alone at the close of the day, News of salvation we carried; said he: “Nobody ever has told it to me!”
Tell it again! Tell it again! Salvation’s story repeat o’er and o’er. Till none can say of the children of men, “Nobody ever has told me before.”
“Did He so love me, a poor little boy? Send unto me the good tidings of joy? Need I not perish? My hand will He hold? Nobody ever the story has told!”
Mary Slade also gave us Who at My Door Is Standing? (based on Rev. 3:20), and Footsteps of Jesus. In the latter, “We will follow the steps of Jesus” is the commitment required of disciples of Christ. Appropriately, some form of the word “follow” is found 88 times in the Gospels, in our English Bibles. It begins with Christ’s command, “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19), and ends with the Lord’s rebuke of Peter when he became curious about the future of John.
Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come [i.e. until My second coming], what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Jn. 21:21-22
Following the Lord, step by step, presents an image of both faith and obedience. It also reminds us that, just as physical walking involves taking one step at a time, so it is with living for Christ and serving Him.
Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, Come, follow Me! And we see where Thy footprints falling Lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus, That make the pathway glow; We will follow the steps of Jesus Where’er they go.
(2) Today in 1877 – George Robinson Died
George Wade Robinson was born in Ireland. He became a Congregational pastor, and also produced a couple of books of poetry. He is known in hymn history for one hymn in particular, I Am His and He Is Mine (or Loved with Everlasting Love), published in 1876. The second stanza speaks of the new perspective on all aspects of life the believer has. Missionary to India, Henry Martyn (1781-1812) put it this way:
Since I have known God in a saving manner, painting, poetry and music have had charms unknown to me before, for religion has refined my mind and made it susceptible of impressions from the sublime and beautiful.
Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know; Gracious Spirit from above, Thou hast taught me it is so! O this full and perfect peace! O this transport all divine! In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
Heav’n above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green! Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen; Birds with gladder songs o’erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine, Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.
(3) Today in 1917 – Louisa Stead Died
It was a sunny day in the early 1880s. Louisa M. R. Stead, her husband, and their four-year-old daughter Lily, were enjoying a day at the beach on Long Island Sound. Suddenly, in the middle of their picnic lunch, they heard cries for help coming from the sparkling sea. Quickly, Mr. Stead plunged into the water to rescue a frantically struggling boy. But as sometimes happens, when he reached the boy, the terrified child pulled his rescuer under. Both of them were drowned, as Louisa and Lily looked on helplessly.
For Louisa Stead (1850-1917) the tragedy raised serious questions. Why had God taken her husband, a man so committed to serving Christ? Why had she been left alone, with a young daughter to raise? There were no specific answers–as many times there are not. But the Lord seemed to say, “Trust Me. Trust Me, even if there seems to be no logical explanation. Trust Me even if I choose not to explain.” And Louisa did. She opened the Word of God, claimed His promises, and rested in His infinite wisdom and love.
It was a time of great spiritual growth for her. She learned the truth of God’s promise, “You [Lord] will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3). With the peace of God flooding her soul, Louisa Stead composed the words of a simple hymn. ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus is the only song she has given us.
’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, And to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!
After she lost her husband, Mrs. Stead went with her daughter to South Africa, and later to Southern Rhodesia, serving there for 25 years as a missionary. In the words of her hymn, her testimony was, “I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, / Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend.” At her death, her fellow missionaries commented, “We miss her very much. But her influence goes on as our five thousand native Christians continually sing this hymn in their native language.”
Anne Bronte is one of the Bronte sisters, with Charlotte and Emily, a great literary family of eighteenth-century England. In spite of their writing careers being severely shortened by ill health, their novels are now considered classics of English literature, especially Jane Eyre (by Charlotte), and Wuthering Heights (by Emily). Anne Bronte is best known for her story The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which some have called the first feminist novel.
Anne Bronte might not be considered a hymn writer, but her poem Eternal Power of Earth and Air is a moving appeal to God for an increase of faith. The poem, worthy of a place in our hymnals, can be sung to the hymn tune Truro. It says in part:
Eternal Power, of earth and air! Unseen, yet seen in all around, Remote, but dwelling everywhere, Though silent, heard in every sound.
If e’er Thine ear in mercy bent, When wretched mortals cried to Thee, And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent, To save lost sinners such as me:
Then hear me now, while, kneeling here, I lift to Thee my heart and eye, And all my soul ascends in prayer, Oh, give me, give me faith! I cry.
Without some glimmering in my heart, I could not raise this fervent prayer; But, oh! a stronger light impart, And in Thy mercy fix it there.
Oh, help me, God! For Thou alone Canst my distracted soul relieve; Forsake it not: it is Thine own, Though weak, yet longing to believe.
If I believe that Jesus died, And, waking, rose to reign above; Then surely sorrow, sin, and pride, Must yield to peace, and hope, and love.
Hardly less perceptive and beautiful is her Music on Christmas Morn (which can be sung to the tune Pater Omnium). Those of us who have a special affection for Christmas carols will be able to identify with her theme. Here is part of the song:
Music I love–but ne’er a strain Could kindle raptures so divine, So grief assuage, so conquer pain, And rouse this pensive heart of mine; As that we hear on Christmas morn, Upon the wintry breezes borne.
To greet with joy the glorious morn, Which angels welcomed long ago, When our redeeming Lord was born, To bring the light of heaven below; The powers of darkness to dispel, And rescue earth from death and hell.
While listening to that sacred strain, My raptured spirit soars on high; I seem to hear those songs again Resounding through the open sky, That kindled such divine delight, In those who watched their flocks by night.
With them, I celebrate His birth; Glory to God, in highest heaven, Good will to men, and peace on earth, To us a Saviour King is given; Our God is come to claim His own, And Satan’s power is overthrown!
(2) Today in 1892 – The Sands of Time sung
Anne Ross Cousin’s beautiful hymn The Sands of Time Are Sinking was the favourite of evangelist Dwight L. Moody. And in 1892 it was also sung at the bedside of Charles Spurgeon shortly before he died.
Based on the writings of Scottish clergyman Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661), Mrs. Cousin’s song may also hold the distinction of being the longest hymn in the English language. The original was 152 lines long, though most hymn books use only 32 lines. The language is passionate, representing an earnest longing for our heavenly home, mostly because the Lord Jesus Christ is there.
The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of heaven breaks; The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes: Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand, And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
The Bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s face; I will not gaze at glory but on my King of grace. Not at the crown He giveth but on His pierced hand; The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.
Today we’ll take a quick look at several songs by more obscure hymn writers.
Samuel Ecking was a Baptist believer born in 1757 at Shrewsbury, England. He contributed hymns to the Gospel Magazine, under the odd signature “S. E-k-g.” His hymn Peace, Troubled Soul is still found in some books.
Peace, troubled soul, thou need’st not fear; Thy great Provider still is near; Who fed thee last, will feed thee still: Be calm, and sink into His will.
The Lord, who built the earth and sky, In mercy stoops to hear thy cry; His promise all may freely claim; Ask and receive in Jesus’ Name.
(2) Data Missing – Keep on Believing
Occasionally I want to include songs for which dates are lacking–or other information. For a time it seemed to me there was some confusion as to the authorship of the song Keep on Believing. A Salvation Army publication (Salvation Army Songs of Faith) credits the lyrics to Lucy Booth-Hellberg. But the only hymnal I have seen that includes it is Living Hymns, edited by Alfred Smith. He credits the words to “M.D.” and the tune to “L.M.B.”–noting also that he has edited the text and arranged to tune.
I contacted Smith’s son, but he could shed no more light on the origin of the hymn. However, a correspondent passed on the following information to me, which seems to clear up the mystery. “L.M.B” is Lucy Milward Booth (1868-1953), the daughter of William and Catherine Booth, who wrote the song when she was 17 (in 1885, before she married Mr. Hellberg). Though the message of the song was her own, she was assisted somewhat with the rhyming by “M.D.”–Mildred Duff–who later became a Commissioner in the Salvation Army.
I include a bit of the song here because it seems to fit the theme of Peace Troubled Soul above, and it is very honest about the struggles through which we sometimes go. At such times, our emotions may mislead us. God’s care doesn’t waver according to our feelings of the moment. “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things” (I Jn. 3:20).
When you feel weakest, dangers surround, Subtle temptations, troubles abound; Nothings seems hopeful, nothing seems glad, All is despairing, often times sad.
Keep on believing, Jesus is near, Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear; Keep on believing, this is the way, Faith in the night as well as the day.
If all were easy, if all were bright, Where would the cross be? and where the fight? But in the testings God gives to you, Chances for proving what He can do.
(3) Today in 1893 – Isaiah Baltzell Died
Isaiah Baltzell was born near Frederick City, Maryland, in 1832. He published a number of books of sacred song, and wrote some himself, sometimes contributing the music, other times authoring both words and music. He was partnered, in this endeavour, with editor and songwriter Edmund Lorenz. Of interest is his song The Missionary’s Farewell, to be sung on the occasion indicated by the title.
The second-to-last line of the lyric suggests that the song may have been first applied to a missionary heading to Africa. However, with a bit of creative adjustment, the name of another country could be substituted.
Far away, beyond the sea, Where the fields are bright and fair, There’s a call, a plaintive plea; I must hasten to be there.
Let me go, I cannot stay, ’Tis the Master calling me; Let me go, I must obey; Native land, farewell to thee.
Hark! I hear the Master say, “Up, ye reapers! why so slow?” To the vineyard far away, Earthly kindred, let me go.
Bear me on, thou restless sea, Let the winds the canvas swell; Afric’s shore I long to see, Native land, farewell, farewell.
4) Today in 1940 – William Hewlett Died
William Henry Hewlett was a composer, organist, and choral conductor, who has a number of connections with my own family. For many years, he was the organist of the Centenary United Church, in Hamilton, Ontario, where I was born. Each Saturday afternoon, for twenty-five years, he gave a recital on the church’s great Casavant pipe organ. I heard my parents speak of him, and believe they attended some of those concerts.
Mr. Hewlett was also one of the founders of the Mendelssohn Oratorio Choir, in Toronto, and was its first accompanist. He was on the editorial committee of The Hymnary, the hymn book of the United Church of Canada, produced in 1930. Check out his tune Somerset, for John Newton’s hymn, Dear Shepherd of Thy People, Hear.
Dear Shepherd of Thy people, hear; Thy presence now display; As Thou hast given a place for prayer, So give us hearts to pray.
William Hewlett died six months before I was born, and is buried in Hamilton, in the same cemetery as my father and mother.
English author Sarah Doudney was known in her own time for several works of fiction, and for articles and poems published in various magazines. She wrote a number of hymns as well. Published in 1871, The Master Has Come makes use of the tune of the old ballad The Ash Grove. It is one of those extremely singable melodies, the kind you find yourself humming for hours after you hear it.
The Master hath come, and He calls us to follow The track of the footprints He leaves on our way; Far over the mountain and through the deep hollow, The path leads us on to the mansions of day: The Master hath called us, the children who fear Him, Who march ’neath Christ’s banner, His own little band; We love Him and seek Him, we long to be near Him, And rest in the light of His beautiful land.
The Master hath called us; the road may be dreary And dangers and sorrows are strewn on the track; But God’s Holy Spirit shall comfort the weary; We follow the Saviour and cannot turn back; The Master hath called us, though doubt and temptation May compass our journey, we cheerfully sing: “Press onward, look upward,” through much tribulation; The children of Zion must follow the King.
Sarah Doudney also wrote The Christian’s Goodnight, a moving funeral hymn for which Ira Sankey wrote the tune. The latter sang it at the funeral of Charles Haddon Spurgeon.
Sleep on, belovèd, sleep, and take thy rest; Lay down thy head upon the Saviour’s breast; We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best— Good night! Good night! Good night!
Only “Good night,” belovèd—not “farewell!” A little while, and all His saints shall dwell In hallowed unison indivisible— Good night! Good night! Good night!
Until we meet again before His throne, Clothed in the spotless robe He gives His own, Until we know even as we are known— Good night! Good night! Good night!
(2) Today in 1985 – Lance Latham Died
I met Lance Latham around 1980, when he was in his mid-eighties. He was still vital and energetic, even in old age, and a marvel at the piano. Meeting him and listening to him I felt a bit like a young Timothy at the feet of an aged Paul. I count our brief encounter as a privilege and a special blessing.
Lance Brenton Latham was a child prodigy. No doubt about it. At the age of thirteen he took the entrance exams for the University of Pennsylvania and achieved the highest scores on record at that time. But his unusual gifts were demonstrated long before that.
His father was a Presbyterian clergyman named Abraham Lathem (they later changed the spelling of the last name). And Rev. Lathem was a strict disciplinarian, demanding a high academic standard of his son. As a little boy, Lance would rise at 4:55 a.m. to begin reciting his daily lessons five minutes later. Saturday mornings, from six o’clock till noon, he reviewed the entire week’s work with his father.
At the age of five, Lance could recite the 107 questions and answers of The Shorter Catechism. And each day, he was also required to memorize two verses of Scripture, studying them until they could be recited perfectly. The scope of his accomplishments in this respect is indicated by a book awarded him by Abraham Lathem when Lance was six years old. On the flyleaf are these words: “This book is presented to you for having memorized and recited correctly the Gospel by St. John, the Epistle to the Romans, the Epistle of James, each entire on one occasion”!
But for all this, there was something still missing in Lance’s spiritual makeup. His mastery of Scripture, and of Bible doctrine was an intellectual wonder, but Lance Latham had never come as a sinner to the cross and personally put his faith in Christ. He was not born again. All that changed when he was engaged as a pianist for a prominent evangelist of the day. Night after night, the young man heard the gospel, and finally, on September 18th, 1915, when he was 21 years of age, Lance Latham put his faith in the Saviour.
Through his later ministry, the Awana Youth Association was founded. Not surprisingly, the week-day club program puts an emphasis on Bible memorizaton (A-w-a-n-a stands for “approved workmen are not ashamed,” from II Tim. 2:15.) Having been the Commander of Awana Clubs in two different churches, I can personally testify to the way in which the Lord uses the ministry to transform the lives of children and young people, and of whole families.
Lance Latham has also made a mark, though a less significant one, in the area of sacred music. The boy’s mother was his first piano teacher. By the age of five he could play any hymn in the hymnal, and he was the regular pianist of the Primary Department of the Sunday School. By the age of twelve, his dazzling renditions of Bach, Beethoven and Liszt were enjoyed by his friends. He has found his way into many of our hymn books by writing the tune for Avis Christiansen’s gospel song, Blessed Calvary. (To learn a bit more about Mrs. Christiansen, see Today in 1895.)
I look at the cross upon Calvary, And oh, what a wonder divine, To think of the wealth it holds for me— The riches of heaven are mine.
Blessèd Calvary! Precious Calvary! ’Neath thy shadow I’ll ever abide. Blessèd Calvary! Precious Calvary! ’Twas there Jesus suffered and died.
And after this all-too-brief review of some of Mr. Latham’s accomplishments, let me leave him the last word. The comment on the value of having children memorize the great hymns of the faith still has resonance, though the words were written a generation ago.
Boys and girls should be encouraged to learn and sing hymns….“Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart” is such a vital part in the growth of young believers. We do not include in this recommendation most of the modern folk song-hymns which have very little spiritual truth and are consequently of no value. Some will argue, “But the young folks love to sing these songs.” We are responsible to train them another way than the ways of the world. They are not our leaders; we are their leaders.
Avis Marguerite Burgeson Christiansen is an American hymn writer who lived her whole life in the city of Chicago. She produced hundreds of hymn poems over a period of some six decades, making her one of the more significant gospel songwriters of the twentieth century. She said:
All of my songs have come from my own heart experiences with the Lord through more than sixty years of writing for his glory.
Avis Christiansen
Here are just a few of her songs found in our hymn books:
Blessed Redeemer *Come, Come, Ye Saints Fill All My Vision How Can It Be? I Know I’ll See Jesus Some Day It Is Glory Just to Walk with Him Jesus Has Lifted Me Jesus! Wonderful Name Love Found a Way Only One Life to Offer Precious Hiding Place What Must I Do?
*Come, Come, Ye Saints is Avis Christiansen’s adaptation of a Mormon hymn, using little more of the original than a revised version of the first stanza. And where the Mormon hymn speaks of the sect seeking a place to live in the American West (which eventually turned out to be Utah), Avis’s song points Christians to our heavenly home.
Published in 1961, How Can It Be? will remind some hymn lovers of Charles Wesley’s great hymn And Can It Be? In the song, Christiansen seems to allude to Psalm 8, and the glorious privilege given to man to be the crown of God’s creation. That God should love and honour such poor creatures of dust is a marvel beyond comprehension.
O Saviour, as my eyes behold the wonders of Thy might untold, The heav’ns in glorious light arrayed, the vast creation Thou hast made– And yet to think Thou lovest me–my heart cries out, “How can it be?”
As at the cross I humbly bow and gaze upon Thy thorn-crowned brow, And view the precious bleeding form by cruel nails so bruised and torn, Knowing Thy suff’ring was for me, in grief I cry, “How can it be?”
The author’s song of dedication Only One Life ponders the significance of the days and hours God has allotted us, and the importance of being good stewards of them. It was apparently inspired by the words of missionary to China C. T. Studd, who wrote:
Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life to offer–Jesus, my Lord and King; Only one tongue to praise Thee and of Thy mercies sing; Only one heart’s devotion–Saviour, O may it be Consecrated alone to Thy matchless glory, Yielded fully to Thee.
Only this hour is mine, Lord–may it be used for Thee; May ev’ry passing moment count for eternity; Souls all about are dying, dying in sin and shame; Help me bring them the message of Calv’ry’s redemption In Thy glorious name.
The prayer hymn Fill All My Vision has a similar theme to the older Be Thou My Vision, though Mrs. Christiansen’s song is more specifically Christ-centred.
Fill all my vision, Saviour, I pray, Let me see only Jesus today; When through the valley Thou leadest me, Give me Thy glory and beauty to see.
Fill all my vision, Saviour divine, Till with Thy glory my spirit shall shine; Fill all my vision, that all may see Thy holy image reflected in me.
Fill all my vision–let naught of sin Shadow the brightness shining within’ Let me see only Thy blessed face, Feasting my soul on Thine infinite grace.
For a little more on Avis Christiansen and information on two more of her songs, see Today in 1895.
Edwin Pond Parker was an American Congregational clergyman and author. Parker served for a time as Senate Chaplain for the state of Connecticut. He edited several hymn books, and wrote a number of hymns himself. To accompany one of his sermons, Edwin Parker wrote the beautiful hymn Master No Offering.
Master, no offering costly and sweet, May we, like Magdalene, lay at Thy feet; Yet may love’s incense rise, sweeter than sacrifice, Dear Lord to Thee, dear Lord to Thee.
Daily our lives would show weakness made strong, Toilsome and gloomy ways brightened by song; Some deeds of kindness done, some souls by patience won, Dear Lord to Thee, dear Lord to Thee.
Some word of hope for hearts burdened with fears, Some balm of peace for eyes blinded with tears, Some dews of mercy shed, some wayward footsteps led, Dear Lord to Thee, dear Lord to Thee.
(2) Today in 1935 – Eleanor Hull Died
Though born in Manchester, England, Eleanor Henrietta Hull’s passion was anything to do with Gaelic culture. She founded the Irish Text Society, and was president of the Irish Literary Society of London. It is from Eleanor Hull, in 1912, that we get the versified English translation of a centuries old Irish hymn, Be Thou My Vision.
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
For a bit more about the origin of this hymn, see Today in 1880. Concerning the tune, Slane, see Item #2 under Today in 1808.
Johann Christoph Schwedler was educated at the University of Leipzig. He was known as a great man of prayer, and a powerful preacher. It is reported that his church services lasted from six in the morning until two or three in the afternoon, with relays of people coming to hear him! Schwedler is known for one hymn translated into English, Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know. It focuses our attention on the centrality of Christ, “that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Col. 1:18). (For a bit more about the hymn, see Item #2 under Today in 1771.)
Ask ye what great thing I know, That delights and stirs me so? What the high reward I win? Whose the name I glory in? Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
What is faith’s foundation strong? What awakes my heart to song? He Who bore my sinful load, Purchased for me peace with God, Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
77 Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing: Sadly, in some churches the singing of our traditional hymns and gospel songs has been neglected. Here are some ideas for reviving interest in this practice.
Worship in Song: Why do we sing in church? No doubt for a variety of reasons–not all of them biblical! But there is a key verse in the Psalms that shows the proper connection between music and worship.
(2) Today in 1912 – James Orr Born
James Edwin Orr was born in Ireland. He was ordained as an American Baptist pastor in 1940, and served as a chaplain in the Pacific, in the Second World War. He wrote a number of books, particularly on the history of revival, as well as authoring six hymns. The only one of these that remains in common use is Search Me O God. The hymn is based on Ps. 139:23-24:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.
Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine; Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine; Tall all my will, my passion, self and pride; I now surrender, Lord–in me abide.
William Williams, known as “the sweet singer of Wales,” was a much-traveled evangelist and revivalist preacher in that country. For forty-five years, Williams averaged 2,230 miles on horseback annually, sharing the gospel. He also wrote many Welsh hymns, but most remain unknown in the English-speaking world.
There is one notable exception. His great hymn Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah. It not only became virtually a second national anthem to the Welsh, it is highly regarded in English hymnody as well. Taking the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness as a picture of our Christian walk, Williams wrote:
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak, but Thou art mighty; Hold me with Thy powerful hand. Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more; Feed me till I want no more.
The instructions of the director before the following, and the kind of informal atmosphere suggest this may have been recorded at a choir practice. Whatever the case, great singing, well led!
(2) Today in 1799 – Charles Purday Born
English composer, Charles Henry Purday wrote and lectured on music, and was a fine singer as well. He wrote the beautiful hymn tune Sandon, which is sometimes used with Lead, Kindly Light. Better still, John Campbell’s hymn Unto the Hills is often partnered with this tune. If you can get hold of an old recording of the Black Dyke Mills symphonic band playing Nightfall at Camp, you’ll hear a memorable rendering of Sandon, intertwined with a bugler playing Taps. (I’ve tried to find this on YouTube, but so far it’s not there.)
Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes O whence for me shall my salvation come, from whence arise? From God, the Lord, doth come my certain aid, From God, the Lord, who heaven and earth hath made.
The text for this hymn was written by an early Governor General of Canada.
(3) Today in 1843 – Francis Scott Key Died
Francis Scott Key is best known for being the author of the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner (see Today in 1814). However, he was a dedicated Christian, and has given us a couple of fine hymns as well, Before the Lord We Bow (see Today in 1779), and Lord, with Glowing Heart I’d Praise Thee.
Lord, with glowing heart I’d praise Thee, For the bliss Thy love bestows, For the pardoning grace that saves me, And the peace that from it flows: Help, O God, my weak endeavour; This dull soul to rapture raise: Thou must light the flame, or never Can my love be warmed to praise.
William Pierson Merrill was an American Presbyterian clergyman, who served in Philadelphia, Chicago and New York. Considered an outstanding preacher, he was also an author and a hymn writer. One of his songs, Not Alone for Mighty Empire, is a call to his nation (applicable to any nation) to set righteous priorities.
Not alone for mighty empire, stretching far o’er land and sea, Not alone for bounteous harvests, lift we up our hearts to Thee. Standing in the living present, memory and hope between, Lord, we would, with deep thanksgiving, praise Thee more for things unseen.
Not for battleships and fortress, not for conquests of the sword, But for conquests of the spirit give we thanks to Thee, O Lord; For the priceless gift of freedom, for the home, the church, the school, For the open door to manhood, in a land the people rule.
God of justice, save the people from the clash of race and creed, From the strife of class and faction, make our nation free indeed; Keep her faith in simple manhood strong as when her life began, Till it find its full fruition in the brotherhood of man!
When an editor told Dr. Merrill that there was a need for more hymns on Christian brotherhood, he responded by writing Rise Up, O Men of God, another hymn that emphasizes human priorities and responsibilities. While I would argue some points of doctrine implied by the hymn, it is a stirring challenge nonetheless. (For a fuller discussion of the doctrinal issues, see the second item posted on Today in 1844.) To be sure, the Lord’s work needs committed men.
Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things. Give heart and mind and soul and strength To serve the King of kings.
Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where His feet have trod. As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God!
(2) Today in 1877 – Helen Alexander Born
Helen Cadbury was born in England, heiress to the immense Cadbury chocolate fortune. But she clearly had higher goals in mind. She married gospel musician Charles Alexander in 1904. When he died in 1920, she married A. C. Dixon, a well-known pastor, Bible expositor, and evangelist. (Along with Reuben Torrey, Dixon helped to compile and edit The Fundamentals, an influential set of books defending the foundational doctrines of the Christian faith.) But Charlie Alexander seems to have remained the love of her life. Years after, she loved to sing the old songs and reminisce about the old days with him. And biographer Simon Fox says of her, “She never lost her youthful love of music and retained a fine singing voice well into her old age, continuing to sing in one of the local choirs until she was ninety!”
Helen Alexander is responsible for at least a couple of hymn texts. In particular, she seems to have edited and augmented the work of others, as she did with Carrie Breck’s little song, Make Him Known.
Tell of Christ Who saves from sin; Make Him known—make Him known! He has called you souls to win, Make Him known!
Make the blessèd Saviour known, Till all hearts shall be His throne; Till He rules the world alone, Make Him known.
For the world God gave His Son, Make Him known–make Him known! With the message quickly run, Make Him known!
Perhaps a more widely used example is the third and fourth stanzas that Mrs. Alexander added to Jesse Pounds’s song, Anywhere with Jesus. Her contribution says:
Anywhere with Jesus, over land and sea, Telling souls in darkness of salvation free; Ready as He summons me to go or stay, Anywhere with Jesus when He points the way.
Anywhere with Jesus I can go to sleep, When the darkening shadows round about me creep, Knowing I shall waken nevermore to roam; Anywhere with Jesus will be home, sweet home.
