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Hymns

Today in 1827 – Catherine Winkworth Born

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Catherine Winkworth spent most of her life in Manchester, England, where my own father was born some 24 years after her death. Though not writing hymns herself, she is renowned in hymn history as the translator of dozens of the hymns of others. Three of these are: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, How Brightly Beams the Morning Star, and If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee.

The skill of these gifted individuals must not be underestimated. It is one thing to translate prose, and accurately represent what the original author said. But with poetry–especially poetry set to music–there is a much greater problem. The lines of verse must fit a tune. We can thank the Lord that Catherine Winkworth and John Mason Neale and others have preserved for us some great hymns from other lands and tongues.

Here is part of the New Year’s hymn, Help Us, O Lord, by German author Johann Rist, translated by Catherine Winkworth.

Help us, O Lord! Behold, we enter
Upon another year today;
In Thee our hopes and thoughts now centre,
Renew our courage for the way.
New life, new strength, new happiness,
We ask of Thee—oh, hear and bless!

May every plan and undertaking
This year be all begun with Thee;
When I am sleeping or am waking,
Still let me know Thou art with me.
Abroad do Thou my footsteps guide,
At home be ever at my side.

And may this year to me be holy;
Thy grace so fill my every thought
That all my life be pure and lowly
And truthful, as a Christian’s ought.
So make me while yet dwelling here
Pious and blest from year to year.

(2) Today in 1845 – Sweet Hour of Prayer published

William Walford, who wrote this lovely hymn, died in 1850, and this is the only selection to which his name is attached. Walford was blind, but he dictated the hymn to a visitor named Thomas Salmon. It was the latter who sent the poem to the editor of the New York Observer, where it was published. William Bradbury saw it, and wrote a tune for it.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

(3) Today in 1877 – Robert McCutchan Born

Robert Guy McCutchan wrote a few hymn tunes, but that is not his most notable contribution to the field. He taught at Baker University in Kansas, and founded their conservatory of music in 1910. Then he became dean of music at DePauw University in Indiana, serving there for 26 years. He also helped compile the Methodist Hymnal in 1936. As a distinguished scholar and historian in the area of hymnology, he wrote a number of important books, including Our Hymnody, in 1937. It is through works such as his that we have preserved for us many details about our hymns and hymn writers.

Today in 1818 – George Duffield Born

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The father and grandfather of George Duffield were both Presbyterian clergymen, and after he graduated from seminary, George followed in their footsteps. He served a number of churches, but it was his pastorate at a church in Philadelphia (1852-1861) that is of most interest to us.

The winter of 1857-58 witnessed the igniting of revival fires in the city. At the centre of this great work was a 33-year-old servant of God named Dudley Tyng. Yet the spiritual harvest was clearly the Lord’s doing, not the result of one person’s ability. Working men used to gather, day after day, during the noon hour, to hear the Word of God.

One day, 5,000 men packed into a local hall. They listened as Mr. Tyng preached a powerful message of commitment. In the course of his sermon, he made this declaration: “I must tell [fulfil] my Master’s errand. And I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short in my duty to you in delivering God’s message.” When the service reached its close, over a thousand men committed their lives to Christ.

barn

Shortly after, Mr. Tyng went to visit a local farm, where he watched with fascination the operation of a corn-shelling apparatus worked by mule power. But suddenly, as he was standing near, the sleeve of his coat caught in the gears, and his arm was pulled into the machine. He was severely injured, and soon infection set in. In those days before antibiotics, that was a life-threatening condition. Several days later Tyng died. His friend, George Duffield, was at his bedside. He asked the dying man if he had any message for the men back in the city. “Tell them to stand up for Jesus,” he replied.

It was for a memorial service in honour of Dudley Tyng that Pastor Duffield wrote the hymn poem that echoes that phrase. (Note the reference to the failure of “the arm of flesh” which perhaps relates to Mr. Tyng’s words and his tragic accident.)

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

(2) Today in 1858 – John King Died

Born in Yorkshire, England, John King graduated from Queen’s College, Cambridge and was ordained for ministry in the Anglican Church in 1814. He held a number of posts in that denomination over succeeding years. He is known in hymnody for one song only, a Palm Sunday hymn called When His Salvation Bringing.

When, His salvation bringing,
To Zion Jesus came,
The children all stood singing
Hosanna to His name;
Nor did their zeal offend Him,
But, as He rode along,
He let them still attend Him,
And smiled to hear their song.

(3) Today in 1871 – Frank Huston Born

Though we commonly use only one hymn that he wrote, Frank Claude Huston had an interesting history. After graduation from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, he taught school for a year, then became a singing evangelist, work he pursued for nearly two decades. He also pastored a number of churches. Then, in 1899, an evangelist named Charles Scoville engaged him as a singer, and he participated in 180 evangelistic campaigns from Nova Scotia to Florida.

While still in Christian ministry, Huston founded the Frank C. Huston Publishing House which produced some of the most popular patriotic songs of the First World War (many of them written by Huston himself). He also published a collection of 100 hymns, including 84 of his own. In the First World War he became known as the “Singing Chaplain.” During the Second World War (at the age of 74!) he volunteered his services to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was made a boatswain’s mate and served as a recruiter. He died in 1959.

The only hymn of Huston’s still in many hymn books is, It Pays to Serve Jesus.

The service of Jesus true pleasure affords,
In Him there is joy without an alloy;
’Tis heaven to trust Him and rest on His words;
It pays to serve Jesus each day.

It pays to serve Jesus, it pays every day,
It pays every step of the way,
Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be drear,
You’ll be happy each step of the way.

The following rendering is a little drawn out, and I’m not a fan of clapping for a ministry in music, as many of you know. However, this is without question a powerful rendition of the song.

Today in 1853 – Ellen Goreh Born

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The hymn In the Secret of His Presence was written by a remarkable woman named Ellen Lakshmi Goreh. Ellen was a high-caste native of India, the daughter of a Christian convert. Her mother died when she was in infancy, and she eventually joined the family of a clergyman named W. T. Storrs, going with them to England, where she was educated. When she was twenty-seven Ellen Goreh returned to India. Around that time she wrote a poem which was included in a book of poems she had published.

The lines of verse were set to music by gospel musician George Coles Stebbins. During the winter of 1883-1884, American preacher Dwight L. Moody held evangelistic meetings in London. There Miss Goreh’s hymn was sung many times in the meetings by Moody’s music director, Ira Sankey, and it became quite popular. Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, reported it was the favourite hymn of his missionaries.

A few years later, Mr. Stebbins and his wife visited India where he was involved in evangelistic ministry. They sought out Ellen Goreh, and found her engaged in mission work among the women in Allahabad, having set aside the social privileges of her caste. She impressed Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins as a modest, devoted Christian, held in high regard by the missionaries and all who knew her.

In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus’ side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.

When my soul is faint and thirsty, ’neath the shadow of His wing
There is cool and pleasant shelter, and a fresh and crystal spring;
And my Saviour rests beside me, as we hold communion sweet:
If I tried, I could not utter what He says when thus we meet,
What He says when thus we meet.

(2) Today in 1901 – William McDonald Died

Of Scottish descent, American William McDonald became a Methodist Episcopal pastor at age 19. For 15 years he edited the Advocate of Christian Holiness. He also wrote a number of books on religious subjects, several biographies, and edited or co-edited several collections of music. The one hymn for which he is known today is I Am Coming to the Cross.

I am coming to the cross;
I am poor and weak and blind;
I am counting all but dross;
I shall full salvation find.

I am trusting, Lord, in Thee.
Blessèd Lamb of Calvary;
Humbly at Thy cross I bow.
Save me, Jesus, save me now.

 (3) Today in 2001 – God Bless America sung

Occasionally a hymn has made it onto the secular hit parade, as Amazing Grace did in 1970. It is less likely that a popular songwriter will produce what might be called a hymn. But that is what Israel Baline did in 1918.

Israel Isadore Baline was born a Russian Jew. His family emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City, when he was 5 years old. It was there he became what some have called the greatest pop songwriter in America, known now as Irving Berlin.

Berlin produced a flood of clever hit songs, and in 1918, as part of a musical review, he wrote God Bless America. Then he had second thoughts about it fitting in the musical, and set it aside. It remained unused and unknown for years, until popular singer Kate Smith went looking for a patriotic number to include in a celebration of the twentieth anniversary of Armistice Day. She sang it on her radio program in 1938. It became her signature song.

The refrain consists of only 40 words, but it has attained the status of an unofficial national anthem in the States. On September 11th of 2001, after the devastating terrorist attacks, senators and congressmen stood on the Capitol steps and sang it. It was both a declaration of defiant courage, and for many, I’m sure, a sincere expression of faith. And though Irving Berlin would have made no claim to being a Christian, the song expresses a prayer for the blessing of God on America that Christians of that country can certainly sing without compromise.

God bless America, land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Through the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home.

Here is the stirring rendition of God Bless America, by Kate Smith.

Today in 1791 – James Edmeston Born

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James Edmeston was an English architect and surveyor by profession. He also served as the church warden at St. Barnabas, Homerton, and he strongly supported the London Orphan Asylum, visiting it frequently. It is said he wrote 2,000 hymns, one each Sunday for many years. Few remain in use. But one that is found in many hymnals is the beautiful evening hymn, Saviour, Breathe and Evening Blessing, written when he was 19 years old. You can see allusions to both Ps. 91:5 and 139:12 in these lines.

Saviour, breathe an evening blessing
Ere repose our spirits seal;
Sin and want we come confessing:
Thou canst save, and Thou canst heal.

Though destruction walk around us,
Though the arrow past us fly,
Angel guards from Thee surround us;
We are safe if Thou art nigh.

Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be.

(2) Today in 1819 – Joseph Scriven Born

Joseph Scriven

Joseph Medlicott Scriven was born in Ireland. He emigrated to Canada in 1846 after his fiancee was drowned the night before they were to be married. He settled in Port Hope, Ontario, and lived there for the remainder of his life.

As a poem to comfort his mother who was sick back in Ireland, Scriven wrote What a Friend We Have in Jesus, in 1855. It was originally published anonymously, and Scriven did not receive credit for it for about 30 years. When asked if he wrote it, Mr. Scriven replied, “The Lord and I did it between us.”

Joseph Scriven belonged to the Plymouth Brethren, and was known in his community for his many deeds of charity. The single hymn for which he is now recognized has become one of the most popular in the English language, a great and continued blessing to tens of thousands.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee; thou wilt find a solace there.

Today in 1898 – William Dix Died

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William Dix’s father was a surgeon in Bristol, England. He wrote a biography of English poet Thomas Chatterton (also from Bristol). And so impressed was he with this eighteenth century author that he gave his son “Chatterton” as a middle name! William Chatterton Dix attended Bristol Grammar School in England, and later became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow. An ardent Christian, he wrote several volumes of poetry and more than 40 hymns.

Mr. Dix has given us two fine Christmas carols: What Child Is This? and As with Gladness Men of Old. Lesser known, but of equal worth, is the hymn Alleluia, Sing to Jesus.

It has been claimed that What Child Is This? was taken from a longer poem called The Manger Throne, but that does not seem to be the case. Rather, it was written as an independent carol. It makes use of the old tune Greensleeves (a melody over 400 years old, that is mentioned several times in Shakespeare’s plays). For some reason recent editors have turned the last half of the first stanza into a repeated refrain for this hymn. But this misses the meaningful words of the second stanza. See if you can find a version that includes the whole song.

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Mr. Dix wrote As with Gladness Men of Old on a Sunday when he was sick in bed and unable to attend church–it was a rarity for him to miss. He thought of the visit of the wise men, and of our need to offer our own gifts and worship to the Lord.

As with gladness, men of old
Did the guiding star behold,
As with joy they hailed its light
Leading onward, beaming bright,
So, most glorious Lord, may we
Evermore be led to Thee.

As they offered gifts most rare
At that manger rude and bare;
So may we with holy joy,
Pure and free from sin’s alloy,
All our costliest treasures bring,
Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King.

There is a lovely last stanza to the hymn that is not included in most hymnals. It brings the story of the incarnation to a fitting conclusion.

In the heavenly country bright,
Need they no created light;
Thou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
Thou its Sun which goes not down;
There forever may we sing
Alleluias to our King!

(2) There Are Angels Hovering Round (Data Missing)

This is another of those songs whose origins are lost in obscurity. The earliest publication I’ve seen is in a book called The Millennial Harp, published in 1843. I recall my father tell of hearing Dr. William Ward Ayre and his wife singing it as a soul-stirring duet, one hot summer night. (This would be at the Philpott Tabernacle, in Hamilton, Ontario, likely in the 1930s.)

There are many, many stanzas of this simple song. Here is the version I’m most familiar with.

Angels Hoevering Round

Today in 1809 – Lydia Baxter Born

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Lydia Odell Baxter and her sister came to Christ with the help of Baptist missionary Eben Tucker. Following their conversion, the two helped found a local church. After Lydia married, she moved to New York City. She was an invalid, and bedridden, most of her adult life, but that didn’t stop her active mind from studying the Word of God and writing. In 1855, she published Gems by the Wayside–a book of devotional poems, and she authored a number of hymns.

In addition, Baxter often hosted meetings of Christian leaders at her home, and was a great blessing to those who gathered there. The one hymn of Lydia Baxter’s that remains in common use is Precious Name (otherwise known as Take the Name of Jesus with You). Written just four years before her death, this hymn identifies the source of her abounding joy. Note particularly the phrase in the refrain that describes Christ as the “hope of earth and joy of heaven.” (Think about it! In the words of a pastoral theology professor I had once, “That’ll preach!”)

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.

Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.
Precious name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.

At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

(2) Today in 1849 – Lucy Meyer Born

Lucy Jane Rider Meyer was a lifelong educator. She was a high school teacher in Vermont, and taught at a school for freed slaves in North Carolina. Later she served as principal of a Methodist academy, and taught chemistry in a college in Illinois. After marrying Josiah Meyer, a Methodist Episcopal pastor, the two of them opened the Chicago Training School for City and Home Missions. She also founded a periodical, later named the Deaconess Advocate, and formed the Methodist Deaconess Association.

Mrs. Meyer wrote a number of hymns, and two of them are worthy of mention here: He Was Not Willing, and Ho, Everyone That Is Thirsty. Each of the four stanzas of the first song is a stinging rebuke of our complacency and inaction in Christ’s service. If your hymn book does not include it, it is worth tracking down and putting to use. (See the Cyber Hymnal.)

“He was not willing that any should perish”;
Jesus enthroned in the glory above,
Saw our poor fallen world, pitied our sorrows,
Poured out His life for us, wonderful love!
Perishing, perishing! Thronging our pathway,
Hearts break with burdens too heavy to bear:
Jesus would save, but there’s no one to tell them,
No one to lift them from sin and despair.

“He was not willing that any should perish”;
Am I His follower, and can I live
Longer at ease with a soul going downward,
Lost for the lack of the help I might give!
Perishing, perishing! Thou wast not willing;
Master, forgive, and inspire us anew;
Banish our worldliness, help us to ever
Live with eternity’s values in view.

In Ho, Every One That Is Thirsty, Lucy Meyer deals with the theme of soul-winning again, basing her thoughts on Isa. 55:1 and 44:3:

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price….For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring.

Ho! every one that is thirsty in spirit,
Ho! every one that is weary and sad;
Come to the fountain, there’s fullness in Jesus,
All that you’re longing for: come and be glad!

“I will pour water on him that is thirsty,
I will pour floods upon the dry ground;
Open your hearts for the gifts I am bringing;
While ye are seeking Me, I will be found.”

 

Storm

(3) Today in 1921 – Mosie Lister Born

Thomas Mosie Lister has been involved in gospel music for over half a century. In his early years he travelled with a quartet. But as he became more in demand as a songwriter, he stopped travelling to devote his time to creating music for others to sing. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1976, and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 1997.

In 1958 Lister was asked to write a song for legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and he did so (though there is no evidence she ever sang it). He thought about the struggles of her people with the storms of segregation and rampant racism, and of their need to look to the Lord in faith. With these thoughts in mind he created the inspiring ‘Til the Storm Passes By. It is a song that can encourage any of us, as believers, no matter what kind of storms we are facing in our lives.

In the dark of the midnight
Have I oft hid my face,
While the storm howls above me,
And there’s no hiding place.
‘Mid the crash of the thunder,
Precious Lord, hear my cry,
Keep me safe ‘til the storm passes by.

Here is Southern Gospel singer, the late Vestal Goodman (1929-2003). With her powerful voice, she originally hoped to train for an operatic career, but the Lord turned her in the direction of a sacred music ministry instead. As a soloist, she became known as the Queen of Gospel Music, but Vestal also sang as a member of the Happy Goodmans. Here she is, with a stirring rendition of the above song.

Today in 1892 – John Whittier Died

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John Greenleaf Whittier was born on a farm in Massachusetts. In his youth, he read a book of verse by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, which fueled his interest in writing verse. Today, he is considered to be in the ranks of America’s greatest poets.

John Whittier

Whittier was a Quaker (a member of the Society of Friends), and eventually gained fame as the “Quaker Poet.” He was a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery in America. (Was attacked by mobs several times because of this.) When he attended Haverhill Academy, he supported himself by teaching, and by working as a shoemaker. In 1835 Whittier was elected to the Massachusetts legislature. He also served as the editor of several publications, and published many books of his poetry.

Some fine hymns have been taken from Whittier’s poetical works, but he did not consider himself a hymn writer. He said, “I am not really a hymn writer for the good reason that I know nothing of music….A good hymn is the best use to which poetry can be devoted, but I do not claim that I have succeeded in composing one.” (Many would differ with him on that!)

The hymns taken from John Greenleaf Whittier’s poetry include: Dear Lord and Father of Mankind, I Know Not What the Future Hath, and Immortal Love–Forever Full. You may find the last of these listed as We May Not Climb the Heavenly Steeps. It is the same hymn, taken from the same poem, but just starting in a different place. The words “immortal love” actually begin the poem, while “We may not climb” is the opening phrase of a later stanza.

Immortal love, forever full,
Forever flowing free,
Forever shared, forever whole,
A never ebbing sea!

We may not climb the heavenly steeps
To bring the Lord Christ down;
In vain we search the lowest deeps,
For Him no depths can drown.

But warm, sweet, tender, even yet,
A present help is He;
And faith still has its Olivet,
And love its Galilee.

O Lord and Master of us all,
Whate’er our name or sign,
We own Thy sway, we hear Thy call,
We test our lives by Thine.

Hymns and the Bible: For some, it seems that factors such as “Is it the newest and latest?” or “Is it one of our old favourites?” are the basis for their choice of hymnody. But I would argue that first and foremost must be this question: Is it biblical? I invite you to check out my article on the subject.

(2) Eternity! Eternity! (Data Missing)

We know nothing of the origin of the hymn Eternity! Eternity! except that it first appeared in print in 1625. Catherine Winkworth has given us the English version of the unknown author’s German original. It is a long hymn–a dozen seven-line stanzas. And its purpose is to call all to think seriously upon the finality of eternity, and consider what their eternal destiny will be. Below is a sample of this unusual song. You can see the entire hymn on the Cyber Hymnal.

Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
And yet to thee time hastes away,
Like as the warhorse to the fray,
Or swift as couriers homeward go,
Or ship to port, or shaft from bow.
Ponder, O Man, Eternity!

Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
For e’en as on a perfect sphere
End nor beginning can appear,
E’en so, Eternity, in thee
Entrance nor exit can there be.
Ponder, O Man, Eternity!

Eternity! Eternity!
How long art thou, Eternity!
O Man, full oft thy thoughts should dwell
Upon the pains of sin and hell,
And on the glories of the pure,
That both beyond all time endure,
Ponder, O Man, Eternity!

Today in 1821 – Aaron Wolfe Born

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Aaron Robarts Wolfe was an American Presbyterian clergyman who also established a ladies’ seminary. He wrote several hymns, but only one is in common use today, Complete in Thee. It is based on Col. 2:10, “You are complete in Him,” speaking of how the Father views us as to our standing. By faith, Christians are in Christ, and have a perfectly righteous standing in God’s sight, because the righteousness of Christ has been credited to our heavenly account (cf. II Cor. 5:21).

Later, a refrain was added to Aaron Wolfe’s hymn by James M. Gray, the president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

Complete in Thee! No work of mine
May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I am now complete in Thee.

Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!

Dear Saviour, when before Thy bar
All tribes and tongues assembled are,
Among Thy chosen will I be,
At Thy right hand, complete in Thee.

(2) Today in 1880 – Ira Wilson Born

Ira Bishop Wilson was taught to play the organ and the violin by his sister, and he began studying music theory in his youth. He entered Moody Bible Institute with the view of training to be a musical evangelist, but later accepted a position as a composer and editor with the Lorenz Publishing Company. There he wrote a large number of hymn arrangements, choral anthems and cantatas.

A friend named Phil Kerr came to visit him one day. Both men were gospel musicians and, at Ira’s invitation, the other man sat down at the piano to play and sing. He finished with a gospel song first introduced at a Sunday School Convention, in 1924. It has since challenged many to fuller service for Christ. Ira Wilson listened politely, but it was evident he did not know the song. His eyes widened in astonishment when Kerr said, “You wrote that. That’s one of yours.”

The song was being widely used, but its author had long forgotten it. Part of the reason is Ira Wilson’s main ministry was composing music for the lyrics of other people. Make Me a Blessing is one of the few numbers for which he wrote the words himself–back in 1909, about 35 years before the incident described. For many years, he had been a blessing without even knowing it.

Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, o Saviour I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

(3) Today in 1891 – John Charles Thomas Born

John Charles Thomas was one of the most popular singers of the early part of the twentieth century. Toronto music critic Clyde Gilmore described him as having a voice like a pipe organ! Another declared Thomas had one of the three greatest voices he had ever heard. The baritone was equally at home singing a part at the Metropolitan Opera, or entertaining on the concert stage. One of the first “cross-over” musicians, he sang not only a classical repertoire, but also popular songs. To get some idea of his voice, listen to the old ballad Bendemeer’s Stream, recorded in 1939.

As far as I know, he made no claim to being a born again Christian, but his father Milson Thomas was an itinerant Methodist clergyman, preaching in the mining settlements of the eastern United States. The son grew up loving the old hymns. As an adult, he had a weekly radio broadcast on which, with the King’s Men Quartet, he sang his way through the hymn book. Recordings of some of these broadcasts are still around. With his crisp diction, the message of the songs shines through. Interestingly, John Charles Thomas became the vocal coach of an up-and-coming gospel singer named George Beverley Shea.

At some point in 1934, Albert Hay Malotte heard the powerful voice of Mr. Thomas over the radio, and determined to write a song especially for him. Malotte worked at the Disney studios, creating background music for cartoons such as Silly Symphonies. But, as a Presbyterian layman and skilled organist, he also composed sacred music. The Bible passage Malotte selected to set to music in this case was this:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. (Matt. 6:9-13, KJV)

Albert Hay Malotte’s setting of The Lord’s Prayer became popular for decades, largely due to Mr. Thomas’s recording of it. It’s still sung at weddings and other special occasions, and a basic hymn arrangement is included in some hymn books. John Charles Thomas – Prima Voce is a CD that contains the Lord’s Prayer.

Today in 1802 – Frederick Oakeley Born

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Frederick Oakeley was an English pastor who worked among the poor. He is known in hymnody for translating the carol O Come, All Ye Faithful from Latin into English in 1841. However, his original began with the cumbersome, “Ye faithful, approach ye.” Thankfully, when the hymn was published in 1852, this was changed, becoming the familiar hymn found in hymnals today.

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem!
Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

About That “Metrical Index”: Perhaps your hymn book has at the back something called a Metrical Index, with lists of names followed by funny-looking numbers. What’s it for? How can we make practical use of it? My article will explain.

(2) Today in 1851 – Howard Grose Born

Howard Benjamin Grose was educated at the University of Chicago, and the University of Rochester. He was ordained as a Baptist minister, and served both as a university president (at the University of South Dakota), and as a professor of history at the University of Chicago. He also served as an editor of some Baptist publications, and wrote a number of books. In 1902 he wrote the dedication hymn, Give of Your Best to the Master.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardour
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave.
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth.
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart.
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave.
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.

Today in 1835 – Edwin Hatch Born

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English scholar Edwin Hatch was that happy combination of great learning and simple faith. James Moffatt said of him, “Profound as his learning was, his published sermons show that his piety was as simple and unaffected as a child’s.” Dr. Hatch was professor of classics at Trinity College in Toronto for a time, then rector of the Quebec High School. He returned to England and to Oxford University in 1867, coincidentally the year of the birth of the Dominion of Canada.

Edwin Hatch was an acknowledged master of historical research. His Brampton Lectures “On the Organization of Early Christian Churches” were influential in Europe. He wrote a concordance of the Septuagint, as well as essays on biblical Greek. He wrote a few hymns as well, but only one has remained in common us, Breathe on Me, Breath of God.

The hymn is based on John 20:22, which records how the Lord Jesus met with His disciples in the upper room after His resurrection, and “He breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.” No further explanation is given. This may have been a special endowment of power in preparation for Pentecost a few days later.

It is presented as a historical incident. There is no evidence that Christ’s action was ever repeated, or that it’s something to be claimed by believers today. However, we know the indwelling Spirit of God works to produce the fruit of Christlikeness in us (II Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:22-23). And we could take Hatch’s hymn simply as a prayer for the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives as Christians.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love,
And do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.

(2) Today in 1847 – Henry Lyte Preached Last Sermon

Henry Francis Lyte was an esteemed and godly English pastor. He wrote many hymns, including Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, and Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken, but the most familiar by far is the lovely Abide with Me.

Lyte suffered from asthma, and toward the end of his life contracted tuberculosis.  As his condition deteriorated, he reluctantly agreed to move to the south of France, in hopes that the warmer climate would help. When he preached his last sermon, he was so weak he had to be assisted into the pulpit. In the evening of the same day he placed in the hands of a relative the text of this hymn, along with a tune he had written for it. (It is now sung to Eventide, a tune by William Henry Monk.)

Unfortunately, the change of climate did little help Henry Lyte. He died and was buried in Nice, France, less than 3 months after he left England. But his stirring prayer hymn lives on long after him.

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

This prayer echoes the words of two disciples (possibly husband and wife) long ago. Following Christ’s resurrection, they met Him on the road to the village of Emmaus where their home was. There, “they constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.’ And He went in to stay with them” (Lk. 24:29). A poetic answer to Lyte’s plea was written by an anonymous World War One soldier. As though the Lord Jesus is speaking, it says, in part:

I will abide, though night is drawing nigh;
Though cloud and darkness now obscure the sky.
I know thy sorrows, see thy falling tear,
Give Me thine hand, for I am ever near.

A little while, and then it will be light;
Thy faith shall be exchanged for perfect sight;
No fears to vex thee, nothing to molest,
For thou shalt be with Me in perfect rest.

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