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Today in 1816 – Angels from the Realms published

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James Montgomery wrote about 400 hymns. Quite a few of them are still found in our hymnals today. Among them are the following:

According to Thy Gracious Word
Angels from the Realms of Glory
Hail to the Lord’s Anointed
In the Hour of Trial
The Lord Is My Shepherd
Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire
Stand Up and Bless the Lord
We Bid Thee Welcome in the Name

Montgomery wrote Angels from the Realms of Glory–considered his finest hymn–for publication in the Christmas Eve edition of the Sheffield Iris, the newspaper of which he was the editor.

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

I invite you to listen to two outstanding versions of this carol. Both make use of the tune Gloria, to which we sing Angels We Have Heard on High, rather than the tune Regent Square traditionally used with Angels from the Realms of Glory. (For me, Gloria becomes a bit too repetitious. I prefer Regent Square.) The video clip below features a cascade of beautiful sound by the King’s College Choir. But you owe it to yourself to listen to the magnificent Mormon Tabernacle Choir rending, here, complete with bells, and the stunning voice of Sissel Kyrkjebo, Norway’s wonderful gift to the world of music. (A voice of great range and crystal clarity, right to the final high B flat.)

Annie Johnson Flint

(2) Today in 1866 – Annie Flint Born

Annie Johnson Flint was one of America’s greatest devotional poets. The daughter of Eldon Johnson, she lost both her parents at the age of 6, and was adopted by a childless couple named Flint. She trained as a teacher, and was also a skilled pianist with hopes of a future career on the concert stage. Then came the sudden and severe onset of crippling arthritis. In a short time, not only were her fingers painfully bent and swollen, but she found it difficult to walk. The disease left her bedridden for the rest of her life.

But when God closes one door, He will open another. While still a small child, she had trusted Christ as her Saviour, and over the years her spiritual insight seemed to grow deeper and deeper. Prevented from a musical expression of her artistic gifts, Miss Flint began writing poetry. When she could no longer grip a pen, she used a typewriter, punching the keys with her knuckles. Before her death in 1932, Miss Flint had produced books of verse that have been a blessing to many ever since.

Several of her poems have become gospel songs. And given the severe trials she experienced, they are moving testimonies to the grace of God. I encourage you to check out the full text of both of the following in the Cyber Hymnal. They are rich with spiritual meaning. From 1919 comes God Hath Not Promised.

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labour, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

An undated poem, He Giveth More, has also been set to music. Here is the second stanza and the refrain:

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

(3) Today in 1949 – William Poole Died

William Charles Poole put his faith in Christ at the age of 11, and became a Methodist clergyman in the United States in the early part of the twentieth century. With the encouragement of hymn writer Charles Gabriel, he wrote many hymn texts. Among those in common use today are Sunrise Tomorrow, and  Just When I Need Him Most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
Just when I falter, just when I fear;
Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
Never forsaking all the way through;
Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
Just when I need Him most.

Today in 1873 – From Glory to Glory written

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Frances Ridley Havergal did not spend many years on this earth, dying at the age of 43. But God gifted her in unusual ways, and her many hymns continue to bless. Having a brilliant mind, Frances was reading by the age of 4, and began writing poetry when she was 7. She mastered Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, and memorized the Psalms, the book of Isaiah, and most of the New Testament.

From Glory Unto Glory is one of her lesser-known creations, another of her several New Year’s hymns. It is based on II Cor. 3:18, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” The original poem has 20 stanzas. Here are a few of them.

“From glory unto glory!” Be this our joyous song,
As on the King’s own highway we bravely march along!
“From glory unto glory!” O word of stirring cheer,
As dawns the solemn brightness of one more glad new year.

“From glory unto glory!” What mighty blessings crown
The lives for which our Lord hath laid His own so freely down!
Omnipotence to keep us, omniscience, too, to guide,
Jehovah’s blessèd presence within us to abide!

The fullness of His blessing encompasseth our way;
The fullness of His promise crowns every brightening day;
The fullness of His glory is beaming from above,
While more and more we realize the fullness of His love.

“In full and glad surrender we give ourselves to Thee,
Thine utterly, and only, and evermore to be!
O Son of God, who lov’st us, we will be Thine alone,
Our being and possessions, shall henceforth be Thine own!”

Now onward, ever onward, “from strength to strength” we go,
While “grace for grace” abundant shall from His fullness flow,
To glory’s full fruition, from glory’s foretaste here,
Until His very presence crown happiest new year.

(2) Today in 1915 – William Doane Died

William Howard Doane was president of the J. A. Fay Woodworking Machinery Company. A successful businessman, he bequeathed large sums of money to various causes. As a Christian layman, he served as a Sunday School superintendent, and a church choir director, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He called music his “avocation,” but he certainly worked hard at it, producing over 2,000 hymn tunes.

Mr. Doane was a friend of Fanny Crosby’s, and frequently collaborated with her. A few examples of the many songs they created together are:

Draw Me Nearer
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
Moments of Prayer
Rescue the Perishing
To the Work
Safe in the Arms of Jesus

To the Work is a challenge to Christian service.

To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.

Toiling on, toiling on, toiling on, toiling on,
Let us hope and trust, let us watch and pray,
And labour till the Master comes.

The circumstances of the writing of the last hymn listed above are unusual. One day in April of 1868 William Doane paid Fanny a call. With hardly a “How’d you do?” Doane said, “I have exactly forty minutes before my train leaves for Cincinnati. Here’s a melody. Can you write words for it?” The hymn became Safe in the Arms of Jesus.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! ’tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast
There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

(3) More from Fanny Crosby

If you’re looking for a good gospel song that fits the theme of New Year’s, Fanny has provided us with one. The tune used is that of the familiar Scottish Auld Lang Syne, but the words a biblical and inspiring. You can see the whole hymn on the Cyber Hymnal.

 How sweet the hour of praise and prayer,
When our devotions blend,
And on the wings of faith divine
Our songs of joy ascend!
’Tis then we hear in tones more clear
The gracious promise giv’n,
That, though we part from friends on earth,
We all shall meet in heav’n.

We all shall meet in heav’n at last,
We all shall meet in heav’n;
Through faith in Jesus’ precious blood,
We all shall meet in heav’n.

Today in 1899 – Dwight Moody Died

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Though he was not a hymn writer himself, evangelist Dwight Lymon Moody promoted the writing of hymns by others, including his music director Ira Sankey, James McGranahan, Philip Bliss, and more. He not only gave them personal encouragement and exhortations to pursue this ministry, he also increased the awareness of their music by using it in his meetings. (This also occurred through the later evangelistic campaigns of Billy Sunday and Billy Graham.)

As to its technicalities, Moody was notoriously ignorant of music. In one of his meetings, the choir was presenting a number in which the first few lines were sung by the men, in unison. “What’s wrong?” Moody whispered, “don’t the girls know the song?” But his lack of understanding of the theoretical aspect of music was more than made up for by his sensitivity to the kind of ministry great hymns and gospel songs could have.

Sankey's organ
Sankey’s organ

The song The Ninety and Nine was first presented in one of Moody’s evangelistic meetings in Scotland. His music director Ira Sankey had clipped the poem by Elizabeth Clephane from the newspaper and tucked it in his pocket, thinking he might be able to make use of it sometime.

Later that same day, Dwight Moody preached a sermon on Christ as the Good Shepherd, basing his thoughts on the parable in Lk. 15:3-7. As he finished, he turned to Sankey and asked if he could sing something appropriate to close the service. Sensing the prompting of the Lord, Ira Sankey took the clipping from his pocket, sat it on the organ (the small reed organ pictured here), and improvised a tune on the spot–the tune it has to this day! At the end of the song, many expressed a desire to trust in Christ for salvation.

But that is not the only remarkable incident connected with the song. Back in America once again, the team was invited to hold services in a little New England village church. But when it became clear that the numbers were too great for the small sanctuary, the meeting was moved outside. The steps of the church were used as a platform, and the crowd gathered around. Mr. Sankey sat at the reed organ, with his back to the church door.

At one point in the service, Moody asked his friend to sing The Ninety and Nine. He did so, with the wall of the building forming a natural sounding board for his powerful voice. Two miles away, across the Connecticut River, a man was sitting on his doorstep, enjoying the beauty of the still summer evening. But his reverie was interrupted by the words of Sankey’s penetrating gospel message, clearly heard. The Spirit of God convicted him, and he realized he himself was a lost sheep. The man subsequently put his faith in Christ, and became a faithful member of the church across the river.

And all through the mountains, thunder riven
And up from the rocky steep,
There arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven,
“Rejoice! I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne,
“Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!
Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!”

Moody also made frequent use of Will Thompson’s hymn of invitation, Softly and Tenderly. And on his deathbed, he asked to see Thompson. Taking his visitor’s hand, Moody said, “Will, I would rather have written ‘Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling’ than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”

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

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

Finally, Moody and Sankey took Fanny Crosby’s great gospel song To God Be the Glory to the British Isles and it became popular there, even though it remained virtually unknown in America.

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

Today in 1849 – Shepherd of Tender Youth published

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Titus Flavius Clemens

The hymn Shepherd of Tender Youth (sometimes rendered Shepherd of Eager Youth) was written by Clement of Alexandria (Titus Flavius Clemens) around the year AD 200. That is only about a century after the death of the Apostle John, making it the earliest post-apostolic Christian hymn we know of that is still in common use. The English paraphrase of the original Greek hymn, by Henry Dexter, was published in The Congregationalist on this date in 1849.

Clement is thought to have been born in Athens around the year 170. Before his conversion to Christ he was a pagan philosopher. Afterward, he became head of the Catechetical School in Alexandria, and wrote ten books. The hymn we know him by he called simply a Hymn of the Saviour Christ. It is found in an appendix to his book, The Tutor.

Shepherd of tender youth, guiding in love and truth
Through devious ways; Christ our triumphant King,
We come Thy name to sing, and here our children bring
To join Thy praise.

Thou art our holy Lord, O all subduing Word,
Healer of strife. Thou didst Thyself abase
That from sin’s deep disgrace Thou mightest save our race
And give us life.

(2) Today in 1807 – John Newton Died

John Newton spent his early life as a profane sailor and a slave trader. Even his fellow crew members, a blaspheming lot themselves, shuddered to hear some of the terrible oaths that came from his mouth. But the Lord got hold of his life, and he was dramatically saved. He studied Greek and Hebrew and eventually entered the ministry, becoming the pastor of the little church in Olney, England. For the rest of his life, he marvelled at the amazing grace of God, making it the subject of his most famous hymn, Amazing Grace–though he wrote at least 280 others. (For more about Newton and his hymns, see Today in 1725.)

Newton wrote the inscription for a memorial plaque found in the last church he served. It is his testimony:

JOHN NEWTON, Clerk
Once an infidel and libertine
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour
JESUS CHRIST,
restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach
the Gospel which he had long laboured to destroy.
He ministered,
Near sixteen years in Olney, in Bucks,
And twenty-eight years in this Church.

When he was in his eighties, someone suggested it was time Newton retired. The pastor retorted, “What! Shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?” Preaching one of his last messages, the pastor directed attention to his text. It was First Peter, Chapter 2, verse 7, “To you who believe, He is precious.” “Jesus Christ is precious,” said the old preacher with deep feeling. And there was a lengthening pause. And he said again, “Jesus Christ is precious.” “You’ve already said that twice,” whispered his assistant. “Go on!” “I said it twice, and I’m going to say it again,” replied Newton. And with that he shouted at the top of his voice, “JESUS CHRIST IS PRECIOUS!”

What would be your request if the Lord said to you, as He did to Solomon, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (I Kgs. 3:5)? John Newton considered that text, and out of his meditation produced the hymn, Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare–with the word “suit” being used in the sense of a petition made in court (i.e. a lawsuit).

Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay.

Thou art coming to a King,
Large petitions with thee bring;
For His grace and power are such,
None can ever ask too much.

Another of Newton’s creations is the beautiful prayer hymn Great Shepherd of Thy Chosen Flock.

Great Shepherd of Thy chosen flock,
Thy people’s Shield, their shadowing Rock,
Once more we meet to hear Thy voice,
Once more before Thee to rejoice.

Now may Thy Spirit, by the Word,
Refresh each wearied heart, O Lord,
Wearied of earth’s vain strife and woe,
And longing more Thyself to know.

Thine is the heart our griefs to feel,
And Thine the love each wound to heal;
Home Thou art gone for us to care,
Returning soon to take us there.

Today in 1930 – Harold Green Died

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Englishman Harold Green was a pastor’s son. He served with the South Africa General Mission in Pondoland, a region on the eastern coast of South Africa. In 1920, when another missionary, Emily May Grimes Crawford wrote a hymn called The Quiet Hour, Green provided the tune for it. As far as I know, it is the only music we have from him.

The Quiet Hour (also known as Speak, Lord, in the Stillness) is a fitting hymn to use before the Bible message in a worship service. It also relates to our need to have a daily time in God’s Word and in prayer. It is important to draw aside from the busy bustle and noise of our routine to commune with God and listen to Him speak to our hearts through the Scriptures.

Bible reading idea

The hymn recalls Eli’s instructions to the boy Samuel: “If He [God] calls you…you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears’” (I Sam. 3:9). And David’s testimony: “Truly my soul silently waits for God” (Ps. 62:1). And the promise of the Lord Jesus to His disciples: “The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life [i.e. they are spiritually life-giving]” (Jn. 6:63).

May I take a moment to encourage you to have some kind of daily Bible reading and prayer plan for the coming year. We each need that time with the Lord for spiritual nourishment. The little diagram here suggests four specific things you can look for in your reading. It also places Christ at the centre of the Bible’s message–which He is (Lk. 24:27; Jn. 5:39).  

Speak, Lord, in the stillness
While I wait on Thee;
Hushed my heart to listen,
In expectancy.

For the words Thou speakest,
“They are life” indeed;
Living Bread from heaven,
Now my spirit feed!

(2) Today in 1941  – Henry Ostrom Died

Born in Canada, Henry Ostrom was a Methodist pastor who also served on the extension staff of Moody Bible Institute. He wrote several books, and a number of hymns as well. Moody president, James M. Gray, said of him that he “has been accorded a place in the confidence and affection of Christians of all denominations in the United States.”

A humble man, Dr. Ostrom used the pen name George Walker Whitcomb. It enabled him to ask for the singing of a hymn he had written without calling undue attention to himself. When he preached, he often reminded his listeners of the need to get the gospel out, because of the soon return of Christ. Most who heard him say, “This may be the crowning day,” were unaware that he had written the stirring gospel song on that theme called Is It the Crowning Day?

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

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

Faithful I’ll be today,
Glad day, glad day!
And I will freely tell
Why I should love Him so well,
For He is my all today.

Today in 1808 – Horatius Bonar Born

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Horatius Bonar was a Scottish pastor, and a renowned evangelical preacher. He also had a major part in organizing the Free Church of Scotland. Bonar, known as “the prince of Scottish hymn writers,” also produced some 600 hymns. (For more, see the second item under Today in 1865.)  Examples of his work:

Go, Labour On
I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say
I Lay My Sins on Jesus
No, Not Despairingly
Not What These Hands Have Done
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee Face to Face

The last of these, a Communion hymn, was written at the request of Horatius Bonar’s brother John, the pastor of St. Andrews’ Free Church, Greenock, Scotland. Once each year, Horatius went to visit, and assisted his brother at the Lord’s Supper. It was for such a service in October of 1855 that Horatius Bonar supplied this beautiful hymn. The original had 10 stanzas, but here is a sampling. (You are permitted a “Wow!” when you get to the end!)

Here, O my Lord, I see Thee face to face;
Here would I touch and handle things unseen;
Here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
And all my weariness upon Thee lean.

This is the hour of banquet and of song;
This is the heavenly table spread for me;
Here let me feast, and feasting, still prolong
The hallowed hour of fellowship with Thee.

Here would I feed upon the bread of God,
Here drink with Thee the royal wine of heaven;
Here would I lay aside each earthly load,
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

Mine is the sin, but Thine the righteousness:
Mine is the guilt, but Thine the cleansing blood;
Here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
Thy Blood, Thy righteousness, O Lord my God!

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet, passing, points to the glad feast above,
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love.

Here is a beautiful choral arrangement of this hymn–by a very fine church choir.

(2) Today in 1860 – Frank Graeff Born

Frank Ellsworth Graeff was a Methodist pastor who served several churches in the area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Widely known and beloved, he was called the “Sunshine Minister” because of his encouraging optimism and simple faith. He also wrote 200 hymn texts and a book of fiction called The Minister’s Twins.

In spite of Graeff’s sunny disposition, he faced many hardships in his life. It was while enduring a particularly severe trial that he penned the words of the only song of his that remains in common use, Does Jesus Care? Each stanza raises the question in connection with some trial. Then, the refrain provides the resounding answer of faith.

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

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

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Today in 1707 – Charles Wesley Born

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English hymn writer Charles Wesley wrote over 6,000 hymns. While most have been forgotten, there are many that are still printed in our hymn books three centuries after his birth. Some of them rank among the best in the English language. Here are a few that are commonly used today:

A Charge to Keep I Have
And Can It Be?
Arise, My Soul, Arise
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
Forth in Thy Name, O Lord
Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
O for a Heart to Praise My God
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing
Rejoice, the Lord Is King
Soldiers of Christ, Arise
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim

It is simply impossible in the blog to do justice to the wonderful output of this man. But allow me a brief comment on several of the songs listed.

In his brother John’s Character of a Methodist, published around 1741, is found the words of Soldiers of Christ, Arise. It is based on the following passage of Scripture that deals with spiritual warfare, and the armour God provides for our defense (Eph. 6:10-17). (Note: The word “panoply” in Wesley’s hymn refers to a full suit of armour, a complete set of equipment.)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Ephesians 6:10-13

Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies through His eternal Son.
Strong in the Lord of hosts, and in His mighty power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror.

Stand then in His great might, with all His strength endued,
But take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God;
That, having all things done, and all your conflicts passed,
Ye may o’ercome through Christ alone and stand entire at last.

The original of the above hymn had sixteen stanzas (which the Cyber Hymnal gives us), but I believe editors have chosen the best for our use today. From his Hymns and Sacred Poems, published in 1742 we have another hymn:

O for a heart to praise my God,
A heart from sin set free,
A heart that always feels Thy blood
So freely shed for me.

A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
My great Redeemer’s throne,
Where only Christ is heard to speak,
Where Jesus reigns alone.

The Methodists faced a great deal of persecution in those days. To encourage them, Charles Wesley published Hymns in Times of Trouble and Persecution, in 1744. From this collection, here are a couple of stanzas of Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim–stanzas not usually included in our hymnals. They particularly suggest the dangers and difficulties these Christians faced.

The waves of the sea have lift up their voice,
Sore troubled that we in Jesus rejoice;
The floods they are roaring, but Jesus is here;
While we are adoring, He always is near.

When devils engage, the billows arise,
And horribly rage, and threaten the skies:
Their fury shall never our steadfastness shock,
The weakest believer is built on a rock.

In Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord, in 1745, Wesley included:

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Buffalo Bill

(2) Today in 1903 – Dion de Marbelle Died

Daniel (or Dion) De Marbelle had a fascinating history. He sailed with a whaling crew in his youth, and served in the American navy during the Mexican War (1847), and as a drum major in the American Civil War. He toured America as a musician and an actor with an opera company, later organizing his own theatrical troupe.

When James A. Bailey (the future partner of P. T. Barnum) organized a circus, De Marbelle was hired as his first clown. He later headed up his own circus, but lost everything when a fire destroyed his tents during a tour of Canada. Then he helped Buffalo Bill Cody organize his popular Wild West show. This is the man who wrote When They Ring the Golden Bells:

There’s a land beyond the river,
That we call the sweet forever,
And we only reach that shore by faith’s decree;
One by one we’ll gain the portals,
There to dwell with the immortals,
When they ring the golden bells for you and me.

Don’t you hear the bells now ringing?
Don’t you hear the angels singing?
’Tis the glory hallelujah Jubilee.
In that far off sweet forever,
Just beyond the shining river,
When they ring the golden bells for you and me.

We shall know no sin or sorrow,
In that haven of tomorrow,
When our barque shall sail beyond the silver sea;
We shall only know the blessing
Of our Father’s sweet caressing,
When they ring the golden bells for you and me.

De Marbelle faced severe financial troubles in his latter years. His old friend Bill Cody visited and gave him money at one point. And neighbours helped too. The man accepted his trials with grace, saying, “For years I was so busy I didn’t have time for God, and so rich I didn’t need Him. God had to slow me down and take my success away, so that He could talk to me about the home beyond the river.”

Today in 1807 – John Whittier Born

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Known as the Quaker Poet, John Greenleaf Whittier was an editor, and member of his government as well. He was elected to the Massachusetts legislature (1847-1859), and served as secretary of the American Anti-slavery Society. Though he did not consider himself a hymn writer, almost a hundred hymns have been drawn from his poetry. (See also Today in 1892.) From a poem of 22 stanzas Whittier called The Eternal Goodness, comes a hymn of trust in the Lord called I Know Not What the Future Hath.

I know not what the future hath
Of marvel or surprise,
Assured alone that life and death
God’s mercy underlies.

And if my heart and flesh are weak
To bear an untried pain,
The bruised reed He will not break,
But strengthen and sustain.

Marianne Hearn

(2) Today in 1834 – Marianne Hearn Born

Marianne Hearn was an English author, editor of the Sunday School Times, and on the staff of the Christian World newspaper. In addition, she wrote extensively, publishing 20 volumes of her collected works, often writing under the pen name Mary Anne Farningham. It is said that Hearn was greatly beloved within her Baptist denomination. She wrote a hymn of dedication for the young called Just As I Am Thine Own to Be (not to be confused with Charlotte Elliott’s invitation hymn, Just As I Am).

Just as I am, Thine own to be,
Friend of the young, who lovest me,
To consecrate myself to Thee,
O Jesus Christ, I come.

In the glad morning of my day,
My life to give, my vows to pay,
With no reserve and no delay,
With all my heart I come.

Just as I am, young, strong, and free,
To be the best that I can be
For truth, and righteousness, and Thee,
Lord of my life, I come.

Today in 1770 – Ludwig van Beethoven Born

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Beethovan

Beethoven stands atop the ranks of great composers, perhaps rivalled only by Johann Sebastian Bach. He was born in Bonn, Germany. A true prodigy, he began working on music at the age of 4, played concerts at the age of 8, and began serious composition at the age of 10. When he was 12, he conducted an opera orchestra. But in spite of this early beginning, his greatest work often took years of struggle to produce.

Beethovan’s religious views are difficult to catagorize. He was baptized and raised a Catholic, but his principle teacher and mentor was a Protestant. Although his beliefs were untraditional and even eccentric, there is no doubt of his devotion to God. He wrote:

Almighty God, You look down into my innermost soul, You see into my heart and You know that it is filled with love for humanity and a desire to do good.

Calmly will I submit myself to all inconsistency and will place all my confidence in Your eternal goodness, O God! My soul shall rejoice in Thee, immutable Being. Be my rock, my light, forever my trust.

Beethoven did not write hymn tunes specifically, but many themes from his compositions have been used as such. The most famous of these comes from his magnificent 9th Symphony, and the Hymn to Joy in the last movement. Henry van Dyke suggested it as the tune for a hymn he wrote in 1907 called Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

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(2) Today in 1826 – John Ellerton Born

John Ellerton was a preacher, teacher and author, as well as being a fine hymn writer. He wrote or translated 86 hymns, and as an editor of hymn books and a consultant in the editorial process, he held a prominent place in church music for decades. Interestingly, he refused to copyright his songs, saying that if they were “counted worthy to contribute to Christ’s praise in the congregation, one ought to feel very thankful and humble.” (For more about Ellerton and his hymns, see Today in 1893.)

His wonderful hymn The Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended may look from the title as though it was intended as a closing hymn, but it also has a world missions theme. I do not usually give the full text of hymns in these blogs, more often simply providing sample stanzas. However, in this case, we need them all. As Christians we need to sense something of the spreading grandeur of the church of Jesus Christ.

The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended,
The darkness falls at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended,
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.

We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping,
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.

As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day,
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.

The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren ’neath the western sky,
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.

So be it, Lord; Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away:
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.

Today in 1843 – Albert Simpson Born

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Albert Benjamin Simpson was born on Prince Edward Island, Canada. While attending high school in Chatham, Ontario, he put his faith in Christ. In 1864, he began a successful pastoral ministry at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Hamilton, Ontario (my own home town). He was an eloquent preacher and able leader, and during his eight years there, God used him to add 750 new members to the congregation.

Albert Simpson’s keen interest in world missions, as well as his particular views on sanctification and bodily healing, led him to found the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination. And although he had no formal musical training, Pastor Simpson had a keen sense of melody and rhythm, and wrote many hymns. Something of his missionary fervour is seen in the hymn, A Missionary Cry:

A hundred thousand souls a day
Are passing one by one away
In Christless guilt and gloom;
Without one ray of hope or light,
With future dark as endless night,
They’re passing to their doom,
They’re passing to their doom.

Other songs from Simpson’s pen are: Yesterday, Today, Forever, What Will You Do with Jesus? and Step by Step. An unusual song called Himself addresses the danger of focusing on the Lord’s blessings rather than on the One who blesses us:

Once it was the blessing, now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling, now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted, now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing, now Himself alone.

All in all forever,
Jesus will I sing;
Everything in Jesus,
And Jesus everything.

globe sunrise

(2) Today in 1861 – Anna Olander Born

Anna Helena Olander, the daughter of a clergyman, was a Swedish hymn writer. Early in life she started writing poems and stories. She edited nearly 50 books, and also translated hymns into Swedish from English and German, as well as writing some original songs herself.

The only song of hers that is still in use in English is If I Gained the World. It gives us a meditation on the stirring question of Jesus: “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I gained the world, but lost the Saviour,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?

O the joy of having all in Jesus!
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne’er a sin so great, but He’ll forgive it,
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,
Nothing else in all the world beside—
O then everything is mine in Jesus;
For my needs and more He will provide.

(2) Today in 1961 – James Coats Died

James B. Coats was born in 1901, in Summerland, Mississippi. With his innate musical gift, when only fourteen, he was teaching music classes, and serving as a song leader. A public school teacher most of his life, he was also a staff song writer for the Stamps-Baxter Music Company, and a deacon in his home church for about three decades. Mr. Coats wrote many gospel songs, the best known being Where Could I Go But to the Lord?

Living below in this old sinful world,
Hardly a comfort can afford;
Striving alone to face temptations sore,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

Where could I go, O where could I go;
Seeking a refuge for my soul?
Needing a friend to help me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord?

It seems like this one is just about everyone’s karaoke favourite. Many, many versions on YouTube. Most of them are mediocre, as far as the performance is concerned. My greater concern and hope is that those who sing this song truly believe its simple message: that the Lord Jesus Christ is the soul’s only true and trustworthy Refuge. The rendition below? Well…It made me smile. 🙂

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