Susan’s sister was American hymn writer Anna Warner (Jesus Loves Me, and We Would See Jesus). Susan was a novelist whose books were extremely popular in their day. Her story The Wide, Wide World has been called America’s first bestseller. It went through 14 editions in two years.
Both women were dedicated Christians. And Susan said, “He who serves God with what costs him nothing, will do very little service, you may depend on it!” The two of them held regular Bible studies for the cadets at West Point Military Academy, near their home. When they died, they were buried there with full military honours.
Though she wrote a great deal of prose, Susan Bogart Warner is known for one gospel song, Jesus Bids Us Shine. It expounds on the words of Jesus, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
Jesus bids us shine with a pure, clear light, Like a little candle burning in the night. In this world of darkness so let us shine– You in your small corner, and I in mine.
Jesus bids us shine, then, for all around; Many kinds of darkness in the world abound– Sin and want and sorrow; so we must shine– You in your small corner, and I in mine.
(2) Today in 1895 – Alexander Ewing Died
Ewing was a Scottish military man whose avocation was music. He learned to play the violin, the cello and the clarinet, and was interested in choral music. He is known today solely for the tune that bears his name, Ewing. It has been used with a number of hymns, including Frances Havergal’s O Saviour, Precious Saviour, but it is best known as the tune for Jerusalem the Golden.
The latter hymn comes from a lengthy poem written by Bernard of Cluny in 1145. He called his poem De Contemptu Mundi (On the Contemptibleness of the World). In it he spells out the evils and social corruption of his day. With that he contrasts the beauty, peace and joy of the heavenly city, expanding somewhat on the description we are given in Revelation 21–22.
Jerusalem the golden, with milk and honey blest, Beneath thy contemplation sink heart and voice oppressed. I know not, O I know not, what joys await us there, What radiancy of glory, what bliss beyond compare.
They stand, those halls of Zion, all jubilant with song, And bright with many an angel, and all the martyr throng; The Prince is ever in them, the daylight is serene. The pastures of the blessèd are decked in glorious sheen.
If you are concerned that hymn singing is being neglected in your church, check out my article 77 Ideas for Promoting Hymn Singing. There may be a few ideas there you could try.
Some confusion has resulted in hymn history from Mr. and Mrs. Walter Palmer naming their daughter after her mother! Hymn books sometimes credit one instead of the other for a particular song. But here is the correct information.
Mrs. (Phoebe) Palmer (1807-1874), and her husband Walter, were both evangelists. In 1839, Phoebe gave birth to a daughter whom the Palmers named Phoebe, after her mother. The younger Phoebe (1839-1908), who eventually became Mrs. John Knapp, served the Lord as a musician and hymn writer, producing some 500 hymns.
On one occasion the younger Phoebe combined her talents with those of Fanny Crosby in the writing of a hymn. Fanny says, “My friend, Mrs. Knapp, composed a melody, and played it over to me two or three times on the piano. She then asked me what it said, and I immediately replied Blessed Assurance.” In just a few minutes, Fanny Crosby supplied the words for the song, and it was published in 1873.
The Lord Jesus says of His own, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (Jn. 10:28). Paul testifies, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded [convinced] that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day [i.e. the day of Christ’s return]” (II Tim. 1:12). And Jude describes Christians as “those who are…preserved [kept safe] in Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:1).
It is the privilege of the Christian to be assured of his eternal salvation. As R. A. Torrey put it, “It is the blood of Christ that makes us safe; it is the Word of God that makes us sure.”
Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Saviour, all the day long.
(2) Today in 1942 – Edmund Simon Lorenz Died
Mr. Lorenz is responsible for one of the most repetitious gospel songs we have! He wrote the 1876 original in German, and it was translated into English by Jeremiah Rankin four years later. One little song, and it repeats the same four-word phrase 24 times! Not surprisingly, that phrase has given the song its title, Tell It to Jesus. So we have:
Are you weary, are you heavy hearted? Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus. Are you grieving over joys departed? Tell it to Jesus alone.
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that’s well known. You’ve no other such a friend or brother, Tell it to Jesus alone.
But before we dismiss Edmund Simon Lorenz’s repetitive work as unworthy of our attention, ask yourself this question: Do I “tell it to Jesus”? In other words, do we pray about the things that are troubling us? Sometimes (and I speak for myself) we spend way too much time worrying, or fretfully struggling first, before we think to bring our need to the Lord!
The Bible is full of exhortations to pray. “Men always ought to pray” (Lk. 18:1); “continuing steadfastly in prayer” (Rom. 12:12); “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:18); “pray without ceasing” (I Thess. 5:17). Perhaps, given our frequent failures in this area, we need Edmund Lorenz’s 24 reminders after all!
And here, with a nod to the saying “different strokes for different folks” (within limits!), is a Bluegrass version of Mr. Lorenz’s song. Outstanding pickin’ and a-strummin’, and I believe the folks are sincere in their sharing of the message of the song. But whether this is your cup of tea or not, you can let me know.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Lk. 6:38
Luke chapter 6 repeats some of the teaching found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). And this promise is a picture of the Lord’s abundant blessing. In those days, both men and women wore long robes, tied at the waist by a cord or sash. The “bosom,” was the full gather of the robe above the sash. It was used to carry children (Num. 11:12), lambs (II Sam. 12:3) and other things (cf. II Kgs. 4:39; Prov. 17:23; 21:14). If a quantity of grain was purchased in the marketplace, it could be poured into the bosom to be transported home.
Here, the portion is delightfully generous. More than was expected. The principle is that we can never out-give the Lord. Whatever of time, talents and treasures we invest in His service will reap blessing and reward many times over. And it is humbling to realize the goodness of God in the face of our frequent ingratitude–or our careless misuse of His gifts. In the context, Jesus says:
Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (vs. 35).
“Hoping for [expecting] nothing in return.” What a high standard! Mercy and grace, even to those who may well deserve just the opposite! But that is how the Lord treats us. And to live in this way–since it is characteristic of God Himself–can be seen as a result of being made in His image. Treating those well who do the same to us is hardly a demonstration of grace. It is common in the unsaved world (vs. 34). But the child of God is to live by a higher standard.
And a brief note on the expression “You will be sons of the Most High.” This is not speaking of how to earn eternal salvation. That is, the Lord is not saying, “Do good, and your good works will get you into heaven.” That would be totally at odds with the Bible’s emphasis on salvation by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
Rather, the expression should be seen in the context of the Jewish culture of that day. To them, “son of” often meant the person showed characteristics of his family relationship. Jesus means that those who live as He describes demonstrate that they are members of His family because they reflect their Father’s character. Contrast this with Jesus’ stinging rebuke of the Pharisees: “You are of your father the devil” (Jn. 8:44).
In our kindness toward the undeserving and our love of the loveless, we are to be like the Lord Jesus. In the words of James Rowe’s 1911 gospel song:
Earthly pleasures vainly call me; I would be like Jesus; Nothing worldly shall enthrall me; I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song, In the home and in the throng; Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus.
Philip Paul Bliss was one of the greatest hymn writers of the nineteenth century. He has written so many memorable songs it is impossible to mention more than a few. He was a fervently godly man. Even from his youngest years, Bliss seemed to have a spiritual outlook. He said later in life that he could never remember a time when he did not have a sorrow for sin, and a love for the Lord Jesus. But in 1852, at the age of 14, he publicly declared himself to be a follower of Christ.
Before his tragic death in a train accident at the age of 38, Philip Bliss wrote music for the songs of others, and added many for which he wrote the lyrics too. Here is a sampling:
Almost Persuaded Dare to Be a Daniel Hallelujah, ‘Tis Done Hallelujah, What a Saviour! (Man of Sorrows) Hold the Fort Jesus Loves Even Me Let the Lower Lights Be Burning More Holiness Give Me My Redeemer (I Will Sing of My Redeemer) Once for All (Free from the Law) The Light of the World Is Jesus Whosoever Will Wonderful Words of Life
Several of these songs will be commented on elsewhere, but consider for a moment Jesus Loves Even Me. In a way, it was created as a kind of “protest song.” Frederick Whitfield’s gospel song O How I Love Jesus had been published a few years before. And Bliss attended a meeting in which the song leader had them sing the chorus, “O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus,” over and over again. After this was done a number of times, the thought came to Philip Bliss, “Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus, and shall I not rather sing of His great love for me?”
It was this concern that led to the writing of Jesus Loves Even Me, a beautifully simple yet profound expression of an important Bible truth. That “The Son of God…loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). It has sometimes been classed as a children’s hymn, but this is unfortunate. It should be sung, and sung often, by all believers.
I am so glad that our Father in heav’n Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n; Wonderful things in the Bible I see, This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me; I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.
Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing, When in His beauty I see the great King, This shall my song in eternity be, “Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”
In the video clip below, John Hong presents a masterful pipe organ improvisation on Philip Bliss’s tune.
(2) Today in 1838 – Robert Grant Died
Sir Robert Grant, a Christian layman, was a distinguished British civil servant. In 1826, he became a member of Parliament, then Privy Councilor in 1831, and Judge Advocate General in 1832. He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1834, going that year to India to be Governor of Bombay.
Grant’s name is found in most hymn books today for his hymn O Worship the King. He based the text loosely on William Kethe’s version of Psalm 104 in the Anglo-Genevan Psalter of 1561.
O worship the King, all glorious above, O gratefully sing His power and His love; Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendour, and girded with praise.
Thy bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail; Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.
Robert Grant wrote other hymns too, including the touching song When Gathering Clouds, in 1806.
When gathering clouds around I view, And days are dark, and friends are few, On Him I lean, who not in vain Experienced every human pain; He sees my wants, allays my fears, And counts and treasures all my tears.
If wounded love my bosom swell, Deceived by those I prized too well, He shall His pitying aid bestow, Who felt on earth severer woe, At once betrayed, denied, or fled, By those who shared His daily bread.
(3) Today in 1907 James McGranahan Died
McGranahan is a man to whom we owe a debt for his extensive contribution to Christian music. He supplied the melodies for dozens of texts written by others–Showers of Blessing, My Redeemer (by Philip Bliss), Christ Returneth, The Banner of the Cross, and many more.
Occasionally, he wrote both words and music, as he did for a hymn that asks a pointed question of the listener. Ira Sankey reports how the repeated questions of Shall You? Shall I? were heard by a man who attended a meeting in a drunken stupor. He remembered little of the occasion, but the questions kept bombarding his heart for days. Finally, he gave his life to Christ, and later entered the Christian ministry.
Some one will enter the pearly gates– By and by, by and by, Taste of the glories that there await, Shall you? shall I? Shall you? shall I? Someone will travel the streets of gold, Beautiful visions will there behold, Feast on the pleasures so long foretold: Shall you? shall I? Shall you? shall I?
Someone will knock when the door is shut By and by, by and by, Hear a voice saying, “I know you not,” Shall you? shall I? Shall you? shall I? Someone will call and shall not be heard, Vainly will strive when the door is barred, Someone will fail of the saint’s reward: Shall you? shall I? Shall you? shall I?
Life was a long and difficult struggle for Ida Lilliard Reed Smith. (Smith was actually a pen name. Ida never married.) Sick and often bedridden, impoverished and lonely, yet she is said to have written some 2,000 hymns. In 1939, ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) recognized her for making a “substantial contribution to American music.”
She is remembered today for one song only, published in 1896. It was inspired by a story she read as a child called “A Princess in Calico.” The tale concerned a little girl who maintained a sunny disposition through life, in spite of trials and hardship. When asked her secret she replied, “Oh, it’s because I belong to the King!” That recollection led Ida Reed to write the song of testimony I Belong to the King.
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (I Jn. 3:1). “And if children, then heirs–heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom. 8:17).
I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love, I shall dwell in His palace so fair, For He tells of its bliss in yon heaven above, And His children in splendour shall share.
I belong to the King; I’m a child of His love, And He never forsaketh His own. He will call me some day to His palace above; I shall dwell by His glorified throne.
I belong to the King, and His promise is sure: That we all shall be gathered at last In His kingdom above, by life’s waters so pure, When this life with its trials is past.
(2) How Cheering Is the Christian’s Hope (Data Missing)
The author of this little song is unknown. It concerns the Christian’s hope of a promised heavenly home (Jn. 14:2-3), and the prospect that “we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thess. 4:17). The lines of verse are in the Common Metre (8.6.8.6) and could be sung to such tunes as Belmont or Crimond.
How cheering is the Christian’s hope, While toiling here below! It buoys us up while passing through This wilderness of woe.
It points us to a land of rest, Where saints with Christ will reign; Where we shall meet the loved of earth, And never part again.
Fly, lingering moments, fly, O fly; Dear Saviour, quickly come! We long to see Thee as Thou art, And reach that blissful home.
Anna Louisa Walker was born in England in 1836. She moved to Canada with her family some years later, where her father worked for the railroad. The family lived for a time in Sarnia, Ontario. There Anna and her sisters operated a girls’ school. It was in 1854, while living in Canada, that Anna wrote the words for a gospel song based on the words of the Lord Jesus in John 9:4, “The night is coming when no one can work.”
In this statement, Christ is speaking figuratively of the time when our earthly labours come to an end. “Man goes out to his work and to his labour until the evening” (Ps. 104:23). No matter how long we live, our day of opportunity to serve the Lord here will soon be over. We need to make good use of the days allotted to us. With these thoughts in mind, the author wrote:
Work, for the night is coming, Work through the morning hours; Work while the dew is sparkling, Work ’mid springing flowers; Work when the day grows brighter, Work in the glowing sun; Work, for the night is coming, When man’s work is done.
In 1863, Anna returned to England, where she served as a governess, and a book reviewer, continuing to write a great deal herself, producing several volumes of verse. She married a wealthy English merchant named Harry Coghill.
As originally written, the fourth line of each stanza of Work, for the Night Is Coming had six syllables, rather than five. For example, “Work ‘mid the springing flowers.” However, when Lowell Mason set the poem to music in 1864, he shortened these lines to fit the tune. Anna Walker was indignant that anyone would tamper with her creation, and disapproved of the change. However, the altered version found its way into print and has been used that way for generations.
(2) Today in 1253 – King Thibaut Died
The children’s hymn, Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild, was written by Charles Wesley. Generally speaking, he was not successful in writing hymns for children, although he made numerous attempts. Critics say he seemed to view children as little adults, and failed to identify with them at their own level. However, this one of his children’s hymns has justly survived. It is lovely.
There is, however, an unresolved mystery concerning the tune. The traditional melody used is Innocents, which appeared in 1850 in a short-lived publication called The Parish Choir. William H. Monk (the editor) harmonized the tune. But where it came from originally is something of a puzzle.
One nineteenth-century hymn book, Ira Sankey’s Sacred Songs and Solos, attributes the melody to King Thibaut of Navarre. But I could find no other support for this attribution. We know King Thibaut was a real historical character. He was born on May 30, 1201, and he died at the age of 52, on July 7 (some biographies say July 8). We know he wrote poetry and composed music, but whether he wrote the tune Innocents is open to question. If you come across more information on this, please let me know.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, Look upon a little child; Pity my simplicity, Suffer me to come to Thee.
Lamb of God, I look to Thee; Thou shalt my Example be; Thou art gentle, meek, and mild; Thou wast once a little child.
Fain I would be as Thou art; Give me Thine obedient heart; Thou art pitiful and kind, Let me have Thy loving mind.
Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb, In Thy gracious hands I am; Make me, Saviour, what Thou art, Live Thyself within my heart.
The following video clip is remarkable for the fine singing of the two young children. Elaine and Derek were twins living in Belfast. They made this recording in 1961. Each selection from the recording that I have heard is a gem.
John Henry Sammis was an American pastor who played a part, along with several other people, in the writing of a familiar gospel song.
Evangelist D. L. Moody was holding meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts in 1886 or early 1887. On this particular occasion, an opportunity was given for testimonies from those whose lives had been touched through the ministry of the Word. A young man stood who clearly had little to say, because the Christian faith was so new to him. He said simply, “I am not quite sure–but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.”
Daniel Towner was the song leader that evening, and the simple statement made an immediate impression on him. Towner was struck by the way the two words trust (or faith), and obedience summarized what the child of God was to do. To walk with the Lord, day by day, involves just that, step by step faith in God and obedience to His Word. It always has, even on the far side of the cross. “By faith Abraham obeyed” (Heb. 11:8).
Towner jotted down the testimony on a slip of paper, possibly suggesting a chorus that might make use of the two words as well. These he sent to his friend John Sammis, asking if he could write the words of a gospel song along that line. The work was soon done, and the lines of verse were returned to Daniel Towner. He wrote a tune for them but, dissatisfied with the result, he crumpled the page and tossed it in the wastebasket.
The next day, his wife was dusting and tidying in his study, and she spotted the crumpled page. Out of curiosity, she took it out and had a look, singing the song to herself. Delighted with it, she placed it on the organ. When her husband saw it later, he explained that he’d thrown it away. She replied, “I know you did, Daniel, but I feel that the melody you’ve written is just what is needed to carry the message.” And it has, ever since, in the song Trust and Obey.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey.
(2) Jesus, Our Lord and King (Data Missing)
The ordinance of believer’s baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12) involves both a backward look and a forward look. For the Christian, looking back, it is a testimony to his or her identification with Christ, in His death and resurrection. The mode of total immersion beautifully pictures both.
But there is also involved in the ceremony a public commitment on the part of the believer to look ahead. To testify to a determination to “walk in newness of life”–in other words, to live as one who belongs to Christ and desires to honour Him in all things (Rom. 6:3-4).
Jesus, Our Lord and King is a fine baptismal hymn, expressing something of these twin truths. The authorship is unknown.
Jesus, our Lord and King, To You our praises rise; To You our bodies we present, A living sacrifice.
Now justified by grace, And made alive to God, Formed for Yourself to show Your praise, We sound Your love abroad.
As dead indeed to sin, We rise to walk anew, Henceforth, as not our own, but Yours, We follow only You.
Baptized into Your death, With You again we rise, To newness of a life of faith, To new and endless joys.
Thomas Toke Lynch, the son of a physician, was an English clergyman who served a number of churches. In the late 1850’s he was bedridden with illness and took three years to recover, but the last decade of his life was spent in active ministry. Visitors from other congregations were blessed by the freshness and spirituality of his preaching. Lynch also wrote extensively, both prose and poetry. His last words at death were, “Now I am going to begin to live!”
In 1868 he published the words of the Christmas hymn, A Thousand Years Have Come and Gone. If you sing it, and wish to bring the first line into the twenty-first century, it might be changed to “and still a thousand more.”
A thousand years have come and gone, and near a thousand more, Since happier light from heaven shone than ever shone before: And in the hearts of old and young a joy most joyful stirred. That sent such news from tongue to tongue as ears had never heard.
And we are glad, and we will sing, as in the days of yore; Come all, and hearts made ready bring, to welcome back once more The day when first on wintry earth a summer change began, And, dawning in a lowly birth uprose the Light of man.
(2) Today in 1865 – William Booth began his ministry
Among the poor and disenfranchised of the city of London, General Booth began a service for Christ that would eventually spread around the world. The work at first was called simply The Christian Mission, but Booth later adopted the name known today, the Salvation Army. Innovative, and sometimes criticized for its methods, it has grown to be widely respected for a holy zeal that translates into a practical, shoe-leather kind of Christianity.
Though he wrote other songs, Boundless Salvation has been so identified with Booth that the Army labeled it “The Founder’s Song.” It is a soul-stirring celebration of God’s great salvation. As the book of Hebrews puts it, Christ has purchased for us “so great a salvation” and an “eternal salvation” (Heb. 2:3; 5:9). “He is also able to save to the uttermost [completely and forever] those who come to God through Him” (Heb. 7:25).
O boundless salvation! deep ocean of love, O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above, The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free, Now flowing for all men, now flowing for all men, Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!
The tide is now flowing, I’m touching the wave, I hear the loud call of the Mighty to Save; My faith’s growing bolder, delivered I’ll be; I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters, I plunge ’neath the waters they roll over me.
(3) We Bless Thee for Thy Peace, O God (Data Missing)
Here is a lovely hymn the authorship of which is unknown. It magnifies the peace of God in the heart of the believer, a peace that we can claim through prayerful trust in Him.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHrist Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).
We bless Thee for Thy peace, O God, Deep as th’unfathomed sea, Which falls like sunshine on the road Of those who trust in Thee.
We ask not, Father, for repose Which comes from outward rest, If we may have through all life’s woes Thy peace within our breast.
That peace which suffers and is strong, Trusts where it cannot see, Deems not the trial-way too long, But leaves the end with Thee.
That peace which flows serene and deep, A river in the soul, Whose banks a living verdure keep, God’s sunshine o’er the whole.
O Father, give our hearts this peace, Whate’er the outward be, Till all life’s discipline shall cease, And we go home to Thee.
In 1831 Samuel Francis Smith’s patriotic hymn America (or My Country, ‘Tis of Thee) was first sung during an Independence Day Celebration of the Sunday School at Boston’s Park Street Church. Dr. Smith was an eminent clergyman, author and editor. He also taught modern languages in the college classroom.
The writing of the song came in a roundabout way. Hymn tune composer Lowell Mason returned from a visit to Germany with a number of German hymnals. Not being able to read the language, and knowing that his friend Samuel Smith could, Mason asked him to look them over and see if there was anything of use in them. In his examination of the books, Smith found a patriotic song using a tune that appealed to him.
Whether or not the tune is of British origin as some suppose, we do not know for sure. But for a long time it has been used for the British national anthem, God Save the Queen [or King]. Francis Smith dashed off some new American words on a scrap of paper with little thought that the song would soon be sung extensively. But it certainly has been.
In the song, after extolling the greatness of America, there’s a prayer that God will preserve the freedom enjoyed by its citizens. Smith said that the fact that the tune was used in both England and America was a “beautiful bond of union between the mother country and her daughter.” In 1887 Dr. Smith visited the Board of Trade in Chicago. While sitting in the gallery, he was pointed out to some of the members. Suddenly the trading on the floor ceased, and all joined in a rousing rendition of his song.
My country, ’tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims’ pride, From every mountainside, Let freedom ring!
Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom’s holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King.
If you can find it on YouTube, take a look at the newsreel clip from Easter Sunday of 1939, when African American singer Marian Anderson made history by singing My Country, ‘Tis of Thee before the Lincoln Memorial.
Considered to have one of the greatest voices of the twentieth century, Marian Anderson, with quiet dignity, broke many barrier’s down. She was the first black performer to sing at the Metropolitan Opera, and she even sang hymns before an audience in the Soviet Union, during a time of severe religious oppression there–though she had been forbidden to do so! Her interpreter refused to translate the words, but the audience knew what she was doing. They stormed to the foot of the stage, pleading for her to sing them more sacred songs!
(2) Today in 1840 – James McGranahan Born
James McGranahan had little formal education, but he showed a special talent for music early on. His gospel music career was launched by a tragedy. After the sudden death of songwriter Philip Bliss and his wife in a train accident (in 1876) their trunk was recovered from the burning wreckage. In it was perhaps the last song Bliss ever wrote, My Redeemer (I Will Sing of My Redeemer). James McGranahan supplied the tune for it.
After that, he became associated with Major Daniel W. Whittle in his evangelistic meetings on both sides of the Atlantic. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and pioneered in using men’s choirs in his meetings. McGranahan supplied the melodies for dozens of gospel songs, occasionally writing the words himself as well (as he did for the missionary hymn Go Ye Into All the World, and for Verily, Verily.)
The words “verily, verily” are found 25 times in John’s Gospel (King James Version), falling from the lips of Jesus. They translate a double amen in Greek and, coming at the beginning of a statement, give it special emphasis. Sometimes the phrase is translated “truly, truly,” or “most assuredly I say to you.” McGranahan’s song takes the Lord’s statement in John 6:47 as the basis for a clear proclamation of the gospel of grace: “Most assuredly [verily, verily], I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (cf. Jn. 3:3; 5:24)
Oh, what a Saviour that He died for me! From condemnation He hath made me free; “He that believeth on the Son,” said He, “Hath everlasting life.”
“Verily, verily, I say unto you; Verily, verily,” message ever new! “He that believeth on the Son” ’tis true! “Hath everlasting life!”
All my iniquities on Him were laid, All my indebtedness by Him was paid; All who believe on Him, the Lord hath said, “Hath everlasting life.”
Mr. McGranahan also provided the tune for Horatius Bonar’s stirring hymn, Hallelujah for the Cross. It perhaps works better as a choral number, but a medium to large-sized congregation can handle it if they are used to parts singing.
The cross, it standeth fast— Hallelujah, hallelujah! Defying every blast— Hallelujah, hallelujah! The winds of hell have blown, The world its hate hath shown, Yet it is not overthrown— Hallelujah for the cross!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah for the cross; Hallelujah, hallelujah, It shall never suffer loss!
’Twas here the debt was paid— Hallelujah, hallelujah! Our sins on Jesus laid— Hallelujah, hallelujah! So round the cross we sing Of Christ, our offering, Of Christ, our living King— Hallelujah for the cross!
(3) Today in 1900 – Joseph Macaulay Born
Born in Ireland, Joseph Cordner Macaulay served on the faculty of Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago. He also pastored a church in Ontario, Canada, and was president of London College of Bible and Missions in that province. Dr. Macaulay wrote a number of books, as well as 25 hymn texts and 20 hymn tunes. In 1957 he authored the text for the hymn We Sing the Boundless Praise in his desire “to maintain the note of praise in modern evangelical hymnody.” The hymn was published in Hymns for the Living Church (Hope Publishing Company, 1974).
We sing the boundless praise of Him who reigns on high, And of His glorious Son, the Lamb who brought salvation nigh. Thine everlasting pow’r and majesty we sing, But with our songs of sov’reign grace we’ll make heav’n’s arches ring.
One time we had a family visit our church. They all seemed to enjoy the service, but afterward the daughter said, “This church sings so much they should provide water bottles in the pews!” We all laughed at that, but the comment stuck with me.
Recently (in another church) we had a Sunday afternoon Hymn Sing. The weather was hot, but we were prepared for that. I told the story of young Natalie’s observation and said, “Guess what. That’s exactly what we are going to do!” With that, a couple of our men came down the aisle with small chilled bottles of water which were distributed to anyone who wanted one. It brought a laugh, but it also served a good purpose.
Perhaps you worship in air conditioned comfort. We do not. A refreshing drink of water was just the thing to add more zest to the singing on that warm afternoon.
