Ithamar Conkey was a bass soloist, and a recognized authority on oratorio singing. He was also a gifted organist. The following interesting incident relates to a tune he contributed to our hymnals. It occurred when Mr. Conkey was organist of Central Baptist Church, in Norwich, Connecticut.
The pastor of the church had prepared a series of messages on “The Words on the Cross”–the seven significant statements Christ made as He hung upon the cross of Calvary. One particular Sunday morning during the series was especially stormy, and Mr. Conkey was upset that all of the choir stayed home, with the exception of one soprano. He was so disturbed by their seeming lack of commitment that, before the service began, he closed the organ and went home!
That afternoon, he sat down at the piano to practice. Knowing that the hymn In the Cross of Christ I Glory had been suggested for next Sunday’s service, the organist composed a new tune for it, which he named Rathbun. Twenty-four-year old Mrs. Rathbun was the leading soprano in the choir, and I suspect she was the one singer who made it to the morning service! Her diligence is now memorialized in the tune most often used for the hymn.
In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story Gathers round its head sublime.
(2) Today in 1925 – Harriet Spaeth Died
Harriet Reynolds Krauth was the daughter of hymn translator Charles Krauth. In 1880 she married Adolph Spaeth, a Lutheran pastor, and later president of the General Council of the Lutheran Church in America. Harriet Spaeth was a soloist, and also played piano and organ. She has provided translations of a number of hymns.
Mrs. Spaeth has given us an English version of Hans Sthen’s Danish hymn, Lord Jesus Christ, My Saviour Blest.
Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour blest, My hope and my Salvation! I trust in Thee; deliver me from misery; Thy Word’s my consolation.
As Thou dost will, lead Thou me still That I may truly serve Thee, My God, I pray, teach me Thy way to my last day In Thy true faith preserve me.
Most heartily I trust in Thee; Thy mercy fails me never. Dear Lord, abide; my helper tried, Thou Crucified, From evil keep me ever.
This hymn, written by Samuel Ecking, was performed by a 250 member choir on this date at the State House in Springfield, Illinois. The body of assassinated president Abraham Lincoln lay in state, and the song was sung just before the casket was closed and taken to the cemetery.
There is a thoughtful message in the words that applies to all our times of distress and sorrow.
Peace, troubled soul, thou need’st not fear; Thy great Provider still is near; Who fed thee last, will feed thee still: Be calm, and sink into His will.
The Lord, who built the earth and sky, In mercy stoops to hear thy cry; His promise all may freely claim; Ask and receive in Jesus’ name.
Without reserve give Christ your heart, Let Him His righteousness impart; Then all things else He’ll freely give; With Him you all things shall receive.
Thus shall the soul be truly blest, That seeks in God His only rest; May I that happy person be, In time and in eternity.
(2) Today in 1887 – Foss Fellers Born
Little is known of gospel musician Foss Luke Fellers. He served as a music teacher at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, around 1910-1924, and he published one of the early books of piano arrangements of hymns. Fellers wrote the tune for the hymn Give Me a Passion for Souls, written by Moody student Herbert Tovey.
Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord, A passion to save the lost; O that Thy love were by all adored, And welcomed at any cost.
Jesus, I long, I long to be winning Men who are lost, and constantly sinning; O may this hour be one of beginning The story of pardon to tell.
(3) More from Fanny Crosby
Older hymn books credit the 1890 gospel song The Saviour with Me to Lizzie Edwards, but this is just one of the more than 200 pen names used by Fanny Crosby. (You can hear the tune played on the Cyber Hymnal.)
A number of times believers are promised the continuing presence of the Lord with them. At the time of His ascension, the Lord Jesus promised His followers, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20; cf. Hab. 13:5). During his imprisonment, and facing execution, the Apostle Paul found it a great comfort that: “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (II Tim. 4:17).
I must have the Saviour with me, For I dare not walk alone, I must feel His presence near me, And His arm around me thrown.
Then my soul shall fear no ill, Let Him lead me where He will, I will go without a murmur, And His footsteps follow still.
I must have the Saviour with me, For my faith, at best, is weak; He can whisper words of comfort, That no other voice can speak.
I must have the Saviour with me, And His eye the way must guide, Till I reach the vale of Jordan, Till I cross the rolling tide.
This hymn, written by Samuel Ecking, was performed by a 250 member choir on this date at the State House in Springfield, Illinois. The body of assassinated president Abraham Lincoln lay in state, and the song was sung just before the casket was closed and taken to the cemetery.
There is a thoughtful message in the words that applies to all our times of distress and sorrow.
Peace, troubled soul, thou need’st not fear; Thy great Provider still is near; Who fed thee last, will feed thee still: Be calm, and sink into His will.
The Lord, who built the earth and sky, In mercy stoops to hear thy cry; His promise all may freely claim; Ask and receive in Jesus’ name.
Without reserve give Christ your heart, Let Him His righteousness impart; Then all things else He’ll freely give; With Him you all things shall receive.
Thus shall the soul be truly blest, That seeks in God His only rest; May I that happy person be, In time and in eternity.
(2) Today in 1887 – Foss Fellers Born
Little is known of gospel musician Foss Luke Fellers. He served as a music teacher at Moody Bible Institute, in Chicago, around 1910-1924, and he published one of the early books of piano arrangements of hymns. Fellers wrote the tune for the hymn Give Me a Passion for Souls, written by Moody student Herbert Tovey.
Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord, A passion to save the lost; O that Thy love were by all adored, And welcomed at any cost.
Jesus, I long, I long to be winning Men who are lost, and constantly sinning; O may this hour be one of beginning The story of pardon to tell.
(3) More from Fanny Crosby
Older hymn books credit the 1890 gospel song The Saviour with Me to Lizzie Edwards, but this is just one of the more than 200 pen names used by Fanny Crosby.
A number of times believers are promised the continuing presence of the Lord with them. At the time of His ascension, the Lord Jesus promised His followers, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20; cf. Hab. 13:5). During his imprisonment, and facing execution, the Apostle Paul found it a great comfort that: “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (II Tim. 4:17).
I must have the Saviour with me, For I dare not walk alone, I must feel His presence near me, And His arm around me thrown.
Then my soul shall fear no ill, Let Him lead me where He will, I will go without a murmur, And His footsteps follow still.
I must have the Saviour with me, For my faith, at best, is weak; He can whisper words of comfort, That no other voice can speak.
I must have the Saviour with me, And His eye the way must guide, Till I reach the vale of Jordan, Till I cross the rolling tide.
Adolphe Charles Adam was a classically trained French musician, who lived in Paris. He wrote over 50 operas and the music for 12 ballets. We know him in hymnody for one contribution only. He gave us the music for the French carol Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night). For the author of the words, see the second item under Today in 1564.
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
The original French version was recorded in 1916 by the great Enrico Caruso. He avoids the temptation of tenor histrionics and sings with simplicity and tender feeling. In French, the song begins:
Minuit, chrétiens, cest l’heure solennelle Où l’Homme Dieu descendit jusquà nous Pour effacer la tache originelle Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux. Le monde entier tressaille despérance En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur. Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance! Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur! Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur!
(2) Today in 1878 – William Whiting Died
William Whiting was chorus master at Winchester College in England for over 35 years. He wrote volumes of poetry, and a number of hymns. But only Eternal Father, Strong to Save remains in common use. He is said to have written the song as a prayer for a friend leaving for America. It became the official hymn of the British Navy, and was later was adopted by the United States as their “Navy Hymn.” It was the favourite of Franklin Roosevelt, and was used at his funeral–as it was at the funeral of another U.S. Navy president, John F. Kennedy.
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!
(3) Maria Straub (Data Missing)
Maria Straub was born in Indiana in 1838, and she died in 1898. Other details about her life are hard to come by. We know she wrote some temperance songs, such as For Mother’s Sake I Will Refrain. But though she wrote over 200 hymns as well, only one remains in use, the children’s hymn from 1878, God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall. The music for the song was composed by Solomon Straub, Maria’s brother, a prominent musician in his own right.
The song is a simple expression of childlike confidence in God, based on the reassuring words of the Lord Jesus:
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows (Matt. 10:29-31; and see Matt. 6:25-30).
God sees the little sparrow fall, It meets His tender view; If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me, too.
He loves me, too, He loves me, too, I know He loves me, too; Because He loves the little things, I know He loves me, too.
He paints the lily of the field, Perfumes each lily bell; If He so loves the little flow’rs, I know He loves me well.
God made the little birds and flow’rs, And all things large and small; He’ll not forget his little ones, I know He loves them all.
Adolphe Charles Adam was a classically trained French musician, who lived in Paris. He wrote over 50 operas and the music for 12 ballets. We know him in hymnody for one contribution only. He gave us the music for the French carol Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night).
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth!
The original French version was recorded in 1916 by the great Enrico Caruso. He avoids the temptation of tenor histrionics and sings with simplicity and tender feeling. In French, the song begins:
Minuit, chrétiens, cest l’heure solennelle Où l’Homme Dieu descendit jusquà nous Pour effacer la tache originelle Et de Son Père arrêter le courroux. Le monde entier tressaille despérance En cette nuit qui lui donne un Sauveur. Peuple à genoux, attends ta délivrance! Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur! Noël! Noël! Voici le Rédempteur!
(2) Today in 1878 – William Whiting Died
William Whiting was chorus master at Winchester College in England for over 35 years. He wrote volumes of poetry, and a number of hymns. But only Eternal Father, Strong to Save remains in common use. He is said to have written the song as a prayer for a friend leaving for America. It became the official hymn of the British Navy, and was later was adopted by the United States as their “Navy Hymn.” It was the favourite of Franklin Roosevelt, and was used at his funeral–as it was at the funeral of another U.S. Navy president, John F. Kennedy.
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!
(3) Maria Straub (Data Missing)
Maria Straub was born in Indiana in 1838, and she died in 1898. Other details about her life are hard to come by. We know she wrote some temperance songs, such as For Mother’s Sake I Will Refrain. But though she wrote over 200 hymns as well, only one remains in use, the children’s hymn from 1878, God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall. The music for the song was composed by Solomon Straub, Maria’s brother, a prominent musician in his own right.
The song is a simple expression of childlike confidence in God, based on the reassuring words of the Lord Jesus:
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
(Matt. 10:29-31; and see Matt. 6:25-30)
God sees the little sparrow fall, It meets His tender view; If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me, too.
He loves me, too, He loves me, too, I know He loves me, too; Because He loves the little things, I know He loves me, too.
He paints the lily of the field, Perfumes each lily bell; If He so loves the little flow’rs, I know He loves me well.
God made the little birds and flow’rs, And all things large and small; He’ll not forget his little ones, I know He loves them all.
A cousin of hymn writer William Cowper, Martin Madan, early on, lived a wild and reckless life. Then he began a career in law, but after being converted through the preaching of John Wesley he turned his back on a legal profession and became an Anglican clergyman. Madan served as chaplain at Lock Hospital, an institution said to be “for the restoration of unhappy females [i.e. prostitutes].”
Greatly upset by the problems of the patients, he wrote a book about the evils of prostitution called, Thelyphthora or a Treatise on Female Ruin, Its Causes and Effects, Consequences, Prevention and Remedy, Considered on the Basis of Divine Law. But he unleashed a storm of criticism by advocating, at one point, in this document that polygamy might be a cure for prostitution! Madan was forced to resign his position because of his strange views, and retire to private life.
As to his connection to English hymnody, he originated few hymns himself, but added stanzas of his own to the work of others, including Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus, and Lo He Comes With Clouds. His 1760 book A Collection of Psalms and Hymns Extracted from Various Authors was a significant contribution to hymn singing in its day.
(2) Today in 1851 – George Clephane Died
George Clephane was not a hymn writer, but he inspired the writing of a notable gospel song. In Scotland, where he was born, George fell in with bad company and began drinking. His father felt the young man might be able to start a new life in Canada, and George went to live in the town of Fergus, Ontario (near where I was born).
The family hoped and prayed for the best, but George took his thirst for liquor with him, and had similar problems here. He was found one morning in a ditch, after a night of revelry. He died soon after, at the age of 32. The plaque pictured is found in the Fergus church in whose cemetery he is buried.
Back in Scotland, his sister Elizabeth thought of her wayward brother as the lost sheep in Jesus’ parable (Lk. 15:3-7), and held out the hope that he had repented and turned to Christ before the end. It was her loving concern for him that prompted her to write The Ninety and Nine. (Miss Clephane also wrote Beneath the Cross of Jesus. To learn the remarkable story behind the writing of the tune for The Ninety and Nine, see Today in 1899.)
There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold. But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare. Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine Has wandered away from Me; And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.”
(3) Today in 1901 – Carl Backstrom Born
Carl Ernest Backstrom came with his family to America in 1907. He worked in a bank for a number of years, then took theological training and became a pastor. He served Mission Covenant congregations in Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio. He became a Presbyterian in 1948.
Pastor Backstrom gave us the English translation of August Storm’s Swedish gospel song Thanks to God.
Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide! Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall! Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!
A cousin of hymn writer William Cowper, Martin Madan, early on, lived a wild and reckless life. Then he began a career in law, but after being converted through the preaching of John Wesley he turned his back on a legal profession and became an Anglican clergyman. Madan served as chaplain at Lock Hospital, an institution said to be “for the restoration of unhappy females [i.e. prostitutes].”
Greatly upset by the problems of the patients, he wrote a book about the evils of prostitution called, Thelyphthora or a Treatise on Female Ruin, Its Causes and Effects, Consequences, Prevention and Remedy, Considered on the Basis of Divine Law. But he unleashed a storm of criticism by advocating, at one point, in this document that polygamy might be a cure for prostitution! Madan was forced to resign his position because of his strange views, and retire to private life.
As to his connection to English hymnody, he originated few hymns himself, but added stanzas of his own to the work of others, including Hail Thou Once Despised Jesus, and Lo He Comes With Clouds. His 1760 book A Collection of Psalms and Hymns Extracted from Various Authors was a significant contribution to hymn singing in its day.
(2) Today in 1851 – George Clephane Died
George Clephane was not a hymn writer, but he inspired the writing of a notable gospel song. In Scotland, where he was born, George fell in with bad company and began drinking. His father felt the young man might be able to start a new life in Canada, and George went to live in the town of Fergus, Ontario (near where I was born).
The family hoped and prayed for the best, but George took his thirst for liquor with him, and had similar problems here. He was found one morning in a ditch, after a night of revelry. He died soon after, at the age of 32. The plaque pictured is found in the Fergus church in whose cemetery he is buried.
Back in Scotland, his sister Elizabeth thought of her wayward brother as the lost sheep in Jesus’ parable (Lk. 15:3-7), and held out the hope that he had repented and turned to Christ before the end. It was her loving concern for him that prompted her to write The Ninety and Nine. (Miss Clephane also wrote Beneath the Cross of Jesus.
There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold. But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare. Away from the tender Shepherd’s care. Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
“Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?” But the Shepherd made answer: “This of Mine Has wandered away from Me; And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.”
(3) Today in 1901 – Carl Backstrom Born
Carl Ernest Backstrom came with his family to America in 1907. He worked in a bank for a number of years, then took theological training and became a pastor. He served Mission Covenant congregations in Nebraska, Iowa and Ohio. He became a Presbyterian in 1948.
Pastor Backstrom gave us the English translation of August Storm’s Swedish gospel song Thanks to God.
Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide! Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall! Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!
Though he was born over 300 years ago, the hymns of Joseph Addison can stir us still. He is considered the greatest English writer of his time, and his stature is undiminished today. He was instrumental in establishing a daily newspaper called The Spectator. Its stated purpose was to “bring philosophy out of the closets and libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in the clubs and assemblies; at tea tables, and in coffee houses.”
Many hymn books include one or two of Addison’s hymns. When All Thy Mercies praises the Lord for his ongoing care from the author’s conception in the womb, and on into eternity, covering each stage of life in between.
Joseph Addison’s hymn The Spacious Firmament is an eloquent commentary on the beginning of Psalm 19. He was affirming “intelligent design” long before that became a popular phrase.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. (Ps. 19:1-3)
The hymn concludes:
What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound Amid the radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice, Forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.”
Less well known is Joseph Addison’s hymn praising God for His protection. It was written in recollection of a terrible storm Addison experienced in the Mediterranean, and printed in The Spectator on September 20th, 1712. How Are Thy Servants Blessed, O Lord has also been called The Traveler’s Hymn.
How are Thy servants blest, O Lord! How sure is their defense! Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help Omnipotence.
When by the dreadful tempest borne High on the broken wave, They know Thou art not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save.
The storm is laid, the winds retire, Obedient to Thy will, The sea, that roars at Thy command, At Thy command is still.
From all our griefs and fears, O Lord, Thy mercy sets us free; While in the confidence of prayer Our hearts take hold on Thee.
(2) Today in 1887 – Joseph Tritton Died
Englishman Joseph Tritton was a Christian layman, and a partner for over 40 years in the banking house of Barclay, Bevan, Tritton and Company. He also served as the treasurer of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society for many years. Mr. Tritton wrote a number of hymns, among them Behold He Comes, about the return of Christ in triumph.
Behold He comes! the glorious King Whom once a cross upbore; Let saints redeemed His praises sing, And angels hosts adore.
The reed, the purple, and the thorn, Are lost in triumph now; His person robes of light adorn, And crowns of gold His brow.
Dear Lord, no more despised, disowned, A victim bound and slain; But in the power of God enthroned, Thou dost return to reign.
Though he was born over 300 years ago, the hymns of Joseph Addison can stir us still. He is considered the greatest English writer of his time, and his stature is undiminished today. He was instrumental in establishing a daily newspaper called The Spectator. Its stated purpose was to “bring philosophy out of the closets and libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in the clubs and assemblies; at tea tables, and in coffee houses.”
Many hymn books include one or two of Addison’s hymns. When All Thy Mercies praises the Lord for his ongoing care from the author’s conception in the womb, and on into eternity, covering each stage of life in between.
Joseph Addison’s hymn The Spacious Firmament is an eloquent commentary on the beginning of Psalm 19. He was affirming “intelligent design” long before that became a popular phrase.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
Ps. 19:1-3
The hymn concludes:
What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound Amid the radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice, Forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.”
Less well known is Joseph Addison’s hymn praising God for His protection. It was written in recollection of a terrible storm Addison experienced in the Mediterranean, and printed in The Spectator on September 20th, 1712. How Are Thy Servants Blessed, O Lord has also been called The Traveler’s Hymn.
How are Thy servants blest, O Lord! How sure is their defense! Eternal wisdom is their guide, Their help Omnipotence.
When by the dreadful tempest borne High on the broken wave, They know Thou art not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save.
The storm is laid, the winds retire, Obedient to Thy will, The sea, that roars at Thy command, At Thy command is still.
From all our griefs and fears, O Lord, Thy mercy sets us free; While in the confidence of prayer Our hearts take hold on Thee.
(2) Today in 1887 – Joseph Tritton Died
Englishman Joseph Tritton was a Christian layman, and a partner for over 40 years in the banking house of Barclay, Bevan, Tritton and Company. He also served as the treasurer of the Baptist Foreign Missionary Society for many years. Mr. Tritton wrote a number of hymns, among them Behold He Comes, about the return of Christ in triumph.
Behold He comes! the glorious King Whom once a cross upbore; Let saints redeemed His praises sing, And angels hosts adore.
The reed, the purple, and the thorn, Are lost in triumph now; His person robes of light adorn, And crowns of gold His brow.
Dear Lord, no more despised, disowned, A victim bound and slain; But in the power of God enthroned, Thou dost return to reign.
James Montgomery was born in Scotland. He was the son of Moravian missionaries to the West Indies, where both husband and wife died. Young Montgomery seemed to drift in his early years. He attended a Moravian school, but the brethren were dissatisfied with his progress. They apprenticed him to a baker, but he ran away. Montgomery then secured a position in a ship’s chandler’s shop (a dealer in candles, soap, oils and paints). He left that job behind too. He tried to find a publisher in London for some poems he had written, but failed. Then he went to Sheffield and began work at The Sheffield Register (a newspaper). Eventually, he became editor of the paper and worked there for 31 years.
James Montgomery contributed many fine hymns to our traditional hymnody. Angels from the Realms of Glory is considered his best, but he also wrote Stand Up and Bless the Lord, Go to Dark Gethsemane, and We Bid Thee Welcome.
Go to dark Gethsemane, ye that feel the tempter’s power; Your Redeemer’s conflict see, watch with Him one bitter hour, Turn not from His griefs away; learn of Jesus Christ to pray.
See Him at the judgment hall, beaten, bound, reviled, arraigned; O the wormwood and the gall! O the pangs His soul sustained! Shun not suffering, shame, or loss; learn of Christ to bear the cross.
We Bid Thee Welcome is an unusual hymn. It is a challenge and petition from a congregation, addressed to their pastor. (It works very well at an induction service for a new pastor.)
We bid thee welcome in the name Of Jesus, our exalted Head. Come as a servant, so He came, And we receive thee in His stead.
Come as a shepherd—guard and keep This fold from hell and world and sin; Nourish the lambs and feed the sheep; The wounded heal, the lost bring in.
Come as a teacher—sent from God, Charged His whole counsel to declare. Lift o’er our ranks the prophet’s rod While we uphold thy hands with prayer.
(2) Today in 1868 – Safe in the Arms of Jesus written
The author of the words of this song is Frances van Alstyne. We know her better as Fanny Crosby, but ten years before she had married a musician named Alexander van Alstyne. Amazingly, both of them were blind. It is estimated that Fanny Crosby wrote close to 9,000 hymns. The exact total may never be known, because she used a bewildering assortment of pen names. Dozens of them. For instance, if you see hymns by Carrie Bell, or Louise W. Tilden, or Leah Carleton, or Edna Forest, you are looking at the work of Fanny Crosby!
On April 30th, 1868, composer William Doane (no relation to George Washington 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?” And seating himself at the little pump organ he played it. At once she exclaimed, “Why that tune says ‘Safe in the Arms of Jesus.’ I will see what I can do.” Fanny started to work, continuing for a few minutes. “At the end of that time,” she says, “I recited the words. Mr. Doane copied them. And had time to catch his train!”
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.
Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me; Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be. Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over; Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.
(3) Today in 1946 – John Thomas Died
John Edmond Thomas was raised on farms in Texas and Arkansas. When his father died in 1875, being the eldest son, he took over the role of supporting the family. He also began music training and eventually entered a career in music in 1890. He helped to found the Trio Music Company, and went on to establish the Quartet Music Company. Thomas was a teacher, composer, music compiler and publisher for over 40 years. One gospel song for which he wrote both words and music is We Shall Rise. It became a popular male quartet piece.
In the resurrection morning, When the trump of God shall sound, We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise! Then the saints will come rejoicing And no tears will e’er be found, We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise.
We shall rise, Hallelujah! We shall rise! Amen! In the resurrection morning, When death’s prison bars are broken, We shall rise, Hallelujah! We shall rise.
In the resurrection morning, We shall meet Him in the air, We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise! And be carried up to glory, To our home so bright and fair, We shall rise, Hallelujah! we shall rise!
Here is a massed men’s choir of a hundred or so voices singing this gospel song. The presentation is a bit ragged in spots, but I’m assuming they had little time to rehearse. (On a personal note, I attended a conference in this church, some years ago.)
