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Today in 1902 – William Cushing Died

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William Orcutt Cushing was, for a couple of decades, a successful pastor. A kindly man, he once gave a thousand dollars (all he had, and a huge sum in those days) to a blind girl, so she could get an education. But after the death of his wife in 1870 (when he was 47 years old), his health began to fail and he retired from active pastoral ministry.

By the grace of God, a new kind of ministry opened up, leading to the blessing of countless lives Mr. Cushing could never have touched in person. He turned his attention to writing hymns, and during the latter part of the nineteenth century he wrote over 300 of them. Quite a number are still found in our hymnals. Among them:

Follow On (I Would Follow Jesus)
Hiding in Thee
Ring the Bells of Heaven
There’ll Be No Dark Valley
Under His Wings
When He Cometh (also called Jewels)

dark valley

There’ll Be No Dark Valley was written mostly, words and music, by Ira Sankey, from an idea supplied by Cushing. Of this song, someone wrote to Mr. Sankey:

I want to thank you in particular for this song, because it presents death to us in such a glorious way. The old Welsh people used to speak and sing of death as something very fearful–a dark river, great waves, and so on. And I remember my dear mother singing all the Welsh hymns referring to death, until I shuddered. But, praise the Lord, I know now that it is different. Your little song has confirmed this belief in me not only, but in many, many more souls.

There is a recording of Ira Sankey available, which he made in his old age, over a century ago. Click here if you would like to hear short clips from various hymns, including There’ll Be No Dark Valley, sung by the man himself. (This is a CD worth owning, at least for historical reasons!)

There’ll be no dark valley when Jesus comes,
There’ll be no dark valley when Jesus comes;
There’ll be no dark valley when Jesus comes
To gather His loved ones home.

There’ll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes,
There’ll be no more sorrow when Jesus comes;
But a glorious morrow when Jesus comes
To gather His loved ones home.

There’ll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes,
There’ll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes;
And a joyful meeting when Jesus comes
To gather His loved ones home.

(2) More from Charles Wesley

With his more than 6,000 hymns, Charles Wesley was the preeminent hymn-writer of the eighteenth century–and surely among the greatest of all time. His brother John said, in connection with Charles’s hymns (and this can surely be said of the finest of all our hymnody):

That which is of infinitely more moment than the spirit of poetry is the spirit of piety….[But] when poetry thus keeps its place as the handmaid of piety, it shall attain, not a perishable wreath, but a crown that fadeth not away.

Here are a couple of Charles Wesley’s lesser known songs: Lo, God Is Here, and Jesus, Thou Sovereign Lord of All.

Lo! God is here! Let us adore,
And own how dreadful is this place!
Let all within us feel His power,
And silent bow before His face;
Who know His power, His grace who prove,
Serve Him with awe, with reverence love.

Lo! God is here! Him day and night
The united choirs of angels sing;
To Him, enthroned above all height,
Heav’n’s host their noblest praises bring;
Disdain not, Lord, our meaner song,
Who praise Thee with a stammering tongue.

(Note: “Dreadful,” in the first stanza, is a word that is used differently today. Wesley meant it to describe that which fills us with dread, or holy awe.)

Jesus, Thou sovereign Lord of all,
The same through one eternal day,
Attend Thy feeblest followers’ call,
And O instruct us how to pray!
Pour out the supplicating grace,
And stir us up to seek Thy face.

We cannot think a gracious thought,
We cannot feel a good desire,
Till Thou, who call’dst the world from naught,
The power into our hearts inspire;
And then we in the Spirit groan,
And then we give Thee back Thine own.

Today in 1868 – Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling written

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On this date, Daniel March, a Congregational pastor, was scheduled to preach at a meeting of the Christian Association of Philadelphia. He had a great interest in the work of world missions, and his text that day was Isa. 6:8, “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: ‘Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I! Send me.’”

When Rev. March couldn’t find a hymn to suit the theme of his message, he wrote one. Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling not only issues a summons to evangelize the lost in other lands. It emphasizes that there is something each of us can do, wherever we are. One stanza says,

Let none hear you idly saying,
“There is nothing I can do.”
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you;
Gladly take the task He gives;
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calleth,
“Here am I; send me, send me.”

(2) Today in 1918 – Charles Converse Died

American composer Charles Crozat Converse received his musical training at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he became friends with classical composer Franz Liszt. Returning to the United States, he studied law and set up a successful practice in Erie, Pennsylvania. He wrote many hymn tunes for William Bradbury and Ira Sankey, sometimes using the pen name Karl Reden.

Converse is known in our hymnody today as the composer of a tune he called Erie, for Joseph Scriven’s beloved What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

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

(3) More from Frances Havergal

There is no question Frances Ridley Havergal ranks among the best devotional hymn writers of the nineteenth century. Here are a couple more songs from her pen.

In 1858, when she was twenty-two, Frances went to visit relatives in Germany. One day, she came in from an excursion, weak and weary. She seated herself in the parlor to rest and, looking up, observed a large painting of Christ.

In the picture, Jesus is stripped to the waist, bound, and crowned with thorns. Pilate, is in the act gesturing toward him, calling to the boisterous crowd below, “Ecce homo!” (Behold, the Man!) Beneath the painting Miss Havergal read these words: “This have I done for thee; what hast thou done for Me?” The penetrating question stirred her heart, moving her to tears. She found a scrap of paper and a pencil, and quickly created a poem on the theme.

On her return to England, Frances Havergal re-read the words she had written. Thinking they were not worth keeping, she threw them into the fire. However, a sudden downdraft blew the scorched paper out into the room again. It was later found by her father, who read the lines and urged her to have them published. In the providence of God, that gave us our hymn, I Gave My Life for Thee.

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and quickened up from the dead
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne
I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?

Not as familiar as her Lord Speak to Me (published a few years later), Frances Havergal’s Master, Speak, Thy Servant Heareth is definitely worthy of our attention. She wrote it while staying at a seaside resort on the English Channel, one Sunday evening in 1867.

Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;
Master! let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
What hast Thou to say to me?

Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me;
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock,
In the shadow of the rock.

Master, speak! Though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart;
Master, speak! For O, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need:
Speak! and make me blest indeed.

Master, speak! and make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
Master, speak! O, speak to me!

Today in 1792 – John Bowring Born

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Hymn historian Robert McCutchan describes Bowring as a “philanthropist, publicist, biographer, statesman, historian, financier, naturalist, poet, great linguist, and one of the most brilliant men of his time.” He could understand Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Dutch, before he was 16 years old, and eventually mastered a hundred languages! He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1854.

Sir John Bowring produced a couple of volumes of hymns, and we have two or three in common use from him: God Is Love, His Mercy Brightens, and In the Cross of Christ I Glory, as well as the carol, Watchman, Tell Us of the Night. His tombstone is inscribed with the words, “In the cross of Christ I glory.” In one of his books of hymns he wrote in the Preface:

path and trees

Should any fragment of this little book, remembered and dwelt upon in moments of gloom and anxiety, tend to restore peace, to awaken fortitude, to create, to renew, or to strengthen confidence in heaven, I shall have obtained the boon for which I pray–the end to which I aspire.

The Bible, a number of times, emphasizes what the theologians call the immutable nature of God. And in the hymn, God Is Love, His Mercy Brightens, John Bowring contrasts the uncertainties of life with the unchangeableness of God.

It’s not that the Lord hasn’t done different things down through history. The Son of God stepped into time at His incarnation, died on a cross and rose again. Those are historical events, not to be repeated. Romans tells us that “Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more” (Rom. 6:9). But that has to do with the Lord’s actions, not with His Being. As to Himself, His basic nature and character, the Almighty declares, “I am the Lord, I do not change” (Mal. 3:6).

God is love; His mercy brightens
All the path in which we rove;
Bliss He wakes, and woe He lightens:
God is wisdom, God is love.

Chance and change are busy ever;
Man decays and ages move;
But His mercy waneth never:
God is wisdom, God is love.

E’en the hour that darkest seemeth
Will His changeless goodness prove;
From the mist His brightness streameth:
God is wisdom, God is love.

 

(2) More from Philip Bliss

Philip Bill produced some wonderful songs during his short life. (For more about him see Today in 1838.) Mr. Bliss wrote the rousing gospel song Dare to Be a Daniel for his Sunday School class at the First Congregational Church, in Chicago. Daniel is the kind of hero young people need. Taken from his home and family, when in his teens, he became a slave in a far away heathen land. But he stood by his spiritual principles, and was faithful to God in all things. Daniel and his like form a “band” of witnesses to the power of God.

Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honour them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!

Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.

Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.

Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.

Dare to Be A Daniel (YouTube)

Hallelujah, ‘Tis Done is a reminder that God’s salvation is not based on a “do” (human effort), but on an already “done” (the work of Christ in the cross). Simple faith in Christ, apart from any human works, is all that’s required of us. The gospel song is repetitive, but it is certainly a truth that bears repeating. And there’s a touching story about the hymn on the Cyber Hymnal.

’Tis the promise of God, full salvation to give
Unto him who on Jesus, His Son, will believe.

Hallelujah, ’tis done! I believe on the Son;
I am saved by the blood of the crucified One;
Hallelujah, ’tis done! I believe on the Son;
I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.

Though the pathway be lonely, and dangerous, too,
Surely Jesus is able to carry me through.

There’s a part in that chorus for you and for me,
And the theme of our praises forever will be:

Today in 1888 – Horatio Spafford Died

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Graphic Chicago Water Works

Some years ago, I walked the streets of Chicago, looking for remnants of times gone by. Few remain. The reason is that a great fire swept through the city back in 1871, incinerating hundreds of wooden structures on street after street. Only the stone edifice of the city’s water works (seen here in a picture I took) still stands from before that time. Everything else had to be rebuilt.

For one man, that city-wide blaze proved to be just one in a painful series of tragedies. As a Christian layman, Horatio Gates Spafford was a strong supporter of the work of evangelist Dwight L. Moody. He was also a successful lawyer and, in addition to his legal practice, Spafford owned considerable real estate in the city of Chicago. With the fire, his property was taken from him. And that financial setback came on the heels of the death of his only son. But the man’s faith in God remained strong.

Graphic Spafford Telegram

Some time later, when Moody and Sankey announced their intention of holding evangelistic meetings in Britain, Mr. Spafford offered to go along to help. He proposed to take his wife and four daughters as well. It seemed a good opportunity to get them out of the devastated city for awhile. But as things turned out, the lawyer was detained on urgent business. So he sent his wife and daughters on ahead, saying he would join them later. It was not to be. Their ship collided with another in mid-Atlantic, sinking in only twelve minutes. Spafford’s daughters, Tanetta, Maggie, Annie, and Bessie were among the 226 who drowned. Only his wife was rescued. From Cardiff, Wales, she wired her husband, “Saved alone. What shall I do?”

Setting out to join his grieving partner, Spafford stood hour after hour on the rolling deck of the ship, thinking of the precious family God had given them, and then taken again. Many would have spurned such a God. But like Job, long ago, the sorrowing father had learned that God Himself is enough. He is the believer’s present hope and future joy. With Job, Mr. Spafford could say, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). And out of his weeping heart there arose a hymn that has blessed the people of God for well over a hundred years.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

This is Mr. Spafford’s only hymn. And before we leave it, I would like to record two stanzas that are rarely printed in today’s hymn books. In the original version, before the triumphant final stanza, come these two:

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Here is a fine choral arrangement of the hymn, along with some interesting pictures of the whole Spafford family. (The choir belongs to a “smallish” Baptist church in Georgia.)

(2) More from Fanny Crosby

In 1882 Fanny Crosby published a fine gospel song called A Few More Marchings Weary, about the anticipation of heaven. The tune was composed by William H. Doane.

A few more marchings weary, then we’ll gather home!
A few more storm clouds dreary, then we’ll gather home!
A few more days the cross to bear,
And then with Christ a crown to wear;
A few more marchings weary, then we’ll gather home!

O’er time’s rapid river,
Soon we’ll rest forever;
No more marchings weary
When we gather home!

A few more nights of weeping, then we’ll gather home!
A few more watches keeping, then we’ll gather home!
A few more vict’ries over sin,
A few more sheaves to gather in,
A few more marchings weary, then we’ll gather home!

A few more sweet links broken, then we’ll gather home!
A few more kind words spoken, then we’ll gather home!
A few more partings on the strand,
And then away to Canaan’s land:
A few more marchings weary, then we’ll gather home!

Then there is her lovely hymn of worship, Blessed Redeemer (not to be confused with the song of the same name by Avis Christiansen). In this case, Ira Sankey provided the melody. It’s a song that deserves to be reprinted and used today. You can hear it on the Cyber Hymnal.

Blessèd Redeemer, full of compassion,
Great is Thy mercy, boundless and free;
Now in my weakness, seeking Thy favour,
Lord, I am coming closer to Thee.

Blessèd Redeemer, wonderful Saviour,
Fountain of wisdom, Ancient of Days,
Hope of the faithful, Light of all ages,
Jesus my Saviour, Thee will I praise.

Blessèd Redeemer, Thou art my Refuge,
Under Thy watch-care, safe I shall be;
Gladly adoring, joyfully trusting,
Still I am coming closer to Thee.

Blessèd Redeemer, gracious and tender,
Now and forever dwell Thou in me;
Thou, my Protector, Shield and Defender,
Draw me and keep me closer to Thee.

Today in 1838 – Gerard Cobb Born

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Gerard Francis Cobb, an English musician, was a spiritually minded man. At one point he considered entering pastoral ministry, but chose instead a musical career. He worked in the music program at Cambridge University, and wrote a number of hymns and anthems.

Mr. Cobb wrote a tune (called Cobb) for the hymn Zion to Thy Saviour Singing. This is a translation of Lauda Sion Salvatorem, written by Thomas Aquinas around 1260. It is one of the relatively few English hymns whose titles begin with the letter “Z.” However, it would be more accurate biblically to change the word “Zion” to “Christian,” as many have done with the hymn O Zion Haste.

Zion, to thy Saviour singing,
To thy Prince and Shepherd bringing,
Sweetest hymns of love and praise,
Thou wilt never reach the measure
Of His worth, by all the treasure
Of thy most ecstatic lays.

Fill thy lips to overflowing
With sweet praise, His mercy showing
Who this heav’nly table spread:
On this day so glad and holy,
To each longing spirit lowly
Giveth He the living Bread.

Here the King hath spread His table,
Whereon eyes of faith are able
Christ our Passover to trace:
Shadows of the law are going,
Light and life and truth inflowing,
Night to day is giving place.

O Good Shepherd, Bread life giving,
Us, Thy grace and life receiving,
Feed and shelter evermore;
Thou on earth our weakness guiding,
We in heav’n with Thee abiding,
With all saints will Thee adore.

(2) Today in 1864 – Onward Christian Soldiers published

Sabine Baring-Gould was an English clergyman and author in the nineteenth century. The many books he wrote cover an astonishing range of subjects–religion and theology, travel, folklore and mythology, history, fiction, and collected sermons. In addition, he edited a quarterly publication on ecclesiastical art and literature. He is also recognized in Grove’s Dictionary for his work in collecting English folk songs. Baring-Gould is described by contemporary James Moffatt as “a man of extraordinary range of interests, and of inexhaustible versatility and industry.” He lived to the age of 90.

Sabine Baring-Gould is known in hymnody mainly for two hymns still in common use: Now the Day Is Over, and Onward, Christian Soldiers. Concerning the latter, there is an interesting footnote. The author’s third stanza says:

We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

But Baring-Gould was well aware of the many divisions in the church. At the time, he was writing the song for the children in his own little congregation–a group which may well have enjoyed harmonious fellowship. But in the greater body of Christ that’s not always the case.

The author later revised the stanza to read: “Though divisions harass, all one body we.” His edited version never caught on, and perhaps it is just as well. His original words give us something to aim for. God’s Word says we are to “endeavour…to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). In that spirit, let us go onward for Christ.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

The following rendition is a little too fast for congregational singing (or for soldiers marching), but otherwise fine.

Today in 1814 – The Star-Spangled Banner written

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While assisting in negotiations for the release of a prisoner in the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key overheard the British plan to attack and capture the port at Baltimore. Out of fear that he would warn the Americans, Key was detained until the attack took place. Sixteen ships were sent to bombard Fort McHenry which guarded the port. For 25 hours, by day and on through the night, the shelling continued. Key watched it all apprehensively from the deck of a British vessel but, with the sunrise, came the dawn of hope. Through the mist and smoke of exploding shells, Francis Scott Key saw the huge 42-foot American flag flying over Fort McHenry and knew the attack had failed.

Still on board ship, Key wrote a poem entitled “Defence of Fort McHenry.” It is that poem that was later adapted to become a popular national song, The Star-Spangled Banner–though its official recognition as the National Anthem of the United States of America did not come until 1931. Less known is the last stanza, a strong spiritual aspiration which says:

Oh! thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust.”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Harry Ironside

(2) Today in 1876 – Harry Ironside Born

Renowned Bible teacher Henry Allan Ironside, born in Toronto, authored 60 books, and served as pastor of Moody Church for 18 years. Affectionately dubbed the Archbishop of Fundamentalism, he was the best-known Christian leader of his era, other than Billy Sunday (whose funeral sermon he preached). Harry Ironside’s commentaries on Bible books are still purchased and studied more than half a century after his death. Their simplicity and warmth of feeling make them a valuable addition to any library.

We do not normally think of Dr. Ironside as a hymn writer, but he did give us one. It is perhaps more of a solo number than a congregational hymn, but its message is strong and compelling, and the story of how it came to be is rather unusual.

Gospel musician George Schuler was sitting at the piano one day, playing nothing in particular, just a random series of notes and chords. His mind rambled over the varied experiences of his life, and how the Lord had protected and blessed him. After a while, a distinct melody seemed to take shape under his talented fingers. The notes seemed to say to him, “I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,” but he could make little more of them.

Finally, the thought came, “Why not call Dr. Ironside, and ask him to write some words to fit the tune?” His phone call found the Bible teacher at work in his study.  Ironside protested that he was not a poet, but said he would do his best. Schuler expected a result in a few days, but actually a whole year went by. Then, as Mr. Schuler was going over some of his unpublished compositions, he came across the melody once again. Certain that the song lyrics were completed long ago, and that Ironside had simply forgotten to tell him, he phoned again.

Harry Ironside was out, but his secretary took the message that George Schuler would drop by the next day to pick up the song. When Ironside heard that, he was stunned. He’d totally forgotten the commission! Digging in a pile of papers he found the manuscript, sat down at his desk, and in less than half an hour he completed the song Overshadowed.

How desolate my life would be,
How dark and drear my nights and days,
If Jesus’ face I did not see
To brighten all earth’s weary ways.

I’m overshadowed by His mighty love,
Love eternal, changeless, pure,
Overshadowed by His mighty love,
Rest is mine, serene, secure;
He died to ransom me from sin,
He lives to keep me day by day.
I’m overshadowed by His might love,
Love that brightens all my way.

Now judgment fears no more alarm,
I dread not death, nor Satan’s pow’r;
The world for me has lost its charm,
God’s grace sustains me ev’ry hour.

Today in 1834 – In the Hour of Trial written

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James Montgomery wrote this hymn with Luke 22:31-32 in mind, and the words of Jesus to Peter: “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” the song begins:

In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me,
Lest by base denial I depart from Thee.
When Thou seest me waver, with a look recall,
Nor for fear or favor suffer me to fall.

Should Thy mercy send me sorrow, toil, and woe;
Or should pain attend me on my path below;
Grant that I may never fail Thy hand to see;
Grant that I may ever cast my care on Thee.

We know that the Lord Jesus prayed much while on earth. The Gospels show us that. But does He pray for us now? Even James Montgomery seems to have been uncertain about that. A year later, he rewrote the opening line as: “In the hour of trial, / Jesus, stand by me.” The Holy Spirit prays for us (Rom. 8:26-27). But Christ’s advocacy with the Father on our behalf seems more related to the eternal effectiveness of His payment for our sins (I Jn. 2:1-2). And it is the Spirit of God who strengthens us in trials (Eph. 3:16). Even so, there is much to recommend at least the sentiment of this hymn.

The following piano rendition is interesting–and probably brilliant. But the sprightly jazz stylings seem completely at odds with the text of this sober hymn. As I have pointed out numerous times, the text of our hymns is their most important element. It should be both biblical and clear. Then, think of the words as a great painting, and the music as the frame. The frame should help to draw our attention to the painting, and enhance its meaning, not be distracting, or carrying a complete different message. Skilled as this performance is, it utterly fails in that regard.

(2) Today in 1877 – Who Is on the Lord’s Side? written

Written by Frances Ridley Havergal, the original title of this hymn was Home Missions. Miss Havergal took her inspiration from the declaration of loyalty by a member of David’s army. “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: ‘We are yours, O David; We are on your side, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, And peace to your helpers! For your God helps you.’” (I Chron. 12:18). She thought of it as applying to Christians working and warring under their Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Saviour, we are Thine!

Not for weight of glory, nor for crown and palm,
Enter we the army, raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth lives for whom He died:
He whom Jesus nameth must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Saviour, we are Thine!

Today in 1843 – Bourne Draper Died

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Bourne Hall Draper’s parents hoped he would enter Christian ministry. However, funds were lacking for his education. He became a printer’s apprentice for a time, but eventually was able to take training and become a pastor in England, in 1804. He also wrote three dozen books, several of which were for children. The one hymn for which he is known today is Ye Christian Heralds, Go Proclaim.

Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim
Salvation through Emmanuel’s Name;
To distant climes the tidings bear,
And plant the Rose of Sharon there.

God shield you with a wall of fire,
With flaming zeal your breasts inspire,
Bid raging winds their fury cease,
And hush the tumult into peace.

(2) Today in 1882 – Jean Pigott Died

Little is known today of Irish poetess and hymn writer Jean Sophia Pigott. We know her brother Thomas was a missionary in China, and that he was killed in the Boxer Rebellion in 1901. Jean Pigott wrote a number of hymns, but only one is still in common use, the beautiful Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting.

Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power,
Thou hast made me whole.

O, how great Thy loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvellous Thy goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in Thee, Belovèd,
Know what wealth of grace is Thine,
Know Thy certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.

(3) Today in 1895 – Cecil Alexander Died

If you came across the name Cecil Alexander in a hymn book, you might conclude the person referred to was a man. However, Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (1818-1895) was born in Ireland, the daughter of Major Humphreys of the Royal Marines.

Perhaps the Major had hoped for a boy that could follow in his footsteps and join the military. But Cecil sought a career in quite another direction. She became a pastor’s wife, and a noted hymn writer–especially of songs for children. Practically all of the 400 poems she wrote were for the young, and were meant to put profound truths in simple terms for them. Among her hymns still in use are: All Things Bright and Beautiful, Jesus Calls Us, Once in Royal David’s City, and There Is a Green Hill Far Away.

Regarding the last of these, whenever she took a carriage into Derry to shop, Mrs. Alexander had to pass a small grassy hill, near to the wall surrounding the old Irish city. It had always reminded her of Calvary. Actually, we do not know for certain that the original Calvary was a hill. It was “outside the gate” of the city of Jerusalem (Heb. 13:12). But the exact location is uncertain, since the city wall has shifted a number of times over the centuries.

Graphic Gordons Calvary

The place was called “Calvary” in Greek (Lk. 23:33), “Golgotha” in Hebrew (Jn. 19:17), both meaning a skull. But whether this is because it was a place of execution, or because some indentations in the ground gave the area a skull-like appearance, we do not know for sure. Over a century ago, Charles Gordon researched the biblical record and believed he had found the site. The rocky prominence seen here, now known as Gordon’s Calvary, does have indentations that give it something of the appearance of a skull.

There is a green hill far away,
Outside a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.

O dearly, dearly, has He loved,
And we must love Him, too,
And trust in His redeeming blood,
And try His works to do.

Another of Mrs. Alexander’s hymns for children dealt with that part of the Apostles’ Creed that describes God as the “Maker of heaven and earth.” It is a little unusual in that the hymn is to begin with the refrain (“All things bright and beautiful…”), as well as including it after each stanza.

The sixth stanza of the song is usually omitted, so that it will not seem to rule out city children–who may never even have seen a “meadow,” and play their games on asphalt and concrete! It says:

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

Without these lines, the song provides a fine hymn that reminds children (and all of us) of the beauty of God’s creation.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Today in 1895 – Avis Christiansen Born

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Avis Marguerite Burgeson was a lifelong Chicago resident who attended the great Moody Church, pastored for many years by Dr. Harry Ironside. In 1917, Avis Burgeson married Ernest Christiansen who became a vice president of Moody Bible Institute. A modest and retiring woman, Mrs. Christiansen sometimes used pen names–Avis Burgesson, Christian B. Anson and Constance B. Ried. She began writing poems in childhood, and before her death in 1985 had written thousands of them–many of which were turned into insightful and singable gospel songs. Here are a few that she has given us.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
Blessed Calvary
Blessed Redeemer
Come, Come, Ye Saints*
Fill All My Vision
How Can It Be?
It Is Glory Just to Walk with Him
Jesus Has Lifted Me
Love Found a Way
Only One Life to Offer

*This is a much revised version of a Mormon hymn, rendering it more in keeping with orthodox Christianity.

One Sunday evening at Moody Church, Avis Christiansen heard a message by Paul Rader on John 3:16. He emphasized the love of God that provided for our salvation in the cross of Christ, and said, “Love found a way.” Musician Harry Dixon Loes was struck by the words, and quickly jotted down a few phrases. He gave them to his friend Avis, and the ideas later became her song,

Wonderful love that rescued me, sunk deep in sin,
Guilty and vile as I could be—no hope within;
When every ray of light had fled, O glorious day!
Raising my soul from out the dead, love found a way.

Love found a way, to redeem my soul,
Love found a way, that could make me whole.
Love sent my Lord to the cross of shame,
Love found a way, O praise His holy Name!

Space won’t permit a discussion of many of Christiansen’s fine songs, but consider Blessed Calvary for a moment. The words are Avis’s. The tune was supplied by Lance Brenton Latham. Latham was an accomplished concert pianist. (I was privileged to hear him when he was in his eighties, and his playing even then was amazing!) He was also a pastor. But his most recognized accomplishment was his founding of a children’s club that eventually became the worldwide Awana Youth Association. The Christiansen and Latham hymn says:

I look at the cross upon Calvary,
And O what a wonder divine!
To think of the wealth it holds for me–
The riches of heaven are mine.

Blessed Calvary, precious Calvary!
‘Neath thy shadow I’ll ever abide;
Blessed Calvary, precious Calvary!
‘Twas there Jesus suffered and died.

The cross is my hope for eternity–
No merit have I of my own;
The shed blood of Christ my only plea–
My trust is in Jesus alone.

(2) How Blest Was That Life (Data Missing)

Both the author of the words and the composer of the tune are unknown for this little song. (You can hear the tune played on the Cyber Hymnal.)

How Blest Was That Life reflects on how wonderful it would have been to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching, during His days here upon earth. But it reminds us as well that we serve a living Saviour, who continues to be accessible to us, and whom we will one day see.

How blest was that life once lived upon earth,
The life of the Saviour of men!
What joy was their part who learned at His feet,
Who loved and who worshipped Him then!

I know that He liveth, Redeemer and Friend,
To bless and to comfort our way;
I know the glad song of the heavenly throng—
He liveth, He liveth today!

The Friend of our need, the Hope of the world,
Abides with us still as of old;
When wandering far in sorrow and sin,
He leadeth us home to the fold.

Thou art not afar, in regions unknown:
Our faith reacheth up unto Thee;
And still, through the mists of ages long past,
The Saviour of sinners doth see.

Today in 1841 – William Ogden Born

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William Augustine Ogden showed a talent for making music early on. He began studying the subject at the age of 8, and was reading music with some facility in two years. Not long after, it was discovered he was able to write down the music notation of a melody after hearing it played or sung. In adulthood, with the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted, organizing a male choir that became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland.

After the war, Ogden resumed his study of music. Hymn writers Lowell Mason and Thomas Hastings were among his teachers. He published numerous songbooks of his compositions, and taught music at many schools in the United States and Canada. In 1887, he because Superintendent of Music in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio.

A number of William Ogden’s gospel songs, or ones for which he provided the melody, are still in use. Among them are:

Bring Them In
He Is Able to Deliver Thee
Look and Live
Seeking the Lost

Ogden has given us songs of invitation, calling sinners to look to Christ for salvation, as well as songs of exhortation to carry the gospel to those who need to hear it.

Look and Live speaks of the perceptive look of faith. It draws upon an incident in the Old Testament (Num. 21:5-9, especially vs. 9), which the Lord Jesus later used as a picture of Himself (Jn. 3:14-15). That same “look” of faith for salvation is also reflected in a text that was the means of bringing Charles Haddon Spurgeon to Christ: “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!” (Isa. 45:22).

I’ve a message from the Lord, Hallelujah!
The message unto you I’ll give;
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”

Look and live, my brother, live,
Look to Jesus now and live;
’Tis recorded in His Word, Hallelujah!
It is only that you look and live.

Life is offered unto you, Hallelujah!
Eternal life your soul shall have,
If you only look to Him, Hallelujah!
Look to Jesus Who alone can save.

Seeking the Lost finds its inspiration in the parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk. 15:3-7). I can remember singing this song with a male choir 50 years ago. (There is a nice melody section for the basses in the chorus.)

Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating
Wanderers on the mountain astray;
“Come unto Me,” His message repeating,
Words of the Master speaking today.

Going afar upon the mountain,
Bringing the wanderer back again,
Into the fold of my Redeemer
Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain.

Thus would I go on missions of mercy,
Following Christ from day unto day,
Cheering the faint and raising the fallen,
Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.

(2) Today in 1958 – George Bennard Died

George Bennard’s name will be forever linked to his gospel song, The Old Rugged Cross. That hymn became almost an instant favourite after its publication around 1915. It has remained so, ever since.

Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873. When he was young, he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, in a Salvation Army meeting. He and his wife later worked with the Salvation Army for a number of years. Then he entered evangelistic work on his own, holding meetings in the United States and Canada. Hymn writer Al Smith speaks of meeting him in a drugstore, in his latter years, and describes him as “an elderly man with flowing snow white hair and very thick glasses.”

We are indebted to Mr. Bennard for other songs in addition to his best-known one. One that you will find in some songbooks is the challenge to evangelism and missions, Speak, My Lord. It is based on the vision of Isaiah in Isa. 6:1-8. There, when God sought for a messenger, the prophet responded, “Here am I! Send me.” May we be as ready to do the Father’s will.

Hear the Lord of harvest sweetly calling,
“Who will go and work for Me today?
Who will bring to Me the lost and dying?
Who will point them to the narrow way?”

Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I’ll be quick to answer Thee;
Speak, my Lord, speak, my Lord,
Speak, and I will answer, “Lord, send me.”

Soon the time for reaping will be over;
Soon we’ll gather for the harvest home;
May the Lord of harvest smile upon us,
May we hear His blessèd, “Child, well done.”

(3) More from James Montgomery

The son of a clergyman, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, for many years he turned his back on his early upbringing, and abandoned the church of his youth. But the Lord kept seeking the prodigal, and eventually he repented of his backslidden ways, and recommitted himself to Christ. Desiring restoration to church fellowship as well, he wrote:

People of the living God,
I have sought the world around,
Paths of sin and sorrow trod,
Peace and comfort nowhere found.
Now to you my spirit turns–
Turns a fugitive unblessed:
Brethren, where your altar burns,
O receive me into rest.

By God’s grace, James Montgomery became one of the great hymnists of the evangelical church. In his Christian Psalmist, published in 1825, he included a beautiful hymn for the Lord’s Supper. Called According to Thy Gracious Word, It was inspired by the words of the Lord Jesus in Lk. 22:19, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

According to Thy gracious word,
In meek humility,
This will I do, my dying Lord,
I will remember Thee.

Thy body, broken for my sake,
My bread from heaven shall be;
The testamental cup I take,
And thus remember Thee.

When to the cross I turn mine eyes,
And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
I must remember Thee;

Remember Thee, and all Thy pains
And all Thy love to me;
Yea, while a breath, a pulse remains,
Will I remember Thee.

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