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Today in 1734 – James Allen Born

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James Allen began in the Church of England, but later joined first the Inghamites (a group that combined Methodist and Moravian doctrine), and later still the Sandemanians (a Scottish sect believing in community property to be shared by the members). Allen’s hymn, which originally began, “While my Jesus I’m possessing…” was revised and improved about 20 years later by Walter Shirley, becoming Sweet the Moments, Rich in Blessing.

A line in the second verse below (“Loving much, and much forgiven”) alludes to an incident in the Gospel of Luke. A Pharisee named Simon invited the Lord Jesus to his home for a meal. But he was indignant when the Lord allowed a woman to anoint His feet with costly perfume. He thought to himself, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (Lk. 7:39).

Knowing what was in his mind, Christ told a story about two debtors, one who owed a great deal of money, the other who owed little. Then came the question, “Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love [the forgiving creditor] more?” And Simon replied, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more” (vs. 40-43). Then came the Lord’s pointed application: “To whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (vs. 47).

But of course there is an irony here. The Pharisee might have thought he had little need for God’s forgiveness and cleansing, but he seemed totally insensitive to the sinful pride in his heart. The more we are aware of our own weakness and imperfection, the more we’ll appreciate and revel in the grace and mercy of God.

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,
Which before the cross we spend,
Life and health and peace possessing
From the sinner’s dying Friend.

Here we find our hope of heaven,
While upon the Lamb we gaze;
Loving much, and much forgiven,
Let our hearts o’erflow with praise.

(2) Today in 1822 John Burton Sr. Died

Holy Bible Book Divine was published in 1803 as a children’s hymn. John Burton was a dedicated Christian layman who wrote many songs for use in Sunday Schools.  But this hymn has a message for all, young and old. In the short span of 4 stanzas, the song lists about 10 things the Bible can do for us. Among them, it tells us where we came from, and where we’re going. And God uses it to guide and guard us on the Christian way, and reprove us when we get off course.

In the words of the Bible itself, “All Scripture is given my inspiration of God [it’s God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Tim. 3:16). The Word of God is a treasure indeed. In the words of the psalmist, “The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver” (Ps. 119:72).

Holy Bible, Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine;
Mine to tell me whence I came;
Mine to teach me what I am.

Mine to tell of joys to come,
And the rebel sinner’s doom;
O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine.

Here are a couple of renditions of the song that may be of interest. In the first, a young man sings the song with a slightly contemporary style. Nicely done. He has a few comments at the end about the ministry opportunity he believes God is giving him. (Just one correction regarding what he says: the tune was composed by William Bradbury; the words are by John Burton Sr.) If you have never heard a bell choir, you may enjoy the lovely version of the tune in the second clip.

Today in 1738 – Samuel Medley Born

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It is interesting how the career path for some takes dramatic turns, and how the Lord keeps His hand on individuals to call them to Himself and engage them in service for Him.

Samuel Medley’s father was a school teacher, and a friend of the scientist Sir Isaac Newton. Young Samuel was apprenticed to an oil dealer, but abandoning that career, he joined the British Navy. After he was wounded in a battle with the French fleet, he was taken to the home of his godly grandfather to recuperate. The Lord used the prayers and witness of that good man, and the reading of a sermon by Isaac Watts, to bring Samuel Medley to faith in Christ.

Unfit for an active naval career because of the effects of his injury, and in the glow of his new-found faith, Medley trained for the ministry. By God’s grace his pastoral work was abundantly fruitful, and he also wrote dozens of hymns–among them, several that continue in use today: O Could I Speak the Matchless Worth, Awake My Soul to Joyful Lays, and I Know That My Redeemer Lives.

The first of these Medley called simply Praise of Christ. Written over 200 years ago, the words are soundly biblical and still relevant. Christ shed His precious blood (I Pet. 1:18-19) to pay the ransom (Mk. 10:45) to rescue us from divine wrath (Jn. 3:18, 36). When we put our faith in Christ, we are clothed in His righteousness (I Cor. 1:30; Gal. 3:26-27), and gain a right standing before God (Eph. 1:3, 6). For that great work of redemption He deserves our unending praise.

O could I speak the matchless worth,
O could I sound the glories forth which in my Saviour shine,
I’d soar and touch the heav’nly strings, and vie with Gabriel while he sings
In notes almost divine, in notes almost divine.

I’d sing the precious blood He spilt,
My ransom from the dreadful guilt of sin, and wrath divine;
I’d sing His glorious righteousness, in which all perfect, heavenly dress
My soul shall ever shine, my soul shall ever shine.

Samuel Medley has also given us a fine New Year’s hymn, Father of Mercies! God of Love! You can see the commonly used tune on the Cyber Hymnal. But the hymn was written in what is known as Long Metre (8.8.8.8), and there are a number of familiar tunes that will work with it, including Duke Street (used with Jesus Shall Reign).

Father of mercies! God of love!
Whose kind compassion still we prove,
Our praise accept, and bless us here,
As brought to this—another year.

We sing Thy goodness all divine,
Whose radiant beams around us shine,
’Tis through Thy goodness we appear
Preserved to this—another year.

Our souls, our all we here resign;
Make us, and keep us ever Thine;
And grant that in Thy love and fear
We may begin—another year.

Be this our sweet experience still,
To know and do Thy holy will;
Then shall our souls, with joy sincere,
Bless Thee for this—another year.

(2) Name of Jesus, Softly Stealing (Data Missing)

Here is a little song (only two stanzas) that reflects a warmth of devotion toward the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly focusing on His name. We know nothing at all about the authorship of the words, though the tune was composed by William Wallace Coe. (You can hear the tune played on the Cyber Hymnal.)

The name of Christ represents His Person (just as our name represents us). Notice how, in the last line of the first stanza, the author uses “Name” to stand for the Person of Christ. The name of Jesus also represents His authority. When Christians pray in His name, they are appealing to that (Eph. 5:20). And the saints are identified as those who “call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:2).

There is comfort and encouragement in His name, because of who He is, and the authority He has as our Saviour and heavenly Advocate.

Name of Jesus, softly stealing,
O’er a world of strife and shame,
Thou canst bring us heav’nly healing,
O Thou all restoring Name.

Name of Jesus, heav’n of gladness,
Cause our doubts and fears to cease;
Soothe away the aching sadness;
Name of Jesus, give us peace.

Today in 1850 – William Walford Died

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Some doubt has been expressed by hymn historians about the identity of William Walford, but the traditional account below remains likely in my view.

An elderly man, and blind, Mr. Walford owned a small novelty shop in Coleshire, England. Day by day, he would sit in the chimney corner, carving and polishing pieces of bone to make shoe horns and other useful items for sale. As he worked, he would commune with the Lord in prayer, sometimes putting together thoughts to be shared in church the following Sunday.

Walford had no formal education. But the Lord had given him an amazing memory. He knew much of the Bible by heart, and was sometimes called upon to speak. When he stepped into the pulpit, the blind preacher was able to quote Scripture passages word for word, giving chapter and verse, with hardly a slip.

One day in 1842, an American clergyman named Tom Salmon visited Mr. Walford’s little shop. Apparently, the old man talked with him about the theme of prayer, and the delight he took in fellowship with the Lord. Then he asked if Pastor Salmon would write down some lines of verse he had composed.

“How will this do?” he asked as he began, seemingly uncertain as to the worth of his creation. But he need not have worried. His poem became the beloved hymn Sweet Hour of Prayer. The tune was written by William Bradbury.

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

Here is a remarkable recording of this hymn. One man made a “male chorus” version, singing all the parts himself. It required overlaying  27 tracks. Wow!

Of course we can and should pray regularly on our own. But the Bible also reveals the value of corporate prayer, of fellowshipping in prayer with one another. How sad that the Prayer Meeting is often the most poorly attended gathering of the week! Believers were gathered for prayer prior to the birth of the church at Pentecost (Acts 1:14), and continued in prayer afterward (Acts 2:42).  More of us need the attitude expressed in a verse of Walford’s hymn not usually used today:

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Saviour shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

(2) Today in 1870 – I Am Coming to the Cross first sung

William McDonald was an American pastor with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. He also worked as an editor, and authored a number of books. He says of his hymn, I Am Coming to the Cross:

The hymn was written in 1870 in the city of Brooklyn, New York, while I was pastor in that city. I had felt the need of a hymn to aid seekers of heart purity while at the altar … something, simple in expression, true to experience, and ending in the fullness of love.

In spite of some lines (not quoted below) that reflect a Wesleyan perfectionism with which I disagree, there is also here a simple expression of salvation and dedication.

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

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

Here I give my all to Thee:
Friends and time and earthly store;
Soul and body Thine to be,
Wholly Thine forevermore.

Today in 1836 – Sanford Bennett Born

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Musician Joe Webster had a chronic problem. He was subject to bouts of emotional depression. But his good friend, Sanford Bennett, knew how to help him at such times. Before he finished medical training and became a physician, Sanford Fillmore Bennett was a town druggist. And one day in 1868, Webster entered his establishment, carrying his violin. Without a word of greeting, he walked over to the old stove that heated the place, and stood with his back to Bennett.

“Webster, what’s the matter now?” Sanford said, kindly. “It’s no matter,” was the despondent reply. “It’ll be all right by and by.” Latching on to that last phrase, Sanford Bennett got an idea. A prescription that had often helped his friend in times of distress. He found that if he could suggest an interesting theme for a new piece of music, it helped to bring Webster out of his dark moods. “Sweet by and by!” said the druggist. “Would that not make a good hymn?” “Maybe it would,” answered the musician, without much enthusiasm.

But Bennett started working at his desk on a short poem. He tells us, “I penned the words as fast as I could write.” When he handed the lines of verse to Webster, he could see a spark of life come into his friend’s eyes. Taking up his violin, he alternately played and jotted down notes of music.

The creation of the song, words and music, took only thirty minutes. Finally, the two men called over a couple of acquaintances, and they sang the hymn “Sweet By and By” for the first time. Someone just entering the store stood listening to the impromptu quartet. With tears in his eyes he exclaimed afterward, “That hymn is immortal!”

There is no deep biblical truth expressed in the song. But it was not intended for that. It was emergency comfort and help for one who was struggling, assuring him that there was a fairer day coming when “our spirits shall sorrow no more.” And that is God’s promise (Rev. 21:4).

There’s a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see it afar;
For the Father waits over the way
To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

We shall sing on that beautiful shore
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

(2) Jesus, Jesus, Jesus (Data Missing)

The authorship of this warm little song is unknown, but you can see all the stanzas and hear the tune on the Cyber Hymnal.

JESUS is the name presecribed for the Son of God before He was born (Matt. 1:20-21; Lk. 1:30-31). It is found in the New Testament over 900 times, beginning with the first verse of Matthew, and on to the very last verse of the book of Revelation. The name means Jehovah [is] Salvation, and it identifies Christ as the One come to be our Saviour.

The name is also found in the Old Testament, in prophecies of the coming Messiah. The word for “salvation” in the following texts is Yeshuwah, the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus. God says of Him:

It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation [My Jesus] to the ends of the earth….The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation [the Jesus] of our God.

Isa. 49:6; Isa. 52:10

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
Sing aloud the name;
Till it softly, slowly,
Sets all hearts aflame.

Jesus! name of cleansing,
Washing all our stains;
Jesus! name of healing,
Balm for all our pains.

Jesus! be our joy-note
In this vale of tears;
Till we reach the homeland,
And th’eternal years.

Today in 1779 – Dorothy Thrupp Born

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Little is known today of this prolific author of hymns for children. Her work appeared in publications such as Hymns for the Young (published in 1830).

There has been some doubt expressed as to whether Dorothy Ann Thrupp truly is the source of the only one of her songs in common use today, Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us–though I believe we are safe in assuming her authorship. Part of the reason for the uncertainty is her own reluctance to use her name with her work. Some of her hymns appeared under the pen name Iota. Others were attributed to D.A.T. And many were left unsigned altogether.

In the excerpt below, notice the line describing the blessings God has made available to all who will turn to Him in faith–mercy to relieve, grace to cleanse, and power to free. Amen!

Saviour, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Early let us turn to Thee.
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus! Early let us turn to Thee.

(2) Today in 1859 – William Sparrow-Simpson Born

Mr. Sparrow-Simpson was an Anglican clergyman, chiefly known today for the creation of the text for John Stainer’s oratorio The Crucifixion. It is for that work that the hymn Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow was written. It faces the mystery of Christ, the God-Man, suffering death. And it movingly portrays how He laid aside His eternal glory to save us. “Christ died for our sins” the Bible says (I Cor. 15:3). This hymn pictures something of the infinite cost of that. It says, in part:

Cross of Jesus, cross of sorrow,
Where the blood of Christ was shed,
Perfect Man on thee did suffer,
Perfect God on thee has bled!

Here the King of all the ages,
Throned in light ere worlds could be,
Robed in mortal flesh is dying,
Crucified by sin for me.

From the “Holy, Holy, Holy,
We adore Thee, O most High,”
Down to earth’s blaspheming voices
And the shout of “Crucify.”

 (3) Today in 1904 – Joseph August Seiss Died

American clergyman Joseph Seiss (or Seuss) studied at Gettysburg College and Seminary and was ordained to the ministry in 1848. He served Lutheran churches in Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Pastor Seiss translated the hymn Fairest Lord Jesus from German.

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature,
O Thou of God and man the Son,
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honour,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy and crown.

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing.

Today in 1844 – John Wigner Born

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John Murch Wigner worked with the India Home Office in London. His father, a Baptist minister, was one of the compilers of an English hymnal called Psalms and Hymns for School and Home. The son was a lay preacher. He was active in the Children’s Special Service Mission (C.S.S.M.) with which W. G. Ovens (author of Wounded for Me) was later involved. Wigner’s interest in children began at home. He and his wife had 12 of them!

John Wigner penned a fine hymn of invitation in 1871 entitled Come to the Saviour Now. In succeeding stanzas it appeals to sinners to trust in Christ, to backslidden believers to return to God, and to all who are burdened to cast their cares on the Lord. The song begins:

Come to the Saviour now,
He gently calleth thee;
In true repentance bow,
Before Him bend the knee;
He waiteth to bestow
Salvation, peace, and love,
True joy on earth below,
A home in heav’n above.

(2) Today in 1954 – William Merrill Died

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries many churches in Christendom were emphasizing what they called the brotherhood of man [using that term generically to include women]. The movement was, as one publication put it, “concerned with man’s brotherly relation to man, and with the redemption through human effort of every sphere of man’s activity on earth.”

One who supported this concept was American pastor and hymn writer William Pierson Merrill. A magazine editor remarked to him one day that there was an urgent need for a hymn to express this philosophy. Shortly after reading an article entitled “The Church of Strong Men” in 1911, the lines for the hymn Rise Up, O Men of God came to him. It has since been included in many hymnals.

Most evangelicals would likely have no trouble with the first and last stanzas of the song. It is a ringing challenge to serve the Lord.

Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.

Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!

But notice carefully: the hymn addresses “men of God.” Various ones are described that way in the Bible. Moses is the first (Deut. 33:1), followed by a number of prophets, sometimes unnamed, as well as Elijah, Elisha, David, and Timothy. These are all godly leaders, men of faith. Men who walked in obedience to God’s Word. Servants of God. In fact, the Scriptures were specifically given “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (II Tim. 3:16-17).

Never is it suggested that everyone on earth is a “man [or woman] of God.” We are only “brothers” with all in the sense that we were created by God, and He “made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). But that is a physical relationship, not a spiritual kinship. Human beings, by nature, are “without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12), and “alienated from the life of God” (Eph. 4:18). And there is no “redemption through human effort” for anyone (Eph. 2:8-9).

In the two stanzas omitted above, Merrill calls us to: “Bring in the day of brotherhood / And end the night of wrong.” And picturing the church as being weak, the author says: “Her strength unequal to her task; / Rise up and make her great!” At the very least, this is a very one-sided look at things. How man-centred it seems! Where is the need for our utter reliance on the wisdom and power of Almighty God?

In contrast to Merrill’s view we hear the Lord declaring, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). “Christ also loved the church and [He] gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church” (Eph. 5:25-27, italics mine, for emphasis).

If the church is to be made great, it will not be feeble man’s doing, but the Lord’s. And it is only in dependence on Him that born again, Spirit-filled individuals can be instruments in His hands to accomplish this (Jn. 15:5; I Cor. 2:1-5). Then it is Christ who will finally “end the night of wrong” at His glorious return.

Listen to Rise Up O Men of God.

Lord’s Day Meditation – The Ideal Church

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.

I Thess. 1:2-3

I’m sure there are many characteristics that could be listed if we were describing the ideal church. Among other things it should be Christ-centred, and have:

  • A saved membership
  • A spiritual leadership
  • A soundness of doctrine
  • A servant lifestyle

And by various means, it should provide for:

  • Exaltation of God (worship)
  • Edification of believers
  • Evangelism  of the lost

But our text gives us three qualities that are essential in all of this. And what an ideal to aspire to! Not that the Thessalonian church was perfect, but they exhibited some exemplary qualities that each local church should have. And there might be a link between vs. 2-3 and vs. 9-10.

  • faith
  • love
  • hope

Gene Getz in his writings emphasizes these three qualities–faith, hope, and love–as essential to the life of the local church (see his book, The Measure of a Church). The three are mentioned in close proximity several times in the New Testament (cf. I Cor. 13:13). They constitute things that will be evident in a healthy church. And it is striking that Jesus, as far as the sacred record goes, spoke only to three people by name, after His resurrection.

  • To Mary He gave new hope (Jn. 20:16-17).
  • In Thomas He instilled faith (Jn. 20:26-29).
  • In Peter He prompted love (Jn. 21:15-17).

These are characteristics each of us should exhibit and develop in our Christian lives and, as that happens, they will also be seen in the fellowship of believers, to the glory of God.

Today in 1677 – Johann Franck Died

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Johann Franck was born in Germany. After attending university, he was elected to the town council of his home city of Guben. In 1661, he was elected mayor. Respected as a lawyer and civil servant, he was also an ardent Christian, and he wrote 110 hymns.

Among the mostly commonly used today is the beautiful Jesus, Priceless Treasure, translated into English by Catherine Winkworth. It is patterned after a love song, and some Lutherans have considered it too subjective and emotional for congregational use. See what you think.

Jesus, priceless Treasure,
Source of purest pleasure,
Truest Friend to me.
Ah, how long in anguish
Shall my spirit languish,
Yearning, Lord, for Thee?
Thou art mine, O Lamb divine!
I will suffer naught to hide Thee,
Naught I ask beside Thee.

In Thine arms I rest me;
Foes who would molest me
Cannot reach me here.
Though the earth be shaking,
Every heart be quaking,
Jesus calms my fear.
Lightnings flash and thunders crash;
Yet, though sin and hell assail me,
Jesus will not fail me.

Evil world, I leave thee;
Thou canst not deceive me,
Thine appeal is vain.
Sin that once did bind me,
Get thee far behind me,
Come not forth again.
Past thy hour, O pride and power;
Sinful life, thy bonds I sever,
Leave thee now forever.

Hence, all thought of sadness!
For the Lord of gladness,
Jesus, enters in.
Those who love the Father,
Though the storms may gather,
Still have peace within;
Yea, whatever we here must bear,
Still in Thee lies purest pleasure,
Jesus, priceless Treasure!

(2) Today in 1830 – Elizabeth Clephane Born

Elizabeth Cecilia Clephane was born in Melrose, Scotland. Although orphaned at an early age, and in poor health all of her brief life (she died when she was only 39), she loved the Lord and shared His love with those around her, often visiting the sick and dying. People in the community nicknamed her “Sunshine,” because of the joy she brought to others. So dedicated were she and her sister to helping the poor that they sold their horses and their carriage and used the money for that purpose.

The two songs for which she is known are The Ninety and Nine, and Beneath the Cross of Jesus. Both were published after Elizabeth Clephane’s death. Beneath the Cross of Jesus appeared in The Family Treasury, a popular magazine in Scottish homes in that day. Under the heading “Breathings from the Border,” the editor wrote the following introduction:

These lines express the experiences, the hopes and the longings of a young Christian lately released. Written on the very edge of this life, with the better land fully in view of faith, they seem to us footprints printed on the sands of time, where those sands touch the ocean of eternity. These footprints of one whom the Good Shepherd led through the wilderness into rest may, with God’s blessing, contribute to comfort and direct succeeding pilgrims.

That they certainly have done. The hymn says, in part:

Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand,
The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land;
A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way,
From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day.

I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place;
I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face;
Content to let the world go by to know no gain or loss,
My sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.

The word “fain” in the opening line means gladly. And let me add two other comments on this lovely hymn. First, you will find that some hymn books have retained these original lines that end one of the stanzas (italics mine):

And from my stricken heart, with tears, two wonders I confess–
The wonders of redeeming love, and my own worthlessness.

But many take issue with the idea that God would ever create something worthless! We’re of great worth to the Lord. Worthless? No! But unworthy, yes. Only God’s grace could save us, because we could offer nothing in ourselves to merit His love (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). This has led many editors to alter the line to: “The wonders of redeeming love, and my unworthiness.”

As is often the case with older hymns, stanzas of this one are omitted from most hymnals. The following example shows us a woman who was not only literate, but had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Elizabeth Clephane writes:

O safe and happy shelter, O refuge tried and sweet,
O trysting place where heaven’s love and heaven’s justice meet!
As to the holy patriarch that wondrous dream was given,
So seems my Saviour’s cross to me, a ladder up to heaven.

What a description of the cross this is! What worthy thoughts for our meditation–a “safe and happy shelter,” a “refuge tried and sweet.” And a “trysting place”! Not a term we see much today. It refers to an appointed meeting place, especially one arranged by those who love one another! And the meeting of love and justice? A whole treatise could be written on that! (Some have changed the word “trysting” to “holy,” which is certainly acceptable.)

Then, Miss Clephane takes us to the time when Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau. Out in the wilderness, he slept on the bare ground with a stone for his pillow. During the night, God gave him a strange dream, described this way: “Behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Gen. 28:12).

The dream reassured Jacob that God was with him. However, it is given a particular New Testament application by the Lord Jesus. He says to Nathanael–who would later become one of Christ’s disciples–“Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” (Jn. 1:51). It is in Christ Himself and His work on the cross, that we have a bridge to heaven and eternal life.

Today in 1703 – John Wesley Born

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John Benjamin Wesley was the founder of the Methodist movement. His ministry, along with that of his brother Charles was, by God’s grace, to have an immeasurable impact on the morally corrupt Britain of his day–and eventually on the entire world.

It is usually stated that John was the preacher, and his brother Charles was the hymn writer. While this is true in terms of the emphasis of their work, Charles too was a fine preacher, and John also wrote and translated a number of hymns.

Wesley’s father was a clergyman, and John was the fifteenth of nineteen children born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley. When John was five, there was a fire in the rectory and the boy was rescued as the flames engulfed the home. His escape made a deep impression on his mind. In later years he described himself as “brand plucked from the burning.” He prayed, “Lord, let me not live to be useless,” a prayer that was most certainly answered!

Many know the early efforts John Wesley made with regard to Christian service. Diligent, disciplined, yet spiritually empty. A largely frustrating work among the Indian tribes in America presented a severe “do right” morality that lacked the power of the Holy Spirit. After he returned to England, Wesley discovered the reason: he himself had never been truly born again. He attended a meeting of the Moravians on May 24, 1738 when all that changed.

During the meeting, someone read from the preface of Luther’s commentary on Romans. Wesley says, “About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given to me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

A new child of God and an ardent servant of Christ was born that night.

John Wesley made excellent translations of German, French, and Spanish hymns. Jesus, Thy Blood and Righteousness, and Jesus, Thy Boundless Love to Me, were translated from German by John Wesley. He also edited and revised the hymns written by his brother, and those of Isaac Watts. Most of the changes he made are recognized as improvements.

Wesley’s fine translation of a German hymn by Paul Gerhardt (written about a century earlier) could well be the testimony of the translator himself. It begins:

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No thought can reach, no tongue declare;
Unite my thankful heart to Thee
And reign without a rival there.
Thine wholly, Thine alone, I am;
Be Thou alone my constant flame.

 Here are two more translations by John Wesley. When we realize that the Methodists were often severely persecuted in England in his day, it will be seen why these songs meant so much to them. The first was written by Paul Gerhardt in 1656.

Give to the winds thy fears,
Hope and be undismayed.
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears,
God shall lift up thy head.

Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears thy way;
Wait thou His time; so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command;
So shalt thou, wondering, own that way,
How wise, how strong this hand.

Far, far above thy thought,
His counsel shall appear,
When fully He the work hath wrought,
That caused thy needless fear.

The other song was written by Johann Winckler in 1708. You can see the ten stanzas on the Cyber Hymnal. It’s worth reading them all, but here is a sampling. (Very convicting!)

Shall I, for fear of feeble man,
The Spirit’s course in me restrain?
Or, undismayed, in deed and word
Be a true witness for my Lord?

Awed by a mortal’s frown, shall I
Conceal the Word of God Most High?
How then before Thee shall I dare
To stand, or how Thine anger bear?

Shall I, to soothe the unholy throng,
Soften Thy truths, and smooth my tongue,
To gain earth’s gilded toys, or flee
The cross, endured, my God, by Thee?

Yea, let men rage, since Thou wilt spread
Thy shadowing wings around my head;
Since in all pain Thy tender love
Will still my sure refreshment prove.

Give me Thy strength, O God of power;
Then let winds blow, or thunders roar,
Thy faithful witness will I be:
’Tis fixed; I can do all through Thee!

Today in 1833 – Lead, Kindly Light written

,

The author, John Henry Newman, was a brilliant scholar. Following his graduation from Oxford University, he became a clergyman in the Church of England. John Newman did not approve of the style of evangelism practiced by the Wesleys a century earlier. It was his view that a true religious experience could only come through the rituals of the church. So he did his best to bring about what he saw as needed change.

It was not long, however, before his efforts began to tell on him, both physically and emotionally. Near burn-out at the age of 32, he was forced to spend months recuperating. While traveling in Italy, he came down with a fever and nearly died. At last he was able to secure passage back to England. But the voyage became a tedious one, due to thick fog and lack of a favourable wind. As he paced the deck, physical weakness and emotional despair tormented Newman. Like the ship, his life seemed to be going nowhere. It was then he penned the words of his hymn:

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

In later life, Newman joined the Catholic Church–a group he had strongly opposed in earlier times. For their part his change of heart was at first viewed with suspicion. He was shunned for many years before his altered allegiance was recognized, but he finished his days as a prominent cardinal in the Church of Rome.

He was asked, decades after penning the above words, what he meant by the closing lines of the song:

And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Did he mean, for instance, that we’ll all turn into angels in heaven? Newman replied that he had no idea what he meant!

The hymn is a strong piece of poetry that speaks of spiritual darkness and the danger of pride. But it has no clear biblical message of hope for the future. Hymn writer E. H. Bickersteth added a stanza of his own to end the song with a ray of light. It says:

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith–home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life. 

(2) The King’s Highway (Data Missing)

A gospel song was published in 1881 for which we have no information at all regarding the author of the text. The words were set to music by John Sweney, a frequent collaborator with Fanny Crosby. The result is typical of what were called Sunday School songs, back in the nineteenth century. It captures a simple idea and expresses it in a way all can understand. (You can see the complete song, and hear to tune on the Cyber Hymnal.)

Living a godly life is described in Scripture as walking in the paths of righteousness. It is one of the blessings believers enjoy, that the Shepherd of our souls “leads [us] in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3). But there are many temptations to turn aside, to stray from the path. This little song urges us to “keep to the middle of the King’s highway.”

Wherever you may be, whatever you may see,
That would lead you into evil, say you nay,
I will not turn aside; whatever may betide,
I’ll keep along the middle of the King’s highway.

The King’s highway, the King’s highway,
I’ll keep along the middle of the King’s highway;
I will not turn aside; whatever may betide,
I’ll keep along the middle of the King’s highway.

The meadows may be green, where bypath stile is seen,
Turn aside, the little flowers seem to say;
Be sure you take no heed—they’re trying to mislead—
Just keep along the middle of the King’s highway.

Our God will guide us right, and walking in the light,
We shall win a crown of glory in the day,
When Jesus calls His own together round the throne,
Who keep along the middle of the King’s highway.

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