Menu

Constantly Abiding

Constantly Abiding

Words: Anne May Sebring Murphy (b. Nov. 11, 1878; d. March 30, 1942)
Music: Anne May Sebring Murphy

Anne Sebring

Note: Some sources give the first name as Anna. And some hymn books attribute this 1908 gospel song to Mrs. William L. Murphy (Anne Sebring’s married name). The couple was married in 1896. You can read a longer biography of her and her fascinating family on the Wordwise link at the bottom of this article.

(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)

This song is based on the promise of the Lord Jesus in Matthew:

“Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matt. 28:20

Or, as the Amplified Bible has it, “I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age.” The abiding presence of Christ is assured to all His followers.

(1) There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I’ve a peace that has come here to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers, O so kind:
“I will never leave thee,” Jesus is mine.

As to “abiding” with us, the Lord has much to say about that in the Upper Room Discourse. There, some form of the word is used ten times, referring not to the Lord’s mere presence with us, but something more.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

Jn. 15:4-10

“Abiding,” is variously translated continue, remain, endure, dwell. As the word is used here by the Lord Jesus, it seems to refer to our conscious and determined effort to maintain close fellowship with the Lord. We have His presence by a sovereign promise. But His “abiding” involves a continuing action on our part.

Since it is a command, it is something the believer is responsible to keep on doing. In vs. 4, “abide in Me” seems to speak of dependance or faith, while “I in you [i.e. let Me abide in you]” could have to do with submission or obedience, as we allow Christ to work out His will in us. (Compare “if…My words abide in you,” vs. 7, and see vs. 10.)

Abiding in Christ in this way provides enablement for life and for service (vs. 4-5). And it results in authority and effectiveness in prayer (vs. 7), as we pray for that will accomplish God’s will, to His greater glory (cf. 14:13). We bring glory to God by fruit-bearing (vs. 8), and the reference in this case is to outward fruit, effective ministry in the lives of others (cf. vs. 16).

The inward fruit of Christlike character will also result (described in Gal. 5:22-23). And we will enjoy the love of God, as we walk in obedience to Him (vs. 9-10). The connection between love and obedience is emphasized in this Upper Room Discourse (13:34; 14:21, 24).

Some have taken vs. 6 to refer to a loss of salvation if the believer does not keep abiding in Christ. But the passage is not dealing with salvation but with fruitful service. The NIV renders the verse: “If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” A failure to maintain fellowship with the Lord can result in sin and carnality in the life. Such a person is unfit for service, and is disqualified from such. If there is no repentance, and if he dies in such a state, there will be a loss of heavenly rewards (cf. I Cor. 3:11-15).

As you will see in the Wordwise link, Mrs. Murphy retained the joy of the Lord, and a glowing testimony through difficult trials. The song reflects her joy, and looks forward to the time when she is taken into the presence of her Saviour.

(2) All the world seemed to sing of a Saviour and King,
When peace sweetly came to my heart;
Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day,
Blessèd Jesus, how glorious Thou art!

(3) This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
While here on His footstool I roam;
But He’s coming to take me some glorious day,
Over there to my heavenly home!

Questions:

  1. Are you abiding in Christ today? (If not, what will you do about that?)
  2. From your own experience, what are some of the blessings of abiding in Christ?

Links:

Today in 1798 – Luise Hensel Born

,

Every once in awhile, in this blog, I take us a bit off the beaten path, by including a hymn writer or hymn that is relatively unknown. The work of Luise Hensel is like that. She was the daughter of a Lutheran pastor in Germany, confirmed in the Lutheran faith at the age of 15. But she gradually drifted toward Roman Catholicism, and joined the Catholic church at the age of 20. She went so far as to espouse ultramontanism, which places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the pope of Rome.

For most of her adult life, Luise Hensel devoted herself to the care of the sick, and the education of children. She wrote a number of hymns, including the children’s hymn Ever Would I Fain Be Reading, which John Julian describes as a nursery classic. (“Fain” means willingly, gladly.)

Ever would I fain be reading
In the ancient holy Book,
Of my Saviour’s gentle pleading,
Truth in every word and look.

How when children came He blessed them,
Suffered no man to reprove,
Took them in His arms, and pressed them
To His heart with words of love.

How to all the sick and tearful
Help was ever gladly shown;
How He sought the poor and fearful,
Called them brothers and His own.

How no contrite soul e’er sought Him,
And was bidden to depart,
How with gentle words He taught him,
Took the death from out his heart.

Let me kneel, my Lord, before Thee,
Let my heart in tears o’erflow,
Melted by Thy love adore Thee,
Blest in Thee ’mid joy or woe!

Singing Tempo: Is there one correct pace at which to sing out hymns? No. But we do need to consider the matter of tempo, because it has a significant effect on how the message of the songs is conveyed. Check The Tempo of Congregational Singing.

(2) Today in 1942 – Anne Murphy Died

The Apostle Paul tells us he learned how to handle either deprivation or abundance. He says “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content….I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13). Some of us are still struggling with that learning process! But one whose remarkable life illustrates the principle in more recent times is Annie May Sebring Murphy (1878-1942).

The Sebring family founded the town of Sebring, Ohio, in 1898, where they opened five pottery plants, eventually employing some 3,300 people. But they wanted Sebring to be much more than a one-industry town, hoping it would become a model community. A staunch Methodist, founding father George Sebring hoped that retired servants of Christ would come and live there. And each of his sons built beautiful homes near one another.

In time, Anne Sebring married William Murphy, the head cashier of the Citizens Banking Company, and the future seemed rosy for another branch of the family. Anne used her family wealth in the service of Christ. A talented musician, soloist and public speaker as well, she was also active in a local Christian camp ministry. In 1908, she penned a beautiful gospel song entitled Constantly Abiding. It is based on the promise of the Lord Jesus, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

The Sebring Brothers Pottery Company made millions for the owners, and was well on the way to fulfilling the claim that Sebring would become “the pottery capital of the world.” Then the Great Depression struck, and the business totally collapsed. Around the same time, William Murphy died, and Anne was left destitute. She moved to California to live with relatives. But gospel musician Phil Kerr called on Mrs. Murphy shortly before she died. He testified to her great serenity and peace, saying that she was the living embodiment of her song.

There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I’ve a peace that has come here to stay!

Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, rapture divine;
He never leaves me lonely, whispers, O so kind:
“I will never leave thee,” Jesus is mine.

This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
While here on His footstool I roam;
But He’s coming to take me some glorious day,
Over there to my heavenly home!

Using Hymns with Children

,

Using hymns with children prepares them to have a fuller part in adult worship later on. Conversely, to use only children’s songs and choruses in children’s programming may handicap their integration into the adult services of worship. Instead of “Heavenly Sunshine” and other old chestnuts, why not use the first verse of a good hymn as if it were a “chorus” (or perhaps the refrain of a hymn as a chorus, if it can stand alone).

In some cases, you might have to define a word or explain a concept or two. But so much the better. How often have we taken a moment to do that with adults?

You could also tell a story about the author, or tell how the hymn came to be written. That way, what children learn in Sunday School, children’s church, and week-day clubs, will help to prepare them for more meaningful worship with the whole congregation.

In addition to fine children’s hymns such as “Jesus Loves Me,” and “Jesus Loves Even Me,” here are some other hymns that could be used in this way:

  • My Jesus, I Love Thee (explain “follies”)
  • Ye Must Be Born Again
  • Wonderful Words of Life (explain “duty”)
  • O How I Love Jesus
  • Jesus Is the Joy of Living (refrain only)
  • The Light of the World Is Jesus
  • Amazing Grace (explain “wretch”)
  • Trust and Obey
  • What a Friend We Have in Jesus (explain “griefs” and “forfeit”)
  • Praise Him! Praise Him! (by Fanny Crosby)
  • Constantly Abiding (refrain)
  • Blessed Be the Name (explain “majesty supreme”)

With a little study of the hymn book, you will be able to think of many more, and find using hymns with children very profitable.