Today in 1829 – Gerard Moultrie Born
Moultrie was an Anglican pastor, educator, and scholar, who wrote many hymns, though few of these are in common use today. He also translated the ancient (4th century) Greek hymn about the incarnation of Christ, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
(2) Today in 1884 – Kitty Suffield Born
Kitty Louise Jennett, later Mrs. Fred Suffield, has given us two gospel songs that express important principles to keep in mind. How she and her husband met is an amazing story. Fred Suffield, a Canadian, was awakened one night by an urgent pounding on his door. The caller reported that a train had been stalled nearby in the blizzard conditions that winter night. The caller feared the passengers were in danger of freezing to death. Suffield went to the train and invited them all back to his house. One of them, Kitty Jennett, wrote a note to thank him for his kindness, and out of that, and some exchanged correspondence, a relationship developed.
The two were later brought to Christ at a church in Ottawa by the pastor, A. J. Shea. Kitty Suffield was instrumental in encouraging the pastor’s teen-aged son to use his voice to sing God’s praises. His name is George Beverley Shea. Kitty, a talented musician herself, and her preacher husband eventually formed a much travelled evangelistic team.
The two songs for which Kitty Suffield is best known are: Little Is Much When God Is in It, and God Is Still on the Throne. Both remind us of important truths.
In the harvest field now ripened
There’s a work for all to do;
Hark! the voice of God is calling
To the harvest calling you.
Little is much when God is in it!
Labour not for wealth or fame.
There’s a crown—and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus’ name.
Does the place you’re called to labour
Seem too small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He’ll not forget His own.
God Is Still on the Throne is a gospel song with four stanzas, but even if you never use the full hymn, I encourage you to learn and to sing the chorus. In the troubled times in which we live, it is a powerful statement of the presence and power of a sovereign God.
God is still on the throne,
And He will remember His own;
Though trials may press us and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;
God is still on the throne,
He never forsaketh His own;
His promise is true, He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.
16 September 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Here are two piano renditions of:
God is still on the throne
http://bit.ly/Xch0J
Little is much when God is in it
http://bit.ly/Or0Pr
17 September 2009 @ 6:44 am
Thanks! Great way to start the morning. (I’d have sung along, except my wife is still sleeping!) I’m sure your piano renditions accompanying the music will be an added blessing.
16 September 2009 @ 8:27 pm
Here are two piano renditions of:
God is still on the throne
http://bit.ly/Xch0J
Little is much when God is in it
http://bit.ly/Or0Pr
17 September 2009 @ 6:44 am
Thanks! Great way to start the morning. (I’d have sung along, except my wife is still sleeping!) I’m sure your piano renditions accompanying the music will be an added blessing.
16 September 2010 @ 5:52 am
I’m enjoying your site so much. I love hymns and you’re reminding me of songs from my childhood that I haven’t thought of in a long time. My father used to lead us in “God is Still on the Throne” in our family worship. The words are so good, I’m sure I’ll be singing it all day!
16 September 2010 @ 8:19 am
Thanks for your encouragement. I have the same experience many times. I hymn that I’ve studied and written about may keep running through my mind for a day or two, multiplying its blessings.
16 September 2010 @ 5:52 am
I’m enjoying your site so much. I love hymns and you’re reminding me of songs from my childhood that I haven’t thought of in a long time. My father used to lead us in “God is Still on the Throne” in our family worship. The words are so good, I’m sure I’ll be singing it all day!
16 September 2010 @ 8:19 am
Thanks for your encouragement. I have the same experience many times. I hymn that I’ve studied and written about may keep running through my mind for a day or two, multiplying its blessings.
23 March 2013 @ 12:37 pm
Thanks. The one line…..”Little is much” has been in my mind recently and I was glad to see the origins of that song. Thank you.
23 March 2013 @ 1:47 pm
Thanks for the comment. “Little is much” has been a recurring refrain for me, through many years of ministry. I sense my own weakness and waywardness, and know the only way my efforts will bear spiritual fruit is if the last half of the statement also applies–“when God is in it.” God bless.
23 March 2013 @ 12:37 pm
Thanks. The one line…..”Little is much” has been in my mind recently and I was glad to see the origins of that song. Thank you.
23 March 2013 @ 1:47 pm
Thanks for the comment. “Little is much” has been a recurring refrain for me, through many years of ministry. I sense my own weakness and waywardness, and know the only way my efforts will bear spiritual fruit is if the last half of the statement also applies–“when God is in it.” God bless.