Today in 1840 – Lucy Whitmore Died

Though born into a titled family, English author Lucy Elizabeth Georgiana Whitmore was a committed Christian who recognized her social status was not what gave her acceptance with God. In 1824, she published Family Prayers for Every Day in the Week. The book contained 14 hymns she had written. Among them was Father, Again in Jesus’ Name We Meet, expressing a deep humility before the Lord.

Father, again in Jesus’ name we meet,
And bow in penitence beneath Your feet;
Again to You our feeble voices raise,
To sue for mercy, and to sing Your praise.

O we would bless You for Your ceaseless care,
And all Your works from day to day declare;
Is not our life with hourly mercies crowned?
Does not Your arm encircle us around?

Alas, unworthy of Your boundless love,
Too oft with careless feet from You we rove;
But now, encouraged by Your voice, we come,
Returning sinners to a Father’s home.

(2) Today in 1847 – Charles Luther Born

Charles Caroll Luther was an American journalist and lay evangelist. Later, he was ordained as a Baptist clergyman. Then, other than a three-year pastorate in Connecticut, he served many more years as an evangelist. He wrote about 25 hymns, but only one is in common use today.

One day in 1877, Luther heard about a man who was dying after only being a Christian for one month. The fellow was troubled. But not at the prospect of death. What bothered him most was the wasted years of his life, and the little he’d been able to accomplish for the Lord. “I’m not afraid to die,” he said. “Jesus saves me now. But must I go empty handed?” Charles Luther’s heart was stirred by the man’s penetrating question and he wrote a gospel song about it. (The tune was composed by George Stebbins. to learn more about him, see the second item under Today in 1773.)

“Must I go, and empty handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

“Must I go, and empty handed?”
Must I meet my Saviour so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty handed go?

O the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Saviour,
To His will I’d gladly bow.