Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me; Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Daniel Iverson
Daniel Iverson (b. Brunswick, GA, 1890; d. Asheville, NC, 1977) wrote the first stanza and tune of this hymn after hearing a sermon on the Holy Spirit during an evangelism crusade by the George Stephans Evangelistic Team in Orlando, Florida, 1926. The hymn was sung at the crusade and then printed in leaflets for use at other services. Published anonymously in Robert H. Colemanโs Revival Songs (1929) with alterations in the tune, this short hymn gained much popularity by the middle of the century. Since the 1960s it has again been properly credited to Iverson. Iverson studied at the University of Georgia, Moody Bible Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, and the University of South Carolina. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1914
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul! What wondrous love is this, O my soul! What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul, To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down, sinking down, When I was sinking down beneath Godโs righteous frown, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul, Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing; To God and to the Lamb, I will sing. To God and to the Lamb Who is the great โI Amโ; While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing; While millions join the theme, I will sing.
And when from death Iโm free, Iโll sing on, Iโll sing on; And when from death Iโm free, Iโll sing on. And when from death Iโm free, Iโll sing and joyful be; And through eternity, Iโll sing on, Iโll sing on; And through eternity, Iโll sing on.
โWhat Wondrous Love Is Thisโ is a Christianfolk hymn, sometimes described as a โwhite spiritualโ, from the American South.[1] Its text was first published in 1811, during the Second Great Awakening, and its melody derived that of from an English popular ballad. Today it is a widely known hymn included in hymnals of many Christian denominations.[2]
The hymnโs lyrics were first published inย Lynchburg, Virginiaย in theย c.ย 1811ย camp meetingย songbookย A General Selection of the Newest and Most Admired Hymns and Spiritual Songs Now in Use.[3]ย The lyrics may also have been printed, in a slightly different form, in the 1811 bookย Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Original and Selectedย published inย Lexington, Kentucky.[4]ย (It was included in the third edition of this text published in 1818, but all copies of the first edition have been lost.[4]) In most early printings, the hymnโs text was attributed to an anonymous author, though the 1848 hymnalย The Hesperian Harpย attributes the text to aย Methodistย pastor fromย Oxford, Georgiaย named Alexander Means.[5]
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
The Vine Vigil wishes all of our followers to know the greatest gift and love that can be had at any price.ย The free gift of eternal salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.ย No greater love hath man than this โ and He did lay down His life for His friends.
Please enjoy these treasured hymns as you read the following Scripture.
We here at The Vine Vigil wish you a lovely and very merry Christmas.
Luke 1:26-37
26ย And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27ย To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28ย And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29ย And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30ย And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31ย And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his nameย Jesus.
32ย He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33ย And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34ย Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
35ย And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
36ย And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
1. O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
2. O come, O Wisdom from on high, who ordered all things mightily; to us the path of knowledge show and teach us in its ways to go.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
3. O come, O come, great Lord of might, who to your tribes on Sinai’s height in ancient times did give the law in cloud and majesty and awe.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
The Birth of Christ
As we continue our descent into the month of December, we remember the birth of Christ, and we will be posting a selection of some of our favorite Christmas hymns so that you can celebrate this momentous and beloved time with us. This hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” is one of my very favorite Christmas hymns.
As a child, my parents always made Christmas very special. I remember on Christmas morning, waking up to the smell of my mother’s homemade cinnamon rolls with her secret lemon, cream-cheese icing. Of which, I – reminiscent of the prophet Elisha (in my own mind) – did not hesitate to ask for and proudly acquire, my own double portioning. As I sat at the table, bedecked by a Christmas-cheery tablecloth, this would be one of the hymns my mother would play on her record player. Perhaps it is the somber humility with which the verses beckon the coming of Christ, or perhaps it is the overwhelming reverence with which the refrain exclaims, “Rejoice! Rejoice!” this hymn, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” stirs our hearts into movement and attention in recollection of the birth of Christ.
Isaiah 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
This song, has a lot of โbounce,โ but it is not syncopated. The tempo is even, at a quick march beat, known as a โquick-step.โ A real โfoot stomper!โ The offering for today was inspired by Terry Dawsonโs testimony, wherein he was saved at โan old fashioned tent meeting.โ The words to this hymn are outstanding โ especially verses 3 and 4!
The Complete 1922 Lyrics to the song: The Old Fashioned Meeting, By Herbert Buffman
Verse 1: Oh how well I remember in the old fashioned days, When some old fashioned people had some old fashioned ways In the old fashioned meetings, as they tarried there In the old fashioned manner, how God answered their prayer.
Chorus: โTwas an old fashiomed meeting, In an old fashioned place Where some old fashioned people, had some old fashion grace As an old fashioned sinner, I began to pray, And God heard me and answered in the old fashioned way
Verse 2: There was singing, such singing, of those old fashioned airs! There was power, such power, in those old fashioned prayers An old fashioned conviction made the sinner pray And the Lord heard and saved him in the old fashioned way.
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 3: Well, They say it is better, โ Things have changed, donโt you know!โ And the people in general seem to think it is so And they call me old fashioned when I dare to say That I like it far better in the old fashioned way.
Repeat Chorus:
Verse 4: If the Lord never changes, as the fashion of men, If Heโs always the same, why, He is old fashioned then! As an old fashioned sinner saved through old time grace, Oh, Iโm sure He will take me to an old fashioned place.
Repeat Chorus:
Short Name: Herbert Buffum
Full Name: Buffum, Herbert, 1879-1939
Birth Year: 1879
Death Year: 1939
Born: November 13, 1879, Laยญfayยญette, Ilยญliยญnois. Died: Ocยญtoยญber 9, 1939, Los Anยญgeยญles, Calยญiยญforยญnia. Buried: Valยญhalยญla Meยญmorยญiยญal Park, Los Anยญgeยญles, Calยญiยญforยญnia. His epยญiยญtaph reads โI have fought a good fight.โ
Afยญter movยญing with his famยญiยญly to Calยญiยญforยญnia and beยญing conยญvertยญed to Christ at age 18, Bufยญfum felt a call to the minยญisยญtry. He held minยญisยญterยญiยญal creยญdenยญtials with the Church of the Nazarene, and was a Hoยญliยญness/Penยญteยญcostยญal evanยญgelยญist. He was alยญso a prolific song writยญer, with maยญny songs inยญspired by perยญsonยญal exยญperยญiยญence; He had 10,000 Songs to his credยญit, 1,000 acยญtuยญalยญly pubยญlished. Ripleyโs โBelieve It Or Notโ claimed He once wrote 12 songs in an hour. Though a talยญentยญed muยญsiยญcian, Bufยญfum reยญceived no muยญsicยญal trainยญing. He sold most of his songs for five dollars or less. When he died, the Los Anยญgeยญles Times called him โthe king of Gosยญpel song writยญers. http://www.hymnary.org/text/o_how_well_i_remember
Thus saithย theย Lord, Stand ye inย theย ways, and see, and ask forย theย oldย paths, where isย theย good way, and walkย therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
I love you, Lord And I lift my voice To worship You Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King In what You hear Let it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) And I lift my voice (And I lift my voice) To worship You (To worship You) Oh, my soul, rejoice! (Oh, my soul)
Take joy my King (Take joy my King) In what You hear (In what You hear) Let it be a sweet, sweet sound (Let it be a sweet sound) In Your ear
I love you, Lord And I lift my voice To worship You Oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King In what You hear Let it be a sweet, sweet sound In Your ear
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) (And I lift my voice)
I love you, Lord (Take joy my King) (Take joy my King)
I love you, Lord (I love you, Lord) I love you, Lord (Let it be a sweet, sweet sound)
Words and music by Laurie B. Klein
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign. My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, โtis now.
I love Thee because Thou has first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvaryโs tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, โtis now.
Iโll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath; And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, โtis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight, Iโll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; Iโll sing with the glittering crown on my brow; If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, โtis now.
William Ralph Featherstone Writes a Legacy of Love that Becomes My Jesus I Love Thee
The lives of most people are not captured in the history books. Memories are left to the hearts and minds of family and friends, and then all too soon fade into the tapestry of times past. And so it was with William Ralph Featherstone. He was born without fanfare on July 24, 1846, in Montreal Canada, and he died in the same city, just before his 27th birthday. Little else is known of his short life except for the fact that some time during his 16th year of life William put pen to paper to record a love poem. The love he expressed was deep and true. The words of that poem have lasted more than a century beyond Featherstoneโs life and death.
In 1876, three years after Featherstoneโs passing, Adoniram Gordon put music to this love poem and added it to a hymnal which was published that same year. Featherstoneโs poem My Jesus I Love Thee has since been recorded in most evangelical hymnals of the past 130 years, and is loved and sung by millions of Christians yet today.
Psalm 116:1
I love theย Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
The sky shall unfold Preparing His entrance The stars shall applaud Him With thunders of praise
The sweet light in His eyes Shall enhance those awaiting And we shall behold Him Then face to face
O, we shall behold Him We shall behold Him Face to face in all of His glory
O, we shall behold Him Yes, we shall behold Him Face to face, our Savior and Lord
The angel shall sound The shout of His coming And the sleeping shall rise From their slumbering place
And those who remain Shall be changed in a moment And we shall behold Him Then face to face
We shall behold Him O yes we shall behold Him Face to face in all of His glory
We shall behold Him Yes, we shall behold Him Face to face
Our Savior and Lord And we shall behold Him Our Savior and Lord Savior and Lord
Southern Gospel legend Dottie Rambo died on Motherโs Day, Sunday, May 11, 2008 when her tour bus ran off the highway and struck an embankment in Missouri. Dottie was on her way to North Richland Hills, Texas to perform a Motherโs Day show with Lulu Roman & Naomi Sego. Dottie was 74 at the time of her death and had spent 62 years of her life writing music and singing about her Savior.
Seven other people on the bus, including her manager Larry Ferguson and his wife and two children, were injured in the accident. They were hospitalized in Springfield, Missouri with moderate to severe injuries, according to the Missouri Highway Patrol. Representatives from her recording label confirmed that Dottie was asleep at the time of the accident.
Dottie Rambo, born Joyce Reba Lutrell in Madison, Kentucky on March 2, 1934, started writing songs at the age of 8 while sitting by a creek near her family home. By age 10 she was playing guitar and singing on local country radio. Her father dreamed of the day that young Dottie become a singer on Nashvilleโs WSM Grand Ole Opry. When Dottie gave her life to Christ at the age of 12, changing her path from country music to gospel, her father did not agree with the decision, fearing that she would spend her life singing in backwood churches for little or no pay. He gave her an ultimatum; either stop the Christian singing or leave his house. Dottie chose the path that Christ had laid in front of her and was taken to the bus stop by her mother with all of her belongings in a cardboard suitcase and her name and address on a tag around her neck in case she got lost.
By the 1950s she had married Buck Rambo and had her daughter, Reba. Dottie and Buck traveled across the region singing her songs in small churches. Other gospel groups, like the Happy Goodman Family, heard her songs and started singing them. The then- governor of Louisiana, Jimmy Davis, heard her music and flew her and her family to the governorโs mansion so that she could sing her songs for him. Governor Davis paid Dottie to publish her songs and soon after, Warner Brothers Records signed Dottie and her group, The Gospel Echoes, to a two-record deal. When they wanted Dottie and her group to move to folk and start singing Rhythm and Blues, Dottie declined.
1 John 3:2
ย Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; Though I may wonder, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; Though none go with me, still I will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? Will you decide now to follow Jesus? No turning back, no turning back.
Singh was raised a member of the Sikh religion. Prior to his conversion, Sundar attended a primary school run by the American Presbyterian Mission where the New Testament was read daily as a โtextbook.โ Sundar โrefused to read the Bible at the daily lessonsโฆTo some extent the teaching of the Gospel on the love of God attracted me, but I still thought it was false.โ
In the midst of such confusion and while only fourteen years old, his mother died, and Sundar underwent a crisis of faith. His mother was a loving saintly woman and they were very close. In his anger, Sundar burned a copy of one of the Gospels in public. Within three days Sundar Singh could bear his misery no longer. Late one night in December 1903, he rose from bed and prayed that God reveal himself to him if he really existed. Otherwise โ โI planned to throw myself in front of the train which passed by our house.โ For seven hours Sundar Singh prayed. โO God, if there is a God, reveal thyself to me tonight.โ The next train was due at five oโclock in the morning. The hours passed. Suddenly the room filled with a glow. A man appeared before him. Sundar Singh heard a voice say, โHow long will you deny me? I died for you; I have given my life for you.โ He saw the manโs hands, pierced by nails.
Amazed that his vision had taken the unexpected form of Jesus, Sundar was convinced in his heart that Jesus was the true Savior, and that He was alive. Sundar fell on his knees before Him and experienced an astonishing peacefulness which he had never felt before. The vision disappeared, but peace and joy lingered within him.
Despite his familyโs pleas, bribes, and threats, Sundar wanted to be baptized in the Christian faith. After his father spoke words of official rejection over him, Sundar became an outcast from his people. He cut off the hair he had worn long like every Sikh man. Against great opposition, he was baptized on his birthday in 1905, in an English church in Simla.
Conventional Indian churches were willing to grant him a pulpit, but their rules were foreign to his spirit. Indeed, he felt that a key reason the gospel was not accepted in India was because it came in a garb foreign to Indians. He decided to become a sadhu, so that he could dedicate himself to the Lord Jesus. He was convinced that this was the best way to introduce the Gospel to his people since it was the only way which his people were accustomed to. As a sadhu, he wore a yellow robe, lived on the charity of others, abandoned all possession and maintained celibacy. In this lifestyle, he was free to devote himself to the Lord. Dressed in his thin yellow robe, Sundar Singh took to the road and began a life of spreading the simple message of love and peace and rebirth through Jesus. He carried no money or other possessions, only a New Testament.
Sundar journeyed much. He traveled all over India and Ceylon. Between 1918-1919, he visited Malaysia, Japan and China. Between 1920-1922 he went to Western Europe, Australia and Israel. He preached in many cities; Jerusalem, Lima, Berlin and Amsterdam among others. Despite his growing fame, Sundar retained a modest nature, desiring only to follow Jesusโ example: to repay evil with kindness and to win over his enemies by love.
He was quite independent of outward Church authority in all his religious life, thought, and work. He dropped out of a Christian seminary that he briefly attended. Neither did he attach much importance to public worship because in his experience the heart prays better in solitude than in a congregation.
He traveled in India and Tibet, as well as the rest of the world, with the message that the modern interpretation of Jesus was sadly watered down. Sundar visited Tibet every summer and in 1929, he visited there and was never seen again.
The story of the song is covered in the Book by Dr. P.P. Job and Indian preacher in His book โWhy God Whyโ
An excerpt from the book is given below:About 150 years ago, there was a great revival in Wales, England. As a result of this, many missionaries came from England and Germany to North-East India to spread the Gospel. At the time, north-east India was not divided into many states as it is today. The region was known as Assam and comprised hundreds of tribes. The tribal communities were quite primitive and aggressive by nature. The tribals were also called head-hunters because of a social custom which required the male members of the community to collect as many heads as possible. A manโs strength and ability to protect his wife was assessed by the number of heads he had collected. Therefore, a youth of marriageable age would try and collect as many heads as possible and hang them on the walls of his house. The more heads a man had, the more eligible he was considered. Into this hostile and aggressive community, came a group of Welsh missionaries spreading the message of love, peace and hope of Jesus Christ. Naturally, they were not welcomed. One Welsh missionary succeeded in converting a man, his wife, and two children. This manโs faith proved contagious and many villagers began to accept Christianity. Angry, the village chief summoned all the villagers. He then called the family who had first converted to renounce their faith in public or face execution. Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man instantly composed a song which became famous down the years. He sang:
I have decided to follow Jesus. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
Enraged at the refusal of the man, the chief ordered his archers to arrow down the two children. As both boys lay twitching on the floor, the chief asked, โWill you deny your faith? You have lost both your children. You will lose your wife too.โ
But the man sang these words in reply:
Though no one joins me, still I will follow. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
The chief was beside himself with fury and ordered his wife to be arrowed down. In a moment she joined her two children in death. Now he asked for the last time, โI will give you one more opportunity to deny your faith and live.โ
In the face of death the man sang the final memorable lines:
The cross before me, the world behind me. (3 times) No turning back, no turning back.
He was shot dead like the rest of his family. But with their deaths, a miracle took place. The chief who had ordered the killings was moved by the faith of the man. He wondered, โWhy should this man, his wife and two children die for a Man who lived in a far-away land on another continent some 2,000 years ago? There must be some supernatural power behind the family, and I too want that supernatural power.โ
In a spontaneous confession of faith, he declared, โI too belong to Jesus Christ!โ When the crowd heard this from the mouth of their chief, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is the power of [God in] demonstration.
John 12:26
ย If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.
Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.
Refrain
Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am.
Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus, No language my rapture can tell; I know that the light of His presence With me doth continually dwell.
Refrain
I think of my blessรจd Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long: I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.
Refrain
I know thereโs a crown that is waiting, In yonder bright mansion for me, And soon, with the spirits made perfect, At home with the Lord I shall be.
Refrain
“Oh, what a happy child I am,
although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world,
contented I will be!”
Fanny Crosby, (March 24, 1820 โ February 12, 1915)
1 Peter 1:18-19
18ย Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19ย But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Verse1: Far dearer than all that the world can impart Was the message came to my heart. How that Jesus alone for my sin did atone, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 2: The stripes that He bore and the thorns that He wore Told His mercy and lover evermore And my heart bowed in shame as I called on His name, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 3: How matchless the grace, when I looked in the face Of this Jesus, my crucified Lord; My redemption complete I then found at His feet, And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Verse 4: How blessed the thought, that my soul by Him bought, Shall be His in the glory on high; Where with gladness and song, Iโll be one of the throng And Calvary covers it all.
Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.
Note: There is little information available on this fine song, written in 1934, or its author, but itโs worthy of consideration both for how it came to be written, and for the aptness of its message. The full story is found in Al Smithโs Hymn Histories (pp. 125-127).
The song relates to a dancer named Walter โHappy Macโ MacDonald, whom comedian Eddie Cantor said had the fastest feet in the world. Mac was talented, but he was also in bondage to sin, and addicted to alcohol. One night in the early 1930โฒs he stumbled into a meeting in the Pacific Garden Mission, in Chicago. When an invitation was given for those present to trust in Christ as Saviour, Mac did not respond. But, as he returned, night after night, workers gradually came to know more about him.
Directing the mission in those days (1918-1936) were Walter Grand Taylor and his wife Ethelwyn, affectionately known as Pa and Ma Taylor. Ethel Taylor watched Mac, and her heart went out to him. She prayed, โDear Lord, please help us say and do the right things, so that we may win Mac to Thee.โ Finally, MacDonald did seek counseling, and Ma Taylor listened as he struggled with his past. โYou donโt understand,โ he prayed. โYou donโt know how bad I am, Lord. Really Iโm the worst man in the world. You canโt save me; Iโm too bad.โ
Mrs. Taylor recalled a message she had heard weeks before. Evangelist Percy Crawford had been a rebel in his youth. But one day he accepted Christ as his Saviour. The theme of Crawfordโs testimony was, โCalvary covers it all,โ and Ethel Taylor shared those words with MacDonald.
He asked her to repeat them, and suddenly the light dawned. โOh! Mrs. Taylor, Iโm so glad itโs true, and you told me. Calvary does cover it all! My whole past of sin and shame.โ The former entertainer trusted in the Saviour that night in 1934, and lived to become an outstanding servant of Christ.
This magnificent old hymn is pure praise from start to finish, and is chock full of solid doctrine. Turn up your speakers and see His glory. The chord progressions are spectacular.
All people that on earth do dwell, Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice. Him serve with fear, His praise forth tell; Come ye before Him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed; Without our aid He did us make; We are His folk, He doth us feed, And for His sheep He doth us take.
O enter then His gates with praise; Approach with joy His courts unto; Praise, laud, and bless His Name always, For it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good; His mercy is for ever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, And shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son and Holy Ghost, The God Whom Heaven and earth adore, From men and from the angel host Be praise and glory evermore.
Hymn Story
All People That on Earth Do Dwell
In the Reformation, there was a difference of opinion between Luther and Calvin concerning music for congregational singing. Luther advocated the use of hymns and carols, and even wrote a number of those. Calvin was concerned that hymns not clearly based on scripture might introduce false doctrine into the church, and so he advocated the singing of Psalms. He said that there were โno better songs nor more appropriate to the purpose (of congregational singing) than the Psalms of David which the Holy Spirit made and spoke through him.โ
Calvin, of course, was based in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1551, a Psalter was published in Geneva that included a song based on Psalm 134 and set to a tune by Louis Bourgeois. In 1561, the Anglo-Genevan Psalter (an English-language Psalter) was published in Geneva that included โAll People That on Earth Do Dwellโ set to that earlier tune by Bourgeois.
The words to โAll People That on Earth Do Dwellโ were written by William Kethe, a Scottish clergyman who had fled the persecutions of Queen Mary. His exile took him first to Frankfurt, Germany and thence to Geneva. Kethe helped with the translation of the Geneva Bible in 1560 and contributed 25 psalms to the Anglo-Genevan Psalter.
Kethe left Geneva for England in 1561, and took a copy of the Anglo-Genevan Psalter with him โโ thereby introducing this music to the English. A number of his psalms found their way into the English Psalter of 1562, which was published by Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins. All of his psalms were included in the Scottish Psalter two years later.
โAll People That on Earth Do Dwellโ is based on Psalm 100. That Psalm is five verses in length, and the song is four verses. The first verse of the song is based on verses 1 and 2 of the psalm, and each of the subsequent verses of the song is based on one verse of the psalm. It is probably the oldest hymn in common use today.
The tune by Bourgeois is known today as โOld Hundredth,โ and is one of the best-known tunes in modern hymnals โโ in large measure because it is also sung to the Doxology, โPraise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.โ
ย Make a joyful noise unto theย Lord, all ye lands.
2ย Serve theย Lordย with gladness: come before His presence with singing.
3ย Know ye that theย Lordย He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.
4ย Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
5ย For theย Lordย is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations.
sage
p.s. I post this as part of my continuous effort to point up the dangers of CCM, and hope and pray that Godโs people will wake up to the serpent in the singing. Can you see what is being lost as the old hymns are cast aside for simple lyrics and rhythmic melodies? CCM is now firmly in IFB churches everywhere.
1 O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee; I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
2 O light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee; my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshineโs blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.
3 O joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee; I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.
4 O cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee; I lay in dust lifeโs glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be.
Lyrics: George Matheson 1842-1906
Music: Albert L. Peace
โStabilizing lines, especially for those in darkness.
Do you know the story behind it?
At age 20 George Matheson (1842-1906) was engaged to be married but began going blind. When he broke the news to his fiancee, she decided she could not go through life with a blind husband. She left him. Before losing his sight he had written two books of theology and some feel that if he had retained his sight he could have been the greatest leader of the church of Scotland in his day.
A special providence was that Georgeโs sister offered to care for him. With her help, George left the world of academia for pastoral ministry and wound up preaching to 1500 each weekโblind.
The day came, however, in 1882, when his sister fell in love and prepared for marriage herself. The evening before the wedding, Georgeโs whole family had left to get ready for the next dayโs celebration. He was alone and facing the prospect of living the rest of his life without the one person who had come through for him. On top of this, he was doubtless reflecting on his own aborted wedding day twenty years earlier. It is not hard to imagine the fresh waves of grief washing over him that night.
In the darkness of that moment George Matheson wrote this hymn. He remarked afterward that it took him five minutes and that it was the only hymn he ever wrote that required no editing.
O love that will not let me go. Heartening hope for you and me.โ
Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesusโ blood can make you free; For He saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me.
Refrain:ย And I know, yes, I knowย Jesusโ blood can make the vilest sinner clean,ย And I know, yes, I knowย Jesusโ blood can make the vilest sinner clean.
To the faint He giveth power,ย Through the mountains makes a way;ย Findeth water in the desert,ย Turns the night to golden day.
In temptation He is near thee,ย Holds the powโrs of hell at bay;ย Guides you to the path of safety,ย Gives you grace for every day.
He will keep thee while the agesย Roll throughout eternity;ย Though earth hinders and hell rages,ย All must work for good to thee.
We only know that the wonderful words and music to this hymn were written by a lady name Anna W. Waterman, in 1920. . .
From a home with one brother and one sister, Charles Watermanโs urge was to see the country. This took him to hitchhiking on the railroad to California. He was influenced by the worldly crowd and gave himself to become an alcoholic. Even as such, he worked his way up to become an engineer on the steam locomotive. He married Anna, who had a Christian background and did what she could to keep the testimony before him. Anna was discouraged at the path her husband followed because it was causing him to miss work on some of his hangovers. So she asked a lady in her town in California to meet with her and help her pray for Charles to be saved. His wild life went on for three or more years and one night he became frightened while under the influence and when he finally arrived at home, he told Anna he wanted to be saved. She immediately called her friend who came over to their home and they led him to the Lord. He begged the Lord for forgiveness and to clean up his life, which the Lord did. The happiness that followed caused Anna to write this song. A book with over 30 other songs was collected and published. They visited in Lodi, Fountain County, Indiana, and at the Baptist Church, later named Waterman Baptist Church. http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/y/e/s/yesiknow.htm
Hebrews 7:25
ย Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
30ย Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31ย But they that wait upon theย Lordย shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul. Break down every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow. Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Lord Jesus, let nothing unholy remain, Apply Thine own blood and extract every stain; To get this blest cleansing, I all things foregoโ Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies, And help me to make a complete sacrifice. I give up myself, and whatever I know, Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat, I wait, blessรจd Lord, at Thy crucified feet. By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow, Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait, Come now, and within me a new heart create; To those who have sought Thee, Thou never saidst No, Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Refrain
The blessing by faith, I receive from above; O glory! my soul is made perfect in love; My prayer has prevailed, and this moment I know, The blood is applied, I am whiter than snow.
Refrain
This hymn was written in 1872 by James Nicholson, who lived in Washington D. C. He was a dedicated Christian and was active in the Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church as a Sunday school and evangelistic worker.
The tune was written by Philadelphia musician named William Gustavus Fischer who was a popular song leader for revival meetings. He also composed the tune for โI love to tell the storyโ.
The hymn is based on Ps51:7 โ โPurge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.โ
This beautiful hymn tells the salvation story from start to finish. It contains all three elements of true repentance:
change of mind
change of heart
change of will
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the time to get right with the Lord. In all sincerity โ there is no better time than right now.
If you will only let God guide you, And hope in Him through all your ways, Whatever comes, Heโll stand beside you, To bear you through the evil days; Who trusts in Godโs unchanging love Builds on the Rock that cannot move.
Only be still, and wait His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whatever the Fatherโs pleasure And all discerning love have sent; Nor doubt our inmost wants are known To Him Who chose us for His own.
Sing, pray, and swerve not from His ways, But do your part in conscience true; Trust His rich promises of grace, So shall they be fulfilled in you; God hears the call of those in need, The souls that trust in Him indeed.
Winkworthโs original translation:
If thou but suffer God to guide thee And hope in Him through all thy ways, Heโll give thee strength, whateโer betide thee, And bear thee through the evil days. Who trust in Godโs unchanging love Builds on the rock that naught can move.
What can these anxious cares avail thee These never ceasing moans and sighs? What can it help if thou bewail thee Oโer each dark moment as it flies? Our cross and trials do but press The heavier for our bitterness.
Be patient and await His leisure In cheerful hope, with heart content To take whatever thy Fatherโs pleasure And His discerning love hath sent, Nor doubt our inmost want are known To Him who chose us for His own.
God knows full well when time of gladness Shall be the needful thing for thee. When He has tried thy soul with sadness And from all guile has found thee free, He comes to thee all unaware And makes thee own His loving care.
Nor think amid the fiery trial That God hath cast thee off unheard, That he whose hopes meet no denial Must surely be of God preferred. Time passes and much change doth bring And set a bound to everything.
All are alike before the Highest: โTis easy for our God, We know, To raise thee up, though low thou liest, To make the rich man poor and low. True wonders still by Him are wrought Who setteth up and brings to naught.
Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, Perform thy duties faithfully, And trust His Word: though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee. God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted Him indeed.
Words:Georg Neuยญmark, 1641 (Wer nur den lieยญben Gott lรคsst walยญten); first pubยญlished in his Fortยญgeยญpflantzยญer muยญsikยญalยญisch-poยญetยญischยญer Lustยญwald (Jeยญna, Gerยญmaยญny: 1657). Caยญtherยญine Winkยญworth transยญlatยญed the words from Gerยญman to Engยญlish in 1855, and pubยญlished them in the Choยญrale Book for Engยญland, 1863.
Music: Neumark, Georg Neuยญmark, 1641 (MIยญDI, score). The tune is said to have been used for 400 difยญferยญent hymns.
Things appeared desperate for Georg Neumark. Walking cross country in the early Autumn of 1641 to begin his studies at the University of Konigsberg, the young German scholar was robbed of virtually everything he owned. With no money left to pay for food or classes, George had to drop out of college and look for work. He was hungry, poorly clothed, forced to take whatever shelter he could find as the cold weather came on.
He went back to Magdeburg but could find no work there. However, he made friends easily, and they pointed him to different cities. But he had no more success in the next three cities he tried: Luneburg, Winsen or Hamburg. He passed on to Keil. The chief pastor of Keil, Nicolaus Becker took an interest in Georg. Like Georg, he was from Thuringia. However, he could find him no immediate work. It was now December. What was Georg to do?
At this darkest moment, a miracle happened. A tutor in a prominent family fell into disgrace and fled. Nicolaus Becker recommended Georg for the position and he was hired. Georgโs response was to burst into a hymn of praise, โon that very day.โ
If thou but suffer God to guide thee And hope in Him through all thy ways, Heโll give thee strength, whateโer betide thee, And bear thee through the evil daysโฆ. Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving, Perform thy duties faithfully, And trust His Word: though undeserving, Thou yet shalt find it true for thee. God never yet forsook in need The soul that trusted Him indeed.
We remember George Neumark mainly because of that one hymn and the tune he composed for it. For two years he worked and saved his money, finally getting together enough to enter University. In 1646 he again lost everything he owned, this time to a fire.
However, he was able to complete his studies and return to his homeland. There Duke Wilhelm II of Sachse-Weimar recognized his merits and gave him a trusted position.
Georg went blind shortly before he died, but the court allowed him to keep his jobs with their badly-needed income right to the end. He died on this day, July 18, 1681, having turned 60 shortly before. He had performed his part faithfully and God did not forsake him, bearing him through the evil days.
Bibliography:
Covert, William Chalmers and Laufer, Calvin Weiss, editors. Handbook to the Hymnal. (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, 1936).
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
1 No one understands like Jesus, Heโs a friend beyond compare; Meet Him at the throne of mercy, He is waiting for you there.
Chorus: No one understands like Jesus, When the days are dark and grim; No one is so near, so dear as Jesus, Cast your every care on Him.
2 No one understands like Jesus, Every woe He sees and feels; Tenderly He whispers comfort, And the broken heart He heals. (Chorus)
3 No one understands like Jesus, When the foes of life assail; You should never be discouraged, Jesus cares and will not fail (Chorus)
4 No one understands like Jesus, When you falter on the way; Thoโ you fail Him, sadly fail Him He will pardon you today. (Chorus)
John W. Peterson (November 1, 1921 โ September 20, 2006) was a songwriter who had a major influence on evangelical Christian music in the 1950s through the 1970s. He wrote over 1000 songs, and 35 cantatas.
Born in Lindsborg, Kansas, he served as an Army Air Force pilot flying the China Hump during World War II. Later, he attended Moody Bible Institute and served on the radio staff there for a number of years.
In 1953, he graduated from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and shortly thereafter settled in Pennsylvania to continue his songwriting career. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where for over ten years he was President and Editor-in-Chief of Singspiration, a sacred music publishing company. While there, he compiled and edited a hymnal called โGreat Hymns of the Faithโ, (c) 1961. He also served on the board of Gospel Films, Inc. of Muskegon, Michigan.
He also had direct contact with popular Christian musicians of the day such as Bill Pearce and Dick Anthony. He resided in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continued to write music. Peterson died September 20, 2006, aged 84, following a bout with prostate cancer.
Some of his more popular song titles include โIt Took a Miracleโ, โOver the Sunset Mountainsโ, โHeaven Came Downโ, โSo Send I Youโ, โSprings of Living Waterโ, โJesus is Coming Againโ, โSurely Goodness and Mercyโ and โThis is the day that the Lord hath madeโ. His cantatas include Night of Miracles and Down From His Glory.
In 1986, he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
โwww.wikipedia.org
John W. Peterson was a gifted composer of Christian music. ALL of his music is Godly, reverent, melodic, harmonic, and devoid of spiritually dangerous back-beat. I thank God for John W. Peterson, the last great writer of Christian music.
Hebrews 4:14-16
14ย Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15ย For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16ย Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
1 I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.
Refrain: How marvelous, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvelous, how wonderful is my Saviorโs love for me!
2 He took my sins and my sorrows; he made them his very own; he bore the burden to Calvary and suffered and died alone. [Refrain]
3 When with the ransomed in glory his face I at last shall see, โtwill be my joy through the ages to sing of his love for me. [Refrain]
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (August 18, 1856, Wilton, Iowa โ September 14, 1932, Hollywood, California) was a writer of gospel songs and composer of gospel tunes. He is said to have written and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs,[1] many of which are available in 21st century hymnals. He used several pseudonyms, including Charlotte G. Homer, H. A. Henry, and S. B. Jackson.[2]
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel was born in Wilton, Muscatine County, Iowa, and raised on a farm. His father led singing schools in their home, and young Charles developed an interest in music. It is said that he taught himself to play the familyโs reed organ.[2] Even though he never had any formal training in music, he began to travel and lead his own singing schools in various locations around the age of 17.[3]
His musical talent was well recognized in his boyhood home of Wilton. There is one folklore story, that the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilton (Pastor Pollock or McAulay) once saw Gabriel walking in town early in the week. He asked Gabriel if he knew a good song to go along with his sermon. The pastor shared the sermon topic and by the end of the week the boy had written a song for that Sunday, words and music. The Rev. N. A. McAulay was a pastor at the Wilton church for many years, and it is also said that young Gabriel wrote the music for one of McAulayโs songs. The song, โHow Could it Be,โ was later published in Songs for Service, edited by Gabriel, with the music being credited to โCharles H. Marsh,โ possibly one of Gabrielโs pseudonyms.[4]
ย I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemerโs praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!
My gracious Master and my God, Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad The honors of Thy name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; โTis music in the sinnerโs ears, โTis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of canceled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.
He speaks, and, listening to His voice, New life the dead receive, The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf; His praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ; Ye blind, behold your Savior come, And leap, ye lame, for joy.
In Christ your Head, you then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven; Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Glory to God, and praise and love Be ever, ever given, By saints below and saints above, The church in earth and heaven.
On this glad day the glorious Sun Of Righteousness arose; On my benighted soul He shone And filled it with repose.
Sudden expired the legal strife, โTwas then I ceased to grieve; My second, real, living life I then began to live.
Then with my heart I first believed, Believed with faith divine, Power with the Holy Ghost received To call the Savior mine.
I felt my Lordโs atoning blood Close to my soul applied; Me, me He loved, the Son of God, For me, for me He died!
I found and owned His promise true, Ascertained of my part, My pardon passed in heaven I knew When written on my heart.
Look unto Him, ye nations, own Your God, ye fallen race; Look, and be saved through faith alone, Be justified by grace.
See all your sins on Jesus laid: The Lamb of God was slain, His soul was once an offering made For every soul of man.
Awake from guilty natureโs sleep, And Christ shall give you light, Cast all your sins into the deep, And wash the รthiop white.
Harlots and publicans and thieves In holy triumph join! Saved is the sinner that believes From crimes as great as mine.
Murderers and all ye hellish crew In holy triumph join! Believe the Savior died for you; For me the Savior died.
With me, your chief, ye then shall know, Shall feel your sins forgiven; Anticipate your heaven below, And own that love is heaven.
Charles Wesley 1739
Wesley wrote this hymn to comยญmemยญoยญrate the first anยญniยญverยญsaยญry of his conยญverยญsion to Christ. This orยญiยญgin is reยญflectยญed in the lyrยญics, โOn this glad day the glorยญiยญous Sun of Rightยญeousยญness arose.โ The stanza that beยญgins โO for a thouยญsand tongues to singโ is verse seven of Wesยญleyโs origยญinยญal poยญem. This work first apยญpeared in Hymns and Sacยญred Poยญems in 1740.
The majestic music for this breathtaking hymn was composed by Carl Glaser, 1828.
Psalm 35:27-28
27ย Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let theย Lordย be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
28ย And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.
Psalm 119:171-173
171ย My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172ย My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173ย Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
Arise, my soul, arise; shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears: Before the throne my surety stands, Before the throne my surety stands, My name is written on His hands.
He ever lives above, for me to intercede; His all redeeming love, His precious blood, to plead: His blood atoned for all our race, His blood atoned for all our race, And sprinkles now the throne of grace.
Five bleeding wounds He bears; received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers; they strongly plead for me: โForgive him, O forgive,โ they cry, โForgive him, O forgive,โ they cry, โNor let that ransomed sinner die!โ
The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One; He cannot turn away, the presence of His Son; His Spirit answers to the blood, His Spirit answers to the blood, And tells me I am born of God.
My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear; He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear: With confidence I now draw nigh, With confidence I now draw nigh, And โFather, Abba, Father,โ cry.
Charles Wesley 1707-1788
Charles Wesley, the son of Samuel Wesley, was born at Epworth, Dec. 18, 1707. He was educated at Westminster School and afterwards at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. In 1735, he took Orders and immediately proceeded with his brother John to Georgia, both being employed as missionaries of the S.P.G. He returned to England in 1736. For many years he engaged with his brother in preaching the Gospel. He died March 29, 1788. To Charles Wesley has been justly assigned the appellation of the โBard of Methodism.โ His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the โWesleyan Hymn Book,โ 623 of the 770 hymns were written by him; and he published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone, or in conjunction with his brother. The number of his separate hymns is at least five thousand. http://www.hymnary.org/person/Wesley_Charles
โI have a reยญcord,โ said a Wesยญleyยญan misยญsionยญary laยญborยญing in the West Inยญdies, โof two hunยญdred perยญsons, young and old, who reยญceived the most diยญrect evยญiยญdence of the forยญgiveยญness of their sins while singยญing โArise, my soul.โ The conยญverยญsion of the greatยญer numยญber of these perยญsons took place while I was a misยญsionยญary abroad.โ
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!
All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed, Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine; Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.
Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began; Father love is reigning oโer us, brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife, Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Henry Van Dyke 1852-1933
โThe Hymn of Joyโ[1] (often called โJoyful, Joyful We Adore Theeโ after the first line) is a poem written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 with the intention of musically setting it to the famous โOde to Joyโ melody of the final movement of Ludwig van Beethovenโs final symphony, Symphony No. 9.[2]
Van Dyke wrote this poem in 1907 while staying at the home of Williams College president Harry Augustus Garfield. He was serving as a guest preacher at Williams at the time. He told his host that the local Berkshire Mountains had been his inspiration.[3] The lyrics were first published in 1911 in Van Dykeโs Book of Poems, Third Edition.[3]
Van Dyke wrote of this hymn:
These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present timeโhymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.
โThis hymn is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language.โ
ย I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Revelation 15:3-4
ย And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints.
Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? for Thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before Thee; for Thy judgments are made manifest.
1 โThough your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Though your sins be as scarlet, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, they shall be as white as snow.โ
2 Hear the voice that entreats you, O return ye unto God! Hear the voice that entreats you, O return ye unto God! He is great compassion, and of wondrous love. Hear the voice that entreats you, hear the voice that entreats you, O return ye unto God! O return ye unto God!
3 Heโll forgive your transgressions, and remember them no more: heโll forgive your transgressions, and remember them no more. โLook unto me, ye people,โ saith the Lord your God. Heโll forgive your transgressions, heโll forgive your transgression, and remember them no more, and remember them no more.
Fanny Crosby 1820-1915
She could compose at any time and did not need to wait for any special inspiration, and her best hymns have come on the spur of the moment. She always composed with an open book in her hand, generally a copy of Golden Hymns, held closely over her eyes, bottom side up. She learned to play on the guitar and piano while at the institution, and has a clear soprano voice. She also received a technical training in music, and for this reason she could, and did, compose airs for some of her hymns. One of these is, โJesus, dear, I come to Thee, Thou hast said I may,โ both words and music of which are wonderfully sweet. โSafe in the arms of Jesusโ, probably one of her best known hymns, was her own favorite. Fanny loved her work, and was happy in it. She was always ready either to sympathize or join in a mirthful conversation, as the case may be. The secret of this contentment dates from her first composition at the age of eight years. โIt has been the motto of my life,โ she says. It is: โO what a happy soul am I! Although I cannot see, I am resolved that in this world Contented I will be;โ
This has continued to be her philosophy. She says that had it not been for her affliction she might not have so good an education, nor so great an influence, and certainly not so fine a memory. She knows a great many portions of the Bible by heart, and had committed to memory the first four books of the Old Testament, and also the four Gospels before she was ten years of age.
17ย Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
18ย Come now, and let us reason together, saith theย Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
19ย If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land
1. Iโm pressing on the upward way, New heights Iโm gaining every day; Still praying as Iโm onward bound, โLord, plant my feet on higher ground.โ
Refrain: Lord, lift me up and let me stand, By faith, on Heavenโs tableland, A higher plane than I have found; Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2. My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where those abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3. I want to live above the world, Though Satanโs darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.
4. I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still Iโll pray till heavโn Iโve found, โLord, plant my feet on higher ground.โ
Born: Apยญril 21, 1856, near Medยญford, New Jerยญsey.
Johnson Oatman, Jr., son of Johnson and Rachel Ann Oatman, was born near Medford, N. J., April 21, 1856. His father was an excellent singer, and it always delighted the son to sit by his side and hear him sing the songs of the church.
Outside of the usual time spent in the public schools, Mr. Oatman received his education at Herbertโs Academy, Princetown, N. J., and the New Jersey Collegiate Institute, Bordentown, N. J. At the age of nineteen he joined the M.E. Church, and a few years later he was granted a license to preach the Gospel, and still later he was regularly ordained by Bishop Merrill. However, Mr. Oatman only serves as a local preacher.
For many years he was engaged with his father in the mercantile business at Lumberton, N. J., under the firm name of Johnson Oatman & Son. Since the death of his father, he has for the past fifteen years been in the life insurance business, having charge of the business of one of the great companies in Mt. Holly, N. J., where he resides.
He has written over three thousand hymns, and no gospel song book is considered as being complete unless it contains some of his hymns.
In 1878 he married Wilhelmina Reid, of Lumberton, N.J. and had three children, Rachel, Miriam, and Percy.
Excerpted from Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers by Jacob Henry Hall; Fleming H. Revell, Co. 1914
12ย Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2ย Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Due to the stressfulness of this past week, the Lord put it on my heart to choose this hymn, and post it this evening instead of waiting for tomorrow morning. Please let this wonderful hymn be a balm to your spirit.
Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm; In celestial strains it unceasingly falls Oโer my soul like an infinite calm.
Refrain
Peace, peace, wonderful peace, Coming down from the Father above! Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray In fathomless billows of love!
What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, Buried deep in the heart of my soul, So secure that no power can mine it away, While the years of eternity roll!
Refrain
I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesusโ control; For Iโm kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul!
Refrain
And I think when I rise to that city of peace, Where the Anchor of peace I shall see, That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing In that heavenly kingdom will be:
Refrain
Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest, Marching down the rough pathway of time? Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark; O accept of this peace so sublime!
Refrain
Lyrics โ Warren D. Cornell โ Alas โ no picture is available of brother Warren Cornell.
Died: Febยญruยญaยญry 4, 1901, Fond du Lac, Wisยญconยญsin.
Cornell & Cooper wrote this song at a camp meeting near West Bend, Wisconsin:
One day while seated in the tent, Mr. Cornell, following a period of deep introspection, wrote down the thoughts with which his mind had been busied. They later proved to be parts of this hymn, Wonderful Peace. Sinking again into introspective rumination, he arose, unwittingly dropped the written verses on the tent floor and went out. When Mr. Cooper entered the tent an hour or two later he discovered the paper. He was fascinated by the theme and the accompanying verses. It so fitted his own thinking that he filled in and completed the poem. Then sitting down at the organ he composed the melody as it has since been sung.
Cooper was living in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (1870); Buchanan, Michigan (1880); and Hortonville Village, Wisconsin (1900). He pastored at the Hortonville Community Baptist Church from September 1, 1897 to April 1, 1901. In May 1922, he became pastor of the Baptist church in Ira, Vermont. His works include:
History of the Baptist Church of Ira, Vermont, with Simon Lewis Peck (Rutland, Vermont: Tuttle Company, 1925)
Sacred Songsย (Canton,ย Maine: The Pinewood Press, 1936)
A Biblical understanding of peace begins with the Hebrew expression ืฉึธืืืึนื (shalom), a word as rich in meaning as it is lovely in sound. In English we generally think of โpeaceโ in terms of what it is notโas an absence of conflict, or confusion, or struggle. But shalom is defined positively, as the presence of certain qualities, such as โcompleteness,โ โsoundness,โ and โwellnessโ (Brown, 1022). In this sense it was (and still is) used in Hebrew as an all-purpose greeting and farewell (Jewish Encyclopedia). With this in view, it becomes apparent that even when shalom is used in our sense of โpeaceโโthe opposite of warโit is more a state of mind than of situation. One might have shalom even in the midst of all sorts of external stresses and conflicts; it is not dependent on the actions of others.
Tis So Sweet to Trust in JesusRefrain: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How Iโve proved Him oโer and oโer Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!โTis so sweet to trust in Jesus, And to take Him at His Word; Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, โThus says the Lord!โRefrainO how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood; And in simple faith to plunge me โNeath the healing, cleansing flood!RefrainYes, โtis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace.RefrainIโm so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.Refrain
Text: Louisa M. R. Stead, c. 1850-1917 Music: William J. Kirkpatrick, 1838-1921
Trust is one of those marvelous words that can be used in many different ways. As a noun, it refers to the confidence that we have in someone or something. It can also be an account that is entitled to special treatment and special protection. As a verb, it is the act of placing confidence in someone else. Whether it is a thing or an action, though, we often speak of โlevelsโ or โdegreesโ of trust. Between the best of friends there is great trust. How much do we trust others? How much do they trust us?
This weekโs featured hymn was written by Louisa Stead. The story is told that she and her husband were watching their young daughter by the beach. Someone cried out for help. There was a boy in the water. Mr. Stead went to the rescue, but the frightened boy pulled him under the water in a panic. Mrs. Stead and her daughter could only watch from the beach as the boy and her husband drowned.
Stead was a poor woman and she was hardly able to provide for her daughter. One day when it seemed that all of their resources were gone, she found a gift of food and money left on her doorstep. It was on that day that she sat and wrote these words.
9ย But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10ย For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11ย For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12ย Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13ย And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
Love divine, all loves excelling, Joy of Heavโn to earth come down; Fix in us thy humble dwelling; All thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure unbounded love Thou art; Visit us with Thy salvation; Enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit, Into every troubled breast! Let us all in Thee inherit; Let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; End of faith, as its beginning, Set our hearts at liberty.
Come, Almighty to deliver, Let us all Thy life receive; Suddenly return and never, Never more Thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above, Pray and praise Thee without ceasing, Glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish, then, Thy new creation; Pure and spotless let us be. Let us see Thy great salvation Perfectly restored in Thee; Changed from glory into glory, Till in Heavโn we take our place, Till we cast our crowns before Thee, Lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
In 1961, during the Manchester, England, crusadeโฆjust as the meetings were about to start, Billy Graham became quite seriously illโฆBilly had been scheduled to speak to the ministers of London just before the crusade opened. You can imagine my feelings when he sent word that I should represent him and speak at that meeting. The British pastors are themselves thorough scholars and often brilliant preachers. And they were expecting to hear Billy Graham, not me!
At the beginning of that meeting in Westminsterโs Central Hall, the ministers joined in singing this great hymn of Charles Wesley. Most of these British clergymen were also well acquainted with hymn texts and hymn tunes, and they sang gloriously. Accompanied by the grand piano and the great pipe organ and using the Welsh tune โBlaenwern,โ these familiar words lifted our hearts in praise and prayer to God. I felt Godโs strength evident through the singing; He blessed our meeting together despite my fears and their disappointment.
1 Once to evโry man and nation Comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth and falsehood, For the good or evil side; Some great cause, some great decision, Offโring each the bloom or blight, And the choice goes by forever โTwixt that darkness and that light.
2 Then to side with truth is noble, When we share her wretched crust, Ere her cause bring fame and profit, And โtis prosperous to be just; Then it is the brave man chooses While the coward stands aside. Till the multitude make virtue Of the faith they had denied.
3 By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, Toiling up new Calvโries ever With the cross that turns not back; New occasions teach new duties, Ancient values test our youth; They must upward still and onward, Who would keep abreast of truth.
4 Thoโ the cause of evil prosper, Yet the truth alone is strong; Thoโ her portion be the scaffold, And upon the throne be wrong; Yet that scaffold sways the future, And, behind the dim unknown, Standeth God within the shadow, Keeping watch above His own.
Short Name:
James Russell Lowell
Full Name:
Lowell, James Russell, 1819-1891
Birth Year:
1819
Death Year:
1891
Lowell, James Russell, LL.D., was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 22, 1819; graduated at Harvard College, 1838, and was called to the Bar in 1840. Professor of Modern Languages and Literature (succeeding the Poet Longfellow) in Harvard, 1855; American Minister to Spain, also to England in 1881. He was editor of the Atlantic Monthly, from 1857 to 1862; and of the North American Review from 1863 to 1872. Professor Lowell is the most intellectual of American poets, and first of her art critics and humorists. He has written much admirable moral and sacred poetry, but no hymns. One piece, โMen, whose boast it is that yeโ (Against Slavery), is part of an Anti-Slavery poem, and in its present form is found in Hymns of the Spirit, 1864. Part of this is given in Songs for the Sanctuary, N.Y., 1865, as โThey are slaves who will not choose.โ [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] โJohn Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) http://www.hymnary.org/person/Lowell_JR
1 Kings 18:21
ย And Elijah came unto all the people, and said,ย How long halt yeย between two opinions?ย if theย Lordย be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.ย And the people answered him not a word.
1 Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth thou hast for me. Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my eyes; illumine me, Spirit divine!
2 Open my ears, that I may hear voices of truth thou sendest clear. And while the wave notes fall on my ear, everything false will disappear. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my ears; illumine me, Spirit divine!
3 Open my mouth, and let me bear gladly the warm truth everywhere. Open my heart, and let me prepare love with thy children thus to share. Silently now I wait for thee, ready, my God, thy will to see. Open my heart; illumine me, Spirit divine!
Clara H. Scott (December 3, 1841 โ June 21, 1897) was an American composer, hymnwriter and publisher.[1] She was the first woman to publish a volume of anthems, the Royal Anthem Book, in 1882.[2] Scott was also well known for her hymn, Open My Eyes, That I May See, written in 1895.[3] The hymn was inspired by Psalm 119, verse 18.[4] She died in 1897 after being thrown from her carriage by a spooked horse. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_H._Scott
Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
The Vine Vigil 