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Amazing Grace
Imagine with me back to the year 1746. A ship is docking on the coast of West Africa. Its purpose is to snatch unsuspecting people and sell them as slaves in the far off countries. The captain of this ship is known far and wide for his debauchery, vulgarity and blasphemy. But one day in 1748, while reading the book "The Imitation of Christ" by Thomas a Kempis, our captain comes face to face with his sin and turns his life over to Jesus, the Savior of sinners. Our captain is John Newton. After his conversion and dedication to Christ, he became a pastor and hymn writer. His most famous of hymns, "Amazing Grace", is a testimonial of his conversion to Christ.
Be Still My Soul
Each revival is also remember for a famous hymn. During the 16th century Reformation, it was "A Mighty Fortress is Our God." But after a time, the churches of the Reformation became stale and ritualistic again. In the latter half of the 17th century we hear of a new hymn and a new revival breaking out in Germany. Our new hymn is "Be Still, My Soul." And the themes of our new revival were: "Life versus doctrine," "Reality versus the appearance of godliness." This was the revival of Pietism.
"Be Still, My Soul" really had three person who put it together as the hymn we sing today. Katharina von Schlegel, a notable woman of the Pietism Revival , wrote the words, originally in German. One hundred years later the hymn was translated into English, fortunately for us, by Jane Borthwick. And our last contributor was Finland's greatest-composer, Jean Sibelius. One movement from his "Finlandia" is used as the tune for our hymn. God used three people from three countries to put together a hymn that teaches us that God is in control and to wait on Him.
Battle Hymn of The Republic
Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) was anguished over the fighting in the American Civil War. One day as she was watching a review of the Northern army, she heard the singing of the song �John Brown�s Body.� A song about a man who had been hanged in his efforts to free the slaves. She realized that the catchy tune needed better words. From her hotel room she could see the fires of �a hundred circling camps� and her mind thought about the �trumpet that shall never call retreat.� That day she penned the words to the hymn, the �Battle Hymn of the Republic.� Even though Mrs. Howe followed the Unitarian and Transcendentalist beliefs, those teachings do not come through in the hymn and the hymn is considered one of America�s finest patriotic songs. It was once sung at a rally where President Abraham Lincoln was in attendance. After the loud applause, the President, with tears in his eyes, cried out, �Sing it again!�
Beyond The Sunset
This is what Blanche Brock said about his hymn, �Beyond the Sunset.� This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table one evening, in 1936, after we diners had watched a very unusual sunset at Winona lake, Indiana, with a blind guest. We went to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked that he had never seen a more beautiful sunset. Our blind guest said, �I see through other people�s eyes, and I think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.� The phrase �beyond the sunset� and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. We then went to the piano and completed the first verse. �You should have a verse about the storm clouds,� our guest urged, and the words for this verse came quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked with his wife hand in hand together for so many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added.
Christ The Lord Is Risen Today
We have written before about the conversion experience of Charles Wesley, at Aldersgate. The hymn "Christ The Lord is Risen Today" was written one year later. The hymn was written especially for the opening service in their first Wesleyan Chapel in London, Foundry Meeting House. Remember Wesley always wanted to teach doctrine in his hymns. The doctrine in this hymn is obvious, the fact of the resurrection of Christ. But there is more, because of Jesus death and resurrection we have the promise that death has lost its power on us too. The grave will not be our final resting place, no, we too shall rise.
He Lives
Rev. Alfred Ackey (1887-1960) was preaching during an evangelistic crusade. After the service he was trying to persuade a young man to give his heart to Christ, when the man said, "Why should I worship a dead Jew?" Ackey stated, "HE LIVES! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands." Later that evening the young man gave his heart to Christ. It was during this experience that Ackey wrote not only the words but also the tune for our hymn, "He Lives."
I Need Thee Every Hour
Annie Sherwood Hawks gives this history to the poem she wrote, "I Need Thee Every Hour."
I remember well the morning . . . when in the midst of the daily cares of my home . . . I was so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him either in joy or pain, into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me . . . For myself the hymn was prophetic rather than expressive of my own experience at the time it was written, and I do not understand why it so touched the great throbbing heart of humanity.
She gave the simple poem to her pastor Dr. Robert Lowry. As he read and re-read it he realized that Anne had produced her finest work of poetry. He sat at his organ and composed the tune and then added a chorus to complete the work.
Just As I Am
The invalid Charlotte Elliot, was aghast that anyone would ask about the condition of her soul. But in May, 1822, that is what the visitor, Dr. Cesar Malan, asked of her. Later in the visit she apologized to her guest and said, �I am sorry for my rudeness. Actually I would like to come to Christ, but I do not know how to find him.� Dr. Malan knew that she had been relying on her own efforts for her salvation from sin and so replied, �come just as you are. Cut the cable; it will take too long to unloose it. It is small loss anyway.� Twelve years later, in 1834, Charlotte was unable to help in fund raising effort in which her brother was involved. Her thoughts were of her useless invalid condition, but then her thoughts turned to God�s grace. She thought of how God saved her and keeps her and these thoughts inspired her to write a poem about the gospel of pardon, peace, and heaven; �Just as I Am, Without One Plea.�
Onward Christian Soldiers
Whitmonday was a festival day for schoolchildren. During the day the children would march to neighboring villages carrying a cross and banners. In 1864, Pastor Sabine Baring-Gould wanted a new hymn to encourage them in their march. In fifteen minutes he wrote to the hymn, �Onward Christian Soldiers,� but at that time it was named �Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners.� Later on, Baring-Gould apologized for the hymn. He said, �It was written in great haste, and I am afraid that some of the rhymes are faulty.� Yet, this simple hymn has become one of the most famous Christian marching hymns ever written.
Tell Me The Old, Old, Story
Katherine Hankey was born 1834. She grew up in a Christian home and like her father grew to have a great desire to see young ladies come to know Christ. In 1866, she got very sick and had to be in bed for a long time. While in her bed she had the opportunity to think about all the young ladies who had heard and received the story about redemption. She thought, �I wish people would come in and tell me the old, old story.� She wrote a poem from these thoughts about the life and work of Jesus. She wrote her poem, that became a hymn, especially for children. Through the work of Dr. W. H. Doane, who changed the structure of the hymn, Hankey�s poem became the well-known hymn, �Tell Me the Old, Old, Story.�
In The Sweet By, and By
Mr. Joseph Webster, like many musicians, was of an exceeding nervous and sensitive nature, and subject to periods of depression. I found that I could rouse him by giving him a new song on which to work.
He came into my drug store, walked down to the stove, and turned his back on me without speaking. I was at my desk writing. Turning to him I said, "Webster, what is the matter now?" "It's no matter," he replied, "it
will be all right by and by." The idea came to me like a flash of sunlight and I replied, "The Sweet By and By! Why would not that make a good hymn?" "Maybe it would," said he indifferently. Turning to my desk, I penned the words as fast as I could write. I handed the words to Webster. As he read, his eyes kindled, and stepping to the desk, he began writing the notes. Taking his violin, he played the melody and then jotted down the notes of the chorus. It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn, The Sweet By and By.
The Old Rugged Cross
During a period of spiritual struggling, George Bennard (1873-1958) started to study and contemplate the cross of Christ. Bennard had been very active in the Salvation Army and later was ordained as a evangelist for the Methodist Episcopal Church. As he studied on the verse Philippians 3:10, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death," Bennard got the theme for a hymn that has become a favorite for many, "The Old Rugged Cross."
**Another thought about this hymn.
In 1913, Rev. George Bennard, an evangelist in the Methodist/Episcopal church was �praying for a full understanding of the cross and its plan in Christianity.� Over a period of time he studied more and more about the cross. He prayed and meditated on the cross of Christ, until one day he was able to say, �I saw the Christ of the Cross as if I were seeing John 3:16 leave the printed page, take form and act out the meaning of redemption.� Through this experience and others in his life he penned the words and wrote the tune to our hymn,�The Old Rugged Cross.�
Rock Of Ages
In 1776 Augustus Toplady wrote an article for "The Gospel Magazine." He also wrote a new hymn "Rock of Ages" as a crown for his article. His theme was to proclaim his belief that the cross of Christ is the source of our salvation and not our own good efforts. Notice especially stanza two. Could a mere man help God to achieve our own salvation. No never! We must look to the cross and come to Christ depending totally on Him.
The Solid Rock
William Cowper (1731-1800) had a life of great emotional turmoil and yet, he was able to write some very inspiring and beautiful hymns for us to sing today. "There is a Fountain," is an example of one of his hymns. He wrote the hymn based on the verse Zech 13:1, "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Cowper grew up being pressured to study law. But before he could take his final exams he had a mental breakdown and was admitted into an asylum. But it was during this time that he was able to find out what Jesus had done for him and so at the age of 33 William Cowper gave his heart to Jesus, the Savior. He moved to Olney and became very good friends with John Newton. Together they were able to compile the "Olney Hymns". There were a total of 349 hymns in the book, 67 were written by Cowper. This man who still suffered from depression but learned that he could trust in God to take away the guilt of this sins by coming to God's fountain of Jesus' sin cleansing blood.
In 1834 Edward Mote was considering the gracious experience of a Christian and wrote the words to the hymn �the immutable basis of a sinner�s hope.� One day while visiting a friend and his sick wife, they read scripture together and also wanted to sing a hymn, but no hymn book could be found. Mote had in his pocket the words to his hymn and read them to the family. The woman�s heart was greatly encouraged by the words and requested to keep them. Mote went home and realized that if these words can help one dying woman maybe it can help others so he rewrote the words and added some more verses and included it in his �Hymns of Praise� collection. Today this hymn has a different title. It is known as �The Solid Rock.�
No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus
Charles Weigle was an Itinerant evangelist. One day after preaching at a gospel crusade, he came home to find a note from his wife. She did not care for the life she led because of being an evangelist's wife and she was leaving him. The next few years were a time of despair for Weigle. He even wondered if anyone really cared for him. After a time, his faith was again restored and he became active for the Lord again. During this time he wanted to put to paper a song that would share the feelings he had experienced while during his despondent days. From his heart came the words and the tune for the hymn, "No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus."
I Must Tell Jesus
Elisha Hoffman loved the Lord and chose to show it by working to help people whom others would call the �down and out�. One day he was visiting a woman who was in great pain and very discouraged. Hoffman reminded the woman that she needed to tell Jesus about her problems. She had completely forgotten this simple truth and started repeating the words, �Yes, I must tell Jesus.� On his way home those words rang in his ears and would not go away. He promptly wrote the words and the tune to the hymn, �I Must Tell Jesus.� In it, he expressed that we not only need to go to Jesus about our physical needs but also concerning the worldly temptations that allure us each day.
I'd Rather Have Jesus
At the age of 23 George Beverly Shea (1909 - ) had a hard decision to make. He could accept a job offer in a secular singing position in New York City with a great salary and wide respect; or he could continue singing in
churches and for Christian radio programs. While sitting at the family piano, he started to prepare a special hymn for the Sunday service. On the piano he found a poem by Mr. Rhea F. Miller. He immediately began to compose the music for the poem and used the song that same morning in his father's church service. He also used those words to direct his life and has shared his song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus" with audiences around the world.
I Love to Tell The Story
Katherine Hankey loved to tell others of her Savior. She was born in 1834 into a wealthy English family, but her desire and joy was to see the poor and downhearted come to Christ. Early in life she started conducting Bible studies all over the city of London. When she was thirty she got very sick and was told that she had to take some time off from her Bible studies and rest. For a year, she rested but did not lay dormant. It was during this time that she took her pen and wrote a very long poem about Jesus Christ. It was out of the second half of her poem where we find the words to our hymn, "I Love To Tell The Story."
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The communion service is a time to think on what Jesus has done for us. Isaac Watts wrote the hymn �When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,� to help people consider not only the death of Jesus on the cross but also the love that drew Him there. Watts wrote this hymn to be used during communion services.
�But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world� (Gal 6:14).
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