The blog question this week ask you to research some early hymns. (We will focus on Negro Spirituals another week). I'd like for you to tell us about their author and any circumstances involved in the writing of the hymn. Share with us the most profound lines and what they mean to you. PAY attention to the date of the hymn and that the hymn writer is considered to be an American hymn writer. Anything after 1899 will not be counted as a correct response. You may end up choosing a hymn you have never heard before and that's okay. You do not have to have a personal connection to the hymn. If you do choose a new hymn try and find the lyrics put to music. Here is a website for your reference.
http://www.theoldtimegospel.org/dev/hymn7.html
Joseph Gillmore and William Bradbury wrote "He Leadeth Me" in 1864. Gillmore scribbled the lines down after preaching a sermon on Psalms 23. His wife sent his scribblings to a publisher and Bradbury put the words to music. Gillmore was surprised when he opened a hymnal to find his words in the hymn. A profound quote for me is:
"And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me"
These lines reference the verse in Psalms 23 that says:
4 "Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me"
I love this hymn because not only does it teach a fundamental beautiful truth that not even death can separate us from Him; but, it was also my Papo Clark's favorite hymn. He would sing this hymn in his big green truck on our way to the lake to fish. I was amazed that a man I thought to be strong, brave and capable in all things would need anyone to lead him anywhere. The fact my Papo sang this song with conviction showed me that there was something wonderful about being led by Jesus.
Charlotte Elliott wrote the revealing hymn Just as I Am in 1835. The text of this hymn walks through all that is needed for salvation, you and Christ your savior. But not only does the hymn talk about us running to God for our salvation, it also explains how we run to God in our sorrows and our failings. The recurring phrase "Just as I Am" humbles us as we realize that we can bring nothing to God but our broken lives. But the soft sound and the comforting lyrics assure us that we will be welcomed by God. William Batchelder Bradbury set the lyrics to a melody. The melody of the song works right along side the lyrics creating the perfect image of a broken should coming and kneeling before a loving, healing God. Overall the lyrics and melody of the song work together to simultaneously show our brokenness and God's redeeming love.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just amazing how God meets us the very instant that we say yes to him? We don't have to work to get back on his good side or somehow make ourselves close to him. He's just always one step behind us waiting for us to turn around. Truly comforting.
DeleteJulia Ward Howe heard one evening from the troops stationed near Washington on Upton Hill, the song “John Brown’s Body”. Due to the promoting of her friend Reverend James Freeman Clark, she rewrote the words to bring honor to God.
ReplyDeleteThe Battle Hymn of the Republic is one of Americas best known, and beloved songs. It has lead many troops into battle during the civil war, and set a tone of united worship in this country.
It was officially published in 1862. The most impactful and poetic line is this:
In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me.
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
I especially love that third line. In light of the horrors of the civil war, dying for African Americans rings of God’s unconditional love.
I LOVE this song. It's so encouraging, and the theology is deep and powerful. Have you heard the version by the Brooklyn Tabernacle?
DeleteThat's very interesting Karlyn. I didn't know that the song came from the Civil War. It is amazing hearing how people can take war and show God's love and mercy even in the worst of times.
DeleteIn 1873, Horatio G. Spafford was devastated. He had lost his only son to illness, the real estate he had significantly invested in to the Great Chicago Fire, and his four precious daughters to a shipwreck. Despite this, he penned one of the most hopeful and encouraging American hymns – “It is Well With My Soul” – in only one night, over the very waters where his dear girls had perished.
ReplyDeleteThe opening lines of Spafford’s hymn are so beautiful, especially when you consider all that he had been through. To me, his words mean that no matter what happens, whether good or bad, we can experience God’s peace and honestly say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.”
That song is so powerful! My mom used to sing it to me before bedtime, and it took me a while to understand. When I did understand, it was a total gamechanger in my faith. I love this hymn so much! Thanks for posting it! :)
DeleteIt is truly amazing that someone could come through all that and still praise Christ the more. Tis truly the power of Christ's love.
DeleteImagine being blind your entire life, and knowing that the first face you will ever see is the face of your lord and savior Jesus Christ. Fanny Crosby how was one of the most prolific hymn writers of the 19th century lived her entire life with this knowledge thought her life Fanny Crosby penned more then 8,000 hymns and spiritual poems. In this process she penned one of my favorite hymns of all time. Blessed Assurance (1873) this song is one of my favorite hymns because it speaks of the assurance that one day all who believe in Christ will see his face one day. My favorite verse is verse that says...
ReplyDelete"Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love."
The richness in this verse penetrates to my heart, she is saying one day we will be with Jesus in heaven seeing his angels, walking down the golden roads, and hearing the voice of Jesus whispering in our ears I LOVE you. Wow how cool is that.
Because I love this song I am including all the verse at the bottom.
vs.1
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
vs.2
Perfect submission, perfect delight!
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
vs.3
Perfect submission, all is at rest!
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
That song is beast. It's pretty cool- most older hyms from that time period have more Theology and are more thought out than some of today's modern Christian hymns.
DeleteI love this hymn, my grandma had a music box that played it when I was little.
DeleteIt's so comforting, and the theology is really well thought through, you're right, Nick.
It's so beautiful that a blind person wrote those lines, "Visions of rapture now burst on my sight..." I never realized that before.
DeleteI like how the hymn depicts the peace and hope of a blind woman in the face of trials. Despite the uncertainty of blindness, she was sure of one thing beyond the physical, visible realm, salvation to those who believe. This really shows that this world has nothing to offer to bring clarity or long term happiness.
DeleteOn a simple day like any other, while Annie Hawks was going about her tasks as a wife and mother, an overwhelming feeling of the closeness of God filled her. In her own words, "Wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words, “I Need Thee Every Hour,” were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me." It wasn't until many years later, after losing her husband, that Annie realized just how comforting and powerful those words truly are. The lyrics are incredibly powerful.
ReplyDeleteI need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.
Every time I read these words, I'm reminded of the true purpose of life: glorifying God and living in His presence.
Thanks for posting this Megan, you encourage us all with this song. Thanks for letting us all know that know matter what good or bad we need Christ to be our guide and comforter. What do you think she meant when she said Come quickly and abide, of life is vain.
DeleteThanks Stephen, and actually that's my favorite line! I think she is talking about how life is meaningless and empty without Christ. Humanity has one purpose here on earth, and that is to glorify and know God. Always a good reminder!
Delete'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus was written by Louisa M. R. Stead after watching her husband drown in 1882. She knew God was with her through thick and thin, through sorrow and happiness. The words almost make me cry every time I hear them, and it is a beautiful reminder that we can put our trust in the only One who is truly trustworthy, and that no matter what our troubles may look like, that we can place them all on Jesus!
ReplyDelete’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.
I’m 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.
Thank you so much for posting this, Sara! Knowing the story behind the words makes this hymn even more powerful. It's so valuable to keep these words in mind through all our little daily issues.
DeleteI love the different styles of worship found all over the country, and I especially enjoy watching young and old generations praising Jesus together by singing hymns. Jesus is the savior for all people, no matter where they live, no matter what their station in life. The hymn “What Wondrous Love is this” reminds me that Jesus saved all of us, because He loves all of us deeply. Not every hymn was written by a famous author, and that is the case with this particular song. Popular in the Appalachian Mountains, “What Wondrous Love is this” was sung by the Scottish and Irish immigrants, and it wasn’t even written down. They sang in order to pass the vital truths found in this hymn to their children. William Walker, a Baptist preacher, was traveling through the area and was struck with the beautiful melody and the meaningful words he heard. He wrote it down and published it in his composition book “The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion” in 1835. I love how the immigrants brought their heritage with them to America, and that they used that heritage to create something uniquely American and glorifying to God. The entire song is simplistically profound. The first verse is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteWhat 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!
If you want to listen to the whole thing, here is a link... this rendition is really pretty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g26dbNJYJI
In 1865, Elvina Hall sat in Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland. As her pastor, George Shreck, conveyed the Sunday morning sermon, she contemplated the significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, a strain of words begun to flash across her mind. Still listening to the pastor's inspiring sermon, she picked up a hymn book in front of her, opened it to a blank page, and began to write. When she had captured her inspiration, she brought it to the pastor at the end of the sermon. Meanwhile, the choir director, John Grape, had composed music to a song he called All to Christ I Owe. Despite the fact that Hall and Grape had written their inspirations unaware of the other's composition, Pastor Shreck found that the music and lyrics fit each other perfectly.
ReplyDeleteGuided by this seemingly divine and intentional inspiration, the hymn Jesus Paid it All was born. Since I have enjoyed this hymn in the past, I looked it up and found that it comes from the right time period, and the story is amazing. Through its inspired language, the hymn profoundly conveys a hopeful message:
Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r, and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
I absolutely love this song!I never knew it has such a cool story behind it!
DeleteWow! That is so neat! It's amazing what God can do!
DeleteHoratio Spafford is probably my favorite hymn writer of all time. Many have heard the song, "It is Well with my Soul," but few know what circumstances the lyrics were penned under. Spafford was a Christian American lawyer in the mid-1800s. He had wife and five kids (four daughters and one son) and was a personal friend of the renown D.L Moody. The start of his troubles and tough life began when his four-year-old son contracted pneumonia and died in 1870. Then... his house burned down a year later in The Great Fire of Chicago. Two years after the loss of his real estate, Spafford decided to send his wife and daughters on a boat to meet up with D.L. Moody in England. He stayed behind because if unfinished business and promised to catch up with them later. Well, the ship sank. In fall of 1873 all four of his daughter died in the ship wreck of Ville Du Havre. His wife, Anna, miraculously escaped and reunited with him.
ReplyDeleteIt was then that Horatio Spafford wrote "It is Well with my Soul." Through his life, many more hardships followed. He had three more children, one of which died young. However, despite all his hardships, Spafford still had the courage to praise God.
It is well (it is well),
with my soul (with my soul),
It is well; it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
That's what I love about Horatio. He, like the Biblical character Job, was a great Christian, and even when thing went bad, he was still a great Christian. Job and him actually have a lot in common. Everyone around Job was all like, "Curse God and die." I'm sure Spafford got a bit of criticism for still trusting in God even when went wrong too. But in the end, both men never denied their Savior, and both were eventually blessed for it.
Oops sorry. Acidently have the same person as Hannah
DeleteI like your post better than mine :)
DeleteYou all know who martin luther is, so I will spare you his long story again. Martin Luther wrote the song "A Mighty Fortress is our God" to emphasize the incredible power and safe care of God. The the use of modern military terms set to a common bar tune Luther portrayed how mighty to save(yes, I know that is another song) God is. He is a castle or in modern terms a fully defended military bunker around us. He cares for us and protects us.
ReplyDeleteA mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevaling.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right man on our side,
the man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth, his name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo, his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers,
no thanks to them, abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
thru him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill;
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever.
It's so comforting to be reminded that the Lord is our fortress!
DeleteFanny Crosby was an exceptional hymn writer and the hymn I chose was Rescue the Perishing. The song was written in 1869. The story behind it is that one day during church a thought kept entering her mind, that a son had strayed from his mother's teachings. She asked if there was such a boy and one came forward. He said that he had promised to meet is mother in heaven but that wouldn't happen the way he was living. They prayed for him and when they were done the young man had a new light in his eye. He exclaimed that he had finally found his mothers God and would see her in heaven. That night Fanny rushed home and wrote the lyrics to the song Rescue the Perishing, a title her writing partner had sent her a few days previously, and wrote the whole song that night. In 1903 she went to speak before the Young Men's Christian Association where she recounted the story. Among the men was the very boy (now grown) who she had spoken to when she wrote the song. This song highlights the great commision. To go out and preach the gospel and show the perishing the truth. My favorite part of the song is:
ReplyDelete"Rescue the perishing,
Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful,
Jesus will save.
Tho they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently,
He will forgive if they only believe."
The whole song and story can be found in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n5Y1jEqa1o
Lauren, that is such a cool story! I think it is amazing that God knows what's going on in everyone's hearts, and that He can use us to bring people back to Him. The last verse reminds me of the story of the prodigal son, and how God is always ready to have us back, even when we have been absolutely awful.
DeleteSome of the greatest hymns come from the people we've never heard of; people who never left any mark other than a few words of comfort, utter faith, and love.
ReplyDeleteRay Palmer was one of these people. He was the son of an American preacher in Compton, Rhode Island, and grew up in a Christian home. He wrote the hymn, My Faith Looks Up to Thee in 1832, two years after he graduated his college. He said of the hymn, "I gave form to what I felt felt by writing, with little effort, the stanzas. I recollect I wrote them with tender emotions and ended the last line with tears."
My favorite verse was this one:
While life's dark maze I tread,
and griefs around me spread,
be thou my guide;
bid darkness turn to day,
wipe sorrow's tears away,
nor let me ever stray
from thee aside.
The hymn reminds us to put all of our troubles in God's hands, and asks Him to lead us and guide us through life.
So good... I wish we'd sing more of these old hymns in Church. They're so encouraging.
Delete'Cough' village seven 'cough'
DeleteOn August 8th, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant was laid to rest in Riverside Park, overlooking the Hudson River. At the ceremony, a beautiful and comforting hymn was sung. Titled "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," this hymn reminded many that Jesus is our ultimate comforter and hope.
ReplyDelete17 years earlier on April 30th, 1868, Fanny Crosby, a profound American poet and lyricist, was going about her business in her home when Dr. W. H. Doane came in the door. He said, "I have exactly forty minutes before my train leaves for Cincinnati. Here is a melody. Can you write words for it?” Fanny replied that she would see what she could do.
For the next 20 minutes, Fanny was completely unconscious of anything but the work she was doing. At the end of that time Fanny read the words she'd come up with to Dr. Doane. He had just enough time to copy them and catch his train.
Fanny had no idea at the time that her words would be sung at the funeral of a U.S. president.
I think the most touching verse in this profound hymn is the last. It's a reminder that Jesus will always be there for us.
"Jesus, my heart’s dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;
Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore."
In the midst of a blistering hot July afternoon in 1864, the pastor of Hanson Place Baptist Church in Brooklyn found himself resting to avoid the summer’s heat. During his solitude, Robert Lowry’s imagination began to take flight. Without warning, the pastor suddenly experienced a revelation of the final Judgment Day. Throughout his vision Lowry sees the throne of God, a multitude of heavenly hosts and holy rivers of life. At once, the words begin to ‘flow’.
ReplyDeleteShall we gather at the river,
Where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever
Flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we’ll gather at the river,
The beautiful, the beautiful river;
Gather with the saints at the river
That flows by the throne of God.
This highly popular melody, ‘Shall We Gather at the River’, is insightful because it reveals the nature of holiness and eternal life. It instills a hopeful desire to worship and glorify God now and for the rest of eternity. I’m ready!
I think it's amazing what God can show us through this pastor's revelation. When we finally get to heaven, It's mind-blowing to think that not even these words will be enough to describe the incredible presence and holiness of God and His throne.
DeleteIt was in the midst of the Civil War. Hope and Faith were slowly slipping away as father fought against son and brother fought against brother. It was during this time in 1862 when Joseph H. Gilmore went to write his sermon on Psalm 23 but was falteringly stopped when he came across the line,"He leadeth me." Words flowed through his pen as he composed a hymn inspired by these three words, which he gave to his loving wife, who then sent it to the paper in Boston to be published. Three years later, after entering a church in Rochester to preach, Gilmore was shocked to see that when he opened a hymnal it opened to his very own hymn - "He Leadeth Me."
ReplyDelete"He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heav’nly comfort fraught!
Whate’er I do, where’er I be
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, He leadeth me,
By His own hand He leadeth me;
His faithful foll’wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.
Sometimes ’mid scenes of deepest gloom,
Sometimes where Eden’s bowers bloom,
By waters still, o’er troubled sea,
Still ’tis His hand that leadeth me.
Lord, I would place my hand in Thine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine;
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since ’tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done,
When by Thy grace the vict’ry’s won,
E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee,
Since God through Jordan leadeth me."
I'm sorry, I just had to post the whole hymn because it really strikes directly at the heart. It reminds me that it doesn't matter where we are being led or how we are being led, as long as we are sure who is leading us. Christ.
Also, Mrs. Butler, I had been planning on talking about this hymn since you assigned this blog post at class. I'm sorry for choosing the same one as you, I just had to do it!
DeleteIt is well with my soul, is the inspiring hymn written by Horatio Spafford in 1873 after a serious of horrific accidents. As a property owners and business man Horatio owned multiple properties that were destroyed during the Great Chicago Fire in 1872. He and his family survived by they were financially devastated. Horatio sent his family ahead of him to Europe on business in 1873 on a ship. However while crossing the Atlantic Ocean two ships collided and his family was on one that sank. His three daughters drowned and only his wife escaped alive. Tormented y grief he wrote these words as a comfort for him and his wife.
ReplyDeleteWhen peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
The reason I chose this hymn is the story it promotes and the story behind it. Horatio Stafford overcame the hardships in his life showing that it was well with his soul in the hymn and encouraging us to persevere and face our hardships because, “It is well with my soul.”
Just realized I posted the same as the sister and Nick. Sorry but didn't now till now and loved the hymn and the story of its composition.
DeleteThis is truly a powerful revelation. Both the text of the hymn and the testimony of the author. I think the inspiration behind the song is fascinating. It shows that regardless of our external circumstances God truly does bring beauty from ashes.
DeleteThe definition of a hymn is, "A song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc. Even though there are many hymns that bring me almost to tears in praise of God, I've chosen to discuss a hymn that praises a nation with equal effect on me. In 1814, Francis Scott Key was on the edge of his seat, waiting to see if his country was still fighting for freedom. Bombs were blowing up everywhere, illuminating the midnight sky with flashes of bright light, that also illuminated the still-flying American flag. Scott Key watched, or rather listened, for most of the night wondering of we would lose Fort McHenry to the British, which would affect part of the outcome of the whole war. After a long and dreary silence when the fighting had stopped, he couldn't tell who had surrendered. Until the sun rose. "O say can you see, by the dawn's early light?" We had won the battle, and kept the fort! The song he wrote after, the Star-Spangled Banner, was his hymn of celebration and awe after realizing we were one step closer to having the freedom we longed for. I just wanted to give it the credit it deserved. (Although "It is Well with my Soul" is a very personal favorite also.)
ReplyDeleteSam Waters
In 1855, while staying with a companion, Joseph M. Scriven received news that his mother living in Ireland was terribly sick. He wrote a poem to his mother encouraging her titled "Pray without Ceasing." The poem was later put to music and renamed "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Scriven had not even dreamed of this poem becoming a favorite hymn among millions of Christians around the world.
ReplyDelete"What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer."
I don't know about ya'll but this is soooo encouraging. We don't have to worry about carrying ourselves, Christ paid for our sins and griefs. What a privilege. Honestly, do we have trials, troubles, ANYTHING to worry about? Almighty God has got our back!