“BEAUTIFUL GLEANINGS BRING”
“…Look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (Jn. 4:35)

      INTRO.:  A song which points out our responsibility to look on the
fields that are white to harvest and do what we can to reap is “Beautiful
Gleanings Bring” (#109 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text
was written by Franklin Lycurgus Eiland (1860-1909).  Born in Noxubee
County, Miss., in 1860, he had much to do with setting the trend for
superior teaching and quality song writing in the 19th and 20th
centuries. Along with J.E. Thomas he edited his first song book in 1892,
The Promised Crown, and compiled many books in following years.  Eiland
helped to found the Trio Music Company in Waco, Texas, in 1892, along
with Thomas and J.M. Greer of Ellijay, GA.  In 1896, Eiland began a music
periodical, The Musical Trio, which was to have wide circulation. In 1898
he, along with Homer W. Elliott and Emmett S. Dean, began an advanced
music school in Waco. Eiland, the head of the school, called it the
Southern Development Normal. The S D N Theory of Music, which is perhaps
the best rudiment book ever published came from this school.

      The tune for “Beautiful Gleanings Bring” was composed by James W.
Acuff (1864-1937).  The song was copyrighted in 1899 and first appeared
that year in The Song Feast No. 1 edited by Eiland and Dean for the Trio
Music Co. at Waco, TX.  It also appeared in such publications as The
Gospel Gleaner of 1901, The Gospel Garner and The Revival No. 4 both of
1903, Songs of Redemption for Revivals, Campmeetings, etc. of 1905, Glad
Hosannas of 1906, The Beacon Light, Reaper Songs, and Songs of
Pentecostal Power all of 1908, and The Guiding Star of 1917.   Eiland
penned many other compositions, several of which are often sung today,
including "From the Cross to the Crown" (written in 1895), and the music
to "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" (composed in 1905).  Other notable
songs of Eiland include "Where the Blood Can Heal," "Trusting In Jesus, O
Wonderful Theme" (sung when Tillit S. Teddlie obeyed the gospel), "For
Him, My Lord,” "Don't You Want to Be Ready?," "Lean on His Arm," "Singing
A Wonderful Song," and "Too Late."

      In all, Eiland penned some 120 songs and assisted in some 100
others. Many of his songs were published by the Firm Foundation
Publishing House and have been used through the years.  Acuff is perhaps
best remembered as having written the words for “Just Over in the Glory
Land.”  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during
the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “Beautiful Gleanings
Bring” may be found in Sacred Selections, in addition to the 2007 Sacred
Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.

      The song talks about some of the things necessary to bring the
gleanings in.

I. Stanza 1 tells us to go
“Go, in early morning, into the harvest white;
Sing a song of gladness, labor with all your might.
Let the words of Jesus over the nation ring;
With the coming evening, beautiful gleanings bring.”
  A. The reaper cannot bring in the harvest by sitting in his house but
must go into the field; likewise, must the followers of Christ go into
all the world: Mk. 16:15-16
  B. Reaping the harvest is work, and so bringing in Christ’s harvest is
something in which we must be laborers: Matt. 10:37-38
  C. The means by which we plant the seed which produces the harvest is by
letting the words of Jesus over the nations ring through preaching the
word: Acts 8:4

II. Stanza 2 tells us to help
“For the faint and weary, carry a smile of cheer,
With the sad and dreary, weeping an anxious tear;
To the heart that’s aching under a load of care,
Lend a hand of comfort, cover its ailings there.”
  A. We need to help the faint and weary: Heb. 12:3
  B. We need to help the sad and dreary: Lk. 24:17
  C. We need to help the heart that’s aching: Acts 21:13

III. Stanza 3 tells us to gather
“In the name of Jesus, gather the sheaves today;
Read the precious promise, wages, He you will pay.
Go with great rejoicing, gleaning from fields of sin;
Thrust thy glowing sickle, bringing the harvest in.”
  A. Bringing in the harvest is pictured as gathering sheaves: Ps. 126:5-6
  B. Those who gather the sheaves will receive wages because Christ
promised that those who sow bountifully shall also reap bountifully: 2
Cor. 9:6 (W. D. Jeffcoat in Sacred Songs of the Church changes the end of
line two to “Wages to you He’ll pay,” probably to make it fit better with
the music)
  C. Therefore, we should go with great rejoicing and not grow weary in
well doing: Gal. 6:9

      CONCL.:  The chorus continues to encourage us to look at the harvest
and labor to reap what we can.
“See the beautiful harvest white!
Go, and labor with all your might.
Let your anthems of gladness ring;
Go, and beautiful gleanings bring!”
Following this agricultural figure of speech so common in the scriptures,
Christians understand that we sow the seed by preaching the gospel, water
it by continued teaching and encouragement, and then reap the harvest as
souls respond, so that we can “Beautiful Gleanings Bring.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/25/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs about our responsibilities as Christians

  “CARRY YOUR CROSS WITH A SMILE”
“…Let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt.
16:24)

      INTRO.:  A song which talks about the Christian’s responsibility to
deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Christ is “Carry Your Cross
with a Smile” (#94 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text was
written by Ina Mae Duley Ogdon (1872-1964).  The tune was composed by
Charles Hutchinson Gabriel.  The song was copyrighted in 1916, and after
the copyright was renewed in 1944 it was owned by The Rodeheaver Co.
After attending Greer College in Hoopeston, IL, Ina, a native of
Rossville, IL, taught in Illinois schools from 1892 to 1900. Her first
published hymn, “Open Wide the Windows,” in 1892 was the beginning of a
long term collaboration with composer Gabriel. She married fellow teacher
James Weston Ogdon in 1896, and in 1900, they moved to Toledo, OH. Their
only child, William Duley Ogdon, was born in 1901.

      Early in her life, Mrs. Ogdon had hoped to work on the Chautauqua
circuit. However, her father’s illness forced her to abandon her plans
for this so that she could care for him at home.  As a result, in 1913
she wrote what is probably her best known song, “Brighten the Corner
Where You Are,” to provide encouraging words showing how we can serve the
Lord in many different ways and circumstances and make the best of where
we find ourselves.  Other songs by her include “Could I Tell It,” “Hark!
I Hear My Name,” “I Have Been Saved,” “Living Where the Healing Waters
Flow,” “More Than These,” “Some One Is Watching Your Light,” “The Promise
to Mother,” “Who Will Open Mercy’s Door?”, and “ You Must Open the Door.”
  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the
twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “Carry Your Cross with a
Smile” currently appears in Sacred Selections.

      The song explains how we can take up the cross in such a way as to
be a good influence on others.

I. Stanza 1 says that we should have a face like the light of the morning
“Though your heart may be heavy with sorrow and care,
You may others to gladness beguile,
If a face like the light of the morning you wear,
And carry your cross with a smile!”
  A. There are times in life when our hearts may be heavy with sorrow and
care: 1 Pet. 5:7
  B. However, even in those times we may encourage others to gladness: Ps.
4:7
  C. But to do so, we must make our face like the light of the morning:
Prov. 15:13

II. Stanza 2 says that we should have a faith that will give strength to
others
“Let the well by the wayside that flows unto all
Strength impart for each step of the mile;
Let your faith the great promises often recall,
And carry your cross with a smile!”
  A. If we truly trust in Jesus, we shall be like a well by the wayside
the flows unto all: Jn. 7:37-38
  B. This will enable us to impart strength to others: Lk. 22:32
  C. But we must have faith in the great promises of Christ: Heb. 6:13-18

III. Stanza 3 says that we should have grace by which we work faithfully
“For the work that you faithfully, willingly do,
You shall reap a reward after while;
Only grace in your service can glorify you,
So carry your cross with a smile!”
  A. God wants us to work for Him faithfully and willingly: 1 Cor. 15:58
  B. He has promised that He will not forget our labor but reward us with
the inheritance: Heb. 6:10-12
  C. However, it is only by His grace that we can truly minister to
others: 1 Cor. 15:10-11

      CONCL.:  The chorus continues to remind us that while we must carry
a cross, we should strive to do so with a smile that we might be an
encouragement to others.
“Carry your cross with a smile,
Carry your cross with a smile;
You may others from sadness to gladness beguile,
If you carry your cross with a smile.”
We all face times of hardship and difficulty in life which bring feelings
of sadness and heartache.  But when I see you in that situation, I need
to encourage you to “Carry Your Cross with a Smile.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
Liberty University Online
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Note:  Yes, another note!  We are going to be out of town three days
later this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Without even thinking
about it, I had prepared hymn studies for this entire week.  Therefore, I
am going to send Tuesday's this evening, then Wednesday's and Thursday's
tomorrow morning and evening, then Friday and Saturday's on Saturday
after we return.

11/24/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs about our responsibilities as Christians

“YOU CAN LEAD SOMEONE TO JESUS”
“And the things that thou has learned of me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”
(2 Tim. 2:2)

      INTRO.:  A song which emphasizes the Christian’s responsibility to
do what he or she can to teach others also is “You Can Lead Someone to
Jesus” (#91 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text was written
by Ruth Johnson (Mrs. Roy) Carruth (1900-1985).  A schoolteacher prior to
her marriage, she continued to write poetry throughout her life.  Her
husband Roy was injured in World War I and spent his time preaching for
small congregations in Texas and California.  The tune was composed, as
was the music for most of her hymns, by Tillit Sidney Teddlie
(1885-1987).  Another hymn by Mrs. Carruth with music by Teddlie that I
have seen is “One of His Own,” but the best known of their collaborations
is probably “Into Our Hands” beginning, “Swiftly we're turning life's
daily pages,” which was published in 1939.  It has become very popular
among our brethren. “You Can Lead Someone to Jesus” was copyrighted by
Teddlie in 1943 and first published that year in his Standard Gospel
Songs.  Among other hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church
during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the only
songbook currently available in which the song is found is Sacred
Selections.

      The song encourages all Christians to do what they can to bring
others to Jesus.

I. Stanza 1 points out that we can tell the story to countless precious
souls
“There is a wonderful story to tell,
Wonderful work to be done,
Countless the souls who are eager to hear,
Precious the souls to be won!”
  A. There is a wonderful story to tell about remission of sins in Christ:
Lk. 24:46-47
  B. Thus, in telling this story there is a wonderful work to be done: 1
Cor. 15:58
  C. The reason why this is so important is that there are countless souls
to be won which are precious in the Lord’s sight: Matt. 16:26

II. Stanza 2 points out that we can tell the story to those who are lost
“You can tell someone the story of Christ,
Someone that’s feeble and old,
Someone that’s lost from the pathway of life,
Bring to the sheltering fold.”
  A. We can tell the story that Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners: 1 Tim. 1:15
  B. This story needs to be told to those who are lost from the pathway of
life, like the prodigal son: Lk. 15:24
  C. Our goal should be to bring them to the sheltering fold: Jn. 10:16

III. Stanza 3 points out that we can tell the story to those who are
toiling in vain
“You can win someone that’s toiling in vain,
Building on perilous sand;
You can persuade them to build on the rock,
Safe through the ages to stand.”
  A. There are those who are toiling in vain because they follow as
doctrine the commandments of men: Matt. 15:8-9
  B. In so doing, they are building on perilous sand: Matt. 7:26-27
  C. We should strive to persuade them to build on the rock instead: Matt.
7:24-25

IV. Stanza 4 points out that we can tell the story to those who have
grown cold
“You can stir faith in some heart that’s grown cold,
Banish for someone the night;
You can win someone from darkness and doubt,
Back to the pathway of right.”
  A. There are those in whom their faith has grown cold: Matt. 24:12
  B. Hence, they have gone back into the darkness and night of sin: 1
Thess. 5:5-8
  C. It should be our desire to bring them back to the strait and narrow
pathway of right: Matt. 7:13-14

      CONCL.:  The chorus reminds us that we can lead others to Jesus if
we but try.
“You can lead someone to Jesus,
You can win someone for Him,
You can bring someone to Jesus,
You can lead someone to Him.”
We must understand that not everyone to whom we tell the story of Jesus
will respond, but we cannot let that fact keep us from telling it.  Jesus
did not convert everyone who heard Him.  Of the four kinds of soil
represented in the parable of the sower, only one, the good ground, bore
fruit.  But knowing that there are still good and honest hearts out
there, we should seek to admonish one another by saying, “You Can Lead
Someone to Jesus”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

11/23/09
      Editor’s note:  I feel as if I need to give an explanation and an
apology.  Occasionally, someone will write me and ask if I have a hymn
study for a well known song, and many times I do, but sometimes I do not.
  Several of my previous hymn studies, along with a number of my articles
from various publications through the years, are available at my website
( http://www.defenderoftruth.com ).  However, I have about reached the
limit of available space at the website and plan to shut it down at some
point in the future.
      I am in the process of transferring all the hymn studies and the
articles to a couple of blogs (the hymn studies are being posted at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ , and the articles at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/defenderoftruth/ ).  Also, all my past
hymn studies are available in the archives of the Hymn of the Day home
page at Yahoogroups ( http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ ).
Anyone is free to look for them at these places.
      It had been my intention to start doing daily hymn studies of some
more familiar songs about now.  However, much of the research that I have
done on them was pre-computer and is on paper.  Recently a couple of
situations which are pretty much beyond our control have arisen which
have made it necessary for me to put all my office materials (books,
papers, etc.,) in storage for the time being because we just do not have
room for them at the house, so at the present that research, along with
even the books out of which I did it, is not available to me.
      Therefore, for the next few months, I will be doing daily hymn
studies of songs that I probably would not have done otherwise, at least
not now.  Those whose congregations still use Sacred Selections for the
Church edited by Ellis J. Crum or who remember singing out of Sacred
Selections in the past will likely be familiar with many of these songs.
I do hope that the information that I present about them will be
beneficial to everyone.

HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs about our responsibilities as Christians

“BE A LIGHT FOR JESUS”
“Let your light so shine before men…” (Matt. 5:16)

      INTRO.:  A song which exhorts Christians to fulfill their
responsibility to let their lights shine before men is “Be a Light for
Jesus” (#86 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The authorship of this
hymn is in question.  Sacred Selections leaves the author’s name blank.
Hymnary.org identifies the author as the same person who composed the
tune, B. F. Sims.  I have been able to find no other information about
this individual except that Hymnary.org lists him as the author of
fourteen other songs: “Come, go with me to Canaan's land,” “I am going by
and by,” “I am going to the fountain,” “I am happy every day,” “I pray
thee, Savior, to give me faith,” “Jesus left His home in glory And to
earth he came to die,” “O I love the story true,” “Shall this life of
mine be ended,” “There is rest for the soul in that beautiful land,”
“There'll be joy in heaven when we all get home,” “There's a mansion of
rest in the home of the blest,” There's a straight and narrow way, and it
leads to heaven above,” “Though dark the way may seem to thee,” and
“We're marching on to the river of death.”  However, concerning copyright
information for “Be a Light for Jesus,” Sacred Selections also says,
“Morris & Sims, owners.”

      Usually when a song was copyrighted by two people, it indicated that
one provided the words and the other the music, though not necessarily
always.  The earliest that I have been able to trace the song is to the
1919 Gospel Songs No. 2 edited by Austin Taylor and G. H. P. Showalter
for the Firm Foundation Pub. Co. of Austin, TX.  Given the fact that the
song was also found in the Sunday School and Revival Songs No. 2,
published in 1933 by the Morris Henson Co. of Oklahoma City, OK, which
was owned by Homer F. Morris and John M. Henson, it is at least possible
that the author might have been Homer Franklin Morris (1876-1955).  In
fact, I thought that I had remembered seeing the name of a different
author in another book, but with all my books in storage at the moment I
am not able to check to see whether this is so or not.  Among hymnbooks
published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century
for use in churches of Christ, the only songbook currently available in
which the song is found is Sacred Selections.

      The song mentions several things that we must do to be lights for
Jesus Christ.

I. Stanza 1 talks about hoisting the banner of Christ
“O, ye Christian soldiers, as you march along,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
Keep His banner hoisted all the whole day long,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
  A. Christians are often likened to soldiers: 2 Tim. 2:3
  B. Marching along is part of the picture of fighting the good fight of
the faith: 1 Tim. 6:12
  C. Just as soldiers march under a banner to identify who they are, so
God has given us a banner: Ps. 60:4

II. Stanza 2 talks about keeping our lamps trimmed
“Keep you lamps trimmed, burning so that all may see,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
Let the world see Jesus and from sin be free,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
  A. While waiting for the bridegroom, the wise virgins kept their lamps
trimmed: Matt. 25:1-7
  B. In like manner, Christians must keep burning as lights in the world:
Phil. 2:15
  C. In this way, the world will see Jesus in us: Gal. 2:20

III. Stanza 3 talks about pointing people up to Calvary
“Thousands grope in darkness that can never see,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
Until we point them up to Mount Calvary,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
  A. Darkness refers to the sinfulness of this world: 1 Jn. 1:5-6
  B. Those who continue to walk in darkness can never see: Matt. 13:14-15
  C. Therefore, it is our job to point them up to Mt. Calvary by sharing
with them the message of Christ and Him crucified: 1 Cor. 2:1-2

IV. Stanza 4 talks about keeping our lights shining
“Keep the light bright, shining all the world around,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
Till, released from darkness, all the Lord have found,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
  A. We keep the light bright by both our godly lives and by thus adorning
the light of the glorious gospel of Christ: 2 Cor. 4:4-6
  B. This light needs to be kept shining all the world around because
Jesus wants the gospel preached to the whole world: Mk. 16:15-16
  C. Our aim in this is that people can be released from the darkness of
sin by finding the Lord in obedience to His word: Rom. 6:17-18

      CONCL.:  The chorus reminds us of the importance of letting our
lights shine for Jesus in order that we might bring others to the light
of the gospel.
“Be a light, be a light,
Be a light for Jesus every day;
Be a light, be a light,
Be a light for Jesus every day.”
When I moved to work with the church in Medina, OH, the congregation was
still using Sacred Selections when many other churches had long moved on
to newer hymnbooks.  One time when I was leading some “new” songs, I
chose this one, and one of the members said that he had fond memories of
singing it in the congregation where he had grown up when he was younger.
  Certainly Christians should want to encourage each other to “Be a Light
for Jesus.”
____________________________________________________________
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11/21
Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.

“UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK
“Upon the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break
bread…” (Acts 20:7)

     INTRO.:  A song which emphasis the importance of the first day of the
week in God’s pattern for the church as revealed in the New Testament is
“Upon the First Day of the Week” (#177 in Hymns for Worship Revised, and
#3 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text was written by James
H. Childress (1902-1936).  Born in Rockdale, TX, he moved when quite
young with his family to Bowie, TX.  After completing high school, he
went to Abilene Christian College (now University) where he received a
bachelor's degree, and Southern Methodist University where he received a
master's degree.  Obeying the gospel in 1919, he began to preach soon
afterwards and was minister for the Central church of Christ in Houston,
TX, when he was killed in an automobile accident on Highway 75 just north
of Conroe, TX.

      The tune was composed by Benjamin Mason Taylor, who was born in
Kentucky in 1881.  A telegraph operator for the MKT Railroad and Western
Union, he was a member of the church of Christ and a song leader in many
gospel meetings.  This song was copyrighted in 1931 by the Gospel
Advocate Company and first appeared in Greater Christian Hymns, edited by
C. M. Pullias and published that year, although it did not appear in any
of the popular “Christian Hymns” series later published by the Gospel
Advocate Company.  Taylor had seven children, outlived two wives, and was
married to a third at the time of his death on Jan. 28, 1961, in San
Marcos, TX, where he lived the last five years of his life.

      Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the
twentieth century, the song appeared in the 1940 Complete Christian
Hymnal and the 1960 Hymnal both edited by Marion Davis.  Today it may be
found in Hymns for Worship, Sacred Selections, and the 2007 Sacred Songs
for the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.  Interestingly enough, it
also was used in the 1959 Christian Hymnal: A Collection of Hymns and
Sacred Songs Suitable for Use in Public Worship, Worship in the Home,
Evangelistic Meetings, and General Occasions, published by the Church of
God in Christ, Mennonite, Gospel Publishers of Moundridge, KS.

      The song explains why the first day of the week should be so
important to Christians.

I. Stanza one talks about the resurrection of Christ
“Upon the first day of the week. Our Savior came forth from the grave;
He died, was buried, then arose, To reign to triumph, and to save!”
  A. It was upon the first day of the week that Jesus came forth from the
grave: Lk. 24:1
  B. The basic facts of the gospel are that He died, was buried, then
arose: 1 Cor. 15:1-4
  C. Having arisen, He ascended into heaven to reign as Lord: Acts 2:29-36

II. Stanza 2 talks about the observance of the Lord’s supper
“Upon the first day of the week, Disciples met to break the bread,
And drink the cup In memory Of Him whose blood for us was shed!”
  A. Breaking bread refers to the bread which we break as a communion of
the body of Christ: 1 Cor. 10:16
  B. Drinking the cup refers to the cup which we drink in memory of Christ
and the blood that He shed: 1 Cor. 11:23-26
  C, The Lord’s supper reminds us that because Jesus shed His blood for us
we can have redemption: Eph. 1:7

III. Stanza 3 talks about the collection
“Upon the first day of the week, Let each of us lay by in store,
As blessed and prospered by the Lord, The King of kings whom we adore!”
  A. Paul commanded that it should be on the first day of the week that
the church should lay by in store: 1 Cor. 16:1-2
  B. This giving is to be done as blessed and prospered by the Lord, not
grudgingly or of necessity because God loves a cheerful giver: 2 Cor.
9:6-7
  C. In this way we honor the King of kings whom we adore: Rev. 19:11-16

IV. Stanza 4 talks about worship in spirit and truth
“Upon this day ‘beloved’ John Saw Christ and heard His trumpet voice.
We, too, in spirit worship Him; With prayer and song our hearts rejoice!”
  A. The term “Lord’s day,” upon which John saw Christ and heard His
trumpet voice, was used universally by early Christian writers to refer
to the first day of the week: Rev. 1:10-17
  B. When we worship the Lord, it must be in spirit and in truth: Jn.
4:23-24
  C. Two things that we do in our public worship are prayers and songs: 1
Cor. 14:15

      CONCL.:  The chorus expresses the commitment not to forsake the
assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:24-25).
“Though others may forsake the Lord, Yet, we are here Thy truth to seek;
Thy holy presence comforts us, (dear Lord,) Upon the first day of the
week.”
Some have objected to this song on the basis that it sounds too much like
a “creed.”  But I suppose the same could be said about any song that
specifies certain things from the scriptures that we should believe or
do.  This song has often been used before the Lord’s supper, although
some would suggest omitting at least the third stanza at such time.  In
any event, the words of the song certainly help us to understand the
value and necessity of those things which the Lord has commanded us to do
“Upon the First Day of the Week.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
Wholesale Hardwood Floors
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

11/20/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that remind us of our need for God

  “DAY IS GONE”
“And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down…it was dark…” (Gen.
15:17)

      INTRO.:  A song which talks about that time of day when the sun goes
down and it becomes dark is “Day Is Gone.”  The text is an anonymous but
familiar version for the Army bugle call “Taps.”  Of all the military
bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion
than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the
history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy.
In the British Army, a similar call known as Last Post has been sounded
over soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique with the
United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals,
wreath-layings, and memorial services.  Taps began as a revision to the
signal for Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) at the end of the day. Up until
the Civil War, the infantry call for Extinguish Lights was the one set
down in Tactics by Silas Casey (1801-1882).  This had been borrowed from
the French. The tune (Taps or Bugle Call) for Taps was adapted by Union
General Daniel Adams Butterfield, who was born October 31, 1831, in
Utica, NY.  After he graduated from Union College at Schenectady, he was
the eastern superintendent of the American Express Company in New York
when the Civil War broke out. Despite his lack of military experience, he
rose quickly in rank. A Colonel in the 12th Regiment of the New York
State Militia, he was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of
a brigade of the V Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The 12th served in
the Shenandoah Valley during the the Bull Run Campaign. During the
Peninsular Campaign Butterfield served prominently during the Battle of
Gaines Mill.  Despite an injury, he seized the colors of the 83rd
Pennsylvania and rallied the regiment at a critical time in the battle.
Years later, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for that act of heroism.
As the story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for
Extinguish Lights feeling that the call was too formal to signal the
day's end and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton,
wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison's Landing,
Virginia, following the Seven Day's battle which took place during the
Peninsular Campaign of 1862. The call, intended for his brigade (Third
Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac) and
sounded that night in July, 1862, soon spread to other units of the Union
Army and was even used by the Confederates. Taps was made an official
bugle call after the war.

      A highly romantic account of how Butterfield composed the call
surfaced in 1898 following a magazine article written that summer. The
August, 1898 issue of Century Magazine contained an article called "The
Trumpet in Camp and Battle," by Gustav Kobbe, a music historian and
critic. In writing about the origin of bugle calls in the Civil War, with
reference to Taps, he wrote, "In speaking of our trumpet calls I
purposely omitted one with which it seemed most appropriate to close this
article, for it is the call which closes the soldier's day. . . . Lights
Out. I have not been able to trace this call to any other service. If it
seems probable, it was original with Major Seymour, he has given our army
the most beautiful of all trumpet-calls."  Kobbe was using as an
authority the Army drill manual on infantry tactics prepared by Major
General Emory Upton in 1867 (revised in 1874). The bugle calls in the
manual were compiled by Major (later General) Truman Seymour of the 5th
U.S. Artillery. Taps was called Extinguish Lights in these manuals since
it was to replace the Lights Out call disliked by Butterfield. The title
of the call was not changed until later, although other manuals started
calling it Taps because most soldiers knew it by that name. Since Seymour
was responsible for the music in the Army manual, Kobbe assumed that he
had written the call. Kobbe's inability to find the origin of Extinguish
Lights (Taps) prompted a letter from Oliver W. Norton in Chicago who
claimed he knew how the call came about and that he was the first to
perform it, saying, "I did not presume to question General Butterfield at
the time, but from the manner in which the call was given to me, I have
no doubt he composed it in his tent at Harrison's Landing."   When
contacted, Butterfield said that this story was substantially correct,
recalling that he "the call of Taps did not seem to be as smooth,
melodious and musical as it should be, and I called in some one who could
write music, and practiced a change in the call of Taps until I had it
suit my ear, and then, as Norton writes, got it to my taste."
Butterfield never went out of his way to claim credit for its
composition.  Probably he did not compose Taps but actually revised an
earlier bugle call known as Tattoo.

       Following the Peninsular Campaign, Butterfield served at 2nd Bull
Run, Antietam and at Marye's Heights in the Battle of Fredericksburg.
Through political connections and his ability for administration, he
became a Major General and served as chief of staff of the Union Army of
the Potomac under Generals Joseph Hooker and George Meade.  Later in the
war, Butterfield was wounded at Gettysburg and then reassigned to the
Western Theater. By war's end, he was breveted a brigadier general and
stayed in the army after the Civil War, serving as superintendent of the
army's recruiting service in New York City and colonel of the 5th
Infantry. In 1870, after resigning from the military, Butterfield went
back to work with the American Express Company but was in charge of a
number of special public ceremonies, including General William Tecumseh
Sherman's funeral in 1891. Besides his association with Taps, Butterfield
also designed the system of Corps Badges, which were distinctive shapes
of color cloth sewn on to uniforms to distinguish units, and died on July
17, 1901. Taps was sounded at his funeral.  His tomb is the most ornate
in the cemetery at West Point despite the fact that he never attended.
There is also a monument to Butterfield in New York City near Grant's
Tomb. It must be pointed out that other stories of the origin of Taps
exist. A popular one is that of a Northern boy who was killed fighting
for the south. His father, Robert Ellicombe a Captain in the Union Army,
came upon his son's body on the battlefield and found the notes to Taps
in a pocket of the dead boy's Confederate uniform. When Union General
Daniel Sickles heard the story, he had the notes sounded at the boy's
funeral. There is no evidence to back up the story or the existence of
Captain Ellicombe. Although Butterfield merely revised an earlier bugle
call, his role in producing those 24 notes gives him a place in the
history of music as well as the history of war.

     As soon as Taps was sounded that night in July of 1862, words were
put with the music. The first were, "Go To Sleep, Go to Sleep." As the
years went on many more versions were created. There are no official
words to the music but here are some of the more popular verses:
1. "Day is done, gone the sun, From the hills, from the lake, From the
sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh."
2. "Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, May the soldier or sailor, God keep.
On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep."
3. "Love, good night, Must thou go, When the day, And the night Need thee
so?
All is well. Speedeth all To their rest."
4. "Fades the light; And afar Goeth day, And the stars Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone, Night is on."
5. "Thanks and praise, For our days, 'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know, God is nigh."
Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the
twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the song, with the first
stanza listed above and two others appeared in the 1937 Great Songs of
the Church No. 2 edited by E. L. Jorgenson, where the music is simply
listed as a "Bugle call, with chords."   For this study, I have added the
fifth stanza listed above.  The only other hymnbook in which I have seen
the song, with the first stanza only, is the 1937 New Hymnal for American
Youth from the D. Appleton-Century Company Inc. where the text is listed
as “anonymous.”

      The song gives praise to God and asks His blessings on us as the day
comes to an end.

I. Stanza 1 tells us that God has given the night for rest
“Day is gone; gone the sun From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.”
  A. God set up each day to go to the evening and then to the next
morning: Gen. 1:3-5
  B. That which determines the coming of each day and night is the course
of the sun: Ps. 19:1-6
  C. However, even though day may be gone, God is still near and we can
safely rest: Eccl. 5:12

II. Stanza 2 reminds us that God created the stars for light at night
“Fading light dims the sight, And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright;
From afar, drawing nigh Falls the night.”
  A. Fading light denotes the evening: Ps. 104:23
  B. As evening comes, the stars gem the sky, as created by God with the
sun and moon to give light and to provide signs and seasons: Gen. 1:14-16
  C. Then comes the night which God made for the good of life on earth:
Ps. 104:19-20

III. Stanza 3 wishes each one a good night
“Then goodnight, peaceful night, Till the light of the dawn shineth
bright;
God is near, do not fear; Then goodnight.”
  A. We wish each other a good and peaceful night of sleep: Ps. 127:2
  B. Whatever may be our lot through the night, we can look forward to the
light of the dawn in the morning: Ps. 30:5
  C. The reason that we do not fear the night is that God is near to watch
over and protect us: Ps. 121:4-6

IV. Stanza 4 offers thanks to God for His blessings of both day and night
"Thanks and praise, For our days, 'Neath the sun, ‘Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know, God is nigh."
  A. So even as the sun goes down, it is good to give thanks to God: Ps.
92:1-2
  B. As we see the sun setting and the stars rising beneath the sky, we
know again that God has created them for our good: Ps. 136:7-9
  C. And we have assurance from this same God that He is near and will
watch over our sleep: Prov. 3:19-24

      CONCL.:  Some might question whether this song is acceptable as a
hymn or not.  The mere fact that a song mentions God does not necessarily
make it suitable for worship.  However, many hymns have been written
about the evening time, and this song still reminds us to think about God
and His blessings when “Day Is Gone.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

11/19/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that remind us of our need for God

  “O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of His praise to be
heard” (Ps. 66:8)

      INTRO.:  A hymn which encourage people to bless our God and make the
voice of His praise to be heard is “Father, We Bless Thee.”  The text was
written in 2009 by Wayne Steven Walker (b. 1954).  The tune (Weston) is
an anonymous melody whose first appearance was with Rebecca Weston’s 1884
hymn “Father, We Thank Thee for the Night” in the 1921 Great Songs of the
Church (No. 1) edited by E. L. Jorgenson.  Among other hymnbooks
published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century
for use in churches of Christ, the tune appeared with Weston’s hymn in
the 1937 Great Songs of the Church No. 2, also edited by Jorgenson; the
1965 Great Christian Hymnal No. 2 edited by Tillit S. Teddlie; the 1966
Christian Hymns No. 3 edited by L. O. Sanderson; and the 1978 Hymns of
Praise edited by Reuel Lemmons. Today this version may be found in the
1971 Songs of the Church, the 1990 Songs of the Church 21st C. Ed., and
the 1994 Songs of Faith and Praise all edited by Alton H. Howard; and the
1992 Praise for the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; in addition to the
2007 Sacred Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.  Since I
prefer another tune with the Weston hymn, composed by Daniel Batchellor,
I provided these words to fit this music.

I. Stanza 1 blesses God the Father
“Father, we bless Thee for each day, And for Thy goodness on our way.
Help us in everything we do To have a faithful life and true.”
  A. We should bless the Father because He has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing: Eph. 1:3
  B. One thing about the Father that motivates us to bless Him is His
goodness: Jas. 1:17
  C. As we bless Him, we also ask Him to help us in everything that we do
to be faithful to Him: Rev. 2:10

II. Stanza 2 blesses Jesus the Son
“Jesus, we bless Him, Lord on high, Who guides us with His watchful eye.
We ask His care for us each night To give us inner peace and light.”
  A. We should bless Jesus because He is Lord on high: Acts 2:34-36
  B. One thing about the Son that motivates us to bless Him is His
guidance, because no one can come to the Father except through Him: Jn.
14:6
  C. As we bless Him, we should also desire that He would watch over us,
even through the night, so that we can have His peace and light in our
hearts:

III. Stanza 3 blesses the Holy Spirit
“Spirit, we bless Him for the word Which we have read and we have heard.
Its teachings are so great and fair, And we should follow them with
care.”
  A. We should bless the Spirit because He also is the divine Comforter:
Jn. 16:7-13
  B. One thing about the Spirit that motivates us to bless Him is His
word, which is His sword through which He accomplishes His work: Eph.
6:17
  C. As we bless Him, we should also strive to follow His teachings in the
scriptures because they furnish us to every good work: 2 Tim. 3:16-17

IV. Stanza 4 blesses the entire Godhead
“Praise to the Father, God above; Praise to the Son sent by His love;
Praise to the Holy Ghost divine; Eternal praise be ever Thine!”
  A. We bless the Father because He is God above: 1 Cor. 8:6
  B. We bless the Son because He was sent through the love of the Father:
Jn. 3:16
  C. We bless the Holy Ghost because He is divine: Acts 5:3-4

      CONCL.:  When we “praise God” we are, in effect, praising the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit since all three are divine.  The
last line of Thomas Ken’s famous doxology says, “Praise Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost.”  However, some brethren object to songs which actually
address praise directly to the Spirit, and some even object to songs
which actually address praise directly to Jesus.  They evidently feel
that doing so is the same as praying to Jesus and/or the Spirit.
However, singing and praying are two different acts of worship (1 Cor.
14:15).  Therefore, while I would agree that we should address our
prayers to the Father, I do not believe that singing songs which address
Jesus or the Spirit and merely call on them to do what the scriptures
teach that they may do violates any principle of scripture.  However, in
the hope of producing a song which all brethren can sing in good
conscience, I have consciously worded stanzas two and three, “Jesus, we
bless Him,” and “Spirit, we bless Him,” while beginning the song,
“Father, We Bless Thee.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/18/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that remind us of our need for God

“COME HOME, FATHER CALLS”
“And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know” (Jn: 14.5)

      INTRO.:  A song which encourages the wayward person to take the way
that he knows to be right is “Come Home, Father Calls.”  The text was
written and the tune was composed both by David Norman Henderson
(1925-1986).  It was copyrighted by Henderson in 1974.  Other songs by
Henderson include “Light and Life” in Hymns for Worship Revised,
“Discerning the Savior’s Death,” and two extra stanzas for “Hear Us,
Heavenly Father.”  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s
church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “Come
Home, Father Calls” appeared in the 1978 Hymns of Praise edited by Reuel
Lemmons; the 1980 Our Garden of Song edited by Gene C. Finley; and the
1980 Majestic Praise and the 1982 Songs by Songlight both edited by
Henderson and Michael J. Schmidt.  Today it may be found in the 1977
Special Sacred Selections edited by Ellis J. Crum; and the 1999 Into Our
Hands: Songs for the Church edited by Leland R. Fleming.

      The song refers to several factors that would motivate an erring
child of God to come home.

I. Stanza 1 mentions the light
“The light in the window, so plainly you see, Come home, my brother, come
home;
A feast is now ready, so happy you’ll be, Come home, my brother, come
home.”
  A. Like a light shining through a window in a dark night, so the light
of Jesus Christ shines in this dark world: Jn. 8:12
  B. Christ’s light shines on the feast that He has prepared for those who
are His people: Lk. 14:116-17
  C. Those who accept His invitation by doing His will can be happy: Jn.
13:17

II. Stanza 2 mentions the care of brothers and sisters
“Your brothers and sisters now anxiously wait, Come home, my brother,
come home;
Reunion is waiting inside the home gate, Come home, my brother, come
home.”
  A. Brothers and sisters are anxiously waiting, hoping that the erring
one might be restored: Gal. 6:1
  B. Reunion is waiting as they are ready to forgive the one who repents:
2 Cor. 2:6-11
  C. The “home gate” refers to the fact that the one who has strayed from
the truth has been converted back to the way of righteousness: Jas.
5:19-20

III. Stanza 3 mentions the Father’s voice
“The Father’s sweet voice is still calling above, Come home, my brother,
come home;
The house is now filled with His light and His love, Come home, my
brother, come home.”
  A. The Father’s sweet voice calls people, whether lost in sin or having
turned away from the truth, through the gospel: 2 Thess. 2:13-14
  B. His “house” of course refers to the church which He established as
the home of the saved: Eph. 2:19
  C. It is in this relationship that people can benefit from His light and
His love which come to us through Jesus Christ: Jn. 1:1-4

      CONCL.:  The chorus continues to exhort the unfaithful Christian to
return to the Lord.
“Come home, Father calls, So soft His voice falls,
Come, home, Father calls, Come home, my brother, come home.”
While the words of the song seem addressed particularly to one who has
been saved but gone back into sin, it could well serve also as a general
invitation hymn to let all who are lost know that because God is the
Father of their spirits, “Come Home, Father Calls.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

11/17/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that remind us of our need for God

“HE’S MY VERY BEST FRIEND”
“…There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24)

      INTRO.:  A song which identifies Jesus Christ as a Friend who sticks
closer than a brother is “He's My Very Best Friend.”  The text was
written and the tune was composed both by Thomas Benson.  The song was
copyrighted in 1918 by Hildebrand-Burnett Co. and was later controlled by
L. O. Sanderson.  I have no other information about the song or the
songwriter except that he is credited with a total of 73 hymns by
Hymnary.org.  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church
during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “He’s My Very
Best Friend” appeared in the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1) edited by
Sanderson.

      The song suggests several things that Jesus does for us because He
is our Friend.

I. Stanza 1 tells us that He hears our prayers
“The Savior doth hear me when I pray, I’m trusting in Him from day to
day;
He keepeth me in the narrow way, He’s my very, my very best Friend.”
  A. Saying that the Savior hears us when we pray simply indicates the
fact that He is our Mediator through whom we pray to the Father: 1 Tim.
2:5
  B. Because of this and other manifestations of His care, we should trust
Him from day to day: Eph. 1:12
  C. And if we trust Him, He will keep us in the narrow way: Matt. 7:13-14

II. Stanza 2 tells us that He redeems us from sin
“There’s heavenly sunlight in my soul, Since Jesus redeemed and made me
whole;
I’ve given to Him complete control, He’s my very, my very best Friend.”
  A. There is heavenly sunlight in the soul of a Christian because Jesus
is the light of the world: Jn. 8:12
  B. This light is the result of the fact that Jesus has redeemed our
souls: Eph. 1:7
  C. But for this to happen, we must give Him complete control as we
acknowledge Him as Lord: Rom. 10:9-10

III. Stanza 3 says that He guides our souls
“How blessed to walk at Jesus’ side, He keepeth my soul whate’er betide;
A wonderful Savior, holy guide, He’s my very, my very best Friend.”
  A. To walk with Jesus, who is the light of the world, we must walk in
the light: 1 Jn. 1:5-7
  B. If we do this, He will keep our souls whatever may happen: 1 Pet. 1:5
  C. He is a wonderful guide who has given us the Scriptures to furnish us
to every good work: 2 Tim. 3:1-17

      CONCL.:  The chorus encourages us never to forget the Savior because
of His friendship with us.
“I’ll never forget my blessed Savior, He’s my very best Friend, my very
best Friend;
No, I’ll never forget my blessed Savior, He’s my very, my very best
Friend.”
Jesus died on the cross to save me from sin.  He is my Mediator with the
Father through whom I can approach the throne of grace.  And He has given
me His written word to guide me throughout my life.  Indeed, “He’s My
Very Best Friend.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/16/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that remind us of our need for God

”HALLELUJAH, HALLELUJAH, PRAISE JEHOVAH”
“Praise the Lord, O my soul” (Ps. 146:1)

      INTRO.:  A song which exhorts us to praise the Lord with our soul is
“Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah.”  The text, a paraphrase of
Psalm 146, is taken from The Psalter, 1912.  The tune was composed by
John Bunyan Herbert (1852-1927).  Herbert also provided the melody for
“What Shall It Profit?”  The Psalter paraphrase is sometimes set to other
tunes, such as one (Ripley) by Lowell Mason, and another (Hyfrydol) by
Rowland H. Prichard.  The Herbert tune was originally used with an 1866
paraphrase of Psalm 148, the same one that William J. Kirkpatrick used
for his hymn “Hallelujah! Praise Jehovah!”, and was copyrighted in 1923
by the Gospel Advocate Co. in Choice Gospel Hymns edited by Thomas B.
Mosley.  Among other hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church
during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, this version
appeared in the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1) edited by L. O. Sanderson.
However, the Psalm 146 paraphrase is in the same meter, so I have used it
with Herbert’s tune, though each of the original stanzas must be divided
into two.  The entire text may be seen in the 1961 Trinity Hymnal from
Great Commissions Publications of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church with
the Lowell Mason tune.

      The song is a paean of praise to the Lord from our souls for all His
good things.

I. Stanza 1 tells us to praise Jehovah (vs. 1-2)
“Hallelujah, hallelujah, Hallelujah, praise Jehovah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah, O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises Of my God through all my days.”
  A. We should praise Jehovah because He is worthy to be praised: Ps. 18:3
  B. We praise Him by blessing Him with our very souls: Ps. 103:1
  C. And we should sing praises to Him all our days, as long as we live
and have being: Ps. 104:33

II. Stanza 2 tells us to put no confidence in princes (vs. 3-4)
”Hallelujah, hallelujah, Put no confidence in princes,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Nor for help on man depend;
He shall die, to dust returning, And his purposes shall end.”
  A. We should praise the Lord instead of putting confidence in princes,
many of whom take counsel against the Lord: Ps. 2:1-3
  B. Indeed, we cannot depend on man for help: Isa. 2:22
  C. The reason is that while God is eternal, man is dust and will return
to it: Gen. 3:19

III. Stanza 3 tells us to choose God to be our aid (v. 5)
“Hallelujah, hallelujah, Happy is the man that chooses,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Israel’s God to be his aid;
He is blest whose hope of blessing On the Lord his God is stayed.”
  A. God wants us to choose Him: Josh. 24:15
  B. To those who choose God, He will be their aid or help: Ps. 46:1
  C. The person who thus trust in the Lord will be blessed: Jer. 17:7

IV. Stanza 4 tells us to remember that the Lord created heaven and earth
(vs. 6-7a)
“Hallelujah, hallelujah, Heaven and earth the Lord created,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Seas and all that they contain;
He delivers from oppression, Righteousness He will maintain.”
  A. Another reason to praise Jehovah is that He created heaven and earth:
Gen. 1:1
  B. The sea is His and all that is in it: Ps. 95:3-5
  C. The same power that created the universe is available to deliver from
oppression and maintain righteousness: Ps. 103:6

V. Stanza 5 tells us to be thankful for the food He gives us (vs. 7b-8a)
“Hallelujah, hallelujah, Food He daily gives the hungry,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, Sets the mourning prisoner free,
Raises those bowed down with anguish, Makes the sightless eyes to see.”
  A. By His power He also gives daily food to the hungry: Ps. 107:9
  B. In addition, he sets the mourning prisoners free: Isa. 61:1
  C. And He makes the sightless eyes to see: Matt. 9:27-31

VI. Stanza 6 tells us to be among the righteous whom Jehovah loves (vs,
8b-9)
“Hallelujah, hallelujah, Well Jehovah loves the righteous,
Hallelujah, hallelujah, And the stranger He befriends,
Helps the fatherless and widow, Judgment on the wicked sends.”
  A. While God loved the whole world enough to send Jesus to die for all
men, He especially loves the righteous in that He bestows His special
favor upon them: 1 Pet. 3:12
  B. Yet, He also cares for the stranger, and he takes care of the
fatherless and widows: Deut. 10:18
  C. However, He sends judgment upon the wicked: Ps. 147:6

      CONCL.:  Each stanza ends with the chorus:
“Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, Praise, O praise His name;
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, Praise His name.”
The parts of the Psalm 146 paraphrase (v. 10) not used here are thus:
“Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, O my soul, Jehovah praise;
I will sing the glorious praises Of my God through all my days.
Over all God reigns forever, Through all ages He is King;
Unto Him, thy God, O Zion, Joyful hallelujahs sing.”
Most of us are familiar with William J. Kirkpatrick’s, “Hallelujah,
Praise Jehovah,” and it is a great psalm, while Herbert’s version is no
longer well known, if it ever was.  However, I have always been impressed
with the joyful exultation that Herbert’s tune exudes and think that it
is a fitting accompaniment to Psalm 146 as we say, “Hallelujah,
Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/14
Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study.

  “WE SAW THEE NOT”
  “Whom, having not seen, ye love;…though now ye see Him not…ye rejoice”
(1 Pet. 1:8)

      INTRO.:  A song which emphasizes the need to believe in Christ even
though now we see Him not is, “We Saw Thee Not” (#167 in Hymns for
Worship Revised, #313 in Sacred Selections for the Church).  The text was
written by Anne Rigby Richter, who was born, probably at St. Mary's
Beverly in Yorkshire, England, around 1792, the daughter of Robert Rigby,
who was minister at St. Mary's Beverly from 1791 to 1823.  Her husband
was W. H. Richter, who was chaplain of the county jail at Kirton Lindsey
in Lincolnshire, and later minister at St. Paul's in London.  A
descendant of John Bradshaw, whose name is the first in the list of the
signatures on the death warrant of King Charles I, she was also a great
friend of the poet Mrs. Felicia Hemans and wrote for various magazines.
These words were published anonymously in Songs from the Valley: A
Collection of Sacred Poetry in 1834.

      The original poem was in eight six-line stanzas.  They were
completely recast in 1838 for his Lutterworth Collection of Hymns for
Public Worship by John Hampden Gurney (1802-1862).  The poem was further
altered in 1843 for Psalms and Hymns by Henry J. Buckoll (1803-1871).
Mrs. Richter, who published The Nun and Other Poems in 1841, died
probably at London, England in 1857.  The tune (Shaw) was composed by
Knowles Shaw (1834-1878; see #75).  It first appeared around 1877 in one
of his Sunday school song collections and became popular after being
included in James H. Fillmore’s The New Christian Hymn and Tune Book,
Part III, in 1887.  Shaw is also remembered for the hymn “I Am the Vine,”
the text of “Bringing in the Sheaves,” and the tune for “Tarry With Me, O
My Savior.”

      Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the
twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, “We Saw Thee Not”
appeared in the 1921 Great Songs of the Church (No. 1) and the 1937 Great
Songs of the Church No. 2 both edited by E. L. Jorgenson; the 1935
Christian Hymns (No. 1), the 1948 Christian Hymns No. 2, and the 1966
Christian Hymns No. 3 all edited by L. O. Sanderson; the 1963 Abiding
Hymns edited by Robert C. Welch; and the 1963 Christian Hymnal edited by
J. Nelson Slater, set strangely enough to a tune (Melita) by John Bacchus
Dykes which was composed for “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.”  Today it
may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church, the 1990 Songs of the
Church 21st C. Ed., and the 1994 Songs of Faith and Praise all edited by
Alton H. Howard; the 1978/1983 Church Gospel Songs and Hymns edited by V.
E. Howard; the 1986 Great Songs Revised edited by Forrest M. McCann; and
the 1992 Praise for the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; in addition to
Hymns for Worship, Sacred Selections, and the 2007 Sacred Songs of the
Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.

      The song is about faith in Christ.

I. Stanza 1 says that we did not see Him on earth, yet we believe that He
lived
“We saw Thee not when Thou didst come To this poor world of sin and
death;
Nor yet beheld Thy cottage home In that despised Nazareth.
But we believe Thy footsteps trod Its streets and plains, Thou Son of
God” (repeat).
  A. We did not see the incarnation of Christ: Jn. 1:14
  B. We did not behold His cottage home in Nazareth: Lk. 2:39-40
  C. Thomas believed because He saw; we believe because of the inspired
record: Jn. 20:29-31

II. Stanza 2 says that we did not see Him on the cross, yet we believe
that He died for us
“We saw Thee not when lifted high Amid that wild and savage crew;
Nor heard we that imploring cry, ‘Forgive, they know not what they do.’
But we believe the deed was done That shook the earth and veiled the sun”
(repeat).
(Gurney’s original read, “We did not see Thee lifted high…Nor heard Thy
meek, imploring cry….”)
  A. We did not see Jesus when He was lifted up on the cross: Matt.
27:32-38
  B. We did not hear His cry, “Forgive them for they do not know what they
do”: Lk. 23:33-34
  C. However, based upon the scripture we believe that Christ died for us:
Rom. 5:8

III. Stanza 3 says that we did not see Him following His resurrection,
yet we believe that He arose again from the dead
“We gazed not in the open tomb, Where once Thy mangled body lay;
Nor saw Thee in that ‘upper room,’ Nor met Thee on the open way.
But we believe that angels said, ‘Why seek the living with the dead?’”
(repeat).
(Gurney’s original read, “We stood not by the empty tomb Where late Thy
sacred body lay;
Nor sat within that upper room….”
  A. We did not gaze into the open tomb as did the women: Matt. 28:1-8
  B. We did not meet him on the open way, as the disciples of Emmaus, nor
in the upper room with the twelve: Mk. 16:12-14
  C. However, we believe the message of the angels about His resurrection:
Lk. 24:5

IV. Stanza 4 says that we did not see Him taken up in the cloud, yet we
believe that He ascended back into heaven
“We walked not with the chosen few, Who saw Thee from the earth ascend;
Who raised to heaven their wondering view, Then low to earth all
prostrate bend.
But we believe that human eyes Beheld that journey to the skies”
(repeat).
(Gurney’s original read, “We did not mark the chosen few, When Thou didst
through the clouds ascend,
First lift to heaven their wondering view, Then to the earth all
prostrate bend;
But we believe that mortal eyes….”)
  A. We did not walk with the chosen few who accompanied the Lord
following His resurrection: Matt. 28:16-20
  B. We did not raise to heaven our wondering view as the cloud took Him
from earth: Lk. 24:50-53
  C. However, we believe that Jesus ascended back into heaven just as the
scriptures teach: Acts 1:9-11

V. Stanza 5 (not used by Shaw) says that we do not see Him now, yet we
believe His word
“And now that Thou dost reign on high, And thence Thy waiting people
bless,
No ray of glory from the sky Doth shine upon our wilderness.
But we believe Thy faithful word, And trust in our redeeming Lord”
(repeat).
  A. The Bible teaches that Jesus is now reigning on high: 1 Cor. 15:25
  B. However, there is no visible evidence of His reign because we walk by
faith and not by sight: 2 Cor. 5:7
  C. Yet, we still believe on Him through the word of those who left us
eyewitness testimony:

      CONCL.:  Some might be interested in Mrs. Richter’s original poem:
1. “We have not seen Thy footsteps tread This wild and sinful earth of
ours,
Nor heard Thy voice restore the dead Again to life’s reviving powers:
But we believe—for all things are The gifts of Thine Almighty care.”
2. “We have not seen the billowy sea Grow calm and still at Thy command,
Nor the dim orbs again to see, Beneath the healing of Thine hand:
But we believe the Fount of light Again could give those eyeballs sight.”
3. “We did not see Thee tread the wave; We did not hear the voice from
heaven,
Which once with awful warning gave That God’s own Son for us was given.
But we believe—oh! strengthen Thou The faith which to Thy Name we owe.”
4. “We did not see the armed throng Steal to the garden’s midnight shade,
And watch the palm-tree’s boughs among, Then quail beneath Thy glance
afraid:
But we believe—Almighty love Alone could such dark moments prove.”
5. “We did not see the darkness veil With sudden gloom the noon-day
skies;
Nor the fierce soldier’s cheek grow pale; And priestly mockery veil their
eyes;
When the proud Roman owned the power Of heaven, ’twas in that awful
hour.”
6. “We did not hear the footsteps fall Within that lonely garden ground,
Of the all-wakeful sentinel, Slow tracing there his watchful round;
But we believe—the Holy One Bursting that tomb, in glory shone.”
7. “We were not with the chosen few Who saw Thee through the clouds
ascend,
Who gazed, and wished to follow too, Then on the earth all prostrate
bend;
But we believe that mortal eyes Beheld the journey to the skies.”
8. “Chase every shade of doubt away; ‘Light of the World!’ in mercy
shine;
Illume with faith our erring way, We would no worship own but Thine.
Bring us to heaven’s peaceful shore, And make us Thine forevermore!”
The Bible teaches that we must believe in Jesus Christ as the divine Son
of God in order to be saved from our sins.  Jesus said, “Therefore I said
to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I
am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn. 8:24).  His inspired word provides
all the evidence that is needed to accept Him.  And so, we must say to
Christ, “Our faith firmly rests in Thee, O Lord, even though ‘We Saw Thee
Not.’”
____________________________________________________________
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NOTE:  We plan to be out of town this weekend, so I am sending
tomorrow's hymn study a bit early, and Saturday's hymn study will be a
bit late.

11/13/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that focus on Jesus

  “I WON’T HAVE TO CROSS JORDAN ALONE”
  “…Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for Thou art with me…” (Ps. 23:4)

      INTRO.:  A song which points out that when we walk through the
valley of the shadow of death we need fear no evil because the Lord will
be with us is “I Won't Have to Cross Jordan Alone” (#460 in Sacred
Selections for the Church).  The text was written by Thomas H. Ramsey
(1905-1997).  I was not able to find any biographical information on
Ramsey, except that Hymnary.org credits him with a total of 38 songs.
The tune was composed by Charles E. Durham (1893-1972).  The song was
copyrighted in 1934 by the Stamps-Baxter Music Co. in their book Leading
Light.  It was assigned in 1938 to Robert H. Coleman, and the copyright
was renewed in 1962 by Broadman Press.  Among hymnbooks published by
members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in
churches of Christ, it appeared in the 1952 Hymns of Praise and Devotion
edited by Will W. Slater; the 1963 Christian Hymnal edited by J. Nelson
Slater; and the 1978 Hymns of Praise edited by Reuel Lemmons.  Today it
may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church and the 1990 Songs of the
Church 21st C. Ed. both edited by Alton H. Howard; the 1978/1983 Church
Gospel Songs and Hymns edited by V. E. Howard; and the 1992 Praise for
the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; in addition to Sacred Selections, and
the 2007 Sacred Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat.

      The song helps Christians to look forward to the end of life with
hope and encouragement.

I. Stanza 1 talks about coming to the river at ending of day
“When I come to the river at ending of day,
When the last winds of sorrow have blown,
There’ll be somebody waiting to show me the way;
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.”
  A. Coming to the river at ending of day is a common symbol for death:
Heb. 9:27
  B. Death will be a time when the last winds of sorrow will have blown
because the righteous will rest from their labors: Rev. 14:13
  C. Furthermore, Jesus has gone on ahead of us as our forerunner to show
us the way: Heb. 6:19-20

II. Stanza 2 talks about being forsaken and weary and sad
“Often times I’m forsaken (some sources have “I am troubled”) and weary
and sad,
When it seems that my friends have all gone (some sources have “flown”);
There is one thought that cheers me and makes my heart glad:
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.”
  A. Often times in this life we may be troubled and weary and sad: Eccl.
7:2-3
  B. This is especially true when it seems that our friends have all flown
and forsaken us, as Paul experienced: 2 Tim. 4:16
  C. However, even though we may suffer trials, our hearts can be cheered
and made glad by the hope of the crown of life: Jas. 1:12

III. Stanza 3 talks about experiencing sorrow and trouble
“Though the billows of sorrow and trouble may sweep,
Christ the Savior will care for His own.
Till the end of the journey my soul He will keep;
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.”
  A. Also in this life each one will have his share of sorrow and trouble:
1 Thess. 4:13
  B. However, in our sorrow, Christ the Savior has promised to care for
His own: 1 Pet. 5:7
  C. Therefore, we can know that He will keep us by faith through His
power until the end of our journey unto that salvation ready to be
revealed at the last time: 1 Pet. 1:5

      CONCL.:  The chorus emphasizes the fact that Jesus who died to atone
for our sins will go with us over Jordan.
“I won’t have to cross Jordan alone;
Jesus died all my sins to atone.
When the darkness I see, He’ll be waiting for me;
I won’t have to cross Jordan alone.”
The sorrow, sadness, and trouble that I experience in this world all
bring to my mind the truth that this life will not last forever and
eventually I will come to the end of my way.  However, it is of great
comfort to know that if I have given my life to Christ, then “I Won’t
Have to Cross Jordan Alone.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/12/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that focus on Jesus

  “ONLY A FEW SHORT YEARS”
“…For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away” (Jas. 4:14)

       INTRO.:  A song which reminds us that our life is just a vapor that
appears for a little time and the vanishes away is “Only a Few Short
Years.”  The text was written and the tune was composed both by Ethel P.
Crippen.  I have no further information about the song writer, except
that Hymnary.org credits here with four other songs besides this one, or
the background of the song except that it was copyright 1903 by William
James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921).  It most likely first appeared that year
in a book entitled Devotional Songs published by Biglow and Main Co. of
New York City, NY.  Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s
church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, it
appeared in the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1) edited by L. O. Sanderson.

      The song mentions several situations which remind us how short our
lives here on this earth are.
I. Stanza 1 talks about heartache
“O it’s only a few short years of heartache and longing;
O it’s only a few short years of patient service here!
Then the Savior will gently lead us Where we’ll find all our heart’s
desire,
When we cast away these earthly limitations On the joyful resurrection
morn.”
  A. Life on earth is often punctuated by times of heartache, longing, and
other troubles: Job 14:1
  B. For the Christian, it must also be characterized by patient service:
Phil. 2:17
  C. All of this can be borne with the hope of the joyful resurrection
morn: Phil. 3:10-11

II. Stanza 2 talks about duty
“O it’s only a few short years, then waste not one moment;
O it’s only a few short years, the days go swiftly by!
Do each duty, though great or humble, In a spirit of tenderest love,
Then the little heaven of love around you growing, You shall someday find
in heaven above.”
  A. Because we have only a few short years, we should not waste one
moment but redeem the time: Eph. 5:15-16
  B. We need to realize that the days go swiftly by and our lives are like
a sigh: Ps. 90:9-10
  C. Therefore, we need to do our duty while we have the time and
opportunity: Gal. 6:10

III. Stanza 3 talks about pain
“O it’s only a few short years, though pain oft o’er-take us;
O it’s only a few short years, though care and grief seem long!
Then live only and all for Jesus, In His service is joy complete;
If He bids you, wait in quiet, sweet communion, If He sends you, go on
swift glad feet.”
  A. Everyone experiences pain during our few short years on earth: Rom.
8:22
  B. Sometimes the care and grief that come upon us seem long: 1 Pet. 2:19
  C. However, if we live only and all for Jesus, we can still rejoice in
the Lord: Phil. 4:4

      CONCL.:  The chorus contrasts the few short years of this life with
the everlasting joy and peace of eternity.
“O it’s only a few short years, Only a few short years,
Till we leave the toil and tears, And we enter in the years
Of an everlasting peace and joy.”
All of us, Christians included, face various kinds of difficulties in
this life, but God will give us the strength to endure them if we look to
Him and remember that they will last “Only a Few Short Years.”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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11/11/09
HYMN OF THE DAY
Daily hymn studies
Songs that focus on Jesus

“ARE YOU LISTENING?”
“Hearken diligently unto Me” (Isa. 55:2)

      INTRO.:  A song which admonishes everyone, including lost sinners,
to hearken diligently unto the Lord is “Are You Listening?”  The text was
written and the tune (Blessed Quietness) was composed both by William S.
Marshall (late 19th c.).  It is believed to have been published around
1897.  Sometime after that, perhaps around 1900, another song entitled
“Blessed Quietness” was written for the same tune by Manie Payne
Ferguson, who was born in 1850 at Carlow, Ireland.  After emigrating to
the United States, Manie and her husband Theodore Pollock Ferguson
founded a mission at Los Angeles, CA, in 1886.  This eventually expanded
into what was known as the “Peniel” Missions along the West Coast of
America, and in Africa, Asia, South America, and elsewhere.  The main
focus of the missions, especially in later years, was ministry to single
women.  Nethymnal credits her with two other hymns besides this one.

      The tune was arranged for Manie’s hymn by James M. Kirk (1854-1945).
  The first four stanzas and chorus of this hymn are as follows:
1. “Joys are flowing like a river, Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever, Makes the trusting heart His home.”
2. “Bringing life and health and gladness, All around this heavenly
guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness, Changed our weariness to rest.”
3. “Like the rain that falls from heaven, Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given, Coming on us from on high.”
4. “See, a fruitful field is growing, Blessed fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing In the lonely wilderness.”
Chorus: “Blessed quietness, holy quietness, What assurance in my soul!”
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me, How the billows cease to roll!”

      I have added the fifth stanza by Manie, who died in 1932, as a fifth
stanza to Marshall’s hymn.  Among hymnbooks published by members of the
Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ,
Marshall’s hymn appeared in the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1) edited by L.
O. Sanderson.  Today, Ferguson’s hymn may be found in the 1977 Special
Sacred Selections edited by Ellis J. Crum.

      The song makes an effective invitation hymn.

I. Stanza 1 talks about the Savior’s call
“Do you hear the Savior calling, By the wooings of His voice?
Do you hear the accents falling?  Will you make the precious choice?”
  A. Certainly the Savior calls men to come to Him: Matt. 11:28-30
  B. While He does not speak directly today, His voice has been recorded
for all time: Heb. 3:15
  C. He calls upon us to make a choice just as He did to Israel through
Joshua: Josh. 24:15

II. Stanza 2 talks about the Spirit’s wooings
2. “By His Spirit He is wooing, Softly drawing us to Him,
Through the day and night pursuing, With His gentle voice to win.”
  A. The Savior sent the Spirit to convict the world of sin: Jn. 16:7-8
  B. He draws men to Christ by the teaching that He left us: Jn. 6:44-45
  C. Thus, He pursues day and night through His sword which is the word:
Eph. 6:17

III. Stanza 3 talks about the word of truth
“By the word of truth He’s speaking To the wandering, erring ones;
List! The voice the stillness breaking!  Hear the sweet and solemn
tones.”
  A. Since the Spirit revealed the word of truth, it is through that
medium that both the Savior and the Spirit speak to us: Jas. 1:18
  B. This includes how He calls to wandering, erring ones: 1 Thess.
2:13-14
  C. Thus, the voice that breaks the stillness with sweet and solemn tones
comes through the gospel: Rom. 1:16

IV. Stanza 4 talks about God’s providential dealings
“In His providential dealings, Even in His stern decrees,
In the loudest thunders pealing, Or the murmuring of the breeze.”
  A. There is much about God’s providence that we do not know, but we know
that He will work out all things together for our good: Rom. 8:28
  B. Even His stern decrees are for our good always: Deut. 6:24
  C. God can act even through nature to chasten us for our profit: Heb.
12:10

V. Stanza 5 talks about the wonderful salvation
“What a wonderful salvation, Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation, What a quiet resting place!”
  A. We have received through Christ a wonderful salvation: Heb. 2:3
  B. Seeing His face represents the idea of having fellowship with the
Lord: Eph. 3:17
  C. We have not only have a perfect habitation and quiet resting place
here but the hope of an eternal rest in heaven: Heb. 4:9

      CONCL.:  The chorus asks if we are listening to the different voices
that God sends to call us to obey Him?
“Are you listening, are you listening, Now to hear the accents fall?
Are you listening, are you listening, To the Savior’s gentle call?”
All have sinned and are lost.  God sent His Son to die for our sins and
offer us salvation through His blood.  But we must respond in faith and
obedience to receive redemption, and God has revealed His message in the
scriptures.  Thus, He asks each one, “Are You Listening?”

      Brotherly,
Wayne S. Walker
503 S. Jefferson St.
Salem, IL 62881
home phone: (618) 548-6286
cell phone: (618) 292-2694
e-mail: wswalker310@...
website: www.defenderoftruth.com

      Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth
website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book
that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the
publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com .
And I have a Hymn Studies blog at
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, since this
has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this
disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do
with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the
Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily
approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them
with Yahoogroups.
____________________________________________________________
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