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HYMN STORIES OF THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY
_by_
WILLIAM J. HART, M.A., D.D.
_Member of the Hymn Society of America, author of
"Unfamiliar Stories of Familiar Hymns"_
_With a Foreword by_
BISHOP W. EARL LEDDEN, D.D., LL.D.
[Illustration: Publisher Logo]
_Publishers_ W. A. WILDE COMPANY _Boston_
_Copyright, 1948_
By W. A. Wilde Company
_All rights reserved_
Made in the United States of America
_Dedicated
to_
The Churches I Have Served as Pastor
FOREWORD
The most important musical feature of any service of worship is the
singing of hymns by the congregation. When voices are united in
Christian song, hearts may readily be joined in common worship. Then it
becomes much more than a musical feature. It becomes an act of worship.
And all who thus sing are builders of a Temple of Tone wherein their own
hearts become the altar, high and lifted up.
Before this great thing can come to pass, there must be a familiarity
with the hymns--an appreciation of these "crown jewels of the church."
Anyone, then, who directs attention to Christian hymns and stimulates
interest in them is adding to our resources for private and public
worship.
The author of this volume is continuing and extending his Christian
ministry by calling attention to the use of hymns and gospel songs on
various occasions and exhorting us all to sing. He is a retired member
of the Northern New York Conference of The Methodist Church, honored for
his long and fruitful ministry, and beloved for his unfailing devotion
to the spreading of the gospel through the still wider use of Christian
hymns.
W. Earl Ledden.
_Syracuse, New York_
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 9
_Chapter I._ Let's Sing 13
1. They Sang with the Marine Band
2. Song of the Chaplain's Wife
3. Our Popular Processional Hymn
4. Heard Lauder's Song and Wesley's Hymn
5. The Hymn with Exclamation Points
_Chapter II._ Morning Melodies 25
1. The Morning Call
2. Morning Hymn on an Ocean Voyage
3. Morning Songs Fill the Day with Music
4. Hymn Suggested by a "Blaze of Leafage"
_Chapter III._ Sunset Songs 32
1. Nature Gave the Perfect Touch
2. The Bells of Trinity
3. Singing Soldiers
4. Hymn Discussion at Oyster Bay
_Chapter IV._ Serenading the Soul With Song 39
1. That Was Yesterday!
2. Song of the Hidden Singer
3. Americans Sang with the Japanese Lady
4. Northfield's Festival of Sacred Music
_Chapter V._ Hymns of Comfort 47
1. God's Angels in Charge
2. Singing Welshmen at Oxford
3. Singing Amid Suffering
4. Songs of a Sorrowing Nation
_Chapter VI._ Occasions To Remember 58
1. "Abide With Me" in a Submarine
2. Wheel Chair Singers
3. Sang the Hymn from Memory
4. Hymn Expressed the Hearer's Feelings
5. Hymn of the Homesick American
6. His Ordination Hymn
7. Soldiers Sang at Their General's Funeral
_Chapter VII._ Hymns That Changed Lives 71
1. When Catherine Booth Made the Great Decision
2. His Song and Experience in a Coal Mine
3. Decision of the "Incorrigible"
4. The Hymn That Wrought a Miracle
_Chapter VIII._ Songs of Childhood and Youth 80
1. Song of the Child in the Shelter
2. What the Scouts Sang
3. "Jesus Bids Us Shine"
4. Men Loved the Kiddies' Hymn
_Chapter IX._ Sang in Their Own Tongues 87
1. Chinese and Americans Sang a Negro Spiritual
2. Christmas Carols in Two Tongues
3. "Everybody Knows 'Holy Night'"
4. Unifying Influence Of Song at Eastertide
_Chapter X._ Patriotic Music in War and Peace 93
1. Surprise for American Soldiers
2. "America the Beautiful" Heard at Arlington
3. An American Home on Invasion Day
4. "Our God is Marching On!"
5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" at War's End
6. Kipling's "Recessional"
_Chapter XI._ Thanksgiving in Song 105
1. Two Statesmen Sang "America"
2. Gunner Led the Song Of Praise
3. Minister Thrilled by Singing of Philadelphia Laymen
4. "We Love the Place"
5. Memorable Rendering of the Doxology
_Chapter XII._ Carols at Christmastide 115
1. Christmas Carols on Deck of Battleship
2. Christmastide Song of Blind Singers
3. Not Too Late to Hear the Christmas Music
4. Carol the Children Wanted
_Chapter XIII._ The Cross and the Church 121
1. Building Gone, but Hymn Remains
2. An Army with Banners
3. Church Cross Inspired Grocer's Song
4. Visiting Singer Familiar with the Hymn
_Chapter XIV._ Easter With the Hymnal 127
1. Easter Song of a Centenarian
2. Easter in New Guinea
3. Eastertide Hymn at an Easter Funeral
4. Mother's Hymn at Eventide
Bibliography 135
Index of Hymns 137
INTRODUCTION
"That was heavenly," said a Welshman at the close of a service of sacred
song at which he had listened to the narration of incidents with
apparent delight and had joyously joined in the singing. Hymns are a
source of joy to persons of all ages; and youth and age alike enjoy
singing them. The hymnal stands next to the Bible in the devotional
reading of many people. Workers among young people find hymn stories to
be an important feature of their work; and preachers know that an
illustration relating to a hymn not only makes an effective appeal but
is also long remembered. Short hymn stories give comforting satisfaction
to sick people in their quiet chambers, especially when they can
sometimes sing or hum them.
Great hymns belong to the ages. They are timeless, and always new
stories are being associated with them. But this collection of stories
does not range over the centuries; it comes from our own century almost
entirely. The hymns are mostly old; but the stories are new. Two
quotations indicate what a hymn is and its effects.
The following was adopted by The Hymn Society of America as its
definition of a Christian hymn:
"A Christian hymn is a lyric poem, reverently and devotionally
conceived, which is designed to be sung and which expresses the
worshipper's attitude toward God, or God's purposes in human life. It
should be simple and metrical in form, genuinely emotional, poetic and
literary in style, spiritual in quality, and in its ideas so direct and
so immediately apparent as to unify a congregation while singing
it."--Carl F. Price.
"Some kinds of music are like mental and spiritual food. They console us
when we have lost someone dear to us. They inspire us to higher forms of
living, which give us greater inner satisfaction. They stimulate us to
make greater effort to overcome the immense difficulties in the future.
This kind of music is beyond question of great value to every
individual, community, and nation. This kind of music was bequeathed to
us from many lands and is the birthright of everyone."--Leopold
Stokowski in "The New York Times Magazine."
Hymn stories are related to a definite moment and to an unusual
experience, such as the one which tells of the men in the submarine (p.
60); or that which relates how the visiting Scotsman thrilled the
Presbyterian ministers in Philadelphia, and their kindled emotions found
expression in a hymn (p. 109). Many of them came spontaneously from the
heart, and thus they make a lasting impression.
Such incidents as these, coming from several lands, the author has
gleaned from many sources, both American and British, and now he shares
them with his readers. The sources from whence they came have been
indicated, and his gratitude for the privilege of passing them on to
others is very great.
The index will enable the reader to find the hymns included. The hymns
themselves come from standard hymnals of the churches. A short
bibliography is included. Among the books mentioned, that of Dr. Moffatt
is especially useful, because it partakes, somewhat, of the nature of a
short dictionary of hymnology. Professor Smith's work is unique in its
arrangements and will be particularly helpful to those preparing
programs for special occasions. A copy of the handbook to the hymnal
which the reader uses will prove to be very valuable.
The author gratefully acknowledges the helpful service rendered by the
Rev. Herbert Harrison.
Readers will peruse with deep interest the Foreword written by Bishop W.
Earl Ledden. His life has been intimately related to church music.
During his student days in both college and theological seminary, he was
actively associated with musical leadership. Since his election to the
episcopacy, he has sometimes given addresses to group meetings of
ministers and church lay leaders on the importance of appropriate music
in church services. His words, therefore, come from the pen of one who
has had ripe experience in the field of hymnology.
William J. Hart.
_Lacona, New York_
CHAPTER I
LET'S SING
"So will we sing and praise thy power"
--(_Psa. 21:13_).
"Lend a voice to swell the chorus,
Chant the songs that time endears;
They were sung by those before us,
They will chime along the years."
--_Arthur Guiterman in "The Classmate."_
"We have no surer link with our fathers of generations past, and with
our fellow-Christians of to-day, than is provided by the psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs which are our spiritual heritage."
--Preface to _The Hymnary of the United Church of Canada_.
"The echoes of your music die;
Some say, 'The song is ended'--but
They do not know.
It lives on--in my soul;
And I stay nearer God
Because of it."
--_Bessie C. Hicks in "The Church School._"
Congregational singing, as we know it, we really owe to Luther and to
Calvin.
--_Dr. Arthur John Gossip._
They Sang with the Marine Band
The community Christmas Tree at Washington in 1946 afforded a pleasant
occasion when it was illuminated. The scene was outlined for, probably,
millions of listeners in all parts of the country. The nation was
enjoying an unusually happy season, for though World War II had ended
more than a year before, many of the nation's sons and daughters who had
taken a part in the terrific struggle had only recently returned to
their homes. Wartime restrictions had made a tree impossible for a few
years; and so this lighting of the tree at the capital was an enjoyable
feature, and Washington, apparently, made the most of it. The evening
was fair. The crowds were in attendance, and President Truman delivered
an address.
The United States Marine Band played, of course, and the school
children, in festive mood, sang, as well as others. The tree was ablaze
with lights.
The ceremonies were announced to close with the playing of "The
Star-Spangled Banner" by the band, and the musicians began to play. Soon
there came over the radio the humming of many voices, then the people
began to sing as the band played. Gradually the volume of voices
increased. And before the music ceased it sounded as though a mighty
chorus expressed their pent-up feelings in the happy strains:
"Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner still wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"
The joy of freedom was in their hearts and voices at that happy and
memorable moment. Band and voices made mighty and glorious music for the
many who sat in their homes and listened to the convenient radio.
Song of the Chaplain's Wife
She was lonesome as she sat in the small parsonage. Her preacher husband
had entered the army as a chaplain in World War II, and this little
woman, like many others of that period, had several problems to solve. A
family of small children had to be looked after. Furthermore, being a
lay preacher, she had been asked to care for her husband's church during
the period of his service with the armed forces of the United States.
Household help was almost impossible to secure; but, with the aid of a
high school girl, mostly, she cared for the home, with its three small
children, and also the church.
This little woman (for she was really small physically) was a trained
musician. She could both play and sing, if need be, as well as preach.
Natural was it, therefore, that she should turn to her hymnal as well as
her Bible for needed strength of soul. She found it in a comparatively
new hymn. Its prayerful spirit expressed the yearning desire of her
soul:
"Come! Peace of God, and dwell again on earth,
Come, with the calm that hailed Thy Prince's birth,
Come, with the healing of Thy gentle touch,
Come, Peace of God, that this world needs so much."
She asked to have it sung when I led a devotional service. Then I later
wrote her, asking: "What particular association has this hymn with your
life?" Her answer was as follows: "It is a favorite hymn with me, partly
because of the unusual and beautiful harmony to be found in the music,
and partly because the words are my own prayer for the world, and also
for myself, now that my husband is serving as a chaplain."
Seeking information concerning the hymn itself, I turned to the
informing work of Dr. McCutchen. There I learned that it "was written
about 1928, when there was much talk about the peace of the world and a
great desire for it amid the unrest of the nations." The author, Miss
May Rowland, submitted it in manuscript to the commission preparing the
new hymnal of The Methodist Church, "and its inclusion in this book
(1935) marked its first publication."
The author of the hymn, and also the composer of the tune ("Pax"), are
both residents of England, and each is a prize-winner. When The Hymn
Society of America issued an appeal for a "Hymn for Airmen," though
there were more than twelve hundred competitors from all parts of the
world, Miss Rowland won. Musicians were then invited to furnish a
musical setting for the same. This contest was also world-wide, and Miss
Lily Rendle was the winner. This was in 1928; and both women were
greatly surprised to learn that they each lived in Bournemouth within a
mile of each other, though they were born in different parts of the
country. "Since that time their artistic association has been close."
One of their beautiful joint productions is this:
"The day is slowly wending
Toward its silent ending,
But 'mid its light declining
The evening star is shining:
O Father, while we sleep,
Thy children keep!"
World War II ended suddenly and dramatically. Soldiers were returning
home in large numbers by the latter part of 1945. "Will Daddy be home
for Christmas?" the chaplain's children began to ask. "We hope so," was
the cheery reply of the anticipating woman. "Perhaps he'll even return
for Thanksgiving," she added.
One day early in November Chaplain Donald M. Cobb, of the United States
Army, appeared at the parsonage in the little railroad center at
Richland, New York. What an unspeakably happy moment for him, his wife,
and the three growing children! Thanksgiving and Christmas would both be
spent at home. Now a manly voice could blend with the voices of his wife
and the growing girls, as that night the family circle gathered around
the piano and sang:
"Come! Blessed Peace, as when, in hush of eve,
God's benediction falls on souls who grieve;
As shines a star when weary day departs,
Come! Peace of God, and rule within our hearts."
Our Popular Processional Hymn
The annual picnic in many of our American Sunday Schools has some
features in common with the annual tea treat in the program of the
village Sunday Schools in England. The latter, however, has some more
spectacular features, such as the procession through the village streets
headed, most likely, by a band as well as the minister and the
superintendent. Whit-Monday is a favored time in many sections of the
country for this eagerly anticipated event.
For such a day as this a young curate in Horbury, a Yorkshire village,
was asked to select a hymn to be sung for the Whit-Monday occasion. He
thought of a good marching tune, but he did not like the words. So he
sat up late one night, composed his own song, and it was sung the next
day for the first time. That was in 1864; and it was published in _The
Church Times_ (October 15) that same year as a "Hymn for Procession with
Cross and Banners":
"Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banners go!"
This hymn rates high both in the United States and in England. St.
Gertrude is ideally associated with the song. This tune came from Sir
Arthur Sullivan; but someone has sagely remarked, "It took Baring-Gould
to inspire Sir Arthur." "As a hymn of inspiration it has no superior,"
said Dr. E. S. Lorenz. More than half a century ago Dr. Charles S.
Robinson made this illuminating comment: "It meets an American ideal,
mechanically speaking, in that it is simple, rhythmical, lyric, and has
a refrain at the end of each stanza."
The little folks like to sing this song whenever they have the
opportunity, and this is one of the hymns they often learn before they
can read. "It is fundamentally a Sunday School song; but it has grown up
and is now sung many more times in the congregation than in the Sunday
school."
Gloriously inspiring is it to hear a great company of people of all ages
sing:
"Crown and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain."
Sabine Baring-Gould, the author (1834-1924) a graduate of Cambridge
University, was a man of unusual versatility. Some of his experiences
were exceptional. He had means at his disposal, and spent considerable
time in his youth in France and Germany. Writing extensively, "it is
said that he has more book titles listed in the literary catalogue of
the British Museum than any other writer of his times." Various parishes
were served by him until 1881. He then exercised his rights "as squire
of the estate in Lew Trenchard, Devon," which he inherited from his
father, and appointed himself as rector.
This historic incident has been preserved for us by Dr. E. S. Lorenz:
"It had been carefully arranged by the Executive Committee of the
World's Sunday School Convention, held at Washington, D. C., in 1910,
that the hymn 'Onward, Christian Soldiers,' should be sung in Sunday
Schools in every part of the world on Sunday, May 22, of that year. For
this purpose the hymn was translated and printed in more than one
hundred languages and dialects. What a magnificent illustration of the
solidarity of the Christian Church in a progressive, aggressive
attitude!"
Heard Lauder's Song and Wesley's Hymn
"Before going to our watch-night services many of us heard Sir Harry
Lauder singing his old favorite, 'Keep right on to the end of the road,'
from 'Though the way be long, let your heart be strong,'" wrote a woman
at the beginning of 1947. She was thus reminded that though we take a
long look backward at the close of a year, we are also disposed to take
a forward look when the New Year dawns.
Then the woman went to the watch-night service at the church. Soon she
found herself singing with the others the hymn written for this occasion
by Charles Wesley:
"Come, let us anew our journey pursue,
Roll round with the year,
And never stand still till the Master appear.
His adorable will let us gladly fulfill,
And our talents improve,
By the patience of hope, and the labor of love."
Returning home, she confessed that she found herself with the feeling
that the Scotch minstrel and the English hymn writer each had an
appropriate message for the human spirit.
The Hymn with Exclamation Points
After Dr. Charles Kendall Gilbert was elected to succeed Bishop William
T. Manning as head of the Protestant Episcopal diocese of New York in
the latter part of January, 1947, _The New York Times_ said in an
editorial: "It will now be his responsibility to build his church on
ever stronger foundations in a world beset by doubt, bewilderment and
confusion. But it is also an inspiring task. The hymn sung before his
election was dedicatory:
"'Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.'"
"That hymn will be sung when everything else about you is forgotten,"
the great pulpit orator of Brooklyn, Dr. S. Parkes Cadman, once remarked
to the author of the vigorous hymn which both clergymen and laymen sang
together on that responsible day.
"Every stanza has at least one exclamation point," remarked Dr. Charles
A. Boyd, when he called attention to this peculiar feature of the hymn
written by Dr. William Pierson Merrill. In fact, out of the four stanzas
in the copy now in front of the writer, two of these have two
exclamation points each. The vivid style of this hymn, therefore, is an
emphatic call for speedy action. The hymn was written to incite men to
"do something," and to do it without delay. Hence the call:
"Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings."
This hymn was written for a definite purpose and a particular occasion.
It came to us early in the twentieth century when the Brotherhood
movement was one of large proportions in some of the great denominations
in the United States; and the large conventions which were held in vital
centers of the country were scenes of tremendous enthusiasm. During that
period Nolan R. Best, then editor of _The Continent_, remarked to Dr.
Merrill that there was need of a Brotherhood hymn. The suggestion
lingered in the mind of the latter. About the same time (1911) Dr.
Merrill read an article by Gerald Stanley Lee on "The Church of Strong
Men." "I was on one of the Lake Michigan steamers," Dr. R. G. McCutchen
quotes him as saying, "going back to Chicago for a Sunday at my own
church, when suddenly this hymn came up, almost without conscious
thought or effort."
Quickly the hymn made an appeal to various denominations, which included
it in their revised hymnals. Other countries, also, approvingly placed
this hymn in their new books. Thus it is found in _The Hymnary_ of the
United Church of Canada, and _The Methodist Hymn Book_, London. Dr.
Merrill once said, "It has given me very deep satisfaction to have the
hymn obtain such general use. Several times each year I am asked for
permission to include it in some new collection of hymns." But, as Dr.
C. M. Washburn has remarked, "Any hymnal is enriched because of the
inclusion of these challenging lines."
A newspaper reporter (Ernest J. Bowden) in an upstate city of New York
has an assignment each Sunday to attend a selected church, and then
write his impressions. He is peculiarly sensitive to the music rendered,
and often makes illuminating comments on the same. He was peculiarly
gratified when, on a December Sunday, he was assigned to a Presbyterian
church to report a visiting minister. Thirty years earlier he had heard
a new hymn sung in a city in California, and he had remembered the name
of the writer. Now came the opportunity to hear him. After the service
he met the author, and the two talked about Dr. Merrill's choice hymn.
The author told the newspaper man that while on a trip to Oriental
missions he had heard this hymn sung in both Japanese and Chinese. Also,
it was sung at a meeting in India which he addressed. At the close of
the gathering Dr. Merrill said to the leader of the music, "It was very
thoughtful of you to sing my hymn."
"We didn't know that you wrote it; we sang it because we like it," was
the reply.
"Better still," continued Dr. Merrill. "That's the finest tribute it
could have received."
This sketch was then given by the reporter of Dr. Merrill, in 1944, "He
is a genial soul, free and friendly as the gospel he preached in Brick
Church, New York. He retired in 1938, and is now climbing toward eighty.
But you would never think it to see him. His voice rang clear as a bell
through every pew." Then, speaking as a layman, he remarked: "When a
group of men have been sitting for hours, or days, in conference,
threshing over the routine of church or community, what more fitting
climax could there be than the call to sing in parting:
"'Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things;
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.'"
The wide service rendered by this hymn to the Christian Church is
indicated by the fact that when the Bishop of Ripon congratulated Dr.
Merrill on having written such a choice and practical hymn, he said: "I
use it at every communion service in my diocese where young people are
received into the church." Thus did the Episcopalian leader pay tribute
to the appeal of the hymn written by the eminent Presbyterian author.
Doubtless this hymn is destined to play a valiant part in helping to
"Bring in the day of Brotherhood
And end the night of wrong."
I cherish a program sent me by a friend who lives in a Cornish town
beyond the wide Atlantic. It outlined a great service of thanksgiving
for the return of peace held in one of the largest churches in the
county, when the several churches of the community participated. The
rector of the parish and the several ministers of the town united in
conducting a carefully prepared service of hymns, responsive readings,
prayers and addresses. Thus they that day remembered those who had
fallen in World War II. Then, in closing, those men, women and youth,
which packed the great building, led by a worthy choir, stood and sang
the hymn of our American author:
"Rise up, O men of God!
The Church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up, and make her great!"
Then came the closing stanza, with also two exclamation points:
"Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod;
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!"