THANKSGIVING IN SONG
The note of praise was sounded at the very beginning of the 75th annual
convention of the New York State Council of Religious Education, which
was held in Utica, N. Y., October, 1930. The assembled delegates, whose
interest centered in directing the religious life of the young people in
the churches and communities of the state, lifted up their voices in
singing what was once characterized by Dr. J. M. Buckley as the "most
perfect hymn in thanksgiving in the English language:"
"For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise."
Each day in downtown Los Angeles, in the morning, at noonday, and
again at night, a mighty choir of bells invites the hearts of
merchants and bankers, tradesmen and newsboys, policemen and
seamstresses to pause and reflect, to be still a moment in their
hearts and receive the sacred benediction of the bells.
In the message of the bells there is joy and peace and love for all
our fellow men, the love one sometimes forgets in the hurly-burly of a
great city. Whenever I hear these bells I stop whatever I am doing,
and my heart looks up to the great tower atop a lofty building and
beyond to the vast blue sky.
My heart sings with the bells a prayer of gratitude for the gentle
reminder that commerce is not all.
--_Cy Lance in "The Classmate."_
Two Statesmen Sang "America" in Washington's Pew
The American nation was called to supplication for Divine guidance on
the first day of 1942. The date was historic, for the nation was
entering on a New Year with the dark shadows of war resting on the
people. One of the events of that day was recorded on the front page of
practically all our newspapers.
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, was at that time
visiting the United States for the purpose of conferring with President
F. D. Roosevelt. The latter took his guest with him to the quaint
Episcopal Church at Alexandria, Va., of which George Washington was, in
1775, one of the founders. Together they occupied the white pew in which
Washington used to worship.
Each of the two statesmen loved to sing, hence both of them united with
the congregation when they sang:
"My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing."
Perhaps each responsible statesman, burdened with anxiety, was thinking
of his own country as he sang the prayerful words:
"Our fathers' God, to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing;
Long may our land be bright
With freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God, our King."
Thus did two statesmen of the twentieth century render thanksgiving to
God and covet his leadership and guidance as they stood side by side and
sang their faith in God and country.
Gunner Led the Song of Praise
"Circumstances called for patient waiting," said one who had been
interned in the Allied-Prisoners-of-War Camp "on the west coast of the
island of Honshu.... Over the mountains and two hundred miles to the
south the first atom bomb had been dropped during those momentous days
of August, 1945.... Then suddenly everything was quiet. The wailing
air-raid sirens, the heavy drone of giant bombers, the explosions, the
flames, the panic and confusion ceased."
"The ending of hostilities ... gave place to long silent and uneventful
days, completely cut off from news of the outside world." Thus ran the
story of one who signed himself with the initials "R. E. W. H." as he
narrated some of his experiences in the Japanese prison camp during
World War II. The prison community consisted of Australians, Americans,
Dutch and British. Three and a half years of alien bondage had been
endured by some of them.
One of the first concerted acts of these former prisoners, when they
definitely realized their freedom, was to hold a service of
thanksgiving. The account of this appeared in _The British Weekly_,
September 9, 1946. They had "no padre or religious leadership, but the
desire to give praise and thanks in a form of Divine service was
spontaneous, and embraced all sects and racial creeds."
The first hymn used was a most appropriate selection:
"Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
Evermore His praises sing;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise the Everlasting King!"
They did not get a good start. Perhaps they were overwhelmed by their
emotions. Eventually they followed the lead "of a confident and
enthusiastic little gunner"; and as the company gained control of itself
"the hymn swelled to strength, sung by Catholic, Anglican,
Nonconformist."
The service was methodical, having been planned with care. It was held
on the small parade ground in the center of the camp. The table was
covered by a worn but well-washed strip of cloth. The crucifix was made
by a carpenter among the prisoners; and the Japanese, by request, had
supplied a small bowl of flowers. Benches were taken from the huts of
the prisoners, and served as seats. The men had dressed for the occasion
as best they could. The writer who related the incident had been asked
to address them; and he found the assembled men most attentive. The
peace that came from the hymns and prayers "was reflected in their eyes
and attitude." Those who shared in worship will never forget that day.
How feelingly they must have sung that third verse!
"Father-like, He tends and spares us;
Well our feeble frame He knows:
In His hands He gently bears us,
Rescues us from all our foes;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Widely yet His mercy flows."
Minister Thrilled by Singing of Philadelphia Laymen
"John Reith was reared in a Scottish manse on a diet of porridge and
prayer," but because of his useful service to his native land he
eventually became Sir John Reith. During the first World War he visited
the United States as an inspector of war munitions, and in the interest
of national service. He had rendered service as Captain John C. Reith,
and had been wounded.
He was a notable figure as he moved through the streets of Philadelphia,
being 76 inches tall. The minister who relates the following story often
saw him as he walked down Chestnut Street, for his "great height and
commanding figure attracted all eyes." The Rev. John T. Reeve, then a
pastor of a Presbyterian Church in the city, related the incident in
1941. Many prominent laymen of the Presbyterian Churches of Philadelphia
and vicinity constituted the Social Union, and had a dinner once a
month. Occasionally ministers were invited.
Captain Reith was invited to address the Social Union during his visit,
and Dr. Reeve was a guest at that meeting. The speaker indicated how
much he missed the Bibles from the pews in our American churches, and
also made reference to the ministry of his father. "His talk moved the
audience deeply, and this young soldier made such a spiritual impression
on this company of several hundred business and professional men as had
seldom been felt."
When Captain Reith ceased speaking the whole body of men sprang to their
feet. A prominent organist from one of the churches went to the piano,
and started to play. His selection was:
"The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord,
In every star Thy wisdom shines;
But when our eyes behold Thy Word,
We read Thy Name in fairer lines."
This hymn of Isaac Watts was sung to the tune of Uxbridge.
"Such singing I never heard before or since," said Dr. Reeve, as he
recalled the event several years later. Then he explained: "In not many
cities could this have taken place. But in Philadelphia, where so many
of these men had been brought up in Covenanter and United Presbyterian
churches, they knew the great hymn. The thrills ran up and down my back,
and many times since in giving out the hymn I have mentioned the
incident, and shall always remember Captain J. C. Reith with honor."
"We Love the Place"
"WE RETURN HOME!" was the announcement which appeared in some of the
London papers in March, 1946. This was followed by the statement that on
Saturday evening, March 9, at 6:30, there would be an act of
"thanksgiving in song." This was a call to the congregation of Central
Hall, Westminster, London, who had been dispossessed of the use of their
building for the use of the United Nations' Conference.
The spacious Hall, the center of extensive social and evangelistic work,
was the place considered to be most suitable for the gathering. Hence it
was a strange sight to see statesmen from many lands assemble day after
day in the place where the people were accustomed to hear the minister,
the Rev. Dr. W. E. Sangster, proclaim the message of life everlasting to
large congregations.
"We have been on a strange pilgrimage," remarked Dr. Sangster, as he
faced his re-united people in their own place of worship. During the
previous four months they had conducted their Sunday services in two
different theatres, and also the Carlton Hotel, all of which had
extended hospitality. Naturally, extensive preparations were made for
the joyful occasion. The great Wiseman Choir, composed of singers from
many religious centers in London, and organized in memory of the beloved
musician and preacher, Dr. F. Luke Wiseman, sang; and Dr. George F.
Brockless was the leader of the singing company.
"The choir obviously enjoyed themselves," said a reporter. Famous
musicians participated; and outstanding musical selections were
rendered, including the majestic "Hallelujah Chorus."
Everybody wanted to sing on this happy occasion. The hymns needed to be
selected with particular care. Beautifully appropriate, therefore, was
the first hymn of the program:
"We love the place, O God,
Wherein Thine honor dwells;
The joy of Thine abode
All earthly joy excels.
"It is the house of prayer,
Wherein Thy servants meet;
And Thou, O Lord, art there,
Thy chosen flock to greet."
This hymn, which appeared in "Hymns Ancient and Modern," 1861, has found
wide acceptance. It is found in _The Church Hymnary_ (Scotland); _The
Hymnary_ of the United Church of Canada; and likewise _The Hymnal_
(1940) of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States.
The author was the Rev. William Bullock, D.D. (1798-1874), who was of
English birth. Thirty-two years he served as a minister for the Society
of the Propagation of the Gospel. Dr. James Moffatt tells us that this
hymn, based on Psalm 26:8, "was composed in 1827 for the dedication of a
church in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, where he was rector." He also adds
that "seventy years later, when a new building on the same site was
dedicated, this hymn was once more sung."
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with
praise," said the Psalmist. It was in this spirit that the congregation
of the Central Hall, Westminster, "spent a memorable evening of
thanksgiving." The hearts of the people overflowed with joy as they
ecstatically sang:
"We love the place, O God."
Prayerful were the lines which closed that hymn:
"Lord Jesus, give us grace
On earth to love Thee more,
In heaven to see Thy face,
And with Thy saints adore."
Memorable Rendering of the Doxology
"I believe the men will wish to sing and pray," said the Rev. Dr. Oscar
R. Maurer of New Haven, Conn., when he secured consent from the military
authorities to have the doors of the cathedral of Verdun opened when the
firing should cease at the end of World War I. The dramatic story of the
event was written for _Association Men_ by one who had been at work in
France with the Red Triangle. The scene was thus vividly described:
"Ten minutes of eleven, and still the guns roared on, unmindful of the
fact that peace was imminent. Five minutes of eleven, and even the
general and his aides were showing signs of nervousness....
"Then, as suddenly as though God Himself had dropped a wet blanket over
the crackling flames of hell and at one blow had extinguished them all,
the firing and the rumbling ceased. There was an instant's pause in
which it seemed as though the world had come to an end. Then from the
forty bells high in the still untouched towers of that old cathedral at
Verdun, which had witnessed the most heroic sacrifice of life and love
save that on Calvary alone, pealed forth as did the voices over the
Bethlehem hills, those silver tones that once again were saying, 'Peace
on earth.'"
The men began to leap wildly and joyously. They shouted, sang and kissed
one another. The cathedral doors opened slowly, and about six hundred
soldiers from the armies of the Allies entered with a rush. Dr. Maurer
walked quietly to the altar rail, and there knelt in prayer. Officers
and privates alike reached for the swinging ropes, and gave the bells
another pull. The possibility that the opportunity for a religious
service was lost oppressed the heart of Dr. Maurer with fear. The
assembling company, however, soon observed the lonely figure kneeling at
the altar, and they began to move forward. He rose, and all was quiet.
"Boys," said he, "I believe we all want to sing, and that we ought to
sing the doxology." An English soldier, with a splendid tenor voice,
started the familiar line:
"Praise God, from whom all blessings flow."
Instantly all who knew the words joined in the glorious doxology. Then
the Americans, the English and the French sang their respective national
anthems before they reverently left the building.
General Valentine, who had given consent for the service to be held in
the cathedral, went forward, took Dr. Maurer's hands in his own, and
said, "I want to thank you for leading these men on this occasion to
offer praise to God...."