Glory to God for today.

As a christian who loves hymnals, have you ever imagined what led to the writing of that very particular hymn you love to sing so much? Have you gotten an answer? If yes congrats. And if No have got a very good news for you.
I found my faith in christ in a church called THE APOSTOLIC FAITH and due to my love for hymns, have decided to paste the story behind all the hymns you can ever think of. I rili wish and believe this will have effect on our spiritual edification, and save a lost soul as grace found and saved me.


Please due to where I am, I might not paste everythings ones but I promise to do my best. God bless us all

Ok

I will paste this stories alphabetically with the wordings. So am sorry if your own favourite hymn. Starts with other letters (you know what I mean).

Ok let's go

1. A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD


On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany. That date was sometimes called the 4th of July of Protestantism. It symbolized the start of the Protestant Reformation.


And the single most powerful hymn of the Protestant Reformation Movement was Luthers A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, based on Psalm 46. This hymn became the battle cry of the people, a great source of strength and inspiration even for those who were martyred for their convictions. Its majestic and thunderous proclamation of our faith is a singing symbol of the reformation.


Inspired by Psalm 46, Luther caught up in the hymn the very essence of faith, and the fervor and flavor of patriotism which he found in the Psalm.


This hymn has been translated into practically every known language and is regarded as one of the noblest and most classic examples of Christian hymnody.


The first line of this national hymn of Protestant Germany is fittingly inscribed on the tomb of the great reformer at Wittenberg,


Luther had strong convictions about the use and power of sacred music.  Once he wrote, I would allow no man to preach or teach Gods people without a proper knowledge of the use and power of sacred song.




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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God


 


(1) A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing;


Our helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.


For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe-


His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate,


On earth is not His equal.


 


(2) Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing,


Were not the right man on our side, The man of God's own choosing.


Doth ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He-


Lord Sabaoth His name, From age to age the same,


And He must win the battle.


 


(3) And though this world with devils filled, Should threaten to unto us.


We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.


The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him-


His rage we can endure, For lo, his doom is sure:


One little word shall fell him.


 


(4) That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth;


The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth.


Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also-


They body they may kill; God's truth abideth still:


His kingdom is forever.

2. ABIDE WITH ME



This beloved hymn of comfort and trust was written by a pastor who was sickly and unwell most of the time.


     Henry F. Lyte  pastored a seashore church in England, among the rough sailors and uncultured villagers. And this made outsiders often wonder. But they loved him and he loved the work.


     However, health finally left him and the doctor advised him to retreat to sunny southern Europe, and he prepared to sail.


     The last Sunday before leaving, although he had no strength to stand up and preach, yet he forced himself and preached among his weeping people. That evening, by the light of the evening sun, he wrote these words:


Abide with me, Fast falls the eventide;


The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide;


When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,


Help of the helpless, O abide with me!


     He sailed, but died abroad within that year.


 


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Abide With Me


 


(1) Abide with me- fast falls the eventide;


The darkness deepens- Lord, with me abide;


When other helpers fail and comforts flee,


Help of the helpless, O abide with me.


 


(2) Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;


Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away;


Change and decay in all around I see;


O Thou who changest not, abide with me.


 


(3) I need Thy presence every passing hour;


What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?


Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be?


Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.


 


(4) I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;


Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness;


Where is death's sting? where, grace, thy victory?


I triumph still if Thou abide with me.


 


(5) Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;


Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;


Heaven's morning breaks and earth's vain shadows flee;


In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

3. ALAS AND DID MY SAVIOUR BLEED?


Isaac Watts was born July 17, 1674, at Southampton, England.  He was born into the home of non-Conformists in the days when Dissenters and Independents were persecuted by the Church of England.  Fortunately this intolerance lasted only a short while after his birth. 


       His father, twice jailed during the persecution, afterward prospered in his business and was able to give his son the best kind of education. 


       Isaac entered the ministry and preached his first sermon at the age of twenty-four. His utter lack of what is commonly known as handsomeness was probably responsible for the fact that he remained unmarried throughout his life.  Yet Im sure this frail soul had learned the truth of the verse which begins this meditation.


       He wrote many scholarly papers that were used in several institutions of higher learning.  Yet one of the most memorable pieces that came from his pen was a simple hymn, Alas!  and Did My Savior Bleed.


       Fanny Crosby testified that this song helped her to find the Savior when believing came most difficult.


Lindsay I. Terry


 


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Alas and Did My Savior Bleed? [1]


1           Alas and did my Savior bleed?


And did my Sovreign die!


Would He devote that sacred head


For such a worm as I?


Chorus  Oh, come, sinner, you will hear


The Savior say, Weep not for me,


See the Savior on the cross!


Oh, sinner, hear Him cry,


Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabacthani.


2           Thus might I hide my blushing face,


While His dear cross appears;


Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,


And melt mine eyes to tears.


3           But drops of grief can neer repay


The debt of love I owe;


Here, Lord, I give myself away,


Tis all that I can do.

4. ALL CREATURES OF OUR GOD AND KING


From the grateful heart of a devoted Italian monk in the year of 1225 came this beautiful message.


       As a great lover of nature, Saint Francis of Assisi saw the hand of God in all creation.  He demonstrated through his own life all the tender, humble, forgiving spirit and absolute trust in God that his hymn urges others to have. At the age of 25, St. Francis left an indulgent fife as a soldier, renounced his inherited wealth, and determined to live meagerly and to imitate the selfless life of Christ.


       Throughout his life Saint Francis appreciated the importance of church music and encouraged singing in his monastery. He wrote more than 60 hymns for this purpose. The beautiful expressions of praise in All Creatures of Our God and King have endured throughout the centuries.


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All creatures of our God and King


 


(1) All creatures of our God and King,


Lift up your voice and with us sing,


Alleluia! Alleluia!


 Thou burning sun with golden beam,


Thou silver moon with softer gleam,


O praise Him! O praise Him!


Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


 


(2) Thou rushing wind that art so strong,


Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,


O praise Him! Alleluia!


Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,


Ye lights of evening, find a voice!


O praise Him! O praise Him!


Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


 


(3) Thou flowing water, pure and clear,


Make music for thy Lord to hear,


Alleluia! Alleluia!


Thou fire so masterful and bright,


That givest man both warmth and light,


O praise Him! O praise Him!


Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!


 


(4) Let all things their Creator bless,


And worship Him in humbleness,


O praise Him! Alleluia!


Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,


And praise the Spirit, Three in One!


O praise Him! O praise Him!


Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME


Rev. E. P. Scott was a missionary to India. One day he saw on the street a man of so strange an appearance that he inquired about him, and learned that he belonged to a wild mountain tribe among whom Christ had never been preached.


       Mr. Scott prayed over the matter, and decided to visit that tribe. As soon as he reached their mountain home, he fell in with a savage band who were on a war expedition. They seized him, and pointed their spears at his heart.


       At once the missionary drew out the violin that he always carried with him, and began to play and sing in the native language, All hail the power of Jesus name! He closed his eyes, expecting death at any minute.


       When he reached the third stanza, as nothing had happened, he opened his eyes, and was amazed to see that the spears had fallen from the hands of the savages, and big tears were in their eyes!


       They invited Mr. Scott to their homes, and he spend two and a half year among them, winning many of them to Christ.


Amos Wells


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All hail the power of Jesus' name!


 


(1) All hail the power of Jesus' name!


Let angels prostrate fall,


Let angels prostrate fall;


Bring forth the royal diadem,


And crown Him,


crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,


And crown Him Lord of all.


 


(2) Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,


Ye ransomed from the fall,


Ye ransomed from the fall;


Hail Him who saves you by His grace,


And crown Him,


crown Him, crown Him, crown Him,


And crown Him Lord of all.


 


(3) Let every kindred, every tribe,


On this terrestrial ball,


On this terrestrial ball,


To Him all majesty ascribe,


And crown Him,


crown him, crown him, crown him,


And crown Him Lord of all.


 


(4) O that with yonder sacred throng


We at His feet may fall,


We at His feet may fall!


We'll join the everlasting song,


And crown Him,


crown him, crown him, crown him,


And crown Him Lord of all.




©2002-2016 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Genuine Biblical

6. ALL THE WAY MY SAVIOUR LEADS ME



This beloved hymn came from the grateful heart of Fanny Crosby after she had received a direct answer to her prayer. 


       One day when she desperately needed five dollars and had no idea where she could obtain it, Fanny followed  her usual custom and began to pray about the matter. A few minutes later a stranger appeared at her door with the exact amount.


       I have no way of accounting for this, she said, except to believe that God put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money. My first thought was that it is so wonderful the way the Lord leads me, and I immediately wrote the poem.


 


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All The Way My Savior Leads Me-


 


(1) All the way my Savior leads me-


What have I to ask beside?


Can I doubt His tender mercy,


Who through life has been my guide?


Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,


Here by faith in Him to dwell!


For I know, whate'er befall me,


Jesus doeth all things well;


For I know, whate'er befall me,


Jesus doeth all things well.


 


(2) All the way my Savior leads me-


Cheers each winding path I tread,


Gives me grace for every trial,


Feeds me with the living bread.


Though my weary steps may falter


And my soul a-thirst may be,


Gushing from the Rock before me,


Lo! a spring of joy I see;


Gushing from the Rock before me,


Lo! a spring of joy I see.


 


(2) All the way my Savior leads me-


O the fullness of His love!


Perfect rest to me is promised


In my Father's house above.


When my spirit, clothed immortal,


Wings its flight to realms of day,


This my song through endless ages:


Jesus led me all the day;


This my song through endless ages:


Jesus led me all the way.

7. ALMOST PERSUADED



The hymn, Almost Persuaded, was suggested to P. P. Bliss after hearing a sermon by Mr. Brundage, who, as he finished his discourse, said, He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.


       In the Scripture, King Agrippa said to apostle Paul: Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28)


Acts and Facts


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"Almost persuaded"


 


(1) "Almost persuaded" now to believe;


"Almost persuaded" Christ to receive:


Seems now some soul will say,


"Go, Spirit, go Thy way;


Some more convenient day


On Thee I'll call."


 


(2) "Almost persuaded," come, come today;


"Almost persuaded," turn not away:


Jesus invites you here,


Angels are lingering near,


Prayers rise from hearts so dear,


O wanderer, come.


 


(3) "Almost persuaded," harvest is past!


"Almost persuaded," doom comes at last!


"Almost" cannot avail,


"Almost" is but to fail!


Sad, sad, that bitter wail,


"Almost," but lost!

8. AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS


Isaac Watts, who wrote this hymn, was the father of hymn-writing in the English language. He was born in England. His father was not a member of the state church, and was twice thrown into jail for opposing it, so that when he was a baby his mother often carried him in her arms to visit his father in prison.


       He became a minister in London. He was a little man, only about five feet tall. His health was very poor all his life, but his church took loving care of him, for he was greatly liked.


       Early in life he became wearied with the versified Psalms which the churches used and set out to compose hymns of his own. This was a new departure and met with persistent opposition, but his hymns soon became widely popular in nearly all the churches.


       This hymn was written by Dr. Watts in 1709, to follow a sermon on 1 Cor. 16:13, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.


Lindsay TerI A Soldier Of The Cross,


 


(1) Am I a soldier of the cross,


A follower of the Lamb?


And shall I fear to own His cause


or blush to speak His name?


 


(2) Must I be carried to the skies


On flowery beds of ease,


While others fought to win the prize


And sailed thru bloody seas?


 


(3) Are there no foes for me to face?


Must I not stem the flood?


Is this vile world a friend to grace,


To help me on to God?


 


(4) Sure I must fight if I would reign:


Increase my courage, Lord;


I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,


Supported by Thy word.

9. AMAZING GRACE.


On one occasion John Vassar, the great soul winner, was going from house to house distributing tracts and talking with people about their souls. One woman who heard about this strange man and what he was doing said: If he comes to my house, he will get the door slammed in his face.


       Without knowing that this woman had made such a statement, Mr. Vassar rang her doorbell the next day. When she saw that he was the man who had been described to her, she slammed the door in his face.


       John Vassar sat down on her doorstep and sang:


But drops of grief can neer repay


The debt of love I owe,


Here, Lord, I give myself away;


Tis all that I can do.


       The woman heard the earnest verse as he sang and was convicted a sinner. She opened the door and called Mr. Vassar in, who led her to Jesus Christ.


Covenant Weekly


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Amazing Grace!


 


(1) Amazing grace! How sweet the sound-


That saved a wretch like me!


I once was lost but now am found,


Was blind but now I see.


 


(2) 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,


And grace my fears relieved:


How precious did that grace appear


The hour I first believed!


 


(3) The Lord has promised good to me,


His word my hope secures;


He will my shield and portion be


As long as life endures.


 


(4) Through many dangers, toils, and snares,


I have already come;


'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,


And grace will lead me home.


 


(4) When we've been there ten thousand years,


Bright shining as the sun,


We've no less days to sing Gods praise


Than when we'd first begun.


 


~Amazing Grace (2)


       John Newton, who penned the hymn Amazing Grace, also wrote these words:


       By the grace of God I am what I amI am not what I ought to be. How imperfect and deficient I am! I am not what I wish to be.  And then added: Though I am not what I ought to be, I can truly say that I am not what I once wasa slave to sin and Satan. I can heartily say with Paul: By the grace of God I am what I am!


 


~Amazing Grace (3)


       A 200-year-old American hymn tune, with words by a former English slave trader, played by, of all things, a Scottish bagpipe band, was the runaway hit record in Canada and Britain. Amazing Grace, performed by the regimental pipes and drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (a British cavalry regiment), was the number-one record in Britain and now tops charts in Canada. Sales in the United States were brisk.


       More than 100,000 copies of the 45 rpm single were sold in Canada within three weeks of release, and sales of the bands long-play album total half that.  Amazing, says a distributing company official.


Barrie Doyle

Thank you. Waiting for more.

10. AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN?


Not many hymns begin with a question as does this one. 


       However, it is not an expression of doubt but of wonder and awe. 


       · How can it be that the shedding of Jesus blood 1900 years ago is relevant to me today? 


       · How was it possible for the Song of God to have died for me? 


       · Why should our Lord empty Himself of all His divine glory and become a man, in order to save Adams helpless race?


       There is considerable evidence that this hymn was written by Charles Wesley soon after his own conversion. Charles Wesleys crisis experience occurred on May 20, 1738.  He had been sick in body as well as in spirit.  It seemed that God spoke to him through a vision.  According to his Journal, this confrontation took place after reading the bible for some time.


       Following is his account:


       At midnight I gave myself up to Christ:  assured I was safe, sleeping or waking.  I had continued experience of his power to overcome all temptation; and confessed, with joy and surprise, that he was able to do exceedingly abundantly for me, above what I can ask or think.


Cliff Barrows


 


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And Can it Be, that I Should Gain[1]


1           And can it be, that I should gain


An interest in the Saviours blood`?


Died he for me, who caused his pain?


For me, who him to death pursued?


Amazing love! how can it be


That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?


2           Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!


Who can explore his strange design?


In vain the first-born seraph tries


To sound the depths of love divine!


Tis mercy all! let earth adore,


Let angel-minds inquire no more.


3           He left his Fathers throne above,


(So free, so infinite his grace!)


Emptied himself of all but love,


And bled for Adams helpless race:


Tis mercy all, immense and free,


For, O my God, it found out me!


4           Long my imprisoned spirit lay


Fast bound in sin and natures night;


Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,


I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;


My chains fell off, my heart was free,


I rose, went forth, and followed thee.


5           No condemnation now I dread,


Jesus, and all in him, is mine!


Alive in him, my living Head,


And clothed in righteousness divine,


Bold I approach the eternal throne,


And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

11. ARE THOU WEARY, ARE THOU LANGUID?


This hymn was written by John Mason Neale.


       In 1840 Neale became a minister of the Church of England. He was a man of mystical temperament, and his practices were so close to Roman Catholicism that he aroused much popular prejudice. At one time he was attacked by a mob as he was attending the funeral of one of the sisters of St. Margaret.


       Dr. Neale was particularly fond of the songs of the old monks written in Greek and Latin, and he did more than any one else to make them known to the present world.


       The hymn, Art thou weary, art thou languid, is a translation from the Greek of St. Stephen the Sabaite, who was a monk who lived near Bethlehem, overlooking the Dead Sea. The monk, who was born in 725 A.D., was placed in that solitary monastery at the age of ten years by his uncle, and left there for fifty years. He died in 794. Here is the beautiful hymn that he wrote:


Art thou weary, art thou languid,


Art thou sore distressed?


Come to me, saith One, and, coming,


Be at rest.


 


       ++++++++++


Art Thou Weary, Art Thou Languid


(1) Art thou weary, art thou languid,


Art thou sore distrest?


Come to Me, saith One, and coming


Be at rest!


(2) Hath He marks to lead me to Him,


If He be my Guide?


In His Feet and Hands are Wound-prints,


And His Side.


(3) Hath He diadem as Monarch


That His Brow adorns?


Yea, a Crown, in very surety,


But of thorns.


 


(4) If I find Him, if I follow,


What His guerdon here?


Many a sorrow, many a labour,


Many a tear.


(5) If I still hold closely to Him,


What hath He at last?


Sorrow vanquishd, labour ended,


Jordan past.


(6) If I ask Him to receive me,


Will He say me nay?


Not till earth, and not till Heavn


Pass away.


 


(7) Finding, following, keeping, struggling,


Is He sure to bless?


Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,


Answer, Yes!

12. BE THOU MY VISION


This ancient 8th century hymn text from Ireland is still meaningful for us today with its expression of a yearning for the presence and leading of God in our lives.


       The earnest prayer is enhanced by such quaint but tender phrases as Lord of my heart, Thy presence my light, and heart of my heart.  The text states that when we allow God to have first place in our lives, He becomes our treasure.  And we no longer care for the pursuit of riches or mans praise.


       The entire Irish poem was first translated into English in 1905 by Mary Bryne, in Dublin, Ireland.


       Several years later, Eleanor Hull, a writer of English history and literature, [enned the prose into verse form and included it in her book of poems, The Poem Book of the Gael.


       The melody for this hymn is a traditional Irish tune.


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Be Thou My Vision


 


(1) Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;


Nought be all else to me, save that Thou art-


Thou my best thought, by day or by night,


Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.


 


(2)Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;


I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;


Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;


Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.


 


(3)Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,


Thou mine inheritance, now and always:


Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,


High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.


 


(4)High King of heaven, my victory won,


May I reach heaven's joy, O bright heaven's Sun!


Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,


Still be my Vision, O ruler of all.

13. BECAUSE HE LIVES


In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, Bill and Gloria Gaither were going through a rather traumatic time in their lives.


       Bill was recovering his strength from a bout with mononucleosis. They, along with thseir church, were the objects of accusation and belittlement. Gloria was experiencing a time of torment, including fear of the future and of bringing children into such a crazy, mixed-up world.


       As Gloria sat alone in a darkened living room, tormented, and fearful, the Lord sent a calm and peaceful rest to her. The power of the resurrection of Christ seemed to affirm itself in their lives once again. Gloria remembers the realization that it was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day. The joy seemed to overcome and take precedent over frightening human circumstances.


       And the song Because He Lives came out of their personal bout with darkness:


      


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Because He Lives


 


(1) God sent His Son,


they called Him Jesus,


He came to love,


heal, and forgive;


He lived and died


to buy my pardon,


An empty grave is there to prove


 my Savior lives.


 


(2) Because He lives I can face tomorrow,


Because He lives All fear is gone;


because I know


He holds the future.


And life is worth the living just


because He lives.


 


(3) How sweet to hold


a newborn baby,


And feel the pride,


and joy He gives;


but greater still


the calm assurance,


This child can face uncertain days


because He lives.


 


(4) And then one day


I'll cross the river,


I'll fight life's final war with pain;


And then as death gives way to victory,


I'll see the lights of glory and


I'll know he lives.


 


~Origin of Because He Lives (2)


       I am a wife and a mother. It was in the middle of the upheaval in the sixties that we were expecting our third baby. The drug culture was in full swing, existential thought had obviously saturated every area of our American thought, the cities were seething with racial tension, and the God-is-dead pronouncement had giggled its way all through our educational system.


       On the personal front, Bill and I were going through one of the most difficult times in our lives. Bill had been discouraged and physically exhausted by a bout with mononucleosis, and in that weakened condition had little reserve to fight the psychological battle brought on by some external family problems. Someone whom we had cared about a great deal had hurled some accusations at us and at the Fellowship of Believers and at the whole idea of the existence of God.


       It was on New Years Eve that I sat alone in the darkness and quiet of our living room, thinking about the world and our country and Bills discouragement and the family problemsand about our baby yet unborn. Who in their right mind would bring a child into a world like this? I thought, The world is so evil. Influences beyond our control are so strong. What will happen to this child?


       I cant quite explain what happened at that moment, but suddenly I felt released from it all. The panic that had begun to build inside was gently dispelled by a reassuring presence that engulfed my life and drew my attention.


       Gradually, the fear left and the joy began to return. I knew I could have that baby and face the future with optimism and trust. It was the Resurrection affirming itself in our lives once again. It was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day.


Gloria Gaither

14. BLESSED ASSURANCE


Blessed Assurance was composed by Mrs. Joseph Knapp, an amateur musician. She was the wife of the founder of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and a close personal friend of Fanny Crosby.


       One day Mrs. Knapp played a melody for the blind poetess, and asked:


       What does this tune say?


       Fanny responded immediately:


       Why, that says: Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine.


       ++++++++++


 


Blessed Assurance


 


(1) Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!


O what a foretaste of glory divine!


Heir of salvation, purchase of God,


Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.


 


CHO:       This is my story, this is my song,


Praising my Savior all the day long;


This is my story, this is my song,


Praising my Savior all the day long.


 


(2) Perfect submission, perfect delight,


Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;


Angels descending bring from above,


Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.


 


(3)Perfect submission, all is at rest,


I in my Savior am happy and blest;


Watching and waiting, looking above,


Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Helpfull

15. BE THE TIE THAT BINDS


At the age of 16, John Fawcett and his new bride Mary, began their ministry at an impoverished Baptist church in Wainsgate. 


       After seven years of devoted service in meager circumstances, they received a call to the large and influential Carters Lane Baptist Church in London. They decided to move.


       After the wagons were loaded for the move, the Fawcetts met their tearful parishioners for a final farewell. 


       John, I cannot bear to leave, cried Mrs. Fawcett. 


       Nor can I, said the saddened pastor.  We shall remain here with our people.


       The order was given to unload the wagons. 


       The following Sunday, John Fawcett preached from Luke 12:15, A mans life consists not in the abundance of the things he possesses. 


       He closed his sermon by reading his new song: Brotherly Love.


       And John and Mary Fawcett carried on their faithful ministry in the little village of Wainsgate for 54 years.  Their salary was estimated to be never more than the equivalent of $200 a year.


 


       ++++++++++


Blest Be The Tie That Binds


      


(1)Blest be the tie that binds


Our hearts in Christian love;


The fellowship of kindred minds


Is like to that above.


      


(2) Before our Father's throne


We pour our ardent prayers;


Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,


Our comforts and our cares.


      


(3) We share each other's woes,


Each other's burdens bear;


And often for each other flows


The sympathizing tear.


      


(4) From sorrow, toil, and pain,


And sin we shall be free;


And perfect love and joy shall reign


Through all eternity.

16. BREAK THOU THE BREAD OF HEAVEN


Miss Mary Artemisia Lathbury, the author of this beautiful hymn, was born in Manchester, N.Y., August 10, 1841, the daughter of a Methodist minister.


       She was a woman of great beauty of character, and every one loved her that came to know her. Her expressive face and gentle, modest bearing had a peculiar charm.


       This hymn was written for the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, and Miss Lathbury called it A Study Song. 


       Its lovely reference to the Sea of Galilee is made doubly interesting when one remembers that the hymn was written beside the beautiful Lake Chautauqua, New York.


 


       ++++++++++


Break Thou The Bread Of Life


 


(1) Break Thou the bread of life,


Dear Lord, to me,


As Thou didst break the loaves


Beside the sea;


Beyond the sacred page


I seek Thee, Lord;


My spirit pants for Thee,


O living Word.


      


(2) Bless Thou the truth, dear Lord,


To me, to me,


As Thou didst bless the bread


By Galilee;


Then shall all bondage cease,


All fetters fall;


And I shall find my peace,


My all in all.


      


(3) Thou art the bread of life,


O Lord, to me;


Thy holy Word the truth


That saveth me;


Give me to eat and live


With Thee above;


Teach me to love Thy truth,


For Thou art love.


      


(4) O send Thy Spirit, Lord,


Now unto me,


That He may touch my eyes


And make me see;


Show me the truth concealed


Within Thy word,


For in Thy book revealed


I see Thee, Lord.

17. CHRIST THE KING


Harriett Buell wrote the words for A Child of the King one Sunday morning while walking home from her Methodist church service.  She sent her text to the Northern Christian Advocate, and it was printed in the February 1, 1877 issue.


       Romans 8:16-17 we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ


       Whether you are great or small in God's kingdom, you are still God's child.  An infant is as truly a child of its parents as is a full?grown person.  You are beloved by God.


 


++++++++


Child Of The King       


 


 (1) My Father is rich in houses and lands,


He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!


Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,


His coffers are full,He has riches untold.


Chorus: Im a child of the King,


A child of the King!


With Jesus, my Savior,


Im a child of the King.


 (2) My Fathers own Son, the Savior of men,


Once wandered oer earth as the poorest of them;


But now He is reigning in glory on high,


Preparing a place for the sweet by and by.


(3) A tent or a cottage, why should I care?


Theyre building a palace for me over there!


Though here Im a stranger yet still I may sing;


All glory to God, Im a child of the King!

18. CHRIST THE LORD IH RISEN TODAY


The whole system of Christianity rests upon the truth that Jesus Christ rose from the grave.  This resurrection hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today has been one of the church's most popular Easter hymns.


       It was first written by Charles Wesley one year after his heart-warming experience at the Aldersgate Hall in London, England, in 1738. This hymn was written by Charles for the first service in the Wesleyan Chapel in London.  That chapel was first a deserted iron foundry. It became known as the Foundry Meeting House.


 


++++++++++


Christ The Lord Is Risen Today,


 


(1) Christ the Lord is risen today,


Alleuia!


Sons of men and angels say:


Alleluia!


Raise your joys and triumphs high,


Alleuia!


Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply:


Alleluia!


      


(2) Lives again our glorious King,


Alleluia!


Where, O death, is now thy sting?


Alleluia!


Dying once, He all doth save,


Alleluia!


Where thy victory, O grave?


Alleluia!


      


(3) Love's redeeming work is done,


Alleluia!


Fought the fight, the battle won,


Alleluia!


Death in vain forbids Him rise,


Alleluia!


Christ has opened paradise,


Alleluia!


      


(4) Sing we to our God above,


Alleluia!


Prasie eternal as His love;


Alleluia!


Praise Him, all ye heavenly host,


Alleluia!


Father, Son and Holy Ghost.


Alleluia!

I learnt a lot from this thread . Thank you dear poster . God bless you

19. CHRIST AROSE


During the Easter season of 1874, while having his devotions one evening, Robert Lowry was impressed with the events associated with Christ's resurrection, especially with these words recorded in Luke 24:6, 7He is not here, but is risen.


       Soon Robert Lowry found himself seated at the little pump organ in the parlor of his home. And in a very spontaneous fashion, the words and music of Christ Arose gave expression to the thoughts that had been uppermost in his mind.


       The hymn was published the following year and has been an inspirational favorite with God's people ever since.


--Kenneth W. Osbeck


++++++++++


Christ Arose


 


(1) Low in the grace He lay,


Jesus, my Savior!


Waiting the coming day,


Jesus, my Lord!


 


CHO: Up from the grave He arose,


With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;


He arose a victor from the dark domain,


And He lives forever with His saints to reign;


He arose! He arose!


Hallelujah! Christ arose!


 


(2) Vainly they watched His bed,


Jesus, my Savior!


Vainly they sealed the dead,


Jesus my Lord!


 


(3) Death could not keep his prey,


Jesus my Savior!


He tore the bars away,


Jesus, my Lord!

20. CHRIST AWAKE


What would you like for a Christmas present? T


       To any young girl such a question would evoke delighted visions of long-wished-for possessions. But to Dolly the answer to her father, John Byron, was, Please write me a poem.


       And so, on Christmas morning in 1749, Dolly found on her plate at breakfast a piece of paper on which was written a hymn entitled, Christmas Day, For Dolly.


       Soon after, John Wainwright the organist of Manchester Parish Church wrote a tune for it.


       On the following Christmas morning, Byron and Dolly were awakened by the sound of singing below their windows. It was Wainwright with his choir singing Dollys hymn, Christians, Awake.


 


++++++++++


Christians, Awake[1]


1           Christians, Awake, salute the happy morn,


Whereon the Savior of the world was born;


Rise to adore the mystery of love,


Which hosts of angels chanted from above;


With them the joyful tidings first begun


Of God incarnate and the Virgins Son.


2           Then to the watchful shepherds it was told,


Who heard the angelic heralds voice: Behold,


I bring good tidings of a Saviors birth


To you and all the nations on the earth:


This day hath God fulfilled his promised word,


This day is born a Savior, Christ the Lord.


3           He spake, and straightway the celestial choir


In hymns of joy, unknown before, conspire;


The praises of redeeming love they sang,


And heavens whole orb with alleluias rang;


Gods highest glory was their anthem still,


Peace on the earth, and unto men good will.


4           To Bethlehem straight the happy shepherds ran,


To see the wonder God had wrought for man;


And found, with Joseph and the blessed maid,


Her Son, the Savior, in a manger laid;


Amazed, the wondrous story they proclaim,


The earliest heralds of the Saviors name.


5           Let us, like these good shepherds, then employ


Our grateful voices to proclaim the joy;


Trace we the Babe, who hath retrieved our loss,


From his poor manger to his bitter cross;


Treading his steps, assisted by his grace,


Till mans first heavenly state again takes place.


6           Then may we hope, the angelic thrones among,


To sing, redeemed, a glad triumphal song;


He that was born upon this joyful day


Around us all his glory shall display;


Saved by his love, incessant we shall sing


Eternal praise to heavens Almighty King.

21. CLEANSE ME


He was a professor in the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary where he taught courses in the history of missions to career missionaries.


       James Edwin Orr was born in 1912. His education includes earned doctorates from universities in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, including the Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University and the Ed. D. from U.C.L.A. in 1971.


       In his many travels, Dr. Orr has visited a hundred and fifty countries, including the Soviet Union, and has been in two-thirds of the worlds six hundred major cities.


       Despite these numerous life-long accomplishments, J. Edwin Orr will no doubt be best remembered as author of a simple, revival hymn textCleanse Me.


       Dr. Orr recalls that he wrote the Cleanse Me text, in 1936, during an intense movement of the Holy Spirit at the Easter, revival convention in Ngaruawahia, New Zealand


       For some time prior to this Easter campaign, an attitude of unusual expectancy had been prevalent among these people. Prayer meetings spread throughout the city with much fervency, and intercession led to wide-spread confession and reconciliation among the believers. Great numbers of unconverted students professed faith in Christ. The next night was given over to exultant testimony, with singing such as one expects in heaven.


       The revival news soon spread throughout all of New Zealand. Dr. Orr reports that as he was leaving New Zealand, four Aborigine girls approached and sang for him a beautiful Maori Song of Farewell.


       Mr. Orr was so impressed with the beauty of this Polynesian melody that soon afterward he wrote new verses to the tune on the back of an envelope. The text was based on the familiar words of Scripture found in Psalm 139:23-24:


       Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.


       Further campaigns by Dr. Orr throughout Australia in the 1930s and later in nearly all of the English-speaking world, soon popularized this prayer hymn everywhere.


 


       ++++++++++


Search Me


 


(1) Search me, O God, and know my heart today;


Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.


See if there be some wicked way in me;


Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.


 


(2) I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;


Fulfill Thy Word and make me pure within.


Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;


Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.


 


(3) Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;


Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.


Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;


I now surrender, Lord-in me abide.


 


(3) O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;


Send a revival, start the work in me.


Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;


For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

21. COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSINGS


Turning to the young Robert Robinson, the bleary-eyed gipsy fortune-teller pointed a quivering finger and said, And you, young man, you will live to see your children and your grandchildren. 


       Robert Robinson suddenly paled and said, Youre right.  Shes too drunk to know what shes saying.  Leave her alone.  Lets go.


       But her words haunted him the rest of the day.  If Im going to live to see my children and grandchildren, he thought, Ill have to change my way of living. 


       That very night, half in fun and half seriously, he took his gang to an open air revival service nearby where the famous evangelist, George Whitfield, was preaching.  Well go down and laugh at the poor deluded Methodist, he explained


       Two years and seven months after hearing that sermon, twenty-year-old Robert Robinson made his peace with God, and found full and free forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.


       Joining the Methodists, and feeling the call to preach, the self-taught Robinson was appointed by John Wesley to the Calvinist Methodist Chapel, Norfolk, England.  And there, for the celebration of Pentecost (Whitsunday), in 1858, three years after his marvelous conversion, he penned his spiritual autobiography in the words of this hymn.


Ernest K. Emurian


 


++++++++++


Come, Thou Fount[1]




1           Come, Thou Fount of evry blessing,


Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;


Streams of mercy, never ceasing,


Call for songs of loudest praise.


Teach me some melodious sonnet,


Sung by flaming tongues above;


Praise the mountIm fixed upon it


Mount of Thy redeeming love.


2           Here I raise my Ebenezer;


Hither by Thy help Im come;


And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,


Safely to arrive at home.


Jesus sought me when a stranger,


Wandring from the fold of God;


He, to rescue me from danger,


Interposed His precious blood.


3           O to grace how great a debtor


Daily Im constrained to be!


Let that grace now, like a fetter,


Bind my wandring heart to Thee:


Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,


Prone to leave the God I love;


Heres my heart, O take and seal it;


Seal it for Thy courts above.

22. COME YE DISCONSOLATE


Thomas Moore, who wrote the beautiful hymn was one of the strangest of all men to write hymns. 


       He was an Irishman, a Roman Catholic, born in Dublin, May 28, 1779.  Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he studied law in London, but his poetical success decided him to make literature his life-work. 


       This he did, with one exception.  In 1804 he went to Bermuda as a government official. But the work was very distasteful to him, he put it into the hands of a deputy, traveled in America, and returned to England.


       The deputy however, ran away with the proceeds of a ship and cargo, and Moore was legally liable for thirty thousand dollars!


       The poet was a little man, but he was full of courage. 


       At one time when Jeffrey, the famous critic was harsh with his poems, Moore challenged him to a duel.  The police broke in just in time, but it was discovered that one of the pistols had no bullet in it! 


       Jeffrey and Moore became fast friends.


       The last three years of his life were sad ones, for he lost his mental powers and required his wifes constant care.  He died in his seventy-third year, February 26, 1852.


Amos R. Wells


 


++++++++++


Come, Ye Disconsolate[1]




1           Come, ye disconsolate, whereer ye languish,


Come to the mercy seat fervently kneel;


Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish,


Earth has no sorrows that heavn cannot heal.


2           Joy of the desolate, light of the straying,


Hope of the penitent, fadeless and pure,


Here speaks the Comforter, in mercy saying


Earth has no sorrows that heaven cannot cure.


3           Here see the Bread of life, see waters flowing


Forth from the throne of God, boundless in love;


Come to the feast prepared, come, ever knowing


Earth has no sorrows but heaven can remove.

23. COME THOU ALMIGHTY KING


This is one of our most popular opening hymns, yet little is known of its background.


   The song appeared anonymously in London, England, about 1757 to commemorate Trinity Sunday. About fifteen years earlier the British national hymn, God Save Our Gracious King, first came into general use. Both of these hymn texts were sung to the same tune for a period of time.


   Today, however, that tune, America, is used exclusively in this country for our national hymn, My Country, Tis of Thee.  The Italian hymn tune has been wedded permanently with Come, Thou almighty King.


   It has been suggested that the newer text was written as an act of rebellion and as a substitute for the words of the royal hymn, and that for this reason the author wished to remain anonymous. Other writers have felt that this text was written as a sequel to the earlier text, with one a prayer for an earthly ruler, the other a prayer to a heavenly King.


 


   ++++++++++


Come, Thou Almighty King


 


(1) Come, Thou Almighty King,


Help us Thy name to sing,


Help us to praise:


Father, all-glorious,


O'er all victorious,


Come, and reign over us,


Ancient of Days.


 


(2) Come, Thou Incarnate Word,


Gird on Thy mighty sword,


Our prayer attend:


Come, and Thy people bless,


And give Thy word success;


Spirit of holiness,


On us descend.


  


(3) Come, Holy Comforter,


Thy sacred witness bear


In this glad hour:


Thou who almighty art,


Now rule in every heart,


Never from us depart,


Spirit of power.


  


(4) To Thee, great One in Thee,


The highest praises be,


Hence evermore!


Thy sovereign majesty


May we in glory see,


And to eternity


Love and adore.

24. COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE, COME.


One of the finest of harvest hymns is that written by Dean Alford, Come, ye thankful people, come.


       When Alford was sixteen years old, he wrote these noble words upon the fly-leaf of his Bible: I do this day, in the presence of God and my own soul, renew my covenant with God, and solemnly determine henceforth to become His, and to do His work as far as in me lies.


       This harvest hymn first appeared in 1844, with the title, After Harvest. It was originally accompanied by the text, He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)


 


       ++++++++++


Come, Ye Thankful People, Come


 


(1) Come, ye thankful people, come


Raise the song of harvest home;


All is safely gathered in,


Ere the winter storms begin:


God, our Maker, doth provide


For our wants to be supplied;


Come to God's own temple, come,


Raise the song of harvest home.


 


(2) All the world is God's own field,


Fruit unto His praise to yield;


Wheat and tares together sown,


Unto joy or sorrow grown:


First the blade, and then the ear,


Then the full corn shall appear;


Lord of harvest, grant that we


Wholesome grain and pure may be.


 


(3) For the Lord our God shall come


And shall take His harvest home;


From His field shall in that day


All offenses purge away,


Give His angels charge at last


In the fire the tares to cast,


But the fruitful ears to store


In His garner evermore.


      


(4) Even so, Lord, quickly come


To Thy final harvest home;


Gather Thou Thy people in,


Free from sorrow, free from sin:


There forever purified,


In Thy presence o abide;


Come, with all Thine angels, come,


Raise the glorious harvest home.

25. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS.


This beautiful hymn was written by one of the prolific gospel song writers of the past century, a Methodist lay preacher named Johnson Oatman. 


       In addition to his preaching and the writing of more than 5,000 hymn texts, Oatman was also a successful business man, engaged in a shipping business and in his later years as an administrator for a large insurance company in New Jersey.


       It is good for each of us periodically to take time to rediscover the simple but profound truths expressed by Mr. Oatman in the four stanzas of this hymn.


--Kenneth W. Osbeck


       ++++++++++


Count Your Blessings


      


(1) When upon life's billows you are tempest-tossed,


When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,


Count your many blessings-name them one by one,


And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.


      


Chorus:


Count your blessings-name them one by one;


Count your blessings-see what God hath done;


Count your blessings-name them one by one;


Count your many blessings- see what God hath done.


 


(2) Are you ever burdened with a load of care?


Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear;


Count your many blessings- ev'ry doubt will fly,


And you will be singing as the days go by.


      


(3) When you look at others with their lands and gold,


Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;


Count your many blessings-money cannot buy,


Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.


      


(4) So amid the conflict, whether great or small,


Do not be discouraged- God is over all;


Count your many blessings- angels will attend,


Help and comfort give you to your journey's end