The Ships Glide In

When I was young and would leaf through the hymnal pages when I should have been listening to the sermon, this hymn caught my eye. The words were intriguing and peaceful and didn't seem hymn-like to me. I would play it on the piano at home and sing it to myself. I don't remember ever singing it in church.

The author's name is Margaret E. Sangster and she wrote this in 1893. A search on the internet led to one of her poems, which I will post on my other blog, "Enlighten & Brighten".

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The Ships Glide In

Verse 1:

The ships glide in at the harbor's mouth,

And the ships sail out to sea,

And the wind that sweeps from the sunny south

Is sweet as sweet can be.

There's a world of toil and a world of pains,

And a world of trouble and care,

But oh in a world where our Father reigns,

There is gladness everywhere!

Verse 2:

The harvest waves in the breezy morn,

And the men go forth to reap;

The fullness comes to the tasselled corn,

Whether we wake or sleep.

And far on the hills by feet untrod

There are blossoms that scent the air,

For oh in this world of our Father, God,

There is beauty everywhere!

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/h/shipsgli.htm

Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire

This hymn beautifully attempts to define and describe the act of prayer. The words were penned by James Montgomery (1771-1854). My hymn devotional book by Kenneth W. Osbeck states "Though trained for the ministry, Montgomery spent his lifetime as a journalist and newspaper editor." On the side he wrote poetry and hymns.

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"Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire"

Verse 1:

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,

Uttered or unexpressed,

The motion of a hidden fire

That trembles in the breast.

Verse 2:

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,

The falling of a tear.

The upward glancing of an eye

When none but God is near.

Verse 3:

Prayer is the simplest form of speech

That infant lips can try;

Prayer, the sublimest strains

That reach the Majesty on high.

Verse 4:

The saints in prayer appear as one,

In word, in deed, and mind,

While with the Father and the Son

Sweet fellowship they find.

Verse 5:

No prayer is made by man alone,

The Holy Spirit pleads.

And Jesus, on the eternal throne,

For sinners intercedes.

Verse 6:

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,

The Christian's native air;

His watchword at the gates of death;

He enters Heaven with prayer.

Verse 7:

O Thou by whom we come to God,

The Life, the Truth, the Way!

The path of prayer Thyself hast trod;

Lord, teach us how to pray!

AMEN

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This hymn brought to mind the words of Romans 8:26-27......"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts know the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

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Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/prayeris/htm

My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Good news! Here is a hymn accepted for use in many denominations......"My Faith Looks Up to Thee". In our church service yesterday it was sung by the children's choir during the collection of the offering.

The words were penned in 1832 by Ray Palmer, a school-teacher who had recently graduated from Yale University, and had experienced a year of illness and loneliness. In his own words he relates, "The words for these stanzas were born out of my own soul with very little effort. I recall that I wrote the verses with tender emotion. There was not the slightest thought of writing for another eye, least of all writing a hymn for Christian worship. It is well-remembered that when writing the last line, 'Oh, bear me safe above, a ransomed soul!' the thought of the whole work of redemption and salvation was involved in those words, and suggested the theme of eternal praises, and this brought me to a degree of emotion that brought abundant tears."

The well-known tune to this hymn was written by Lowell Mason of Boston, Mass., whom the World Book Encyclopedia describes as "the first music teacher in American Public Schools". Lowell Mason was a friend of Ray Palmer and became famous as a composer and publisher of hymns.
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My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Verse 1:

My faith looks up to Thee,

Thou Lamb of Calvary,

Saviour divine!

Now hear me while I pray,

Take all my guilt away,

O let me from this day

Be wholly Thine!

Verse 2:

May Thy rich grace impart

Strength to my fainting heart,

My zeal inspire;

As Thou hast died for me,

O may my love to Thee

Pure, warm, and changeless be,

A living fire!

Verse 3:

While life's dark maze I tread,

And griefs around me spread,

Be Thou my Guide;

Bid darkness turn to day,

Wipe sorrow's tears away,

Nor let me ever stray

From Thee aside.

Verse 4:

When ends life's transient dream,

When death's cold sullen stream

Shall o'er me roll;

Blest Saviour, then in love,

Fear and distrust remove;

O bear me safe above,

A ransomed soul!

AMEN!

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Our Lutheran hymnal alters the title and first line to "My Faith Looks Trustingly", and uses "redeemed and free" in the last line in place of "a ransomed soul".

Link to Cyberhymnal: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/myfluptt.htm .

In Honor of St.Patrick's Day

Here's some Irish history put to verse, "Wearing of the Green" by Dion Boucicault. Found in an old paperback The New American Songbook, copyright 1933.

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Verse 1:

Oh! Paddy, dear, and did you hear

The news that's going round?

The shamrock is forbid by law

To grow on Irish ground.

Saint Patrick's day no more we'll keep;

His color can't be seen.

For there's a bloody law against

The Wearin' O' the Green!

I met with Napper Tandy

And he took me by the hand;

And he said "How's poor old Ireland,

And how does she stand?"

She's the most distressful country,

That ever you have seen.

They're hanging men and women there

For Wearing of the Green!

Verse 2:

Then since the color we must wear

Is England's cruel red;

Sure Ireland's sons will ne'er forget

The blood that they have shed.

You may take the shamrock from your hat

And cast it on the sod;

But 'twill take root and flourish still,

Though underfoot 'tis trod.

When law can stop the blades of grass

From growing as they grow;

And when the leaves in summertime

Their verdure dare not show;

Then I will change the color

I wear in my caubeen.

But 'til that day, I'll stick for aye

To Wearing of the Green!

Verse 3:

But if at last our color should

Be torn from Ireland's heart,

Her sons with shame and sorrow

From the dear old soil will part.

I've heard whisper of a country

That lies far beyond the sea,

Where rich and poor stand equal

In the light of freedom's day.

Oh, Erin, must we leave you,

Driven by the tyrant's hand?

Must we ask a mother's welcome

From a strange but happy land?

Where the cruel cross of England's thraldom

Never shall be seen.

And where, in peace, we'll live and die,

A Wearing of the Green!

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I couldn't find the definition of "caubeen" or "Napper". The word "thraldom" was unfamiliar to me; it means slavery, bondage, or servitude.

It's good to be reminded of one of the varied hardships which prompted so many to seek a new homeland in the United States of America.

Beautiful Garden of Prayer

This hymn is one my mom would often play on the piano, with all of us gathered around to sing along. I couldn't find it in any hymnals that I have here at home. A quick search on the internet led me to the "Cyberhymnal" website, which has lyrics and MIDI melodies to thousands of hymns, plus info on the writers and composers. It's a great site and I'm now including the link to it with each hymn on this blog.

"The Beautiful Garden of Prayer"

Words by Eleanor Allen Schroll

Verse 1:

There's a garden where Jesus is waiting,

There's a place that is wonderfully fair,

For it glows with the light of His presence.

'Tis the beautiful garden of prayer.

Chorus:

Oh, the beautiful garden, the garden of prayer!

Oh, the beautiful garden of prayer!

There my Savior awaits, and He open the gates

To the beautiful garden of prayer.

Verse 2:

There's a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And I go with my burden and care,

Just to learn from His lips words of comfort

In the beautiful garden of prayer.

Verse 3:

There's a garden where Jesus is waiting,

And He bids you to come, meet Him there;

Just to bow and receive a new blessing

In the beautiful garden of prayer.

Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/b/e/beautgar.htm .

Another hymn likening prayer to a garden is the following:

"In the Garden"

Words by C. Austin Miles

Verse 1:

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses,

And the voice I hear,

Falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

Chorus:

And He walks with me,

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am His own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

Verse 2:

He speaks, and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,

And the melody

That He gave to me,

Within my heart is ringing.

Verse 3:

I'd stay in the garden with Him

Though the night around me be falling,

But He bids me go;

Through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling.

Cyberhymnal link: www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/g/itgarden.htm .

Because of singing these hymns as a small child, whenever I was out in our garden, I would imagine that Jesus was lingering nearby amongst the flowers. When I got older I realized that the garden was a metaphor for time spent in prayer. Tend your prayer garden today!

A Paul Gerhardt Hymn

I need to be fair about things and include a Lutheran hymn. A comment was made about the Lutheran hymnwriter Paul Gerhardt, who lived 1607-1676. Here is a comforting hymn written by him:

"Now Rest Beneath Night's Shadow"

Verse 1:

Now rest beneath night's shadow

The woodland, field, and meadow,

The world in slumber lies;

But thou, my heart, awake thee,

To prayer and song betake thee;

Let praise to thy Creator rise.

Verse 2:

The radiant sun hath vanished,

His golden rays are banished

By night, the foe of day;

But Christ, the Sun of gladness,

Dispelling all my sadness,

Within my heart holds constant sway.

Verse 3:

The rule of day is over

And shining jewels cover

The heaven's boundless blue.

Thus I shall shine in heaven,

Where crowns of gold are given

To all who faithful prove and true.

Verse 4:

To rest my body hasteth,

Aside its garments casteth,

Types of mortality;

These I put off and ponder

How Christ will give me yonder

A robe of glorious majesty.

Verse 5:

Lord Jesus, who dost love me

Oh, spread Thy wings above me

And shield me from alarm!

Though evil would assail me,

Thy mercy will not fail me:

I rest in Thy protecting arm.

Verse 6:

My loved ones, rest securely,

For God this night will surely

From peril guard you heads.

Sweet slumbers may He send you

And bid His hosts attend you

And through the night watch o'er your beds.

Go to www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/n/o/nowrestb.htm to hear the melody.

There is an article about Paul Gerhardt in this month's "Lutheran Witness" magazine. The history of the Reformation and doctrinal disagreements amongst the Reformers is so very interesting. According to the article, Lutheran and Calvinist pastors "attacked each other ferociously in their sermons" in the 1600's. I recently learned that the German Pietist group who settled the Amana Colonies in Iowa had emigrated from Germany to get away from being persecuted by "angry mobs of Lutherans". And later, groups of Lutherans came to America to avoid having to worship with the Reformed Church. In my opinion, neither side can absolutely prove from the Bible that their doctrine is completely correct on all points.

Heavenly Sunshine

This song, "Heavenly Sunlight" is the perfect tune to hum as we walk and work on this sunny, almost-spring day:

"Walking in sunlight, all of my journey,

Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, "I'll never forsake thee",

Promise divine that never shall fail.

Chorus:

Heavenly sunlight, heavenly sunlight,

Flooding my soul with glory divine;

Hallelujah! I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

Shadows around me, shadows above me,

Never conceal my Savior and Guide;

He is the light, in Him is no darkness,

Ever I'm walking, close to His side.

In the bright sunlight, ever rejoicing,

Pressing my way to mansions above;

Singing His praises, gladly I'm walking,

Walking in sunlight, sunlight of love."

Words by Rev. H.J. Zelley

Found in the hymnbook Triumphant Service Songs,

published by The Rodeheaver Co., 1934

(I remember this song, especially the chorus, from childhood singing at church. We sang it as "Heavenly Sunshine", however.)

Go to www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/e/heavenly.htm to hear the melody.

A Nature Lover's Hymn

One of my favorite hymns from childhood is one for nature lovers. The words of "This is My Father's World" were penned by Maltbie D. Babcock, a Presbyterian minister who lived from 1858 to 1901. He loved to take early morning walks, and would often say, "I'm going out to see my Father's world."

"This is my Father's world,

and to my listening ears,

all nature sings and round me rings

the music of the spheres.

This is my Father's world!

I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas---

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world---

the birds their carols raise;

the morning light, the lily white,

declare their Maker's praise.

This is my Father's world!

He shines in all that's fair;

in the rustling grass I hear Him pass---

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world---

O let me ne'er forget

that though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world!

The battle is not done;

Jesus who died shall be satisfied,

and earth and heaven be one."

I don't find this hymn in any of my Lutheran hymnals. Orthodox Lutheranism doesn't dwell much on the created world of nature which is deemed fallen and faulty. Our pastor often correctly reminds us to not worship the creation. I do, however, find much comfort is being out in God's world of nature, so this hymn is very meaningful for me.

Go to www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tismyfw.htm to read more verses of this hymn and hear the melody.

Amazing Grace

The first hymn I'm posting is "Amazing Grace" by John Newton, an English Anglican pastor who lived from 1725 to 1807 . Here is some interesting background about him, from a book of hymn stories called Amazing Grace, by Kenneth W. Osbeck:

"Calling himself a 'wretch' who was lost and blind, John Newton recalled leaving school at the age of 11 to begin life as a rough, debauched seaman. Eventually he engaged in the despicable practice of capturing natives from West Africa to be sold as slaves to markets around the world. But one day the grace of God put fear into the heart of this wicked slave trader through a fierce storm. Greatly alarmed and fearful of a shipwreck, Newton began to read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas 'a Kempis. God used this book to lead him to a genuine conversion and dramatic change in his way of life.

Until the time of his death at the age of 82, John Newton never ceased to marvel at the grace of God that transformed him so completely. Shortly before his death he is quoted as proclaiming with a loud voice during a message, ' My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!'. "

Verse 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."

Verse 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!"

Verse 3:
"Through many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come.
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

Verse 4:
"The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures."

Verse 5: (written later by John P. Rees, 1828-1900)
"When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we'd first begun."


My old Baptist hymnal, "The Service Hymnal" omits Verse 4.

My Lutheran hymnal, "Lutheran Worship" (1982) omits Verse 2 and 5, and uses the following as its Verse 4:
"Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
Amazing grace shall then prevail in heaven's joy and peace."

The Lutheran hymnals of 1941 and 1919 do not contain "Amazing Grace", probably because it was not of German origin.

I'm looking at Verse 2 to see what might be erroneous as far as Lutherans are concerned. Maybe the concept of "the hour I first believed". For Lutherans that would be when they are baptized as infants, so they wouldn't have a memory of the hour they first believed. Or, possibly, for Lutherans, the hour they first believe actually takes place every time the Word is in their ears.