The Associational Advisor

(Sam Stack) This hymn was written by William Cowper. He was born in 1731 in England. His father was a minister. Cowper had a difficult childhood, his mother died in childbirth when he was only 6. Sent to a boarding school, he was bullied because of his nervous demeanor. His father wanted him to become a lawyer, but while preparing for the bar exam, his anxiety took over and he ran away and attempted suicide. He was committed to an asylum run by a devout Christian Doctor. As he began the healing process, he found faith and began writing poetry. Several years after his release from the asylum, he joined John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) in Olney, England, where Newton was pastor of the parish church. In 1799, Newton and Cowper produced the Olney Hymnal one of the most significant Hymnbooks of the early Evangelical movement in England. This hymnal contained 349 hymns, sixty seven of them were written by Cowper. There is a Fountain is based on Zechariah 13:1 “In that day a fountain sh...

  (Sam Stack) Holy, Holy, Holy was written by Reginald Heber, an Anglican pastor and missionary. He was born in Cheshire, England in 1783.He was able to receive an exceptional education and was a top notch student. Soon after completing his education, he was ordained into the Anglican Church and became a minister. Instead of seeking appointment to a large church, he chose to serve in a small church in Hodnet, England. While there he began introducing new hymns, including some of his own. During that time, the church of England (Anglican church) encouraged the singing of only metrical Psalms. Heber was one of pioneers that helped expand the body of songs for the church. In 1823, Reginald left England for India, where he became the Bishop of Calcutta. His responsibility included all of the mission work in India, Celon, and Australia. During his time in Calcutta, he founded a Seminary for training leaders and preached the gospel across India. He gave tirelessly to his ministry travel...

(Sam Stack) We never know how deeply our actions affect the lives of others. Isaac Watts’ great hymn – “Alas and Did My Savior Bleed,” has certainly touched the lives of many throughout the centuries. Isaac Watts first wrote the hymn in 1707. The original last line of the first verse was “for such a worm as I.” Many newer hymnals have changed the line to “For sinners such as I.” The original Verses 2 and 4 have also been omitted from most hymnals. I have included them in the text. In this hymn, Watts draws the stark contrast between the sacrificial death of the mighty Maker and the unworthiness of sinful man. The final words of the text “Here Lord, I give myself away—tis all that I can do.” This hymn appears in two forms in most hymnals. The older version usually is included with verses 1, 3, 5 and 6 using the tune AVON by Hugh Wilson. It also appears in a newer version usually found with the title “At the Cross.” This version has music written in the 1800’s, by Ralph E. Hudson, who al...

  I have often been advised and have given the age old advice to take things “One step at a time”. Perhaps you’ve heard the old saying on how to eat an elephant…by taking one bite at a time! When faced with a difficult situation or trial in your life, whether it be spiritual trial, or just the everyday stresses of life, we too should remind ourselves that we need to take our walk with Jesus one day, one step, or even one bite at a time. This month’s hymn article is titled “Day By Day”. It was written by Caroline Sandell-Berg in Sweden. This is a hymn of peace and assurance of God’s watch, care, and provision for His children as we walk this earth each day. Let’s read the words of hymn together. Verse1:  Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what He deems best-- Lovingly, its part of pain...

   You won’t find this hymn in the hymnal at your church because it is a newer song. I am excited to find that there is a renewed emphasis in hymn-style writing that has been blessing the church music for some time now. This modern hymn was written by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, and Michael Bleecker. If you are not familiar with their works, do yourself a favor and look them up. They, along with the Getty’s have produced many wonderful modern hymns. Let’s look at the lyrics. Verse 1: Come behold the wondrous mystery In the dawning of the King He the theme of heaven's praises Robed in frail humanity In our longing in our darkness Now the light of life has come Look to Christ who condescended Took on flesh to ransom us Verse 2: Come behold the wondrous mystery He the perfect Son of Man In His living in His suffering Never trace nor stain of sin See the true and better Adam Come to save the hell-bound man Christ the great and sure fulfillment Of the law in Him w...

  He is So Precious to Me first appeared in the collection Joyful Praise, in 1902.   It was written by the prolific hymn writer Charles H. Gabriel. It is set to the tune PRECIOUS TO ME, written for the text by the author. Originally the first stanza was as follows: I’m happy in Jesus, my Savior, my King, And all the day long of His goodness I sing To Him in my weakness I lovingly cling For He is so precious to me. In 1907, E. O. Excell, purchased the rights to the song from Gabriel.   It was at this time that the alterations to the stanzas were made. Charles H. Gabriel was born in 1856, in Iowa, and spent the first seventeen years of his life on the family farm. His parents were able to purchase a home reed organ(pump organ) and Gabriel soon taught himself to play. By the age of sixteen, he was teaching singing schools.   He soon became widely known as a teacher and composer.   After spending some years in California, he moved to Chicago, where he beca...

  Phillips Brooks, was born in 1835, in Boston, Massachusetts.  He graduated from Harvard and the Episcopal Theological Seminary in 1859.  He then began a ministry that lasted nearly 35 years.  Early in his ministry, Brooks made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, spending the Christmas season in Bethlehem.  The experience of worshipping in the Church of the Nativity, made a great impression on Brooks.   In 1868, several years after his trip, Brooks was looking for a Christmas song for the Children’s choir to sing in a Christmas program.   Not finding one, he wrote down the words to this great Christmas carol.   He gave the text to his organist, Lewis H. Redner.   Redner struggled for some time to come up with the right melody for this carol.   On the evening before the program was to occur, Redner says that he woke during the night and rushed to write down the music.   He always said that the music was a gift from heaven.   “O ...

  To Canaan’s Land I’m On My Way, also known as Where the Soul Never Dies, was written in 1914 by William Golden. The song was later recorded by Hank Williams under the more familiar title and became a hit that has been  recorded by many gospel groups. The following story about the song was told by Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys:   In 1976 the Oak Ridge Boys were invited to do a singing tour in Russia. As in most tours of Communist countries all songs had to be pre-approved by the communist government.   The group realized that they were going to need more songs and the only songs they had were gospel songs.   Those songs were more difficult to get approved by the communists. The Oak Ridge Boys wanted to do Where the Soul Never Dies, but submitted it with it’s original name hoping it would be approved. The censors approved the song with one change, they didn’t understand Canaan Land, so they told them they could sing it if they changed the wording to Di...