SOUND THE BATTLE CRY

This week we in America pause to thank those who have served in our armed services and to remember those who have died to gain and preserve our freedom.  We owe them so much.  Over the years many brave men and women have served and even today many are risking their lives in very dangerous areas to protect us.  This should also remind us of the many battles that are raging against Christians.  In many countries today Christians are being killed, usually by radical Moslems, for their beliefs.  I just heard this morning that in Uzbekistan Moslems are going door to door killing Christians.  And here at home we see political moves and decisions that are contrary to the teaching of the Bible and threaten our religious liberties.  And there is certainly a spiritual battle attacking our families, ministries and the lives of all believers.  Satan is ever on the prowl. "Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8).  And yet most of us believers just sit back, not realizing that we are really at war.  We need to sound the battle cry and gird on our armor as we are told to do in Ephesians 6:10-17.  William Fisk Sherwin (1826-1888) recognized this need well over a century ago when in 1869 he penned the words to this week's rousing gospel song.  At that time the dust had barely settled from the cavalry charges of the American Civil War that ended in 1865 and in this song we can feel the spirit of that war applied to our battle for the Lord.  At the age of fifteen, Sherwin went to Boston and studied music.  He then became a teacher of vocal music.  He also took special interest in Sunday Schools and composed carols and hymn-tunes largely for their use.  But his hymn writing was limited.  However, Sound the Battle Cry is a stirring reminder of the battle which we are facing.  He reminds us to gird our armor on and stand firm as we are told to do in I Corinthians 16:13.  "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong"   And He reminds us that Christ is Captain of our mighty throng and because of that we can face the foe knowing that we must prevail.  So on this Memorial Day weekend let us also be reminded of the spiritual battle which surrounds us and let us stand firm with God's armor as we face the foe.

(1)  Sound the battle cry! See, the foe is nigh;

Raise the standard high for the Lord;

Gird your armor on, stand firm every one;

Rest your cause upon His holy Word.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

2.   Strong to meet the foe, marching on we go,

While our cause we know, must prevail;

Shield and banner bright, gleaming in the light,

Battling for the right we ne'er can fail.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

3.    O! Thou God of all, hear us when we call,

Help us one and all by Thy grace;

When the battle's done, and the vict'ry's won,

May we wear the crown before Thy face.

Rouse, then, soldiers, rally round the banner,

Ready, steady, pass the word along;

Onward, forward, shout aloud Hosanna!

Christ is Captain of the mighty throng.

This week I offer you two good renditions of this gospel song.  The first is a stirring rendition done by a choir of men.     LISTEN1

The second is an excellent rendition sung by a mixed choir.   LISTEN2

I SAW ONE HANGING ON THE TREE

If I were asked to name my all-time favorite gospel soloists, that list would certainly include George Beverly Shea.  For you younger readers, Shea was the soloist for the Billy Graham Crusades for many years, all over the world.  His solos were so simple but delivered by one who understood and lived the words.  His music ministry touched thousands of lives and prepared hearts for the messages of Billy Graham and the work of the Holy Spirit.  I listened to him on the radio, sometimes on television and on 33 and 45 rpm records that I collected.  Once I had the special honor of hearing him live when he sang at the Graham crusade in Times Square.  Often he sang accompanied by the large crusade choirs.  But a few weeks ago the Lord welcomed him home in heaven after 104 years on this earth.  And while I have featured his music, his life and his solos in previous blogs over the years, I felt that it was necessary to remember him and his ministry by highlighting one of his solos this week.  The hymn that I have chosen is interesting because it was penned by another great name in Gospel music, the converted slave trader, John Newton.  The words to this hymn are self explanatory since they picture the horrible death and suffering that Jesus faced on the cross when He died for our sins.  But words can't adequately portray the pain that He bore for us.  May we never forget the price that was paid for our salvation.  And as you think about these words, may your spirit join in crying out "My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled, to think He died for me!"  May that reality flood your mind this week as you go about your busy schedule.  And take time to click the link below to hear one of Gospel music's greatest soloist sing this hymn.

(1)    I saw One hanging on a tree,

In agony and blood,

Who fixed His languid eyes on me,

As near His cross I stood.

O, can it be, upon a tree,

The Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

(2)   Sure, never to my latest breath,

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with His death,

Though not a word He spoke.

O, can it be, upon a tree,

The Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

(3)   My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

And plunged me in despair,

I saw my sins His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there.

O, can it be, upon a tree,

The Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

(4)   A second look He gave, which said,

"I freely all forgive;

This blood is for they ransom paid;

I die that the Mays live."

O, can it be, upon a tree,

The Savior died for me?

My soul is thrilled, my heart is filled,

To think He died for me!

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN

NO NOT ONE

As a youngster growing up I used to enjoy singing Gospel songs that had backtime parts or had a repetitive phrase that could be sung heartily.  At that time of life I probably didn't pay too much attention to the words, but I certainly remember singing out when those parts came up.  This week's choice is one in which I remember belting out "No, not one!"  And as I grew older the words began to have a greater impact than the melody.  The words teach the preeminence of the Lord and His nearness to us in every situation of our life.  He is our ever present friend, He's with us every hour, He knows all about our struggles, He will guide us, He's with us in the darkness of night, His love can cheer us, He won't forsake us, He'll give us a home in heaven and He is the best gift that could ever be given.  What simple, but powerful truths.  There is none like Him, no not one!  The words were penned by Johnson Ortman Jr. (1856 - 1922), an ordained Methodist preacher who actually spent most of his life in the insurance business.  However, it is said that he wrote lyrics for 5,000 Gospel songs.  This one was penned in 1895.  The composer was George C. Hugg, an active lay musician-choir director in various churches in the Philadelphia area.  I could find no details about the writing of this week's choice.  While you seldom hear it sung anymore today, those who remember it will find that the words will still minister to you today, especially in times of stress and loneliness.  And you are welcome to belt out the truth as I used to do - no not one!

(1)   There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

None else could heal all our soul's diseases,

No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,

He will guide till the day is done;

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

(2)    No friend like Him is so high and holy,

No, not one! No, not one!

And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,

No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,

He will guide till the day is done;

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

(3)   There's not an hour that He is not near us,

No, not one! No, not one!

No night so dark but His love can cheer us,

No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,

He will guide till the day is done;

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

(4)   Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?

No, not one! No, not one!

Or sinner find that He would not take him?

No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,

He will guide till the day is done;

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

(5)    Was ever a gift like the Savior given?

No, not one! No, not one!

Will He refuse us a home in Heaven?

No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles,

He will guide till the day is done;

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,

No, not one! No, not one!

You can hear it sung here.    LISTEN

OPEN MY EYES

I recently had two cataract surgeries.  The surgeries went well and were rather easy.  I was warned that I might have trouble seeing afterwards for about a month until new refractions could be done.  But I did not anticipate how much trouble I would actually have during that time since I couldn't read and write and work on my computer as I do so regularly.  And while I wasn't blind by any means, the experience made me appreciate so much more what blind folks deal with daily.  And at times I just wanted to cry out, "Lord open my eyes so that I could see".  But as difficult as physical blindness may be, spiritual blindness is words. And while we might not be spiritually blind, at times our vision can become dim and lose it sharpness.  A more serious prayer is to ask the Lord daily to open our eyes so that we may see the Truth that He has for us.  Clara H. Scott (1841-1897) provided us with a hymn of consecration that shares this need and prayer. Over the years she wrote many hymns and in 1882 she published the Royal Anthem Book, the first volume of choir anthems ever published by a woman.   Three collections were issued before her untimely death, when a runaway horse caused a buggy accident in Dubuque, Iowa. The text of "Open My Eyes" was written in 1895 shortly before Scott's death. Each stanza reveals an increasing receptiveness to the "Spirit divine." Open eyes lead to "glimpses of truth." Open ears lead to "voices of truth." An open mouth leads to sharing the "warm truth everywhere." An open heart leads to sharing "love to Thy children."   Scott has given us not only a list of organs through which we may receive and project truth and love, but also provides the method in her refrain.  Maybe in these days of busy schedules and noise and distractions all around us, we need to make this our daily prayer ... open our eyes, open our ears and then open our mouths.  Maybe we need to take time to silently wait for Him to do this.  The hymn might be old, but the need has never been greater.  Why not make this your prayer this week and find some time just to be silent before the Lord and listen to what He has to share with you.  May that be your goal and challenge in the days ahead.

(1)   Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

(2)   Open my ears, that I may hear

Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;

And while the wave notes fall on my ear,

Everything false will disappear.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

(3)  Open my mouth, and let me bear,

Gladly the warm truth everywhere;

Open my heart and let me prepare

Love with Thy children thus to share.

Silently now I wait for Thee,

Ready my God, Thy will to see,

Open my eyes, illumine me,

Spirit divine!

Listen to it being sung here.      LISTEN