TIMELESS HYMNS - A feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, update and revise it and share it once again. This hymn was first featured here on January 15, 2012.
How many times this year have you made the mistake of writing 2022? Some changes are hard to make. Did you made any resolutions for the new year? If you have, did you break them yet? I have never been into the resolution game myself. But the start of a new year does give one a chance to evaluate where you have been in the past and where you are headed in the future. It is important to have goals, especially spiritual ones.
Recently I heard this week's hymn choice on the radio. It brought back memories of having sung it so often, many years ago, in Sunday night services. And I guess the memory of Sunday night services really dates me because today such services appear to be gone from the schedule of present day churches.
Now some critics may feel that this week's hymn emphasizes works too much, I disagree. Works should naturally follow our salvation which is a gift of God. And as a result we should desire to tell the story and serve Him. Our lives should continually show spiritual growth and good works as the Holy Spirit guides us in our Christian journey.
I chose this hymn specifically for today because I think it does serve as a good goal, a good desire, for the new year. It should be our prayer each day. As we respond to the leading and work of the Holy Spirit we should become more like Jesus - in the home, in the throng, and all day long. Now that would be a good resolution not only for a new year but for a lifetime.
Little is known about the writing of this hymn. James Rowe was the son of a copper miner. He worked for the Irish government for four years and then emigrated to America at the age of 24. He settled in Albany, New York, and worked in railroads in New York for about 10 years. He then became an inspector for the Hudson River Humane Society. Later he worked for music publishers in Texas and Tennessee. During his senior years he moved to Vermont and worked with his daughter, an artist, writing verses for greeting cards.
Rowe also teamed up with the composer of this tune, Howard E. Smith, a little man whose hands had become knotted with arthritis. But Smith could still play the piano. While Rowe was writing words, Smith would play some notes on the piano and then copy them down. This is how they teamed together to write numerous hymns.
Little else is known about the writing of this hymn. But, maybe we don't need to know more about its beginnings to make it our prayer, or our resolution, for the coming year. "Be like Jesus, all day long! I would be like Jesus!"
1) Earthly pleasures vainly call me;
I would be like Jesus;
Nothing worldly shall enthrall me;
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
(2) He has broken every fetter,
I would be like Jesus;
That my soul may serve Him better,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
(3) All the way from earth to glory,
I would be like Jesus;
Telling o'er and o'er the story,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
(4) That in Heaven He may meet me,
I would be like Jesus;
That His words "Well done" may greet me,
I would be like Jesus.
Be like Jesus, this my song,
In the home and in the throng;
Be like Jesus, all day long!
I would be like Jesus.
You can listen to it here. LISTEN
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