SEEKING THE LOST

On July 22 our church, Faith Bible Fellowship Church of Lancaster, PA, reached a special milestone - the 60th anniversary of its first service. For several days I have been sharing my memories (http://barrysbasicblog.blogspot.com/) of these 60 years since I am one of only two remaining living persons still attending Faith who attended the first service. As I was preparing these memories my mind went back to some of the hymns that were sung during the early years. This week's choice was one of those that quickly came to mind. As a youngster I loved this hymn because the men took the lead in the chorus and the women sang the back time. It was fun to join the men as their deep voices sounded out the melody and theme. Remembering this hymn also made me realize that at times "seeking the lost" almost seems to be a missing message in today's church music and programs. Oh that we might never lose the zeal to share the Gospel to the many around us who need to come to the Savior. While I don't know anything about the events behind the writing , we do know that William Augustine Ogden (1841 - 1897) is the writer, I am told that when Ogden was six years old, his family moved from Ohio to Indiana. He began studying music in local singing schools at age 8, and could read church music fairly well by age 10. A little later, he could write a melody by hearing it sung or played. When he was 18, he became a chorister in his home church. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, Ogden enlisted in the 30th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During the war he organized a male choir, which became well known throughout the Army of the Cumberland. After the war, Ogden returned home and resumed his musical studies. As his skills developed, Ogden issued his first song book, Silver Song, in 1870 and it became immensely popular, selling 500,000 copies. He went on to publish numerous other song books. In addition to composing, Ogden taught at many schools in in the United States and Canada. In 1887, he became superintendent of music in the public schools of Toledo, Ohio. Some of his more popular hymns were "He Is Able to Deliver Thee" and "I've a Message from the Lord".

(1) Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating

Wanderers on the mountain astray

"Come unto Me," His message repeating

Words of the Master speaking today.

Going afar (going afar)

Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)

Bringing the wanderer back again, back again

Into the fold (into the fold)

Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer)

Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.

(2) Seeking the lost and pointing to Jesus

Souls that are weak and hearts that are sore

Leading them forth in ways of salvation

Showing the path to life evermore.

Going afar (going afar)

Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)

Bringing the wanderer back again, back again

Into the fold (into the fold)

Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer)

Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.

(3) Thus would I go on missions of mercy

Following Christ from day unto day

Cheering the faint and raising the fallen

Pointing the lost to Jesus, the Way.

Going afar (going afar)

Upon the mountain (upon the mountain)

Bringing the wanderer back again, back again

Into the fold (into the fold)

Of my Redeemer (of my Redeemer)

Jesus the Lamb for sinners slain, for sinners slain.

Since I imagine that this week's choice might be new to many of you, please take time to listen to it sung here and enjoy hearing the male lead in the chorus. LISTEN.

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NEARER STILL NEARER

It's funny how you often recall unusual instances from the early years of your life. I can recall a time when, as a very small child, I was trying to memorize James 4:8 on a Sunday morning on the way to church. "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you". It was frustrating and I kept jumbling up the words because I really didn't understand the words and really didn't comprehend the scriptural principle. But today I remember that incident and the verse as well. Often it serves a reminder to me that God is always there to direct, comfort and provide strength if I but draw near to Him and depend upon Him. But isn't it strange how often instead we rely on our own strength? But this week's choice, a hymn that my wife and I used to sing as a duet, reminds us of the need to be drawn to the heart of God every moment of every day, in the good times and in the difficult times. The hymn writer, Leila Morris lived in Ohio and with her mother and sister where they operated a millinery shop for many years. She later married Charles H. Morris, and the couple was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at holiness camp meetings. Leila was encouraged to write hymns by H. L. Gilmour (who wrote the gospel song The Haven of Rest) and she went on to write over 1,000 of them, in addition to many tunes. She did this despite the fact that her eyes began to fail later in her life. In fact, in 1913 her son built a 28-foot blackboard with oversized staff lines so she could continue composing. I don't know anything about the circumstances surrounding the writing of this particular hymn, but I assume it came out of her personal experiences in her walk with the Lord. Meditate upon these great words and draw nigh to the Father throughout your daily walk.

(1) Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,

Draw me, my Savior so precious Thou art!

Fold me, oh, fold me close to Thy breast.

Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest";

Shelter me safe in that "Haven of Rest."

(2) Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,

Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King;

Only my sinful, now contrite heart.

Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart.

(3) Nearer, still nearer, Lord, to be Thine!

Sin, with its follies, I gladly resign,

All of its pleasures, pomp and its pride,

Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

(4) Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last.

Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;

Through endless ages ever to be

Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee;

Nearer, my Savior, still nearer to Thee!

Listen to this week's hymn here. LISTEN

ALL HAIL THE POWER

We live in an age when power is important to all sorts of people. For some it is the power of huge machines - fast cars, rockets, bombs, jets. For some it is the power of technology with fast computer speeds, huge memory banks, and internet connections. For others it is the power of money and the possessions they can buy. And for some it is the power of postion, jobs, and contacts. But all of those pale when compared to the power of the name of Jesus which can save the worst sinner, change wretched lives, and provide hope for the future. This week's hymn reminds us of that power. It is sometimes called the "National Anthem of Christendom" and it has been sung by many denominations for centuries. In the November, 1799, issue of The Gospel Magazine, there appeared an anonymous hymn entitled "On the Resurrection, the Lord is King": All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all. The author, it was later revealed, was Reverend Edward Perronet. Edward's Protestant grandparents had fled Catholic France, going first to Switzerland then to England. Edward's father had become a vicar in the Anglican Church, and Edward followed in his footsteps. For several years, he became closely allied with the Wesleys, traveling with them and sometimes caught up in their adventures. In John Wesley's journal, we find this entry: "Edward Perronet was thrown down and rolled in mud and mire. Stones were hurled and windows broken." In time, however, Edward broke with the Wesleys over various Methodist policies, and John Wesley excluded his hymns from Methodist hymnals. Edward went off to pastor a small independent church in Canterbury, where he died on January 22, 1792. There are many stories told about the influence of this hymn, but none more interesting than this one. Rev. E. P. Scott, missionary to India, wrote of trying to reach a savage tribe in the Indian subcontinent. Ignoring the pleadings of his friends, he set off into the dangerous territory. Several days later, he met a large party of warriors who surrounded him, their spears pointed at his heart. Expecting to die at any moment, Scott took out his violin, breathed a prayer, closed his eyes, and began singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" When he reached the words, "Let every kindred, every tribe," he opened his eyes. There stood the warriors, some in tears, every spear lowered. Scott spent the next two years evangelizing the tribe. And such is the power of the name of Jesus.

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

Let angels prostrate fall;

bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Bring forth the royal diadem,

and crown Him Lord of all.

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

ye ransomed from the Fall,

hail Him who saves you by His grace,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Hail Him who saves you by His grace,

and crown Him Lord of all.

(3) Sinners, whose love can ne'er forget

the wormwood and the gall,

go spread your trophies at His feet,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Go spread your trophies at His feet,

and crown Him Lord of all.

(4) Let every kindred, every tribe

on this terrestrial ball,

to Him all majesty ascribe,

and crown Him Lord of all.

To Him all majesty ascribe,

and crown Him Lord of all.

(5) O that with yonder sacred throng

we at His feet may fall!

We'll join the everlasting song,

and crown Him Lord of all.

We'll join the everlasting song,

and crown Him Lord of all.

Listen to an upbeat version of this hymn sung by the group Avalon. LISTEN

NEAR THE CROSS

There are many things that draw our attention today – family, jobs, sports, vacations, homes, national news, hobbies, television, cars, and even the weather. And many of these are important and good. But too often we have so many things to care for and our schedules just get so full, that we have so little time left to share with the Lord and reflect upon His goodness to us. And let's face it, this happens to all of us. It's a product of the times that we live in. We may cram in a little time to quickly read a few verses or say a few prayers but the urgency of our schedules and "things" keep us from a deeper relationship with God. And then we rush to church on Sunday and with our minds cluttered with the week's needs we try to spend an hour in worship. And sometimes our reflection upon the cross and the sacrifice of Christ gets limited to the ten minutes we spend each month taking Communion. This might have been on the mind of Fanny Crosby many years ago when Cincinnati businessman William Doane gave her a melody he had written. Listening to it, Fanny felt the words "Jesus keep me near the cross" and she promptly wrote the words to this great hymn. Maybe singing this hymn this week will help us to reflect upon our need to be kept near the cross in our daily lives and walk.

Jesus, keep me near the cross,


There a precious fountain


Free to all, a healing stream


Flows from Calvary's mountain.

In the cross, in the cross,


Be my glory ever;


Till my raptured soul shall find


Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross, a trembling soul,


Love and mercy found me;


There the bright and morning star


Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,


Be my glory ever;


Till my raptured soul shall find


Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,


Bring its scenes before me;


Help me walk from day to day,


With its shadows o'er me.

In the cross, in the cross,


Be my glory ever;


Till my raptured soul shall find


Rest beyond the river.

Near the cross I'll watch and wait


Hoping, trusting ever,


Till I reach the golden strand,


Just beyond the river.

In the cross, in the cross,


Be my glory ever;


Till my raptured soul shall find


Rest beyond the river.

Listen to the music and words here. LISTEN