IT IS NO SECRET

Sometimes it is hard to find anything about the writing of a Gospel song.  This time I found plenty and much of what I found ended up being parts of those eRumors that folks like to spread. Apparently over the years folks have added all sorts of incorrect details to embelish the story.  But after reading what some members of Billy Graham’s team had to say, here is what I think is the correct story.  Stuart Hamblen was a popular singer, songwriter, actor, poet, and radio personality from the 1930s through the 1950s.  Some have called him radio's first singing cowboy.  Billy Graham came to Los Angeles in 1949 for what became an historic evangelistic crusade.  Graham was asked to appear on Hamblen’s radio show to promote the crusade  Although Hamblen was known for his hard living and drinking, he had been reared as the son of a Methodist minister and he warmly welcomed Graham as a guest.  It was at that interview that Graham extended an invitation to Hamblen to attend the crusade and he accepted. Hamblen later contacted Graham at his hotel and asked to talk. The result was that he "surrendered his life to Christ.”  Hamblen's became the first publicized conversion from the 1949 crusade and contributed to the decision to extend the event, which lasted for 8 weeks and put Billy Graham on the map. On a street in Hollywood Hamblen later ran into John Wayne who asked him about the rumor around town that he'd changed his ways.  Hamblen told Wayne that it was no secret what God had done for him and that he could do it for Wayne too.  Wayne said it sounded like a song and suggested that he write one.  The result was one of Hamblen's best known tunes, It is No Secret What God Can Do.  It was a crossover song that is regarded as the first to have been #1 in the gospel, country, and pop categories.  The original manuscript of It is No Secret is buried in the cornerstone of one of the Copyright Buildings of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.  After his conversion Hamblen announced that he was going to devote his time to "serving Christ" and he started a new radio program titled The Cowboy Church of the Air which became nationally syndicated.  A confrontation developed with his sponsors, however, when he told them that he would refuse to advertise alcohol.  His much publicized departure from the program resulted in his being asked to run for President of the United States in 1952 under the banner of the Prohibition party.  He accepted and ran fourth to Republican Dwight Eisenhower who was elected president.  So to the best of my knowledge that is the story behind Hamblen and the writing of this week’s choice.  And his claim is still true today, God is still in the business of saving and changing people.  And it is no secret what He can do.

(1)    The chimes of time ring out the news

Another day is through

Someone slipped and fell

Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength

Your courage to renew

Do not be disheartened

For I have news for you

It is no secret what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

(2)   There is no night for in His light

You never walk alone

Always feel at home

Wherever you may go

There is no power can conquer you

While God is on your side

Take Him at His promise

Don't run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN

IN THE SWEET BY AND BY

It might be my age, but the older I get, the more I enjoy and miss singing the great old hymns of the church that talked about heaven.  i guess as more and more loved ones and friends make the move to their heavenly home one develops a keener hope for heaven and meeting the Lord there.  Over the years this move has been described many ways by hymn writers.  S. Filmore Bennett (1836-1898) described it as meeting on that beautiful shore sometime in the sweet by and by.  He talks about the Father who prepares the place for us and waits for our coming.  He tells us that we will be singing there.  I often wonder what language and style of singing there will be since we come from so many different races and traditions.  But I know that God will work all of that out, in His time.  And no more sorrow there.  But most importantly, we will be with our Father and will have all eternity to sing His praises.  The writer, Bennett, talked about the writing of this hymn and the composer of the music, Joseph P. Wedster.  "Mr. Webster, like many musicians, was of an exceedingly nervous and sensitive nature, and subject to periods of depression, in which he looked upon the dark side of all things in life. I had learned his peculiarities so well that on meeting him I could tell at a glance if he was melancholy, and had found that I could rouse him up by giving him a new song to work on. He came into my place of business, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, walked down to the stove, and turned his back on me without speaking. I was at my desk. Turning to him, I said, 'Webster, what is the matter now?' 'It's no matter,' he replied, 'it will be all right by and by.' The idea of the hymn came me like a flash of sunlight, and I replied, 'The Sweet By and By! Why would not that make a good hymn?' 'Maybe it would,' he said indifferently. Turning to my desk I penned the words of the hymn as fast as I could write. I handed the words to Webster. As he read his eyes kindled, and stepping to the desk he began writing the notes. Taking his violin, he played the melody and then jotted down the notes of the chorus. It was not over thirty minutes from the time I took my pen to write the words before two friends with Webster and myself were singing the hymn."   So if you have the assurance of a home in heaven, sing along with this great song this week.

1.    There's a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar;

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

2.   We shall sing on that beautiful shore

The melodious songs of the blessed;

And our spirits shall sorrow no more,

Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

3.    To our bountiful Father above,

We will offer our tribute of praise

For the glorious gift of His love

And the blessings that hallow our days.

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

Listen to this week's selection here.    LISTEN

JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE

There have been many great Gospel songs written that call us to worship and adore our great God, the Creator of the universe. And some, like this week's choice, also remind us that we are to do that joyfully with thanksgiving. In Psalm 100 the Psalmist exclaims "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with Gladness.  Come before His presence with singing.  Know ye that the Lord, He is God!" The great words of this hymn are a poem written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 with the intention of musically setting it to the famous "Ode to Joy" melody of the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's final symphony, Symphony No. 9.  Van Dyke wrote this poem while in Williams College, Massachusetts, while staying at the home of Harry Augustus Garfield. One morning at the breakfast table, Van Dyke handed the manuscript to Mr. Garfield, the Williams college president, saying, "Here is a hymn for you. Your mountains [the Berkshires] were my inspiration. It must be sung to the music of Beethovan's 'Hymn to Joy.'" It was first published in 1911 by The Presbyterian Hymnal.  Van Dyke wrote of this hymn: "These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time - hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope."  In the first verse Van Dyke shares that the God who is manifest outwardly in creation is also the Lord who must be manifest inwardly in human life   In verse 2 we are reminded that God's physical creation speaks of His glory and so directs our worship to the Creator Himself.  In the third verse emphasis is now placed on the spiritual blessings that this same creative God provides for the inner needs of man.  Finally, in the last verse, the ultimate effect of our relationship with this God is victory over the ills of life and eternal triumph as we march onward to be with God.  We also need to remember that every good gift comes from God. Therefore, may we ever express our praise to Him as we sing, "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."

1.     Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

2.    All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,

Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

3.   Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,

Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;

Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

4.     Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;

Father love is reigning o'er us, brother love binds man to man.

Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,

Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

Listen to this great hymn here.    LISTEN

WILL JESUS FIND US WATCHING?

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said, 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matt 25:7-13, NIV).  It was probably this Bible story that motivated the famous blind hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, to pen the words of this hymn in 1875.  From reading about her life one can quickly understand that she looked forward to the Lord's return and probably looked for it each day.  Today it is very easy for us to say that we also are looking for the return of the Lord.  But are we really?   We often look forward to a day when our pain and sicknesses will be gone, a day when we can live in peace,  a day when all problems will disappear.  But we probably also hope that His return doesn't come today because we have so much here in this life that we still want to accomplish.  And our goals and daily activities probably reflect that.  So are we really ready if He should return today?  Or are we like the foolish virgins in the text?  Maybe our lives would be different and more meaningful and even more powerful if we would begin each day saying "Maybe this is the day that the Lord will return" or "Lord, come quickly" and then living the next 24 hours in real anticipation of His coming.  So the question is will we be ready when He does return?  "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back  - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' " (Mark 13:32-33, 35-37).

1    When Jesus comes to reward His servants,

Whether it be noon or night,

Faithful to Him will He find us watching,

With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?

Ready for the soul's bright home?

Say, will He find you and me still watching,

Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

2    If, at the dawn of the early morning,

He shall call us one by one,

When to the Lord we restore our talents,

Will He answer thee--"Well done"? 

Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?

Ready for the soul's bright home?

Say, will He find you and me still watching,

Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

3    Have we been true to the trust He left us?

Do we seek to do our best?

If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,

We shall have a glorious rest.

Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?

Ready for the soul's bright home?

Say, will He find you and me still watching,

Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

4    Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching,

In His glory they shall share;

If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,

Will He find us watching there? 

Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?

Ready for the soul's bright home?

Say, will He find you and me still watching,

Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

Listen to it being sung here.   LISTEN