COME YE THANKFUL PEOPLE COME

          There are a number of hymns that have traditionally been sung at Thanksgiving and one of my favorites is "Come Ye Thankful People, Come", written by Henry "Dean" Alford in 1844. It was written for the English harvest festivals, a movable feast which varies according to the harvest time in different villages that celebrate it.

           The hymn writer is regarded as a gifted, Christian leader of the 19th century, a distinguished theologian and scholar, as well as a writer, poet, artist and musician. The composer is George J. Elvey, an longtime organist at the Windsor, Royal Castle. Originally, this hymn was meant to be a harvest song, and was titled "After Harvest" with seven stanzas. Only four remained in common use. It was originally accompanied by the text "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psalm 126:6). 

         The first stanza of this thanksgiving hymn is an invitation and a exhortation to give thanks to God in the earthly temple – His Church – for the heavenly care and provision of our earthly needs. The following two stanzas are an interesting commentary on the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares as recorded in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. The final stanza is a prayer for the Lord's return –"the final harvest home" – the culminating event that Henry Alford saw as the ultimate demonstration of God's goodness in His eternal purpose of man's Redemption. It is said that at the end of a hard day's work, as well as after every meal, it was customary practice for "Dean" Alford to stand to his feet and give thanks to God for the blessings enjoyed during the day. This spirit of perpetual gratitude is clearly evidenced throughout this hymn. 

          Because of Alford's strenuous efforts and unlimited activities in the Christian ministry, he suffered a physical breakdown in 1870, and died on January 12, 1871. During his lifetime one of his cherished dreams was to visit the Holy Land. Although this dream was never realized, it was said of him that his eyes were fixed upon the Heavenly Jerusalem toward which he journeyed. On his tombstone the following appropriate inscription is found: "The Inn of a Pilgrim Traveling to Jerusalem." So let me continue Alford's call for all thankful people to come and raise a song of praise to our great God who showers us with His blessings. May you have a blessed Thanksgiving as you raise your voice in thanks to Him who alone is worthy of all of our praise.

 

(1) Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;

Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.

 

(2) All the world is God's own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;

Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.

First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;

Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.

 

(3) For the Lord our God shall come, and shall take His harvest home;

From His field shall in that day all offenses purge away,

Giving angels charge at last in the fire the tares to cast;

But the fruitful ears to store in His garner evermore.

 

(4) Even so, Lord, quickly come, bring Thy final harvest home;

Gather Thou Thy people in, free from sorrow, free from sin,

There, forever purified, in Thy garner to abide;

Come, with all Thine angels come, raise the glorious harvest home.

 

Listen to this week's hymn of thanksgiving here.  LISTEN

 

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

          This is a beautiful hymn that draws us to the beauty the Lord provides for us on this earth.  it draws our attention to the many blessings that God has given us.           
          I especially love living in aa region where we experience the beauty of all four seasons and each is all beautiful in their own way. But I guess I  really like the Fall with the beautiful colored leaves, the harvested fields, the cool nights, and the pumpkins and apples. It is a special reminder of the Creator and His provisions for us. 
          And I love the way that this particular hymn points out so many of the blessings which we often take for granted and then sums these up with the words "Lord of all, to Thee we raise, this our hymn of grateful praise". And this should be our hymn of thanks not only at Thanksgiving time, but 365 days of each year. 
           Not much is known about Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835 - 1917), the author of this hymn. He was born in the town of Bath, England. The inspiration for this hymn text is said to have come to the young author as he was strolling about his native town one day, entranced by the beautiful countryside with the winding Avon River in the distance. So as you prepare your hearts for a great Thanksgiving week, meditate on these words and have a grateful heart to the one who has provided us with these special blessings.

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

 

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth, and friends above,

Pleasures pure and undefiled,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

 

For each perfect gift of thine,

To our race so freely given,

Graces human and divine,

Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

 

For thy Church which evermore

Lifteth holy hands above,

Offering up on every shore

Her pure sacrifice of love,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our grateful hymn of praise.

Listen here.  LISTEN

I'M GOING HIGHER. (TH)

     TIMELESS HYMNS - A regular feature in which I choose a previous hymn blog, revise it and post it again.  This one was first posted in 2014.

 

          You've probably had the same experience.  You are doing something and suddenly a melody invades your mind and it's a song which you haven't heard in years.  And as you sing it over and over in your mind it just doesn't go away.  And this can happen in the strangest situations.  

          A few weeks ago, I entered the elevator at our church and as I pushed the button to go up, I suddenly began to sing "I'm going higher, yes higher someday ... I'm going higher to stay."  And for the rest of the evening those words came ringing through my mind.  

          Now obviously the words had nothing to do with the elevator.  They talk about that time that we anticipate when we will be taken "higher" to be with the Lord.  A time when we will be where no one gets sick or dies.  A place where we will meet our loved ones who have gone on before.  Revelation 21:4 tells of that time and place. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."  

          The original words and music of this song were written by Herbert Buffum (1879-1939) who was converted at the age of 18.  He earned credentials from the Church of the Nazarene and he was a Holiness/Pentecostal evangelist.  He was also a prolific song writer with 10,000 songs to his credit, 1000 of which were actually published. Ripley's "Believe It Or Not" claimed He once wrote 12 songs in an hour.  When he died, the Los Angeles Times called him "the king of Gospel song writers."  Apparently in 2001, the words were updated and performed by Bill and Gloria Gather and their Homecoming Friends.  

          This spirited, upbeat song shares the hope of all believers.  We don't know when it will happen, but the Lord Himself promised to make a place for us and then someday take us home to be with Him eternally.  Rejoice in this truth as you meditate upon these simple but profound words this week.  I'm going higher someday!  Are you?

 

(1)    Often my soul has been lifted above

Lost in the ocean of God's mighty love

Higher and higher, but once still I say

I'm going higher someday

 

I'm going higher, yes higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher to stay

Over the mountain, beyond the blue sky

Going where none ever sicken or die

Loved ones will meet in that sweet by and by

I'm going higher someday

 

(2)    Soon will the Savior appear, bless His name

And in a moment, we all will be changed

Then when he calls for his bright come away

We're going higher someday

 

I'm going higher, yes higher someday

I'm going higher, yes higher to stay

Over the mountain, beyond the blue sky

Going where none ever sicken or die

Loved ones will meet in that sweet by and by

I'm going higher and higher and higher

 

You can listen to it here.  Note that you can skip the ad after a few seconds.  LISTEN

A MIGHTY FORTRESS

 

          Many of us are very concerned about what appears to be a radically different direction for our country following this election.  We are concerned about our probable ultra-liberal future which will increase abortion, nontraditional marriages, a liberal justice system, and new limits on our freedom to worship and express Biblical morality.  
          Unfortunately, neither of the candidates for president appear to represent the values that are held as important by most conservative believers.  Dishonesty and division appear to be common. Change is the way we are headed 
          And as we face this uncertain future, I am reminded of the scripture that spoke so clearly to Martin Luther when he faced uncertain times and attempts to limit his freedom to speak the truth many centuries ago. "God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble." Psalm 46:1.  In 1529 he published his famous hymn which has encouraged saints throughout the centuries.  So, if you too are concerned today, meditate on these words.  Hopefully you will be reminded and encouraged that God is still in control and is our Refuge and Strength.
          Maranatha!

 

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

 

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

 

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,

We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:

The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;

His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,

One little word shall fell him.

 

That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;

The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:

Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;

The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still,

His kingdom is forever.

 

Listen to it here.       LISTEN