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Where Hymns Were Sung
Monday, March 22, 2010

This was written actually late September of '08. I was convicted of troubling times ahead and sought refuge in writing what would turn out to be a half poetic half historical document.

Of late my mind and heart has been burdened of strange words and strange sounds that have mostly come through the media. So what is new. However, it is easy to get fearful of what might be but what a restful thing it is to hearken to the words "Do not fear" ..."'Do not fear what they fear" ... Out of the need for respite my mind has wandered over the subject of hymns and it is on this subject that with you, the reader, I would like to ponder on.

If we could, with our minds eye, take a trip back to the eighteen hundreds say, to a night like tonight so many years ago. Smoke would be pluming out of houses and windows glimmering and flickering with candle light. It is said , by people in the know, that these inhabitants of this time and place pondered on the word of the Lord and when there was leisure, a however sparse commodity given, they would crack open their bibles . They would discuss and consider the words therein. These words would build in their minds to take shape and form, perhaps in behavior or a perception or perhaps...in song.

What would it be like to be within the walls of such a given house, to hear the words as they were first sung ? " What a friend we have in Jesus " or "Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine oh what a foretaste of Glory divine", are some examples. The elements would be barely kept in check outside but hearts made warm by divine inspiration put to a melody that the ear can seek out and weave within the notes intricately given. What preciousness would have it been to rest within such divinity so beautifully expressed within such humble walls.

Let us, for purposes of illustration, sweep across the Atlantic; its turbulent and cold waters crashing against English shorelines. To the north are the moors, a desolate and windswept place with foreboding clouds, and a presence of weather and landscape so bitter and unfriendly to its inhabitants. However inside one house, on a table, would be the writings of a then small and inconspicuous young lady by the name of Charlotte Bronte. Her writings in eighteen twenty five would then become published, with her cryptic observations of Anglican sentimentalities of the day quietly inserted, and it would set the literary world off balance. Jane Eyre would then become a literary masterpiece and English literature would not be the same thereafter. However words and works and voices like these were becoming sparse. It is just like the Lord to use such an unlikely figure, comments of Anglican errors of the day probably causing offense and irritation. However, is it any accident that that institution has become more of a cultural entity only, its role simply subjected to and at the mercy of something at one time uniquely British; it is called an "unwritten constitution."

Yes, reader, take heed.

If we swept across the century, as a sweep of a paintbrush, like we swept across the ocean we would see a different landscape. In Europe there were other kinds of words. These words were forming a strange wind and a strange time yet unknown to western civilization. Over dinner tables and cafe's it was words like "survival of the fittest" ... or "the Rule of Law is subject to the will of the masses." These words were passed on and generated to other folks in other places who would later say things like "might makes right." It would take time and another century for words like these to have built false foundations, something like a tower of Babel, bearing up hope as a flag where there is nothing but destitution.

To complete this illustration, let us quickly return to this area at the time. Even to Bellevue Av, Newport RI, in horse and carriage meandering by the grand mansions on the left and right. Their owners would have gone home for the season and only a passerby or two under lamplight would have noticed the exquisite architecture and properties such displayed, now empty of its revelry. Meander further down and notice the strange monument on the left rumored to have been built by the Vikings. Further on down and pass by the fire station maintained by the aristocracy in protection of their properties. Go down the hill and notice a synagogue singularly perched upon almost the base of the hill. It is facing due east . Go through the gates and you will notice a stone monument. On top you will notice some writings etched and and authored by George Washington. He is writing to the Jews in this land.

In very ornate and elegant language, words carefully spoken and written he says things like "worship freely". "Be blessed". Ideas like that there is a hedge of protection. From that point, if you look straight ahead of you, to the houses down that windy street or even turn and face due east facing the houses further down on the point you might ask ... how many houses are filled tonight with hymns and notes and melodies sung to the Lord. How many thoughts, words and conversation are bent over such precious pages of the Good Book.

While strange winds and words were blowing overseas, what a precious place to have been, to be amongst these shores and within the walls of a house where a hymn, written down and sung, known and unknown, was first heard. Where a praise or revelation was joyfully sung to our Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour to all the world. For He is the word who came to His own and his own received him not. But to those who received him he gave eternal life. Let us rejoice in this life. Blessed be the Name of the Lord Jesus. Today as there is even an overload of words let us hearken to The Word who has come and will come again and let us not be troubled by sights or sounds that will only one day be a whisper in the thresholds of the kinds of things that will take place. Let us then give, in this time and place, our hearts hearkening as they did long ago,Glory to the Lord of Hosts, the Lord Jehovah, Y'shua our Saviour. Let us continue the hymns that were of such divine inspiration and add a few of our own. Let his church ring out soundly : praise be given to the Name of the Lord.