Wordwise Hymns

Joseph Addison was the greatest English writer of his time, and one of the greatest of all time. He studied law and political science and became, for a time, the chief secretary for Ireland. As the eighteenth century dawned Addison was beginning to show his surpassing skill as an essayist. He helped to establish the Spectator, a daily paper, in which he published many of his writings.

Addison preceded the Wesleys by a generation, but they recognized the way in which his strong Christian influence paved the way for their ministry. As you read John Wesley’s comment, you may be thinking as I did, “We need another Joseph Addison today!” He wrote,

God raised up Mr. Addison and his associates to lash the prevailing vices and ridiculous profane customs of the country, and to show the excellence of Christianity and Christian institutions. The Spectators were the first instrument in the hands of God to check the mighty and growing profanity, and call men back to religion and decency and common sense.

When All Thy Mercies, O My God is a hymn about God’s loving care of us through every phase of our lives, from our conception in the womb and on to eternity. The lines of verse were included in an essay on gratitude appearing in the Spectator. I’ve quoted a couple of verses below, but it is worth your while to go to the Cyber Hymnal and read the full hymn text. (Incidentally, I like the tune Belmont for this hymn, though the Cyber Hymnal doesn’ t list it as a possibility as yet.)

When all Thy mercies, O my God,
My rising soul surveys,
Transported with the view, I’m lost
In wonder, love and praise.

Through ev’ry period of my life
Thy goodness I’ll pursue,
And after death, in distant worlds,
The glorious theme renew.

The other magnificent hymn of Addison’s in common use is The Spacious Firmament, concerning the glory of God revealed in creation.

(2) Today in 1813 – Christian Bateman Born
British clergyman Christian Henry Bateman served successively as a pastor in the Moravian church, as well as in Congregational and Anglican churches. He wrote many hymns, but only one remains in common use today, Come, Christians, Join to Sing. The song originally appeared in Bateman’s book, Sacred Melodies for Children, and the opening line was “Come, children, join to sing.” The change was made to render the hymn more widely useful.

Come, Christians, join to sing–Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King–Alleluia! Amen!
Let all with heart and voice, before His throne rejoice;
Praise is His gracious choice: Alleluia! Amen!

Here’s a link to a virtuoso piano arrangement of the tune Madrid, in which the pianist seems to make use of every note on the piano several times over!

(3) Today in 1933 – William Draper Died
William Henry Draper was an Anglican clergyman who also wrote about 60 hymns. But the song for which he is best know was written by another. In 1919, for a children’s festival on Whitsuntide (Pentecost), Draper published a paraphrase of Francis of Assisi’s Italian hymn, All Creatures of Our God and King.

The hymn was written shortly before Francis’s death, but was not published for another 400 years, appearing in English nearly 700 years after he died. It was written during an unusually hot summer, when Francis was ill and losing his sight. He was in great pain, as his eyes were highly sensitive to the light. His misery was increased by some field mice that had infested his hut, likely finding a home in the straw walls. When he lay down to rest, they boldly ran back and forth over his face. Yet, writing in those desperate circumstances, Francis created a glowing masterpiece.

All creatures of our God and King
Lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!