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Month: January 2012

Hymn of the Week – For Christ and the Church

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Poetry by Eliza E. Hewitt (1890)
Music by William J. Kirkpatrick (1890)
Congregational recording

“For Christ and the church” let our voices ring,
Let us honor the name of our own blessed King;
Let us work with a will in the strength of youth,
And loyally stand for the kingdom of truth.

For Christ, our dear Redeemer,
For Christ, the crucified;
For the church His blood hath purchased;
The church, His holy bride.

“For Christ and the church” be our earnest prayer,
Let us follow His banner, the cross daily bear;
Let us yield, wholly yield, to the gospel’s power,
And serve faithfully every day, every hour.

“For Christ and the church” willing offerings make,
Time and talents and gold for the dear Master’s sake;
We will render the best we can bring to Him,
The heart’s wealth of love, that will never grow dim.

“For Christ and the church” let us cast aside,
By His conquering grace, chains of self, fear, and pride;
May our lives be enriched by an aim so grand;
Then happy the call to the Savior’s right hand.

Photos from Liège, Belgium

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My European home was in the Belgian province of Liège, the capital city of which bears the same name. We visited this city in our early travels, and I took the following pictures there in Saint Bartholomew’s cathedral. The tombs in the walls intrigued me with their worn Latin inscriptions, and even though I had studied Latin for two years, I was only able to read the words Hic jacet, which signify “Here lies…”

Is It I?

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From Ailenroc’s Book, by Cornelia Alexander

Once I knew a joyous maiden,
Happy as a summer bird,
Laughing, singing ‘mong the flowers;
Her young heart with pleasure stirred.
O the happy days of childhood!
How they flit like phantoms by!
While I retrospect those hours,
Wondering vaguely: Was it I?

How I marveled then at faces
Growing graver with the years,
And at eyes that lost their brightness,
Quenched their light in bitter tears!
Now I marvel at the gladness
Of the days so long gone by,
While I sit a silent weeper,
Wondering: Can this be I?

Happy hours—they have fled forever;
Happy heart has left my breast;
Childhood’s days have fled like shadows,
Womanhood hath brought no rest.
All alone in wintry darkness
Sit I as the days go by,
Thinking of my happy girlhood,
Wondering: Can this be I?

Hymn of the Week – In Heavenly Love Abiding

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Poetry by Anna L. Waring (1850)
Music by Felix Mendelssohn (1843)
Audio recording

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear.
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back.
My Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh, His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh, and I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me, which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me, where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure, my path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me.

Hymn of the Week – Prince of Peace! Control My Will

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Poetry by Mary A.S. Barber (1858)
Music by W.T. Porter (1858)

Prince of Peace! control my will,
Bid this struggling heart be still;
Bid my fears and doubtings cease—
Hush my spirit into peace.

Thou hast bought me with Thy blood,
Opened wide the gate to God;
Peace I ask, but peace must be,
Lord, in being one with Thee.

May Thy will, not mine, be done;
May Thy will and mine be one;
Chase these doubtings from my heart;
Now Thy perfect peace impart.

Savior, at Thy feet I fall;
Thou my life, my God, my All;
Let Thy happy servant be
One forevermore with Thee.