Today, many church services are described as traditional or contemporary, based solely on the type of music contained in them. I personally gravitate toward a more “traditional” service, I love organ music and the complexity of some of the older hymns, especially those based on Bach’s chorales. However, I have no problem worshiping when other [...]
Today’s hymn, “Come Ye, Thankful People,” was born from the heart of a man who ceaselessly gave thanks to God for his blessings. Henry Alford, born in 1810 was an Anglican minister in England. Each of the stanzas of the hymn is centered on a theme of harvest. First is the invitation to give thanks [...]
During the American Civil War, in a certain overcrowded prison, men were dying daily. One of the new prisoners was a young preacher. As he saw the conditions surrounding him, he sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly, from a window he heard, “Praise God, from whom all blessing flow . . .” More and more men began to [...]
Van De Venter was involved in his church through counseling and personal work when his friends urged him to give up teaching and become an evangelist. For five years he wavered in his decision. He wrote: “At last the pivotal hour of my life came and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into [...]
One day Louisa Stead (1850-1917) with her husband and four year old daughter went to enjoy the beach at Long Island, New York. While there, they heard a call for help from a young child in the water. Mr. Stead went to his rescue but instead both he and the child were drowned. Louisa and [...]
Adelaide Pollard was depressed and thought that God had deserted her. She had a great burden for the country of Africa and she believed that she should go there as a missionary, but now as she was preparing to sail, it was evident that the funds she needed could not be raised. That evening she read Jeremiah [...]
Henry F. Lyte was a man who greatly loved the Lord with his whole being. He came up with the saying, “It is better to wear out than to rust out,” and it perfectly described his life. During the last 23 years of his life he pastored a poor church in England. His always suffered [...]
Adelaide Pollard was depressed and thought that God had deserted her. She had a great burden for the country of Africa and she believed that she should go there as a missionary, but now as she was preparing to sail, it was evident that the funds she needed could not be raised. That evening she [...]
Frances Havergal wrote many hymns in her short 43 years, but today we want to look at “Like A River Glorious.” Frances was often called “England’s Consecration Poet” because of her daily walk in life. Not only was her life dedicated to God but before she wrote any line of poetry she would seek God’s [...]
