HymnPod

Cleland B. McAfee is known for this one hymn. It is a “one-hit-wonder”. Mr. McAfee wrote the hymn Near to the Heart of God in 1903, after two daughters of his brother Howard died of diphtheria within 24 hours of each other. The choir of Park College went to Howard McAfee’s quarantined house and sang it outside the window to encourage the grieving family.

McAfee was at Park College, Parkville, Missouri, for almost 20 years, serving on the faculty, and as college chaplain and choir director. He then pastored in Chicago, Illinois, and Brooklyn, New York. He was also on the faculty at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago (1912-30), and directed the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions (1930-36).

Lyrics and Music: Cleland B. McAfee

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God.
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

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Here is a professionally recorded version of this hymn from songsandhymns.org

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Maltbie Babcock, a pastor in Lockport, New York, enjoyed hiking in an area called “the escarpment”-an ancient upthrust ledge near the city. Heading out on such walks, he often proclaimed that “I am going out to see my Father’s world.” And from his vantage point on the escarpment, he had a beautiful view of God’s creation indeed; from the greens of farms and orchards to the blues of Lake Ontario.

Lyrics: Maltbie D. Babcock
Music: Franklin L. Sheppard

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.

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Here’s a dramatic, military sounding hymn. The music was written by Adam Geibel who was born 15 Sep 2009, 1855. More at http://bit.ly/jwZve

Lyrics: George Duffield
Music: Adam Geibel

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner
It must not suffer loss
From victory unto victory
His army shall He lead
Till ev’ry foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed

Refrain:
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross
Lift high His royal banner
It must not, it must not suffer loss

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
The trumpet call obey
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day
“Ye that are men, now serve Him”
Against unnumbered foes
Let courage rise with danger
And strength to strength oppose

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
Stand in His strength alone
The arm of flesh will fail you,
You dare not trust your own
Put on the gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there

Stand up, stand up for Jesus
The strife will not be long
This day the noise of battle
The next, the victor’s song
To Him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be
He with the King of glory
Shall reign eternally

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This hymn goes out specially to Cathy. Thanks for introducing me to this marvelous hymn.

Lyrics and Music: C. Austin Miles

Twas Love that gave at greatest cost
A Life, that mine should not be lost
The Love that died in deep despair
My debt fully satisfied there

Refrain:
It was love that took my place
On the cross of Calvary
It was grace, redeeming grace
That paid my ransom full and free
Over sin, without, within,
I have the victory
Thro’ grace, marvellous grace
That lives in me

The Love that freely all forgives
In fullness now within me lives
Thro’ every trial this I see
His grace is sufficient for me

God’s love His mercy and His grace
Combine to raise a fallen race
His hand is ready, ere we call
Held out with forgiveness for all

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Here’s another great hymn with lots of imagery. It is based on Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Lyrics: Daniel W. Whittle
Music: James McGranahan

Once far from God and dead in sin,
No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found,
Now Christ liveth in me.

Refrain:
Christ liveth in me,
Christ liveth in me,
Oh! what a salvation this,
That Christ liveth in me.

As rays of light from yonder sun,
The flowers of earth set free,
So life and light and love came forth
From Christ living in me.

As lives the flower within the seed,
As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace,
His Spirit dwelleth in me.

With longing all my heart is filled,
That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell
That Christ liveth in me.

Also, check out the following Hymn Almanac – http://wordwisehymns.wordpress.com

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I’ve been wanting to render this hymn for some time but I felt that the piano wouldn’t do justice to this majestic sounding hymn. So, here is an organ version instead from http://www.smallchurchmusic.com

Reginald Heber was born in Apr 21, 1783 to a minister and his wife in an English village. Heber wrote 57 hymns including this one which is based on Rev 4:8-11.

Lyrics: Reginald Heber
Music: John B. Dykes

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

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This is another classic hymn by Fanny Crosby. Let us remember to watch and be ready for the Lord’s coming. Amen.

Lyrics: Frances J. Crosby
Music: William H. Doane

When Jesus comes to reward His servants,
Whether it be noon or night,
Faithful to Him will He find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?

Refrain:
Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?

If, at the dawn of the early morning,
He shall call us one by one,
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee, “Well done”?

Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,
We shall have a glorious rest.

Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?

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Ever wondered how Ira Sankey sounded like? Here’s a sample from his wax cylinder recordings.

http://www.tinfoil.com/vo-scis.htm

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