HymnPod

Lydia and her sister came to Christ with the help of Baptist missionary Eben Tucker. Following their conversion, the Baxter girls helped found the lo­cal Baptist church. After Lydia married, she moved to New York City. She was an invalid most of her adult life, but that didn’t stop her active mind from studying the Bible and writing. In 1855, she published Gems by the Way side, a book of devotional poems. In addition, she of ten hosted meetings of religious leaders at her home.

Lyrics: Lydia Baxter
Music: William H. Doane

Take the Name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe,
It will joy and comfort give you;
Take it then, where’er you go.

Refrain:
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.
Precious Name, O how sweet!
Hope of earth and joy of Heav’n.

Take the Name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare;
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy Name in prayer.

O the precious Name of Jesus!
How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us,
And His songs our tongues employ!

At the Name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
King of kings in Heav’n we’ll crown Him,
When our journey is complete.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

John Stockton was converted at a Methodist camp meeting in Paulsboro, New Jersey. Stockton was ordained in 1832 and served in the New Jersey Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The following is an account of this hymn by Ira Sankey: While on the way to England with Mr. Moody in 1873, one day in mid-ocean, as I was looking over a list of hymns in my scrap-book, I noticed one commencing, “Come every soul by sin oppressed”…Believing that these words had been so often sung that they were hackneyed, I decided to change them and tell how to come to Jesus by substituting the words, “Only trust him.” In this form it was first published in “Sacred Songs and Solos” in London. While holding meetings in Her Majesty’s Theater in Pall Mall, London, and singing this hymn, I thought I would change the chorus again, and asked the people to sing “I will trust Him”…Then as we sang I decided to change it once more, and asked them to sing “I do trust him.” God blessed this rendering of the hymn to eight persons pre­sent, who testified afterward that by the change they were led to accept salvation.

Lyrics and Music: John H. Stockton

Come, every soul by sin oppressed;
There’s mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.

Refrain:
Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

For Jesus shed His precious blood
Rich blessings to bestow;
Plunge now into the crimson flood
That washes white as snow.

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way,
That leads you into rest;
Believe in Him without delay
And you are fully blessed.

This is a popular hymn which can be sung in the Chinese language also.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This hymn first appeared in 1880 in a book entitled “Sparkling Gems Nos. 1 and 2 Combined”, published by Thompson & Co. The famous evangelist D. L. Moody used this invitational hymn extensively.

When Dwight Lyman Moody, lay on his death bed in his Northfield, Massachu­setts  home, Will Thompson made a special visit to inquire as to his condition. The attending physician refused to admit him to the sick room, and Moody heard them talking just out side the bed room door. Recognizing Thomp­son’s voice, he called for him to come to his bed side. Taking the Ohio poet-composer by the hand, the dying evangelist said, “Will, I would rather have written “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”

Lyrics and Music: Will L. Thompson

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Will Thompson was talented in music. He studied music in Boston and Germany. He tried to sell his music to major publishers but was turned down so he established his own music publishing company – “Will L. Thompson & Co.”

Later he devoted himself exclusively to Christian music and wrote “Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling” and “There’s A Great Day Coming” and this lovely hymn as well. Will was also a philathropist and heavily supported the local YMCA and Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. He also donated acreage for a park that bears his name to this day, stipulating that no alcoholic beverages be allowed in the park and no sports permitted there on Sundays.

Lyrics and Music: Will L. Thompson

Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all;
He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall.
When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so;
When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, my Friend in trials sore;
I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and o’er.
He sends the sunshine and the rain, He sends the harvest’s golden grain;
Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, and true to Him I’ll be;
O how could I this Friend deny, when He’s so true to me?
Following Him I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night;
Following Him by day and night, He’s my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, I want no better Friend;
I trust Him now, I’ll trust Him when life’s fleeting days shall end.
Beautiful life with such a Friend, beautiful life that has no end;
Eternal life, eternal joy, He’s my Friend.

What an inspiring hymn and hymn writer!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here’s a piano and flute version of this hymn which can be sung along with as well.

1 Jn 5:4 says “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

Piano only version:

http://www.hymnpod.com/2009/05/16/faith-is-the-victory/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

After graduation from school, Eliza began teaching. However, her career was cut short by a serious spinal problem. She partially recovered, but was an invalid most of her life. She then turned to hymn writing, which ran in the family—her cousin was hymnist Edgar Stites.

Lyrics: Eliza E. Hewitt
Music: John R. Sweney

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

Let us learn more about our Lord Jesus each day.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This hymn was written in 1876. That year, Frances Havergal was on vacation in the south of Wales where she caught a severe cold and inflammation of the lungs. She was told that she might die and her amazing response was “If I am really going, it is too good to be true.” She however survived and wrote this hymn later that year.

Frances was very frail in health in went home to be with the Lord at the age of 42. Her dying words were “Come, Lord Jesus, come and fetch me.” She had a peace that truly “passeth all understanding”.

Lyrics: Frances R. Havergal
Music: James Mountain

Like a river glorious is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Refrain:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

This is quite an inspiring hymn with a simple but beautiful melody.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

This is a Scandinavian hymn written by Karolina W. Sandell-Berg who was the daughter of Jonas Sandell, pastor of the village’s Lutheran church. She had a frail body but a strong spirit.

She face tragedy at the age of 26 when her father was drowned during a boat trip on the east coast of Sweden near Gothenburg. “Day by Day” is one of her best known hymns.

Lyrics: Karolina Sandell-Berg
Music: Oskar Ahnfelt

Day by day, and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
Gives unto each day what He deems best,
Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

This hymn was a beautiful flowing melody.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The text was written and the tune (Lead Me) was composed both by Frank M. Davis, who was born on Jan. 23, 1839, near Marcellus in Onondaga County, NY. During his life, he traveled extensively, living at different times in Marcellus, NY; Vicksburg, MS; Baltimore, MD; Cincinnati, OH; and Burr Oak and Findley, MI. A teacher of voice and instrumental classes, he had charge of choirs in various places and was known as a fine soloist. His first published composition appeared in Waverly Magazine. Some of his compilations include Notes of Praise, Brightest Glory, and in 1877 New Pearls of Song.

Da­vis wrote this song in Au­gust 1880, on a steam­er in Ches­a­peake Bay, bound for Bal­ti­more, Mar­y­land. It was pub­lished in Bright Gems, com­piled by S. B. El­len­berg­er, 1881.

Lyrics and Music: Frank M. Davis

Savior, lead me, lest I stray,
Gently lead me all the way;
I am safe when by Thy side,
I would in Thy love abide.

Refrain:
Lead me, lead me,
Savior, lead me lest I stray;
Gently down the stream of time,
Lead me, Savior, all the way.

Thou the refuge of my soul
When life’s stormy billows roll;
I am safe when Thou art nigh,
All my hopes on Thee rely.

Savior, lead me, then at last,
When the storm of life is past,
To the land of endless day,
Where all tears are wiped away.

An excellent writeup can be found at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/608372/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Here’s a piano and flute version using a regular concert flute. I believe it takes years of practice to be able to play the flute well.

Piano only version:

http://www.hymnpod.com/2009/03/10/blessed-assurance/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download