17

Jump Start # 3743

Posted on January 17, 2025 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3743

 

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

 

Today we conclude our weeklong look at old and forgotten hymns from the 1914 “The New Gospel Songbook.” Some hymns live on generation after generation. Some do not. The popularity of a song can be based upon nothing more than “I like that hymn.” I have a whole collection of songbooks, but I chose this one because of the connection to my family. I’d like to think that my great grandmother held the very hymnal that I now have, but I don’t know that.

 

There are many interesting hymns that time doesn’t allow us to take a look at, but here are a few of the titles I came across in this old songbook: He’s just the same today; Lifted; Out on the mountains; Flitting away; Scatter brighter smiles; The story must be told; Vale of Beulah; Weighed in the balance; Music in Heaven; How glad I shall be to see Jesus; My consecration; Volunteers to the front; Hold the fort; Varina; Always Happy; Jesus pleads; If we only understood; O, the grand old book; Little ones like me (for an infant class); I will never turn back; Round the hills in Galilee.

 

I expect out of the 220 hymns, about half, I never heard of before. The song that I want to focus on today is: “Singing as we go.” The words were written by E. M. Bangs, who also wrote “The Banner of the Cross.” The music was composed by Charles Gabriel (1856-1932). Gabriel wrote nearly 8,000 hymns.

 

Singing As We Go

We are marching on-ward, joining hand in hand,

Guided by our Captain, all a happy band

In the summer sunshine, or the winter snow,

We are marching on-ward, singing as we go.

 

Tho’ the path is sometimes rough beneath our feet,

And our courage falters as the foe we meet;

Tho’ the way is darker where shadows grow,

Still we’re marching on-ward, singing as we go.

 

On-ward, ever on-ward, then from day to day,

Looking to our Captain, He will lead the way;

So with happy voices, meet we friend or foe,

We are marching on-ward, singing as we go.

 

Chorus: We are marching onward to our home above,

Trusting in our leader, living in His love;

He will guide us safely,

Well His care we know,

We are marching on-ward, singing as we go

 

  Two prevailing themes run through this hymn.

 

First, we are marching on-ward. Seven times, the word “on-ward” is used in this hymn. Forward moving. Not stopping. Not idle. Not going backwards. Going until the Lord stops us. That’s important. Life has a way of getting in the way. Work. Things to be done at home. Family stuff. They are important but they can distract us and sidetrack us. And, without realizing it, on-ward is what we are not doing. On-ward in our spiritual growth. On-ward in our faith with the Lord. On-ward in our work in the kingdom.

 

Second, the other theme running through this old hymn is an attitude. It’s one thing to go on-ward, but, as the hymn says, we do this “singing as we go.” Some go on-ward, but they tell everyone how hard it is. I think some faces would crack if they ever smiled. On-ward, but miserable. On-ward and complaining. On-ward and wondering about others. Not this hymn. It tells us to be singing as we go.

 

I can just envision a brother in a small country congregation, around 1920, leading this song with a smile on his face. And, maybe, just maybe, that’s something through the years that we have forgotten about. It’s hard to be singing when you are grumpy and unhappy.

 

And, for a moment, think about all the differences between 1920 and today, 105 years later. Most Bibles back then were KJV. Most church buildings used funeral fans for cooling a person in those hot summers. Cooking, washing, even travel took a lot longer than it does today. Communication was limited. Many in rural communities still used outhouses and didn’t have electricity in 1920.

 

On these cold winter mornings, I can hop in my car, turn on the seat heater, the steering wheel heater, the radio, and drive to a large church building that is warm, well lit, and has comfortable padded pews. I have one of wooden pews from the church building where this old hymn book came from. It dates around 1890. It sits in my basement. I polished it up and it looks nice. But, it doesn’t sit comfortable. I wonder, just wonder, with all the nice things we have today, are we “singing as we go?”

 

It’s one thing to keep moving on-ward with our Savior, but our disposition is equally important. Our children hear us. Our friends see us. Singing as we go, may very well be a great evangelistic tool. Shining the light and shaking the salt, through a spirit that is singing as we go.

 

My grandma would have been one that used one of these old hymnbooks. I remember hearing her hum and whistle as she went about doing housework. Singing as we go…

 

Always abounding, our verse today reminds us. On-ward, this hymn reminds us. But not just on-ward, it’s

Singing as we go…

 

I hope you enjoyed this little journey through an old hymn book.

 

I have collected this series into a new Jump Start book called, “Essays from an old hymn book.” I have included scanned copies of the songs that I wrote about. This is our 30th book in our Jump Start series. If you would like a copy, they are free. Send me an email (Rogshouse@aol.com) and INCLUDE your mailing address.

 

Roger

 

16

Jump Start # 3742

Posted on January 16, 2025 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3742

 

  Luke 16:22 “Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.”

 

This week I have been pulling out unknown, forgotten and long ago songs from a paperback 1914 hymnal called, “The New Gospel Songbook.” This hymnal was given to me long ago from a distant family member who collected hymnals. After his death, his family was going to throw them all away. I leaped at the opportunity to gather these. Some of the songbooks have words but no notes. I’m not sure how the people knew what the tune would be. My great grandparents and grandparents and even my dad worshipped at these long ago small country congregations.

 

If these old hymnals could speak, what stories they could tell. Held by mothers whose husbands and sons were in far away places fighting wars. Held by some as tears of sorrow trickled down their cheeks. Held by some with great joy as they witnessed someone wanting to be baptized into Christ. Held by some whose hearts were touched by the word of God and they determined to live better and more righteously. And, sadly, held by some as they were placed in a box, the doors of the church building were closed and locked and never again to be used in a congregation. Oh, if these old hymnals could speak.

 

The hymn for today is, “Will the angels come for me?” This one is still found in many current hymnbooks. Both the lyrics and the tune were written by J. S. Torbett (1868-1940) a famous hymnwriter. His most famous song was “Glory-land way.” The Stamps-Baxter music company out of Dallas was a leader in publishing new hymns and they particularly liked what Torbett was producing. For many years, his compositions were included in the various hymnals they printed.

 

Written in 1900, Will the angels come for me?

 

When my work on earth is ended, will the angels come for me?

Will they bear me on their pinions, O’er the dark  and stormy sea?

 

When life’s sun is slowly sinking, and the soul will soon be free,

Will the gates of Heaven open, and the angels come for me?

 

Will the angels bear me upward to that home so bright and fair?

There to be with Christ my Saviour, and the ransomed gathered there?

 

Chorus: Will the angels come for me, when I cross the stormy sea?

Will they take me home to God.

When the long rough way I trod?

 

  Immediately, we notice that this hymn asks many questions. Seven questions are asked, but actually, it’s just one question over and over again, “Will the angels come for me?”

 

This hymn takes us to the death of Lazarus in Luke 16. Poor, sickly, helpless and hopeless he was laid at the gates of a rich man. This seems to have been his last and final hope. The rich man ignored Lazarus and the poor man died. It is here that the Bible says, the angels carried Lazarus to Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22). The hymn asks, “Will the angels come for me?”

 

There are several fascinating thoughts that come to our mind:

 

First, the hymn speaks of a comfort in death. So many do not want to engage in a serious discussion about death. Oh, they’ll watch movies with all kinds of death but they don’t want to think about themselves dying. Maybe they think, if we don’t talk about it, it will go away. It never goes away. There is a divine appointment with death that we must all keep.

 

But, the hymn is not talking about death in general, but a look at the hope that is found in the heart of a disciple. It speaks of Heaven, being with Christ, and taking one home to God. From that standpoint, death is simply a door or a passageway to get from one room to the next room. I’m in my office writing. If I want to go into another room, I must walk through a doorway. I’ve not changed. I’m the same person in both rooms. I’ve moved from one room to the next. In many ways, that’s all death is for the righteous. Nothing to fear. Nothing to dread. Go through that door and be with God.

 

Second, there are all kinds of questions, curiosity and other aspects that we wonder about with death that are simply not shared with us in the Bible. Will I see the angels? How many angels does God send? Do I see myself floating away from earth? Is it fast or is it slow and dramatic? Will I know what’s happening? What will it feel like? So many questions. Trust the Lord. It will be fine. God will take care of us. He always has.

 

Third, in the account of the rich man and Lazarus, after death, they seem to have their identity, memory, feelings, concerns, and understanding why they are where they are. The rich man is able to see Abraham and Lazarus. Could Lazarus see the rich man? In death, it was just the opposite of what they experienced in life. The rich man had everything while on earth. In death, he became a beggar. Lazarus, unable to even keep the dogs away from him, in death is comforted by Abraham. The contrasts in both life and death between these two are amazing.

 

I do a lot of flying to get to places to preach. I’m asked often, “How was the flight?” And, I’ve seen just about everything. Saw a guy removing his shoes and then his socks. Ugh. Heard conversations the entire flight, thinking don’t they ever take a breath? Fussy kids. Complaining passengers. Long lines. Spilled drinks. Bumpy flights. Turbulence. But, once I am where I need to be, it doesn’t matter. I’m an on the ground and all is well.

 

And, in a similar way, I think that’s how we’ll feel when we make it home to Heaven. How was your journey? For some, long. For some, hard. For some, lonely. For some, a joy. For some, peaceful. But, once we are at home with God, it won’t matter. We’ll be where we are supposed to be.

 

Will the angels come? Yes. Certainly. Sent from Heaven, bidding God’s call, to carry us safely to where we belong.

 

Roger

 

15

Jump Start # 3741

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3741

 

John 4: 35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”

 

This week, we have been looking at long forgotten hymns taken from a 1914 hymnal entitled, The New Gospel Songbook. This hymnal was edited by G.H.P. Showalter and Austin Taylor. The hymnal is small and in paperback format. It contains 220 songs.

 

There are some really obscure hymns, such as: “The call from the Islands,” which is a plea to send the Gospel to the far away islands. There is also a strong military theme such as: Hold the fort, or, Volunteers to the front, or, The bugle call is ringing, or, as in our Jump Start yesterday, At the battle’s front.

 

The forgotten hymn that we look at today is called, “Be a toiler for the Lord.” The words and music were both penned by R. L. Leftwich. I could find no information about Leftwich other than the name of another hymn that he wrote.

 

Be a Toiler for the Lord

Dear Lord, why should we linger here, and with the idler stand,

With sickle dull, the harvest fair, and reapers in demand.

 

The grain is waving to and fro, O hear the tempest sweep,

As thro’ the harvest field it goes, haste, brother, let us reap.

 

Far down the valley idlers stand, not knowing what to do,

O give to them a helping hand, that they may labor too.

 

Dear Lord, help us to labor on in life’s great harvest field,

That when our toiling here is done, abundant be Thy yield.

 

Chorus: Brother, go and work for Jesus,

Be a toiler for the Lord,

Labor on and be a winner,

And receive the great reward.

 

  This hymn sounds very similar to the words of our verse today. The Lord is calling for reapers. The harvest is ready. Lift up your eyes. Look. There are other hymns that carry the idea of laboring for the Lord. “To the work, to the work,” “Work for the night is coming,” “I want to be a worker for the Lord,” “Lord send me,” and the ole’ classic, “Bringing in the sheaves.”

 

Here are some thoughts for us:

 

First, we have a tendency to put off kingdom work. It’s important, we know that. But, somehow we take care of self first and the kingdom later. We wear ourselves out doing stuff for us, but little for the kingdom. Throughout the N.T., the call to busy ourselves in the work of the Lord is found.

 

There are people to encourage. There are people to teach. There are people to strengthen. And, if we don’t do it who will? Not the world. Not the entertainment community. Not schools. And, not many families. This work falls to us. If we don’t, no one will.

 

Second, there are those who will only do something if asked or paid. The spirit and heart of a servant is missing. The “why should I” ought never to cross our lips. We do because we care. We do because the Lord first did to us. We do because it’s the right thing to do.

 

Brother, go and work for Jesus. You’ll find more work than you can do. You’ll find the laborers are few. You’ll find many reasons to quit. You’ll find opposition every step of the way. Tired. Lonely. Weary. And, discouraged because of those standing idle, yet we must “go work for Jesus.”

 

The dedicated athlete will get up and run another mile after he has run so many already. He will do that when he is tired and his body hurts. He will do that when his mind is screaming “quit.” He will push himself onward because that is where his goal is taking him.

 

Go and work for the Lord.

 

Third, the work done in the kingdom is spiritual and eternal. It can change the course direction of a family. It can benefit hundreds of lives. Like planting a tiny tree, we may never enjoy the shade from that tree or eat of it’s fruit, but others will.

 

I think of my friend, Van, who in his 80s, travels to study the Bible with men on death row in Alabama. Talk about a tough work. But he has used his sickle to harvest fields that are ready for the Lord. His incentive is that this is right and good and everyone seems to have forgotten those lost souls. Go and work for Jesus is what he does.

 

Be a toiler for the Lord—it’s the greatest thing you can be known for.

 

Roger

 

14

Jump Start # 3740

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3740

 

Philippians 1:16 the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;

 

This week, we are taking a look at an old paperback hymn book published in 1914 called, “The New Gospel Songbook.” We began this little journey yesterday. This hymnal was published by the Firm Foundation Publishing house and was edited by brethren G. H. P. Showalter and Austin Taylor.

 

Today, we look at the hymn “At the Battle’s Front.” Both the lyrics and music was written by Mrs. C. H. Morris. Her real name was Lelia Nalor Morris. She used her husband’s initials, “C. H.” as was common in that day. She was born in 1862 and died in 1929. She was a Methodist hymnwriter with more than 1,000 songs to her credit.

 

At the Battle’s Front, was composed and published in 1906, just a decade before America got involved in World War I.

 

  At the Battle’s Front

I’ve enlisted for life in the army of the Lord,

Tho’ the fight may be long and the struggle fierce and hard;

With the armor of God and the Spirit’s trusty sword

At the front of the battle you will find me

 

With the banner of love and of holiness unfurl’d,

Full salvation proclaim to a sinful, dying world;

Tho’ the darts thick and fast from the enemy be hurl’d,

At the front of the battle you will find me

 

Is your name, friend, enroll’d with the loyal ones and true?

Will you dare now to stand with the Saviour’s faithful few?

Will you join with me now and the covenant renew,

At the front of the battle you will find me

 

The Chorus: Hear the tramp! Tramp! Tramping of the army,

The triumph shouting,

The foe we’re routing;

Hear the tramp! Tramp! Tramping of the army,

Marching on to victory…

I’m in this army, this glorious army,

And the God of battles will defend me,

 I’m in this army,

This glorious army,

At the front of the battle you will find me.

 

I can see young people liking this song and even stomping their feet at the “tramp, tramp, tramping” part. At the front of the battle you will find me. What a great declaration and absolute. Looking for me? You’ll find me at the front…at the front of the battle.

 

Some thoughts from this hymn:

 

First, some people do not know where they will be when the battle begins. They may be at the front, or they may be running away. They are not sure. They have to wait and see how things go. They haven’t made their minds up yet. Not this hymn. The mind was sure. I’ll be at the front.

 

Second, it is at the front where the most intense battle takes place. The front is not for cowards. The front is not for those who don’t know whose side they are on. The front is for the soldier. The front is where the fighting takes place. One may lose his life at the front. But, defending the Gospel, as our verse states today, is for those who are on the front.

 

The prophet who declared, “Here am I send me,” understood that he was heading to the thickest part of the battle. Far too many sit safely on the sidelines of faith. They want others to do the work. They want others to get in the mud. They want to remain safe and comfortable. It’s a shame to have deacons who rarely do anything for the kingdom. It’s a shame to have shepherds who follow the sheep, rather than lead.

 

At the front of the battle you will find me. At the front, showing others Jesus. At the front, teaching God’s word. At the front, defending the word and supporting the kingdom.

 

Third, the kingdom thrives today because of those who are willing to grab their gear and head to the front. It’s dangerous. It’s risky. It’s hard. But, it’s where they want to be. They want to help the Lord and His kingdom. It’s like a seasoned preacher who moves to a small struggling congregation. The work is lonely and hard. That’s the front of the battle. It’s the brave college student who will not sit quietly while an arrogant professor mocks and ridicules the God that she loves.

 

As fires have scorched the hills of California, many residents were told to flee. They were running away. But the brave fire fighters were heading to the intense flames. They were at the front of the battle. And, such it is for the disciple of Jesus. Many are running away, but we are headed straight to the front lines. As Jude says, “…snatching them out of the fire” (23). To do that, we must be close to the flames. We must be willing to reach out and save those who are nearly gone. Front of the battle is where this takes place.

 

All across this planet there are brave men and women who stand shoulder to shoulder at the front of the battle doing what they can.

 

Tramp! Tramp! Tramping of the army! Marching on to victory.

 

At the front of the battle you will find me.

 

I wish we still sang this hymn.

 

Roger

 

 

13

Jump Start # 3739

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3739

 

Psalms 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.

 

I like singing. I especially like singing hymns. I really don’t understand music, although my wife could probably play piano on the professional level if she had pushed herself that direction. All my children know music and the three boys can all lead singing very well. I guess I was standing in the wrong line when the gift of music was handed out. I tell people that every band has a bus driver and that’s me.

 

I have a collection of song books. A few are very dear to me because they came from congregations where by grandparents and great grandparents once attended. Those congregations no longer exist. One of the hymn books, “The New Gospel Song Book,” was published by the Firm Foundation in 1914 and edited by G.H.P. Showalter and Austin Taylor, our brethren.

 

The copy I have is pretty rough. Pages torn, pieces  falling off, but what a treasure of wonderful hymns. Many of the hymns in that old song book are the same ones that we sing today, which presents an interesting thought. Why do some hymns endure through generations and others not? Could be how often certain ones were sung over and over. Could be the tune was easy to remember. Could be the words.

 

For the next few Jump Starts, I want to pull out some lesser known and old forgotten hymns from this 1914 hymnal and share some thoughts with you.

 

We start with the hymn: “Will there be any Stars.” The words were written by E. E. Hewitt, and the tune came from John Sweeney, who was the professor of music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy for twenty-five years, and produced over 1,000 hymns and edited 60 hymnals.

 

Will there be any stars

 

I am thinking today of that beautiful land I shall reach when the sun goeth down;

When thro’ wonderful grace by my Saviour I stand,

Will there be any stars in my crown?

 

In the strength of the Lord let me labor and pray,

Let me watch as a winner of souls;

That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day,

When His praise like the sea billow rolls.

 

O what joy will it be when His face I behold,

Living gems at His feet to lay down;

It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,

Should there be any stars in my crown.

 

Chorus: Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown, when at evening the sun goeth down?

When I wake with the blest, in the mansions of rest,

Will there be any stars in my crown?

 

  I have never heard this song. There is a 1950 Western movie with the title, “Stars in the crown.” There is also a children’s book with the title, “Stars in my crown,” and a couple of Youtube recordings of this hymn.

 

It is interesting how time changes and in some ways how we see things differently. When I first read the words of this song, I thought, “Who cares if there are stars in my crown?” If I have a crown, that ought to be enough. I could see someone thinking, “I doubt I’ll have any stars. I didn’t do much.” And, rather than being encouraged, this song would deflate them.

 

Here are some thoughts:

 

First, the Lord is generous. Just look at how you have been blessed. The parable of the laborers in the vineyard illustrates the generosity of God. The man who worked but one hour received the same as those who worked all day. Don’t worry about stars in your crown. The Lord is good. He’ll take care of you. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Second, the second stanza sounds a bit like salvation by works. He mentions grace at the beginning, but then talks about the winning of souls as that might be a means to get stars. Winning souls is not about what we get. It’s about bringing someone to the Lord. It’s about salvation. Whether we get something for our labors is not the motive for working in the kingdom.

 

Third, I like the line, “O what joy will it be when His face I behold.” That sounds like Revelation 22:4. What joy that will be. We have sung about the Lord. We have prayed to the Lord. We have read His words. We have tried to walk closely with Him. But to see His face…nothing will be greater than that. I can’t prove this, but I tend to think the Lord will be smiling at us when He sees our face. When the Lord took the hand of Jairus’ departed little daughter and said, “Little girl, arise.” She opened her eyes and there was Jesus. I like to think that’s the way it will be for us when we depart. We’ll close our eyes here only to open them on the other side and see Jesus.

 

It is good, as this hymn begins, to think of that beautiful land. Set your mind above, the Colossians were told. The dreariness of winter, the troubles of this life, the long journey that we are on, can weigh heavily upon our hearts. But, thinking of that beautiful land helps us to press on. We think about who will be there. We think about our Lord. We think about all the things that will no longer plague us. We think about the endless praise of the Lord. Being in His presence. Home, finally home, where we belong.

 

Have you thought today of that beautiful land that we shall reach when the sun goeth down? Wonderful thought that carries you through today. As you think about that land, suddenly so much of what we do today really doesn’t matter. Just like that, our priorities get reshaped. So, the house doesn’t get cleaned to look like the pictures in magazines. So, I didn’t get everything done today. Spending time thinking about that beautiful land that we shall reach, is healthful for the soul and good for the heart.

 

Our verse today is a reminder that God is praised though the songs we sing. New songs. Old songs. Familiar songs. Forgotten songs.

 

In coming days, Lord willing, I’ll pick out a few more hymns that time has forgotten.

 

Roger