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Modern Messages from Great Hymns By ROBERT ELMER SMITH Introduction by BISHOP JAMES W. BASHFORD THE ABINGDON PRESS NEW YORK CINCINNATI Copyright, 1916, by ROBERT ELMER SMITH jBSKMBWfcV - Printed in the United States of America First Edition Printed September, 1916 Second Printing. April, 1918 Third Printing, February, 1928 TO COMMON FOLK IN THIS WORKADAY WORLD WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN ENRICHED BY THESE GREAT HYMNS CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE FOREWORD 11 INTRODUCTION 13 I. JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL 17 II. STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS 37 IIL SOME DAY THE SILVER CORD WILL BREAK, 57 IV. GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY 81 V. NEARER, MY GOD, TO THEE 101 VI. MAJESTIC SWEETNESS 123 VIL FAITH OF OUR FATHERS 145 VIII. HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.. 169 IX. ROCK OF AGES 193 X. LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT 215 XL ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS 239 XIL ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME.. . 261 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Jesus, Lover of my soul, Let me to thy bosom fly I Frontispiece FACING PAGE Stand up, stand up for Jesus 39 Some day the silver cord will break 59 God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform 83 Nearer, my God, to thee, Nearer to thee 103 Majestic sweetness sits enthroned Upon the Saviours brow 125 Faith of our fathers living still In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword 147 jHoly, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty 171 Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee 195 Lead, kindly Light, amid th encircling gloom, Lead thou me on 217 Onward, Christian soldiers Marching as to war 249 All hail the power of Jesus name 271 FOREWORD CHRISTIAN hymns have been scattered through the centuries, like sweet flowers, along the pilgrims rugged, earthly pathway, ex haling a more fragrant perfume as he draws nearto that heavenly city whose maker and builder is God It has been estimated that fully half a million hymns have been written in the more than two hundred languages and dialects in which Christianity is preached. These hymns have been a powerful factor in supporting and spreading the doctrines of the Christian Church. In the expression of gospel truth, in sublimity of diction, in whole some inspiration, in brilliancy of imagery, in grandeur of conception they are unsurpassed in all poetic literature. They have led the sinful to God have brought rest to the weary, have given strength to the faint, have inspired the discouraged with new hope, have comforted the sorrowing, have sweetened the trials of the living, have calmed the fears of the dying. Like Jacobs ladder, they reach from earth to heaven, from time to eternity. 11 12 FOREWORD The hymn messages contained in this volume are based upon some of the greatest as well as the best loved hymns of the modern church. The author has sought to interpret the doctrines, lessons, and spirit of these hymns which are loved by multitudes of Christian people throughout the civilized world. It has been the constant aim in these mes sages to make them modern, practical, pointed, and thoroughly evangelical. They come di rectly from the brain, heart, and lips of the living preacher. They are addressed to the common people to folk who, in this worka day world, are enjoying lifes blessings, pa tiently bearing the worlds burdens, passing through common trials, resisting alluring temptations, meeting stern adversities, and enduring crushing sorrows. They are sent forth with the earnest hope and prayer that they may bring some crumbs of cheer, peace, andcomfort to many a troubled heart. ROBERT ELMER SMITH, Portland, Oregon, 1916.