Song Incidents
bliss’ songs for good — GOSPEL HTMNS IN CHINA AND JAPAN — LETTERS FROM MISSIONARIES — LETTER FROM REV. ARTHUR T. FIERSON — ILLUS-TRATIONS OF THE POWER OF SONG.
THE following letter from Mr. Bliss’ friend and co-worker, Mr. Sankey, will be read with peculiar interest at this time:
It was in the autumn of 1870 that I for the first time met P. P. Bliss. I had just arrived in Chicago to join Mr. Moodj in his work in that city, and had gone with him to attend the noon-day prayer meeting in Lower Farwell Hall. Mr. Bliss was leading the singing, and at the close of the meeting Mr. Moody demanded of us a song. Seating himself at the piano which was in the room, we sang from “Hallowed Songs:”
Oh, think of the home over there,
By the Bide of the River of Light,
Where the saints, all immortal and fair,
Are robed in their garments of white
Over there, over there.
This was our first song together, and the last one we sang, a few days before he passed “Over There,” was “Hallelujah I what a Savior 1” It was my pleasure to have met Mr. Bliss very often afterward, in the Saturday noon meetings, for the study of the International Sunday School Lessons. In these meetings, as well as in the usual daily prayer meetings, he was always a blessing and an inspiration.
During the time I was in Chicago, prior to our going to England, I became familiar with many of Mr. Bliss’ songs, and they struck me as being specially adapted for reaching the masses, and, that I might have them in convenient shape for use in evangelistic work, I gathered a number of them from his “Charm” and “Sunshine,” and, with other sacred songs, arranged them into a “Musical Scrap Book,” which, with my Bible, was the only book I took with me across the sea.
It was while singing from this scrap book, “Jesus of Nazareth PassetU By,” “Come Home, Prodigal Child,” and Mr. Bliss’ “Hold the Fort,” “Jesus Loves Me,” and “Free from the Law,” in the old Cathedral city of York and in Stinderland, England, that we began to fully realize the wonderful power there was in these Gospel songs. The demand for them soon became &o great that we were compelled to have them published in a cheap form, which we did, under the title of “Sacred Songs and Solos.” This collection coAtniiHsd a number of Mr. Bliss’ best songs, which, together with a companion book of “Words Only” (the latter being sold for a penny) is believed to have ELrtained a larger circulation than any collection of hymns and tunes ever publislitd.
The first of Mr. Bliss’ hymns that became popular in Great Britam wan “Jesus Loves Even Me,” and, more than any other hymn, it became the key note of our meetings there. The next song which became immensely popular was “Hold the Fort,” and it is to-day, perhaps, the most popular sacrtd aong in England or America.
I should think Mr. Bliss* “Almost Persuaded” has won more souls to the Savior than any other hymn written by him.
It has been no unusual thing, in our special meetings for young converts, to have them testify that it was the singing of “Almost Persuaded,” or “What shall the Harvest Be?” that led them to decide for Christ. During the last year, the hymn “Waiting and Watching” has been specially blessed, and we believe that through the singing of this little hymn, thousands have bten led to desire to live a better and a holier life. This song, with many of h;s new ones, will ever have a deeper and a tenderer meaning to us, now that ho has entered within the gates into the city of the great King, where he niny be “Waiting and Watching” for us; and with what new joy and rejoicing jahall we now sing his sweet words:
Many loved ones have I in yon heavenly throng;
They are safe now in glory, and this is their song:
Hallelujah ’tis done! 1 believe on the Son;
I am saved by the blood of the crucified One.**
‘• He was not. for God took him.” Gen. v, 24.
Ira D. Sanke?.
BoiTOH, Feb. 1877.
The following letters from Japan and China are given in full to show the far-reaching influence of the Gospel Hymns and tho sympathy of Mr. Bliss in work for Christ all over the earth. He loved and prayed for all who named the name of Christ, and especially prayed for those engaged in missionary labor in foreign lands. The writer of these letters he became interested in through his wife, who was a cousin of Mrs. True. She had accompanied her husband, who was a missionary in Japan, and after his death remained in that country with her little girl, to carry on the work of wiTining souls for Christ. The letter of October 11th Mr. Bliss received at Jackson, Michigan, in the latter part of November. He read it over to me, with his heart full of sympathy for the lonely one in the Lord’s work in the far off land, and with much emotfon said: “Whittle, we should be ashamed of ourselves if we ever speak of sacrificing anything in being in the work as we are, compared with such devotion.” Very fervent and tender was the prayer that followed for this sister and for all missionary laborers. The same day he ordered a hundred books forwarded by his publishers to Japan. The happy letter of January 1st he, of course, never saw. Two days before it was written he had passed into the presence of the King to receive the “well done” of the Master, in answer to the prayers in the far away mission home in Japan, and from many and many another home and heart made glad by his Christian sympathy and Christian song. May many a Christian who reads these letters be stimulated to remember in prayer this dear sister in Christ, for whom Mr. and Mrs. Bliss prayed, and the cause of Christ in Japan, and all over the earth. These dear servants of Jesus who have gone out from us are our brethren in the Lord. Let us bear them often before the Throne. Let us have a place in our hearts for them always, for “their work’s sake,” and let us encourage them by our sympathy and by our aid in every way we can, for Jesus’ sake.
“There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Eph. iv, 4-6.
It was clear to Mr. Bliss, from the Scriptures, that the coming of the Lord was delayed by the lukewarmness of the Church in spreading the Gospel, and may his frequent and oft-repeated prayer be speedily answered, that the baptism of the Spirit may come upon the Church, that she may complete the number of such as shall be saved, and the Lord may return,
ToKio, Japan, October 11, 1876.
Prof. P. P. Bliss:
Dbar Brother, — Your kind note of July 8th lies before me. I had it in my heart to reply by the first mail after its reception, but an unusual pressure of care and labor, incident to a change of residence and work, made it imxissible.
You know somewhat of our work in Yokohama, by way of Sister Sarah, I presume. Perhaps you will not take less interest in my present field of labor. Last August, I was applied to, by a Japanese Christian, to take charge of a school for girls, in one of the principal streets of this immense city. He proposed to furnish the building and be responsible for all of the expenses of the school except the salary of myself and assistant ‘^fpsr^w’-
LETTER FROM JAPAN. 171’
‘ITie fact that such an opening occurred in the native city, where all of the ’ missionaries wished to go, but were not able, because of government restrictions, made it seem to me, and to all with whom I spoke of the matter sufficiently important to warrant me in leaving the work in which I had been engaged to occupy a field so hopeful. Now I am here in the midst of heathendom with my little girl, and no other person in the house except natives. The school is opening well, I think, and I hope to be used of God in preparing many of these ’ dear girls for usefulness in this land, where Satan has so long reigned. I do indeed find that, were it not for the very precious promises of God, my lot would be one of special trial. I am not alone, but even the presence of a Heavenly Friend does not still the heart-cries for earthly love and sympathy.
The harvest is great and the laborers few; so I will not be impatient, but when the Master has finished the plan for me here, I shall be glad, I think, to join my dear one on the other shore. I hope you will not understand me to complain of my lot. Far from it. I know that I am entirely unworthy of this blessed work; my heart will sometimes ask why my dear husband, who ’ was so much better fitted for it, and who so wished to engage in it, was taken home, and I sent alone. God does not make mistakes.
You very kindly offer to furnish some singing books for our use. I am very glad to accept, as we teach English (that is the attraction to bring in pupils), and singing is a very important help. I have one copy of Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs, and we have already learned a few pieces, but, of course, find it very difficult to do so without books.
I do not wish to make too large a request, but if you can send fifty copies, I will sell as many as I can to the girls, and pay you for as many as you wish, or use the money for other mission purposes. You see I take you at your word, and believe in accepting all the aid offered us by Christian friends.
I wish I could tell you how much we need your prayers. I can not, but I pray God to teach all Christians at home to pray as never before for this land in this time of special interest in her history.
With the prayer that God will make you the instrument for leading many
more souls into the Kingdom, I am your sister in Christ,
Maria T. Trub.
No. 12 GmzA Sanchome, Tukio, Japan.
I meant to have said if you prefer to send any other book, do so, of course. I spoke of that because I have enjoyed the music much.
No. 12 GiMZA Sanchomb, Tokio, Jan. Ist, 1877.
Prof. P. P. Bliss:
Dear Brother, — Surely it is a pleasant thing to be able to begin this new year by writing a letter of thanks.
We had our Christmas festivities on the 26th, as we could not prepare in” one day, and our school-rooms are also our church, and so we did not wish to decorate on Saturday. There were mure than three hundred persons present.
and nearly all were Japanese. For this I was very thLnkful. as it furnished the opportunity to tell many for the first time of our Savior’s wondrous love.
I retired exceedingly weary, but glad in heart, because I believed the Master was pleased with our efforts to spread the news of His love. Before I arose next morning, a servant announced at my door, “Americano yubin” (American mail) I He knew full well that, notwithstanding my fatigue, I would wish to know at once the glad tidings. I hastened to see what was in store for mo and to my surprise and joy thhte were the “hymn books.” I cannot tell you how glad I was, but I told our Father, and I am sure He will return a hundred fold. At morning worship we had a thanksgiving service, and afterward the girls and I had a “sing.” I wish you could have seen their happy faces, as they saw the nice new books, and turned at once to find “Whosoever Will.” They had learned that from my one copy, and sang it the evening before. But there were so many / What was intended? There was no letter to explain, and I could not wait a whole month to know, and so I just said we will share our joy with the other throe schools in our mission. I gave a part to Miss Youngman, who has a girls’ school, and some to Mr. Ballagh, who has a boys’ school in Yokohama, and sent some to Miss Marsh for her school, also in Yokohama. That leaves a nice supply for us, and we sing and sing until we are hoarse I I hope I have not done wrong with them. The others were delighted, and you may be sure that your name and songs will be well known in our mission in Japan at least.
I wonder whether you would not be interested in a sketch prepared by one of the girls in my school for our Christmas entertainment. I have a class of three, in English composition, and a few days before Christmas I told them that for their own profit and the pleasure of their friends, I wished them to prepare something on the life of Daniel. There is no translation of the Old Testament, and they must do it from what they could get from their English Bibles without help, and read without correction. I think I will send you one of them; not because it is so good, but to show you a little the ability and turn of mind of a girl fifteen years old.
This is, as you see, “New Year’s,” and the custom of calling prevails even in Japan. I have written in odd minutes between calls.
With many thanks, and ready to refund whatever part of price you say and with love to Mrs. B., I am yours truly,
M. T. True.
Mrs. True sends the sketch spoken of, which we omit here, as foreign to the purpose of this work. She adds a postscript, concluding as follows:
I will send by this mail a Japanese hymn book. If yon have not seen one, you may be interested in it. There is great diflBculty in getting hymns to fit any meter which pleases the Japanese ear. I wish we had some musicians to compose music according to their ideas — that is, in a meter which they like —
LETTEB FROM CHIlfA. 1?3
and we coald get translations to fit, I think music is sach a power here as everywhere.
The following letter from a missionary lady in China testifies to the appreciation there of Mr. Bliss’ hymns:
SoocHOW, China, Dec. 11, 1876.
Mr. p. p. Bliss:
Dear Sir, — 1 am sure from the spirit of your songs — which many of us in this far laud love to sing — that you are interested in all missionary operations and will be interested in hearing that some of your hymns are being given to this people. I know a number of the missionaries have translated your hymns into Chinese, and, as they are favorites with me, I translate them oftener than those of any other writer, to use in a little paper I edit, called the Glad Tidings Messenger, Thinking you may like to see one of your songs in Chinese, I send you my last little paper, in which you can perhaps recognize, “Blessed are They that Do,” though I changed it somewhat for convenience in rhythm.
May Qod use your service of song, and bless u richly in all its effects.
Yours truly.
Mrs. G.^o. F. Fitch
A St. Louis friend writes:
St. Loms. Missoubi, February 6, 1877.
Major D. W. Whittle:
On one of those Sunday afternoons when a Gospel meeting was being held by yourself and Mr. Bliss, in the skating rink, there came as fearful a storm of wind and rain as I ever witnessed. The old timbers quivered ominously. You were speaking, hut the noise was so great as to cause you to stop. The storm continuing, plain symptoms of alarm were becoming visible in the audience. Mr. Bliss, noticing this, by an inspiration from God, struck up a verse of the grand old hymn, “God moves in a mysterious Way.*’ The storm was at its fiercest. Just as he sang the words, “He rides upon the storm,” there was an instantaneous cessation of the storm; a little break occurred in the cloud, and a bright ray of brilliant light flashed directly and fully for a moment upon his face. Mrs. B. had been uneasy, and asked me — I was right at her side — if there was any danger. I reassured her, and when the incident occurred, she looked at me with one of the pleasantest and sweetest smiles and nodded her head; her look and manner being as much as to say, all is perfectly safe, for He who rides upon the storm has sent the brightness of His sunshine upon OS at this moment, as He sent the rainbow.
W. H. W.
Key. Arthur T. Pierson, of Detroit, speaks from the fullness of his heart respecting the dead singer:
Detboit, February 18, 1877.
My Deab Brother Whittle:
I have but a few moments in which to give you my estimate of our dear departed Brother Bliss. You know what rare opportunity that four weeks* stay at my house afforded me for knowing you both. When I think of him, I think of Anointed Song, You remember when, to fit your sermon, I wrote those words, “With harps and with viols,” that he went away to his room for a season of prayer, before he was willing to attempt to compose the music for those verses. Is it any marvel that dear Bliss’ songs have been made so conepicuously the channels for the conveyance of spiritual impressions, when we know that not only the words, but the music, too, are “sanctified by the word of God and prayer?” Has not Mr. Bliss been God’s instrument, in these days of perverted church music and operatic quartettes, to teach us how the Gospel may be sung, as well as preached?
He was well named “Bliss.” What a happy man he was! What a ray of sunshine, what a spring of joy in the household I My children will never forget him; and will always think of him as an illustration of the blessed peace and radiant cheerfulness of a Christian life. Ah, dear Whittle, what Cowper calls that “poor, lisping, stammering tongue” lies silent now, but “in a nobler, sweeter song,” he sings the power of Christ to save.
Affectionately thine,
Arthur T. Pierson.
Extract from a letter dated
Mobile, Alabama, February 6, 1977.
The night of that fearful disaster we were holding a church sociable at our house. It was bitter cold, but a good many had assembled, and near the close of the evening my brother sat down to the piano and with a group of voices commenced singing some of those now household hymns of the Bliss and Sankey collection — among others, “We’re going Home To-morrow.” How little we thought then of the terrible tragedy that was being enacted in another part of our land, and was even then taking home the two who first sang it to us here in Mobile, and in the singing led so many to long for the home beyond. To me it will ever be sacred to their memory.
How vividly are the incidents of his short stay here with us recalled. Our acquaintance makes us feel a part ownership in him as a friend; and is he not the dear noble brother of us all who name the name of Christ?
The church has lost in him and his dear wife two members of its very own family circle. Eternity alone can tell the deep impression made upon all by his song sermons in the pulpit, where his beautiful voice told so pleadingly the “old, old story” to poor dying sinners, or spoke the praises of his God in hallelujahs for the finished work of the Son. A chord of universal sympathy has been touched in our city, and we would fain join our voices with those of his many friends everywhere, in chanting his last sad requiem. May we be as ready when our summons comes. H, H. D.
Apfletok, Wi8., March 6, 1877. In the spring of 1875, it was my privilege to hear the vocalist, Mr. P. P. Bliss, in Chicago. With the earnest preaching and exhortation of Mr. Whittle, some of the sweet melodies of Mr. Bliss were intermingled. Never before did I so understand the power of sacred song to touch the heart, leading Chris-r tians to clasp closer and closer their birthright, and calling the wanderer home. It was a mixed multitude that evening, of high and low, rich and poor. Near me sat a group of joung men, looking torn and “bruised by the fall.” As Mr. Bliss sang the appeal embodied in the song, “Oh, brother, believe it, Christ has redeemed us once for all,” I observed tears coursing down those hard cheeks. The wanderers were touched, — perhaps saved.
Eternity alone can estimate the value of these consecrated gifts of song, and the part they bear in the rescue of fallen humanity. Humanly speaking, great multitudes have heard and obeyed the call sent to them, through the “Gospel Hymns” of our departed friend. His voice will be heard on earth no more, but his work still lives. And he lives. Ashtabula was but the dark river, or the “chariot of fire” to bear him away to the home of which he had so often sung. It was the new life, and the “new song” begun; ’twas Immortality. L. A. B.
One Sunday a man came into the Sunday School at the Boston North End Mission, drawn by the sweetness of the children’s singing. He remained until the close, and came again that evening to the prayer-meeting. When the customary invitation to seek the Savior was given, he came forward and found “peace in believing.’* To a few who had remained to pray with the penitent seekers he said, “My friends, I feel that I’m a saved man, and / owe it to your children’s singing Jesus loves me,^ this afternoon, I couldn’t realize it, I’ve been such a miserable sinner; but after I went away I thought it over, * Jesus loves me; ’ and then I thought of the next line, * For the Bible tells me so,’ and I tried to believe it, and I came here this evening to get you to pray for me.” He became a regular attendant at the Mission, and gave the clearest evidence of a genuine change of heart.
At one of the revival meetings at Edinburgh a gay, giddy girl attended. She went late and was unable to get a seat, so she wandered about in the hall outside. Inside the church they were singing, led by Mr. Sankey, —
Oh, I am so glad
That Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me.
The words went to her heart and her conscience, and she said, I cannot sing that/^ When that meeting broke up she went to the meeting for anxious inquirers, and is now a rejoicing Christian.
A missionary of the American Sunday School Union in Missouri, after he had organized a Sunday School recently, sang to them Mr. Bliss’ delightful song, —
I am so glad that Jesus lovefi me,
and followed it with the question, “Are you glad? If not, why? ‘” He had hardly finished when a young man rose, and rushing up to him, threw his arms around his neck, sobbing, “Oh, sir, you must not leave here till I’m a Christian!” Prayer was offered for him, and he was saved. Then he exclaimed, “Oh, that song 1 I could not get away from it and it has saved me.”
A young woman in England went to a meeting where she heard Mr. Sankey singing this same hymn, —
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
and while the hymn was being sung, began to feel for the first time in her life that she was a sinner. All her sins came up in array before her; and so numerous and aggravated did her sins appear, that she imagined she never could be saved. She said in her heart, “Jesus cannot love me. He could not love such a sinner as I.” She went home in a state of extreme mental anguish, and did not sleep that night. Every opportunity of obtaining more light was eagerly seized. She took her place in the “Inquiry Room.” There she found to her astonishment and joy that Jesus could, did, does love sinners. She saw in God’s opened Word that it was for sinners Jesus died, and for none others. When she realized this she too began to sing:
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves mei even me.
In a praise meeting, during the revival services in Chicago, Mr. Sankey spoke as follows in regard to the power of this and other hymns:
What I have to thank God especially for is the wonderful way He has used the power of song. I remember about five years ago coming to yonder depot one morning early. It was my first visit to this great city, and I knew none here save one man. I went along Madison street, up State street, to the North Side, and met my dear brother Moody. I had met him one year before in a distant State, while he was engaged in the work of the Master. As I went along those streets, I recollect how I wondered if God had a work here for me in my coming to this city, or whether I had come on my own volition, and how while thinking in this way I sent up a prayer to God to bless me in the service in which I was about to engage. With thankfulness I remember the very first day I spent in this city. Somewhere down here we came among the sick and lowly, and went from one house to another singing and praying with the people; and what a blessing we received I
God led us into other fields. I remember when the Tabernacle was rebuilt how I used to enjoy gathering the little people in, and teaching them those sweet songs that are already encircling the globe. Yes, encircling the globe, for but a few days ago I received a copy of these Gospel Hymns printed in the Chinese language. They are sung in Africa and Asia, and are heard in France and Germany, England and America. I remember what peace and pleasure I Had as I first taught these little hymns on the North Side. One day a lady called on me when I first had those classes, and said, “There is a little singing girl belonging to one of your classes who is dying. She wants you to go and see her.” I went to her home — a little frame cottage — and there I found a little maid dying — one whom I had known so well in the Thursday evening meetings. I said, “My dear child, how is it with you?” “Will you pray for my father and mother as you pray for us?” was the reply. “But how is it with yourself?” I again asked. “Oh, sir,” she answered, “they tell me I am about to die, but I have found the Lord Jesus Christ.” “When did you become a Christian? “I inquired.” Don’t you remember one Thursday when you were teaching me to sing —
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesas loves me, Jesus loves me;
and don’t you remember how you told us that if we only gave our hearts to Him, He would love us ? — and I gave it to Him.”
What that little dying girl said to me helped to cheer me on more than anything I had heard before, because she was my first convert. Thank God, there have been many since.
During a Western Sunday School Convention, there arose a cry of dissatisfaction, “A ring!” “A ring!” The strange and false charge was made that the managers were conducting the convention according to some recent scheme. Quite a discordant excitement ensued, during which a distinguished singer who was present was called on to sing. He sang, —
All this I did for thee,
My precious blood I shed
That thou mightst ransomed be,
And rescued from the dead;
All this I did for thee — What hast thou done for me?
Through the song Christ seemed to whisper to the discordant convention, “Peace, be still,” and when the song had ceased, a calm, Christ-like spirit had filled the convention and continued with it to the end.
A gentleman in Edinburgh was in distress of soul, and happened to linger in a pew after the noon meeting. The choir had remained to practice, and began
Free from the law, oh, happy condition, etc.
Quickly the Spirit of God carried that truth home to the awakened conscience, and he was at rest in the finished work of Jesus.
Mr. Sankey was with Mr. Moody in Philadelphia, years since, during the progress of a very interesting meeting at Dr. Eeed’s church, when many were being awakened, and sang the beautiful Gospel hymn, “Almost Persuaded.” After the close of the meeting, an attorney, who had been very much interested, came forward and said that he was not only “almost” but “altogether persuaded” to put his trust in the Lord Jesus. This sweet song was used of the Holy Ghost in carrying the blessed Gospel of God’s Son to his heart.
The Columbus Glee Club lately paid a visit to the President and Mrs. Hayes at the White House. They sang a number of ditties in the corridor. At the close of the second song Mrs. Hayes made a special request for her favorite tunes. Among them was, “Let the Lower Lights be Burning.”
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