Part 27 (1/2)

Speed away, speed away with the life-giving Word, To the nations that know not the voice of the Lord; Take the wings of the morning and fly o'er the wave, In the strength of your Master the lost ones to save; He is calling once more, not a moment's delay, Speed away! speed away! speed away!

Speed away, speed away with the message of rest, To the souls by the tempter in bondage oppressed; For the Saviour has purchased their ransom from sin, And the banquet is ready. O gather them in; To the rescue make haste, there's no time for delay, Speed away! speed away! speed away!

”ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!”

Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould, the author of this rousing hymn of Christian warfare, a rector of the Established Church of England and a writer of note, was born at Exeter, Eng., Jan. 28, 1834. Educated at Clare College, Cambridge, he entered the service of the church, and was appointed Rector of East Mersea, Ess.e.x, in 1871. He was the author of several hymns, original and translated, and introduced into England from Flanders, numbers of carols with charming old Christmas music. The ”Christian Soldiers” hymn is one of his (original) processionals, and the most inspiring.

Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus Going on before.

Christ the Royal Master Leads against the foe; Forward into battle, See, His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, etc.

Like a mighty army Moves the Church of G.o.d; Brothers, we are treading Where the saints have trod; We are not divided, All one body we, One in hope, in doctrine, One in charity.

_THE TUNE._

Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan, Doctor of Music, who wrote the melody for this hymn, was born in London, May 13, 1842. He gained the Mendelssohn Scholars.h.i.+p at the Royal Academy of Music, and also at the Conservatory of Leipsic. He was a fertile genius, and his compositions included operettas, symphonies, overtures, anthems, hymn-tunes, an oratorio (”The Prodigal Son”), and almost every variety of tone production, vocal and instrumental. Queen Victoria knighted him in 1883.

The grand rhythm of ”Onward, Christian Soldiers”--hymn and tune--is irresistible whether in band march or congregational wors.h.i.+p. Sir Arthur died in London, November 22, 1900.

”O CHURCH ARISE AND SING”

Designed originally for children's voices, the hymn of five stanzas beginning with this line was written by Hezekiah b.u.t.terworth, author of the _Story of the Hymns_ (1875), _Story of the Tunes_ (1890), and many popular books of historic interest for the young, the most widely read of which is _Zigzag Journeys in Many Lands_. He also composed and published many poems and hymns. He was born in Warren, R.I., Dec. 22, 1839, and for twenty-five years was connected with the _Youth's Companion_ as regular contributor and member of its editorial staff. He died in Warren, R.I., Sept. 5, 1905.

The hymn ”O Church, arise” was sung in Mason's tune of ”Dort” until Prof. Case wrote a melody for it, when it took the name of the ”Convention Hymn.”

Professor Charles Clinton Case, music composer and teacher, was born in Linesville, Pa., June, 1843. Was a pupil of George F. Root and pursued musical study in Chicago, Ill., Ashland, O., and South Bend, Ind. He was a.s.sociated with Root, McGranahan, and others in making secular and church music books, and later with D.L. Moody in evangelical work.

As author and compiler he has published numerous works, among them _Church Anthems_, the _Harvest Song_ and _Case's Chorus Collection_.

O Church! arise and sing The triumphs of your King, Whose reign is love; Sing your enlarged desires, That conquering faith inspires, Renew your signal fires, And forward move!

Beneath the glowing arch The ransomed armies march, We follow on; Lead on, O cross of Light, From conquering height to height, And add new victories bright To triumphs won!

”THE BANNER OF IMMANUEL!”

This hymn, set to music and copyrighted in Buffalo as a floating waif of verse by an unknown author, and used in Sunday-school work, first appeared in Dr. F.N. Peloubet's _Select Songs_ (Biglow and Main, 1884) with a tune by Rev. George Phipps.

The hymn was written by Rev. Theron Brown, a Baptist minister, who was pastor (1859-1870) of churches in South Framingham and Canton, Ma.s.s. He was born in Willimantic, Ct., April 29, 1832.

Retired from pastoral work, owing to vocal disability, he has held contributory and editorial relations with the _Youth's Companion_ for more than forty years, for the last twenty years a member of the office staff.

Between 1880 and 1890 he contributed hymns more or less regularly to the quartet and antiphonal chorus service at the Ruggles St. Church, Boston, the ”Banner of Immanuel” being one of the number. _The Blount Family_, _Nameless Women of the Bible_, _Life Songs_ (a volume of poems), and several books for boys, are among his published works.

The banner of Immanuel! beneath its glorious folds For life or death to serve and fight we pledge our loyal souls.