Posts Tagged Music
19th century English hymn discovered
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Hymns, Music, Theology on January 16, 2025
The tradition of composing Christian hymns goes back centuries and back in times of antiquity ministers of local churches actually wrote their own hymns for their own congregations. For example, John Newton wrote Amazing Grace while he was minister at Olney and that hymn was first sung in that place.
Such is the case with an original handwritten hymn I have discovered.
The hymn is written in English on a small piece of paper and dates to 1842 and likely originated in Wales. Written by a minister for Sunday school teachers the author based this hymn on John 21: 17 and 1 Corinthians 9: 27. The word “castaway” is used repeatedly in the hymn and is likely based upon the King James Version of Paul’s letter. In this Scripture the apostle advocates a strict subjection of his own body, lest after preaching to others he himself “should be a castaway”.
The sad reality is that this passage of Scripture has been abused. But such is not the case with this hymn. It is a sad reflection and is written out of deep concern, by a minister, for his Sunday school teachers. The Wesleyan interpretation of Scripture implies the hymn most likely has its origins in that denomination and it is not found in any Wesleyan hymn books. So it appears to have never been published. The hymn does not have a tune, which is normal since many hymns in those days did not have accompanying melodies. Many congregations used the popular tunes of the day to sing the words. Such would have been the case with this hymn.
I’ll post more about it as time goes on and research continues, but in the meantime, if anyone knows of any hymns from this era that contain references to 1 Corinthians 9: 27, please feel free to get in touch.
Hymn stories: All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Hymns, Theology on October 3, 2024
Way back in 1838 a railway man James Ellor (1819-1899) brought his local choir a tune. This was called “Diadem” and he had written the tune to be sung with the Edward Perronet hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”.
James Ellor was born in a place called Droylsden in Manchester and was choirmaster at his local Methodist Wesleyan Chapel and is also said to have worked in the hat industry.
Over the last few months I have been fascinated by this great old hymn and have sought to find the location where the hymn tune of this great hymn was first sung. Lo and behold I have found it. After looking through old maps and studying the location and all the related churches in the area I have narrowed the original location down to a site on Market St, Droylsden.
Today the original building is long gone but back in the 1830’s a chapel stood near and in between the location where a Co-operative Hall Wharf (dating to 1876) and an industrial building (dating to 1911) now stand. Thankfully, a local church meet very close to precise location so someone is still doing the Lords work there and there’s a tram stop near should anyone wish to visit. After all it is a very special hymn and should never be forgotten.
Today a number of versions of the hymn continue to be sung, and especially in America. This seems very fitting since James Ellor emigrated to America in 1843 where he returned to his trade a hat maker. So let us remember the words of this great hymn from the Methodist Hymn Book,
”Let every tribe and every tongue before Him prostrate fall, And shout in universal song The crowned Lord of all.
O that with yonder sacred throng We at His feet may fall, Join in the everlasting song, And crown Him Lord of all!”
I think all Christians everywhere, can agree with those great words. I know I can.
I have written my first hymn
Posted by simon peter sutherland in Hymns, Music, Theology on July 30, 2024
For many years I have been a great lover of wonderful old hymns. Guide Me O, Thou Great Jehovah, The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is ended and How Great Thou Art. All of these hymns have inspired me greatly throughout my life and I have been a worship leader a number of times and sung many great Christian worship songs.
Last year I read Keith and Kristyn Getty’s book “Sing” and it’s all about Christian music and the value of hymn writing. I was very motivated by this and while revisiting the Greek Island of Kos I wrote my first hymn.
Kos is very important to me as a Christian and I’ve made documentaries about it and explored St. Paul’s connection to the island (Acts 21: 1). It has been a long journey and this has contributed to my writing this song.
The hymn is not presently released but my wife and I have sung it. Jenny has been very instrumental in helping me make my documentaries and I’m very thankful to her and I have faith to believe that the Lord has given me this song as a nice gift and He will use it to His own glory and praise.
I believe the hymn will one day be a blessing to Christian’s everywhere, regardless of denomination or circumstances.
Simon Peter Sutherland
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Simon Peter Sutherland 