Hymn Composers Trivia

1. According to Nethymnal.org, the oldest hymn for which we know the author is 'Shepherd of Tender Youth', written by Clement of Alexandria, circa 200. In what country is Alexandria?

From Quiz Hymns and Hymnists With an Unusual Story -- #2

Answer: Egypt

Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, after Cairo, and is on the Mediterranean Sea. (Incidentally, there is a second Alexandria. The city is found in northern Greece, the country of Clement's birth.) Titus Flavius Clemens was known as Clement of Alexandria to distinguish him from the earlier Clement of Rome. It is believed he was born in Athens and lived from 150 to 215. The words to 'Shepherd of Tender Youth' were translated from Greek into English by Hen­ry M. Dex­ter in 1846. Nethymnal.org states "this is prob­ab­ly the old­est Christ­ian hymn whose au­thor is known." Here are the words to 'Shepherd of Tender Youth': "Shepherd of tender youth, guiding in love and truth Through devious ways; Christ our triumphant King, We come Thy Name to sing and here our children bring To join Thy praise. Thou art our holy Lord, O all subduing Word, Healer of strife. Thou didst Thyself abase That from sin's deep disgrace Thou mightest save our race And give us life. Thou art the great High Priest; Thou hast prepared the feast Of holy love; and in our mortal pain, None calls on Thee in vain; Help Thou dost not disdain, Help from above. Ever be Thou our guide, our shepherd and our pride, Our staff and song; Jesus, Thou Christ of God, By Thine enduring Word lead us where Thou hast trod, Make our faith strong. So now, and till we die, sound we Thy praises high And joyful sing; infants and the glad throng Who to Thy church belong, unite to swell the song To Christ, our King."

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of Canada's John M. Moore

Answer: More than 165

Over the decades, John M. Moore has written no less than 167 hymns. Without question, his most popular hymn is 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary'. During his 2015 visit to Grace Bible Chapel in Timmins, Ontario, Moore said 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary' has been translated into a large number of different languages. "I am not sure of the exact number of translations, but it's something like thirty different languages the hymn has been translated into," he said. "I find it amazing."

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Incredible Isaac Watts

Answer: Jethro Tull

Jethro Tull, similar to Isaac Watts, was born in 1674. Tull was an English agricultural pioneer who is credited with bringing about the British Agricultural Revolution. Tull perfected a horse-drawn seed drill in 1701 that economically sowed the seeds in neat rows, Wikipedia reports. He later developed a horse-drawn hoe. "Tull's methods were adopted by many great land owners and helped to provide the basis for modern agriculture," Wikipedia states. "This revolutionized the future of agricultural success." The 1970s rock band Jethro Tull was named after the English agriculturalist.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Captivating Charles Wesley

Answer: England

Charles Wesley was born in England and spent practically all his life there, with the exception of a few months in the United States. He was born De­cem­ber 18, 1707 in Ep­worth, Lin­coln­shire and died March 29, 1788 in Lon­don. He is buried at Ma­ry­le­bone Par­ish Church in Lon­don. According to Wikipedia, Wesley was appointed Secretary of Indian Affairs in 1735 for the Georgia Colony but left less than a year later as "he was largely rejected by the settlers."

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the 'Amazing' John Newton

Answer: England

England is the correct answer. John Newton was born in 1725 in Wapping and died in London in 1807. Newton's mother Elizabeth died when he was seven years old and his father, John Newton Sr., took him to sea at the age of eleven. Previous to going to sea with his father, Newton had spent two years at a private boarding school.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of Canada's George Beverly Shea

Answer: Ontario

George Beverly Shea was born in in Winchester, Ontario. The community, now part of the Township of North Dundas and formed by amalgamation in 1998, is about 50 kilometres (about 30 miles) from Ottawa. According to Wikipedia, the village was originally settled by Ben Bates in 1835 and was first called Bates Corners. By 1855, Winchester had a post office, general store, blacksmith shop, a carriage maker and a farm produce business, Wikipedia reports. Shea was born February 1, 1909, and was the son of Reverend A. J. Shea and Maude Whitney Shea. Wikipedia reports Shea's first public singing was in the choir of his father's Wesleyan Methodist Church. Winchester is also the home of two other notable Canadians. They are Larry Robinson, a legendary defenceman with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League and Dewey Martin, a drummer with the rock band Buffalo Springfield. Incidentally, the world's largest nickel is a roadside attraction in Sudbury, and Manitoulin Island, situated in the northern part of Lake Huron, is the world's largest freshwater island. The Maple Leafs represent Toronto, the capital of Ontario, in the National Hockey League.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Faithful Fanny Crosby

Answer: New York

Brewster is in Putnam County in New York. The community is in the southeastern part of the state and its population was 2,390 when the 2010 census was taken. Here's some fascinating information courtesy Wikipedia: Brewster has the highest concentration of Guatemalans in the United States, comprising 38.16 per cent of the village's population when the 2010 census was taken.

From Quiz Christian Hymns by Fanny J. Crosby

Answer: Blindness

Fanny Crosby became blind after a supposedly incompetent doctor suggested using a mustard poultice on her inflamed eyes. This occurred in 1820.

From Quiz Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Answer: heart, grace

The tune of "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" is an American folk tune, written by Asahel Nettleton in the 19th century. (Source: Mark L. Dalbey, Covenant Theological Seminary)

From Quiz Hymn Composers 2

Answer: J.W. Van de Venter

Mr.J.W. Van de Venter struggled between going into full-time evangelist work, or becoming a recognized artist. When it came time for him to make his decision he surrendered all to Christ and became an evangelist. Afterward, he realized God had hidden a song in his heart. Resulting from this, he influenced the early preaching of Billy Graham.

From Quiz Name the Hymn Composer

Answer: Lydia Baxter

Lydia Baxter was an invalid, nevertheless she was cheerful. When asked about her triumph over pain, she would reply, "I have the name of Jesus."

From Quiz Hymnists With Notable Secular Achievements -- #4

Answer: Rutherford B. Hayes and Queen Victoria

Rutherford B. Hayes was president of the United States and Queen Victoria was the ruling monarch in Great Britain in 1878, the year John Greenleaf Whittier wrote the hymn 'Thine Are All the Gifts, O God'. Whittier was born De­cem­ber 17, 1807, near Ha­ver­hill, Mass­a­chu­setts and died Sep­tem­ber 7, 1892, in Hamp­ton Falls, New Hamp­shire. He is buried at Un­ion Cem­e­te­ry, in Ames­bu­ry, Mass­a­chu­setts. Whittier was a vehement opponent of slavery and mobs attacked him several times because of his views. He was an editor of a number of publications, including the Ha­ver­hill Ga­zette and the New Eng­land Week­ly Re­view, based in Hart­ford, Con­nec­ti­cut. In 1835, Whit­tier was elect­ed to the Mass­a­chu­setts leg­is­la­ture. Here are the words to 'Thine Are All the Gifts, O God': "Thine are all the gifts, O God, Thine the broken bread; Let the naked feet be shod And the starving fed. Let Thy children, by Thy grace, Give as they abound, Till the poor have breathing-space, And the lost are found. Wiser than the miser's hoards Is the giver's choice; Sweeter than the song of birds Is the thankful voice; Welcome smiles on faces sad As the flowers of spring: Let the tender hearts be glad With the joy they bring. Happier for their pity's sake Make their sports and plays, And from the lips of childhood take Thy perfected praise."

From Quiz People Who Wrote Hymns and Then Death Intervened

Answer: 1761

Samuel Davies was born November 3, 1723, in Newcastle, Delaware, and died Feb­ru­a­ry 4, 1761, in Prince­ton, New Jersey, where he is buried. According to Nethymnal.org, Davies was named after Samuel in the Bible because he was his mother's answer to prayer for a child. "I am a son of pray­er, like my namesake, Samuel the prophet, and my mother called me Samuel, because, she said, 'I have asked him of the Lord'," Davies is quoted as saying. In 1759, he be­came pre­si­dent of the Coll­ege of New Jer­sey, the forerunner of Prince­ton Un­i­ver­si­ty, and served in that position to the time of his death. Davies was active in pioneering the literacy of the colony's slave population. Here are the words to 'Great God of Wonders': "Great God of wonders! All Thy ways Are matchless, Godlike and divine; But the fair glories of Thy grace More Godlike and unrivaled shine, More Godlike and unrivaled shine. Crimes of such horror to forgive, Such guilty, daring worms to spare; This is Thy grand prerogative, And none shall in the honor share, And none shall in the honor share Angels and men, resign your claim To pity, mercy, love and grace: These glories crown Jehovah's Name With an incomparable glaze With an incomparable glaze. In wonder lost, with trembling joy, We take the pardon of our God: Pardon for crimes of deepest dye, A pardon bought with Jesus' blood, A pardon bought with Jesus' blood. O may this strange, this matchless grace, This Godlike miracle of love, Fill the whole earth with grateful praise, And all th'angelic choirs above, And all th'angelic choirs above. Who is a pardoning God like Thee? Or who has grace so rich and free? Or who has grace so rich and free?"

From Quiz Hymnists With Notable Secular Achievements

Answer: Quincy

The middle name of John Adams, the sixth president of the United States, was Quincy. Adams replaced James Monroe as president and served from 1825 to 1829. He was the son of John Adams, the second U.S. president. His mother was Abigail Adams. Adams wrote 'The Hour Glass' for the 200th anniversary of the First Con­gre­ga­tion­al Church in Quin­cy, Mass­a­chu­setts, in 1839. Here are the words to the hymn 'The Hour Glass': "Alas! how swift the moments fly! How flash the years along! Scarce here, yet gone already by, The burden of a song. See childhood, youth, and manhood pass, And age, with furrowed brow; Time was-Time shall be-drain the glass- But where in Time is now? Time is the measure but of change; No present hour is found; The past, the future, fill the range Of Time's unceasing round. Where, then is now? In realms above, With God's atoning Lamb, In regions of eternal love, Where sits enthroned I AM. Then pilgrim, let thy joys and tears On Time no longer lean; But henceforth all thy hopes and fears From earth's affections wean: To God let votive accents rise; With truth, with virtue, live; So all the bliss that Time denies Eternity shall give."

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Incredible Isaac Watts

Answer: Louis XV of France authorizes a 5% income tax on every individual.

In 1748, Louis XV of France authorized a five per cent income tax on every individual, regardless of their social standing. The proposal met with violent protests across France. The United States, of course, declared its independence in 1776 while the Salvation Army was founded in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth. Meanwhile, Samuel de Champlain, the father of New France, founded Quebec City in 1608.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Captivating Charles Wesley

Answer: John

His famous older brother was John Wesley, who co-founded the evangelical Christian movement known as Methodism. Wikipedia states John Wesley's work and writings played a leading role in the development of the Holiness movement and Pentecostalism. The Website also states a key step in the development of John Wesley's ministry was to travel and preach outdoors.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the 'Amazing' John Newton

Answer: slave trader

John Newton was a slave trader. He also described himself as a libertine and a staunch atheist. Prior to becoming the captain of a slave trading ship, Newton served as a sailor in the Royal Navy. His time in the Royal Navy was short lived, however. Christianitytoday.com reports Newton rebelled against the discipline of the Royal Navy and deserted. "He was caught, put in irons, and flogged," the Website states. "He eventually convinced his superiors to discharge him to a slaver ship."

From Quiz Old-Time Hymns -- Canadian Style

Answer: Burdens Are Lifted At Calvary

The correct answer is 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary'. Dr. John M. Moore is credited with writing more than 165 hymns but the most popular one is 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary'. Various Websites report Moore wrote the words and composed the music in 1952 after he visited a seriously wounded sailor in a hospital, In the book 'Amazing Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions', here's how Moore explained the hospital visit: "I talked for a few moments and then put my hand in my case for a tract, not knowing which one I would pull out. It happened to be a tract based on 'Pilgrim's Progress', with a color reproduction of Pilgrim coming to the cross with a great burden on his back. I showed the young seaman this picture and told him the story in brief, adding that Pilgrim's experience had been my experience too. I explained that when I came to the cross of Christ, my burden rolled away and my sense of sin and guilt before God was removed. He nodded his head when I asked him, 'Do you feel this burden on your back today?' We prayed together and never shall I forget the smile of peace and assurance that lit up his face when he said that his burden was lifted!" For the record, the three other suggested answers to the question, were written by two other noted hymn writers. 'Blessed Assurance' and 'More Like Jesus' were written by Fanny Crosby while 'Amazing Grace' was written by John Newton. Here are the words to the old-time hymn 'Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary'. "Days are filled with sorrow and care, Hearts are lonely and drear; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. Refrain: Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary, Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. Cast your care on Jesus today, Leave your worry and fear; Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near. [Refrain] Troubled soul, the Saviour can see, Ev'ry heartache and tear; Burdens are lifted at Calvary Jesus is very near. [Refrain]"

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of Canada's George Beverly Shea

Answer: Ottawa

Annesley College was in Ottawa, capital of Canada. George Beverly Shea, in the biography titled 'Tell Me the Story' by Paul Davis, states Annesley was an incredibly small college with about 100 students, "although it majored highly on Christian values." Davis writes the college had a "fated future" as a couple of generations later, it was demolished and turned into a gas station. Shea attended Annesley for two years, beginning in 1926, before going on to study at Houghton College in Houghton, New York. However, Shea had to drop out of Houghton in 1929 due to lack of funds, according to Davis' book.

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of the Faithful Fanny Crosby

Answer: Blindness

Fanny Crosby was blind. In her book titled 'Fanny J. Crosby, an Autobiography' she writes she lost her sight when she was six weeks old as a result of a wrong diagnosis made by a doctor. Wikipedia, however, suggests it is likely Crosby was blind at birth. "At six weeks old, Crosby caught a cold and developed inflammation of the eyes," the Website states. "Mustard poultices were applied to treat the discharges. According to Crosby, this procedure damaged her optic nerves and blinded her but modern physicians think that her blindness was more likely congenital and, given her age, may simply not have been noticed by her parents." Regardless if she was blind at birth, or blinded by accident six weeks after birth, Crosby reportedly went through life regarding her blindness as a blessing. . "...If at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind," Crosby is quoted as saying by the Website Christianhistory.net. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior." She is also quoted as stating she was grateful for her blindness because it kept her dependent on the Lord. Had she been born with sight, Crosby feared her Christian faith would not be as strong as it was. Incidentally, her husband was also blind.

From Quiz Christian Hymns by Fanny J. Crosby

Answer: A Wonderful Savior

Although these are all beautiful, well-known hymns, "A Wonderful Savior" is the only one written by Crosby. "A Wonderful Savior" is also known as "He Hideth My Soul".

From Quiz Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

Answer: Streams of mercy, never ceasing

According to the Christian History Institute, Robert Robinson was only 22 years old when he penned "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" in 1757.

From Quiz Sing Them Over Again To Me...

Answer: Low in the Grave He Lay

This hymn, with words and music by Robert Lowry, is listed as either "Low in the Grave He Lay" or "Up From the Grave He Arose" in various hymnals.

From Quiz Hymns of Charles Wesley

Answer: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

"Hark the herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King!' Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled Joyful, all ye nations rise Join the triumph of the skies With the angelic host proclaim: 'Christ is born in Bethlehem' Hark! The herald angels sing 'Glory to the newborn King!' " The song appeared in "Hymns and Sacred Poems" in 1739.

From Quiz Hymn Composers 2

Answer: Fanny Crosby

On her first visit to Chicago's Bowery Mission, Fanny Crosby was asked to speak at the end of the service. She led one man to Christ. Following that evening, many souls found Christ. She spoke another evening and led one boy to Christ. Afterwards a friend remarked, "Isn't it wonderful what these rescue missions are doing?" That statement inspired the writing of this hymn.

From Quiz Name the Hymn Composer

Answer: Anna B. Warner

It was written 1860 for a novel written by sister, Susan, 'Say and Seal'. In the book, Mr. Linden comforts Johnny Fax, a dying child, with the words.

From Quiz Hymns and Hymnists With an Unusual Story -- #2

Answer: Blessed Assurance

Fanny Crosby was the writer of 'Blessed Assurance', a hymn sung in two Academy Award winning movies in back-to-back years in the 1980s. The old-time Gospel hymn was sung in 'Places of the Heart' in 1984 and in 'The Trip to Bountiful' in 1985. 'Places in the Heart' was written and directed by Robert Benton and is about a widow in Texas during the Depression who tries to save the family farm with the help of a blind white man and an impoverished black man. Sally Field won an Oscar for best actress for her portrayal of the widow. The movie also won an Academy Award for best original screen play. It was also nominated for an Oscar in five other categories. Meanwhile, 'The Trip to Bountiful' starred Geraldine Page who won an Oscar for best actress. The movie was also nominated for an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay. The movie was adapted by Horton Foote from his television play of the same name. Although she was blind, Fanny Crosby was without equal when it came to writing sacred hymns. She is credited with writing at least 8,000 hymns, but some Websites report the total is higher as a large number of her hymns were written under pseudonyms. In her book titled 'Fanny J. Crosby, an Autobiography' she writes she lost her sight when she was six weeks old as a result of a wrong diagnosis made by a doctor. Here are the words to 'Blessed Assurance': "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior, all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, Visions of rapture now burst on my sight; Angels descending bring from above Echoes of mercy, whispers of love. [Refrain] Perfect submission, all is at rest I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. [Refrain]"

From Quiz Hymnists With Notable Secular Achievements

Answer: Great Britain

Great Britain is the correct answer. William Ewart Gladstone was born De­cem­ber 29, 1809, in Li­ver­pool, Eng­land and died May 19, 1898, in Ha­war­den, Flint­shire, Wales. He is buried at West­min­ster Ab­bey, Lon­don. Gladstone served a record four terms as prime minister of Great Britain, from 1868 to 74, 1880 to 85, February to July of 1886 and 1892 to 94. He also served as Chancellor of the Exchequer four times. Gladstone is also the holder of another record in British politics. He was Britain's oldest prime minister, resigning for the final time when he was 84 years old. Here are the words to 'O Lead My Blindness By the Hand': "O lead my blindness by the hand, Lead me to Thy familiar feast, Not here or now to understand, Yet even here and now to taste, How the eternal Word of Heav'n On earth in broken bread is giv'n. We, who this holy precinct round In one adoring circle kneel, May we in one intent be bound, And one serene devotion feel; And grow around Thy sacred shrine Like tendrils of the deathless Vine. We, who with one blest food are fed, Into one body may we grow, And one pure life from Thee, the Head, Informing all the members flow; One pulse be felt in every vein, One law of pleasure and of pain."

From Quiz A Quick Sketch of Canada's John M. Moore

Answer: Toronto

John M. Moore lives in Toronto, Canada's largest city and the capital of Ontario, Canada's most populous province. Moore's beloved wife Esther died in 2013. They were married in 1961. He had served as pastor for a number of years at Willowdale Baptist Church in Toronto. Although he is ninety years old, Moore still delivers sermons and performs concerts at various churches across Canada.

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