Hymnists With Notable Secular Achievements -- #4 Quiz

Answer: Ulysses S. Grant wins election to become U.S. president

Ulysses S. Grant won the U.S. presidential election in 1868, defeating Horatio Seymour. Incidentally, the end of the U.S. Civil War and the assassination of U.S. President Abrahan Lincoln both took place in 1865. Queen Victoria marked the 60th year of her reign in 1897.

Septimus Winner was born May 11, 1827, in Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia and died No­vem­ber 22, 1902 in Phil­a­del­phia, where he is buried. He was one of the best known musicians of his day. Nethymnal.org reports Winner wrote the song 'List­en to the Mock­ing Bird', but sold the rights to it for five dol­lars. In the next few years, the song sold 20,000,000 co­pies.

He wrote or ed­it­ed more than two hundred vol­umes of music for more than twenty in­stru­ments, and pro­duced two thousand ar­range­ments for vi­o­lin and pi­a­no. On top of this, he ran a highly successful music store and played in the Phil­a­del­phia Brass Band and Ce­ci­lian Mu­sic­al So­ci­ety.

Amazingly, he was a self taught musician.

Here are the words to 'Whispering Hope':

"Soft as the voice of an angel,
Breathing a lesson unheard,
Hope with a gentle persuasion
Whispers her comforting word:
Wait till the darkness is over,
Wait till the tempest is done,
Hope for the sunshine tomorrow,
After the shower is gone.

Refrain:
Whispering hope, oh how welcome thy voice,
Making my heart in its sorrow rejoice.

If, in the dusk of the twilight,
Dim be the region afar,
Will not the deepening darkness
Brighten the glimmering star?
Then when the night is upon us,
Why should the heart sink away?
When the dark midnight is over,
Watch for the breaking of day.

[Refrain]

Hope, as an anchor so steadfast,
Rends the dark veil for the soul,
Whither the Master has entered,
Robbing the grave of its goal.
Come then, O come, glad fruition,
Come to my sad weary heart;
Come, O Thou blest hope of glory,
Never, O never depart.

[Refrain]"

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."

Answer: 1850

The U.S. Civil War started in 1861 and lasted until 1865. Tennyson wrote 'Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New' in 1850. He was born Au­gust 6, 1809, in Som­ers­by, Lin­coln­shire, Eng­land and died Oc­to­ber 6, 1892, in Ald­worth House, near Has­le­mere, Sur­rey, Eng­land. He is buried at Poets' Cor­ner, West­min­ster Ab­bey, Lon­don, Eng­land.

He was poet laureate of Great Britain and Ireland for forty-two years, from 1850 to 1892.

Here are the words to 'Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New':

"Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow;
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more;
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife,
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweet manners, purer laws.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease;
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be."

Answer: Walter Scott

The correct answer is Walter Scott. He was born Au­gust 15, 1771, in Ed­in­burgh, Scot­land, and died Sep­tem­ber 21, 1832, in Ab­bots­ford, Eng­land. In addition to being the author of a number of books, Scott was a noted playwright and poet.

A number of his novels and poems are still read and are regarded as classics. Some of his famous titles include 'Ivanhoe', 'Rob Roy', 'Old Mortality', 'The Lady of the Lake', 'Waverley', 'The Heart of Midlothian' and 'The Bride of Lammermoor'.

On top of all this, Scott was an advocate, judge and legal administrator.

Here are the words to 'When Israel, of the Lord Beloved':

"When Israel, of the Lord beloved,
Out from the land of bondage came,
Her father's God before her moved,
An awful Guide, in smoke and flame.

The rose the choral hymn of praise,
And trump and timbrel answered keen,
And Zion's daughters poured their lays,
With priest's and warrior's voice between.

By day, along th'astonished lands
The cloudy pillar glided slow;
By night, Arabia's crimsoned sands
Returned the fiery column's glow.

Thus present still, though now unseen,
When brightly shines the prosperous day,
Be thoughts of Thee a cloudy screen,
To temper the deceitful ray.

And O, when gathers on our path,
In shade and storm, the frequent night,
Be Thou, long suffering, slow to wrath,
A burning and a shining light."

Answer: John Adams becomes first U.S. president to live in White House.

In 1800, John Adams became the first U.S. president to live in the White House. Incidentally, the first games of the modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, the Boer War started in 1899 in South Africa and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador became part of Canada in 1949.

Timothy Dwight was born May 14, 1752, in North­amp­ton, Mass­a­chu­setts and died Jan­u­a­ry 11, 1817, in New Ha­ven, Con­nec­ti­cut. He is buried at the Grove Street Cem­e­te­ry in New Ha­ven. Dwight became president of Yale University in 1795 and served until the time of his death. He helped found the An­do­ver The­o­lo­gic­al Sem­in­ary -- the first sem­in­ary in New En­gland -- in 1809.

He was a personal friend of George Washington, first president the U.S.

Here are the words to 'In Zion's Sacred Gates':

"In Zion's sacred gates let hymns of praise begin,
While acts of faith and love in ceaseless beauty shine;
In mercy there, while God is known,
Before His throne with songs appear.

The promises I sing, which sovereign love hath spoke;
Nor will our heav'nly King His words of grace revoke;
They stand secure, and steadfast still,
Nor Zion's hill abides so sure.

The mountains melt away, when once the Judge appears;
And sun and moon decay, that measure mortal years;
But still the same, in radiant lines,
Thy promise shines thro' all the flame.

Rejoice! our Lord is King! Our God and King adore;
Yea, all give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore;
Lift up the heart, lift up the voice,
Rejoice aloud, let all rejoice."

Answer: Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The correct answer is Elizabeth Barrett Browning who was born March 6, 1806, in Lon­don, Eng­land. She died June 29, 1861, in Flor­ence, It­a­ly. She was one of the most popular poets in the English speaking world during her lifetime with a large following in Great Britain, United States and Canada.

Browning was a vocal opponent of slavery and her poems helped influence reform in child labor legislation, Wikipedia states.

According to Wikipedia, her work had a "major influence" on American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson.

Here are the words to 'The Little Cares Which Fretted Me':

"The little cares which fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields, above the sea,
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may come,
I cast them all away
Among the clover scented grass,
Among the new mown hay;
Among the hushing of the corn,
Where drowsing poppies nod,
Ill thoughts can die, and good be born,
Out in the fields of God."

Answer: Charlotte and Emily

The three Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, were a juggernaut in the 1800s and a number of their books remain popular today.

Anne was the youngest of the three, born in 1820. Charlotte was the oldest, born in 1816. Emily was born in 1818.

Anne was the co-author with her sisters of 'Po­ems' in 1846. In 1847, she produced 'Agnes Grey', followed in 1847 by 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall'. She is credited with writing seven hymns.

Here are the words to 'Eternal Power, of Earth and Air!':

"Eternal Power, of earth and air!
Unseen, yet seen in all around,
Remote, but dwelling everywhere,
Though silent, heard in every sound.

If e'er Thine ear in mercy bent,
When wretched mortals cried to Thee,
And if, indeed, Thy Son was sent,
To save lost sinners such as me:

Then hear me now, while, kneeling here,
I lift to thee my heart and eye,
And all my soul ascends in prayer,
Oh, give me, give me faith! I cry.

Without some glimmering in my heart,
I could not raise this fervent prayer;
But, oh! a stronger light impart,
And in Thy mercy fix it there.

While Faith is with me, I am blest;
It turns my darkest night to day;
But while I clasp it to my breast,
I often feel it slide away.

Then, cold and dark, my spirit sinks,
To see my light of life depart;
And every fiend of Hell, methinks,
Enjoys the anguish of my heart.

What shall I do, if all my love,
My hopes, my toil, are cast away,
And if there be no God above,
To hear and bless me when I pray?

If this be vain delusion all,
If death be an eternal sleep,
And none can hear my secret call,
Or see the silent tears I weep!

Oh, help me, God! For Thou alone
Canst my distracted soul relieve;
Forsake it not: it is Thine own,
Though weak, yet longing to believe.

Oh, drive these cruel doubts away;
And make me know, that Thou art God!
A faith, that shines by night and day,
Will lighten every earthly load.

If I believe that Jesus died,
And, waking, rose to reign above;
Then surely Sorrow, Sin, and Pride,
Must yield to Peace, and Hope, and Love.

And all the blessèd words He said
Will strength and holy joy impart:
A shield of safety o'er my head,
A spring of comfort in my heart."

Answer: Key official in Canadian government

John Bowring realized many accomplishments in his life and served as governor of Hong Kong and British commissioner to France. For his efforts, he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1854. Bowring, however, never held any position with the Canadian government.

He was born Oc­to­ber 17, 1792 in Ex­e­ter, Eng­land and died November 23, 1872, in Ex­e­ter, where he is buried. On his tomb­stone were the words from his fa­mous hymn: 'In the Cross of Christ I Glory'.

Bowring was editor of the West­min­ster Re­view and was one of the preeminent British statesmen of the day.

Bowring was fluent in more than twenty lan­guages and was known for his trans­la­tions of Dutch po­e­try.

Bowring is credited with writing at least twenty-five hymns.

Here are the words to 'In the Cross of Christ I Glory':

"In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime.

When the woes of life o'ertake me,
Hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
Never shall the cross forsake me,
Lo! it glows with peace and joy.

When the sun of bliss is beaming
Light and love upon my way,
From the cross the radiance streaming
Adds more luster to the day.

Bane and blessing, pain and pleasure,
By the cross are sanctified;
Peace is there that knows no measure,
Joys that through all time abide.

In the cross of Christ I glory,
Towering o'er the wrecks of time;
All the light of sacred story
Gathers round its head sublime."

Answer: Amsterdam hosts Summer Olympics

Amsterdam hosted the Summer Olympics in 1928, not 1929. The three other events -- the inauguration of Herbert Hoover as president, the Wall Street stock market crash and the first appearance of the Popeye comic strip -- all happened in 1929.

Katharine Lee Bates was born Au­gust 12, 1859, in Fal­mouth, Mass­a­chu­setts and died March 28, 1929, in Well­es­ley, Mass­a­chu­setts. She is buried at Oak Grove Cem­e­te­ry in Fal­mouth, Mass­a­ch­usetts.

According to Nethymnal.org, Bates wrote the hymn 'Dear God, Our Father' at the re­quest of Earl Mar­latt, to be in­clud­ed in 'The Amer­i­can Stu­dent Hymn­al', which he and Au­gus­tine Smith were work­ing on. Bates is credited with writing four hymns.

Here are the words to 'Dear God, Our Father':

"Dear God, our Father, at Thy knees confessing
Our sins and follies, close in Thine embrace,
Children forgiven, happy in Thy blessing,
Deepen our spirits to receive Thy grace.

Not for more beauty would our eyes entreat Thee,
Flooded with beauty, beauty everywhere;
Only for keener vision that may greet Thee,
In all Thy vestures of the earth and air.

The stars and rainbows are Thy wondrous wearing,
Sunlight and shadow moving on the hills;
Holy the meadow where Thy feet are faring,
Holy the brooklet that Thy laughter fills.

Not for more love our craving hearts implore Thee,
But for more power to love until they glow
Like hearths of comfort, eager to restore Thee,
Hidden in human wretchedness and woe.

In souls most sullen Thou art softly dreaming
Of saints and heroes wrought from Thy divine
Pity and patience, still the lost redeeming,
Deepen our spirits for love like Thine."

Answer: Onward Christian Soldiers

Sabine Baring-Gould wrote 'Onward Christian Soldiers' in 1865 and it is often associated with the Salvation Army, especially when marching bands are participating in a parade. I served with the Salvation Army in Nanaimo, British Columbia, in the 1980s and this hymn was always played when we were involved in outdoor concerts and the like as well as numerous times at regular Sunday morning and evening worship services. 'Onward Christian Soldiers' was sung in the 1942 Academy Award winning movie 'Mrs. Miniver' as well as at the funeral of United States Pre­si­dent Dwight Ei­sen­how­er in Wash­ing­ton, D.C., in 1969.

Baring-Gould was born Jan­u­a­ry 28, 1834, in Ex­e­ter, Eng­land and died Jan­u­a­ry 2, 1924, in Lew Tren­chard, De­von­shire, Eng­land. He is buried in the church­yard across the road from his home at Lew Tren­chard.

Netyhmnal.org describes Baring-Gould as "one of the most bril­liant, ec­lec­tic minds of Vic­tor­i­an Eng­land." He attended schools in Germany and France before studying at Clare Coll­ege at Cam­bridge and learned six lan­guag­es.

Baring-Gould was an ar­chae­ol­o­gist, ar­chi­tect, ar­tist, teach­er and a col­lect­or of Eng­lish folk songs and somehow found time to write more than one hundred books, thirty of which were novels.

"His works cov­er a huge range of top­ics: the­ol­o­gy, folk­lore, so­cial com­ment­ary, trav­el and his­to­ry," Nethymnal.org states. "One ac­count of his life states, 'At one point there were more books list­ed un­der his name in the Brit­ish Mu­se­um Lib­rary than un­der that of any other Eng­lish writ­er'."

He is credited with writing at least five hymns and translating two others into English.

Here are the words to 'Onward Christian Soldiers':

"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!

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

[Refrain]

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

[Refrain]

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

[Refrain]

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

[Refrain]

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

[Refrain]"