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

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."

Answer: Charles Wesley

Charles Wesley, the brother of John Wesley, is the correct answer. Charles and John Wesley were founders of the Methodist movement in 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.

Wesley is credited with writing at least 6,000 hymns and many of them remain popular today. A Website operated by Reigate Methodist Church reports congregation members as well as other Christians in the community were surveyed to determine Wesley's top ten hymns. The top ten are:
1.) 'Love Divine, All Loves Excelling'
2.) 'And Can It Be That I Should Gain'
3.) 'O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing'
4.) 'O Thou Who Camest From Above'
5.) 'Christ the Lord Is Risen Today'
6.) 'Ye Servants of God'
7.) 'All Praise to Our Redeeming Lord'
8.) 'Jesus the Name High Over All'
9.) 'Hark! The Herald Angels Sing'
10.) 'Rejoice the Lord is King'
Reigate Methodist Church is in the heart of Reigate, a market town in Surrey, England.

Charles Wesley, like Martin Luther, believed hymns were a means of teaching theology.

If there is a common theme with Charles Wesley's hymns, it is the fact they are full of praise.

Christianity.com explains things this way: "Hymn singing was very important to the evangelical revival in the eighteenth century; hymns were both a means of expressing joy and teaching scriptural truth. Charles Wesley's hymns often paraphrased Scripture as well as the Anglican Prayer Book. They were always full of praise, and they continue to enrich us today. It is difficult to imagine a hymnbook without hymns such as Charles Wesley's 'O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing', 'Rejoice, the Lord Is King', 'Jesus, Lover of My Soul', and 'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing'."

In 1995 he was inducted into the Gospel Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee by the Gospel Music Association. The induction came two hundred and seven years after his death, but his hymns remain popular today. Others who have been inducted posthumously into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame include John Newton and Fanny Crosby.

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]"

Answer: All of them

All three of the tunes from secular songs are featured in old-time hymns.

'John Brown's Body' is the tune for 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic', also known as 'Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory' outside the United States.

'Auld Lang Syne', a traditional Scottish melody, is the tune for 'How Sweet the Hour' by Fanny Crosby.

Meanwhile, 'Londonderry', a traditional Irish melody, is the tune for 'Above the Hills of Time', written by Thomas Tiplady in 1931. Most people will re­cog­nize this as the tune used with the Irish classic 'Dan­ny Boy'.

Answer: Amazing Grace

The correct answer is 'Amazing Grace' with Nethymnal.org, an American based Website, describing it as "the run away winner". The runner up is 'Blessed Assurance'.

The preference for 'Amazing Grace' seems to be a North American type thing as polls in Great Britain often show 'How Great Thou Art' is the favorite hymn.

For example, 'How Great Thou Art' was voted the Number One hymn in the United Kingdom by the British Broadcasting Corporation's 'Song of Praise'.

'How Great Thou Art' was ranked second (after 'Amazing Grace') on a list of the favorite hymns of all time in a survey by 'Today's Christian' magazine in 2001.

'Amazing Grace' was written by John Newton, a former slave trader. Newton was born in 1725 in Wapping, Great Britian and died in London in 1807. He wrote 'Amazing Grace' in 1779, and he originally called it 'Faith's Review and Expectation'. The hymn, however, has come to be known by its opening phrase, 'Amazing Grace'.

After surrendering his life to Christ, Newton would go on to become an evangelical Anglican priest in 1764 and play a key role with William Wilberforce in the English abolitionist movement to abolish the slave trade.

Here are the words to the Gospel classic 'Amazing Grace'.

"Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!

The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we'd first begun."

Answer: I Vow to Thee, My Country

Diana, Princess of Wales, requested 'I Vow to Thee, My Country' be sung at her wedding saying it "al­ways been a fa­vo­rite since school­days." The hymn was also sung at her funeral.

Diana married Charles, Prince of Wales, on July 29, 1981. Her funeral was September 6, 1997.

During her marriage, she was the most photographed woman in the world. That mantle has now been passed on to Kate Middleton, who would be Diana's daughter-in-law if she was still alive today.

Incidentally, 'I Vow to Thee, My Country' was also sung at the funeral of Margaret Thatcher in 2013 at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.

Thatcher was prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. In addition to being known as 'The Iron Lady', Thatcher was also known as 'Maggie', 'Attila the Hen', 'Madame Frit', 'Milk Snatcher', 'The Grocer's Daughter' and 'The Great She-Elephant'.

'I Vow to Thee, My Country' was written by Ce­cil A. Spring-Rice in 1918 and Gus­tav T. Holst composed the music.

Here are the words to 'I Vow to Thee, My Country':

"I vow to thee, my country -- all earthly things above --
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago --
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace."

Answer: Behold the Glories of the Lamb

According to Nethymnal.org, 'Behold the Glories of the Lamb' was the first hymn in English written for public worship. It was written by Isaac Watts, circa 1688.

Isaac Watts was born in Southampton, England, and is known as the 'Father of English Hymnody'. He is credited with writing about 750 hymns. While a number of hymnists who followed are credited with writing more hymns, Watts is seen as the person who was largely responsible for giving birth to hymn writing.

Previously, Christians would sing Psalms directly from the Bible.

Here are the words to 'Behold the Glories of the Lamb':

"Behold the glories of the Lamb
Amidst His Father's throne.
Prepare new honors for His Name,
And songs before unknown.

Let elders worship at His feet,
The Church adore around,
With vials full of odors sweet,
And harps of sweeter sound.

Those are the prayers of the saints,
And these the hymns they raise;
Jesus is kind to our complaints,
He loves to hear our praise.

Eternal Father, who shall look
Into Thy secret will?
Who but the Son should take that Book
And open every seal?

He shall fulfill Thy great decrees,
The Son deserves it well;
Lo, in His hand the sovereign keys
Of Heav'n, and death, and hell!

Now to the Lamb that once was slain
Be endless blessings paid;
Salvation, glory, joy remain
Forever on Thy head.

Thou hast redeemed our souls with blood,
Hast set the prisoner free;
Hast made us kings and priests to God,
And we shall reign with Thee.

The worlds of nature and of grace
Are put beneath Thy power;
Then shorten these delaying days,
And bring the promised hour."

Answer: George Beverly Shea

It might come as a surprise to some, but Canada's George Beverly Shea has easily performed in front of more people than the likes of the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. It is estimated he has had a cumulative live audience of 220 million people in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Shea would perform nightly at crusades of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, often with more than 50,000 people in attendance. Any given Billy Graham Crusade would take place over a number of days in a particular city and no sooner was it done, Shea would be off to perform nightly at another crusade in another city.

At age 23, Shea wrote the music to one of his best-known solos, 'I'd Rather Have Jesus', with the words provided by Rhea F. Miller.

Here are the words to 'I'd Rather Have Jesus':

"I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands;
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Refrain:
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause;
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame;
I'd rather be true to His holy name

[Refrain]

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom;
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs;
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.

[Refrain]"

Answer: Jesus Loves Me

Anna Bartlett Warner wrote 'Jesus Loves Me' with the words first appearing in the 1860 novel titled 'Say and Seal', written by Susan Warner, her older sister. The music for 'Jesus Loves Me' was composed in 1862 by William Bradbury who added the chorus 'Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves, Yes, Jesus Loves me, the Bible tells me so."

Incidentally, two other hymns first appeared in novels, as well. They are 'We Would See Jesus' and 'When Israel, of the Lord Beloved'.

Here are the words to the modernized version of 'Jesus Loves Me':

"Jesus loves me -- this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong --
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me -- He who died
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

[Refrain]

Jesus loves me -- loves me still,
Though I'm very weak and ill;
From His shining throne on high
Comes to watch me where I lie.

[Refrain]

Jesus loves me -- He will stay
Close beside me all the way,
Then His little child will take
Up to Heaven for His dear sake.

[Refrain]

Anna B. Warner included the words to 'We Would See Jesus' in her 1852 novel titled 'Dol­lars and Cents'. The book was re­publ­ished in 1853 and re­named 'Spe­cu­la­tion'.

Here are the words to 'We Would See Jesus':

"We would see Jesus; for the shadows lengthen
Across this little landscape of our life;
We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen
For the last weariness, the final strife.

We would see Jesus, the great rock Foundation
Whereon our feet were set with sovereign grace;
Nor life nor death, with all their agitation,
Can thence remove us, if we see His face.

We would see Jesus; other lights are paling,
Which for long years we have rejoiced to see;
The blessings of our pilgrimage are failing;
We would not mourn them, for we go to Thee.

We would see Jesus; yet the spirit lingers
Round the dear objects it has loved so long,
And earth from earth can scarce unclasp its fingers;
Our love to Thee makes not this love less strong.

We would see Jesus: sense is all too binding,
And heaven appears too dim, too far away;
We would see Thee, Thyself our hearts reminding
What Thou hast suffered, our great debt to pay.

We would see Jesus: this is all we're needing;
Strength, joy, and willingness come with the sight;
We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading;
Then welcome day, and farewell mortal night."


Walter Scott wrote the words of 'When Israel of the Lord Beloved' in 1817 in his classic novel 'Ivanhoe'.

Here's how Scott introduces 'When Israel, of the Lord Beloved' in Chapter 40 of Ivanhoe: "It was in the twi­light of the day when her tri­al, if it could be called such, had tak­en place, that a low knock was heard at Re­bec­ca's pri­son-cham­ber. It dis­turbed not the in­mate, who was then en­gaged in the even­ing pray­er re­com­mend­ed by her re­li­gion, and which con­clud­ed with a hymn we have ven­tured thus to trans­late into Eng­lish."

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: All Hail to Thee, Immanuel

According to Nethymnal.org, 'All Hail to Thee, Immanuel' is one of only two hymns written by a non-Christian.

D.R. Van Sickle wrote the hymn in 1910 to prove one didn't have to be a believer to write a Christian song.

However, the tables were apparently turned on Van Sickle a number of years later as he became convicted by the words of his own hymn and ended up becoming a Christian.

"Years lat­er, Van Sickle was sit­ting in a serv­ice where a choir sang his hymn," Nethymnal.org states. "He came under con­vict­ion and gave his heart to Christ!"

The second hymn written by a non-Christian is 'Hail the Glorious Golden City'. It was written in 1878 by Felix Adler, a Jewish professor of social ethics and the son of a rabbi. The words first ap­peared in the 'Pil­grim Hymn­al' in 1904.

The words echo the vision John had of New Jerusalem in Revelation, the final book of the New Testament.

Incidentally, 'Battle Hymn of the Republic' was written by Julia Ward Howe in 1862, 'Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus' by Dudley A. Tyng in 1858 and 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' was written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841.

Here are the words to 'All Hail to Thee, Immanuel':

"All hail to Thee, Immanuel, we cast our crowns before Thee;
Let every heart obey Thy will, and every voice adore Thee.
In praise to Thee, our Savior King, the vibrant chords of Heaven ring,
And echo back the mighty strain: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

Refrain:
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Glory and honor and majesty, wisdom and power be unto Thee,
Now and evermore!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
Hail to the King we love so well! Immanuel! Immanuel!
King of kings and Lord of lords, all hail, Immanuel!

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, the ransomed hosts surround Thee;
And earthly monarchs clamor forth their sovereign King to crown Thee.
While those redeemed in ages gone, assembled round the great white throne,
Break forth into immortal song: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

[Refrain]

All hail to Thee, Immanuel, our risen King and Savior!
Thy foes are vanquished, and Thou art omnipotent forever.
Death, sin and hell no longer reign, and Satan's pow'r is burst in twain;
Eternal glory to Thy Name: All hail! All hail! All hail Immanuel!

[Refrain]"