Another verse of this old hymn is rarely included in hymnals, but continues the theme of The Church’s One Foundation. Through the centuries there have been multiple attempts to silence the church and its message. Obviously, none have succeeded. The greatest danger to the demise of the church comes from within. Samuel John Stone expresses that in this rarely published verse:
The Church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish, Is with her to the end:
Though there be those who hate her, And false sons in her pale,
Against both foe or traitor She ever shall prevail.
Jesus said, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).
Tags: church, hymns
Have you ever wondered what God thinks of His church so divided into various denominations and differing in so many varying odd belief systems? Do you think He might be a little miffed at His children having such little respect for the ministry gifts (ministers) He has called to lead His church? That’s not new. Samuel Stone wrote this verse to The Church’s One Foundation in 1866:
Though with a scornful wonder Men see her sore oppressed,
By schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed:
Yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, “How long?”
And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.
Satan’s number one target is the church, because it is the organized body of believers. So, it is no wonder there is so much division and false teaching that has arisen. Yet the faith of the believers continues to wait upon the Lord and we long for the day when he shall return.
Tags: division, heresy, hymns
We’re looking at the old hymn, The Church’s One Foundation. Music written Samuel Sebastian Wesley in 1864, it typifies music styles of that era, written for a piano and organ. Samuel Wesley played organ at a large church in Hereford, England, until he eloped with the Dean’s daughter. Thus ended a promising career there. Verse 2:
Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.
The church is indeed universal, of all nations, and its charter demands unity of faith in Jesus the Christ and His virgin birth. All believers become one in Christ, and symbolize that union by taking communion together. Together we share one blessed hope: the second coming of Christ, and share every grace He so richly gives to us.
As the worship style fades, let’s keep the message fresh in our hearts.
Tags: hymns, unity
The rest of this week I want us to consider an old hymn written by Martin Luther. The tune is ancient and the young generation would have no interest in it. But I want us to consider the words of verse 1:
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing;
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not is equal.
This old hymn of the church addresses the two primary unseen forces in the world around us: God and Satan. Satan can do nothing to God, but he can cause tremendous chaos among God’s people. Because Satan is out to do much damage, A mighty fortress is our God. He is a protection that never fails and our Helper.
Sing the new songs, but don’t lose the message in this old one.
Tags: hymns, Luther