Tuesday, June 19, 2007

History of the Hymns

June 17, 2007
‘Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed’ (1827) Page 294
Words: Isaac Watts (1674– 1748) Music: Hugh Wilson (1766 - 1827)

Isaac Watts was born July 17, 1674 at Southampton, England. He was born into the home of “Non-Conformists” in the days when the Church of England persecuted ‘Dissenters’ and ‘Independents.’ Fortunately this intolerance lasted only a short while after Watts’ birth.
His father, was imprisoned twice during the ‘persecution era’ in England. After this persecution era had ended, Watts’ father prospered in his business and was able to give his son the best kind of education.
Isaac entered the ministry and preached his first sermon at the age of twenty-four. His utter lack of what is commonly known as “handsomeness” was probably responsible for the fact that he remained unmarried throughout his life. Yet I’m sure this frail soul had learned the truth of the verse which begins this meditation.
He wrote many scholarly papers that were used in several institutions of higher learning. Yet one of the most memorable pieces that came from his pen was a simple hymn, ‘Alas! and Did My Savior Bleed.’
Fanny Crosby testified that this song helped her to find the Savior when “believing” became difficult. There are 15 hymns in our hymnal by Isaac Watts.

Meanwhile…1827…180 years ago…in the United States…

President: John Quincy Adams…V.P.: John C. Calhoun
Slavery was abolished in NY…freeing 10,000 slaves
Three Delmonico brothers open the ‘upscale’ restaurant, ‘Delmonico’s in NYC
Joseph Smith said he unearthed the ‘Book of Mormon’ at Hill Cumorah, near Palmyra

From Bud's World

June 17, 2007

Fathers…100 years ago, versus Today
100 years ago, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived…
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera

100 years ago, a father smoked a pipe…
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.

100 years ago, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, “Wake up, it’s time for school…
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting “Wake up, it’s time for hockey practice.”

100 years ago, a happy meal was when father shared funny stories around the table…
Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonalds.

100 years ago, fathers threatened their daughter’s suitors with a shotgun if the girl came home late…
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, “So…how long have you had that earring?”

100 years ago, fathers were never truly appreciated…
Today, fathers are never truly appreciated.
History of Father’s Day
Father’s Day, contrary to popular misconception, was not established as a holiday in order to help greeting card manufacturers sell more cards. In fact when a “father’s day” was first proposed, there were no Father’s Day Cards.
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington State, first proposed the idea of a “father’s day” in 1909. Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife (Mrs. Dodd’s mother) died in childbirth with their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children on a rural farm in eastern Washington State. It was after Mrs. Dodd became an adult that she realized the strength and selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent.
In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day.

Afraid of thunder…
One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?”
The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug, “I can’t dear,” she said. “I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.”
A long silence was broken at last by his shaking little voice: “The big sissy!”

Today in history
(June 17)
1994 – O.J. Simpson’s Ford Bronco was pursued by police in the infamous “slow speed pursuit”
1963 – The U.S. Supreme Court banned the required reading of The Lord’s Prayer in public schools
1941 – WNBT – TV of NYC was granted the 1st permit in the U.S. for a commercial TV station
1885 – The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City aboard the French ship ‘Isere’
1775 – The British took Bunker Hill from the Colonists during the Battle of Bunker Hill

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