March 30, 2014:

Poetic Ponderings Chosen By The Pastor

“Songs We Seldom Sing”

      Our Red and Black Hymnals contain wonderful hymns we seldom if ever use in worship.  The words may be unfamiliar and the tunes difficult to sing.  Still, the messages these poets want to share with us can be profoundly helpful.

“Onward, Christian Soldiers”

      Church hymnals in an earlier generation sometimes had a section entitled “Christian Warfare.”  These hymns used martial imagery based on the notion that we as Christians may experience evil in the world as a warlike struggle.  These hymns do not advocate actual warfare or violence but this may be lost on some people.  Our New Century Hymnal either excludes such hymns or changes the wording to make them more “peaceful!”  One of the most popular of these hymns is “Onward, Christian Soldiers” written by English clergyman Sabine Baring-Gould, 1834-1924, as a marching song for children in his Sunday School.  Do you think it promotes war?

                                    “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.

                                    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.

                                    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.

                                    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:

                                    Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

                                    With the cross of Jesus going on before.”  Amen.