Chapter I: Foreword

The most important musical feature of any service of worship is the singing of hymns by the congregation. When voices are united in Christian song, hearts may readily be joined in common worship. Then it becomes much more than a musical feature. It becomes an act of worship. And all who thus sing are builders of a Temple of Tone wherein their own hearts become the altar, high and lifted up.

Before this great thing can come to pass, there must be a familiarity with the hymns--an appreciation of these "crown jewels of the church." Anyone, then, who directs attention to Christian hymns and stimulates interest in them is adding to our resources for private and public worship.

The author of this volume is continuing and extending his Christian ministry by calling attention to the use of hymns and gospel songs on various occasions and exhorting us all to sing. He is a retired member of the Northern New York Conference of The Methodist Church, honored for his long and fruitful ministry, and beloved for his unfailing devotion to the spreading of the gospel through the still wider use of Christian hymns.

W. Earl Ledden.

_Syracuse, New York_

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction 9
_Chapter I._ Let's Sing 13
1. They Sang with the Marine Band
2. Song of the Chaplain's Wife
3. Our Popular Processional Hymn
4. Heard Lauder's Song and Wesley's Hymn
5. The Hymn with Exclamation Points
_Chapter II._ Morning Melodies 25
1. The Morning Call
2. Morning Hymn on an Ocean Voyage
3. Morning Songs Fill the Day with Music
4. Hymn Suggested by a "Blaze of Leafage"
_Chapter III._ Sunset Songs 32
1. Nature Gave the Perfect Touch
2. The Bells of Trinity
3. Singing Soldiers
4. Hymn Discussion at Oyster Bay
_Chapter IV._ Serenading the Soul With Song 39
1. That Was Yesterday!
2. Song of the Hidden Singer
3. Americans Sang with the Japanese Lady
4. Northfield's Festival of Sacred Music
_Chapter V._ Hymns of Comfort 47
1. God's Angels in Charge
2. Singing Welshmen at Oxford
3. Singing Amid Suffering
4. Songs of a Sorrowing Nation
_Chapter VI._ Occasions To Remember 58
1. "Abide With Me" in a Submarine
2. Wheel Chair Singers
3. Sang the Hymn from Memory
4. Hymn Expressed the Hearer's Feelings
5. Hymn of the Homesick American
6. His Ordination Hymn
7. Soldiers Sang at Their General's Funeral
_Chapter VII._ Hymns That Changed Lives 71
1. When Catherine Booth Made the Great Decision
2. His Song and Experience in a Coal Mine
3. Decision of the "Incorrigible"
4. The Hymn That Wrought a Miracle
_Chapter VIII._ Songs of Childhood and Youth 80
1. Song of the Child in the Shelter
2. What the Scouts Sang
3. "Jesus Bids Us Shine"
4. Men Loved the Kiddies' Hymn
_Chapter IX._ Sang in Their Own Tongues 87
1. Chinese and Americans Sang a Negro Spiritual
2. Christmas Carols in Two Tongues
3. "Everybody Knows 'Holy Night'"
4. Unifying Influence Of Song at Eastertide
_Chapter X._ Patriotic Music in War and Peace 93
1. Surprise for American Soldiers
2. "America the Beautiful" Heard at Arlington
3. An American Home on Invasion Day
4. "Our God is Marching On!"
5. "The Star-Spangled Banner" at War's End
6. Kipling's "Recessional"
_Chapter XI._ Thanksgiving in Song 105
1. Two Statesmen Sang "America"
2. Gunner Led the Song Of Praise
3. Minister Thrilled by Singing of Philadelphia Laymen
4. "We Love the Place"
5. Memorable Rendering of the Doxology
_Chapter XII._ Carols at Christmastide 115
1. Christmas Carols on Deck of Battleship
2. Christmastide Song of Blind Singers
3. Not Too Late to Hear the Christmas Music
4. Carol the Children Wanted
_Chapter XIII._ The Cross and the Church 121
1. Building Gone, but Hymn Remains
2. An Army with Banners
3. Church Cross Inspired Grocer's Song
4. Visiting Singer Familiar with the Hymn
_Chapter XIV._ Easter With the Hymnal 127
1. Easter Song of a Centenarian
2. Easter in New Guinea
3. Eastertide Hymn at an Easter Funeral
4. Mother's Hymn at Eventide
Bibliography 135
Index of Hymns 137