"I Surrender All...a Cause to Sing"

We all love that great hymn, but do you know the story behind how it came to be? The words were written by Judson Van DeVenter of Dundee, Michigan around 1890 and were later put to music by Winfield S. Weeden and published in 1896. Van DenVenter was an accomplished musician who started out as an art teacher. He taught in Sharon, Pennsylvania for 15 years, and during that time, was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church doing evangelistic work. Soon his friends began encouraging him to leave teaching to become an evangelist.

“I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio… For some time I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, he caused me to sing.”

"I Surrender All" was first published in Gospel Songs of Grace and Glory, a collection of old and new hymns by various hymnists. It has continued to appear in numerous other hymnals since its publication.

Van DeVenter went on to write more than 60 hymns and songs. In the 1920s, he served as a professor of hymnology at Florida Bible Institute near Tampa, which was later attended by Billy Graham. In “Crusade Hymn Stories,” by crusades singer Cliff Barrows, he writes that the evangelist said students often gathered in Van DeVenter's home for fellowship and singing. Graham was with the hymn writer when he died on July 17, 1939, recounting that Van DeVenter sang “I Surrender All” on his deathbed. Graham regularly used the hymn in his crusades.

All to Jesus I Surrender
All to Him I freely give
I will ever love and trust Him
In His presence daily live
All to Jesus I surrender
Humbly at His feet I bow
Worldly pleasures all forsaken
Take me, Jesus, take me now
All to Jesus I surrender
Make me, Saviour, wholly thine
Let me feel the Holy Spirit
Truly know that Thou art mine
All to Jesus I surrender
Lord, I give myself to Thee
Fill me with Thy love and power
Let Thy blessing fall on me
All to Jesus I surrender
Now I feel the sacred flame
Oh, the joy of full salvation
Glory, glory, to His name
Refrain:

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all

Thanks to Kelly Reneau for allowing me to use her beautiful photo.

How Firm a Foundation

An original verse in "How Firm a Foundation," goes like this...

"In ev’ry condition, in sickness, in health, in poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth, at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea, as thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be."

Originally published in London, England in 1787, the hymn first appeared in America in 1832, and became much loved and adored. It is good to know that in today's world, no matter the circumstance, no matter where we find ourselves, we can rely on God to provide us with a firm foundation to keep us calm and encouraged. God's love for us is rich and pure, measureless, strong and enduring. The hymn assures believers that God's strength will always be sufficient, regardless of their circumstances.

During the Civil War, both sides could be heard singing it, a testament to how God bridges the gap between all men with a calming realization that the foundation of God is our refuge. Andrew Jackson requested it be sung at his deathbed, and Robert E. Lee and Theodore Roosevelt both requested it be sung at their funerals.

In 1898, during the Spanish-American war, tensions between the North and the South were still high. A divided American army. needed to put aside differences to face a new conflict, but that was easier said than done, and then on Christmas eve of 1898 a sentinel’s call rang out, “twelve o’clock, and all’s well!” It was Christmas morning. With thoughts of home on his mind, suddenly there arose the sound of an old, familiar hymn, ringing out along those moonlit fields: ‘How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord!’ One voice, then another and soon another, and another, and in a moment a whole American army corps was singing:

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed; For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen thee, help thee and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

With lyrics like "In ev'ry condition, in sickness, in health, in poverty's vale or abounding in wealth, at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea" believers are assured that God's strength will always be sufficient, regardless of their circumstances. The promise of God's strength applies to all situations, both good and bad. What an amazing comfort.

For 223 years, our church has been a source of strength and comfort for its members; a place for fellowship, spiritual nourishment and support; providing a sense of belonging, connection and opportunities for spiritual growth, prayer and learning about faith; offering comfort and direction during difficult times. We praise God for that.

Unexpected Blessings

I could hardly see through my windshield because of the slush and gook that had been splattered on it, so on my lunch hour I drove to the car wash, only to find it closed. Of course, we had just encountered a winter storm and the wind chill was near zero. I was resigned to the fact that I would have to wait another day to wash my car.

Since Burger King was next door, I decided that was where I would get lunch. I pulled up to the pickup window and immediately there was water dripping from the awning above, dripping onto the dirty windshield I was having trouble seeing out of. In seconds my windshield was clean!

In the process of living, we sometimes face struggles, but God sure does have a way of working things out. Here's a shout-out to unexpected blessings that let me know just how good God is.

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Matthew 25:35