I got my first one from the church we were attending at the time, when they were updating to newer hymnals. Our oldest son, an Angelman baby who was probably 6 or 7 at the time, got it off the shelf one day, and decided to "read it" - meaning he tore out some of the pages and chewed on the book. I still have it and those torn pages are tucked into the back, a remembrance of days past every time I open it.
A few hymnals I inherited from my Grandma when her things were finally all cleaned out before moving to the full-time assisted living. Among those were hymnals from 1945, 1940 and even one from 1934. (Can you tell that I like old books?)
The oldest one I have so far is a much loved and used copy that I found at the bottom of a box at a yard sale. It is very worn and the end pages have been thumbed through so much that the paper feels almost like velvet. The original cloth cover is barely hanging on by the three large staples that hold the book together, and the title page has fallen out. I am thankful, though, that the previous owner thought to save it and I found it neatly tucked in the center of the hymnal. The date on it is from 1918 and its' original purchase price was 40 cents!
Why do I love hymns? Because music is a powerful medium, able to reach straight to our souls with no need for words. Sadly, so much music today, especially that which is labeled as "Christian," is simply the music of the world repackaged; music that weighs us down and creates disharmony within ourselves, distracts us from higher things, without us even being aware of it. We may be singing words that speak of the LORD and our Savior, Jesus, but the music is speaking a different message to our bodies, and it is the music which leaves the more lasting impression.
Hymns are music, for the most part, where the words and the tune are in perfect harmony, uplifting the mind and the soul. The children and I sing hymns at various times during the day - as a way to quiet things down, to focus on what is true and pure and right, and just as a way to praise our LORD while our hands are busy with chores.
A wonderful resource that I use when we are trying to learn a new hymn is CyberHymnal which lists hymns by Title or by the People who wrote them and plays a Midi of the hymns' tune.
The hymn that I started singing this morning as I was making our treats to take to Park Day was:
I Am Resolved (by Palmer Hartsough and J. H. Fillmore, c. 1924)
I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world's delight;
Things that are higher,
things that are nobler,
these have allured my sight.
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest highest,
I will come to Thee.
I am resolved to go to the Saviour,
leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true one,
He is the just one,
He hath the words of life.
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest highest,
I will come to Thee.
I am resolved to follow the Saviour,
faithful and true each day;
Heed what he sayeth,
do what He willeth,
He is the living way.
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest highest,
I will come to Thee.
I am resolved to enter the kingdom,
leaving the the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me,
foes may beset me,
still will I enter in.
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest highest,
I will come to Thee.
I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible,
led by theSpirit,
we'll walk the heavenly way.
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free,
Jesus, greatest highest,
I will come to Thee.
(Originally published @ henandchicks.typepad.com)
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