Hymns for a New Day (Part IV): Not Endangered Yet

Posted by: Kyle Carlson, Pastor of Worship & Prayer, 11/11/2011.

I came across a great quote by Basil Manly, a founding faculty member of The Southern Baptist Seminary:

We cannot afford to lose these old hymns. They are full of the Gospel; they breathe the deepest emotions of pious hearts in the noblest strains of poetry; they have been tested and approved by successive generations of those that loved the Lord; they are the surviving fittest ones from thousands of inferior productions; they are hallowed by abundant usefulness and tenderest memories.

He said that in 1891. Eighteen - hundred - ninety - one. We call "old hymns" a bunch of songs that weren't even written yet when this guy said this, and he's referring to "these old hymns." I think that's funny. This quote is also from the year before he died; so this old Baptist professor, who's been dead for over 120 years, in twilight of his life, is obviously deeply concerned for what he perceives to be the sluffing off of "these old hymns." That gives me great hope, because if 120 years after he died, these hymns are still around, and a score of young musicians and songwriters are reclaiming the tradition of setting their texts to new and relevant melodies - then just maybe the great hymns are not as endangered as I am often inclined to believe.

To receive similar encouragement, I hope you'll come to BridgePoint this Sunday evening at 7:00. Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace will be performing a concert of many of these new old hymns, written by Matthew and other members of the Indelible Grace community. It's sure to bring sweet refreshment, strong gospel encouragement, and a warm musical experience.

You can get tickets by clicking here, or just swing by the ticket table in the concourse on Sunday morning (if you happen to be at BridgePoint this Sunday morning). We'll also be led in congregational singing by Matthew and his band in each of our morning services, so I hope you'll join us for both morning and evening times of worship!