Write Again … Shall we gather?
Published 3:12 pm Monday, May 29, 2017
Among the sweetest memories of my growing up days, and even into adulthood, was singing what we refer to as the “old hymns.”
In our Sunday School when I was just a lad, a portion of the time was always given over to singing these hymns. It seemed that all of us enjoyed doing it. This would take place before we would disperse to our age group classes.
Many of us especially liked those songs in the Cokesbury Hymnal. I suspect most “mainline” churches don’t sing many of those hymns today.
The move to “contemporary” services also seemed to coincide with “contemporary Christian” music, as some call it. There are those who refer to it as “7–11” music. Seven words sung eleven times. That characterization is perhaps a bit unfair, for I’m sure some of those songs don’t fit that definition. But still …
The stories “behind” many of the traditional hymns are quite interesting.
My very old (maybe better put would be “longtime” friend!) the Rev. Dr. Charles M. Smith is quite knowledgeable about the origins of so many of the hymns generations have sung over these many years.
Charlie Mike was a valuable part of those who put together the United Methodist Hymnal 1989, which has now sold over 6 million copies.
An old and beloved hymn, “Shall We Gather at the River,” was written by the Rev. Robert Lowry, a Baptist minister in Philadelphia, who wrote other notable hymns, whose members were wondering if they’d ever see their loved ones again, many of whom had died in an epidemic, leaving their loved ones to wonder, “Shall we meet again?”
Now, that is the question you and I, kind readers, and so many others down through the ages, have asked ourselves, is it not?
To believe there is a “parting at the river of death,” it follows that we ask, “Shall we meet at the river of life?”
If your church or civic organization would like an interesting, informative and inspirational program, you would be well advised to ask Charlie Mike and his soul-mate Barbara Jean to come and share their talents with you.
Would that the children growing up today learned and sang the “old” hymns, some of which were and still are a treasured part of so many of us.
It’s their loss.
APROPOS – “Music adds meaning to life, and leaves memories for life.”
– Mark Masters