Oct. 26, 2009 - The Church in the Wildwood
As the people entered the church yard, beautiful song wafted out through the open windows. It was a hymn, as the people of this church always sang. Hymns that even the smallest child could sing, albeit with a lisping accent. Hymns that had been sung by their ancestors for hundreds of years, and yet still held truth.
Many churches in the town had begun to integrate newer, more contemporary songs into their worship services. Gone were the sweet, beautiful tones of a church raising it's voice together. Now, churches had drums, and guitars, and all manner of noise makers, that served only to drown out the voice of it's brethren. Why bother singing if your voice cannot be heard?
The people heading to this church, however, had joy in their hearts. Even now, the organ was gently humming a song about that very thing; Joy to the World, the Lord has come. These people did not have their ears blasted by too-loud music. These people did not have a "worship" team, and yet their souls were soothed every Sunday.
Even the young people would remember all of their lives, with lovely fondness, the sweet songs that they had heard as children. Someday, those tuneful words would be more to them than just nostalgic memories.
There is a need for beautiful music to be played in church. My heart aches to hear a body of people raise their voices to sing Amazing Grace, Blessed Assurance, The Church's One Foundation, and other dear songs. I desperately want to hold a volume of hymns that has a well worn, but loved binding; to turn through it's pages simply taking in the titles.
Perhaps I am the one being nostalgic. Perhaps I don't really know what I'm talking about. However, there is one thing that I do know. I miss singing old hymns in church. I don't believe I have heard one, real, old hymn sung in church since last December.
I leave you with--a hymn. The Church in the Wildwood is the first song that came to mind when I thought about writing this post. Someday it would be nice to visit The Little Brown Church in the Vale, but for now, the song will do. You can listen to its loveliness HERE.
by Dr. William S. Pitts
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Chorus
Oh, come, come, come, come,
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the vale;
No spot is so dear to my childhood
As the little brown church in the vale.
Second Stanza
Oh, come to the church in the vale,
To the trees where the wild flowers bloom;
Where the parting hymn will be chanted,
We will weep by the side of the tomb.
Third Stanza
How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly are calling,
Oh come to the church in the vale.
Fourth Stanza
From the church in the valley by the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.
Comments
Oct. 26, 2009 - beautiful post
Posted by Mrs. S
Not many people have the perspective you do. I agree 100% with you. I love the old hymns - they are rich in doctrine, too.
Tell your mother that you guys are supposed to be out here in TN for Thanksgiving with us. ;-)
Oct. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by OldSchoolMarm
Eyebright, thank goodness for your good sense :-)! I love to see young people that just "get it." Yes, those hymns of old are nearly sacred to so many and yet it is beyond my understanding as to why the church feels the need to bow to the way of the world by choosing music that borders on secular and without any theology. We're not only seeing a watering down of the gospel but our music is also giving way to a more secular appeal. One way to battle this is to choose one of those beautiful old hymns and sing it yourself at your church. My husband is our church pianist and my girls and him regularly sing together for church. It's such a testimony of our love for Him.
Blessings, Julie
Oct. 28, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by magg93
Our church, a little country church, sang that song last week at our second year anniversary, but we changed the words to fit our small congregation. It was really special.
Thanks for the comment! I agree with everything you said! :)
Have A Great Day!
http://www.painterofwords.com
Oct. 29, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by farmgirl9412
I agree 100% with you. : ) For a couple years we went to a church that had a worship team with drums and they almost never sang old hymns. We now go to a small conservative country church. We never sing anything aside from hymns. It's so nice to hold the worn hymnals and singing with the organ and piano.
Oct. 29, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Rebekah a.k.a. The LORD's Daughter
Hello!
I don't know if you remember me, but I used to be on homeschoolblogger as "The Lord's Daughter".
I LOVE old hymns, my favorite perhaps being "Be Thou My Vision". I am so thankful that we sing hymns in our little church nearly every week!! Hymns are a heritage left to us by those who have gone before us and they should not be lightly thrown away!
To the KING be all the glory!
Rebekah
Blog: http://www.donotgrowweary.com/blog
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15
Oct. 31, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sagerats
I love this, my dear.
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