The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-08

SPEAKER HYMNS FOR SPIRIT
UA1 WARFARE,
Last evening timely sermon was
delivered at the First Christian church
by the pastor, Rev. c. ". ollphant.
"songs Of War and Peace" was the
theme Of his remarks, and apt quota
tlons were made from the best known
hymns, with reference to martial feel
ings. Rev. Mr. oliphant said:
In ali life's contests nothing is more
helpful than music. 1t keeps our spirits
alive. When In trouble and overwheini-
Cd with difficulty, q song Hts US out
and removes our fears. Many are the
hVnns OF war and peace, occasloned by
war and peace. These hymns indicate
the shirt OF the age in which they were
written. Luther in 1920 wrote:
mighty fortress Is our God" It was
sung In his time so often as to give 1t
the name Of Battle hymn Of the Re-
The king OF Sweden, Gustavus Adolf
phug, had this hymn sung IN several
battles. His soldiers sang 1t In the bat
tle of Lutzen In 1852 In which battle
King Gustavus lost his life. isaac
watts IN 17l9 wrote hymn for use IN
war. based on the Goth Psalm. the
first couplet: Nov may the Goa OF
Power and Grace attend HIS people
humble cry" It has been often used
and sung when people desired wars TO
cease and peace to reign from the rlvers
to the ends OF the earth. For
"Through centuries of sin and woe
Hath streamed the crimson food"
War has been en- unending antaso-
nlsm between man and man; between
tribes and nations.
oliver Wendell Holmes was quick TO
respond to the sentiment OF the time
when he wrote In 1861, the Army
Hymn"
20 Lord OF hosts! Almighty King
Behold the sacrifice we bring,
These and many other hymns were all
inspiration in war times and teach us
the spirit that pervaded the hearts OF
the people in these times.
Music has helped the spirits OF the
reople and soldiers. o. W. Holmes also
wrote one that was helpful In this way
! II rs a prayer for the protection OF SOL
dIers. It's first line:
"Father of all mercles; Heavenly
Friend"
Then the last stanza Is:
''IIet each unhallowed cause that brings
The stern destroyer cease,
Thy flaming angel fold hip wings
And seraphs whisper peace"
Band music has been inspiring. In
the Battle OF Waterloo Wellington at
a critical moment found the FortH-sec-
ond Highlanders wayerIng and that the
reason alone lay in the fact that the
band had ceased to play. He instantly
ordeSed that the pipes be played IN tull
force. The effect was magical. They
rallied and went forth strengthened 10
win the llard-earned contest.
An army chaplain after the late war,
expressed the opinion that the war
songs and Christian hymns did more TO
maintain the spirits of the people and
| soldiers until decisive conclusion was
reached than any other single cause.
Said he: "Eloquence and money did
their part, but music more" The pat
tie HVmn OF the Republic" by Mrs. Ju-
| LA Ward Howe, was written because
! the authoress had vision of war and
of the God Of war OF human slavery
and freedom, of soldlerlV courage, sur
| ferinE and endurance. "Tenting on the
| Old Camp Ground" was written in a
few minutes, in 1862, by Walter Kilt
| redge, while preparing to go to battle.
At first It was not popular but after
wards became immensely popular. It
runs like this:
1--WE are tenslng on the old camp
Our weary hearts, song of homo,
And friends we love SO DEAR"
Chorus runs:
MANY are the hearts that are weary
Wishing for wars to cease,
Many are the hearts looking for the
right
To see the dawn of peace.
Tenting tonight, tentlng tonight on
the old camp ground"
There is one hymn written in 1899, By
S. f. Smith, a theological student at
Andover, which remains unsurpassed. 1t
has a history OF s!xtF-six years and
until another poetic seer is sent from
above, II will hold Undisputed first
rank MS the great national hymn for
nll national occasions, secular and
sacred. 1t Is "Amertca."
"My country, It's of thee,
Sweet land OF liberty:
or thee sing;
Land where mE fathers died,
Land OF the pilgrims pride
From every mountain side
Let freedom ring"
Al these and other hymns Ike Il,
should ever live and will ever live, in
the hearts OF nll true patriots.
The spiritual warfare has brought