The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1908-05-30

Since the day on winch Miriam sang
her song Of triumph over the destruc-
tion of the hosts of the Egyptians. and
thus gave expression to the first hymn
of which we have any record myriads
of sacred songs have been penned by
devout men and women-songs that
are sung wherever people meet to
worship and praise the King of Glory.
But while hymns and psalms of
praise stretch far back across the cen
turies. one department of it is of com
paratively recent origin. Gospel song
is a modern institution. and America is
its birthplace and its home.
No one, suppose, would venture to
assert that American hymnology con
tains anything to be compared with
the masterpieces of English collec-
tions, and yet, when we come to the
field of Gospel songs, the American
writers have it all practically to them
selves. The explanation of this may
: lie in the fact that while those in
England have been fed and nurtured
on stately and majestic hymns, Amer
leans have been trained in the use of
Gospel songs and have thus become
more accustomed to them. Whatever
the cause, however, the fact remains
that Americans have taught England
most Of the Gospel songs with which
she is familiar
Ira D. Sankey was little else than a
singer, but he composed one or two
pieces that were deservedly popula.',
and will always be indissolubly asso-
ciated with his name. Among his
earliest efforts at composition was his
air to yet there is room." the words
of which were written by Rev. DR..
Horatius Bonar. They were written,
too, at Sankey's request. He had
been singing Tennyson's great poem:
Late, late, SO late, and dark the night
and chill" at the mission meetings in
England; but the owners of the
copyright would not permit him to use
1t In his collection of hymns. There
upon he asked DR.. Bonar to write
words that would cover the same
ground. and Yet there is room" was
the result. Other melodies have been
put to the same words by other COM
posers, but Sankey's air holds its own
place In the affections of the ma
1ority.
One Of the most popular composers
was James McGranahan, the success
or Of that sweet singer p P. Bliss
who, with his wife, was killed in
Irailway accident-as the colleague Of
Mai. Whittle. McGranahan was a pro-
life writer. and his work is of very
high standard. Are you coming
home tonight" the words of which
were written by young lady in Scot
land, possesses a strength Of appeal
which sinners find hard to resist, and
has been used with striking blessing
in every part of the world. Among
his other successful compositions may
be mentioned Christ receiveth sinful
men," There shall be showers of
blessings Thy God reigneth,"
"Come." Banner of the cross" and
I'll stand by till the morning" The
words of this last hymn were written
by Bliss.
But while these writer's have been
mentioned, the purpose Of this article
is more with the men who are hard
at work to-day. and who have the ear
Of the whole English-speaking world.
Among these l mention, first Of all,
George c. Stebbins, who has been a
steady and consistent writer for
many years When the output Of some
others is considered, Mr.. Stebbins can
not be regarded as prolific, but all his
work is Of high merit, and his stand
ard is perhaps higher than that of
any of his contemporaries. Ever in
his mind is the aim to direct the
thoughts of the people more to the
message of the music than to the
music itself.
Mr.. Stebbins takes time to his work.
When his verses are given to him, he
snakes the music matter Of earnest
prayer. and the result Of this COM
muuion is seen in the refinement Of