Milford chronicle., 1961-11-24
"Old Rugged Cross
Favorite u. S. Hymn
continued from page one)

NCOHlluucu lIOlu page Ouc)
vote doubtless was due to the
songs popularity at hymn sings
across the country. How Great
Thou Art, a favorite selection OF
baritone AIcVey and Billy Graham,
was fourth in last years Christian
Herald hymn poll and McVey at
tributed part of it's current popu-
feeling and strong melody.
The third favorite hymn disclos-
/ ed by the National Newspaper
Hymn Poll was What A Friend
We Have In Jesus, song which
has earned place in Americans
hearts by it's warm expression of
faith held by PrOtestants of every
denomination, McVey said
| McVev, who has sung all the
top so hymns at Christian Herald
Community Hymn Sings across the
country, reported that I'm the
Garden, a hymn which tells of
Gods compassion and guidance,
received 3,S6S votes for fourth
place in the National Newspapers
Hymn Poll and was especially pre-
ferred in the Midwest.
The Christian Herald Singer
noted the rise in acceptance of
Amazing Grace" among American
| church-goers This gospel song.
which relates how faith provides
confidence. moved from ninth place
in the 1860 Christian Herald hymn
poll to fifth place with 1916 votes
in the National Newspaper Hymn
Poll.
The sixth favorIte hymn of the
81, ,44o Americans who voted was
Rock of Ages, a religious song
which describes mans confidence
in God Rock of Ages, seventh
in McVey's Christian Herald poll,
received 1,511 votes in the July
October National Newspaper Hymn
Poll.
The DeAt four favorites were:
Sweet Hour of Prayer, 1857
votes; Abide With Me-, Lip
votes; Beyond the Sunset, 1850
votes; and, Whispering Hope,
TAI votes.
Mcyey said the vote received by
Whispering Hope" was the big
gest surprise in the nationwide
balloting This hymn was 27th in
the Christian Herald poll but NOV
ed to 10th in the National News
papers Hymn Poll
This years poll, co-sponsored by
Christian Herald Magazine, the
nations largest interdenomina-
tional Protestant publication, and
newspaper editors in every state
except Hawaii and Vermont, re-
corded more than 1900 hymns and
gospel songs. Last year, Christian
Herald readers voted for 1866 re-
ligious songs.
McVey said the most important
point disclosed by this first def
nitive survey to determine the
hymns America loves best was
that American church-goers do not
prefer one type of religious song
10 another.
The last two years have seen a
constant controversy between hym-
nal editors, who downgrade hymns
they feel are too sentimental and
poorly composed and sometimes
eliminate those religious songs
from hymn books, and church
goers who prefer hymns that have
been the most inspiring to them.
and easiest for them to under
stand
The National Newspaper Hymn
Poll results show that American
church-goers want to sing senti-
mental hymns and gospel songs
like The Old Rugged Cross" Nc
Vey said. "If we are to get all
Americans singing the hymns CT
gospel songs of the church again,
choil directors, organists and min
listers should note the favorites of
newspaper readers across the
country and encourage religious
singing of every variety" he said.
"a silent faith is not as strong
as singing faith" McYey said.
Singing our favorite hymns is
natural way to create a national
bond Of brotherhood and moral
strength in the face of the mount
ing Communist threat" the Chris
tian Herald Singer said.
McVey pointed out that readers
who yoted in the National News
papers Hymn foll divided their
ballot almost equally for gospel
songs such as How Great Thou
Art and for hymns such as What
A Friend We Have in Jesus
Even though many of these
hymns and gospel songs have been
torn out of the hymn books, they
can't be torn out Of the hearts of
people who love them," McVey
+. aid. Americans are inspired by
the simple melodies and sentiments
Of the lyrics of their fayorite
hymns and gospel songs.
THE enthusiastic response to
the National Newspapers Hymn
Poll by men and women in almost
every state indicates that minis
ters and choir directors should
encourage more hymn singing in
their churches and at the same
time urge everyone to express his
faith with song every day." Bill
McVey said.