From the Archive: Hymns for Special Services

A box-worth of song booklets has come to light. Salem Chapel, like many others, succumbed to the temptation to produce its own hymn booklets ‘for special services’. I flicked through and did not notice anything particularly notable. Judging by the printing fonts and cheap paper, it was made in the 1930s-1950s, or the sixties at a push.

What did grab my attention was an ‘extra’ verse included in Lyte’s great hymn, Abide with Me. I have never seen it before, and elementary research indicates it was omitted, along with a couple of other verses, after the nineteenth century:

Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
but kind and good, with healing in thy wings,
tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.

We sometimes relish the prospect of Christ’s return in power and judgement, for it holds no terror for His redeemed people. Yet when we need His comfort and grace before that event, the hymn rightly requests gentleness and tenderness, qualities which the Lord delighted to exhibit while on earth He walked. I might think that mid-twentieth century chapels’ penchant for printing their own song books and using teaspoons with their own cypher a little vain, but if it allowed some extra verses of good hymns otherwise omitted, I might be more in favour. Truly, the Lord God Omnipotent who shall return to earth with dreadful justice and terrifying power, is as gentle as a lamb with those who seek Him now.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

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