Hymns For God's Peculiar People

March 27 - Hymns For God's Peculiar People

 


They sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb. Rev. 15:3.

When a Christian movement begins to take a definite shape it usually develops its own hymnal. James White undertook that task for Sabbatarian Adventism, publishing Hymns, for God's Peculiar People, That Keep the Commandments of God, and the Faith of Jesus in 1849.

Hymns and hymn books, of course, are never neutral. They reflect the message that is of utmost importance to those who write the songs and compile the hymnals. And just as many people in the days of the Roman Empire sung their way into orthdox Christian doctrine, so it was that many in the nineteenth century sung their way into the Adventist message.

James White knew the power of song. He also knew its doctrinal function. Withe that in mind, it is not surprising to find that the first hymn in James' collection is titled "Holy Sabbath." Its message speaks for itself.

"1. The Pur, unfailing word of God -           "5. Still farther down the streams of time,
     Fountain ever sure-                                     We hear the prophet say-
     It's statures, precepts, and its laws,         Hearken, fear not repraoch nor shame,
     Are written for the pure.                                Who keep the seventh day.
"2. In paradise where man was led,          "6. For thus the Mighty God hath said
     The word will safely guide;                         To those who truly rest,
     And if he should this law evade,                Thou  shalt on the high plces ride,
     His steps would surely slide.                     And feed among the blest.
"3. The Holy Sabbath here was made,      "7. Here too are they who patient are,
      Which god did sanctify;                               And keep commandments pure,
      And if we would our God obey,                 They'll in the Holy city share,
      We must with this comply.                         If to the end endure.
"4. In after times, when Moses liv'd,           "8. Then let us still pursue this road,
     This law was ratified:                                  Till we fair Canaan gain,
     And all who kept this holy word,                Then we shall walk the street of gold,
     May know they're sanctified.                       And in that rest remain." 

Since James' book only had words and no tunes, you will have to figure out how to sing it. But even if the tune is missing, the poem leaves no doubt about the message.

        

That you feel and know you are a sinner is sufficient ground for asking for His mercy andcompassion. The condition upon which you may come to God is not that you shall be holy, but that you desire Him to cleanse you from all sin and purify you from all iniquity. The argument that we may plead now and ever is our great need, our utterly helpless state, that makes Him and His redeeming power a necessity(TFMB, 131).