Handbook to the Mennonite HymnaryHostetler, Lester
Religion
Handbook to the Mennonite Hymnary
Hostetler, Lester
Hymns, English -- History and criticism; Mennonites -- Hymns -- History and criticism
_MUSIC._ INTEGER VITAE (or FLEMMING) was composed by Flemming for a
chorus of men’s voices. It was set to “Integer Vitae,” an ode by Horace.
The tune became a great favorite with college men not only in this
country but also in England and Germany. It was introduced as a hymn
tune through the hymnals of Dr. Charles R. Robinson, _Songs of the
Sanctuary_, and _Laudes Domine_, and has since been widely used and
accepted as one of our most satisfactory hymn tunes. It is one of the
favorite tunes in the _Gesangbuch mit Noten_ where it is set to the
words, “_Ach mein Herr Jesu_.”
The composer, Frederick Ferdinand Flemming, M. D., 1778-1813, received
his training in medicine and was a successful practitioner in Berlin. He
is known to posterity, however, as a composer of part songs for men’s
choruses, and more particularly as the composer of this tune.
60. God moves in a mysterious way _William Cowper_, 1731-1800
There is no basis, according to most hymnologists, for the story that
this hymn was written after Cowper was mysteriously prevented from
committing suicide by drowning. The hymn was published by John Newton in
the _Olney Hymns_, 1779, and rapidly became popular. It is still found
in nearly all the hymnals. Its original title was “Light shining out of
darkness.” Its central thought is that God is working His sovereign will
even in the mystery and perplexity of human life, bringing light, not
_after_ darkness, but _out of_ darkness.
William Cowper, 1731-1800, was the greatest English poet of his age. He
had been trained for the law and was called to the bar at the age of
twenty-three but had to retire on account of ill health. He lost his
mental balance and became deeply melancholic, a misfortune which is
attributed to cruelty received at the hands of older and stronger lads
while he attended preparatory school. After treatment in a private
asylum, and living for a time in the home of Rev. Morley Unwin, he moved
to Olney where his devoted friend, the Rev. John Newton was curate. Here
he assisted Newton in his parochial and evangelistic work and
collaborated with him in the production of what became known as the
_Olney Hymns_. In spite of efforts at literary work, his depression of
spirit returned and never left him, except for brief intervals, until
his death in 1800.
_MUSIC._ DUNDEE (or FRENCH) is one of the twelve Common Tunes appearing
in the _Scottish Psalter, The CL Psalms of David &_, Edinburgh, 1615,
where it is named “French Tune.” Its first appearance in an English
Psalter is in Ravencroft’s _Whole Book of Psalms_, 1621, where it is
called “Dundy.” It is one of the best known of the psalm tunes and its
smooth, flowing melody has enjoyed great popularity.
For comments on the _Scottish Psalter_ see Hymn 575.
61. O God, our help in ages past _Isaac Watts_, 1674-1748
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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