Above: Christ Calmeth the Tempest, by John Martin
Image in the Public Domain
Text by Frank Mason North (1850-1935)
Hymn Source = The Methodist Hymnal (1905), Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South
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Jesus, the calm that fills my breast,
No other heart than thine can give;
This peace unstirred, this joy of rest,
None but thy loved ones can receive.
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My weary soul has found a charm
That turns to blessedness my woe;
Within the shelter of thine arm,
I rest secure from storm and foe.
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In desert wastes I feel no dread,
Fearless I walk the trackless sea;
I care not where my way is led,
Since all my life is life with thee.
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O Christ, through changeful years my Guide,
My Comforter in sorrow’s night,
My friend, when friendless–still abide,
My Lord, my Counselor, my Light.
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My time, my powers, I give to thee;
My inmost soul ’tis thine to move;
I wait for thy eternity,
I wait, in peace, in praise, in love.
Above: Frank Mason North
Image in the Public Domain
Frank Mason North (1850-1935), a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was an ecumenist, an urban missionary, and a social reformer. He, a Christian Socialist, was active in the movement to end child labor.
He wrote at least eight hymns.
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O Master of the Waking World:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2019/06/24/o-master-of-the-waking-world/
Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/where-cross-the-crowded-ways-of-life/
Jesus, the Calm that Fills My Breast:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2019/06/26/jesus-the-calm-that-fills-my-breast/
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Above: A World Map from 1570
Image in the Public Domain
Text (1928) by Frank Mason North (1850-1935)
Hymn Source = The Methodist Hymnal (1935), Methodist Episcopal Church; Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and Methodist Protestant Church
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O Master of the waking world,
Who hast the nations in Thy heart–
The heart that bled and broke to send
God’s love to earth’s remotest part:
Show us anew in Calvary
The wondrous power that makes men free.
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On every side the walls are down,
The gates swing wide to every land,
The restless tribes and races feel
The pressure of Thy pierced hand;
The way is in the sea and air,
Thy world is open everywhere.
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We hear the throb of surging life,
The clank of chains, the curse of greed,
The moan of pain, the futile cries
Of superstition’s cruel creed;
The peoples hunger for Thee, Lord,
The isles are waiting for Thy word.
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Thy witness in the souls of men,
Thy Spirit’s ceaseless, brooding power,
In lands where shadows hide the light,
Await a new creative hour:
O mighty God, set us aflame
To show the glory of Thy Name.
Loving God, we remember the enduring and faithful witness of N.
and of all others who have steadfastly refused to condone or commit violence during times of war,
and who have become martyrs rather than betray their principles.
In our own day, we pray for those who continue to suffer for this reason,
and for those who persecute them.
May oppressors recognize the errors of their ways and cease to oppress.
May mutual respect and forbearance triumph over intolerance, anger, and hatred.
May divine love prevail.
In the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Jeremiah 38:1-13
Psalm 141
Revelation 7:9-17
Luke 6:20-26
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MAY 7, 2019 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT DOMITIAN OF HUY, ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP
THE FEAST OF HARRIET STARR CANNON, FOUNDRESS OF THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT MARY
THE FEAST OF JOSEPH ARMITAGE ROBINSON, ANGLICAN DEAN, SCHOLAR, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF SAINT ROSA VENERINI, FOUNDRESS OF THE VENERINI SISTERS; MENTOR OF SAINT LUCIA FILIPPINI, FOUNDRESS OF THE RELIGIOUS TEACHERS FILIPPINI
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I composed this prayer and selected the passages of scripture today because, while writing a post at SUNDRY THOUGHTS, not one of the available propers for martyrs seemed adequate, given the topic and my mood.
KRT
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Loving God, why do the just and innocent suffer?
We read and hear ancient theological answers to that question.
Regardless of the truth of any of those answers, they fail to satisfy.
Hasten the age of your justice, we pray, so that
the meek will inherit the earth,
we will beat our swords into plowshares and learn war no more,
artificial scarcity will cease, and
nobody else will have to suffer or die for the love of one’s neighbors.
In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.
Joel 3:9-16
Psalm 70
Revelation 7:13-17
Luke 6:20-26
KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR
MARCH 15, 2019 COMMON ERA
THE FEAST OF SAINT ZACHARY OF ROME, BISHOP OF ROME
THE FEAST OF SAINTS JAN ADALBERT BALICKI AND LADISLAUS FINDYSZ, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN POLAND
THE FEAST OF OZORA STEARNS DAVIS, U.S. CONGREGATIONALIST MINISTER, THEOLOGIAN, AND HYMN WRITER
THE FEAST OF VETHAPPAN SOLOMON, APOSTLE TO THE NICOBAR ISLANDS
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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2019/03/15/proper-for-christian-martyrs/
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Above: Harry Emerson Fosdick
Image in the Public Domain
Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969) was the founding minister of the Riverside Church, New York, New York, and one of the most prominent liberal Protestant ministers in the United States during the twentieth century. He, according to many fundamentalists, a rank heretic, has remained in death what he was to them in life: a figure of scorn and controversy, even a bête noir. Fosdick was also an advocate for peace and for African-American civil rights in the country.
Fosdick’s four hymns have never ceased to relevant.
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God of Grace and God of Glory:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/god-of-grace-and-god-of-glory/
O God, in Restless Living:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/o-god-in-restless-living/
O God, Who to a Loyal Home:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/o-god-who-to-a-loyal-home/
The Prince of Peace His Banner Spreads:
https://gatheredprayers.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/the-prince-of-peace-his-banner-spreads/
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Above: Riverside Church and Grant’s Tomb, New York, New York
Image in the Public Domain
Hymn (1930) by Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969), for the opening of the Riverside Church, New York, New York, in 1930
Hymn Sources = The Hymnal (1941), Evangelical and Reformed Church; Hymnal and Liturgies of the Moravian Church (1969), Moravian Church in America
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God of grace and God of glory,
On Thy people pour Thy power;
Crown Thine ancient church’s story;
Bring her bud to glorious flower.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
For the facing of this hour,
For the facing of this hour.
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Lo! the hosts of evil round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail his ways!
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise:
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
For the living of these days,
For the living of these days.
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Cure Thy children’s warring madness,
Bend our pride to Thy control;
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,
Rich in things and poor in soul.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal,
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal.
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Set our feet on lofty places;
Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christlike graces
In the fight to set men free.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage,
That we fail not man nor Thee!
That we fail not man nor Thee!
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Save us from weak resignation
To the evils we deplore;
Let the search for Thy salvation
Be our glory evermore.
Grant us wisdom, Grant us courage
Serving Thee Whom we adore,
Serving Thee Whom we adore.
