PROVIDENCES by W. H. B. Miller

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jun 2, 1898

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 24, No. 22.

PROVIDENCES

By W. H. B. Miller

Some years ago it was arranged to hold a large missionary meeting in one of the great cities of America. A committee had been appointed to consider plans and arrange a program for the gathering. The work was almost accomplished when one of the enthusiastic gentlemen present remarked: “What a pity we can not obtain a real appropriate hymn! What an interest a good missionary hymn would create!” There were not so many hymns to select from then as there are now. This large missionary meeting was for the purpose of obtaining missionaries to engage in Gospel work in distant lands.

As soon as the wish was expressed, a young man present said, “I will write you a hymn that will be appropriate.” He left the room, and in a very short time indeed returned and read the first three stanzas of—

“From Greenland’s icy mountains, From India’s coral strand.”

Those who listened were delighted, and thought the sentiment perfect. But the young man was not satisfied. “No,” he said, “it lacks something.” He left the room again, and in a few moments returned with the thrilling lines:—

“Waft, waft, ye winds, His story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till like a sea of glory It spreads from pole to pole; Till o’er our ransomed nature The Lamb for sinners slain, Redeemer, King, Creator, In bliss returns to reign.”

A tune was selected, and at the great meeting the hymn was sung by hundreds of voices, and the meeting was powerfully enthused, and earnest, consecrated men and women gave their hearts and lives to the great missionary work. The young man who wrote the hymn afterwards became the well-known Bishop Heber.

The beautiful words soon became very popular, and were published in many of the religious papers throughout the land. Some time after the meeting above referred to, a New York lady read the hymn in one of her papers, and she was struck with the beauty of the words and sentiment. She at once sat down, cut out the words, and wrote a note to a young gentleman friend who was at that time a bank clerk in the great city. He was a musician, and the lady told him how she admired the words, and begged of him to compose a suitable tune. Calling her little girl, she instructed her to take the note down to the bank where the young gentleman was engaged. The little daughter handed the note as directed, and waited till the bank clerk had perused it. He then asked her to wait for a few minutes, and in an exceedingly short time handed her the music which is now inseparably connected with the grand missionary hymn. Not a note has been since changed. Both hymn and tune stand as they left their composers’ hands. Lowell Mason was the name of the young clerk. When we think how many thousands have been thrilled and energized and inspired by this masterpiece among sacred songs, who will say that God did not inspire the thoughts and the music? How many souls have been turned from darkness to light through its influence will only be known in eternity. Thus God will ever inspire those who stand ready to glorify His name. Circumstances seemingly trivial to us may be the keystones of glorious designs, which the Master Architect is working out for our eternal happiness and the glory of His kingdom. Truly, “there is no little and there is no great” in the providences of God, and truly every circumstance must be a providence if we are God’s children, fully devoted to His service.

W. H. B. MILLER.

Melbourne, Aus.