Comments on: Hymns for the Winchester Profession bicentennial

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

-I love that rare Universalist hymn (assuming it is singable to the tune). I’m wondering why Universalist hymnody has such a rotten reputation, considering if this is a sample of what was available? Recently Wells Behee has been resurecting an old Universalist ordination hymn that I also thought was good. He said it was sung at his ordination in New Madison, on Nov. 1, 1953; but that post-merger he has almost never heard it. His church will sing it again for a special upcoming service in honor of his 50th anniversary of ordination.

By: the boy

the boy — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

Most aren’t that good, and are equally as Victorian as Universalist. That, and as you suggested, the tunes can be miserable.

Also, which ordination hymn, per chance?

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 31 Dec 1969 19:00:00 +0000

I don’t know the name of Wells’ ordination hymn, or the proper hymn tune, but here is a fragment of what I have from the lyrics’ text. Notice that it is somewhat gender biased.

O not to one, but all, our God,
grant ordination free,
to heights of life as yet untold,
and nobler ministry.

Ordain in him the seeker’s mind
of eager trusting youth,
that hurries forth each morn to find
the mana-falls of truth.

Ordain the prophet-heart that takes
lone sides with outcast worth;
ordain the helping hand that makes
a dawn of heaven on earth.

This hymn has a distinct whiff of pre-1930’s Social Gospel movment. It’s not Victorian. I like the poetry and simplicity, but it may sing quite badly. I’ll probably be a guest at the anniversary celebration, and will let you know what it sounds like, and what hymn tune Wells’ finally decides is the corrent one.