Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.

John Avery Whittaker: Hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. My friends and I are about to set off for a time of wonder and excitement. You want to come along? We'd love to have you join us for today's Adventure in Odyssey.

Lucy Schultz: And who are you, sir?

Martin Luther: Martin Luther.

Tetzel: He is a heretic, that's who he is.

Lawrence Hodges: This is an incredible tragedy.

Philip Bliss: Get back! The boiler's going to blow.

Fanny J. Crosby: I cannot, and I won't.

Major Daniel Whittle: Philip! Philip!

John Avery Whittaker: Hello, and welcome to A Moment in Time on Kids Radio. We're coming to you live from Odyssey Community Church, where we'll be discussing what we're listening to, hymns. Singing is one of our most important acts of worship, and today on A Moment in Time, we'll meet and talk with three people who wrote some of our greatest and best-loved hymns. I'm John Avery Whittaker. Stay with us, please.

Guest (Male): Find out what's going on in other parts of Odyssey in the new Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip.

Guest (Female): You're serious?

Guest (Male): Catch up with some long-lost characters with fully illustrated art.

Guest (Female): What a sight.

Guest (Male): And original stories.

Guest (Female): All right, for the good of the theater.

Guest (Male): They've been here in town all along, but now you can read about what they've been up to.

Guest (Female): You are not going to believe this.

Guest (Male): Plus, new surprises wait around every turn.

Guest (Female): It's nice to see you again. Glassman.

Guest (Male): The Elsewhere in Odyssey comic strip, a new weekly release only in the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

John Avery Whittaker: We're back with A Moment in Time on Kids Radio. You all sing beautifully. But let me ask you a question. When you're singing, do you ever think about who wrote the hymns? How about you?

Guest (Male): No, not really.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, do any of you ever wonder if there's a story behind the hymn? How about you?

Guest (Female): Sometimes, but most of the time I just think about the song.

John Avery Whittaker: Well, I do the same thing, and I'd say that most of our listeners probably do too. Did you know that at one point in church history, worshippers weren't allowed to sing hymns in church or out of it?

To find out how that changed, Lucy Schultz has taken our microphones to Wittenberg, Germany, in the year 1517. Lucy, are you there?

Lucy Schultz: Yes, I'm standing outside the doors of the Castle Church here at Wittenberg. A crowd is standing in line waiting to drop coins into a large box. A man is talking to the people as they file past. I'm going to see if I can speak with him.

Tetzel: That's it, my children. Keep coming. There are pardons enough for all.

Lucy Schultz: Excuse me. Excuse me. Mister?

Tetzel: I am Herr Tetzel, priest here at the church. How may I help you, child?

Lucy Schultz: I was wondering if you could explain what you're doing.

Tetzel: Well, providing these poor lost souls with peace of mind.

Lucy Schultz: By giving them pieces of paper?

Tetzel: These are not just pieces of paper. They are pardons for sin.

Lucy Schultz: Pardons?

Tetzel: Yes. These parchments are indulgences.

Lucy Schultz: What does that mean?

Martin Luther: It means he is selling these people a lie.

Tetzel: Oh no, not again.

Lucy Schultz: And who are you, sir?

Martin Luther: I am Luther. Martin Luther.

Tetzel: He is a heretic, that's who he is.

Martin Luther: It is not I who practice heresy, Tetzel, but you who keep God's word from the people.

Lucy Schultz: Would you explain that?

Martin Luther: It's all here on this paper, a list of 95 theses.

Lucy Schultz: Theses?

Martin Luther: Yes, complaints against the church establishment.

Lucy Schultz: What kind of complaints?

Martin Luther: You have witnessed them. Greedy and corrupt officials peddling remission of sins and salvation like a street vendor.

Tetzel: Street vendor?

Lucy Schultz: Are you selling these indulgences, Herr Tetzel?

Tetzel: No, these are acts of sacrifice leading to penitence.

Martin Luther: Sacrifice? Payments, you mean. You are selling salvation.

Tetzel: Say what you will. These papers are authorized by the church.

Martin Luther: Are they authorized by God? Certainly not in the scriptures. But the people do not know that because you have convinced them that only you are capable of understanding and interpreting the Bible.

Tetzel: The people are ill-equipped to read Holy Scripture on their own. Most of them cannot read at all. And those who can cannot read the language of scripture, Latin.

Martin Luther: Then teach the people to read and give them the Bible in their own tongue.

Tetzel: You are mad, Luther.

Martin Luther: Am I? Prove it by the scriptures. Where is it written that only officials and trained choirs should sing in the church? For more than a thousand years, laypeople have been denied the right to raise their voices in praise to God in the worship services. But the Bible tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Tetzel: Do you see what you and your 95 theses have started?

Martin Luther: I have not yet begun. You would have me stand idly by while you pervert God's word and deprive the people of the Holy Scripture. But for too long, I have remained silent. I shall remain silent no longer.

Tetzel: You would nail your foul document to the very doors of the church?

Martin Luther: Yes, for all who believe the truth to see.

Tetzel: Before you do, Luther, be warned. The church does not suffer insults lightly. If you persist in these actions, you risk excommunication.

Lucy Schultz: Herr Luther, your response?

Martin Luther: Here is my answer.

Tetzel: You are mad.

Lucy Schultz: How would you answer that charge, Herr Luther?

Martin Luther: I must do what God has called me to do. If others believe it is madness, so be it.

Lucy Schultz: Aren't you afraid of the church establishment?

Martin Luther: God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46. When the battle is the Lord's, there is no need for fear. And now I must join the people, if you'll excuse me.

Lucy Schultz: And that's a moment in time at Wittenberg, Mr. Whittaker. One man standing up for the truth. Back to you.

John Avery Whittaker: Thank you, Lucy. When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the Wittenberg door, he started something called the Reformation, a movement that made it possible for ordinary people to read the Bible and praise God in song. Because congregations at that time had few hymns to sing, Luther began to write them. Today, four centuries later, we still sing his most famous hymn, a hymn of strength and courage in the face of oppression, inspired by Psalm 46, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

Although most hymns express joy and hope, many came about as a result of a great sorrow and tragedy. Such is the case with our next hymn, written by a man named Philip Bliss. With more on this remarkable musician, we've sent Lawrence Hodges back to Ashtabula, Ohio, in the year 1876. Lawrence?

Lawrence Hodges: Thank you, Mr. Whittaker. Actually, I'm at the train station just outside Ashtabula, where Philip Bliss should be arriving shortly. With me is Major Daniel Whittle, an evangelist who works with Mr. Bliss. Welcome to A Moment in Time, sir.

Major Daniel Whittle: Thank you.

Lawrence Hodges: Tell us about Philip Bliss. How did you meet him?

Major Daniel Whittle: Well, I became very active in God's work after my return from the late war between the states.

Lawrence Hodges: That's where you got the title Major.

Major Daniel Whittle: That's correct. Anyway, Philip and I went to the same church.

Lawrence Hodges: Went? You don't go there anymore?

Major Daniel Whittle: No, because the Lord blessed our efforts at that church, a mutual friend encouraged us to launch out on our own.

Lawrence Hodges: Mutual friend?

Major Daniel Whittle: Yes. Perhaps you've heard of him, Dwight Moody.

Lawrence Hodges: Oh, yes.

Major Daniel Whittle: Well, thanks to his urgings, Mr. Bliss and I now tour the country spreading the Gospel of Jesus.

Lawrence Hodges: Tell us about Mr. Bliss's music.

Major Daniel Whittle: Well, I'm a preacher, not a musician. But Philip has a remarkable grasp of what makes a good hymn. His ability to put the fundamental truths of the Gospel into poetic and singable form is a testament to his deep faith and devotion to God.

Lawrence Hodges: Thank you, Major Whittle. Well, as you can hear, the train carrying Mr. Bliss is approaching. This is really a nice scene. Let me see if I can describe it for you.

The station is located near a ravine. An old wooden trestle spans the ravine, and the train crosses it before coming to town. It's like a picture out of the Old West. The train is on the trestle now. It should only be a few moments before it— Wait, something is happening. The train has slowed to a crawl. The trestle is swaying. It's— The train has crashed down to the bottom of the ravine. The crowd is rushing to the crash site. I'm going to try to get down there myself.

John Avery Whittaker: Lawrence? Lawrence? We seem to have lost contact with Lawrence Hodges. While we try to re-establish— Wait. I think we may be getting through.

Lawrence Hodges: Mr. Whittaker? Hello, are you there?

John Avery Whittaker: Yes, Lawrence, we are. What's happening?

Lawrence Hodges: I'm at the bottom of the ravine now. As you can hear, there's a great deal of commotion. The train is a massive twisted metal. Workers are rushing to rescue people from the wreck. This is an incredible tragedy. There's Major Whittle. Major!

Major Daniel Whittle: Over here! Bliss is alive!

Lawrence Hodges: What? This is unbelievable. Philip Bliss has somehow survived. We're going to him right now.

Major Daniel Whittle: Philip, sit down. You shouldn't move.

Philip Bliss: My wife. She's still on the train.

Major Daniel Whittle: She's in the wreckage?

Philip Bliss: Yes. I've got to find her.

Major Daniel Whittle: The workers will take care of it, Philip.

Philip Bliss: No. I must find her.

Major Daniel Whittle: Philip, wait! Get back! The boiler's going to blow. Philip! Philip!

Lawrence Hodges: Dear Lord. The train. It's completely engulfed in flames. Mr. Bliss. He didn't come out. Back to you, Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker: Philip Bliss perished trying to rescue his wife from the fiery wreckage of the train. Later, Major Whittle and another man named James McGranahan found Philip's trunk, which somehow survived the crash and fire. In it was the last song he ever wrote, called "My Redeemer."

James McGranahan put music to the words, and it soon became a favorite on Major Whittle's evangelistic campaigns, and with good reason. It reminds us of the wonderful hope we have, a hope so profound that even in tragedy we can sing of our Redeemer.

Guest (Male): Hey, parents. For almost 40 years, Adventures in Odyssey has been helping kids like yours form relationships with Christ. Now, the animated Adventures in Odyssey film "Journey into the Impossible" will reach a new generation of families. But we need your help to finish the film and launch it in theaters. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar before May 1st. See the trailer and donate today at focusonthefamily.com/impossible. That's focusonthefamily.com/impossible.

Guest (Female): Can't get enough Adventures in Odyssey? Then go behind the scenes with the Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast.

Guest (Male): I'm Bob, producer of the Adventures in Odyssey Club.

Guest (Female): And I'm Jesse, editor of Focus on the Family Clubhouse Magazine.

Guest (Male): We're the podcast hosts, and we're excited to show you all the fun behind your favorite episodes. When you tune in, you'll learn more about the actors behind your favorite characters.

Guest (Female): Hey, there's Connie.

Guest (Male): Hi, this is Katie Leigh, the voice of Connie. Welcome to the Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast.

Guest (Female): You'll hear how the writers come up with their ideas and how the sound designers create all those amazing effects. Just watch out for spoilers.

Guest (Male): You'll also get the opportunity to ask questions of your own. The team answers questions from fans like you.

Guest (Female): How often are the writers' meetings, and how many albums do you plan ahead?

Guest (Male): There's a bunch more stuff we haven't even mentioned. So what are you waiting for? Peek behind the curtain by listening to the Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast. Find it wherever you get your podcasts, or better yet, visit adventuresinodyssey.com/podcast. See you soon.

Chris: Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-Family with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

John Avery Whittaker: No program on hymns would be complete without our next guest. She is known as the Queen of Hymns, having written more than 8,000 of them. She has also been called the happiest creature in all the land. Her name is Fanny J. Crosby, and our own Jenny Roberts is with her at her home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the year 1915. Jenny, are you there?

Jenny Roberts: I am, Mr. Whittaker, and sitting next to me at the piano is Mrs. Crosby.

Fanny J. Crosby: Well, actually, Crosby's my maiden name. My married name is Van Alstyne, but Crosby's much easier to spell.

Jenny Roberts: Would you rather I called you Mrs. Van Alstyne?

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, no. No. I'd rather you called me Aunt Fanny because that's what everyone calls me.

Jenny Roberts: All right, Aunt Fanny. 8,000 hymns. How did you do it?

Fanny J. Crosby: Well, I didn't, dear. The Lord did it through me.

Jenny Roberts: Have you always been a Christian?

Fanny J. Crosby: Well, I was brought up in a Christian home, yes. But when I was 30 years old, I truly met the Lord for the first time at a revival meeting, and I just felt as though he was flooding my soul with his light. And for the first time, I realized that I'd been trying to hold the world in one hand and God in the other.

Jenny Roberts: Was that when you started writing hymns?

Fanny J. Crosby: Believe it or not, no.

Jenny Roberts: Really?

Fanny J. Crosby: No, that came about ten years later. I had had some success with writing popular music. And then one day, William Bradbury, a well-known church musician, said to me, "Fanny," he talked this way, he was very important, "Don't you think it's time you used your talents for the Lord?" And I realized he was right.

Jenny Roberts: Your hymns are sung more than those of any other gospel writer. Have you ever stopped to think of how many people have been led to Christ through your songs?

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, my goodness, no.

Jenny Roberts: Really?

Fanny J. Crosby: No, that's the Lord's business, not mine. However, I do know that people who'd never read a sermon would read a song, and that's why I put as much of the Gospel as I can into my lyrics.

Jenny Roberts: That's great. Can you tell us a little bit about the inspiration for some of those hymns? For instance, I understand there's a wonderful story behind "All the Way My Savior Leads Me."

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, my. Oh yes. Well, you see, I needed five dollars. And I didn't know where I was going to get it. So I prayed about it. And a few minutes later, a stranger appeared at my door with just the right amount. And I have no way of accounting for it except that God answered my prayer. And I just thought it was so wonderful the way the Lord leads me, so I wrote a song about it.

Jenny Roberts: What about "Rescue the Perishing"?

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, well, that came about during my mission work in the inner city. You see, I was speaking to a large group, and I kept thinking that some poor boy must be rescued that night or not at all. And I told the crowd that if there was someone present who had wandered away from his mother's teaching, to please see me.

And after the service, you know, a young man came up and he tugged on my sleeve, and he said, "Miss Crosby, did you mean me? I promised my mother I'd meet her in heaven, but as I'm living now, that'll be impossible." Well, we prayed together. And when we finished, you could see the light in his eyes. And he said, "Now I can meet my mother, for I've found God."

Jenny Roberts: Those are remarkable stories.

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, yes. You know, I look forward to seeing that young man in heaven one day.

Jenny Roberts: How did you get the title "The Happiest Creature in All the Land"?

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, I don't know. I guess I just decided a long time ago that I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself.

Jenny Roberts: Sorry? If you'll pardon me for saying so, you're famous and successful. What did you have to feel sorry for yourself about?

Fanny J. Crosby: Why, about my condition, of course.

Jenny Roberts: I apologize. I didn't know you had a condition. See, I have one of my own. I'm blind.

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, my dear. So am I.

Jenny Roberts: You?

Fanny J. Crosby: Since I was six weeks old. It was due to improper medical treatment.

Jenny Roberts: I can't believe this. I had no idea.

Fanny J. Crosby: Neither did I. And to think all this time I've been sitting across from one of the fortunate ones and I didn't even know.

Jenny Roberts: Fortunate ones?

Fanny J. Crosby: That's what I call folks like us.

Jenny Roberts: I'm not sure I'd call us fortunate.

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh yes, we are. Do you know I once ran into a Scottish minister who rambled on and on about how sorry he was for me? And after a while, I finally told him that if at birth I had been able to make one request of God, it would have been that I should be born blind.

Jenny Roberts: Really? Why?

Fanny J. Crosby: Because when I get to heaven, the first face I shall see will be the Savior's.

Jenny Roberts: Well, we're out of time. I want to thank you for talking with me today.

Fanny J. Crosby: Oh, you're welcome, dear. But listen, before you go, I have a little something special for you.

Jenny Roberts: Really?

Fanny J. Crosby: Yes, it's a poem I wrote when I was eight years old. Oh, what a happy soul am I, although I cannot see. I am resolved that in this world, contented I will be. How many blessings I enjoy that other people don't. To weep and sigh because I'm blind, I cannot and I won't.

Jenny Roberts: That was really wonderful. Thank you once again. Back to you, Mr. Whittaker.

John Avery Whittaker: Thank you, Jenny. Fanny Crosby went to be with the Lord on February 12th, 1915. Carved on her tombstone are the words Jesus spoke about Mary, the sister of Lazarus, after she anointed the Lord with costly perfume. The words are "She hath done what she could." Perhaps her best-known hymn is the one the congregation is humming right now, "Blessed Assurance, Jesus Is Mine." It's very appropriate, for we're certain this blind poetess is now gazing upon the face of the Savior she loved and served so well, singing his praises all the day long.

Heard on today's program were Lucy Schultz, Lawrence Hodges, and Jenny Roberts. I'm John Avery Whittaker, inviting you to join us again soon for a moment in time.

Chris: Like Whit said at the start of today's program, singing is one of our most important acts of worship. The songs we heard today were written for this one reason, and that's why when we're in church, we should do what it says in Psalm 96 verses 1 and 2. Oh sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name.

Have you ever written a hymn? Why not give it a try? Then write to me here in Odyssey and tell me how it went, okay? The address is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, B.C., V6B 4G3. Don't forget to ask how you can get a copy of today's episode. It's called "Hymn Writers." That address again is Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995.

Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. "Hymn Writers" was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Bob Luttrell and our executive producer, Chuck Bolte. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.