Through The Hymnbook

Guest (Female): Welcome, welcome to the organ loft. In this edition of Through the Hymnbook, Reverend Bert Jones went through a number of hymnbooks looking for songs that were about the sacrifice and the suffering of our Savior.

It is a very appropriate theme for this season of the year, and I hope as Bert plays that you will be drawn very close to the cross of Calvary.

Reverend Bert Jones: We do not think often enough through the church year of the sacrifice of the Savior. So this time, we consider some of the great hymns.

First, a beautiful song written by P.P. Bliss: "Man of Sorrows, What a Name! Hallelujah, What a Savior!" We listen as the beautiful diapason tones of the organ sing it first.

Reverend Bert Jones: Here is a song that speaks beautifully of the sacrifice of the Savior: "Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my sovereign die?"

Reverend Bert Jones: Then another stanza says: "Was it for crimes that I have done, that He groaned upon the tree?"

Reverend Bert Jones: This time, we are looking for songs that speak of the sacrifice of the Savior. Here is a great one. It is considered by many hymnologists the greatest English hymn: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," in which the Prince of Glory died.

"Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small. Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all."

Reverend Bert Jones: A lovely gospel song is a song that speaks of the sacrifice of the Savior: "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It! Redeemed, Redeemed!" He came to be our redeemer, to buy us out of the slave mart of sin. That is what the word redeem means.

Reverend Bert Jones: As we are going through the hymnbook looking for songs that speak of the sacrifice of the Savior, we come next to the great chorale, "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded."

This was even harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach for use in the church services, and many hymnals use his harmonization. May it speak to you. May it paint to you the picture of Calvary.

Reverend Bert Jones: A very beautiful spiritual says it beautifully, and it speaks to our hearts: "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? Were You There?"

Reverend Bert Jones: The great gospel song says, "Christ has for sin atoned. What a wonderful Savior!"

Reverend Bert Jones: "There is a fountain filled with blood, drawn from Immanuel's veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains." Words by the great English poet William Cowper.

Reverend Bert Jones: It is always a joy to hear from you when you write to the radio station or directly to me and say that Through the Hymnbook is a blessing to you. My address is Bert Jones, Through the Hymnbook, Box 575, Erie, Pennsylvania, 16512. I would love to hear from you.

Reverend Bert Jones: This song was inspired when one looked at a painting, a painting of Christ on Calvary, and wrote, "I gave My life for thee. What hast thou given for Me?" It is a lovely cello solo.

Reverend Bert Jones: "There is a green hill far away, outside a city wall, where the dear Lord was crucified and died to save us all."

Reverend Bert Jones: Oh, dearly, dearly hath He loved! And we must love Him too.

Guest (Female): It has been so good to have you in the organ loft. What a special time of meaningful songs at this special season of the year.

It would mean so much if you would take time and write and let us know that this particular Through the Hymnbook regarding hymns of the suffering Savior have been of help and inspiration to you.

You can contact us either by email, visitjoneses@aol.com, or Post Office Box 575, Erie, Pennsylvania, 16512. May these songs have been a real blessing to you and me as we realize once again the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and for me on the cross of Calvary. Bye.