CHRISTIAN LIFE >> Christian Warfare
SDAH 611
Awake, my soul! stretch every nerve,
And press with vigor on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
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Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
This his hymn by Philip Doddridge (1702-1751; see SDAH 597) was published posthumously, as were most of his hymns, by his friend Job Orton in Hymns Founded on Various Texts in the Holy Scriptures, 1755. It was entitled “Pressing on in the Christian Race” and had five stanzas. The hymn was used for those who had been newly confirmed, although it is applicable to any stage of the Christian’s experience. Scripture allusions are plentiful, as Doddridge used to write a hymn, based on his sermon, to conclude the church service. Doddridge also wrote hymn No. 597, “Ye Servants of the Lord.”
CHESTERFIELD appears in the ninth edition of Carmina Christo (Songs to Christ), 1792, which was a compilation of 139 hymns and tunes by Thomas Haweis. It was unnamed in this publication and set to the hymn by Haweis beginning “O Thou from whom all goodness flows.” Haweis was born at Redruth, Cornwall, on January 1, 1734. He was surgeon, but after practicing this profession for a time he changed course and studied for the ministry. He was ordained an Anglican minister in 1757, but while curate at St. Mary Magdalen, Oxford, he was removed from office because of his sympathy toward the Methodists. After two other appointments he became chaplain to Lady Huntingdon’s Connexion at Bath, and manager of the college that she established in Wales. He published a history of the church, a translation of the New Testament, and a Bible commentary. He was most interested in foreign missions and took part in organizing the London Missionary Society. He retired to Bath, Somerset, where he died on February 11, 1820.
The name CHESTERFIELD commemorates Lord Chesterfield (1694- 1773), member of Parliament, ambassador at The Hague for two years, statesman, and author, who often visited the Countess of Huntingdon. In the Collection of Psalm-Tunes, 1808, by Samuel Webbe the younger (see SDAH 477), the tune is also named RICHMOND, after Webbe’s friend, Leigh Richmond.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Awake, my soul! stretch every nerve,
And press with vigor on;
A heavenly race demands thy zeal,
And an immortal crown.
2
’Tis God’s all animating voice
That calls thee from on high;
’Tis He whose hand presents the prize
To thine aspiring eye.
3
A cloud of witnesses around
Hold thee in full survey;
Forget the steps already trod,
And onward urge thy way.
4
Blest Savior, introduced by Thee,
Our race have we begun;
And, crowned with victory, at Thy feet
We’ll lay our trophies down.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Phil 3:14 (c) Heb 12:1; Phil 3:13 (d) Rev 4:10
Author
Philip Doddridge (1702-1751)
Hymn Tune
CHESTERFIELD
Metrical Number
C.M.
Composer
Attr. to Thomas Haweis (1734-1820)
Alternate Tune
ARLINGTON, SDAH 609
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