I’m A Pilgrim and I’m A Stranger

“I’m a Pilgrim and I’m a Stranger” was a written by a woman who’s life was beset with tragedies; she lost sister, brother, son, and husband in the span of a few years. Instead of getting depressed and hopeless, she turned her attention to prayer and writing and with her words inspired many others. She…

Let Every Lamp Be Burning: The Hymn of the Five Wise Virgins

Have you ever come across the ‘Early Advent’ or ‘Watchfulness’ section of the SDA Hymnal, and just leafed through it saying, ‘Hmmm, I don’t know that…, I don’t know that…, I don’t know that…’? Well, this hymn is one of those least known songs — rarely announced in Sabbath School song service, much less Divine…

Who is Franklin E. Belden?

The history of the Seventh-day Adventist church is abundant with stories of great men who after making indelible contributions to the Advent movement, left the church. A few prominent names come to mind — T.M. Preble who was instrument in introducing the Sabbath truth to Joseph Bates; O.R.L. Crosier who wrote concerning the sanctuary; D.M.…

A Hymn About the Three Angels’ Messages

This week’s lesson quarterly touches the theme of the three angels messages. When was the last time you sang precisely about this topic? One of the great things about the early advent hymns is that the pioneers sang hymns that were distinctly ‘Adventist’ in nature. The actual Bible studies they did were largely embodied and reflected…

Advent Music: On Hymns About the Second Coming of Jesus

In the early Advent movement, the hymns on the subject of the coming of the Lord, sung with intense earnestness and solemnity had a wonderful effect on the hearers. James White, one of the great leaders in the great second Advent Movement of 1844, was very musical, a powerful and an excellent singer. And there…

Franklin Edson Belden (1858-1945)

Gallery BIRTH & DEATH b: 21 March 1858; Battle Creek, Michigand: 2 December 1945; Cleveland, Ohio HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS Known as the most prolific writer of hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was referred to as “the sweet singer of Israel” Also known for…

SDAH 454: Don’t You See My Jesus Coming?

Text 1Don’t you see my Jesus coming,See Him come in yonder cloud?With ten thousand angels round Him,How they do my Jesus crowd! RefrainI am bound for the kingdom,Will you go to glory with me?Hallelujah! O praise ye the Lord! 2Don’t you see the saints ascending,Hear them shouting thro’ the air.Jesus smiling, trumpets sounding,Now His glory…

SDAH 453: We Have Heard

Text 1We have heard from the bright, the holy, land;We have heard, and our hearts are glad;For we were a lonely pilgrim band,And weary, and worn, and sad.They tell us the saints have a dwelling there-No longer are homeless ones;And we know that the goodly land is fair,Where life’s pure river runs. 2They say green…

SDAH 452: What Heavenly Music

Text 1What heavenly music steals over the sea!Entrancing the senses like sweet melody!‘Tis the voice of the angels borne soft on the air;For me they are singing; their welcome I hear. 2On the banks of old Jordan, here gazing I stand,And earnestly longing, I stretch forth my hand;Send a convoy of angels, dear Jesus, I…

SDAH 451: Together Let Us Sweetly Live

Text 1Together let us sweetly live,I am bound for the land of Canaan.Together love to Jesus give;I am bound for the land of Canaan. Refrain:O Canaan, bright Canaan,I am bound for the land of Canaan.O Canaan, it is my happy home,I am bound for the land of Canaan. 2Together let us watch and pray;I am…