The hymnodist with the greatest number of songs included in all five of the Southern Baptist hymnals published after 1904 is a woman: Fanny Crosby (1820-1915). As the "Queen of Gospel Song Writers,” Fanny Crosby is well-known by Southern Baptists as a prolific hymnodist and as the composer of many Baptist favorites (To God Be the Glory Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine All the Way, My Savior Leads Me Tell Me the Story of Jesus Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross Praise Him! Praise Him! Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior, among others). There are hymns and gospel songs written by hundreds of Christian women to be found between their pages, and a fourth of the hymns republished in four or all five of these hymnals were written by a woman. Since 1904, LifeWay has published five books of hymns and songs for use within the SBC and its affiliated churches: The Broadman Hymnal (1940), and four beloved iterations of The Baptist Hymnal (1956, 1975, 1991, and 2008). Over 100 women were represented among its hymnodists.
When The Sunday School Board of the SBC (known today as LifeWay) was established in 1891 as the convention’s publishing arm, they soon published a new hymnal - The Baptist Hymn and Praise Book (1904). The first “officially” adopted hymnal of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was A Baptist Psalmody, published in 1850. Of its 226 contributing poets, 29 were women. The extensive influence of women hymn writers on the spiritual identity of Southern Baptists is exemplified in the most famous Southern Baptist of all, Billy Graham Charlotte Elliot’s hymn “Just as I Am” became the representative anthem of his life and crusades after it was sung by the congregation while he walked to the alter and converted to Christianity. We sing them to confess our love for Jesus, to be comforted in times of strife, to convey the joy and praise in our hearts, and, ultimately, because they help us to express our faith deeply and meaningfully. Jesus Paid It All Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus To God Be the Glory Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine Nearer, My God to Thee Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus I Need Thee Every Hour the text to hymns such as these are forever echoed in the hearts and on the tongues of millions of Southern Baptists of all ages. These women speak not from the pulpit, but through penned words of lyrical poetry the songs they have written in our hymnals have uttered truth and faith amongst the gathered communities of Baptist believers for hundreds of years.
Whether they know it or not, Southern Baptists grow up hearing the voices of women in corporate worship on Sunday Mornings.
0 kommentar(er)
