| It is fun to remember certain songs evoking special memories from the stages of my life. My father loved to sing. He sang with a quartet at community song fests. I remember the Stamps songbooks with shaped notes. A song will come on the radio and Don or I would comment "That is one of the songs Dad used to sing." One of my cousins played the guitar. His favorite song was "Cool Clear Water." We sang it together. He was killed in Europe during World War II. Whenever I hear that song, a sadness comes over me. "Sunny side of the Street" was constantly played on a juke box where I worked at a hamburger place for awhile. We memorized every word and sang along when there were no customers. When I moved to Salem, Oregon, I joined the First Baptist Church. One Sunday, Dr. L.T. Anderson taught from Jeremiah 8:20, 22: "the harvest is finished and the summer is gone," the people cry, "Yet we are not saved!".....Is there no medicine (balm) in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why is there no healing for the wounds of my people? He explained that "balm" was the resin of the storax tree that was used medicinally. Gilead, east of the Jordan River, was famous for its healing balm. Dr. Anderson stated the balm that is needed is the healing power of Jesus for our deep wound of sin. The choir ended the service with a song I had never heard before. Refrain There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; There is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul. If you cannot preach like Peter, If you cannot pray like Paul, You can tell the love of Jesus And say, "He died for all." (Afro-American Spiritual) During my years at First Baptist Salem, I learned to study the Bible and to walk with the Lord. God led me from Salem to Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I majored in Christian education. Dr. Harry Stam often led the chapel services. He was a retired missionary. My heart was often touched by a song, "Go Ye into All the World": Far, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling, Millions of souls forever may be lost; Who, who will go, salvation's story telling, Looking to Jesus, minding not the cost? I remember coming back from the Oregon coast with two busloads of kids from First Presbyterian Church, Bremerton, Washington. When the busses hit the city limits, the windows were opened as the kids began to sing: O when First Pres. comes rolling in, O Lord I want to be in that number... (to the tune of "When the Saints Go Marching In")
Firwood near Billingham, Washington...Pine Cove near Tyler, Texas...Trail West Lodge near Buena Vista, Colorado...all featured this song: It only takes a spark to get a fire going and soon all those around warm up to its glowing. That's how it is with God's love once you've experienced it... The great old hymns of the church are a wonderful joy and blessing to me. What can compare to the works of Charles Wesley. Fannie Crosby. Charlotte Elliott? Don came home and heard me belting out a song. The tune was familiar but he couldn't remember the words. It was J. Wilbur Chapman's "Our Great Savior." Jesus! What a Friend for sinners! Jesus! Lover of my soul! Friends may fail me, foes assail me; He, my Savior, makes me whole. Refrain Hallelujah! what a Savior! Hallelujah! what a Friend! Saving, helping, keeping, loving. He is with me to the end. The Father is worshipped, honored and praised as we lift up our hearts and voices to Him. |
