Sunday, July 14, 2013

Song for Sunday: Come Holy Spirit, Dove Divine



The second Sunday of June is "Judson Sunday" for Baptists in Burma. The congregations there plan celebrations in memory of Adoniram and Ann Judson whom they see as their spiritual parents. This year mark the 200th Anniversary of the Judsons arrival in Rangoon so the festivities will be exuberant this year. The major observance, however, is being held in December, because July is the rainy season. In December, Baptists from around the world will gather for four days of worship, remembrance and fellowship.
Amidst his other accomplishments (his translation of the Bible in Burmese is still in use), Adoniram wrote this hymn which is included in Baptist hymnals to this day.
Come, Holy Spirit, Dove divine,
On these baptismal waters shine,
And teach our hearts, in highest strain,
To praise the Lamb for sinners slain.
We love Your name, we love Your laws,
And joyfully embrace Your cause;
We love Your cross, the shame, the pain,
O Lamb of God, for sinners slain.
We sink beneath the water’s face,
And thank You for Your saving grace;
We die to sin and seek a grave
With You, beneath the yielding wave.
And as we rise with You to live,
O let the Holy Spirit give
The sealing unction from above,
The joy of life, the fire of love.



Click here to hear the music to this hymn, which was composed by H. Percy Smith and is used for other hymns as well. 


For a quick overview of the lives of  Adoniram and Ann Hasseltine Judson, try this article and this one.  The books Bless God and Take Courage by Rosalie Hall Hunt and To The Golden Shore by Courtney Anderson are recommended for further study. 

Or if you are a teen come to CYC and learn their story there. Our men's and women's camps are named after these amazing pioneers of the faith. This years dates are August 4-17, it meets in Maine and there is still time to register!





6 comments:

  1. To be honest, there was no way I felt I could connect to the content of your blog. If you had mixed something personal into your "information" you probably would have gotten my attention. Unfortunately your blog of information didn't since the content was outside of my world of experience, knowledge and interest.

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    1. That can be a difficulty with how the "comment chain" works. I often find myself needing to comment on something that I have no use for becaue of interests -- a review of a specific type of equipment for example. On the other hand, I am going to blogs I probably never would have and find my horizons being broadened at times. Sorry you found nothing helpful here.

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  2. Your devotion shows! It's wonderful to see how much your religious beliefs enthuse your life. Thanks for this post.

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  3. I did not know that this hymn was a "Baptist hymn." It is also found in the hymnals used in the Congregational Church. I remember singing it when I was growing up. Thanks for the memory!

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    1. I don't suppose it is specifically Baptist. It was written by one, though.

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