O Happy Day that Fixed my Choice

PHILIP DODDRIDGE (1755).

O hap-py day that fixed my choice On Thee, my SAVIOUR, and my GOD! Well

He taught me how to watch and pray, And live re-joic - ing ev-'ry day,

happy day,

O happy day, When JE - sus washed my sins a- - way.

'T is done, the great transaction's done

I am my LORD'S and He is mine;

He drew me and I followed on,

Charmed to confess the Voice Divine.

Now rest, my long divided heart;

Fixed on this blissful centre, rest;

Nor ever from thy LORD depart,

With Him of every good possessed

High Heaven that heard the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear,

Till in life's latest hour I bow,

And bless in death a bond so dear.

Philip Doddridge, the twentieth child of his parents, wrote this hymn. This hymn is a favorite hymn for revival occasions, and serves on any occasion to refresh our minds of our birthday into the Kingdom.

I'm

near-er home to-day Than I have been before.

2

my father's house, Where ma ny man - sions be,

Near

· er the great white throne, Near - er the crystal

Nearer the bound of life,

Where burdens are laid down,
Nearer to leave the Cross,
And nearer to the Crown;
But lying dark between,

And winding through the night,
The deep and unknown stream
Crossed ere we reach the light.

JESUS, confirm my trust;
Strengthen the hand of faith
To feel Thee, when I stand
Upon the shore of death.
Be near me when my feet
Are slipping o'er the brink,
For I am nearer home,
Perhaps, than now I think.

sea.

Phoebe Cary wrote this hymn and sent this interesting note to her friend, Mary Clemmer Ames: "I enclose the hymn and story for you, not because I am vain of the notice but because I thought you would feel a peculiar interest in them when you know the hymn was written in your house. I composed it in the little back third story bedroom one Sunday morning after coming from church, and it makes me happy to think that any word I could say has done a little good in the world."

Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me

Rev. A. M. TOPLADY (1776).

T. HASTINGS (1830).

ter and the blood, From Thy wound-ed side that flow'd,

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfil Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy Cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;

Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the Fountain fly;
Wash me, SAVIOUR, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyelids close in death.
When I soar through tracts unknown,
See Thee on Thy Judgment Throne ;
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.

Augustus Toplady was converted while attending a meeting in a barn in Ireland. He said: "Strange to say, that I, who had so long sat under the means in England, should be brought right unto God in an obscure part of Ireland, midst a handful of people met together in a barn and by the ministry of one who could hardly spell his own name." Following this conversion he wrote this hymn. When Toplady was near his death the attending physician observed he was much improved and told him of his prospects for recovery. "No, no," he said, "I shall die, for no mortal could endure such manifestations of God's glory as I have and live." The next day he expired singing one of his own hymns.

Books for Reference

Danielson and Conant-Songs for Little People
Dann-First Year Music

Hill-Song Stories for the Kindergarten
Leyda-Melodies

Leyda-Carols

Munker-Primary Methods in the Church School Walker and Jenks-Songs and Games for Little Ones