Henry Van Dyke – birth, Nov. 10, 1852

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.

Henry Van Dyke was born this date, 11/10/1852, at Germantown, Pennsylvania.   Van Dyke was a Presbyterian who pastored in Rhode Island and New York City from 1879 to 1899.  He was appointed professor of English literature at Princeton University, where he remained for many years.  He also served as the Amer­i­can am­bas­sa­dor to Luxembourg and the Netherlands. 

His published books include The Story of the Other Wise Man (1896) and his songs/hymns include the above “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (sung to the last movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony).

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Howard A Walter – death, Nov 1, 1918

“I Would Be True (stanza 3)

I would be faithful through each passing moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be strong to follow where He leads me;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.    – written in Japan, 1906

Howard Arnold Walter died this date, 1918 in Lahore, India.  A graduate of Princeton University, he also studied in Scotland and Germany.  He taught in Japan and later taught Muslim students in Sri Lanka (former Ceylon) and India dying there at about 35 years of age.

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