Issue 31. The Golden Age of Hymns


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Summary
The 18th Century—the age of personal piety—marks the explosion of contemporary hymns in English and American churches. Charles Wesley, renowned poet and Methodist evangelist extraordinaire, wrote 8,989 hymns during his lifetime. Isaac Watts, author of over 1,000 hymns, reformed congregational singing with his educational and entertaining tunes. Through this issue of Christian History & Biography, meet the many famous (and not-so-famous) hymn writers who strove to invigorate Christian worship services with catchy melodies and thoroughly scriptural lyrics.

Inside this issue you'll find:

  • The Forgotten Wesley
    Often overshadowed by his famous older brother, Charles Wesley has emerged as perhaps "the greatest hymnwriter of all ages."
  • Also: Radicals in Times of Revolution
  • Why Wesley Still Dominates Our Hymnbook
    Two centuries later, what's the secret of Charles Wesley's undiminished popularity?
  • The Hymn Explosion
    In 1700, there were precious few English hymns. In 1800, there were hymnbooks galore. What happened?
  • Where Did We Get "The Doxology"?
    The story behind what may be the world's best-known hymn.
  • The Hymn Born in a Synagogue
    How a Hebrew text and synagogue melody became a well-known Christian hymn.
  • The Gallery: Hymn Writers' Hall of Fame
    The poets who put words in our mouths.
  • Also: Other Important Hymn Writers
  • America's Hesitation over Hymns
    Why did colonial churches resist the first British musical invasion?
  • Also: Were Hymns Good Poetry?
    They have endured. But does their lasting popularity prove their quality?
  • The Spiritual
    In the furnace of slavery, a lasting musical form was forged.
  • Also: What Did Slave Songs Sound Like?
  • A New Species of Christian Song
    Where did the English hymn come from?
  • Irrational Music Sung by a Mob of Extremists?
    Why the Church of England disliked hymns
  • Three Hymnals that Shaped Today's Worship
    The hymnbooks of John Wesley, John Newton, and John Rippon endured for generations.
  • Bonus Section:
    Who Put the Gideon Bible in Your Hotel Room?
    Nearly 100 years ago, two traveling strangers met by chance, never dreaming what they would start.
  • Also: Down and Out from Beverly Hills
    One man's encounter with a Gideon Bible
    Departments
  • Did You Know?
  • From the Editor
  • CH Timeline
  • Recommended Resources


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