Musical Notes

Hello OCBC family,

Let me share a passage with you, Revelation 7:15-17;  “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.  For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

John Henry Newman was born in London on Feb. 21, 1801. He was educated at Ealing, and at Trinity College, Oxford, where he graduated with honors in 1820.  He became a Fellow of Oriel in 1822 and was ordained in 1824.  In 1833, John H. Newman went to visit Catholic leaders in Italy, as he was not happy with the Church in England.  While in Italy, he contracted Sicilian fever and boarded a ship to return to England.  But during his voyage home, there was no wind and a dense fog  made the ship unable to navigate.  Restless and sick, Newman penned the words of a new hymn, “Lead, Kindly Light.”  Along with his desire for physical health, he wanted to see spiritual recovery in the Church of England.  And he wanted the ship to get moving!

Finally, the ship’s captain pointed heavenward and said, “The star is shining tonight.  If a wind rises, we can chart our course.  At night, one little star is sufficient.”  Newman took that as a divine assurance.  He later wrote that he had been looking for dazzling sunlight to guide him through his life, “but He sent me the kindly light of a star to show me the way one step at a time.”

The Lord Jesus wants to guide you every day and He might use the bright light of the sun, or a little light of a star. No matter how He guides your path, please, have the assurance that He will be with you always.

These are the word of the hymn “Lead, Kindly Light” by John Henry Newman:

"Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th' encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

So long Thy power hath blest me; sure it still
Will lead me on.
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

Meantime, along the narrow rugged path,
Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Saviour, lead me home in childlike faith,
Home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life."

 
In His service,

Israel