In researching Memorial Day, I learned that it began as a memorial for Civil War veterans. President Lyndon Johnson and both houses of Congress recognized Waterloo, New York as the birthplace of Memorial Day because the town decorated the graves of Civil War veterans as early as May 5, 1866. The claim is contested by Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, which claims to have begun the practice of decorating soldier's graves two years earlier than Waterloo. Another source claims that two years after the Civil War, it was southern women in Columbus, Mississippi who decorated the braves of both Confederate and Union men. Nevertheless, sources agree that it was General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic who designated May 30, 1868,
" as a day for strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating
the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country, and whose
bodies now lie in almost every city, village, or hamlet churchyard in
the land...It is the purpose of the commander-in-chief to inaugurate
this observance with the hope that it will be kept from year to year
while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of the departed."
One of the hymns from my childhood that comes to mind at this time of year is “Onward Christian Soldiers,” written in 1865. I can still see one hundred bubbly, overly energetic kiddos leaving the opening exercises of our DVBS (Daily Vacation Bible School) and singing these words are we marched to class. But I did not know the motivation and meaning behind the song. Baring-Gould, a local pastor in Yorkshire, England, wrote the hymn for the children of his village to sing while marching to school festivals. He woke in the early morning hours on the day of the festival to write these inspired words. Onward Christian Soldiers was later sung at the funeral of American president Dwight Eisenhower at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC, March 1969 as well as provided the ending to the 1942 Academy Award-winning movie, “Mrs. Miniver.”
Baring-Gould was inspired by 2 Chronicles 20:15, He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. “ How blessed we are that the Lord is our protector. With a close friend of my leaving for Baghdad, Iraq this month, the comfort of knowing he is in the palm of God’s hand has been very comforting to me.
Music
is a wonderful bridge between our world and that of God. He is
able to comfort, sooth and inspire us through His beautiful gift of
music. I would love to know what hymns have special meaning to
you. Please drop me a note and share your hymn stories with me.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Bethany Kirkpatrick, Director of Music
