James Montgomery, 1771-1854
One of the greatest missionary hymns in the English language. It was composed for a missionary service held in Leeds, England, June 4, 1823, and was entitled, “The Spirit Accompanying the Word of God.” Its lyric beauty, its burning passion for the spread of the gospel, combined with its dignity and healthy-mindedness make it an extraordinarily useful hymn. Setting forth and emphasizing the relation of the Holy Spirit to the work of missions, it fills an important place in the Hymnary.
For comments on James Montgomery see [Hymn 62].
MUSIC. ALSTONE. For comments on this tune see [Hymn 300].
331. Fling out the banner! let it float
George W. Doane, 1799-1859
A stirring missionary hymn entitled, “Missions, Home and Foreign.”
It is based on Psalm 60:4: “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”
The hymn was written in response to a request from the young women at St. Mary’s Hall, Burlington, N. J., a girls’ college founded by Bishop Doane, to be sung at a flag raising. The author, writing what has become a widely known hymn, gave the occasion a far wider significance than the girls had foreseen.
Bishop George Doane, a zealous advocate of missions, was known in his own church as “the missionary bishop of America.” The modern missionary movement arose and spread in his lifetime. The hymn reflects Doane’s enthusiasm and aggressive missionary leadership.