MUSIC. PATTEN was written for this hymn for use in The Methodist Hymnal, 1905. The composer, Peter C. Lutkin, 1858-1931, the youngest of six children, was born of Danish parents, at Thompsonville, Wis., March 27, 1858. He was only a lad when both his parents died, shortly after the family had moved to Chicago. His ability at the organ and his success as boy soloist at the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral in Chicago opened to him attractive opportunities for the study of music, and he advanced rapidly. After teaching piano at Northwestern University for several years, he left for Europe to study music in Berlin, Paris, and Vienna, returning after four years to Chicago where he held various positions as organist and choirmaster. In 1896, he organized the Northwestern University School of Music and was given the title of “Dean.” An authority in the field of church music and hymnology, Dean Lutkin did much through his teaching and writing to raise the standards of music throughout all the churches.
YOUTH
391. I feel the winds of God today
Jessie Adams, 1863—
For many years the authorship of this hymn was unknown since the writer preferred to remain anonymous. It finally came to light that the lines were penned by Miss Jessie Adams, a member of the Society of Friends in England. She was a progressive teacher and a leader of the local Adult School at Frimley, England, where she long resided. Miss Adams wrote the hymn after a long period of service as teacher in which she felt a considerable measure of disappointment and failure, as if tugging and laboring at the oars of a boat without making much headway. She wrote:
If then, quitting the labors at the oars, we humbly believe that God’s Spirit still leads us aright, we shall pass the point of danger and helplessness. Some little act of kindness may be as the upturned sail which that spirit waits to fill, in spite of past and future.
The message of the hymn is for our time. Many in our day labor at the oars, in their own strength, only to find themselves worn and discouraged. Progress comes by lifting the sails and permitting the invisible power of God to carry life forward.
MUSIC. HARDY NORSEMEN is an anonymous Norse melody, the origin of which has not been traced. It is a popular tune among the Dutch Mennonites where it is often sung at their young people’s gatherings.
392. “Are ye able,” said the Master
Earl Marlatt, 1892—