A couple of times recently I have encountered the story of Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933) and reference to some of his hymns. When Robert Smith recently spoke at Union he briefly told the story of Tindley, the son of former slaves who taught himself to read and write, put himself through school while working as a church janitor, and later became pastor of that same church. This week Russ Pflasterer led chapel in singing a song by Tindley.<\/p>\n
It is apparent that Tindley knew what it meant to persevere, and as I searched though hymns written by Tindley I discovered that perseverance was a common theme. I particularly liked his song, “Some Day,”\u009d which I think is a powerful reflection on the necessity of perseverance and the hope which sustains us. The words are below. May the help us to persevere faithfully.<\/p>\n
“SOME DAY”\u009d<\/p>\n
Beams of Heaven, as I go,
\nThrough this wilderness below,
\nGuide my feet in peaceful ways,
\nTurn my midnights into days;
\nWhen in the darkness I would grope,
\nFaith always sees a star of hope,
\nAnd soon from all life’s grief and danger,
\nI shall be free some day.<\/p>\nRefrain<\/em><\/p>\n
I do not know how long ’twill be,
\nNor what the future holds for me,
\nBut this I know, if Jesus leads me,
\nI shall get home some day.<\/em><\/p>\nOftentimes my sky is clear,
\nJoy abounds without a tear,
\nThough a day so bright begun,
\nClouds may hide tomorrow’s sun;
\nThere’ll be a day that’s always bright,
\nA day that never yields to night,
\nAnd in its light the streets of glory
\nI shall behold some day.<\/p>\nRefrain<\/em><\/p>\n
Harder yet may be the fight,
\nRight may often yield to might,
\nWickedness awhile may reign,
\nSatan’s cause may seem to gain,
\nThere is a God that rules above,
\nWith hand of power and heart of love,
\nIf I am right, He’ll fight my battle,
\nI shall have peace some day.<\/p>\nRefrain<\/em><\/p>\n
Burdens now may crush me down,
\nDisappointments all around,
\nTroubles speak in mournful sigh,
\nSorrow through a tear stained eye;
\nThere is a world where pleasure reigns,
\nNo mourning soul shall roam its plains,
\nAnd to that land of peace and glory
\nI want to go some day.<\/p>\nRefrain<\/em><\/p>\n
– Charles A. Tindley, 1906<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A couple of times recently I have encountered the story of Charles A. Tindley (1851-1933) and reference to some of his hymns. When Robert Smith recently spoke at Union he briefly told the story of Tindley, the son of former slaves who taught himself to read and write, put himself through school while working as …<\/p>\n