whose experiences almost daily mingle with their own in the sweet sympathies of song

Poets are the song-birds of human nature, the interpreters of human feeling; and they only are worthy of the name, in whose interpretations we find our own unexpressed thoughts and feelings and experiences. The sacred poet, like the Levite of old, is still a minister in the temple; he still kindles the altar fires of holy feeling, and from his own spiritual indwelling, insight, and inner communings, he puts into language for as those emotions, dispositions, desires, that our hearts recognize and yet our lips fail of uttering. He takes us to mountain tops of feeling, into valleys of shadow, and leads by streams of refreshing, and into solitudes of restfulness and calm. But to understand him best, we must know the ways by which he himself has been led, and have the assurance that it is a trusty guide with whom we enter into holy companionship.

The above is an excerpt from the preface of a book published in 1875 entitled, Story of the Hymns.  Our best friend, Denise McCool found this book (which is a first edition) at a second hand story.  She stopped by this past week and presented it to Michael, stating, "I came across this and knew that it was meant for you".

Over the past 4 years, my husband, Michael, has written over 70 original songs/hymns and well over 600 poems which all exult Christ and express honor and glory to God.  I have been blessed to be able to say, I have first hand knowledge of  "the ways by which he himself has been led, and have assurance that it is a trusty guide with whom I enter into holy companionship"

What a blessing this little book has already been in just 4 short days.  God has used it to encourage my husband when all around him can be such discouragement.  In the current Christian culture, so few understand and appreciate the gift of praise and worship that God gives some of his people through the writing of both poems and hymns.  It is wonderful to read that it has not always been that way.  The preface ends by stating:

"...The religious experiences out of which these hymns grew are not as familiar to those who have not made a special study of the subject. That the book may lead some to better know the guides of their spiritual journey, whose experiences almost daily mingle with their own in the sweet sympathies of song, is the devout wish of the author."

Thanking the Lord this morning for His sweet presence and providence in our lives as he orchestrates even the smallest thing, like a friend finding a book in a second hand store, to encourage His people through our sojourn here on earth!