Stories Behind Songs of
Inspiration.
by
An American Original
BROTHER LEE HALL
In
human terms and from a human perspective, life in the environment of the
inside of an oyster seems unpleasant. Dark and damp surroundings would
give us reason for despairing of hope and comfort.
A life of faith sometimes gives us this environment,
but without the need to despair. such as certainly the case with Henry.
All of his life, Henry was known as a man frail in body but strong in faith
and spirit. Death constantly threatened him with T.B. and Asthma. Despite
his physical frailties, he was a tireless worker. His life's motto was,
"IT IS BETTER TO WEAR OUT THAN TO RUST OUT."
For the last 23 of his 54 years, Henry was pastor of
poor fishing people in England. Gradually his health worsened. He was finally
told to seek a warmer, drier climate in order to save himself. The date
of his departure was set. He was to deliver his final sermon on September
4th.
Weak and exhausted, he dragged himself to the pulpit
and encouraged his parishioners to depend on the death of CHRIST. He then
served what became his last communion supper. Later that same evening,
looking across a peaceful sea and thinking of the abiding presence of GOD,
an oyster gave birth to a pearl. Henry , knowing that he was standing at
death's door, penned the words to a poem which in part said, "Heaven's
morning breaks and Earth's vain shadows flee, in life and in death, O Lord,
abide with me." Henry Lyte's life (the oyster) gave us this pearl on September
4, 1847, the hymn....
"ABIDE WITH ME"
Shortly thereafter, Henry went to abide in the presence
of the LORD forever..
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