Dr. Sydnor Stealy was president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary when I attended there in the late fifties and early sixties. The Seminary conducted chapel every day; and while it was not required, it was expected. Dr. Stealy brought the message every Tuesday. His duties as seminary president kept him so busy he seldom had time to polish his sermons. He referred to them as his “unbaled hay” and warned students not to follow his example when they became pastors. His messages were seldom impressive; but his appreciation of the vintage hymns impressed me.
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Singing in the seminary chapel was a grand experience. The sound of several hundred male voices (all of whom presumed they could sing) was vibrant, resounding against the chapel walls. “O Worship The King” was one of Dr. Stealy’s favorite hymns. It has become a favorite of mine. The words written by Robert Grant are a marvelous blend of the Spirit and the world. Listen to them — “God’s robe is the light …His canopy is space …His care breathes in the air and shines in the light … It streams from the hills then descends to the plains and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.”
Since I began writing this column more than 30 years ago, I have become increasingly aware of God’s presence in everything. When I am at my best (which is far too seldom), God seems to have a message for me in even the smallest details of life. For example, I woke this morning to a dusting of snow. Such a little bit reminds me of those who want to be a little bit Christian. Like a little snow, it doesn’t last long; and the sinful nature still shows.
It is common to assume worship only happens in church on Sunday; but if we are alert, we will find cause for worship everywhere. The hymn writers seem to catch this truth best. Listen to these familiar words — “For the beauty of the earth …for the glory of the sky …for the wonder of each hour …hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light …Lord of all, for these we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.”