Issue 31 : Golden Age of Hymns
Originally published in 1991

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Table of Contents
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How a Hebrew text and synagogue melody became a well-known Christian hymn.
James D. Smith III
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Often overshadowed by his famous older brother, Charles Wesley has emerged as perhaps "the greatest hymnwriter of all ages."
James Townsend
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Two centuries later, what's the secret of Charles Wesley's undiminished popularity?
Timothy Dudley-Smith
In 1700, there were precious few English hymns. In 1800, there were hymnbooks galore. What happened?
Robin A. Leaver
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The story behind what may be the world's best-known hymn.
James D. Smith III
The poets who put words in our mouths.
Vinita Hampton Wright
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Why did colonial churches resist the first British musical invasion?
David W. Music
They have endured. But does their lasting popularity prove their quality?
Jan Anderson
In the furnace of slavery, a lasting musical form was forged.
Angela M. S. Nelson
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Where did the English hymn come from?
Madeleine Forell Marshall
Why the Church of England disliked hymns
Madeleine Forell Marshall
The hymnbooks of John Wesley, John Newton, and John Rippon endured for generations.
William J. Reynolds
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Nearly 100 years ago, two traveling strangers met by chance, never dreaming what they would start.
Kevin A. Miller
One man's encounter with a Gideon Bible
Paul Myers

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February 17, 661: Finan, bishop of Lindisfarne (an island off the eastern coast of England) who throughout his life sought to preserve Celtic customs against Roman influence, dies. Three years later, at the Synod of Whitby, Celtic Christians agreed to abide by Roman traditions. "Peter is guardian of the gates of heaven, and I shall not contradict him," said the Celtic King, Oswy (see issue 60: How the Irish Were Saved).
February 17, 1858: Waldensians, ancient "Protestants" from the Italian Alps who ...
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