Voices Found in teaching

                                                      an illustration by Florence Havergal 

Voices Found #98

Lord, Speak to me

Lord, speak to me, that I may speak in

living echoes of thy tone; as thou has sought, so

let me seek thy erring children lost and lone.

O lead me Lord, that I may lead the

wandering and the wavering feet; O feed me Lord, that

I may feed thy hungry ones with manna sweet.

O teach me Lord, that I may teach the

precious things thou dost impart; and wing my words, that

they may reach the hidden depths of many a heart.

Words: Frances R. Havergal (1836-1879)

Havergal was an English poet  who composed hymns especially for children. The harp, as shown here,  was her emblem.   

 She described one of her books as a "work to teach Tonic Sol-fa music to teenaged girls as a means to reach them with the gospel of Christ, bringing them within hearing distance of loving and sympathizing words, and of the One name which is sweeter than any music."  (The Havergal Trust https://www.havergaltrust.com/about-f-r-h/) 

Music: Canonbury, adapt. Robert A. Schumann (1810-1856) from Nachtstueke, 1839, arr. from Hymnal with Tunes, Old and New, 1872

Meditation:

Proverbs 4:1-10, is  designated in the Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year B,  Proper 2 (Closest to May 18).

Listen, children, to a parent's instructions,

and attend that you may know understanding.

For I give you all good training:

forsake not my teaching.

(Proverbs 4:1-2 tr. Gafney))

Following the Psalms in the Hebrew Scriptures, Proverbs emphasizes education: the power of learning and  listening, as well as   following instruction.   For Christians, Baptism is the beginning of training in godliness. With the Baptismal vow parents and congregations promise to provide instruction and support for the newly baptized. In  Elizabeth Cosnett's prayerful hymn we  reflect   on  the sacrament of Baptism. 

We bring our children Lord, today

as once they did in Galilee,

embrace them with your love, we pray,

and bless each home and family.

On their behalf and in their name

our own commitment we renew,

with them we die to sin and shame,

with them we live again in you.

Help us in all our ways to show

these growing souls your truth and grace,

until they shall come themselves to now

the beauty of our Father's face.

Words: Elizabeth Cosnett (1936-2024)

Music: Angelus, adapt Georg Joseph, Heilige Seelenlust, Breslau, 1657

ELIZABETH COSNETT, who died on 22 January, 2024, aged 87, was an award-winning hymn-writer and scholar who played an important part in the revival of hymnology in the latter half of the last century. Her ability to sing the faith in plain but inclusive language led to the publication of her work in hymnals and collections worldwide. She was also a leading authority on 19th-century figures, and her expertise helped to reveal new insights into the art of hymn-writing.

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2024/9-february/gazette/obituaries/obituary-elizabeth-cosnett

The teaching voices of women

Frances Havergal,  in the 19th Century and Elizabeth Cosnett  in the 20th Century follow in the footsteps of  women who composed hymns  to  teach children  their faith.   Excluded from the priesthood and the rabbinate, women of faith  educated the young in  churches, synagogues, and at home.  Their teaching songs, published in hymnals and songbooks of many traditions continue to sing the faith,  inspiring youthful believers believers to live their faith boldly. Voices Found offers music of the  Judeo-Christian tradition, beginning with the Exodus.

#15 Miriam's Song, Deborah Lynn Friedman (1951-2011)

#17 Devorah's Song, Friedman

#28 Our God we thank thee for the night, Rebecca Weston (1835-1895)

#31 When candles are lighted, Elizabeth Cosnett (1936-2024)

#38 Once in royal David's city, Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)

#49 There is a green hill far away, (Alexander)

#53 Spirit of God, Margaret Old, (1932-2002)

#64 Mary when the angel's voice, Carol Goodwin King ( 1997)

#69 We praise you, Judith Beatrice O'Neill ( 1930-2006)

#70 One small child,  Shirley Erena Murray (1931-2020)

 #107 Let all things now living, Katharine K. Davis (1892-1980)

# 111 and 112 All things bright and beautiful (Alexander)

# 125 I love to tell the story, Katharine Hankey (1834-1911)

#128 and 129 Jesus calls us, Alexander

#132 and 133 Take my life, Havergal

#134 Join us Christian children, Claire Egan (1998)

# 163 Jesus loves me! Anne B. Warner (1820-1915)

#166 Go now in peace, Natalie Sleeth (1930-1992)