There’s a precedent for our current practice of projecting the text for hymns and choruses on screens in churches today, and it’s not based on technology.\u00a0 Most of the old hymnals from the 18th and 19th centuries had no music, simply lyrics, yet they seemed to get along quite well.\u00a0 Their hymns frequently had more verses than we see today, but they did have preferred verses, and marked the less popular or throw-away verses with brackets.<\/p>\n
This hymn came from Gadsby’s Hymns, #61.\u00a0 According to Gadsby’s notes, it is based on Acts 13:48, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.<\/strong>” and Romans 8:30 “And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.<\/strong>”<\/p>\n ‘Twas fixed in God’s eternal mind Determined was the manner how Also the means were fixed upon Vast were the settlements of grace In every mercy, full and free, Yes, dearest Lord, ’tis my desire
\nWhen his dear sons should mercy find;
\nFrom everlasting he decreed
\nWhen every good should be conyeyed.<\/p>\n
\nEternal favours he’d bestow;
\nYea, he decreed the very place
\nWhere he would show triumphant grace.<\/p>\n
\nThro’ which his sovereign love should run
\nSo time and place, yea, means and mode,
\nWere all determined by our God.<\/p>\n
\nOn millions of the human race;
\nAnd every favour, richly given,
\nFlows from the high decree of heaven.<\/p>\n
\nA sovereign God I wish to see;
\nTo see how grace, free grace has reigned,
\nIn every blessing he ordained.<\/p>\n
\nThy wise appointments to admire;
\nAnd trace the footsteps of my God
\nThrough every path in Zion’s road.<\/p>\n