MUSICAL JOY (Post 188)
September 23, 2026
Music washes away from the soul the dust of every-day life.
– Berthold Auerbach
Life, like the waters of the seas, freshens only when it ascends towards heaven.
- Richter
Notice September’s title: musical JOY – not a typo! Our topic is still joy. Yes, music, and more specifically the hearing of and/or composing of music will be included. Still, the hearing and composing will only be circumstances. Joy will be the experience in the circumstances. Those experiences, wrapped in Divine mystery, bring joy, never to be forgotten. The following three are from true-life accounts.
[FIRST ACCOUNT: Footnote: The Complete Book of Hymns, William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 2006, pp.411-412.]
[Footnote: Sankey, Ira D., My Life and the Story of the Gospel Hymns. Philadelphia: The Sunday School Times Company, 1907.]
[Footnote: Christian Heritage / VCY. tv ]
A spur-of-the-moment request by evangelist Dwight L. Moody to his accompanying song leader placed Ira Sankey in an awkward spot. In front of an audience who had just heard Moody’s message on The Good Sheperd, he was asked to sing a coordinating song to which Sankey drew a blank. Somehow though, he sensed a voice telling him to sing words based on a short poem he had read in a newspaper the day before: again, it was just a poem, no music! Sensing that – once again – somehow, he could do it, he prayed and found himself both singing and playing the organ the un-composed poem to a deeply moved audience. (This hymn, The Ninety and Nine, was derived from the same titled poem by Elizabeth Clephane.)
[SECOND ACCOUNT: Footnote: The Complete Book of Hymns, William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 2006, pp.458-459.]
On his return from preaching, circuit-rider Josiah Alwood encountered a heavy shower that partially blocked out that night’s brightly lit moon. The lunar rays still shining through storm clouds, produced a rare rainbow! So moved was Pastor Atwood, finally at home, he one-finger composed a tune and immediately penned words. He kept the tune in his memory so that he could have a music teacher write the notes later. His hymn is entitled “The Unclouded Day”. Upon relating this experience, the clergyman described the feeling of solemn joy!
[THIRD ACCOUNT: Footnote: The Complete Book of Hymns, William J. Petersen & Ardythe Petersen; Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 2006, pp.464-465.]
[Footnote: hymnallibrary.org/hymns/what-a-da-that-will-be/#google_vignette ]
James Hill had never written or composed a song; yet he was inspired! Putting together the closing words of a visiting singer at his home church plus the pervading sadness he felt for his mother-in-law, paralyzed by a stroke, word and tune came upon him. Unsure about this first-ever creation, he introduced the song to family members. Then on a visit with his mother-in- law, they sang Jim’s song to her. Her smile and expressive demeanor were the first seen in three years!
One may thus ask: where do these words come from? The melodies?
The mystery. The unknown and the Known. Is there an explanation?
I offer that it’s not to pick apart. As so often is said: It is what it is. Still, the what or the who may tend to cloud the experience. To those who have this/these experience(s), the temptation might be to shrug it off or purposely keep it quiet. Others share the inspiration that such experiences have strengthened them in inward (and even outward) ways.
The final account to be shared for Post 188, happened about 15 years ago. Parishioners had encouraged me to home-visit an elderly person whom I had never met. This was common and I looked forward to meeting him. Right away, I knew that in coming visits, we would have deep faith discussions. We explored many facets of theological points and scripture. I would say, our conversations amazed both of us. In short, it was very rewarding and faith-building.
Then one afternoon and home alone, I heard music: a beautiful combination of symphony and vocal (but I could not discern any specific words). It was very full sounding. I went to the door, stepped outside (it was a cold day) and didn’t hear anything unusual or see any cars or individuals. Windows and doors were all shut. Back inside, the sense of music continued. Eventually, it stopped. There was a feeling of holiness and the sacred during this time. Not long after, I received news that the gentleman had died. The timing was very close to when I heard the music. Over the years, I have never forgotten these details. Where would the music have come from? A friend suggested to me that it was the music playing at the gentleman’s home-going. What a beautiful thought! Earth-bound, I may never know. I can, however, say each time this particular experience comes to mind, I feel a sense of peace and awe. That has never changed.
In closing, I pray musical joy for each of you!
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
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