JESUS CALLS US O’ER THE TUMULT

Our hymn for today is another quality hymn text written by Cecil (Cecille) Francis Alexander, who was recognized as one of Great Britain’s finest women hymn writers. 

This text is one of the few hymns not written specifically for children; nearly all her more than 400 poems and hymns were intended for reaching children with the gospel.  It was always Mrs. Alexander’s contention that spiritual truths could best be taught to children through the use of suitable songs.

Her husband, Dr. William Alexander, was a distinguished churchman who later became the Anglican archbishop for all of Ireland.  Once married, Mrs. Alexander devoted her literary talents to helping her husband with his ministry, including writing appropriate poems he could use in his sermons.

It was on such an occasion, as Dr. Alexander was preparing for his message on St. Andrew’s Day, that he asked his wife if she could write a poem on his chosen theme and passage.  Dr. Alexander closed his sermon with her poem that became our hymn for today, entitled, JESUS CALLS US O’ER THE TUMULT.