STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS, is our hymn story today and it was written by George Duffield, Jr.  However, it was inspired by a story of someone else!

Dudley Tyng served as his father’s assistant pastor at the Church of the Epiphany in Philadelphia.  When his father retired in 1854, he succeeded him as pastor at this large church.  Dudley was only 29 years old at that time. 

His ministry at the church seemed like a good fit until he began to vigorously preach against slavery.  After loud complaints and resistance from some church members, Dudley resigned, and with some followers organized the Church of the Covenant elsewhere in the city.  His reputation grew and he started noontime Bible studies at the local YMCA.  His ministry reached far beyond the church walls.  With a personal burden for leading husbands and fathers to Christ, he helped to organize a great rally to reach men.  5,000 gathered at the rally.  After Dudley’s preaching was finished, over a thousand men were converted and received Jesus Christ.

Two weeks later, Dudley was visiting a countryside farm where he was seriously injured when he got too close to a corn-thrasher in the barn.  Four days later when it was certain he was dying, Dudley told his father: “Stand up for Jesus, father, and tell my brethren of the ministry to stand up for Jesus.”

Rev. George Duffield was deeply moved by this story told at Dudley Tyng’s funeral and the following Sunday he preached from Ephesians 6 about standing firm for Christ.  He read a poem he had written…which became the text for STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.  Music was composed and Duffield’s hymn became a favourite.  It continues to be  the message to all the ‘soldiers of the cross’!