Inspiring Hymns

Inspiring Hymns.

I enjoyed reading the many good things said of Eliza R.

Snow, on the Sunday evening of January 21, 1912, when the Genealogical Society of Utah celebrated the birthday of this sweet poetess of Zion. I noted, too, with particular pleasure, the kindly references made, on this occasion, to Sister Emily Hill Woodmansee, her life and writings. Believing that a letter of sympathy, which I wrote to a friend of hers after her death, would be of many of the readers of the Era who love her hymns, interest to I am pleased to present it here "Our hymn book is full and running over with words of comfort and blessing, but no other hymn has given me such comfort as has Sister Emily Hill Woodmansee's, 'Providence is over all.' It may be that my having known her all my life, and of her sufferings and trials, has endeared her hymns to my heart. I know that her life was lived in full and complete accord with the splendid teachings of her beautiful hymns. I am wonderfully partial to the teachings and writings of those whose lives I know to be in full accord with their own words. Where they do not harmonize, I am free to confess that the teachings fall on deaf ears, in my case. Sister Woodmansee was one of the truly heroic souls whom the gospel found and bound to the Church, with bands of love as strong as steel. The gospel found her in England. She came to Zion part of the way with the handcart company, and suffered the hardships incident to that trip, which are far beyond the power of pen to paint. She married one of the gifted men of the Church who, like herself, was able to write songs which inspired and comforted the people. I will quote a verse from one of her husband's hymns (page 29) :

Arise, O glorious Zion, Thou joy of latter days, Whom countless Saints rely on, To gain a resting place; Arise and shine in splendor, Amid the world's deep night, For God, thy sure defender, Is now thy life and light.

"This man's life was not like hers, in full accord with his writings, and she had the sorrow of seeing her husband and the

EDITOR'S TABLE 423 father of her children cut off from the Church. "She later married a wealthy man who afterwards became very poor, and she suffered deep poverty. She might have suffered more had it not been for an impression which came to me that she was in great need of assistance, and following this impression, I called on her and had the pleasure of giving her some aid in her trouble. "During her whole life, she lived in perfect accord with the teachings of her beautiful hymns, and was an heroic, faithful soul, always trusting in God no matter how dark and drear her skies appeared. I quote the poem, 'Providence Is Over All' "

When dark and drear the skies appear, And doubt and dread would thee enthrall, Look up nor fear, the day is near, And Providence is over all. From heav'n above, His light and love God giveth freely when we call; Our utmost need is oft decreed, And Providence is over all. With jeaous zeal God guards our weal, And lifts our wayward thoughts above; When storms assail life's bark so frail, We seek the haven of His love. And when our eyes transcend the skies, His gracious purpose is complete, No more the night distracts our sight The clouds are all beneath our feet. The direst woe that mortals know, Can ne'er the honest heart appall, Who holds the trust—that God is just, And Providence is over all. Should foes increase to mar our peace, Frustrated all their plans shall fall.

Our utmost need is oft decreed, And Providence is over all.

I believe that one of the favorite hymns of President Joseph F. Smith is written by Sister Woodmansee. It is entitled,

"Uphold the right, though fierce the fight." (Hymn Book, p. 434 ) :

Uphold the right, though fierce the fight, And powerful the foe, And freedom's friend, her cause defend, Nor fear nor favor show.

424 IMPROVEMENT ERA

No coward can be called a man No friend will friends betray; Wbo will be free, alert must be; Indiff'rence will not pay.

Note how they toil whose aim is spoil, Who plundering plots devise; Yet time will teach that fools o'erreach The mark and lose the prize. Can justice deign to wrong maintain, Whoever wills it so? Can honor mate with treach'rous hate? Can figs on thistles grow? Dare to be true, and hopeful, too; Be watchful, brave and shrewd; Weigh every act; be wise, in fact, To serve the general good. Nor basely yield, nor quit the field Important is the fray; Scorn to recede, there is no need To give our rights away. i Left-handed fraud let those applaud Who would by fraud prevail; In freedoms' name, contest their claim, Use no such word as fail; Honor we must each sacred trust, And rightful zeal display; Our part fulfil, then come what will, High heaven will clear the way. Heber J. Grant.