Christian Heroic Songs

In 1858, the issue of slavery still loomed over the people of the United States, like a cloud of mist on a overcast day. In major cities such as Philadelphia in the north of the country, there were no black slaves. However, this social issue often caused disputes in the city of Philadelphia, as merchants there still wished to trade with slave-owning merchants residing in the southern states. 

There was a young pastor from an Episcopal Church congregation in Philadelphia named Dudley Tyng. With burning zeal, the young pastor opposed the institution of slavery. This did not sit well with some members of the congregation, so in early 1858, Rev. Tyng was dismissed from his post. 

The clergyman refused to back down. His leadership was so influential that many members of his congregation followed him as a group. They were determined to establish a new congregation. And Dudley Tyng continued to serve them as their pastor. 

Meanwhile, the city of Philadelphia was experiencing an extraordinary spiritual revival. Rev. Tyng became one of its leaders. Countless people repented and placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Special prayer meetings for men began to be held at midday. Many shopkeepers and shop assistants willingly sacrificed their lunch breaks so that they could attend. 

One day in March 1858, Rev. Dudley Tyng preached the Word of God at that midday service. Five thousand people had gathered in a large hall. The passage for his sermon was taken from the Old Testament: “No, you may go, but only the men; and worship the Lord, for that is what you desire.” (Exodus 10:11). 

With fiery words, Dudley Tyng challenged his listeners to prove their manhood by taking part in spiritual warfare – for the sake of the All-Loving God, and for the sake of their fellow human beings who were still enslaved by sin and evil. Of the five thousand men who listened to Dudley Tyng’s sermon that day, at least a thousand repented.

An unexpected accident

Three days later, Rev. Tyng was busy studying in his study. Then, feeling tired, he went outside to rest for a while. As it happened, there were some farmers working in the maize barn near his house. They were using a mule (a cross between a horse and a donkey) to turn the maize husker. 

Rev. Tyng reached out to pat the neck of the hard-working mule. Suddenly, his long sleeve became caught in the wheel of the corn huller! Instantly, his hand was dragged in as well. He screamed in pain. Before he could be rescued, most of his arm had been ground to pieces. 

The doctors tried to treat his severe injuries. They amputated part of his arm three times, in the hope that the remaining part might heal. But it was all in vain. It turned out that the young minister was facing his final moments.
A friend leaned in to hear the voice of Dudley Tyng, who was already weak from his injuries and blood loss. 

“Do you have a final message for your fellow believers?” asked the friend. 

“Yes,” he whispered, gasping for breath. “Tell them. ‘Let us all rise up for Jesus!’” With these words, the servant of the Lord passed away.
 

The Final Message Becomes a Favourite Hymn

One of his friends standing around Dudley Tyng’s bedside at the moment of his passing was Rev. George Duffield, Jr. He was the pastor of a Presbyterian church in the city of Philadelphia. 

Rev. Duffield was deeply moved by the final message from his late fellow minister. The following Sunday, he took Ephesians 6:14 as the text for his sermon: “Stand firm”, along with the subsequent verses describing the various weapons to be used in spiritual warfare. At the end of his sermon, Rev. Duffield read out a new poem. The poem, consisting of six stanzas, was his own composition. 

Rev. Duffield then gave a copy of his work to the Sunday School Director at his church. The head of Sunday School had it copied so that the Sunday School pupils could sing it. Somehow, one of those copies ended up being published in a Christian magazine. 

The song quickly became popular. The words were on everyone’s lips, though sometimes set to one tune, sometimes to another. Just six years later, whilst the American Civil War was raging, Rev. George Duffield visited a military camp where soldiers were fighting against slavery. At that time, he also heard the soldiers singing the lyrics he had written, set to music that still resounds throughout the world to this day. 

Two Distinct Careers

George Duffield, Jr., was born in 1818 in the state of Pennsylvania. Both his ancestors and his descendants were well-known clergymen within their communities. Rev. Duffield himself received a good education, and he served churches in various towns until late in life. He died in 1888. 

George James Webb shared the same first name as George Duffield; apart from that fact, and the fact that both were devout Christians, it could be said that there was absolutely no similarity whatsoever between the careers of these two men. Nevertheless, the music composed by one ‘George’ has been set to lyrics written by the other ‘George’, resulting in the ‘Hymn of Christian Heroism’ which is now famous far and wide. 

George J. Webb (1803–1887) was born in England. He was educated and trained as a musician, and became an organist at a church. At the age of 27, he moved to the United States. Although still young, he was already accustomed to composing songs, both sacred and secular. 

Whilst sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, George Webb composed a new song. The melody he created was intended for a secular poem entitled, “Dawn Breaks, Birds Sing”. 

A historian of church music once added a touch of humour by writing: “It never crossed George Webb’s mind that he was composing a hymn, just as it never occurred to him that he might as well continue the rest of his journey to the shores of North America by swimming!” However, it was precisely that secular song that was later set to the lyrics written by George Duffield. 

George Webb’s voyage to America proved profitable for him. Initially, he had booked a passage on a ship bound for New York City, but he was persuaded to change his plans by the captain of a ship heading for Boston. Upon arriving in Boston, he was immediately invited to become the organist at a large church. 

He also worked closely with Dr Lowell Mason to promote music, both in churches and in schools. He became the leader of a major society, making significant contributions to the advancement of music. He also edited both books and magazines in his field of expertise. 

A Blind Musician

There is one more person whose story should be told in the context of this selection of hymns. Among the hymnals listed on page 30, there are two in which George Duffield’s lyrics are set to music not composed by George Webb. 

Adam Geibel was born in Germany in 1885. As a child, he was brought to America by his parents. At the age of about eight, he contracted an eye disease, and due to incorrect treatment, he went blind. However, the boy proved to be so exceptionally gifted that he was still given the opportunity to study music. 

The blind musician went on to become renowned as a composer, choir and orchestra conductor, organist, and music publisher. Although he himself died in 1933, some of his compositions are still performed today, including both secular and sacred songs. 

At the time, aged just sixteen, Adam Geibel composed a new, spirited song, reminiscent of an advancing army. It is this piece by Geibel that appears alongside the “Christian Heroic Song” in several hymnals, both in Indonesia and in other countries. Strangely enough… Adam Geibel’s composition also appears in the book Two Old Friends with different lyrics from the poem written by George Duffield.

Thus, the words written by Rev. George Duffield, Jr. remain a call to battle for Christians, whether they are sung to the tune composed by George J. Webb or to that composed by Adam Geibel. 

“The Song of Christian Heroism” is a tribute to a young pastor who truly fell as a hero in the spiritual battle. The song is also a challenge to rise up and stand firm, remaining ever faithful to Jesus Christ as our Commander.