cover image Songs in the Night: Inspiring Stories Behind 100 Hymns Born in Trial and Suffering

Songs in the Night: Inspiring Stories Behind 100 Hymns Born in Trial and Suffering

Henry Gariepy. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, $20 (272pp) ISBN 978-0-8028-3802-5

Gariepy, National Literary Consultant for the Salvation Army in the United States, here gathers the background stories that led to the composition of 100 well-known hymns. Acknowledging that some of the most cherished Christian hymns are the result of ""night seasons,"" times of doubt, grief or loneliness for their writers, the volume is both poignant reading and a useful resource (e.g., for preachers, teachers, etc.). The book includes biblical, historical and contemporary examples of people who have turned sorrow into song; and the hymns themselves are printed as poetry without music. Forged in the agonies of war, slavery, illness or depression, they offer words that have brought solace to many over the years. These stories of the circumstances in which such favorites as ""Just As I Am,"" ""What a Friend We Have in Jesus,"" ""Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"" and ""Amazing Grace,"" were written will be a source of hope and inspiration for readers today. (Apr.)