Jesus calls us oer the tumult (St. Andrews Day)

Today, November 30th is the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. He is also the Patron Saint of Scotland.

The reason he "became the Scot's saint" in brief is, as Scotland slowly became a nation it needed a national symbol to rally round and motivate the country. Saint Andrew was an inspired choice and the early Picts and Scots modelled themselves on Saint Andrew and on one of his strong supporters, the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, whose statue you can see today in York, where the he visited his father, a Roman General then trying to force the Picts to go back north.

So you see, he has more going for him than just a famous golf course...

The text of this hymn is by Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895). Her most famous and loved text is, "Once, in royal David's city" which we will soon sing for Christmas.

The music is "rather ordinary," and was composed by Edward Henry Thorne (1834-1916).

There is one full verse of introduction, and the entire hymn is played in a "non-fancy" manner. The tune is named, appropriately enough, "St. Andrew."

Jesus calls us! O'er the tumult
Of our life's wild restless sea.
Day by day his voice is sounding,
Saying, 'Christian, follow me':

As of old Saint Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for his dear sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world's golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, 'Christian, love me more'.

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
'Christian, love me more than these.'

Jesus call us! By thy mercies,
Sviour may we hear thy call,
Give our hearts to thy obedience,
Serve and love thee best of all.

I often think what good ole' Andy's family thought when he just "turned from toil, and home, and kindred"!

Probably NOTHING good... ;-)