April 19, 2005

Have faith in God –
Amid the lamps of fire!
Have faith in God –
To His high will aspire;
Have faith in God –
With heavenly desire.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

Jeanette Threlfall, 1821-1880

    They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna to the Son of David! "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!' Hosanna in the highest!" Matthew 21:7-9.

    Daughter of a wine merchant, Jean­ette was orphaned while young, and became the “beloved inmate” of the homes of her uncle and aunt, Bannister and Mary Jane Eccles, at Park Place, Blackburn, and Golden Hill, Leyland. Later she lived with her cousin, Sarah Alice Aston, at Dean’s Yard, Westminster. She eventually had an accident which left her a life­long invalid, giving her much time to write poems and hymns.
    This song first appeared in Sunshine and Shadow, by Jeanette Threlfall.

Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang;
Through pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang.
To Jesus, Who had blessed them close folded to His breast,
The children sang their praises, the simplest and the best.

From Olivet they followed mid an exultant crowd,
The victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud.
The Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state,
Nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait.

“Hosanna in the highest!” that ancient song we sing,
For Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heaven our King.
O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice,
And in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission