All Saints Day

The first Sunday in November is the traditional date for the Christian church to celebrate All Saints Day. How many churches observed this today? Not enough, I daresay. Many Protestant churches shy away from the day because of its traditional association with medieval Catholicism, where homage was given to the departed canonized saints of the church. But, "saints" can also refer to every believer whom God has called by His grace and continues to sanctify. Saints can simply be those believers who have gone to their heavenly home.

In honor of the day, I print the words to the hymn "For All the Saints," written in 1864 by Bishop William W. How. It was originally used as Anglican church liturgy commemorating All Saints Day. It was later set to the music of British composer, Ralph Vaughn Williams (1872-1958). And, as you read the words, or sing them, remember the three school girls who were beheaded in Indonesia last week by Muslim extremists.

For All the Saints
For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might,
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old.
And win with them the victor's crown of gold:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!