Organ Failure?

The organ at church is full of holes! On Friday morning I went to unlock the church very early, as we were expecting two men from Cousans to come and remove part of the organ. These friendly chaps took out the board behind the footpedals to take back to their workshops and build a new one.

Here’s the organ with the panel missing

 

And here is the panel, absolutely riddled with woodworm. They had bored into the plywood panels as well as the solid timber!

It will be good to have everything restored. The organ still works beautifully. I mentioned that I liked Saint Saens Organ Symphony, and so one of the guys sat down and played some of it for me! Just like that, from memory. Brilliant! I was humming to myself all day.

We talked about favourite hymns and I said that this morning I would be preaching at Stoneygate Baptist [he’s worked on that organ too!] and we’d be singing “The God Of Abraham Praise” which always sounds great on the organ. We both agreed it was a fabulous hymn. I told him the story of the Welsh hymnwriter, Thomas Olivers, and how in 1772 he set new words to the ancient Hebrew tune ‘Leoni’. “I did not know that story – I shall enjoy it even more next time I play it” said my new friend.

The God of Abraham praise, who reigns enthroned above;
Ancient of everlasting days and God of love.
Jehovah, great I Am! By earth and heaven confessed;
I bow and bless the sacred name forever blest.

The God of Abraham praise, at whose supreme command
From earth rise and seek the joys at his right hand.
I all on earth forsake, its wisdom, fame and power,
And him my only portion make, my shield and tower.

He by himself has sworn; I on his oath depend.
I shall, on eagle wings up borne, to heaven ascend.
I shall behold his face; I shall his power adore
And sing the wonders of his grace forever more.

The whole triumphant host give thanks to God on high.
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!" they ever cry.
Hail, Abraham’s God and mine! I join the heavenly lays:
All might and majesty are thine and endless praise!

I hope the folk at Stoneygate sing it with enthusiasm!