The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #104255   Message #2715958
Posted By: GUEST,EK Anne
04-Sep-09 - 03:01 AM
Thread Name: Bible School songs
Subject: RE: Bible School songs
Another one from the Seaside Mission --

I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men,
I will make you fishers of men if you follow Me;
If you follow Me, if you follow Me,
I will make you fishers of men if you follow Me.

Don't remember if there were any more verses but it was a rollicking tune and I'm sure we could have repeated these lines several times without feeling cheated.
The previous post mentioned the joy of communal singing and a little later than the Seaside Mission period I used to go to The Band of Hope with some pals. It was a temperance organisation, which was quite beyond our experience or appreciation -- but between listening to whatever message was delivered (in brief form, thankfully) and watching slide shows of the "cast out to die in the snow by her drunken husband" variety, we also sang lustily such hymns as Onward, Christian Soldiers, and my absolute favourite, which was Yield not to Temptation.
I have no idea what I thought this was about at the tender age of eight or so:-

Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin.
Each victory will help you some other to win.
Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue(!) -
Look ever to Jesus - He will carry you through.
Ask the Saviour to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you.
He is willing to aid you -
He will carry you through.

But it certainly proves, to me at least, the power of a good tune to foster a sense of community. (The only problem might come if the message becomes too intense/fanatical.)