ORSBORNAGAIN (18)
A devotional series by Major Rob Birks
ORSBORNAGAIN is meant to introduce the poetry of the first Poet General, Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) to a new audience and to reintroduce his works to dyed-in-the-(tropical)-wool Salvationists.
These are not new songs.
However, the lyrics are jam-packed with new life, which may be missed during corporate worship. Re-examined through scripture and experience, Rob Birks intends through an examination of these scared songs to renew the spiritual fervor of believers, and point seekers to their Savior.
O Lord, regard thy people,
Whose love designs to frame
This house of glad remembrance,
And here inscribe thy name.
To thee, the sure foundation,
Our witness would we raise,
Her walls to speak salvation,
Her gates to tell thy praise.
We thank thee for our birthright,
Secured at such a price;
Forbid that we despise it,
Or shrink from sacrifice.
Inspire our hearts to serve thee,
Thy chosen path to tread,
That we may follow boldly
Where nobler hearts have led.
Albert Orsborn
821 Our Response to God – Holiness, Means of Grace, the Church
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord (Eph. 2:19-21).
Of the 36 Albert Orsborn songs included in The Salvation Army Song Book, this is the only one that is found in the “Special Occasions” section. I don’t think we need to infer from this fact that the first Poet General was averse to or un- inspired by parties, dedications, weddings, corps anniversaries and other celebrations, or that he was not a supporter of self-denial or harvest efforts. Having said that, he does only have one song in this section.
For some reason, Orsborn seemed to be more interested in Calvary discipleship than in calendar dates. However, even in this song, written for a building dedication, Orsborn masterfully moves the focus from The Salvation Army property’s edifice to the singer’s personal experience. In fact, right off the bat Orsborn is really asking God to remember his people who will be worshipping in community and witnessing out in the community. Words like “witness,” “salvation,” “praise,” “sacrifice,” “serve” and “follow” get right to the heart of what the church is meant to be: not a sound building, but sacred beliefs and sanctified behavior.
Not that there is anything wrong with dedicating a building to the glory of God. That practice has been a part of humankind’s worshipful expression to the Creator since the Old Testament days. Heck, piles of rocks were dedicated as a monument to God’s presence, provision and protection. Not only is there nothing wrong with dedicating our buildings to God, we would be remiss if we didn’t do so. Of course, we could get into a long, drawn-out discussion about whether or not we even need buildings, or at least whether or not we need to own buildings (and I would love to have that conversation with you).
We could also get all snarky and ask why, if we are in fact dedicating the building to the glory of God, any officer’s name needs to be on the cornerstone plaque (we can work that topic into our future communication as well, if you’d like). But neither of those discussions has much, if anything, to do with this song or the Savior it extols.
Chances are you weren’t present at the dedication of the building where you join (hopefully) regularly with other Christ followers to corporately worship the chief cornerstone. But you didn’t have to attend that ceremony to understand the significance of that sacred ground. That’s the place where marriage covenants have been signed, sealed and delivered, babies have been dedicated, and disciples (young and old) have made public professions of their love for Jesus and OTHERS. It’s the place where God’s Word has been proclaimed, God’s name has been praised, and God’s Spirit has come in power. It’s where fights have broken out over stupid things that don’t matter in light of eternity. You know what I’m talkin’ about. It’s the same place where sins, when brought into the light of eternity, have been forgiven and forgotten. You don’t have to love the paint job, the pews, or the praise band* to appreciate the fact that God’s desire is to join the “whole building” together in order that it may rise “to become a holy temple in the Lord.”
May the words of this dedication song cause us to rededicate ourselves to Christ, his church, and the community in which he has placed us. Amen.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands” (Acts 17:24).
*Actually, you do have to love the praise bands—stringed or brass (even if you don’t love their music).