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July 30 Today in OPC History

“Faith of Our Fathers” Debate

 

On July 30, 1956, the Committee on a Hymnal presented its list of 709 hymns for approval for a proposed hymnal to the Twenty-third General Assembly meeting in Denver, Colorado. After the hymns were officially put forth, it was moved that the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers” be included. Those opposing the hymn’s inclusion pointed out that Frederick Faber had written the hymn in 1849 to remember Roman Catholic martyrs in the English Reformation.

One verse of the original composition read:

Faith of our Fathers! Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to thee:
And through the truth that comes from God
England shall then indeed be free.

Protestant adaptations altered that verse in this way:

Faith of our Fathers! God’s great pow’r
Shall draw all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
His people shall indeed be free.

Moderator Edward J. Young called for a standing vote and determined that the motion to include the hymn was defeated. The vote count on motion was challenged and this time Young declared that the motion had passed. Another challenge was issued regarding the verdict, but the assembly upheld the Moderator’s ruling and recessed for dinner. Following the assembly’s return, it was moved to reconsider the action taken on “Faith of Our Fathers.” Finally, it was determined to include the hymn.

“Faith of Our Fathers” was also included in the revised edition of the Trinity Hymnal but it is not found in the Trinity Psalter Hymnal.

 

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