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Verse:“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil... Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” —Revelation 2:2–4
One of the most skilled and prolific Adventist songwriters was Franklin E. Belden (1858–1945), who was the son of Ellen White’s older sister Sarah.
Frank, as he was usually called, could write both lyrics and accompaniment on a sermon topic while it was still being preached.
At the end of the service, he and his wife would perform the newly created song and then give a copy of the manuscript to the preacher.
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal contains several of his inspiring songs. For example, “Wholly Thine” is a hymn of full surrender.
Its first stanza reads, “I would be, dear Savior, wholly Thine,” and “I would do Thy will, O Lord, not mine.” The last stanza of “Cover With His Life” is Reconciled by His death for my sin, Justified by His life pure and clean, Sanctified by obeying His word, Glorified when returneth my Lord.
Many people have found comfort and assurance in the message of “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” The solemnity of God’s judgment is addressed in “The Judgment Has Set.” The hymn “We Know Not the Hour” emphasizes the need to “watch and be ready” for Christ’s second coming. And “Joy By and By” speaks of the joy that will be “when the work is done” and “when the workers gather home.” Belden died on December 2, 1945, leaving a rich legacy of spiritual songs. But unfortunately, his personal life did not fully reflect the spiritual tone of his hymns.
Already in 1895, Ellen White wrote to him from Australia, “Men may labor in connection with the work of God as did Noah’s carpenters, and yet resist the divine influences.”11 In 1897, she added, “Frank, what can I say to you? From the light I have received from God, I know that you have a prayerless home. The time of your sojourning here is short. You think that you have surrendered yourself to God, but you have never yet fully given up your bitter feelings against others”.
If a true prophet sent you a personal letter, what do you think would be its tenor? Reflect on this question today, and change what needs to be changed.