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Rev. Joey N. Welsh: A Centenary of Sparrows ANOTHER ANGLE: the occasional musings of a Kentucky pastor. This article was published in the July 24, 2005 Hart County News-Herald By The Rev. Joey N. Welsh E-mail: joey_n_welsh@hotmail.com A CENTENARY OF SPARROWS The English language is a delightful thing. I have always found a chuckle or two in thinking about the collective nouns that are used when we refer to groups of birds. If we dont know the variety of birds, we just refer to the assemblage as a flock. If we know what birds were dealing with, however, the traditions of our mother tongue decree that we use names that are specific to the species. Most of us know about a group of geese being called a gaggle, some quail described as a covey, a bunch of hens being called a brood or a gathering of grouse, a brace. If you do crossword puzzles you likely know to refer to a murder of crows, an exaltation of skylarks, a bevy of swans or a peep of chickens. Perhaps you even know these terms: a paddling of ducks, a charm of finches, a flamboyance of flamingoes, a hover of hummingbirds, a watch of nightingales, a parliament of owls, an ostentation of peacocks, a bouquet of pheasants, a conspiracy of ravens and a murmuration of starlings. A group of sparrows is called a quarrel. What? you may ask, then what gives with the title of this column? What on earth is a centenary of sparrows? I chose that phrase because of the centenary - the 100th anniversary - of some words reflecting on the sparrows referred to in Matthew 10:26-31. Telling his listeners not to be afraid, Jesus reminds them in that passage that they are worth far more than sparrows. And not a single sparrow falls, he says, without God knowing about it. Where does the centenary part come in? That story involves Civilla and Walter Martin, a married couple who taught at summer Chatauquas and Bible seminars, as well as writing hymns and devotional books at the beginning of the 20th century. (Some people know the Martins because of a hymn for which she wrote the words and he composed the music in 1904, "God Will Take Care of You.") Civilla recorded in her journal that in the spring of 1905 they were in Elmira, New York, for a while.They got to know a couple in town, the Doolittles, who were exemplars of positive faith and optimistic hope. The Doolittles seemed outstanding in this respect to the Martins because Mrs. Doolittle had been confined to bed for about 20 years, while Mr. Doolittle couldnt walk and used a wheelchair at home and work. During a visit one day, Walter remarked on their irrepressibly upbeat attitude. Mrs. Doolittle replied that their outlook was possible because, His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. Civilla took note of that phrase, tossed it around in her thoughts, and that very night wrote the hymn text we now know as His Eye Is on the Sparrow. She sent the text away to her friend, composer Charles H. Gabriel, who provided the tune. The hymn became popular as soon as the sheet music was published that summer, 100 years ago. Nearly 50 years later the singer Ethel Waters sang the hymn extensively, recorded it and even used its title for her own autobiography. 2005 marks the centenary of this song about hope, assurance and the lesson of the sparrow. Its message speaks clearly not only to people who are homebound or tethered to a wheelchair (something I know a bit about) but to anyone with a challenge to surmount. This centenary of sparrows is worth our notice and thought: I sing because Im happy, I sing because Im free, For more Rev. Joey N. Welsh essays, enter "Rev. Joey N. Welsh" in the searchbox. This story was posted on 2007-07-08 08:09:18
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Commentary:
Rev. Joey N. Welsh: Anne Frank, a Legacy in Words An essay, a poem: We're a community when we all pull together Rev. Joey N. Welsh: Of trees and thankfulness Rev. Joey N. Welsh: When life gives you a lemon, appreciate it Rev. Joey N. Welsh: Cumberland, Sweet William, and more Dr. Carter defines purpose of KHIPP candidate forums at CU Rev. Joey N. Welsh. February 4, 2007. A farewell Rev. Joey N. Welsh. Jan. 28, 2007. Louisville writer Cass Irvin Rev. Joey N. Welsh, Jan. 21, 2006. Misdirected life an exciting ride Rev. Joey N. Welsh. Jan. 14, 2006 View even more articles in topic Commentary |
 
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