John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811–1875) was an Irish Anglican clergyman and one of the most prolific hymnwriters of the 19th century. He wrote around 300 hymns, many of which remain in use today.
📍 Background
Born in St Columb’s, Londonderry
Educated at Trinity College, Dublin
Served in several clerical posts in Ireland and England
Later became Rector of St Nicolas’ Church, Guildford
Died after a tragic fall while inspecting church rebuilding work in 1875
✍️ His Hymns
Some of his best‑known hymns include:
Fight the Good Fight with All Thy Might
O Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness
On Our Way Rejoicing
Sing to the Lord a Joyful Song
His writing is known for its joyful, uplifting tone and strong sense of the church year — something that aligns beautifully with your interest in Advent, remembrance, and devotional themes.
🧭 Why the Name Confusion?
“Mansell” and “Monsell” are often mixed up because:
The names sound similar
Older printed sources sometimes used inconsistent spellings
Handwritten parish records can be ambiguous
But all authoritative sources confirm Monsell as the correct spelling.
John Gowans (1934–2012) served as the 16th General of The Salvation Army from 1999 to 2002. Born in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, he grew up in a Salvation Army family and eventually became one of the movement’s most influential leaders and creative voices.
✍️ His Creative Legacy
Gowans is especially remembered for his partnership with John Larsson, with whom he co‑wrote ten full-length Salvation Army musicals—works that shaped the worship and culture of the Army for decades. These include:
Take-Over Bid (1967)
Hosea (1969)
Jesus Folk (1972)
Spirit (1973)
Glory (1975)
White Rose (1977)
The Blood of the Lamb (1978)
Son of Man (1983)
Man Mark II (1985)
The Meeting (1990)
These musicals blended theology, storytelling, and accessible music in a way that resonated deeply with Salvationists worldwide.
📚 Writing and Spiritual Voice
Gowans also wrote the beloved “O Lord!” prayer-poem books, which many Salvationists still use devotionally. His writing style—simple, honest, and deeply human—mirrors the reflective tone you often appreciate in hymn stories and devotional writing.
🌍 Leadership and Ministry
Before becoming General, Gowans served in a wide range of appointments across the UK, France, and the USA. His leadership was marked by warmth, creativity, and a strong pastoral heart.
Albert Orsborn (4 September 1886 – 4 February 1967) was the 6th General of The Salvation Army (1946-1954).
Born Albert William Thomas Orsborn, he became an Officer of The Salvation Army in 1905. Albert served as a Corps Officer and in divisional work in the British Territory of the Army. In 1909, he married his first wife, Captain Evalina Barker.
In 1925, he was sent to serve as Chief Side Officer at the International Training College. In 1933, he was farewelled to New Zealand as Chief Secretary. He then became Territorial Commander of Scotland and Ireland in 1936. In 1940, he became British Commissioner.
Albert Orsborn’s first wife, Captain Evalina Barker, died in 1942. This was a very hard time for him. Two years later, in 1944, he married his second wife, Major Evelyn Berry. They were married for just a year when she died.
In 1946, the High Council of The Salvation Army elected Albert to become the General of The Salvation Army. He married his third wife, Commissioner Mrs Phillis Taylor (a daughter of General Higgins), in 1947.
General Orsborn served as General for eight years. He was the author of The House of My Pilgrimage. He retired on 30 June 1954.
General Albert Orsborn died at the age of 80 years and 5 months.
Throughout the course of his Salvation Army life Albert wrote many wonderful songs and books.
14-15 Our firm decision is to work from this focused centre: One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.
16-20 Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.
21 How? you ask. In Christ. God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.
I want to be close, close to your side
So heaven is real and death is, a lie
I want to hear voices of angels above
Singing as one
Hallelujah, holy, holy
God almighty, the great I am
Who is worthy, none beside thee
God almighty, the great I am
I want to be near, near to your heart
Loving the world and hating the dark
I want to see dry bones living again
Singing as one
Hallelujah, holy, holy
God almighty, the great I am
Who is worthy, none beside thee
God almighty, the great I am
The great I am
The mountains shake before you the demons run in fear
At the mention of the name king of majesty
There is no power in hell
Or any who can stand
Before the power and the presence of the great I am
The great I am, the great I am yeah
Hallelujah, holy, holy
God almighty, the great I am
Who is worthy, none beside thee
God almighty, the great I am
Hallelujah, holy, holy
God almighty, the great I am
Who is worthy, none beside thee
God almighty, the great I am
The great I am
The great I am
The great I am
Matthew 2:11 New International Version 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
The Wise men’s act of worshipping Jesus reminds us of the significance of worship in our Christian journey. Worship is not limited to prayer & singing but emcompasses every aspect of our lives. As Christians, when we wholeheartedly worship & surrender to God, we acknowledge His lordship over our leadership and recognise that our success is ultimately dependant on him. Let us approch our Christian roles with a heart of worship, giving glory to the one who empowers and guides us.
Prayer
Gracious God, we come before thee in worship & surrender, acknowledging your lordship over leadership journey. As Christians, help us to model a lifestyle of worship & devotion to you. May every aspect be an act of worship, giving glory to your name. Amen
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Author: B. R. Hanby
Benjamin Russell Hanby was born July 22, 1833, the oldest of eight children, to Bishop William Hanby in Rushville, OH. The family moved to Westerville, OH where Bishop Hanby was a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. In his short life Benjamin graduated from Otterbein, taught school, became a United Brethren minister, started a singing school, was editor for John Church publishers in Cincinnati and composed many songs and hymns before he died of tuberculosis March 15, 1867. His home in Westerville was Ohio’s first memorial to a composer. It was a stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping to Canada and is a national historic site, a Methodist church Landmark and a Network to Freedom site for the National Park Service.
1 Who is he in yonder stall, At whose feet the shepherds fall?
Refrain: ‘Tis the Lord! O wondrous story, ‘Tis the Lord, the King of Glory! Ay his feel we humbly fall, Crown him, crown him Lord of all!
2 Who is he in deep distress, Fasting in the wilderness?
3 Who is he to whom they bring All the sick and sorrowing?
4 Who iRuler
s he on yonder tree Dies in grief and agony?
5 Who is he who from the grave Comes to succour, help and save?
6 Who is he who from his throne Rules through all the worlds alone?
Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King Let every heart prepare Him room And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven and nature sing And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow Nor thorns infest the ground He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found Far as the curse is found Far as, far as, the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness And wonders of His love And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders, of His love
As Christians we can draw inspiration from the joyous message of ‘Joy to the World’ to infuse joy and positivity into our Christian approach. Christ’s birth bring’s the promise of eternal hope and salvation, and this assurance can empower us to lead with confidence and compassion. Just as the carol proclaims that “Heaven and nature sing”, our Christian lives should inspire those around us.
Moreover’Joy to the World’ encourages us to share the message of joy and salvation with others. As Chritians we have the privilage & responsibility to inspire an motivate those around us, helping them discover joy and purpose in their work. By leading with enthusiasm and joy, rooted in the truth of Christ’s redemptive love.
Prayer
Gracious God, as we reflect on these lyrics, we celebrate the arrival of Christ as the source of joy and salvation. As Christians help us to embrace the profound impact of His birth on our lives. May our actions & words reflect the hope and redemption we find in Christ, inspiring joy in the hearts of those we meet. Guide us, O Lord, to lead with enthusiasm & joy, rooted in the truth of your redemptive love.
Christian Devotions, Health and General issues of the day 