This is truly one of the saddest stories behind a well-known spiritual song. It takes place in 1858, just before the start of the Civil War. Dudley Atkins Tyng was an evangelist and an abolitionist who had just finished preaching a service at a mission in Philadelphia. He held midday services at the YMCA where as many as 5,000 were known to gather at one time. On March 30, 1858, 1,000 men gave their hearts to God.
Some that were present at the last service that Tyng preached have shared that he said, “I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God’s message.”
Shortly after that compelling message, Tyng had went back to his farm to rest and was walking through his barn when he came upon a mule that was working a machine shelling corn. He reached out to pet the mule and when he did his shirt sleeve became caught in the cogs of the machine and quickly, and severely, lacerated his arm to the point of detachment.
There wasn’t anyone around to hear him call out and he became weaker and weaker as he lay on the barn floor. It was hours later when someone discovered the dying preacher. To the dismay of his family and friends, his wounds became infected and he did pass away a few days later. His last words to those around him were, “Tell them to stand up for Jesus.” He was only 33 years old.
George Duffield was one of his assistants at the time and was at the funeral service for Tyng. At Temple Presbyterian Church the following Sunday he preached from Ephesians 6:14, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.” He had penned the words to the hymn after Tyng’s death and had it sung at the close of the service. It was soon printed in a Sunday School paper and became very popular as it was sung on both sides during the Civil War.
It seems as if every time you turn around someone wants you to support their cause. Some of them are good, some of them not-so-much.
But…
When you stand for Jesus sometimes you may stand alone.
When you stand for Jesus things might not just go your way.
When you stand for Jesus there will be persecution.
When you stand for Jesus you might lose friends.
When you stand for Jesus you might wind up in prison.
When you stand for Jesus you might be asked to deny Him.
There is only one way to stand in this evil day and that is to have the power of the Holy Spirit working inside! He overcame and He has sent us the Comforter so that we could do the same. He even told us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 ESV.
So even if it isn’t popular, even if it is dangerous, even if we are the only ones standing…
We can trust Him to be standing with us and regardless of the outcome we will inherit a crown of eternal life.
