This week, we will explore another influential hymn that serves as a call to duty. Written by George Duffield, this hymn was inspired by the final words of Dudley Tyng, a devoted minister and “gospel Major-General.” Tyng boldly declared, “Let us stand up for Jesus,” and his message continues to resonate with us today.
Dudley Tyng was a minister during the city-wide revival in Philadelphia in 1858. In addition to leading his church, he conducted noonday services that attracted thousands of people. During one of these services, over 1,000 individuals committed their lives to Christ after Tyng preached from Exodus 10:11, titled “Go now, you who are men, and serve the Lord…” With conviction, Tyng exclaimed, “I would rather have this right arm amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in telling you the message of God.”
Tragically, just a week after making this declaration on March 30, 1858, Tyng suffered a severe injury while watching a corn thresher in operation. His loose sleeve got caught in the machine, causing significant blood loss and infection. This ultimately led to his death. In his final moments, Tyng encouraged his fellow ministers and friends with the words, “Let us stand up for Jesus.”
Rev. George Duffield, a close friend and colleague of Tyng, was deeply inspired by these final words. The following Sunday, Duffield concluded his sermon by reading a poem he wrote, which became the hymn “Stand Up for Jesus” with three stanzas. Some authors believe that an additional stanza was omitted, which reads:
“Stand up, stand up for Jesus.
Each soldier to his post;
Close up the broken column,
And shout through all the hosts.
Make good the loss so heavy.
In those that still remain;
And prove to all around you
That death itself is gain.”
As we sing this hymn today, let us be encouraged to stand up for Jesus in our daily lives. We are all ambassadors of Christ, and our voices are needed in this rapidly changing and decaying world. Let us rise to the challenge and STAND UP FOR JESUS.
References:
Discipleship Ministries, The United Methodist Church. (2013). History of Hymns: “Stand Up, stand up for Jesus.” Retrieved from (link unavailable) on April 25, 2024.
Osbeck, K. (2002). Amazing grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.
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