CHRIST AROSE!

            Robert Lowry, affectionately known as the “Good Doctor”, was a man of faith who preferred preaching rather than composing hymns.  He had that rare ability to hold large audiences spellbound with his powerful (and seemingly magnetic) sermons.  He had a great command of language and a marvelous ability to paint word pictures. Although most of his sermons have now long been forgotten,  many of his songs remain and several of them can be found in our current hymnal.  Preacher Lowry wrote both the lyrics and the music for #759/Shall We Gather At The River  and  #902/Nothing But The Blood.  One of his best songs, one that’s known and cherished far and wide, and one that’s especially popular at this season of the year is, “Christ Arose” (also known as -- Low In The Grave He Lay -- #344).

            Lowry was born in the city of Philadelphia in the spring of 1826, at a time when our country was percolating with a wide variety of happenings.  Expansion associated with the industrial revolution was literally changing the face of America.  Immigrants were trekking to “the new world” in droves.  Yet, all the while, the slavery issue was fomenting strife and ominous clouds were threatening to divide and perhaps even disintegrate our rapidly growing united states.  This important era in our newly-born nation’s history also represented a time of significant revival in the world of religion and faith in God.  Lowry’s sermons and songs played a helpful part in this revival.

            It was in 1874, while studying from Luke 24:6f and contemplating the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection, that Mr. Lowry wrote the lyrics (and later the music) to this dynamic song.  While the verses are quite mournful, the refrain resounds with the good news of the gospel.  As Ace Collins has noted, “This hymn paints as vivid a picture as any Lowry sermon, but does it so simply that anyone can understand it ... While so many hymns have lyrics that can be sung without feeling, this one embraces emotion.”  As it turned out, the Robert Lowry message that’s proven to be his best remembered was also his shortest.  Well over a century after it was first penned, this song continues to hold a very special place in the hearts of many Christians.  Easter Sunday just would not be the same without it!!  

                                                                                                                  Terry Siverd / Cortland Church of Christ