“I Know that My Redeemer Liveth”
ALMOST every boy and girl has heard of Jenny Lind, called “The Swedish Nightingale.” She was born in Sweden and was called nightingale because of her “very lovely voice.” Her very name sounds sweet in its musical simplicity, and suggests thoughts of the modest, silver-throated thrush or linnet. She was known the world over as the Queen of Song, and her voice was heard and greatly appreciated when she was only seventeen. She was afterwards known all over the world as “The slim girl with the marvelous voice.”
Queen Victoria would often go to hear her, and twice did her an honor which she never before or after showed to anybody else — threw flowers to her. She received decorations and honors from nearly all the crowned heads of Europe, and the money received for her wonderful gift of song was enormous.
Yet all this fame and wealth did not in the least make Jenny Lind either vain or haughty, for she wrote to Professor Blackie the following beautiful words: “My unceasing prayer is that what I give to my fellows may continue to live on through eternity, and that the Giver of the gift, and not the creature to whom He lent it, may be praised and acknowledged.”
Is not this sweet humility? And how it reminds us of the bird after which she was called, hiding in the deep woods and dense thickets, and there from its shy retirement pouring out its soothing melody in the darkness of the long summer’s night.
Now I must tell you something of Jenny Lind that is not generally known. A writer says: “Nothing is more astonishing about the career of Jenny Lind than its comparative shortness. She sang in opera in England for only two years, and she retired practically five years after her first appearance in London, though she sang occasionally during the next few years, usually on behalf of charity.”
And why do you think, young friends, did this remarkable young lady retire so quickly from her public performances, and till the day of her death, remain in the comparative seclusion of a quiet English home? Here is why: She was sitting one day on the sands by the seashore, with her Bible open on her knee, when an admiring friend said to her: “Oh, madame, how is it that you ever abandoned the stage at the very height of your success?”
This was her beautiful reply: “When every day it made me think less of this"—laying a finger on her beloved Bible—“what else could I do?” What a conclusive reason, and how noble of her to give up for conscience’ sake a career so brilliant and full of worldly promise.
This she did because she loved her Saviour. She was evidently a true Christian, as the words,
“I Know That MY Redeemer Liveth,”
inscribed on her tomb in Great Malvern Cemetery, would tell.
In the great oratorio, “The Messiah,” this is the part she loved so passionately to sing. Yes, she knew Jesus had died for her and was rise; again; and for His sake she gave up her singing in opera — which is mostly of worldly love, elopement, lying, and even worse. Could the pure young disciple of the Lord go on singing such things, so defiling to the soul and grieving to the Holy Spirit of God?
Do you know, young reader, that your Redeemer liveth? Is He Your Saviour? If so, follow Him, as did Jenny Lind, whatever the cost, and separate yourself from everything that makes you think less of Him.
But if you are a stranger to Hint, lose no time in acquainting yourself with Him, and receiving Him in your heart by faith.
ML-09/06/1970