Open Your Hymnals

008: Franklin E. Belden: The Adventist Hymn Writer Who Walked Away

When we talk about Adventist hymn writers, one name is almost impossible to ignore: Franklin E. Belden. If you grew up Adventist, you have probably sung his hymns without realizing it. His words and tunes are woven deeply into our hymnody. He was gifted, prolific, practical, and remarkably tuned in to what congregations could sing. But here is where the story becomes uncomfortable. Franklin Belden was not only one of the most important hymn writers in early Seventh-day Adventism. He was also a man who eventually separated himself from the church, resisted Ellen White’s counsel, became deeply embittered, and, according to those who visited him near the end of his life, died without being reconciled to the faith he had once served through song. Chapters

007: O Brother, Be Faithful: From Popular Tune to Adventist Hymn

References: “Brother, Be Faithful.” Hymnary.org, https://hymnary.org/text/o_brother_be_faithful_soon_jesus_will_co [https://hymnary.org/text/o_brother_be_faithful_soon_jesus_will_co?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.  “Hymns.” Encyclopedia.com, https://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/performing-arts/music-theory-forms-and-instruments/hymns [https://www.encyclopedia.com/literature-and-arts/performing-arts/music-theory-forms-and-instruments/hymns?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.  “O Brother, Be Faithful.” Amazing Facts Bible Universe, https://manna.amazingfacts.org/amazingfacts/website/bibleuniverse/hymns/sheetmusic/o-brother-be-faithful.pdf [https://manna.amazingfacts.org/amazingfacts/website/bibleuniverse/hymns/sheetmusic/o-brother-be-faithful.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.  “Responsorial Singing.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/responsorial-singing [https://www.britannica.com/art/responsorial-singing?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.  “Hymn.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/hymn [https://www.britannica.com/topic/hymn?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.  “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her.” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vom_Himmel_hoch%2C_da_komm_ich_her [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vom_Himmel_hoch%2C_da_komm_ich_her?utm_source=chatgpt.com]. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.

006: Uriah Smith: The One-Legged Pioneer God Humbled

Resources: “Advent Pioneers Biographical Sketches and Pictures.” Ellen G. White Writings, m.egwwritings.org. “Battle Creek, Mich., Tuesday, March 10, 1903.” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, vol. 80, no. 10, 10 Mar. 1903, Adventist Archives. “General Conference Session of 1888.” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, encyclopedia.adventist.org. “Pathways of the Pioneers – Uriah Smith.” Ellen G. White Estate, whiteestate.org. “The Battle Creek Church, Uriah Smith, and the Testimonies.” Ellen G. White Writings, text.egwwritings.org. “Uriah Smith.” EGW – Pioneer of the Month, Ellen G. White Estate, whiteestate.org. “Adventist Education, Origins of.” Encyclopedia of Seventh-day Adventists, encyclopedia.adventist.org. “Wherefore Adventist Education?” Journal of Adventist Education, journalofadventisteducation.org. CHAPTERS (00:00) Intro (02:23) Losing a leg (04:25) Leaving Adventism (06:48) Coming back to hope (10:46) A man of the page (13:47) Creativity thru invention (15:51) Signs of weakness (17:21) Established but mistaken (21:18) Closing chapter (24:39) Lessons from Uriah Smith’s life

005: How Far From Home: Annie Smith's Hymn That Transformed a Parlor Song

In this episode, we will talk about one of the three hymns Annie Smith wrote: “How Far From Home?”

004: Annie Smith: The Young Editor Who Helped Build Adventism

A spotlight on Annie Smith and the pivotal role she played in the early days of the Adventist movement.