Never-failing God

A. J. Showalter found the hymn below, wrote a tune to go with it, copyrighted and published it in 1896 in Class, Choir and Congregation No. 2 (Dalton, GA: A. J. Showalter Co., 1896, Song No. 77). He credited the words to “Rev. Henry Burton, in ‘Evangelical Messenger.’” The words remind us that our God is an untiring unfailing God in whom we can fully trust.

1. There is an arm that never tires, 
So gentle, yet so strong;
The arm on which our grief expires, 
And sighing turns to song.
There is a well that never fails,
When earthly springs are low;
The weary heart in Bacca’s vales
Hears the soft overflow.

2. There is a light that never dies,
Clear shining through the years;
For changeless lover lights up our skies;
The rainbow gilds our tears.
There is a song our souls may sing—
When lying in the dust,
A stricken bird with broken wing;
It is the song of trust.

3. There is a joy does not depart—
Whatever seeming ill
May throw its shadow on the heart—
The joy of his sweet will.
There is a rest, a Sabbath rest,
Beyond all sin and care;
But he who leans on Jesus’ breast,
Finds heav’n is everywhere.

Henry Burton served as a Methodist Episcopal minister in Rock County, Wisconsin, then returned to England and labored in the Wesleyan Methodist Church ministry beginning from 1865. He had emigrated to America with his parents 1855-56. They settled in Roscoe, Illinois, and Henry studied at Beloit College in Wisconsin, just across the state line, beginning in 1857. He graduated in 1862. Beloit conferred a “D. D. Degree” on Burton in 1900.

Henry married Ellen Williams Pearse in 1871, and they had five children. At least one son, Howard N. Burton, also became a Wesleyan minister.

Henry Burton was born November 26, 1840, the oldest son of Henry and Frances Burton. He died April 27, 1930 and was buried at Anfield. A brief biography of Burton can be found in The Beloit Alumnus, (Vol. XXIII, No. 8, June 1930, page 21), and also on the UK Wesleyan Methodist Church website.

Some of his works include:

• Wayside Songs of the Outer and Inner Life (London: T. Woolmer, n.d., circa 1886)
• Gleanings in the Gospels (London: Charles H. Kelly, 1896)
• The Gospel According to St. Luke (New York, NY: A. C. Armstrong, 1897)

His hymn “Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on” was chosen as the motto of the International Sunshine Society, at one time the largest philanthropic newspaper club in the world.

Have you had a kindness shown?

Pass it on.

’Twas not given for thee alone,

Pass it on.

Let it travel down the years,

Let it wipe another’s tears,

’Till in heav’n the deed appears--

Pass it on.