^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You bring the Hymnal,  I'll bring the History
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Today's hymn reminds us of the verse, " There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: For ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28).  Our hymn writer had a triple identity.  His true name was William Arthur Dunkerley and he had a wholesale grocery company.  He also wrote for newspapers and magazines and used the name Julian Ross.  But the name in our hymn book is John Oxenham and the hymn he wrote is, "In Christ There Is No East or West." During WWII two ships were anchored together, one was filled with Japanese and the other with Americans, all waiting to be returned to their own country.  Suddenly, one began to sing, "In Christ There Is No East or West."  Then from the other ship another joined in.  Soon former enemies were all praising God together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North,
But one great fellowship of love
Thru-out the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
There high communion find,
His service is the golden cord
Close binding all mankind

Join hands then, bothers of the faith,
Whatever your race may be;
Who serves my Father as a son
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet South and North;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Thru-out the whole wide earth.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hymn Tune -
The tune is called "St. Peter," and is named for the St. Peter's-in-the-east Church in Oxford England.  The composer, Alexander Robert Reinagle serves as the organist in this church for 32 years.  The tune first appeared in 1836.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^