His presentation discusses the importance of hymns in the lives of American presidents
One of the co-authors of the book “Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns” is coming to Ouachita as part of his second tour of the book in Arkansas.
Dr. C. Edward Spann, Ouachita alumnus of the graduating class of 1955, said he decided to make Ouachita one of his stops because he wanted to share the culmination of his four years of research with his alma mater.
“He [Spann] initiated contacting us [Ouachita] about coming last year but it didn’t work out, so we scheduled for this year,” said Dr. Rob Hewell, associate professor of music.
Spann’s book presents his research of each American president’s favorite hymn and how those hymns have affected their lives and decisions.
The book is enhanced further by the addition of a 74 minute CD of the hymns mentioned in the book performed by the Dallas Baptist University Presidential Hymns Ensemble, a music ensemble at the university where Spann was the dean of the College of Fine Arts.
According to an explanation by Spann and co-writer, Dr. Michael E. Williams Sr., the “book offers the most comprehensive coverage ever written of the influence of hymns on the lives and administrations of America’s presidents.”
Spann says the multi-media presentation he will be giving at Ouachita will not only tell each president’s favorite hymn and explain a little about each president, their religious beliefs and music ability, but will also interpret the lyrics of the hymns and how they influenced the presidents’ spiritual journeys.
Hymns also hold sway for Spann in his life. For example, he said the hymn “Here is My Life” impressed him when he decided to become a music missionary in Brazil.
“Learning the hymn well and memorizing its lyrics aided me greatly in surrendering to mission service,” Spann said. “Since at that time, I was fully qualified to do this work, the hymn reminded me that it was God’s will and his own timing…”
Spann explained that one of the things he hopes people take away from his presentation is the impression hymns make in a Christian’s life.
“The theology of these hymns are so strong and the message is so relevant to contemporary society that it is a shame that we are neglecting these (as well as numerous other) older hymns which will be ‘new’ to this post-modern generation of Christians,” he said.
Spann’s presentation will be Monday, Nov. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Young Auditorium in Hickingbotham School of Business.
He will autograph books at the end of his presentation and his book will be on sale for $35 and that price includes the CD in the back cover of all of the hymns discussed in the book. Only cash or check payments will be accepted.
