Letters From Grandpa #504

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 504

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about Judson W. Van DeVenter and his famous hymn I Surrender All. Judson was born on a farm in Michigan in 1855. After graduating from Hillsdale College he became a school teacher and supervised art in the school system in Sharon, Pennsylvania. Judson was an accomplished musician, singer, and composer and used his gifts to minister at evangelistic meetings. Regarding his personal surrender to Christ he wrote: “For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing."

Following his complete surrender to Christ Van DeVenter traveled throughout the United States, England, and Scotland, doing evangelistic work. He published more than 60 hymns, but "I Surrender All" is his most famous. It was first published in 1896. Late in his life Judson moved to Florida and became a professor of hymnology at the Florida Bible Institute. It was here that he became friends with a young evangelist named Billy Graham. Graham was greatly influenced by Van DeVenter’s example and frequently used the hymn I Surrender All in his evangelistic campaigns.

One reason this hymn is so famous is that it reflects a key component to conversion. We are not truly converted to Christ with a negotiated truce, but with a complete and total surrender. Jesus said: “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39) The death of our old self centered life, and our new life completely surrendered to Christ, is beautifully symbolized by baptism (Romans 6:1-14).

America’s most costly war with regard to the loss of American lives was the Civil War (1861- 1865). More than 600,000 American soldiers died in this terrible conflict. In February 1862, at the battle of Fort Donelson, Southern General Simon B. Buckner was defeated and asked for an armistice from his old friend Ulysses S. Grant. Grant replied: “No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.” President Lincoln and General Grant had many opportunities to end the war prematurely with a truce, but steadfastly insisted on an “unconditional surrender.” This “unconditional surrender” became a reality at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. This “unconditional surrender” not only ended the war but became the foundation for unity between the northern and southern states and made the United States one nation under God.

An “unconditional surrender” also ended our war with Germany in W.W. II. In the early morning hours of Monday May 7, 1945, the German Third Reich signed an “unconditional surrender” at Reims, France and the war came to an end.

On September 2, 1945 the representatives of Japan signed an “unconditional surrender” on the U.S.S. Missouri. It was a brief document with only eight paragraphs. Japan received no benefits or promises. They signed an “unconditional surrender”.

It goes without saying that an “unconditional surrender” was the key to our present peace between the northern and southern states, and also between the sovereign nations of Germany and Japan. Japan and Germany are not our enemies any longer, they are our friends and allies!

By contrast, on July 27, 1953 an “armistice” between North and South Korea was signed. It was designed to"ensure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved." There was, however, no unconditional surrender and no real peace was achieved.

Similarly, in 1954, after France was defeated at Bien Dien Phu, they signed an “agreement” in Geneva with the victorious Viet Minh. This divided Vietnam into two countries. North Vietnam was known as the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and South Vietnam was known as The Republic of Vietnam. There was, however, no “unconditional surrender,” and no real peace.

, During the Six Day War Israel captured the Gaza strip and 9,000 Israelis established 25 settlements there. In an attempt to make peace with the Palestinians all Israeli settlers were forced to leave Gaza and by September 22, 2005 all Israelis were gone. Hamas is an Islamic Resistance Movement founded August 18, 1988 with the stated goal of destroying Israel. Hamas began firing rockets from Gaza into Israel in 2001 before they came to power. In 2006 they won the majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza and now rule with an iron hand. By 2014 Hamas had sent an estimated 20,000 rockets against their Jewish enemies averaging over 1,500 rockets every year. Their war against Israel dramatically escalated on October 7, 2023 when thousands of Hamas soldiers attacked Israel killing 1,139 people, including 764 civilians, and 373 security personal. 251 people were taken hostage. Students of history can understand why Israel wants to defeat Hamas and force them to an “unconditional surrender”! The choice is clear! If Hamas surrenders to Israel there will be peace. If Israel surrenders to Hamas there will be no Israel.

Paul wrote to the Romans: “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:16-18)

MAKING AN “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” TO JESUS AND BECOMING HIS SLAVE WILL PROVIDE YOU EVERLASTING PEACE WITH GOD AND IS THE WISEST DECISION YOU WILL EVER MAKE!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce