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| The Changed Cross and Other Religous Poems Anson D.F. Randolph, Publishers, 1866 |
Anson D.F. Randolph, publisher
The Changed Cross and Other Religious Poems
New and Enlarged Edition 1866
Anson Davies Fitz Randolph, publisher
228 Pages
Blog post by Mary Katherine May. Rick and Mary May operate the webstore
QualityMusicandBooks.com.
19th-Century Copyright Issues
It is
odd to think in the 21st-century when there is strict enforcement of copyright laws with penalty fines that in the 1800s though laws were on the
books people didn't do the same. Often
publications were released with no author identified.
The
Changed Cross and Other Religious Poems, New and Enlarge Edition 1866 is a
typical example of this. Publisher Anson
D.F. Randolph includes a brief statement about how though sources of poems in
this edition which were first published in magazines and newspapers could not
be identified they were still included. Even the book title, The Changed
Cross..., which is the title of the
well-known poem by Lucy Pauline Wright Hobart, appears as the first poem it is
not identified as hers.
The great favor which a part of the following selections had met in the form of Leaflets for Letters, induced the Publisher, some few years ago, to gather them in a volume that has found a wide circulation. The present is a new and enlarged edition. As the poems are mainly WAIFS, gathered from magazines and newspapers, it has not been possible, except in a few instances, to ascertain the names of the writers. New York, March, 1865.
It is certainly reasonable for the editor who was clipping poems out of newspapers and magazines with the intent of creating a book with them to clip the name also, except that his source papers may also not have included the names of poets.
Popular Inspirational Books
The Changed Cross and Other Religious Poems must
have been a popular source of inspiration for many people as Anson Randolph put
out a new edition at least nine times from 1863 (or 1864) through 1880.
About the Poem: No Cross, No Crown
The Changed Cross truly is an inspiring poem
still today. It is about a Christian who doubts his ability to be faithful
through life. He is taken by angels to Heaven and given the opportunity to
choose a cross to bear. His first choice is covered with jewels but he finds it
too heavy to carry. When he chooses another and it is the same and his guide
tells him, "No cross, no crown."
At last he chooses a small, simple cross and the poem ends thus.
With thankfulness I raised it from the rest,
And joyfully acknowledged it the best
The only one of all the many there
That I could feel was good for me to bear.
And, while I thus say chosen one confessed,
I saw a heavenly brightness on it rest;
And, as I bent, my burden to sustain,
I recognized my own old cross again.
But oh! how different did it seem to be
Now I had learned its preciousness to see!
No longer could I unbelieving say,
Perhaps another is a better way.
Ah no! henceforth my own desire shall be,
That He who knows me best should choose for me
And so, whate'er His love sees good to send,
I'll trust it's best, because He knows the end.
A Series?
Mr. Randolph at the same time published other
books in the same vein, and if it was called a series, I don't know.
1 The Shadow of the Rock and Other Religious
Poems, 1867
2 The Chamber of Peace and Other Religious Poems,
1874
3 At the Beautiful Gate and Other Religious
Poems, 1880
4 Unto the Desired Haven and Other Religious
Poems, 1880
5 The Palace of the King and Other Religious
Poems, 1880
6 The Uplands of God and Other Religious Poems,
1880
Anson Davies Fitz Randolph (1820-1896)
Index: First Lines (Click on image for larger view.)
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| Index to First Lines 1 |
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| Index to First Lines 2 |
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| Index to First Lines 4 |
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| Index to First Lines 4 |
Information source: Hymntime.com.
Anson Randolph began working at the American
Sunday School Union when he was ten years old and remained in their employ for
21 years. He then went into business as a bookseller and publisher. Randolph
also authored several hymns.
Memorials Upon Randolph's Death
Two memorials were published in The Presbyterian
and Reformed Review, Volume 7, 1896, pages 688-696, by Eldridge Mix and William
M. Paxton.
Selections from Obituaries
Last of the old bookseller. Deep-set flashing
eyes with a merry twinkle... A frame well proportioned but slightly stooping,
and a little limp in his walk from stiffness in one knee...
Books were a kind of atmosphere to him, which he
breathed.
Frequented by Well-Known Christians
Frequenting his shop: James and Samuel Alexander,
Professors Hitchcock and H.B. Smith, Philip Schaff, Drs. Bethune, Tyng and
Paxton, and gifted Dr. William M. Taylor.
Honorary M.A. degree granted by Princeton
College.
Randolph's first publication: Hints to Christians
by Drs. Skinner and Lyman Beecher.
American Civil War
During war he helped the cause of the North by
printing and extensively circulating pamphlets and addresses which kindled and
kept alive patriotism in the hearts of others, and roused their courage for the
stress of the great conflict...
Private Printing
Often he printed his verses for private
distribution among his friends before giving them for publication.
About The Changed Cross
Though reluctantly giving anything of his own to
the public, he has done great service to the Christian world in the publication
of others' productions in such books as The Changed Cross and The Shadow of the
Rock, made up largely of fugitive religious poems, clipped from newspapers and
magazines and carefully edited by himself.
Anson D.F. Randolph Quote
"Well, I've not made a fortune in trade, but
I know many hearts have been comforted, and lives made brighter and brought
closer to the Lord Jesus, by my being in the book business, and I am
content."
Randolph's Reputation
His imprimatur upon a volume was a sufficient
guarantee to parents that the book might be introduced without question into
the family.
Randolph as a Poet and Friend of Charles Scribner
Mr. Randolph was also a poet of no ordinary
ability. With him poetry was a natural gift which developed itself at intervals
in times of trial all through his life. He had an experience of bitter
sufferings from many causes, and it was when his heart was smitten that his
thought and feeling flowed forth in those tender strains that have soothed and
comforted so many other hearts. His
lifelong friend, Mr. Charles Scribner, without his knowledge... collected these
fugitive pieces and published them in a small volume entitled Hopefully
Waiting.
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| Mary A. Porter, New York |
We know that Mary Porter lived in New York because she wrote in on the book's back endpapers.
Mary Porter, New York.
Mary Porter, New York.
This copy of The Changed Cross was given to Mary
A. Porter from her sincere friend, A.F. Neilson on March 8th, 1872.
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| Mary A. Porter from A.F. Neilson |
I can assume the gift was a shared book as on the
last pages a comment written in pencil is dated, if I am correct, 186? and Mary
didn't receive the book until 1872.
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| Perfect love casteth out fear.
Christians Through the Centuries. Shared Inspiration
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