Dudley A. Tyng was one of the prominent leaders in a great spiritual awakening in 1858 in Philadelphia.  He was speaking, early in that year, to a crowd of five thousand men, using as his text, “Go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord” (Exodus 10:11).  One report tells that two thousand men fell to their knees.  Another tells that one thousand men made confession of Christ as Savior.

A few days after that service Mr. Tyng walked down to his barn to watch a corn-shelling machine in operation.  His sleeve caught in the machine.  His arm was pulled in and was so badly lacerated that it had to be amputated.  He lived only a few days after that.  Just before he died, his father asked him if he had any farewell words for the young men with whom he had been working.  He replied, “Tell them … to stand up for Jesus.”

George Duffield, Jr., a young pastor, was a close friend of Mr. Tyng.  The Sunday following the funeral, Mr. Duffield preached a sermon exhorting his congregation to stand firm for Christ.  His text was Ephesians 6:14, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.”  At the close of the sermon he read a poem he had written.

“Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” has become a battle cry for all Christians to stand firm for Christ.  Let it, also, be a challenge to us to serve our risen Savior.


Bro. J.E.