“Gentle Words and Loving Smiles”
The fiddle’s voice wandered away, Pa seemed to be playing his thoughts to himself. But a melody grew out of them and throbbed softly until they all joined in and sang…. — By the Shores of Silver Lake, Chapter 19, “Christmas Eve”
Gentle Words and Loving Smiles is Hymn #139 in Pure Gold for the Sunday School by Rev. Robert T. Lowry and W. Howard Doane. It was published in New York by Biglow & Main, 1871. Words and music to the hymn are by Rev. Lowry.
Robert T. Lowry (1826-1899) wanted to be known as a preacher but will always be remembered as a hymn-writer. Born in Philadephia, Lowry became a Baptist preacher, for forty-five years pastoring churches in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. He wrote the popular “Shall We Gather at the River” and “Christ Arose.”
W.H. Doane’s main occupation was president of a woodworking company, although he was trained in church choirs and earned a doctorate of music from Dennison University. During his lifetime, Doane (1832-1915) composed hundreds of hymns, and he published over 40 collection of hymns. Pure Gold was his fifth collection; a copy was owned by the Ingalls family. While working on the De Smet Little House books, Laura wrote sister Carrie and asked if she still had the old hymnal, and Carrie mailed it to Laura for reference.
1. The sun may warm the grass to life,
The dew the drooping flower;
And eyes grow bright, and watch the light
Of Autumn’s opening hour;
But words that breathe of tenderness,
And smiles we know are true,
Are warmer than the summertime,
And brighter than the dew.
[chorus] Gentle words! (gentle words),
Loving smiles! (loving smiles),
O beautiful are gentle words and loving smiles.
2. It is not much the world can give,
With all its subtle art;
And gold and gems are not the things
To satisfy the heart;
But, oh! if those who cluster round
The altar and the hearth
Have gentle words and loving smiles,
How beautiful is earth!
The sun may warm the grass to life,
The dew the drooping flower;
And eyes grow bright and watch the light
Of autumn’s opening hour;
But words that breathe of tenderness
And smiles we know are true
Are warmer than the summertime
And brighter than the dew.
It is not much the world can give
With all its subtle art;
And gold and gems are not the things
To satisfy the heart;
But Oh, if those who cluster round
The altar and the hearth,
Have gentle words and loving smiles,
How beautiful the earth!
“Gentle Words and Loving Smiles” (SSL 19)
“The sun may warm the grass to life”