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Rise Up O Men Of God: The Hymn, The Painter, And The Missionary That Defined Christian History This Week

Three milestones from this week in Christian history: the hymn Rise Up O Men of God, Fra Angelico's death, and Adoniram Judson setting sail for Burma.

Michael Ringer

Michael Ringer

— 2 min read
Rise Up O Men of God hymn title displayed on a church worship screen

The Hymn That Rallied A Generation, The Artist Who Painted Heaven, And The Missionary Who Changed Burma Forever

This week in Christian history marks three remarkable milestones that shaped the faith across centuries and continents.

In February 1911, Presbyterian minister William Pierson Merrill penned the beloved hymn "Rise Up, O Men of God," a rallying cry that would go on to be published in nearly 300 hymnals across the Protestant world. Merrill, who served as a pastor in New York City, wrote the hymn as a call for Christian men to rise above petty pursuits and dedicate themselves to the Kingdom of God. The hymn became one of the most enduring worship songs in church history.

On February 18, 1455, the great Dominican friar and painter Fra Angelico died in Rome. Born Guido di Pietro, he earned the name "Angelico" meaning "angelic" because of his extraordinary moral virtue and devotion to God. His masterworks, including "The Annunciation" and "The Last Judgment," remain among the most celebrated religious artworks ever created. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1982, declaring him the patron of Catholic artists.

How Adoniram Judson's Voyage To Burma Changed Missionary History

The Annunciation painting by Fra Angelico showing the angel Gabriel greeting the Virgin Mary in a golden arched corridor

In February 1812, Adoniram Judson was ordained on February 6, married Ann Hasseltine the following day, and within two weeks set sail for Southeast Asia alongside fellow missionary Luther Rice. Judson would go on to master the Burmese language, translate the entire Bible into Burmese by 1834, and endure brutal imprisonment during the First Burmese War.

His wife Ann died shortly after his release from prison. Yet Judson persevered, and his missionary legacy produced a Baptist community of approximately 500,000 members in Burma. He died at sea on April 12, 1850, but his impact on the Christian faith in Myanmar endures to this day.

The Crusader's Opinion

These three stories remind us of something the modern church desperately needs to hear: our faith was built by men and women who sacrificed everything. Merrill wrote a hymn calling men to rise up for God. Fra Angelico devoted every brushstroke to glorifying the Creator. Judson left everything behind to bring the Gospel to a hostile land, lost his wife, was tortured in prison, and never stopped. Meanwhile, most Christians today will not even share their faith at a dinner table. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and we owe them more than casual Sunday attendance.

Take Action

  • Learn the hymn "Rise Up, O Men of God" and introduce it at your next church service or Bible study as a reminder of Christian duty.
  • Support persecuted Christians in Myanmar (Burma) today through Open Doors or Voice of the Martyrs.
  • Donate to support Christian missionaries worldwide at The Shepherd's Shield.
  • Visit a museum or search online for Fra Angelico's masterworks and share them on social media to celebrate Christian art and heritage.
  • Read "To the Golden Shore" by Courtney Anderson, the definitive biography of Adoniram Judson, and share it with your small group.
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