Hymn History: Softly and Tenderly & Author: Will Lamartine Thompson “No matter where I am, at home or hotel, at the store or traveling, if an idea or theme comes to me that I deem worthy of a song, I jot it down in verse. In this way I never lose it.” (Hymnary)   The Origin of the Hymn “Softly Read more...

Hymn History: O Zion Haste & Author: Mary Ann Thomson “By some mistake 1891 is given instead of 1871 as the date of the hymn in the (Episcopal) Hymnal. I do not think it is ever sung to the tune for which I wrote it. Rev. John Anketell told me, and I am sure he is right, that it is Read more...

Hymn History: I Need Thee Every Hour & Author: Annie Sherwood Hawks “Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me – ‘I Need Thee Every Hour Read more...

Hymn History: No Not One & Author: Johnson Oatman Jr. “’No, Not One’ was written in 1895. Composer George Hugg wrote the music the same year. The hymn was so popular it was published in 35 hymnbooks within a year. The song stresses the preeminence of Jesus: ‘There is not a friend like the lowly Jesus/ No, not one! No, Read more...

Hymn History: O Sacred Head Now Wounded & Translator: James Waddel Alexander “He translated a number of hymns from Greek, Latin, and German but is mainly known today for his translation of ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded.’” (Hymnary)   The Origin of the Hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” Among all the hymns that contemplate the suffering and sacrifice of Read more...

Hymn History: My Faith Looks Up to Thee & Author: Ray Palmer “He wrote the lines of verse as what he called his ‘Self-Consecration,’ simply putting down how he felt, ‘with a deep consciousness of my own needs, without the slightest thought of writing for another eye.’” (Robert Cottrill)   The Origin of the Hymn “My Faith Looks Up to Read more...

Hymn History: More Love to Thee & Author: Elizabeth Payson Prentiss “There is no wilderness so dreary but that His love can illuminate it, no desolation so desolate but that He can sweeten it. I know what I am saying. It is no delusion. I believe the highest, purest happiness is known only to those who have learned Christ in Read more...

Hymn History: Jesus, Refuge of My Soul & Author: Pauline Gilmour Hatch “Among her best and most popular compositions are Volunteers, to the Front, Our Dearly Loved Banner, Jesus, Refuge of My Soul and Peace Hymn of Nations — all of which show talent of a high order, coupled with thorough scholarship.” (A. J. Showalter)   The Origin of Pauline Read more...

Hymn History: Jesus Paid It All & Author: Elvina Mable Hall “Elvina Mable Hall is remembered for one hymn, ‘I hear the Savior say.'” (The Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology) The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Paid It All” Few hymns capture the profound simplicity of the gospel as memorably as “Jesus Paid It All.” Its message of atonement and complete Read more...

Hymn History: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear & Author: Edmund Hamilton Sears “How sweeps the song of solemn joy O’er Judah’s sacred hills! “Glory to God!” The sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring; ‘Peace on the earth; good-will to men, From heaven’s eternal King!’” (Edmund Hamilton Sears)   The Origin of the Hymn “It Came Upon the Midnight Read more...

Hymn History: Face to Face & Author: Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck “I penciled verse under all sorts of conditions—over a mending basket, with a baby in arms, and sometimes even when sweeping or washing dishes, my mind moved to meter.” (Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck)   The Origin of Carrie Breck’s Hymn “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior” Hymns about Read more...

Arranger of many songs in Great Hymns of the Faith, music editor for Singspiration, and composer of the tune behind 1 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us, revive your church with life and pow’r; O Breath of Life, come, cleanse, renew us, and fit your church to meet this hour. 2 O Wind of God, come bend us, break Read more...

From Reformation Routes: With is mighty belfry, St. Andrew´s Church rises above the market square in a most impressive manner. It is not only a dominating feature in urban development, but it also belongs to the most significant Luther places in general. In the late Gothic pulpit, preserved almost unchanged, the Reformer gave the last sermons of his life. Martin Read more...

From Wikipedia: Her father sent five-year-old von Bora to a Benedictine convent in Brehna in 1504 to be educated, according to a letter Laurentius Zoch sent to Martin Luther in 1531.[10] At the age of nine, she was moved to Nimbschen Abbey, Cistercian community named Marienthron (‘Mary’s Throne’) near Grimma, where her maternal aunt was a nun.[11] Von Bora’s presence is in the financial accounts of 1509/10.[12] After years of being a Read more...

Thanks to Sarah (friend of the site) for finding this and noting the Wikipedia article: On 6 September 1762 John Wesley came to Gwennap and attracted a great crowd of copper tin miners. Unfortunately the day was very windy and Wesley could not make himself heard. Someone suggested the shelter of Gwennap Pit, about 1.5 miles away, so the whole Read more...