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Hymn History: His Eye Is on the Sparrow & Author: Civilla D. Martin “Civilla Durfee Martin … was a schoolteacher with a modest musical training. She and her husband, Walter Stillman Martin, often wrote gospel songs for revival meetings.” (C. Michael Hawn) The Origin of the Hymn “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” Few hymns have touched as many Read more...
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Hymn History: I Am Resolved & Author: Palmer Hartsough “His full life of ministry and continual service are a testament to what he suggests in this very hymn—that he spent his days working for things to come.” (Cameron Frank) The Origin of the Hymn “I Am Resolved” The hymn “I Am Resolved” has long served as a call to commitment Read more...
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Hymn History: I Know Whom I Have Believed & Author: Daniel Webster Whittle “Many years have passed since that night in the Richmond Hospital, and I am still trusting and confessing the Lord Jesus Christ, and purpose by God’s grace to continue doing so until He calls me Home.” (Daniel Webster Whittle) The Origins of the Hymn Read more...
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This marker commemorates the French Huguenot landing near this site on May 1, 1562, and their lives as colonists on the land until 1565. Hoping to escape religious persecution in Western Europe, the Huguenots set sail to this un-colonized portion of the New World, establishing La Caroline in June of 1564. Between May 1562 and September 1565, the Huguenots shaped Read more...
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Among the many plaques commemorating great Americans, we find: John Winthrop 1588 – 1649 In the early autumn of 1630, Winthrop and his company landed at the foot of Prince Street from Charlestown. Thus was begun the settlement of Boston. The spirit of Winthrop is forever a challenge to America: “To avoid shipwreck and provide for our posterity, we must Read more...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Hymn History: Take the Name of Jesus with You & Author: Lydia Baxter “I have a very special armor. I have the name of Jesus. When the tempter tries to make me blue or despondent, I mention the name of Jesus, and He can’t get through to me anymore.” (Lydia Baxter) The Origin of the Hymn “Take the Name Read more...
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Hymn History: The Wanderer’s Prayer & Author: Ellen Oliver Van Fleet “From her mother she inherited domestic tendencies, together with an unswerving regard for duty. From her father she inherited a strong literary taste.” (Wikisource) The Origin of the Hymn “The Wanderer’s Prayer” In the rich treasury of nineteenth-century American hymnody, “The Wanderer’s Prayer” occupies a special place as Read more...
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Hymn History: Who Is He in Yonder Stall? & Author: John Dwight “The Bible is a window in this prison of hope, through which we look into eternity.” (John Dwight) The Origin of the Hymn “Who Is He in Yonder Stall?” Among the many hymns that celebrate the birth of Christ, “Who Is He in Yonder Stall?” stands out Read more...
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Hymn History: Just Over in the Glory Land & Author: James Warren Acuff “He was a well-known singer and song writer among the Churches of Christ in Texas. He wrote several popular Gospel songs, often led the singing for protracted meetings, and helped compile hymnals for the Firm Foundation Company of Austin, Texas.” (NetHymnal) The Origin of the Hymn Read more...