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Hymn History: Lead Me to Calvary & Author: Jennie Evelyn Hussey “Miss Hussey, a Quaker by background, lived much of her life on the family farm … She cared for an invalid sister, and in later years suffered crippling arthritis; yet she was known for her cheerful disposition and courageous attitude.” (hymnstudiesblog) The Origin of the Hymn “Lead Me to Read more...
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Hymn History: Lead on, O King Eternal & Author: Ernest Warburton Shurtleff “Dr. Shurtleff was one of those rare souls whose spiritual quality appeared in all his acts and speech without the slightest taint of pietism. … His deep and quiet nature had the force of a rising tide.” (Hymns for Family Worship) The Origin of the Hymn “Lead Read more...
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Hymn History: Love Lifted Me & Author: James Rowe “Poetry came easy to him.” (Louise Rowe Mayhew) The Origin of the Hymn “Love Lifted Me” Few hymns capture the saving grace and redemptive power of Christ’s love as beautifully as “Love Lifted Me.” Its joyful declaration—“Love lifted me, when nothing else could help, love lifted me”—has been sung by Read more...
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Hymn History: Make Me a Channel of Blessing & Author: Harper Garcia Smyth “Harper G. Smyth … was an excellent example of someone who used his musical talent to bring spiritual refreshment to others. … His music ministry was a form of Christian hospitality!” (Institute in Basic Life Principles) The Origin of the Hymn “Make Me a Channel of Read more...
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Hymn History: Must I Go, and Empty-Handed? & Author: Charles Carroll Luther “Years ago … my parents had friends we visited quite often … On one occasion … that represents the way in which we can encourage and bless our friends with unexpected gifts, tokens of our appreciation for them. … ‘Must I go, and empty-handed, thus my dear Redeemer Read more...
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Hymn History: My Anchor Holds & Author: William Clark Martin “Martin was a prolific writer of gospel verse with numerous texts appearing in early-20th-century hymnals and song collections.” (Hymntime.com) The Origin of the Hymn “My Anchor Holds” Among the hymns that speak to the steadfastness of faith in the midst of life’s storms, few are as stirring and resolute Read more...
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Hymn History: My Country, ‘Tis of Thee & Author: Samuel Francis Smith “In the front rank of American hymn-writers Rev. Samuel Francis Smith, D.D., has long had a place.” (Gospelstudies.org.uk) The Origin of the Hymn “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” Few patriotic hymns have stirred American hearts quite like “My Country, ’Tis of Thee.” For nearly two centuries, this Read more...
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Hymn History: Near to the Heart of God & Author: Cleland Boyd McAfee “Dr. McAfee, an eminent theologian, a brilliant speaker, author of a number of books and learned papers … yet today … is best remembered for this one simple, unassuming hymn of devotion.” (Alessandra Sorace) The Origin of the Hymn “Near to the Heart of God” Few Read more...
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Hymn History: Only a Sinner & Author: James Martin Gray “Dr. Gray was a man of vision … the school grew under his able administration. He was a conservative theologian, a fine scholar and excellent Bible teacher, but his interests went far beyond mere academics.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Only a Sinner” Among the many gospel Read more...
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Hymn History: Only Trust Him & Author: John H. Stockton “Methodist minister John H. Stockton … had the evangelistic spirit of the day: he worked with Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in the Philadelphia meetings, writing invitation hymns for use in their revivals.” (Dr. Hawn of Discipleship Ministries) The Origin of the Hymn “Only Trust Him” Few Read more...
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Hymn History: Open My Eyes, That I May See & Author: Clara Harriet Jones Scott “Clara Harriett Fiske Jones Scott … was the first woman to publish a volume of anthems, the Royal Anthem Book, in 1882.” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See” Among the many hymns that express a sincere desire Read more...
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Read Erromango: The Martyrs’ Isle online Discerning History: In the morning of November 20, 1839, John Williams prepared to land on the island of Erromango. In his Bible was later found a small scrap of paper upon which he had written this text from the lips of the Lord Jesus, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.” Read more...
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Image Credit: George Baxter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Voyage to the rock – read an account Archaeology of Christianity in Vanuatu (including map of the last day of Williams From Wikipedia: Most of the Williamses’ missionary work, and their delivery of a cultural message, was very successful and they became famed in Congregational circles. However, in November Read more...
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From Wikipedia: The Livingstone Memorial built in 1899 marks the spot where missionary explorer David Livingstone died on 1 May 1873 in Chief Chitambo’s village at Ilala near the edge of the Bangweulu Swamps in Zambia. His heart was buried there under a mpundu (also called mvula) tree by his loyal attendants Chuma, Suza Mniasere and Vchopere, before they departed for the coast carrying his body.[1] In their Read more...
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Wikipedia: The Statue of David Livingstone on the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls is erected towards Devil’s Cataract in the western bank of the falls. The statue has an inscription that states that David Livingstone visited the falls in 1851 when he documented his first impression on the beauty of the waterfalls during his first encounter when he named the falls after Queen Victoria.[2][3] There has been two Read more...