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From Wikipedia: Joseph Addison (1 May 1672 – 17 June 1719) was an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. He was the eldest son of The Reverend Lancelot Addison. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine. ♦ _____ ♦ Hymn History: When All Thy Mercies, O My God Author: Joseph Addison “Gratitude is Read more...
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Hymn History: Nearer, My God, to Thee Author: Sarah Fuller Flower Adams “All who knew Mrs. Adams personally speak of her with enthusiasm; she is described as a woman of singular beauty and attractiveness, delicate and truly feminine, high-minded, and in her days of health playful and high-spirited.” (Richard Garnett) The Origin of the Hymn “Nearer, My God, Read more...
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Sutcliff’s neighbors in Olney included the local minister of the Church of England, John Newton (1725-1807), author of “Amazing Grace.” Hymn writer and poet, William Cowper (1731-1800), was a member of Newton’s parish, and, at the time of Sutcliff’s arrival, Newton and Cowper were composing their popular “Olney Hymns.” Visit John Newton’s church and tombstone, and the Cowper and Newton Museum and Gardens. Read more...
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Hymn History: What a Friend We Have in Jesus Author: Joseph Scriven “He was a man of strong faith and deep humility, giving away what he had and working without pay for those in need.” (James Cleland) The Origin of the Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” Few hymns have offered more quiet comfort to ordinary Christians Read more...
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John Wilbur Chapman was a prominent Presbyterian evangelist and hymn writer who lived at 631 West End Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, while he was actively conducting revival campaigns across the United States. This apartment was where he maintained a home base in New York City while traveling extensively to preach and lead revival meetings. It was from this residence Read more...
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Hymn History: Our Great Savior Author: John Wilbur Chapman “Anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps me in my prayer life, or makes Christian work difficult, is wrong for me, and I must, as a Christian, turn away from it.” (John Wilbur Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn “Our Read more...
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Hymn History: He Is Coming Again Author: Mabel Johnston Camp “Mabel isn’t really known for writing hymns except for this hymn choice, but she too must have been living in anticipation of the Lord’s coming.” (Barry Kauffman) The Origin of the Hymn “He Is Coming Again” The life and legacy of Mabel Johnston Camp are closely tied to her Read more...
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Hymn History: Follow, I Will Follow Thee Author: Howard Longsdon Brown I will follow Thee, my Savior,Where’er the pathway may go. (Howard Longsdon Brown) The Origin of the Hymn “Follow, I Will Follow Thee” The hymn “Follow, I Will Follow Thee” emerged from the earnest devotional climate of early twentieth-century American evangelicalism, a period when personal commitment and practical Read more...
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Hymn History: Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave It There Author: Charles Albert Tindley “Combining the fortitude of older black sacred music traditions with the fervor and rhythmic appeal of newer gospel songs, Brewster’s music was, in the words of gospel singing great Willa Ward, ‘as good as it gets.’’” (Memphis Music Hall of Fame) The Origin Read more...
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Hymn History: Yield Not to Temptation Author: Horatio Richmond Palmer “He organized the Church Choral Union which at its height enrolled 20,000 singers and performed in Madison Square Garden.” (John Howell) The Origin of the Hymn “Yield Not to Temptation” “Yield Not to Temptation” is a classic gospel hymn that has been cherished by Christians for generations. Written Read more...
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Hymn History: When I See the Blood Author: John Grier Foote “A spirited gospel song written by John G. Foote – a man about whom nothing is known but his name. But his song is rich in Christian doctrine.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “When I See the Blood” “When I See the Blood” is a Read more...
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Hymn History: What Will You Do with Jesus? Author: Albert Benjamin Simpson “Our God has boundless resources. The only limit is in us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying are too small. Our expectations are too limited.” (Albert Benjamin Simpson) The Origin of the Hymn “What Will You Do with Jesus?” “What Will You Do with Jesus?” is Read more...
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Hymn History: Verily, Verily Author: James McGranahan “Though his health limited his hours of productivity, some of his best hymns were written during these days. McGranahan was a most lovable, gentle, modest, unassuming, gentleman, and a refined and cultured Christian.” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Hymn “Verily, Verily” “Verily, Verily”—also known by its opening line, “Oh, what a Read more...
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Hymn History: Throw Out the Life-Line Author: Edward Smith Ufford “Pastor Ufford had a great concern for the lost. He decided to put together a presentation that made use of his hymn … In 1902 he toured the world with this presentation. In Honolulu, Hawaii, he was privileged to hear his hymn sung in the native tongue.” (Robert Cottrill) Read more...
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Hymn History: This Is My Father’s World Author: Maltbie Davenport Babcock “Good habits are not made on birthdays, nor Christian character at the new year. The workshop of character is everyday life. The uneventful and commonplace hour is where the battle is lost or won.” (Maltbie Davenport Babcock) The Origin of the Hymn “This Is My Father’s World” Read more...
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Hymn History: There’s a Song in the Air Author: Josiah Gilbert Holland “In 1872 … writing a special Christmas hymn … He described how wonderful it was ‘in the homes of the nations’ who declare that ‘Jesus is King!’” (Inspiration Ministries) The Origin of the Hymn “There’s a Song in the Air” The hymn “There’s a Song in Read more...
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Hymn History: There Is Power in the Blood Author: Lewis Edgar Jones “Little did the modest man know that his hobby of hymn writing would be his most enduring legacy.” (Don Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn “There Is Power in the Blood” The hymn “There Is Power in the Blood” is one of the most enduring and Read more...
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Hymn History: The Star-Spangled Banner Author: Francis Scott Key “The patriot who feels himself in the service of God, who acknowledges Him in all his ways, has the promise of Almighty direction, and will find His Word in his greatest darkness.” (Francis Scott Key) The Origin of the Hymn “The Star-Spangled Banner” “The Star-Spangled Banner” is not just Read more...
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Hymn History: The Rock That Is Higher Than I Author: Erastus Johnson “Many banks failed … Erastus Johnson wrote the hymn ‘The Rock That Is Higher Than I’ to encourage those present…” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “The Rock That Is Higher Than I” “The Rock That Is Higher Than I” is one of the most Read more...
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Hymn History: The Haven of Rest Author: Henry Lake Gilmour “Today I woke up singing the old hymn, ‘The Haven of Rest’! It was written by Henry Lake Gilmour.” (Judy Weltin) The Origin of the Hymn “The Haven of Rest” “The Haven of Rest” is a deeply beloved hymn of the Christian faith, expressing the refuge and peace Read more...