Favorite
From his autobiography: “Aside from the Bible, a few school text-books, and collections of song, I cannot recall a single volume of literature of any kind in our home, until my older brother and sisters grew up. My father was a subscriber to one weekly newspaper, which he would read and lend to some less fortunate neighbor. As the years Read more...
Favorite
From the Cemetery: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920), Section I, Lot #89-90 Eliza Hewitt was a songwriter who penned numerous Christian hymns. As a young woman, Hewitt taught at a Philadelphia public school, but after becoming ill with a spinal condition, she was confined to her bed. As her health improved, she began to write lyrics to songs, including “Sunshine in Read more...
Favorite
Authored the tunes to Pass Me Not, Rescue the Perishing, I Am Thine O Lord, Near the Cross, More Love to Thee, Precious Name, Tell Me the Old Old Story, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, and more. Obituary: “Just after he had finished his final musical setting a composition for the last hymn written by Fanny Crosby, noted author Read more...
Favorite
Wikipedia: William Augustine Ogden (October 10, 1841 – October 14, 1897) was an American composer, especially of church music and hymns, choir conductor and educator. Author of He Is Able to Deliver Thee 1. ‘Tis the grandest theme thro’ the ages rung; ‘Tis the grandest theme for a mortal tongue; ‘Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung: Our God is able to deliver thee. Refrain: He Read more...
Favorite
Author of Blessed Be The Name 1 All praise to God who reigns above In majesty supreme, Who gave His Son for all to die, That He might man redeem! Refrain: Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name! Blessed be the name of the Read more...
New
Favorite
Author: Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go “The radiant and gentle life of B. B. McKinney exemplified his Christianity as he lived and walked among men. As one of our foremost and very meaningful song writers and singers, he was always so modest, never wanting any credit for his ability, but just ever trying to use the talent God had Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Surely Goodness and Mercy & Authors: John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith “This song was born … emphasizing God’s goodness and mercy as well as God’s guidance through cold nights and lonesome valleys. It’s such a fun song to sing!” (TheScottSpot) “One day while improvising at the piano in my Montrose, PA studio, Alfred B. Smith, with Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Surely Goodness and Mercy & Authors: John W. Peterson and Alfred B. Smith “This song was born … emphasizing God’s goodness and mercy as well as God’s guidance through cold nights and lonesome valleys. It’s such a fun song to sing!” (TheScottSpot) “It has been a great joy over these many years to be able to take some Read more...
New
Favorite
Author: Hiding in Thee “It must be said of this hymn that it was the outgrowth of many tears, many heart-conflicts, and soul-yearnings, of which the world can know nothing. The history of many battles is behind it.” (William Orcutt Cushing) The Origins of the Hymn “Hiding in Thee” Some hymns arise out of profound joy, while others Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Since I Have Been Redeemed & Author: Edwin Othello Excell “It must be said of this hymn that it was the outgrowth of many tears, many heart-conflicts, and soul-yearnings, of which the world can know nothing. The history of many battles is behind it.” (William Orcutt Cushing) The Origins of the Hymn “Since I Have Been Redeemed” Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Tis So Sweet & Composer: William James Kirkpatrick The Origins of the Hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” Few hymns express the simple, childlike faith of trusting in Christ as tenderly as “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” For more than a century, it has been sung in churches around the world, offering comfort Read more...
New
Favorite
Author: Does Jesus Care? “What does a person do when surrounded by grief? Frank Graeff set us a good example: he worked through his heartache, and then (always the teacher!) he used his own experience to help those who would go through the same trials.” (David Russell Hamrick) The Origins of the Hymn “Does Jesus Care?” Among the Read more...
New
Favorite
Author: Break Thou the Bread of Life Come, O Creator, Spirit blest! And in our souls take up Thy rest; Come, with Thy grace and heavenly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou has made. Mary Artemisia Lathbury The Origins of the Hymn “Break Thou the Bread of Life” Among the many hymns that focus on God’s Word Read more...
New
Favorite
“Mary Dagworthy James authored approximately 50 hymns and wrote articles for several publications, including the Guide to Holiness, The New York Christian Advocate, The Contributor, The Christian Witness, The Christian Woman, The Christian Standard, and the Ocean Grove Record” (Hymnary) The Origin of the Hymn “All for Jesus” by Mary Dagworthy James Among the hymns that speak of complete Read more...
New
Favorite
“Surely martyrs, irrespective of the special phase of the divine idea for which they gladly give up their bodies to torture and to death, are the truest heroes of history.” (Katherine Lee Bates) The Origin of the Hymn “America the Beautiful” Among the patriotic songs that stir the American heart, few have the same blend of reverence, poetry, and Read more...
New
Favorite
“I am confirmed in my division of human energies. Ambitious people climb, but faithful people build.” “The strokes of the pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.” (Julia Ward Howe) The Origin of the Hymn “Battle Hymn of the Republic” Few songs hold as deep a place in American history as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Before the Throne of God Above & Author: Charitie Lees Bancroft “Thy way is best, my Father, Though full of clouds, it be.” (Charitie Lees Bancroft) The Origin of the Hymn “Before the Throne of God Above” Hymns have long served as theological guides, shaping the way believers understand and express their faith. Few hymns illustrate this better Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Break Thou the Bread of Life & Author: Mary Artemisia Lathbury Come, O Creator, Spirit blest! And in our souls take up Thy rest; Come, with Thy grace and heavenly aid, To fill the hearts which Thou has made.” (Mary Artemisia Lathbury) The Origins of the Hymn “Break Thou the Bread of Life” Among the many hymns Read more...
New
Favorite
Hymn History: Does Jesus Care? & Author: Frank E. Graeff “Known as the ‘sunshine minister’ of the Methodist denomination in the churches of the Philadelphia Conference, Frank Graeff was widely liked for his cheerful and winsome personality. C. Austin Miles, writer of the hymn ‘In the Garden’, said of him, ‘He is a spiritual optimist, a great friend of children; Read more...
New
Favorite
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...