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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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“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...
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“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...
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“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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Hymn History: He Leadeth Me & Author: Joseph H. Gilmore “I set out to give the people an exposition of the 23rd Psalm, which I had given before on three or four occasions, but this time I did not get further than the words ‘He Leadeth Me.’ Psalm 23:2, ‘he leadeth me beside the still waters,’ became the theme of Read more...
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Hymn History: Hiding in Thee & Author: William O. Cushing “It must be said of this hymn [‘Hiding in Thee’] 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 O. Cushing) The Origin of the Hymn “Hiding in Thee” Few 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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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...