T.O. Chisholm Birthplace

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm (1866-1960) was born in a log house in Lake Spring (Lake Spring Road is a mile and a half northwest of the marker).

At sixteen, he started teaching in the country schoolhouse he had attended.

By 1893, he was Associate Editor of the Franklin Favorite, the local newspaper. That year, he attended a revival meeting led by Evangelist Henry Clay Morrison (later president of Asbury College) in Franklin, was converted, called to the ministry, and began pastoring in Scottsville, Kentucky.

However his health did not cooperate and he had to resign his pastorate. He moved to Winona Lake, Indiana, and

T.O. Chisholm

then later to Vineland, New Jersey. During his lifetime he wrote over 1,000 poems, many published in the Franklin Favorite.

In 1923 he wrote Great is Thy Faithfulness, and sent it to a William Runyan, who was working for the Moody Bible Institute at the time.

He died February 29^th, 1960 in Ocean Grove, NJ and is buried in Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania.

“Great is Thy faithfulness, “

O God my Father,
There is no shadow

of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not,

Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been

Thou forever wilt be

Inscription:

Birthplace of T.O. Chisholm

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, born in log house, Lake Spring community, taught in local school at age 16. Became associate editor of Franklin Favorite, later edited Pentecostal Herald, Louisville. Under influence of evangelist Henry Clay Morrison, founder of Asbury College (Ky.), he was ordained to Methodist ministry and served in nearby Scottsville.

Noted Hymn Writer (1866-1960)

Chisholm’s unstable health caused his work to vary from journalism to insurance to evangelistic pursuits. He wrote poems through the years, some 800 were published and many set to music. With musician William Runyan, Chisholm wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (1923), with C.H. Lowden, he wrote “Living for Jesus” (1917). These hymns continue to provide inspiration and comfort.

Hymn Texts:

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy faithfulness!”
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Living for Jesus

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do,
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me,
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace,
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name,
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile,
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.