Mary Elizabeth Dobell Maxwell Grave

Hymn History: Channels Only & Author: Mary Elizabeth Dobell Maxwell

“The writer of this verse was Mary Elizabeth Dobell Maxwell. She wrote four known hymns, but beyond that little is known about her. … What is known from her hymns is that she understood the New Covenant life of surrender to Christ and living only by His life in her.”
(Graham McKay)

The Origin of the Hymn “Channels Only”

The hymn “Channels Only” is a stirring reminder of the believer’s humble yet holy role as a vessel through which God’s grace and power flow. With its earnest prayer—“Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power”—the song captures the essence of Christian service: not self-effort or pride, but surrender to be used by the Lord. Written in the late nineteenth century, this hymn grew out of a deep personal experience of consecration and dependence upon God, and it continues to inspire Christians to yield their lives for His purposes.

The Writer: Mary E. Maxwell

The words of “Channels Only” were written by Mary E. Maxwell (1843–1927), a Scottish-born believer who spent most of her life in England. While little is recorded about her personal history, her writings reflect a sincere devotion to Christ and a clear understanding of the spiritual truths that animated the revival movements of her day. She was deeply influenced by the holiness and Keswick movements that swept through Britain in the late 1800s—movements that emphasized complete surrender to God and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

The hymn’s language—“Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, / A clean vessel in Thy hand”—mirrors those very themes. It reflects the Keswick teaching of “letting God work through us” rather than striving in our own strength. The emphasis on being “channels only” shows that Maxwell’s focus was not on human ability but on divine enabling.

While the details of when and how she wrote the hymn are not fully known, it is generally believed to have been written around the 1880s. The words first appeared in Consecration Hymns and Songs, a collection used in meetings emphasizing deeper Christian life and total consecration.

The Composer: Hubert P. Main

The music for “Channels Only” was composed by Hubert Platt Main (1839–1925), an American musician, music teacher, and editor who worked closely with many leading hymn writers of the nineteenth century. Born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Main was the son of a Methodist singing-school teacher and became one of the most influential editors of gospel song collections in America.

Hubert Main began his career in music publishing with Biglow & Main, the company that helped popularize gospel songs across the United States. He collaborated with Fanny Crosby, Robert Lowry, and W. H. Doane—names that defined an entire era of hymnody. His tunes were characterized by clarity, singability, and a natural emotional flow that suited both congregational and solo performance.

Main’s melody for “Channels Only” perfectly complements Maxwell’s text. The music moves with a steady, confident rhythm that mirrors the prayerful resolve of the words, rising in the refrain to express joyful readiness to serve. Together, the lyric and melody form one of the most beloved hymns of consecration in the gospel tradition.

The Message of the Hymn

The theme of “Channels Only” is both simple and profound: Christians are not the source of God’s power but vessels through which His Spirit flows. The hymn captures the humility and submission that lie at the heart of true Christian service. It begins with the confession of dependence:

“How I praise Thee, precious Savior,
That Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me,
That I might Thy channel be.”

The second verse deepens that theme with the plea for purity and usefulness:

“Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me,
A clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest,
Graciously with each command.”

This idea—that the believer is “emptied” so that Christ may fill and use them—resonated deeply with Christians who desired a deeper spiritual life. The refrain serves as both a declaration and a prayer:

“Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us
Every day and every hour.”

These lines beautifully summarize the Christian’s calling: not to act independently of God but to be fully yielded to His purposes, moment by moment.

The Hymn’s Use and Influence

After its publication, “Channels Only” spread rapidly through both British and American hymnals. Its message aligned closely with the revival and missionary movements of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was especially popular at Keswick Conventions in England, where thousands of Christians gathered annually to seek personal renewal and spiritual empowerment.

Missionaries, too, found in this hymn a fitting expression of their dependence upon God’s strength. Many missionary societies adopted it as a devotional song, using it during prayer meetings and commissioning services. It also became a favorite in Bible schools and evangelistic campaigns, where its message of humble usefulness inspired many to dedicate their lives to Christian service.

Legacy

More than a century after it was written, “Channels Only” continues to speak powerfully to believers. Its words remind us that Christian service is not a matter of personal talent or willpower, but of surrender to God’s Spirit. In an age that often celebrates self-sufficiency and personal achievement, this hymn calls us back to a timeless truth: the Christian’s strength lies in being an instrument through which God’s grace can flow.

Whether sung in quiet devotion or in the midst of a great congregation, “Channels Only” remains a prayer of consecration for every believer who longs to be used by the Master. As long as Christians seek to live in daily dependence upon Him, Mary E. Maxwell’s humble yet profound words will continue to inspire hearts to pray, “Flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.”