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Hymn History: Only a Sinner & Author: James Martin Gray “Dr. Gray was a man of vision … the school grew under his able administration. He was a conservative theologian, a fine scholar and excellent Bible teacher, but his interests went far beyond mere academics.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Only a Sinner” Among the many gospel Read more...
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Hymn History: Only Trust Him & Author: John H. Stockton “Methodist minister John H. Stockton … had the evangelistic spirit of the day: he worked with Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in the Philadelphia meetings, writing invitation hymns for use in their revivals.” (Dr. Hawn of Discipleship Ministries) The Origin of the Hymn “Only Trust Him” Few Read more...
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Hymn History: Open My Eyes, That I May See & Author: Clara Harriet Jones Scott “Clara Harriett Fiske Jones Scott … was the first woman to publish a volume of anthems, the Royal Anthem Book, in 1882.” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Hymn “Open My Eyes, That I May See” Among the many hymns that express a sincere desire Read more...
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Hymn History: Rise Up, O Men of God! & Author: William Pierson Merrill “Unless you give yourself to some great cause you haven’t even begun to live.” (William Pierson Merrill) The Origin of the Hymn “Rise Up, O Men of God!” Among the many hymns that have inspired the Church to action and spiritual maturity, few ring with such Read more...
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Hymn History: Standing on the Promises & Author: Russell Kelso Carter “Russell Kelso Carter … was a man of many talents and contradictions – a gifted hymn writer, passionate preacher, and pioneering advocate of divine healing, whose life and teachings left a complex legacy that continues to inspire and unsettle.” (Don Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn “Standing on Read more...
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Hymn History: In the Sweet By and By & Author: Sanford Fillmore Bennett “His poetry began appearing in [Illinois] newspapers and hymn collections; later he studied medicine while owning a drugstore in Wisconsin.” (Hymntime.com) The Origin of the Hymn “In the Sweet By and By” Among the most enduring and beloved hymns of the 19th century is “In the Read more...
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Hymn History: Sweeter as the Years Go By & Author: Lelia Naylor Morris “Choosing to avoid the spotlight and content in her labours as a homemaker, Lelia N. Morris … was often composing while doing housework.” (Melody Publications) The Origin of the Hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By” The hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By” has long Read more...
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Hymn History: The Beautiful Garden of Prayer & Author: Eleanor Allen Schroll “There’s a garden where Jesus is waiting, There’s a place that is wondrously fair; … ’Tis that beautiful garden of prayer.” (Eleanor Allen Schroll) The Origin of the Hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” The hymn “The Beautiful Garden of Prayer” is a cherished treasure in the 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...
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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 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: There Is Power in the Blood & Author: Lewis Edgar Jones “Lewis Edgar Jones heard something – a special phrase that caught his attention … The 34‑year‑old Lewis Jones was still early in his Christian calling in 1899 … Yet what came from that simple practice? Songs that have lifted millions of hearts.” (Don Chapman) The Origin of the Hymn 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: 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: 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 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: 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: When I See the Blood & Author: John George 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: 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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Elisabeth Howard Elliot “God is God. Because he is God, He is worthy of my trust and obedience. I will find rest nowhere but in His holy will that is unspeakably beyond my largest notions of what he is up to.” (Elisabeth Howard Elliot) Elisabeth Howard Elliot: A Legacy of Faith, Courage, and Obedience Elisabeth Howard Elliot’s name has Read more...