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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...
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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...
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The Life and Legacy of William Howard Doane William Howard Doane (1832–1915) was one of the most influential gospel composers of the nineteenth century, a man whose life joined commercial success with deep and active Christian commitment. Remembered especially for his collaborations with leading hymn writers of his day, Doane helped shape the sound of evangelical worship in America during Read more...
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The Life and Legacy of William Augustine Ogden William Augustine Ogden (1841–1897) stands among the industrious and gifted church musicians of nineteenth-century America whose work strengthened congregational song during a time of revival, expansion, and missionary zeal. Though not as widely remembered as some of his contemporaries, Ogden’s hymns and gospel songs were sung in churches, Sunday schools, and Read more...
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Hymn History: Blessed Be The Name Author: William Henry Clark “All praise to Him who reigns above,In majesty supreme…Who gave His Son for man to die,That He might man redeem.” (William Henry Clark) William Henry Clark (1854–1925) was a faithful minister of the gospel and a hymn writer whose words have endured in Christian worship long after his Read more...
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Although President Lincoln was assassinated in 1865, the tomb bears an art deco style, from the renovations done by the State of Illinois in the early 1930s. This tomb is the third and final resting place of Abraham Lincoln (the original is down the hill, where Lincoln was in the vault for a few months, the second is marked by Read more...
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The Luther Monument is a significant religious and historical landmark located in Washington. Situated on the grounds of Luther Place Memorial Church near Thomas Circle, the monument commemorates the life and influence of Martin Luther, whose actions helped spark the Protestant Reformation. Dedicated in 1884, the Luther Monument was the first statue of Martin Luther erected in the United States. Read more...
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The Foundry United Methodist Church is one of the most historically significant Methodist congregations in the nation’s capital, known not only for its long-standing ministry but also for its association with James K. Polk. During his presidency from 1845 to 1849, Polk regularly attended this church, making it an important landmark in both religious and political history. The origins of Read more...
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Hymn History: Wherever He Leads, I’ll Go Author: Baylus Benjamin McKinney “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 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) “One day while improvising at the piano in my Montrose, PA studio, Alfred B. Smith, with 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 to Trust in Jesus Composer: William James Kirkpatrick Author: Louisa M. R. Stead 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 Read more...
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Hymn History: America the Beautiful Author: Katherine Lee Bates “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 Read more...
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Hymn History: The Battle Hymn of the Republic Author: Julia Ward Howe “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 Read more...
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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 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 Ellsworth 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 with Christ, My Savior 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, Read more...
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Hymn History: He Leadeth Me Author: Joseph Henry 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...