HYMN STORIES

“AND NOW YOU KNOW….”

We are encouraged, uplifted and sometimes even challenged by some of the songs and hymns we sing so often. You might wonder what inspired the writing and composition of these songs. There is a story behind each one. Most often these stories will give even more meaning to the already powerful blessing these songs are. In this library, you will find reasons and life experiences that God used to provide us with wonderful messages in music. These are historical accounts of hymns and songs used in the programs of Hope Today.

THIS IS MY FATHER’S WORLD

Maltbie Babcock hailed from an aristocratic family. He was a brilliant scholar with a winning personality and arguably the most remarkable student Syracuse University had ever seen. He was tall and athletically outstanding. He was an expert swimmer and captain of the baseball team. He directed the university’s orchestra, played several instruments and composed music. A proficient vocalist, he directed the university glee club. He entertained by drawing and doing imperso

5 days ago

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

George Beverly Shea was born in Winchester, Ontario where his father was a minister in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was taught to play the violin by his father and the piano and organ by his mother. He accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour at the age of 5 or 6 and re-dedicated his life as a Christian at the age of 18. Shea’s bass-baritone voice brought early recognition and provided many opportunities for him to sing at religious meetings around the Ottawa Vall

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THE SOLID ROCK

It seems that many believe there is something they can do to earn salvation and eternal life after physical death. Yet when you come to an understanding of God, who is just in His promised judgement but He is also loving in His provision of redemption, you will realize that we have already failed to earn salvation. We certainly hope there is another way! The wonderful news is that there is another way...provided graciously by the One who alone was able. The hymn, THE SOLI

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THE SAVIOUR IS WAITING

The story today is about a twentieth century hymn written in 1958 by Ralph Carmichael. Born in Quincy, Illinois in 1927, his mother was a gifted Bible teacher and his father a pastor. His father also played the fiddle, but some in his church called fiddles the devil’s instruments. With this criticism, Rev. Carmichael stopped playing it and gave it to his four-year-old son, Ralph. At the same time he arranged music lessons for his son. Over time, Ralph not only mastered t

5 days ago

THE LOVE OF GOD

The hymn, THE LOVE OF GOD , talks about the incredible love of God. Parts of this hymn text was inspired and written centuries apart. Frederick M. Lehman, was born in Germany, but moved with his family to America when he was four. God convicted his heart and drew this 11-year-old boy to Himself. Lehman’s life was never the same. Frederick studied for ministry and served as Pastor at several churches. Even during his church ministry, he maintained his entrepreneurial sp

5 days ago

THE LORD’S MY SHEPHERD

The Book of Psalms in the Bible…as far as we know…is the oldest hymnal! Throughout the ages, Christians have always desired to sing praise to the Lord using “psalms, Hymns, and spiritual songs”. Quoting Augustine, John Calvin once wrote, “We shall not find better songs nor more fitting for the purpose than the Psalms of David…” However, the Psalms were originally written in Hebrew, and, when translated, they typically lost the rhyme and rhythm for easy singing. In the ea

5 days ago

THE LONGER I SERVE HIM

Bill and Gloria Gaither were married in 1962. As they were building their life together, developing careers and music ministries and starting their family, they followed a very busy schedule. Yet getting to know each other’s extended families was a priority. One day, Bill took Gloria to meet his grandmother, a warm and well-liked woman affectionately known as ‘Mom’ Hartwell. Later, Gloria wrote, “ I loved her from the start. She was Irish like my own grandmother. I fel

5 days ago

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS

No need of the sunlight in Heaven we’re told, the Light of the world is Jesus The Lamb is the Light in the city of gold, the Light of the world is Jesus Come to the Light; ‘tis shining for thee…Once I was blind, but now I can see. The Light of the world is Jesus! Phillip Bliss most often was called on to compose music for hymn texts others had written and brought to him. Philip wrote the text and composed the music for his hymn, THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS . It was one

5 days ago

TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY

Born in 1834, the daughter of a prosperous banker in London, England, Katherine Hankey, with her family, were devout Anglicans. Early in her spiritual journey, Katherine was influenced by the Methodist revival ministry of John Wesley. She began to organize and teach Sunday Schools in London. Later she felt called to be a missionary nurse…travelling to South Africa to assist her brother in his ministry. After falling seriously ill, she was bedridden for a long convalescenc

5 days ago

TEACH ME THY WAY, O LORD

In Psalm 27, verse 11, King David prayed asking, “Lord, teach me your way.” These words inspired Benjamin Mansell Ramsey to write the words in our Hymn today, and the music for it, known as ‘Camacha’. Benjamin was born, August 10, 1849 in Surrey, England. He was an organist and an amateur composer. Ramsey was a prolific composer of part-songs, piano pieces and carols. He was a teacher at Bournemouth Grammar School, the secretary of the Bournemouth Musical Association, c

5 days ago

TAKE MY LIFE & LET IT BE

Born on December 14, 1836, in England, Frances Havergal would later become referred to as “the consecration poet.” At the age of 4 she began reading and memorizing the Bible. At the age of 7 she was already writing her thought in verse. Her father, an influential Anglican clergyman, greatly encouraged Francis. During her life she was frail with a delicate health, yet she was an avid student, writer and composer. After her conversion experience she later wrote, “There an

5 days ago

ROOM AT THE CROSS FOR YOU

The name of Ira Stanphill has become well-known in evangelical churches as the author and composer of so many popular gospel songs. As Ira states about his philosophy for writing songs, “The basic reason I have written songs is that I love God and Christ has loved me. Most of my songs are the outgrowth of real experiences with Christ.” On his twenty-second birthday, Ira began his own preaching ministry in revival meetings in Arcadia, Kansas. Over the years, he has served

5 days ago

‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

It is quite interesting that so many hymns which have become a meaningful encouragement in the lives of others through several generations, actually originated out of significant tragedy. The hymn entitled ‘TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS ’, written by a most remarkable woman, is no exception. Louisa Stead was born around 1850 at Dover, England. As a youngster, she felt the call of God on her life for missionary service. She arrived as a missionary in America during her e

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SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

Born in 1772 and living in Coleshill, Warwickshire, England, William Walford was blind, but this did not make him worthless. As he sat by the fire in his home, he kept his hands busy, whittling out useful objects and trinkets that he made available in his little shop. As a lay preacher, he was called on to preach from time to time in a rural English church. William composed the sermons in his memory. He needed to memorize significant amounts of the Bible which he would qu

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SWEET BY & BY

In 1868, a 31-year-old pharmacist named Sanford Bennett was filling prescriptions at his apothecary in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. His friend, Joseph Webster entered the store. Joseph was a local musician, violinist, vocalist and amateur composer…who suffered from periods of depression. The two men had occasionally collaborated on hymns and songs…Sanford writing texts and Joseph composing the music. On this particular day, Joseph was unusually blue and his face long. Looking up

6 days ago

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY

Psalm 23 gives us beloved words that have undoubtedly provided much comfort and encouragement throughout the centuries to God’s people. In times of deep need, our minds run first to these tender words from King David. They minister so meaningfully to our wounded spirits as they did to the Psalmist. Often called ‘the dean of contemporary music’, John W Peterson was born in November, 1921. Being trained at Moody Bible Institute and then the American Conservatory of Music,

6 days ago

STANDING ON THE PROMISES

Russell Kelso Carter is the author of the hymn, STANDING ON THE PROMISES. He was an athlete, educator, rancher, preacher and physician. But let us listen to him share his story through a part of his testimony. “ From my birth in 1849, I was surrounded by Christian influences. My father stood for nearly half a century in the rank of Christian workers in Baltimore; by his side I had the example of a patient, loving mother. I cannot remember when I was not subject to deep

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STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS , is our hymn story today and it was written by George Duffield, Jr. However, it was inspired by a story of someone else! Dudley Tyng served as his father’s assistant pastor at the Church of the Epiphany in Philadelphia. When his father retired in 1854, he succeeded him as pastor at this large church. Dudley was only 29 years old at that time. His ministry at the church seemed like a good fit until he began to vigorously preach against slave

6 days ago

SPIRIT OF GOD, DESCEND UPON MY HEART

A hymn that is often sung on Pentecost Sunday is actually a deeply moving prayer for personal devotion and should actually be used anytime. The author was George Croly who was born in Dublin in 1780. His father was a physician, but George decided to become a physician of souls. He was ordained into the Anglican ministry when he graduated from Trinity College in 1804. There was no church available to him at the time, so he moved to London where he began writing. He develo

6 days ago

SOFTLY AND TENDERLY

Will Thompson was born in 1847 in East Liverpool, Ohio. His father, Josiah Thompson was a member of the Ohio State Legislature for two terms. Will attended the Boston Music School and later did additional musical study in Germany. His ambition was always to write music for the people. After a very successful career of writing secular music, Thompson turned his talents to writing gospel hymns. He started his own publishing and music store business in East Liverpool and C

6 days ago