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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.
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GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER
The hymn, GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER, was written by Howard B. Grose. It could never be said that Howard gave God the second-best or...
Oct 31, 2023
FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH
At the age of twenty-nine, Folliott Pierpoint was mesmerized by the beauty of the nature around him in his birthplace of Bath, England. ...
Oct 31, 2023
FILL MY CUP LORD
His parents were Methodist missionaries in China when Richard Blanchard was born in 1925. The Family soon returned home to the United...
Oct 31, 2023
FAITH IS THE VICTORY
In 1 John 5:4 we read, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our...
Oct 31, 2023
FAIREST LORD JESUS
Our Hymn today came from Roman Catholic Jesuits in Germany and originally had six verses. Although it appeared first in the Jesuit...
Oct 31, 2023
DRAW ME NEARER/I AM THINE O LORD
Fanny Crosby, the blind, prolific poem and hymn writer collaborated often with musician and song writer, William Doane. William was a...
Sep 22, 2023
DOES JESUS CARE
Frank E. Graeff was a Methodist minister and served in some of the leading denominational churches throughout the Philadelphia conference....
Sep 22, 2023
DAY BY DAY
Psalm 27 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” These are good questions! DAY BY DAY is a Scandinavian hymn, written by the ‘Fanny Crosby of Sweden’, Karolina Sandell-Berg…affectionately known as "Lina." She was the daughter of Jonas Sandell, who was the pastor of the village Lutheran church. Though frail in body, she had a strong spirit and feasted on the religious influences
Sep 22, 2023
CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS
Revelations 19:12 says “... and on His Head were many crowns ”. The hymn, CROWN HIM WITH MANY CROWNS was written by Matthew Bridges and initially included 6 stanzas. Matthew thought of it as a sermon in a hymn, based on and inspired by this passage in Revelations 19. He first called it “The Song of The Seraphs.” Even though at one time, Bridges wrote a book condemning Roman Catholics, he later converted to Catholicism. In an interesting twist...Godfrey Thring, a staunch A
Sep 22, 2023
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
Those who are involved in the Lay ministry in our churches play an important role in the evangelical cause for a gospel outreach throughout the world. Rev. Johnson Oatman, Jr. was granted a license to preach in local Methodist congregations as a lay minister. During his life time, he wrote over 5,000 hymn texts; some of the hymns he wrote we know as “ Higher Ground ” and “ No, Not One !” He accomplished all this even as he was actively engaged in a mercantile business. He
Sep 22, 2023
COME SHARE THE LORD
Bryan J. Leech was born in 1931 and was native to Buckhurst Hill, Essex, England. In 1955 he moved to the United States, and in 1959 was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant denomination. Bryan’s pastoral ministry took him to congregations in Massachusetts, New Jersey and California. During his life he composed over 500 songs, hymns, anthems and cantatas. At times, compositions come immediately to an author’s pen, while at other times, inspiration may require months of ges
Sep 22, 2023
COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE
COME, YE THANKFUL PEOPLE , is considered to be one of the most chosen harvest-thanksgiving hymns still today. It was written for the English harvest festivals. Praise to God for the harvest was celebrated during the various harvest times each year. The author is Henry “Dean” Alford. Born in October 1910, Henry determined at the age of 16 to follow in the footsteps of several generations in his family, including his father. In answer to God’s call on his life, he become a re
Sep 22, 2023
COME, THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS
In the Bible, Haggai records that the Lord Almighty said, “I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come...” Inspired by these prophetic words and the words of a prayer published at the time, Charles Wesley wrote the text for this Christmas Carol in 1744. COME THOU LONG EXPTECTED JESUS , describes how Jesus was born a child that first Christmas...yet, He was also born a King...as the wise men knew and had searched for. Wesley’s intent was for people to
Sep 22, 2023
COME THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Robert Robinson was born to lowly parents in Norfolk, England in 1735. His father died when he was 8 years old. At the age of 14, Robert’s mother sent him to London to learn the barbering trade. Without the necessary fatherly influence and now on his own, he became associated with a notorious gang of hoodlums and lived a debauched life. At the age of 17, he and his friends attended a church meeting for the purpose of scoffing at the poor deluded Methodists! George Whitef
Sep 22, 2023
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY
Originally known as the ‘Hymn for Easter Day’, CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN TODAY , was written by Charles Wesley in 1739 to be sung during the first service at the new Wesleyan Chapel in London, England. This chapel was in a deserted iron foundry converted into a place of worship; it became known as the Foundry Meeting House. Charles hymn was initially written with 11 verses, but was later reduced to 6 stanzas. In the early 19th century, the joyous "Alleluia" was added at the
Sep 22, 2023
CHRIST AROSE
Dr. Robert Lowry is a name you will hear often as we discover the stories of traditional hymns. Born in 1826, Robert accepted Christ as his personal Saviour at the age of 17. After graduating with honors from Bucknell University and having received his doctorate, he began his pastoral ministry. He pastored several important churches in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York City and Brooklyn. Lowry was recognized as a most capable minister of the gospel, possessing keen insig
Sep 22, 2023
CALVARY COVERS IT ALL
In first John chapter 1 and verse 9, there is a wonderful assurance when it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Many years ago, Walter and Ethel Taylor were running the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, Illinois and became known as Ma & Pa Taylor. During one of their evening services, a man slipped into the back of the auditorium who, like many others, was under the influence of alcohol.
Sep 22, 2023
BURDENS ARE LIFTED AT CALVARY
John Moore was born to humble parents on September 1, 1925 in Scotland. At the age of 16, and due to the consistent teaching of his mother and father, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Friend. He then joined the local Baptist Church and became involved in Sunday School, open air meetings and tract distribution. He studied to become an evangelistic Baptist minister, serving in the famous Tent Hall in Glasgow and several other congregations in Scotland. H
Sep 19, 2023
BREATHE ON ME BREATH OF GOD
This Hymn is based on John 20:21. After Jesus’ resurrection, He met with His followers and said to them, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." Edwin Hatch was famous for his vigorous – almost severe – study habits. Born in England in 1835, his love of knowledge started early. He attended King Edwards school and later both Oxford and Cambridge. In his early
Sep 19, 2023
BORN AGAIN – There’s Really been a Change in Me
Research as we did, finding the author of the song, BORN AGAIN , has been elusive. Wherever we searched… the result would often say “Born Again, by EVIE”. And that in itself is our story today! Born as Evelyn Tornquist in March 1956 to Norwegian parents who had immigrated to the United States, she soon became known affectionately as "Evie"…early in her life. In 1972, at the age of 16, she recorded her debut album…and went on to release more than 30 more including some in
Sep 19, 2023
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