LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter.  However, it was written by Elisha Hoffman.

Anthony was the principal of the Southern Normal Musical Institute in Georgia and was a well-known advocate of gospel music.  He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies.  He was also known for his singing schools in local churches. 

He took a personal interest in his pupils and enjoyed keeping in touch with them as the years passed.  One evening after class, he returned home to find separate letters from two of his former students.  Both young men were heartbroken, having just lost their wives.  Anthony went to the Bible to find a verse to help bring them comfort.  He found those words in Deuteronomy 33:27 where it is recorded, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”  While he wrote words of comfort to both students, he pondered this wonderful truth and the words for the chorus came to his mind.

His next letter was to his friend, hymnist Elisha Hoffman.  He said to her “I have the chorus but I can’t come up with any verses."  Elisha wrote three verses and sent them back.  Anthony set the hymn to music…and ever since, these words have cheered many who are in adversity. 

May you find comfort too as you sing LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS.