MORE ABOUT JESUS

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is certainly amazing.  It is both so simple that a child can understand it’s basic message of placing one’s faith in Christ,  yet so profound that in your life time, you will never get to the end of learning more about Him. 

You see, the Christian gospel is not about a concept or idea;  it is about a person.  It is about a growing knowledge of and relationship with the eternal Son of God.  The more you learn about God, the more there is to learn.  It is really a lifelong quest and blessing.

MORE ABOUT JESUS is the hymn text written by Eliza Hewitt.  She was born in June 1851.  She graduated as valedictorian of her class at the Girls’ Normal School in Philadelphia.  Eliza taught public school for a time, but was soon confined to her bed for a considerable period with a spinal condition.  It was thought that this condition was caused by an unruly student who struck her across her back with a heavy slate.  Yet, out of this experience, she developed an intimate relationship with God and the Scriptures. 

Within her grew a strong desire to share her feelings with others through her writings.  She became a prolific writer of Sunday School literature and children’s poems.  Eventually, her compositions caught the attention of several gospel musicians who began setting them to music.  You might remember “There is Sunshine in My Soul Today” or “When We All Get to Heaven,” some of her other hymns.

Eliza’s physical condition did improve, and she was able to continue an active life in Christian ministry.  She was a close personal friend with Fanny Crosby, and these godly women met often for fellowship and discussion of their hymns.  One can only imagine the conversations as they talked about what God had been showing them and how they each were inspired to record the truths in verse!  It would seem natural that they more than likely sang together and talked about their wonderful friends and musicians who composed such suitable music. 

John R. Sweney was one of those special people.  He composed more than one thousand hymn tunes and was an influential leader in the early gospel song movement.  He composed the music for this one of Eliza’s hymns. 

Be encouraged to learn MORE ABOUT JESUS each day.