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 convalescence.  During this time, Katherine wrote her long poem, entitled "The Old, Old Story," with 100 verses.  The first part of the poem was called The Story Wanted and the second part called The Story Told.  Derived from her writing were the two hymns “TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY” and “I Love to Tell the Story.” 

The hymn, TELL ME THE OLD, OLD STORY, was written in 1866.  During an international convention of the YMCA in Montreal, Canada in 1867, Katherine’s poem was recited by Major General David Russell.  In attendance was William Howard Doane, who was so impressed by the words, that he set the poem to music in 1867. 

It is a wonderful story of God’s remedy of sin.  It is the wonderful story of Jesus Christ making us whole.  It is the wonderful story of Jesus and His love!!