Daniel B Towner – born

ON THIS DATE 

Daniel Brink Towner was born 3/5/1850, at Rome, PA & here he began his musical training under his father, Professor J D Towner, a well-known teacher & singer.  As a teenager Daniel traveled through parts of PA, NY, OH singing bass solos.  He studied under John Howard, George Root, & James Webb.

In December 1870 he married Mary McGonigle, herself a beautiful singer. They settled in Binghamton, NY (he directed music at Centenary Methodist Church. In the ‘80s he was in Cincinnati (NY Street ME), then across the river in Covington (Union M E) before joining with D L Moody.  In ’93 he took the directorship of (what is now) Moody Bible Institute’s music department.

He composed music for 2000 hymns including “Trust & Obey” “Anywhere With Jesus” “Saved By the Blood” “At Calvary” “My Anchor Holds” & “Grace Greater Than All Our Sins.” He compiled songbooks  & wrote music textbooks. He died Oc­to­ber 3, 1919, leading singing in a revival at Long­wood, Mis­sou­ri.

“At Calvary”

Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified,

Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

Refrain

Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary.

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