Priscilla Jane Owens – birth, July 21, 1829

We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, climb the mountains, cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Waft it on the rolling tide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Tell to sinners far and wide: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Sing, you islands of the sea; echo back, you ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
By His death and endless life Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout it brightly through the gloom, when the heart for mercy craves;
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Give the winds a mighty voice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Let the nations now rejoice: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Shout salvation full and free; highest hills and deepest caves;
This our song of victory: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

 

Priscilla Jane Owens was born this date,7/21/1829 at Baltimore, Maryland.  She was a Methodist school teacher (public schools) who was also very active in Sunday Schools. She also penned “We Have an Anchor.”  Priscilla died12/5/1907, at Baltimore,Maryland.

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Reginald Heber – birth, Apr. 21, 1783

When Spring Unlocks the Flowers

When spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil;
When summer’s balmy showers refresh the mower’s toil;
When winter binds in frosty chains the fallow and the flood;
In God the earth rejoiceth still and owns his Maker good.

The birds that wake the morning and those that love the shade;
The winds that sweep the mountain or lull the drowsy glade;
The sun that from his amber bower rejoiceth on his way,
The moon and stars their Master’s Name in silent pomp display.

Shall man, the lord of nature, expectant of the sky,
Shall man alone, unthankful, his little praise deny?
No; let the year forsake his course, the seasons cease to be,
Thee, Master, must we always love, and Savior, honor Thee.

The flowers of spring may wither, the hope of summer fade,
The autumn droop in winter, the birds forsake the shade;
The winds be lulled, the sun and moon forget their old decree;
But we, in nature’s latest hour, O Lord, will cling to Thee!

Reginald Heber was born this date 4/21/1783, at Cheshire,England.  He attended Oxford and married a Miss Shirley (her last name).  He penned  “Holy, Holy, Holy” “From Greenland’s Icy Mountains” and over 50 more hymns publishing his first hymn at age 28.

In 1815 he delivered lectures on the The Personality and Office of the Christian Comforter (Holy Spirit). He was made Bishop of Calcutta, India, where he worked to spread the gospel of Christ.  He died 4/3/1826 at Tri­chin­o­po­ly (Tir­u­chir­ap­pal­li), Ta­mil Na­du, In­dia, of a ce­reb­ral hem­or­rhage.

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Anna Laetitia Waring – birth, Apr. 19, 1823

My heart is resting, O my God—
I will give thanks and sing;
My heart is at the secret source
Of every precious thing.
Now the frail vessel Thou hast made
No hand but Thine shall fill—
For the waters of the Earth have failed,
And I am thirsty still.

I thirst for springs of heavenly life,
And here all day they rise—
I seek the treasure of Thy love,
And close at hand it lies.
And a new song is in my mouth
To long loved music set—
Glory to Thee for all the grace
I have not tasted yet.

Glory to Thee for strength withheld,
For want and weakness known—
And the fear that sends me to Thy breast
For what is most my own.
I have a heritage of joy
That yet I must not see;
But the hand that bled to make it mine
Is keeping it for me.

There is a certainty of love
That sets my heart at rest—
A calm assurance for today
That to be poor is best—
A prayer reposing on His truth
Who hath made all things mine,
That draws my captive will to Him,
And makes it one with Thine.

I will give thanks for suffering now,
For want and toil and loss—
For the death that sin makes hard and slow,
Upon my Savior’s cross—
Thanks for the little spring of love
That gives me strength to say,
If they will leave me part in Him,
Let all things pass away.

Sometimes I long for promised bliss,
But it will not come too late—
And the songs of patient spirits rise
From the place wherein I wait;
While in the faith that makes no haste
My soul has time to see
A kneeling host of Thy redeemed,
In fellowship with me.

There is a multitude around
Responsive to my prayer;
I hear the voice of my desire
Resounding everywhere.
But the earnest of eternal joy,
In every prayer I trace;
I see the glory of the Lord:
On every chastened face.

How oft, in still communion known,
Those spirits have been sent
To share the travail of my soul,
Or show me what it meant!
And I long to do some work of love
No spoiling hand could touch,
For the poor and suffering of Thy flock
Who comfort me so much.

But the yearning thought is mingled now
With the thankful song I sing;
For Thy people know the secret source
Of every precious thing.
The heart that ministers for Thee
In Thy own work will rest;
And the subject spirit of a child
Can serve Thy children best.

Mine be the reverent, listening love,
That waits all day on Thee,
With the service of a watchful heart
Which no one else can see—
The faith that, in a hidden way
No other eye may know,
Finds all its daily work prepared,
And loves to have it so.

My heart is resting, O my God,
My heart is in Thy care—
I hear the voice of joy and health
Resounding everywhere.
“Thou art my portion,” saith my soul,
Ten thousand voices say,
And the music of their glad Amen,
Will never die away.

Anna Laetitia Waring was born this date,4/19/1823, at Glamorganshire,South Wales.  This Church of England lady penned the above, “In Heavenly Love Abiding” and at least 30 other songs.  She died 5/10/1910, at Clifton[nearBristol],England.

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Lelia Naylor Morris – birth, Apr. 15, 1862

“Called unto holiness,” church of our God,
Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood;
Called from the world and its idols to flee,
Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

Refrain

“Holiness unto the Lord” is our watchword and song.
“Holiness unto the Lord” as we’re marching along.
Sing it, shout it, loud and long,
“Holiness unto the Lord,” now and forever.

“Called unto holiness,” children of light,
Walking with Jesus in garments of white;
Raiment unsullied, nor tarnished with sin;
God’s Holy Spirit abiding within.

“Called unto holiness,” praise His dear Name!
This blessèd secret to faith now made plain:
Not our own righteousness, but Christ within,
Living, and reigning, and saving from sin.

“Called unto holiness,” bride of the Lamb,
Waiting the Bridegroom’s returning again!
Lift up your heads, for the day draweth near
When in His beauty the King shall appear.

Lelia Naylor Morris (Mrs. Charles Morris) was born this date, 4/15/1862 at Pennsville, Ohio.  She was a Methodist lady who produced some 1000 Hymns and/or Gospel Songs.  A few of her songs are: “Let Jesus Come Into Your Heart”  “’Tis Marvel”  “What If It Were Today?”  “Sweeter As the Years Go By” “The Fight Is On”  “Nearer, Still Nearer”  “Stranger of Galilee.”  She died7/23/1929 at Au­burn, New York.

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Phoebe Palmer Knapp – birth, Mar. 9, 1839

Oh, now I see the cleansing wave!
The fountain deep and wide;
Jesus, my Lord, mighty to save,
Points to His wounded side.

Refrain

The cleansing stream I see! I see!
I plunge, and oh, it cleanseth me!
Oh, praise the Lord! It cleanseth me!
It cleanseth me—yes, cleanseth me.

2. I rise to walk in Heav’n’s own light,
Above the world and sin,
With heart made pure and garments white,
And Christ enthroned within.

3. I see the new creation rise;
I hear the speaking blood.
It speaks! Polluted nature dies!
Sinks ’neath the cleansing flood.

4. Amazing grace! ’tis Heav’n below
To feel the blood applied,
And Jesus, only Jesus know,
My Jesus crucified.

Phoebe Palmer Knapp was born this date, 3/9/1839, in New York City.  She was the daughter of Walter C. and Phoebe Palmer.  At 16 she married Joseph Knapp, the founder of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.  Both were members of John Street Methodist Church of New York City, where Fanny Crosby was also a member.  

Phoebe Palmer Knapp published more than 500 hymn tunes.  Some think her most famous tune is that of “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby’s” but the above is her tune to accompany her mother’s poem.  Mrs. Knapp died 7/10/1908 at Po­land Springs, Maine.

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Alfred Edersheim – birth, Mar. 7, 1825

Alfred Edersheim was born this date, 3/7/1825, at Vienna, Austria. His parents were Jews of some means who spoke English in their home. He was able to enter the University of Vienna at sixteen.

Later he emigrated to neighboring Hungary where he taught languages and were, influenced by John Duncan he was converted to Jesus Christ. Edersheim was ordained a clergyman in the Free Church of Scotland (Presbyterian) in 1846 and in the same year married a lady named Mary Broomfield. There home was blessed with seven children.

Later yet he became affiliated with the Church of England. He was “Select Preacher” to Oxford University (1884-85) delivered the “Grinfield Lecturer on the Septuagint” (1886-1888 and 1888-1889).

Alfred Edersheim is remembered for his book Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. He passed from this life 3/16/1889 at Menton, France.

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William J Kirkpatrick – birth, Feb. 27, 1838

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His child and forever I am.

Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Redeemed, redeemed,
His child and forever I am.

2. Redeemed, and so happy in Jesus,
No language my rapture can tell;
I know that the light of His presence
With me doth continually dwell.

3. I think of my blessèd Redeemer,
I think of Him all the day long:
I sing, for I cannot be silent;
His love is the theme of my song.

4. I know there’s a crown that is waiting,
In yonder bright mansion for me,
And soon, with the spirits made perfect,
At home with the Lord I shall be.

                        (Words – Fanny Crosby, Music William Kirkpatrick)

William J Kirkpatrick was born on this date 2/27/1838 at Duncannon, Penn­syl­vania.  He composed the melodies to which we sing “He Hideth My Soul,” “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,” “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It” and scores more.  Kirkpatrick wrote the words and music to “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”  The son of a teacher and a musician, Kirkpatrick in 1854 went to Philadelphia, to study music and learn a trade (was a carpenter for 3 yrs).  In 1855, he joined the Wharton Street Methodist Church, there were few church organs then – his violin and cello were in demand. Kirkpatrick died 9/20/1921 at Ger­man­town, Penn­syl­vania.

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Clyde D Bryan – birth, Feb. 5, 1904

“One boy’s a boy, two boys is ½ a boy, and three boys

is no boy at all.”

 

“A bargain’s not a bargain if you don’t need it.”

 

“John Frederick Arwishus Archibald Wildflower” – he “rattled off” as a boy’s name.

    – Sayings may not have been “his” but my mind associates them with him.

 

“We’d rather see you go to the mission field and never see you again, as see you fail to mind God.”                    – what Dad said to me in the 50’s

Clyde D. (Durwood) Bryan was born this date, 2/5/1904, at Jobs, Ohio.  (Pronounced as plural of the Book in the Bible.)  He was the second and last son of Charles Edgar “Ed” Bryan and Bertha Alice Power.  His only sibling was Leo Jennings Bryan (1898-1953).

Dad (who he was to me) married Ruth Evelyn Colwell Bryan (Mom) 5/10/1927 and remarried her 12/20/1941.  Helen, Virginia, and Keith were born before the breakup and I was born after it – we were full-blood siblings.

Dad and Mom traveled to Nebraska and South Dakota and saw Mount Rushmore when George Washington was the only face emerging from it. (I got to show Rushmore to Mom 60 years later.)  They traveled to several other states and had numerious friends.  

Dad stuttered all his life yet had the personality that never met a stranger.  He bought a reel-to-reel recorder in the 50’s, heard himself, and improved his speech a little.  He did not mind stuttering jokes and I have one in my memory he used to tell.

Dad worked on a farm, worked with chickens, was a welder (till his eyes went bad), sold Watkins Products, and Life-time Cookware (several-ply stainless steel), and was doing maintenance work for a marble company when he died, 12/24/1976.

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George Bennard – birth, Feb. 4, 1873

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suffering and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

George Bennard was born this date, 2/4/1873, in Youngstown, Ohio. While he was still a lad his family moved to Io­wa (first Al­bia, then Lu­cas).  His dad, a coal miner, passed away when George was 16 and he supported his mother and four sisters for some time.

He started attending meetings of the Salvation Army and was converted to Jesus Christ. He met and married Araminta Statler Beeler (she was born in 1871 and died in 1941) and together they worked for the Salvation Army in Illinois. 

Later George became a Methodist evangelist traveling in both Ca­na­da and the States.  During this time he not only preached but wrote hymns (some 300 total).  None is so well known or so well loved as “The Old Rugged Cross” (1913). Another one worth singing and knowing is Speak, My Lord.

Eventually Reed City, Michigan became his home.  He died there 10/10/1958.  The Reed Cham­ber of Com­merce erected a cross near his place and Reed is home to The Old Rug­ged Cross His­tor­ic­al Mu­se­um.

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Blanche Kerr Brock – birth, Feb.3, 1888

I was lost in sin, but Jesus rescued me,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
I was bound by fear, but Jesus set me free,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

For He’s a wonderful Savior to me,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
I was lost in sin, but Jesus took me in:
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

He’s a Friend so true, so patient and so kind,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
Everything I need in Him I always find,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

He is always near to comfort and to cheer,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me;
He forgives my sins, He dries my every tear,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

Dearer grows the love of Jesus day by day,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.
Sweeter is His grace while pressing on my way,
He’s a wonderful Savior to me.

Blanche Kerr was born this date 2/3/1888 to Dr. and Mrs. James D. Kerr of Greens Fork, In­di­a­na.  She at­tend­ed both the In­di­an­a­po­lis Con­ser­va­to­ry of Mu­sic and the Amer­i­can Con­ser­va­to­ry of Mu­sic (Chi­ca­go).  She married Virgil Brock and was his com­pos­er and pi­an­ist.  Together they became one of the best-loved of the Gospel hymn writing-singing couples.  She wrote the music to the above – Virgil penned the words. She died 1/3/1958 at Wi­no­na Lake, In­di­a­na.

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