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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Edwin Othello Excell – death, June 10, 1921

I have a song I love to sing,
Since I have been redeemed,
Of my Redeemer, Savior King,
Since I have been redeemed.

Refrain

Since I have been redeemed,
Since I have been redeemed,
I will glory in His Name,
Since I have been redeemed,
I will glory in the Savior’s Name.

I have a Christ Who satisfies
Since I have been redeemed,
To do His will my highest prize,
Since I have been redeemed.

I have a witness bright and clear,
Since I have been redeemed,
Dispelling every doubt and fear,
Since I have been redeemed.

I have a home prepared for me,
Since I have been redeemed,
Where I shall dwell eternally,
Since I have been redeemed.

I have a joy I can’t express,
Since I have been redeemed,
All through His blood and righteousness,
Since I have been redeemed.

Edwin Othello Excell died this date, 6/10/1921 at Chi­ca­go, Ill­i­nois.  He was born the son of a German Reformed pastor on 12/13/1851, in Stark Coun­ty, Ohio.  Although he labored as a plasterer and brick mason, he moved on to study music with George Root.  Later Excell used his music in connection with two famous evangelists: Sam Jones (about two decades) and Gyp­sy Smith; he was on an evan­gel­ism tour with the latter when he died.  Excell is credited with 2000 gospels songs, among which is the above.

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