Behind the Hymn: My Faith Has Found a Resting Place

This week’s hymn was inspired by a very special man, who had a great love for music but an even greater love for God.  Although I only knew him the last year of his life, that love of both God and music was still evident.  His children introduced me to this beautiful hymn and informed me this was one of his favorite songs and we would sing it often.  According to his children, he rested in God in ALL things and all of his favorite songs were about resting in God.  I’m sure his years of service as a missionary in both South Africa and the Cayman Islands greatly tested this faith at times.

The author of the hymn is often listed as Lidie H. Edmunds, the pen name for Eliza Edmunds Hewitt.

Hewitt was born on June 28, 1851 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Eliza Hewitt

Upon graduation she became a teacher, but shortly thereafter suffered a serious spinal problem when a student struck her with a heavy slate.  She was an invalid for the remainder of her life, even though she was able to partially recover.

She continued to live in Philadelphia and turned to hymn writing.  She was a regular contributor to various Sunday School publications.

She also served as Sunday School superintendent for a church and home for orphaned children.

On April 24, 1920 she died and was buried at the Woodlands Cemetery.

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place was published in 1891 book Songs of Joy and Gladness, No. 2.  The tune is a Norwegian folk melody, “Norse Air” written by Andre Ernest Modeste Gretry, a Belgain opera composer.  “Norse Air” tune also goes by the titles “No Other Plea” and “Landas”.

William James Kirkpatrick arranged the melody for the hymn, My Faith Has Found a Resting Place.

After the initial publication, the song is not known to be reprinted until the 1944 hymnal, Choice Hymns of the Faith. 

One can only imagine how her own experiences inspired the faith and lyrics for this song.

Hewitt is well known for a number of her other hymns, including “When We All Get to Heaven,” “Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown,” “More About Jesus,” and “Sunshine in My Soul.”

In an article I read her great-nephew describes the hymns as, “the best statement of faith that exists in hymns.”

This hymn was definitely a statement of faith for my dear friend.  He lived a life of service and now is worshipping face to face with our Savior.

What hymn is your statement of faith?  Where have you found your resting place?