Hymn Story: O How I Love Jesus

The verse to O How I Love Jesus was written by Frederick Whitfield. Frederick Whitfield was born in Threapwood, Shropshire, England on Jan. 7, 1829.  After attending Trinity College in Dublin, he became an Anglican Church clergyman. In 1875, he reached the pinnacle of his carrer when he was appointed to St. Mary’s Church in Hastings. He is credited with […]

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Behind the Song: The Lily of the Valley

In 1881, Charles Fry was inspired by the imagery in the Song of Solomon. “‘I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.’ Like a lily among the thorns, so is my darling among the maidens. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. In his shade I […]

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Hymn Story: Let the Lower Lights Be Burning

In one of his sermons, Dwight L. Moody, the famed 19th Century evangelist, provided an anecdote of a pilot during the storm.  He spoke of how not even a star was visible on this night, as the ship captain neared harbor. Then he saw only light from a nearby lighthouse of Cleveland Harbor.  The lower lights had gone out and […]

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Heroes of the Faith: Dwight L. Moody

If you read my Behind the Hymn stories, you will recognize the name Dwight L. Moody. Many of the hymns written by Fanny Crosby, Robert Lowry, Frances Ridley Havergal, William J. Kirkpatrick and other hymn writers were popularized in the crusades of Rev. Moody. So, who was Dwight L. Moody? Dwight Lyman Moody was born on February 5, 1837 in […]

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Behind the Hymn: Pass Me Not O Gentle Savor

Pass Me Not O Gentle Savor is another popular hymn by prolific and beloved hymn writer Fanny Crosby. Crosby had been blind since she was six weeks old, but wrote over 8,000 songs in her lifetime. One evening, Fanny Crosby was invited to speak to a group of prisoners at the state prison and heard one of the men say […]

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Behind the Hymn: My Jesus, I Love Thee

My Jesus, I Love Thee was written as a devotional poem by a young teen who had recently come to faith.  That teen was William Ralph Featherston. Featherston considered this hymn his “legacy of love.”  His love for God were genuine and true. William Ralph Featherson was born to John and Mary Featherson on July 24, 1846 in Montreal, Canada. […]

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