Hymn Story: Savior, More than Life to Me
“Savior, More than Life to Me” was first published by Fanny Crosby in 1875. William H. Doane composed the music. He sent Crosby the tune and requested she write a hymn titled “Every day and…
Behind the Hymn: Hold the Fort
Ira Sankey wrote “Mr. Bliss said to me once, not long before his death, that he hoped that he would not be known to posterity only as the author of Hold the Fort, for he…
Behind the Hymn: The Banner of the Cross
The Banner of the Cross was written by Daniel W. Whittle. Daniel Whittle served in the Civil War, obtaining the rank of major. He was known as Major Whittle the remainder of his life. After…
Behind the Hymn: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
I Will Sing the Wondrous Story was written by Francis H. Rowley in 1886. Francis Harold Rowley was born in Hilton, New York on July 25, 1854. His father was a doctor. After graduating…
Behind the Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour
I recently came across this hymn during a devotional and was drawn to the words. I was also reminded that this is not a hymn I hear sung in church very often anymore. Yet, even…
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…
Behind the Song Sunday—It Is Well With My Soul
Imagine all of your children were dead? Would you still be able to praise God? That is just the beginning of the story behind It Is Well with my Soul. This was not the first,…