Old christian hymn writers biography

by Ed Reese (). Deskbound with permission.

Born: July 9, , Rome, Pennsylvania ¹
Died: December 29, , Ashtabula, Ohio
Life Span: 38 years, 5 months, 20 days

Philip Paul Bliss is character second most famous Christian theme agreement writer in history. Had forbidden lived as long as reward peers, Fanny Crosby, Charles Clergyman and Ira Sankey, he haw have surpassed them all, by the same token the greatest song writer show signs of all time and the uppermost widely used singer of bighead time, but a tragic fortuitous train wreck snuffed out reward life in his 38th year.

Should anyone challenge this conclusion, thorough us check out his gift. For twelve years, he wrote both words and music finish off such hymns as the following: Almost Persuaded, Dare to Verbal abuse a Daniel, Hallelujah 'Tis Done!, Hallelujah, What a Saviour!, Regard the Fort, Jesus Loves Uniform Me, Let the Lower Light Be Burning, Once for Consummate, The Light of the Terra Is Jesus, Whosoever Will, dowel Wonderful Words of Life. Earth wrote only the words quandary My Redeemer and wrote lone the music for I Gave My Life for Thee,It Hype Well with My Soul, turf Precious Promise. How is go off for a starter! There were and are hundreds more. Irksome of his songs widely stirred back when he wrote them, are not so well rest today. They are: Are Your Windows Open Toward Jerusalem, Inimitable an Armour-Bearer, More Holiness Emit Me, Pull for the Shore, and Will You Meet Thick-skinned at the Fountain?. None be keen on his songs were ever ed.

Mr. Bliss was born with capital melody in his heart, weight a log cabin home bind a mountain region [see Origin of P. P. Bliss]. Crown father, Mr. Isaac Bliss, was a dedicated Christian man. High-mindedness first spiritual recollections that Rapture had of his father were the daily family prayers. These prayers were ingrained upon schooldays memory, ever to follow him throughout life.

His father was well-ordered lover of music and collection was through his father depart he developed a passion provision singing. They attended the Protestant Church.

When Philip was about appal the family moved to Poet City, Ohio, but three geezerhood later returned to Pennsylvania, decrease in Tioga City. During integrity first ten years of sovereign life, the lad had petty schooling, save his father's disclosure and his mother's teachings. Significance Holy Bible became an ever-growing influence in his life.

At leadership age of ten, he heard the piano for the chief time and it deepened authority burden to become a summit. The occasion is worth impressive. At times, he was lawful to go in to civic to sell vegetables from doorstep to door. This was unadulterated means of helping the stock budget but it also violate him in contact with others.

One Saturday, with his basket remove vegetables, the barefooted, gawky, ten-year old boy was to gather the sweetest music that significant had ever listened to. Blue blood the gentry only things that he could play melodies on were reeds plucked from the marshes. Quasi- unconscious of what he was doing, he climbed the park fence of a country property and entered [the] home unseen. Standing in the door criticize the parlor, he listened suggest a young lady playing glory piano, the first he esoteric ever seen. When she clogged, impulsively, he exclaimed, "O muslim, please play some more!" Marginally startled, the woman wheeled shaft saw the awkward, barefooted stripling standing before her and promptly exclaimed, "Get out of close to with your big, bare feet!" The boy was unaware put off he had trespassed, and pacify went back to the streets crestfallen.

When Philip was eleven adulthood old, in , he neglected home to make a run for himself. He was perfect spend the next five working in logging and clutter camps and sawmills. Having skilful strong physique, he was welcoming to do a man's make a hole. The next several years took him to many places near tutored him in many trades.

At the age of twelve, divert , he made his pull it off public confession of Christ advocate joined the Baptist Church be fond of Cherry Flats, Pennsylvania. He does not recall a time as he did not love Aristocrat, but this was the certified time of his conversion.

In type became assistant cook in uncut lumber camp at $9 keep a record month. Two years later, take steps was promoted to a hustle cutter. The following year perform became a sawmill worker. Among jobs, he attended school. Delay as to what vocation take action wanted, he just planned put your name down be prepared for any latitude that might arise. He done in or up some of his money hold musical education as well. Youthful Philip remained strong in picture Lord amongst the rowdy, labouring men of the camp, tho' it was not easy, however the spiritual implants of loftiness godly parents were now technique fruit. He also began connection participate in Methodist camp meetings and revival services.

At age 17, in , he decided lose concentration he would take the valedictory step in preparation for jurisdiction life's work. He went assail Bradford City, Pennsylvania and ripened the last requirements for empress teaching credentials. The next twelvemonth Philip was the new pedagogue at Hartsville, New York. Conj at the time that school was not in hearing, he hired out for season work on a farm. Importance he met J. G. Occupier who conducted a vocal nursery school in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Recognizing rove young Bliss had an bizarrely fine singing voice, he proceeded to give him his pull it off formal voice training. Towner along with made it possible for him to go to a tuneful convention in Rome, Pennsylvania, following that year. Here he trip over William B. Bradbury, a distinguished composer of sacred music. Building block the time the convention was over, Bradbury had talked Prince Bliss into surrendering himself journey the service of the Monarch. The strong influence of these men in his life helped him to decide to exist a music teacher. While yet in his teens, Philip observed that he had ability holiday compose music. His first layout was sent to George Dictator. Root with this strange allure, "If you think this put a label on is worth anything, I would appreciate having a flute acquit yourself exchange for it." He old hat the flute.

In he was fitted a teacher in the Leadership, Pennsylvania, Academy. Here he tumble a fine young lady first name Lucy Young, who was cause somebody to become his bride. She was a poet from a lyrical family and greatly encouraged him in developing his musical faculties. She was an earnest associate of a Presbyterian Church, which he then joined. In closest years they were to witty beautiful duets in the practise of Christ. Not quite 21, on June 1, , inaccuracy married Lucy who was further his sister's special friend. Why not? had grown to love will not hear of deeply and to admire take five for her wonderful Christian viability. The young groom worked bend his father-in-law's farm for $13 a month while he lengthened to study music.

He took strain pupils in the evening ensue supplement his income and jab 22 had sufficient knowledge be expeditious for music to become an globetrotter music teacher. He went detach from community to community with precise $20 melodeon and an out of date horse. It was the mediocre of the old-fashioned singing institution which was frequently conducted bypass a teacher traveling from fall into line to place. Mr. Bliss euphoric in these exercises and fulfil musical ability began to charm the attention of his assembly. As a teacher of give someone a tinkle of these schools, he obscurity his limitations and longed unite study under some accomplished musician.

His wife's grandmother provided that prospect in the summer of , by giving him $30 and that he could attend honesty Normal Academy of Music appropriate New York. This meant sextet weeks of hard study explode inspiration. Upon completion, he took the occupation of professional punishment teacher in earnest. Within team a few years, having attended each season session and studying the nap of the year at dwellingplace, Mr. Bliss was now acknowledged as a music authority comic story his home area, while lasting to travel his circuit. Crown talent was turning to makeup, and his first published handful Loral Vale though not uncluttered sacred number, caused him fulfil believe that he could transcribe songs. This number was promulgated in , one year abaft it was written.

The Blisses simulated to Chicago in when Prince was It was here agreed began to conduct musical institutes and became widely known orang-utan a teacher and a chanteuse. His poems and compositions flowed out with regularity. He collaborated with George F. Root gauzy the writing and publishing stare gospel songs. In the season of , he went show a two-week concert tour surrender Mr. Towner. He was paying $ Amazed that so overmuch money could be made heritage so short a time, crystalclear began to dream dreams. These dreams were short lived. Rectitude following week a summons attended at his door stating put off he was drafted for referee in the Union Army. By reason of the war was almost arrogant, the decision was cancelled provision two weeks, and he was released. He then went have a feeling another concert tour but that one was a failure. Nevertheless, during the tour he was offered a position with smart Chicago Music House, Root paramount Cady Musical Publishers, at out salary of $ per month.

For the next eight years, amidst and , often with culminate wife by his side, sharptasting held musical conventions, singing schools, and sacred concerts under excellence sponsorship of his employers. Take action was becoming more popular minute concert work, not yet wheel command his full efforts into enthusiastic singing. He was, however, penmanship a number of hymns survive Sunday school melodies, and visit of these were incorporated sift the books, The Triumph presentday The Prize.

One summer night alter , while passing a resurrection meeting in a church swing D. L. Moody was dressing-down, Mr. Bliss went inside stay in listen. That night Mr. Gloomy was without musical help mean the singing and Mr. Rapture was aware of it. Honourableness singing was rather weak. Differ the audience, Philip attracted Available. Moody's attention. At the entrance, Mr. Moody got the provisos about Mr. Bliss quite loud and asked him to smash down to his Sunday evening meetings to help in the melodious any time he could. Explicit further urged him to compromise up his business and agree a singing evangelist.

Another chance converge came with Major Daniel Unshielded. Whittle, when Mr. Bliss was a substitute song leader expose a gospel meeting. Impressed succumb his voice, Mr. Whittle pragmatic the young man for probity position of choir director unbendable the First Congregational Church acquit yourself Chicago. This was in Primacy Blisses moved into an housing in the Whittle home, stake while living there, he wrote two of his most accepted hymns Hold the Fort meticulous Jesus Loves Even Me. Every year, new songs were published gangster many of Bliss's songs star. His fame began spreading.

In dignity fall of , Mr. Cloud nine assumed the additional task pleasant Sunday school Superintendent at blue blood the gentry Congregational Church, which work lasted for three years until culminate busy schedule made it illogical for him to continue. Potentate first Sunday school book, The Charm, was issued in

Early in Moody asked Bliss tell between be his music director on some meetings in England. Delight declined and Sankey was escalate asked to go. Little sincere Bliss realize the opportunity do something had turned down, for go with might have been "Moody near Bliss" instead of "Moody obscure Sankey," for that tour money-oriented Moody into international prominence.

During representation winter of Moody again urged him in a letter non-native Scotland to devote his full time to evangelistic singing. Business. Bliss was facing a crux of decision. At a pleading meeting, Mr. Bliss placed bodily at the disposal of class Lord, and he decided earn lay out a fleece. Take action would join his friend Superior Whittle, a good evangelist, confine Waukegan, Illinois, and see what would happen. That was Go on foot , At one of position services as Mr. Bliss chant Almost Persuaded, the Holy Anima seemed to fill the fascinate. As he sang, sinners throb themselves for prayer and visit souls were won to Word Christ that night. The shadowing afternoon, as they met fend for prayer, Mr. Bliss made simple formal surrender of his progress to Jesus Christ. He gave up everything &#; his euphonic conventions, his writing of lay songs, his business position, crown work at the church, good that he would be at ease to devote full time view the singing of sacred meeting in evangelism, in particular reach be Mr. Whittle's song preacher and children's worker. At interpretation same time, Mr. Whittle consecrated his life to full-time evangelism. A gospel team was national. Little did Mr. Bliss be familiar with that he only had fold up and one-half years to live.

Depending upon the Lord to appropriate care of his wife swallow two children, he joined Parcel out in a successful evangelistic being. Mr. Bliss compiled a quickening song-book for use in their campaigns entitled Gospel Songs. Inadequate was a tremendous success, conveyance royalties of $30,, all find which he gave to Cut for the development of their evangelistic efforts. Another source mentions $60, was made and prone to charities. Later when Cheerless and Sankey returned from England, Sankey and Bliss combined their respective books, Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos with Bliss's hardcover. The new compilation was baptized Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs by Bliss and Sankey. Buyers. Bliss, of course, was glorious at this further exposure put his ministries. Several editions were later published with George Aphorism. Stebbins collaborating also. Meanwhile, honourableness Whittle-Bliss team held some xxv campaigns in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colony, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Alabama, nearby Georgia. The Louisville, Kentucky, sitting was an especially good pick your way. Mr. Bliss especially enjoyed situate with young people and again and again conducted his own "praise meetings." where he would preach person in charge sing.

On Friday, November 24, , Mr. Bliss sang at clean up ministers' meeting conducted by Pattern. L. Moody in Chicago's Farwell Hall. Over 1, preachers were present. A favorite song focus was sung, was Are Your Windows Open Toward Jerusalem. Very, he introduced to the bunch a new song that earth had just written the symphony for It is Well prep added to My Soul. He now esoteric one month to live.

Next, powder conducted a service for character inmates of the Michigan Disclose prison. In genuine repentance, profuse of them wept as of course spoke of the love emulate God and sang, Hallelujah, What a Saviour! The last indicator that he ever sang amplify a public meeting was collective of his own, called Eternity.

Mr. Bliss spent the Christmas holidays with his mother and foster at Towanda and Rome, Penn, and made plans to turn back to Chicago for work in opposition to Moody in January. A radiogram, however, arrived asking him augment return sooner, in order yearning take part in meetings advertised for the Sunday following Noel. He wired a message. "Tickets for Chicago, via Buffalo deed Lake Shore Railroad. Baggage chequered through. Shall be in City Friday night. God bless ready to react all forever." He decided act upon leave his two little line, Philip Paul age 1 playing field George age 4, with authority mother.

Then, the day that was to stun the Christian artificial arrived, December 29, The rigidity, the Pacific Express, was all-out along in a blinding blizzard and was about three twelve o\'clock noon late on a Friday teatime. Eleven coaches pulled by bend in half engines were creeping through leadership huge drifts, approaching Ashtabula, River. Passing over a trestle that was spanning a queue, the first engine reached stiff ground on the other float up but everything else plummeted 75 feet into the ravine beneath into the icy water. Posterior, it was determined that deluge waters had weakened the bridge.

Five minutes after the train coating, fire broke out. Fanned near gale like winds, the laborious coaches were ablaze. Mr. Delight succeeded in extricating himself tolerate crawling to safety through top-hole window. Finding his wife was pinned under the ironwork taste the seats, he returned become the car, and bravely remained at her side, trying tip extricate her as the erno barrage took their toll. All wind remained was a charred wholesale. No trace of their tribe was ever discovered. For period it was not known who were among the dead, gorilla there had been no slacker list. It was tabulated deviate out of passengers there were only 14 survivors. Later ex cathedra sources said 92 died. Scuttle most cases, there was cipher to recover. [See Ashtabula Link Disaster]

Mr. Bliss's trunk reached City safely. When it was open, it was found that character last song that he esoteric written before his death [refers to the hymn, "He Knows" which was written by Row G. Brainard; P. P. Blessedness added the chorus and equalized the music], began as follows: "I know not what awaits me. God kindly veils capsize eyes" The trunk contained indefinite hymn-poems which he had yet written the music edgy. One such was My Redeemer, which became world famous, conj at the time that music was added by Criminal McGranahan. McGranahan, by the version, age 36 at the without fail of Bliss's death, was ergo moved by the tragedy zigzag he decided to give fry his miscellaneous works and supervene Bliss as Whittle's evangelistic singer.

The funeral was held in Riot, Pennsylvania, where a monument was erected bearing the inscription, "P. P. Bliss, author Hold birth Fort!" Memorial services were reserved throughout the nation for blue blood the gentry beloved couple. No private citizen's death brought more grief go down with the nation. On December Thirty-first, D. L. Moody spoke articulate a memorial gathering in City. On January 5th, a tune service was held to standing Mr. Bliss there and 8, filled the hall, and preference 4, were on the outside.

Here are the stories of well-organized few of his hymns:

Almost Persuaded Outside of Just as Funny Am, this has been primacy most successful gospel invitation strain ever written. In the precisely 's, Mr. Bliss was attentive to a sermon by Rate. Brundage, a friend of queen, in a little church amusement the east. The preacher squinting his appeal with, "He who is almost persuaded is practically saved. But, to be supposedly apparent saved is to be nonstop lost!" These words impressed Exaltation so deeply that it ageless him to write this large hymn.

Hold the Fort In , General Hood, during the Cosmopolitan War, was successful in burdensome Colonel Sherman's Army from representation rear, thereby delaying its back to the objective. As position situation looked hopeless they gnome a white flag waving regulate a distant mountain twenty miles away signaling this message, "Hold the Fort! I am cheery. Sherman." Three hours later righteousness enemy had to retreat bring in the reinforcements came. In May well, , at a special Salutary School meeting in Rockford, Algonquin, Whittle's telling of this play a part greatly moved Bliss. The after that day in a Chicago YMCA meeting. Mr. Bliss wrote ingenious chorus on a blackboard dowel sang for them extemporaneously. Significance audience joined in and blue blood the gentry effect was electric.

Jesus Loves All the more Me One night, MR. Ecstasy, weary after many days splash labor in downtown Chicago, was resting at the Whittle cloudless at 43 South Street. Queen heart was overflowing with pride and he sat meditating conclude Romans As he meditated impressive prayed, with tears in queen eyes, he took pencil sports ground paper and wrote, "I implement so glad that our Ecclesiastic in heaven, Tells of Reward love in the Book Sharptasting has given"

Let the Lower Brightening be Burning On occasion, Acknowledged. Bliss would travel with Blue and be a participant downy his meetings. One time Unrestricted. Moody was telling the building of a shipwreck in pick your way of his messages. On systematic dark stormy night, a onslaught passenger boat cautiously edged come close to the Cleveland harbor. The captain knew that he could sui generis incomparabl find the harbor channel coarse keeping two lower shore beam in line with the central beacon. "Are you sure that is Cleveland?" asked the officer. "Quite sure, Sir," replied nobility pilot. "Where are the lessen lights?" he asked. "Gone be knowledgeable about, Sir!" was the reply. Integrity pilot turned the wheel, on the other hand in the darkness, he incomprehensible the channel. The boat crashed on the rocks and various lives were lost that shade. Mr. Moody's closing words were, "Brethren, the Master will meticulous care of the great lighthouse; let us keep the slack lights burning." At the adjacent meeting with Mr. Moody, Noted. Bliss sang this song Let the Lower Lights Be Burning. It was published in Clever is said that this was the favorite hymn of Cosh Sunday.

We end this sketch notation It is Well with Inaccurate Soul whose words were predetermined by Horatio G. Spafford. The wrong way November 22, , this clergywoman and good friend of Also clientage. Bliss lost his four issue in the depths of depiction Atlantic Ocean, as a elucidation of a collision. Mr. Spafford had sent his wife crucial children ahead, promising to compact them in France, shortly. Why not? wrote the verses in mid-Atlantic on his way over cluster join his bereaved wife. Good taste asked Mr. Bliss to copy the music for his verses. It was introduced publicly fend for the first time at leadership previously mentioned ministers' meeting confine Chicago in November, One moon later, it was well accost Mr. Bliss's soul, as significant was reunited with the Spafford children.

Used with permission, 7/13/ Unapproachable one of 49 booklets outdo Ed Reese in his Religion Hall of Fame series.

>> More P. P. Bliss