Incidents Suggesting Some of Mr. Bliss’ Hymns
•’“TTXHOSOEVER Will may Come,” was written during the VV winter of 1869 and ’70, after hearing Henry Moorhouse, of England, preach from the text, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John iii, 16. Mr Moorhouse preached every night for a week from this same textj and the new views of the freeness and fullness of the invitation of the Gospel to sinners that many Christians in Chicago at that time received, are well expressed in Mr. Bliss’ hymn:
“WHOSOEVER WILL.”
“Whosoever heareth,” Shout, shout the sound 1
Send the blessed tidings all the world around;
Spread the joyful news wherever man is found,
“Whosoever will may come.”
Chobus. — “Whosoever will, whosoever will,”
Send the proclamation over vale and hill;
‘Tia a loving Father calls the wand’rer home;
“Whosoever will may come.”
Whosoever cometh need not delay;
Now the door is open, enter while you may;
Jesus is the true, the only living way;
“Whosoever will may come.”
“Whosoever will,” the promise secure;
“Whosoever will,” forever must endure;
“Whosoever will,” ’tis life forever more;
“Whosoever will may come.”
I think it was in June, 1870, that ^’ Jesus Loves Me” was written. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss were at the time members of my family, at 43 South May street, Chicago. One morning, Mrs. Bliss came down to breakfast and said, as she entered the room: “Last evening, Mr. Bliss had a tune given him that I think is going to live and be one of the most used that he has written. I have been singing it all the morning to myself and cannot get it out of my mind.’* She then sang over to us the notes of “Jesus Loves Me.” The idea of Mr. Bliss in writing it was that the peace and comfort of a Christian were not founded upon his loving Christ, but upon Christ’s love to him, and that to occupy the mind with Christ’s love, would produce love and consecration in keeping with Romans v, 5: “The love of God {to us) is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given to us.” This view of Gospel truth was at this time being very preciously brought to the souls of believers in Chicago by the preaching of Moorhouse and Mr. Moody and by the Dublin tracts and English Commentaries upon Gospel Truth, which, through Mr. Moody, began to be circulated among Christians. How much God has used this little song to lead sinners and fearful timid Christians to “look away to Jesus” eternity alone can tell.
JESUS LOVES ME.
I am so lad that Our Father in Heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see.
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.
Chokus. — T am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me,
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me.
Though I forget Him and wander away,
Kindly He follows wherever I stray,
Back to His dear loving arms would I flea
When T remember that Jesus loves me.
Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty 1 see the great Kiug;
This shall my song in eternity be,
O what a wonder that Jesus loves me.
“Blessed are They that Do His Commandments.” The verse in llev. xxii, 14, suggested this hymn. The tune was a favorite with Mr, Bliss, but after he learned more fully the fullness of the Gospel, he was dissatisfied with the words on account of the impression they left that the right to the tree of life was secured by our doing. It seemed clear to him that the translation of the verse in question claimed by many of the commentators, “Blessed are they that have washed their robes, that they may have right to the tree of life,” etc., must be the correct one, and it took away all Scripture authority for the teaching of his hymn in that direction. The truth presented in the Scriptures as to saved ones walking in the path of obedience, he could with a little change have taught in the hymn, and this he intended doing. During his last week in Rome, he called the attention of his brother-in-law, Mr. Young, to the above points of objection to the words, and said: “I cannot use it as it is. I see so clearly its contradiction of the Gospel that I have no liberty in singing it, and must make a change in it before it goes into another book.” This was the only hymn he has written, that I am aware of, that is liable to criticism in this direction
BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO
Hear the words our Savior hath spoken,
Words of life unfailing and true;
Careless one, prayerleas one, hear and remember,
Jesus says, “Blessed are they that do.”
Chorus. — Blessed are they that do His commandments.
Blessed, blessed, blessed are they.
All in vain we hear His commandments.
All in vain His promises too;
Hearing them, fearing them never can save us.
Blessed, oh, blessed are they that do.
They with joy may enter the city,
Free from sin, from sorrow and strife;
Sanctified, glorified, now and forever,
They may have right to the Tree of Life.”
“Free from the Law,” Just before Christmas, 1871, Mrs. Bliss asked a friend, “What shall I get for my husband as a Christmas present?” and, at the suggestion of this friend, purchased and presented him with the bound volume of a monthly English periodical called Things New and Old. Many things in these books of interpretation of Scripture and illustrations of Gospel truth were blessed to him, and from the reading of something in one of these books, in connection with Romans viii, and Hebrews x, 10, suggested this glorious Gospel song:
ONCE FOR ALL.
Free from the law, oh, happy condition!
Jesus hath bled and tJiere is remission;
Cursed by the law and bruised by the fall,
Grace haih redeemed us once for all.
Chorus. — Once for all, oh, sinner, receive it.
Once for all, oh, brother, believe it:
Cling to the Cross, the burden will fall;
Christ hath redeemed us, once for all.
Now are we free — there’s no condemnation;
Jesus provides a perfect salvation,
“Come unto Me” oh hear His sweet call,
Come and He saves us, once for all.
“Children of God!” oh, glorious calling I
Surely His grace will keep u» from falling,
Passing from death to life at His calling,
Blessed salvation, once for all.
**Only an Armor-Bearer’* was suggested by the account of Jonathan’s going up against Michmash, as given in I Samuel, xiv:
ONLY AN ARMOR-BEARER.
Only an armor-bearer, proudly I stand,
Waiting to follow at the King’s command;
Marching, if Onward shall the order be,
Standing by my Captain, serving faithfully.
Chorus. — Hear ye the battle cry, “Forward,” the call i
See 1 see the faltering ones, backward they fall.
Surely the Captain may depend on me.
Though but an armor-bearer I may be.
Only an armor-bearer, now in the field.
Guarding a shining helmet, sword and shield,
Waiting to hear the thrilling battle-cry,
Ready then to answer, “Master, here am I.”
Only an armor-bearer, yet may I share
Glory immortal, and a bright crown wear:
If, in the battle, to my trust I’m true,
Mine shall be the honors in the Grand Review.
PULL FOR THE SHORE.
“We watched the wreck with great anxiety. The life-boat had been out some hours, but could not reach the vessel through the great breakers that raged and foamed on the sand-bank. The boat appeared to bo leaving the crew to perish. But in a few minutes the Captain and sixteen sailors were taken off, and the vessel went down.
“* When the life-boat came to you, did you expect it had
brought some tools to repair your old ship? ‘I said.
“^ Oh, no, she was a total wreck. Two of her masts were gone, aid if we had stayed mending her only a few minutes,, we must have gone down, sir.’
“* When once off the old wreck and safe in the life-boat, what remained for you to do?’
*’ ‘Nothing, sir, but just to pull for the shore.’”
“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; beliold, all things are become new.”
“Wherefore, my beloved, * * * work out your own saWation with fear and trembliug.” — Tilings Neio and Old,
Light in the darkness, saiior, daj is at hand 1
See o’er the foaming billows fair Haven’s land.
Drear was the voyage, sailor, now almost o’er;
Safe within the life -boat, sailor, pull for the shore.
Chorus. — Pull for the shore, sailor, pull for the shore I
Heed not the rolling wave, but bend to the oar;
Safe in the life-boat, sailor, cling to self no more I
Leave the poor old stranded wreck and pull for the shore.
Trust in the life-boat, sailor, all else will fuil,
Stronger the surges dash and fiercer the gale;
Heed not the stormy winds, though loudly they roar;
Watch the “bright and morning star,” and pull for the shoro.
Bright gleams the morning, sailor, uplift the eye;
Clouds and darkness disappearing, glory is nigh;
Safe in the life-boat, sailor, sing evermore;
“Glory, glory, hallelujah!” pull for the shore.
“I Know not the Hour when my Lord will Come.” These words, Mr. Bliss has told me, were suggested to him in reading the book “Gates Ajar” and criticisms upon it. His idea was that what we may know from the Scripture, that we shall be with the Lord, is sufficient, and that we may be happily content in saying of all that is mere speculation, / know noty” offsetting it by what we are permitted to say I Jcnoiv,^^ The music for the words was composed by his friend, James McGranahan, while visiting Mr. Bliss. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bliss loved the song very much and often sang it together, and have both told me of how the tune came to Mr. McGranahan. Mr. Bliss had handed him the words and asked him to see what he could get for a tune. He worked upon it a long time, making harmonies and trying to satisfy himself with something that would properly express the words, but without success. When supper time came he did not care for supper, and when bed time came they all went to their rooms leaving him in the parlor at the piano. He worked away for some time, but, dissatisfied with the result, lay down upon the floor and fell into a doze. After a little time he woke up, and the tune, chorus and all had come — different from the harmonies he had worked upon, but just the thing. In the morning he sang it to Bliss, who was delighted with it and immediately adopted it for use.
THAT WILL BE HEAVEN FOR ME.
I know not the hour when my Lord will coine
To take me away to His own dear home;
But I know that His presence will lighten the gloom.
And that will be glory for me. Yes, that will be glory, oh, that will be glory, be glory for me;
And that will be glory for me,
Oh, that will be glory for me;
Yes, that will be glory, oh, that will be glory for me;
But I know that His presence will lighten the gloom,
And that will be glory for me,
I know not the soDg that the angels sing,
I know not the sound of the harp’s glad ring:
But I know there’ll be mention of Jesus our King,
And that will be music for me. Yes, that will be music, oh, that will be music, be music for me,
And that will be music for me.
Oh, that will be music for me;
Yes, that will be music, oh, that will be music for me;
But I know there’ll be mention of Jesus our King,
And that will be music for me.
I know not the form of my mansion fair,
I know not the name that 1 then shall bear;
But I know that my Savior will welcome me there.
And that will be heaven for me. Yes, that will be heaven, oh, that will be heaven, be heaven for me;
And that will be heaven for me.
Oh, that will be heaven for me; Yes, that will be heaven, oh, that will be heaven for me But I know that my Savior will welcome me there.
And that will be heaven for me.
“Down Life’s dark Vale We Wander” was written in Peona, Illinois — I think in 1872. It was suggested by a conversation with
Mrs. Wm. Reynolds and Mrs. Tyng upon the subject of our Lord’s personal return. One of the ladies quoted a sentence from a work of Anna Shipton’s as to the joy and comfort it gave her, day by day, to think each morning at sunrise, “This may be the day of His coming.” Mr. Bliss was much impressed — more deeply so than ever before — by the reality of the subject, and a few days after, as he was coming down stairs from his room with the thought of looking for the Lord upon his mind, he commenced singing “Down life’s dark vale we wander,” the words coming to him as easily as the steps he took down the stairs. He at once wrote it out with the music as now sun.
WHEN JESUS COMES.
Down life’s dark vale we wander.
Till Jesus comes;
We watch and wait and wonder.
Till Jesus comes.
Ob, let my lamp be burning,
When Jesus comes;
For Him my soul be ye§irning,
When Jesus comes.
Chokus. — All joy His lov’d ones bringing.
When Jesus comes:
All praise through heaven ringing.
When Jesus comes.
All beauty bright and vernal.
When Jesus comes.
All glory, grand, eternal.
When Jesus comes.’
No more heart-pangs nor sadness.
When Jesus comes;
All peace and joy and gladness.
When Jesus comes.
All doubts and fears will vanish.
When Jesus comes;
All gloom His face will banish.
When Jesus comes.
He’ll know the way was dreary.
When Jesus comes;
He’ll know the feet grew weary.
When Jesus comes.
He*ll know what griefs oppressed me.
When Jesus comes;
Oh, how His arms will rest me!
When Jesus comes.
“The Light of the World is Jesus” was written ii- the summer of 1875, at his home. No. 664 West Monroe street, Chicago. It came to him all together, words and music, one morning while passing through the hall to his room, and was at once written out.
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IS JESUS.
‘’ I am the light of the world.’*-^roHN ix, S.
lie whole world was lost in the darkness of sin;
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in;
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Chorus. — Come to the Light, tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the Light has dawned on me.
Once I was blind, but now I can see;
The Light of the World is Jesus.
No darkness have we who in Jesus abide;
The Light of the World is Jesus.
We walk in the Light when we follow our Guide;
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Ye dwellers in darkness with sin-blinded eyes,
The Light of the World is Jesus.
Go wash at His bidding, and light will arise,
The Light of the World is Jesus.
No need of the sunlight in heaven, we*re told.
The Light of the World is Jesus.
The Lamb is the light in the City of Gold,
The Light of the World is Jesus.
138 MEMom :f p. p. bliss.
“The Holy Spirit, Resist not. Grieve not. Quench not,” was suggested to him by B. F. Jacobs. He loved the song himself, and the words are among the most beautiful he has written. He felt that more should be sung of the Holy Spirit, and wrote this after being in the work.
THE HOLY SPIRIT.
“Three warnings; Resisi not, Grieve not, Quench not.”
The Spirit, oh, siimer.
Iq mercy doth move,
Thy heart, so long hardened.
Of sin to reprove.
liesist not the Spirit,
Nor longer delay;
God’s gracious entreaties
May end with to-day.
Oh, child of the kingdom,
From sin service cease;
Be filled with the Spirit, *
With comfort and peace.
Oh, grieve not the Spirit,
Thy Teacher is He,
That Jesus, thy Savior,
May glorified be.
Defiled is the temple.
Its beauty laid low,
On God’s holy altar
The embers faint glow.
By love yet rekindled,
A flame may be fanned;
Oh, quench not the Spirit
The Lord is at hand.
“Wishing, Hoping, Knowing,** he wrote to bring Christians into a more full assurance of salvation, in connection with his experience in Gospel meetings with doubting Christians who were looking to their feelings instead of the word of God.
WISHINa, HOPlNa, KNOWING.
A long time I wandered in darkness and sin.
And wondered if ever the light would shine in;
I heard Christian friends tell of raptures divine.
And wish’d, how I wish’d that their Savior were mine.
OnoRUS. — I wish’d He were mine, yes, 1 wish’d He were mine; I wish’d, how I wish’d that their Savior were mine.
1 heard the glad gospel of “good will to men “;
I read whosoever again and again;
1 said to my soul,” Can that promise be thine t
And then began hoping that Jesus were mine.
Chorus. — I hoped He was mine, yes, I hoped He was mine:
I then began hoping that Jesus was mine.
Oh, mercy surprising, He saves even me;
“Thy portion forever,” He says, “will I be.”
On His word I’m resting — assurance divine.
I’m ‘* hoping” no longer — ^I know He is mine.
Chorus. — I know He is mine, yes, I know He is mine ;.
I’m “hoping” no longer — I know He is mine
Kev. Mr. Brundage tells of the origin of “Almost Persuaded,” in a sermon preached by him many years ago. The closing words of the sermon were — “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.” Mr. Bliss being in the audience, was impressed with the thought, and immediately set about the composition of what proved one of his most popular songs, deriving his inspiration from the sermon of his friend, Mr. Brundage.
ALMOST PERSUADED.
“Almost persuaded” now to believe;
“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive.
Seems now some soul to say,
*’ Go, Spirit, go Thy way,
Some more convenient day
On Thee I’ll cai:”
140 MEJiOIB OF P. P. BLISS.
“Almost persuaded,” come, come, to-day;
“Almost persuaded,” turn not away.
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are ling’ ring near.
Prayers rise from hearts so dear;
O wand’rer, come 1
“Almost persuaded,” harvest is past I
‘* Almost persuaded,” doom comee at last!
Almost “cannot avail;
“Almost” is but to fail I
Sadlftad that bitter wail — “Almost, but lost /”
“Hallelujah! ’tis Done.” In compiling Gospel Songs, in 1874, Mr. Bliss desired to publish in it the well-known hymn, “Hallelujah! Thine the Glory,” then much used in religious serldces. The owners of the copyright of the hymn declined his application for its use, and he wrote “Hallelujah 1 ’tis Done,” to supply the want. Hundreds of souls have been led to decide for Christ by this hymn, and the church has reason to rejoice at that refusal.
HALLELUJAH! ‘TIS DONE.
*Ti8 the promise of God, full salvation to give
Unto him who on Jesus His Son will believe.
Chokus. — Hallelujah I ’tis done, I believe on the Son;
1 am saved by the blood of the Crucified One; Crucified One.
Though the pathway be lonely, and dangerous, too,
Surely Jesus is able to carry us through.
Many loved ones have 1 in yonder heavenly throng;
They are safe now in glory, and this is their song,
Little children I see standing close by their King,
And He smiles as their song of salvation they sing:
There are prophets and kings in that throng I behold.
And they sing as they march through the streets of pure gold:
There’s a part in that chorus for you and for me,
And the theme of our praises forever will be:
Chobub. — Hallelujah! ’tis done, I believe on the Son;
I am saved by the blood of the Crucified One, Crucified One.
“Good News” was written in March, 1874, about the time Mr. Bliss went to Waukegan for his first Gospel meetings, and was first sung there:
GOOD NEWS.
Hear ye the glad good news from heaven?
Life to a death- doomed race is given;
Christ on the cross for you and me
Purchased a pardon full and free.
Chorus. — He that believeth, he that believeth,
He that believeth hath everlasting life;
He that believeth hath everlasting life.
When we were lost, the Son of God
Made an atonement by His blood;
When we the glad good news believe.
Then the atonement we receive.
Why not believe the glad good news?
Why still the voice of God refuse?
Why not believe, when God hath said.
All, all our “guilt on Him” was laid.
“Will You Meet Me at the Fountain? ‘’ was suggested by a remark of a friend at the Chicago Exposition, in 1873, as they parted to make the tour of the building. The remark was, “Meet Me at the fountain.” It made a melody in his heart in the suggestion of another meeting, and blossomed out into the song:
WILL YOU MEET ME AT THE FOUNTAIN?
Will you meet me at the fountain,
When I reach the glory-land?
Will you meet me at the fountain?
Shall I clasp your friendly hand Y
Other friends will give me welcome,
Other loving voices cheer;
There’ll be music at the fountain;
Will you. will you meet me there?
Choki’8. — Yes, I’ll meet you at the fountain,
At the fountain bright and fair;
Oh, lil meet you at the fountain,
Yes, rU meet you, meet you there.
Will you meet me at the fountain?
For I’m sure that I shall know
Kindred souls and sweet communion
More than I have known below.
And the chorus will be ^weeter,
When it bursts upon my ear.
And my heaven seem completer.
If your happy voice I hear.
Will you meet me at the fountain?
I shall long to have you near.
When I meet my loving Savior,
When His welcome words I hear.
He will meet me at the fountain,
His embraces I shall share;
There’ll be glory at the fountain;
Will you, will you meet me there?
“Hallelujah! He is Risen,” was written in the South, in the spring of 187G, and was first sung by him on Easter afternoon, 1876, in the Court House Square of Augusta, Georgia, to an audience of five thousand people gathered to hear the Gospel. None who were there will ever forget the radiant face, or the triumphant, ringing tones with which he sang —
He is risen, He is risen.
Living Lord and coming King.
HALLELUJAH 1 HE IS RISEN!
Hallelujah I He is risen!
Jesus is gone up on high! ’
Burst the bars of death asunder,
Angels shout and men reply:
He is risen, He is risen.
Living now no more to die
Hallelujah, He is risen!
Our exalted Head to be;
Sends the witness of the spirit
That our Advocate is He;
He is risen. He is risen.
Justified to Him are we.
Hallelujah, He is risen I
Death for aye hath lost its sting,
Christ, Himself the Resurrection,
From the grave His own will bring.
He is risen. He is risen,
Living Lord and coming King.
•’Seeking to Save*’ was suggested by some remarks made in conversation with Mr. Bliss, by Dr. Wadsworth, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mobile, Alabama, upon the unity of the throe parables in the fifteenth chapter of Luke.
SEEKING TO SAVE.
Tenderly the Shepherd,
0*er the mountains cold.
Goes to bring his lost one
Back to the fold.
Chorub. — Seeking to save, seeking to save.
Lost one, ’tis Jesus seeking to save
Seeking to save, seeking to save.
Lost one, ’tis Jesus seeking to save
Patiently the owner ’
Seeks with earnest care,
In the dust and darkness
Her treasure rare.
Lovingly the Father
Sends the news aroand:
“He once dead now liveth — Once lost is found.”
“At the Feet of Jesus” came from the Scripture suggestions of passages containing that phrase.
AT THE FEET OF JESUS.
At the feet of Jesas,
List’ning to His word,
Learning wisdom’s lesson
From her loving Lord,
Mary, led by heavenly grace,
Chose the meek disciple’s place.
At the feet of Jesus is the place for me,
There a humble learner would I choose to be.
At the feet of Jesus,
Pouring perfume rare,
Mary did her Savior
For the grave prepare;
And, from love the “good work” done,
She her Lord’s approval won.
At the feet of Jesus is the place for me,
There in sweetest service would I ever be.
At the feet of Jesus,
In that morning hour.
Loving hearts receiving
Resurrection power.
Haste with joy to preach the word:
“Christ is risen, Praise the Lord!”
At the feet of Jesus, risen now for me,
I shall sing His praises through eternity.
“The Half was Never Told” was suggested by reading notes by his dear friend and sometimes fellow laborer in Gospel work, James M. Brookes, of St. Louis, upon the Queen of Siieba’s visit to Solomon.
THE HALF WAS NEVER TOLD
Repeat the story o’er and o’er.
Of yrikce so full and free;
I love to hear it more and more,
Since grace has rescued me.
Chorus. — The half was never told,
The half was never told,
Of grace divine, so wonderful.
The half was never told.
Of peace I only knew the name.
Nor found my soul its rest
Until the sweet- voiced angel came
To soothe my weary breast.
My highest place is lying low
At my Redeemer’s feet;
No real joy in life I know,
But in His service sweet.
And oh, what rapture will it bt
With all the host above,
To sing through all eternity
The wonders of His love.
PAUL AND SILAa
IS^ight has fallen on the city.
And the streets at last are still.
Where the noisy crowd, unceaang,
Did the air with shoutings fill;
And the weary, way-worn trav’lerai,
Preaching Jesus thro’ the land.
Are in deepest dungeon darkness.
By the mastrate’s command.
Many stripes to them were ipfiven:
Many curses on them cast;
Many bolts and bars surround them«
In the stocks their feet are fast:
While the cruel Roman jailor.
All securely sleeping on.
Little dreams the mighty wonders
Of the morrow’s early dawn.
Hark, the sighing of the prisoners,
Hear their moanings loud and long!
No, again, and louder, clearer,
‘Tis the voice of prayer and song!
See, the prison walls are sliakin.
And the door wide open stands!
Lo, behold the earth is quaking.
Loosed are every prisoner’s bands I
Oh, there’s not a cell so lonely
But a song may echo there;
Oh, there’s not a night so cheerless
But there’s potency in prayer;
Sing, oh, sing, thou weary pilgrim,
Song will bring thee heavenly peace;
Pray, oh, pray, thou burdened prisoner,
God will give thee sweet release.
SING, MY SOUL.
Sing, my soul, from bondage free;
Israel’s God thy God will be;
In the dark and foamy sea
Pharaoh’s host shall buried be.
Bbfrain. — Sing, my soul, from bondage free;
Israel’s God thy God will be.
Fainting on the desert way.
For my “daily bread” I pray;
Biead of Life, Thp Life 1 need,
Let me ever on Thee feed.
When the enemy is nigh,
Lord, to Thee, to Thee I cry;
Save me in the trying hour.
Save my soul from Satan’s power.