Library Collections: Document: Full Text

His celebrated hymn "Hold the Fort" was born one day in the summer of 1870, while he and Major Whittle were attending a meeting at Rockford, Illinois; and it was first used at the Young Men's Christian Association in Chicago. Mr. Bliss was inspired to write his hymn by a story told by Major Whittle. My last meeting with the latter seems but yesterday. He was suffering much pain, and I said, "Oh, major, I wish I could give you a part of my good health this morning." The dear, patient man replied, "It is all right. The Lord knows best; and all will result in my good." Then he spoke pleasantly of some favorite hymns, and added with a smile, "All sorrow will fade away, and all pain depart as the dew before the morning sun."

There are many other musical men whom I have had the honor of knowing and whom I number among my dearest acquaintances. I met Hart P. Danks and William F. Sherwin about the same year; Dr. Horatio R. Palmer has entertained us many an afternoon with his delightful reminiscences of the Holy Land; and Mr. George C. Stebbins, who has written the music to "Saved by Grace," "Eye Hath Not Seen," "Come Unto Me, Ye Weary," "In Perfect Peace," and other famous hymns, is another of my priceless friends.

Some of those who have already crossed to the other side of the river are Victor H. Benke, William B. Brad-bury, Philip P. Bliss, George F. Bristow, Henry Brown, Hart P. Danks, Mary A. Kidder, Robert Lowry, Sylves-ter Main, Philip Phillips, Josephine Pollard, Henry Tucker, Theodore F. Seward, William F. Sherwin, John R. Sweney, Silas J. Vail, and Mrs. dark Wilson; a few of the musical associates who are still spared are James M. Black, John R. Clements, Mrs. Mary Upham Currier, William H. Doane, Caryl Florio, Charles H. Gabriel, Adam Geibel, Mrs. Harriet E. Jones, Miss Eliza E. Hewitt, William J. Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, Hubert P. Main, James McGranahan, H. R. Palmer, Theodore E. Perkins, W. A. Post, Ira D. Sankey, I. Allan Sankey, Mrs. Lanta Wilson Smith, George C. Stebbins, B. C. Unseld, J. W. Vandeventer, W. S. Weeden, Clark Wilson, Mrs. Agnes Woolston and David D. Wood.

I have visited Mr. Kirkpatrick at his home in Phila-delphia several times; and I look back upon these occa-sions with peculiar pleasure. To some of the melodies that he has sent I have written words that have been largely used for many years in gospel services every-where. A few of the titles that come to mind now are "He Hideth My Soul," "He Came to Save Me," "Re-deemed," "Welcome for Me," "Meet Me There," and "Like a Bird on the Deep"; and my readers will instantly recall many others, equally popular.

Miss Eliza E. Hewitt, who has written many beauti-ful hymns and poems for Mr. Kirkpatrick and other composers, several years ago called on me while I was in Philadelphia; and her visit was indeed a gracious benediction. At Assembly Park, New York, recently we renewed the friendship then so favorably begun; and there we spent many delightful hours in conversation about subjects dear to both of us. Miss Hewitt's hymn, entitled "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" is a great favorite of mine. Mrs. Harriet E. Jones, also the author of hundreds of inspiring gospel songs, though I have met her but once, has proved a loving friend in her cheering letters for several years.

How can I fittingly describe my impressions of Ocean Grove? The first evening that I was there was clear and calm; and as we silently rowed across Wesley Lake some music from the camp-grounds was wafted to us with a delightful cadence. Among the lasting friendships formed at Ocean Grove were those of John R. Sweney and William J. Kirkpatrick.

Shortly after my arrival at Ocean Grove in 1877 I was met by a man, whom I had known in the old Norfolk Street Church in New York. Twelve months before I had seen him under totally different circumstances, so different in fact that his story should be of some interest. Then he was disheartened; now he was thrilled with Christian hope; and we were indeed surprised by the complete transformation. On the evening of our previous meeting he arose and said,

"Friends, I know I have done wrong; and many times I have asked your prayers. But tonight I must have your help."

His manner impressed me exceedingly, and I gave him some words of cheer; but the majority of our members had little faith in his reformation, because he had tried so many times and failed. His greeting to me at Ocean Grove was as follows:

"I want to thank you for your kind words in my behalf at the Norfolk Street Church." Some of the most gratifying memories of my life centre about testi-monies of those whom I have been enabled to help by words of cheer towards better things than those of this world.

Dr. Stokes, who conducted the meetings at Ocean Grove, was a sweet, spiritual man; and he wrote several inspiring hymns, including, "Holy Spirit, Fill Me Now," by which many an audience has been moved to tears as Mr. Sweney sang it as a solo. It was one of the saddest duties of my life to recite a tribute to his memory at a public reception given to Mr. Sweney.