News, Hymn History, & Resources

John Brantly Mulford was born in Philadelphia on September 2, 1851. At twelve years old, he had the unique experience of being baptized by his grandfather, who was the founder of Tenth Baptist Church, and pastor for nearly thirty years. Mulford graduated from seminary in 1876 from the Crozer Theological Seminary, and quickly joined the ministry after commencement.

Knowles Shaw was known throughout his life as being someone who was devoted to the Lord. He led around 1,400 people to the Lord in his lifetime. A...

“Near the Cross” was introduced first in Robert Lowry and William Doane’s volume “Brightest and Best” in 1875. Its simple melody and lyrics have made an indelible mark on the hearts of millions the world over. Hymnwriter Ira Sankey records...

Have you ever attended a church that ended its service with a song? Maybe the congregation. The hymn lyrics "God be with you till we meet again; b...

“George Hinsdale, composer of psalm tune “Hinsdale,” died while his daughter was very young. With an additional loss of her mother, Phoebe was orp...

     This story of trial and faith occurred in recent years, proving that the 'old hymns of the faith' still have power in the life of believers in our modern age. Most songs, most speeches are put to silence in the face of deep pain, but hymns? Hymns have the power to comfort, calm, strengthen, and point upward the heart that longs to please Him in every scene of life.

Mr. Black served as a teacher of singing schools and editor of many gospel songbooks. One of the titles, Songs of the Soul, 1894, sold more than four hundred thousand copies wherein these lines were first published and became widely accepted. Black records the origin of the lines as follows:

In times of success, Anne found that Christ was all that could satisfy. In times of loss, she found he was all upon which to rely.

"An old inn keeper in England, who had often swore that he would never attend church, heard of the choice music, and of the crowds attracted by it, and so resolved, one Sunday afternoon, to go and hear the singing, but not to hear one word of the sermon.

As he paused a moment in his walk the sound of singing reached his ear; he opened the door and listened. It was the children’s nurse just putting her young charge to bed. Clear and distinct came the tone to Frank’s ear, –

“Jesus! Lover of my soul,
Let me to thy bosom fly,
While the raging billows roll,
While the tempest still is high.”

 

It is related of a Christian officer at the battle of Shiloh, that he lay all night on the field, wounded in both thighs. Said he, “The stars shon...

Melody Publications announces the arrival of the Shape Note edition of Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs. This edition offers your favorite selections in this heritage notation loved by generations.