Sounds Familiar

Ira Sankey was traveling on a steamer in the Delaware River when he was recognized by some passengers who had seen his picture in the newspaper and knew he was associated with evangelist D. L. Moody. 

When they asked him to sing one of his own compositions, Sankey said he preferred the hymn by William Bradbury, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us.”

He suggested that everyone join in the singing. One of the stanzas begins, “We are thine, do thou befriend us; be the guardian of our way.”

When he finished, a man stepped out of the shadows and asked, “Were you in the army, Mr. Sankey?”

“Yes, I joined up in 1860.”

“Did you do guard duty at night in Maryland, about 1862?”

“Yes, I did.”

“I was in the Confederate Army,” said the stranger. “I saw you one night at Sharpsburg. I had you in my gun sight as you stood in the light of the full moon. Then just as I was about to pull the trigger, you began to sing. It was the same hymn you sang tonight. I couldn’t shoot you.”

 — Kenneth R. Hendren, “In the Gun Sights, Men of Integrity (April 17, 2001)

Love That Will Not Let Me Go

At a young age, George Matheson was told he was losing what little poor eyesight he had.  He was only fifteen then.  But despite his situation, Matheson continued straightaway with his plans to enroll in the University of Glasgow.  He later graduated at the age of nineteen.  He then pursued graduate studies in theology for Christian ministry.  But it was during this time that he did become blind.  His loving sisters supported him and joined ranks beside him as he continued with his graduate studies.  They even learned Greek and Hebrew to assist him in his theological education.  He faithfully pressed on.

But he was devestated when his fiancée broke off their engagement and returned his ring because she refused to be married to a blind man.  Somehow, Matheson still carried the pain of rejection.  He never married.  

Years passed and he became a well-loved pastor in Scotland.  When his sister came to him one day and announced her engagement, he rejoiced with her, but his mind went back to his own heartache.  He comforted himself by thinking of God and His love.  He contemplated once again that God's love is never limited, never conditional, never withdrawn, and never uncertain.  Out of this experience he wrote the hymn, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.

O love that wilt not let me go,

I rest my weary soul in thee;

I give thee back the life I owe,

That in thine ocean depths it flow

May richer, fuller be.

Peace Despite Life's Pain

Horatio Spafford, a successful lawyer and real-estate investor, was a father of five. Tragedy first struck him and his family when his only son died of Scarlet fever at a young age. Then the year after, when the loss was still in their mind, a devastating fire destroyed most of the properties he had invested in.

Wanting to get some needed break from all their pain, Spafford arranged for him and his family to sail and have a vacation. But since he had things to attend to at the last minute, he sent his wife and daughters ahead of him. Sadly, several days later, news came to him that the ship they were on had a collision and his four daughters died.

Spafford, soon after and despite all these tragedies,  wrote these words that have since became a famous hymn, lifting up grieving hearts over centuries:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well (it is well),with my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:

If Jordan above me shall roll,

No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life

Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

And Lord haste the day, 

when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, 

and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.