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Thursday, June 2, 2011

When the Sermon is too Long...

Elvina M. Hall sat in the choir loft as the pastor's sermon seemed to drone on longer than need be. While waiting for her pastor, George Schrick of the Monument Street Methodist Church of Baltimore, Maryland to finish speaking, her mind drifted to salvation and the immense price that Christ had paid for it. Some words began to appear in her mind but she had no paper. The only paper she had at hand was her hymnbook. She began scribbling on the flyleaf of her hymnbook the words that were racing in her mind.

After the service had finished she handed the newly written words to her pastor. Pastor Schrick remembered that the organist, John Grape, had recently told him of a new tune that he had recently written and given the pastor called "All to Christ I Owe." 

To the surprise of all, the words of Elvina Hall and tune of John Grape fit perfectly together! The pastor put words and music together and one of the most beloved hymns of the church came into being in 1874. You remember the words to this moving and beloved hymn:
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9 comments:

  1. LarriJune 2, 2011 at 4:22 AM

    I had no idea the history of one of my favorite songs. I know it best with a contemporary addition midsong of...

    "Oh praise the One Who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead."

    Thanks for sharing. Happy Thursday! :o)

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  2. DarleneJune 2, 2011 at 7:54 AM

    I have been wanting to do a series about the authors of our hymns. I have a feeling it would be quite fascinating, as this one is! It's a shame that in many churches the hymns are being "weeded out" in favor of the repetitive praise songs. We want to appeal to the "young ones", after all. I'm not saying that there are no good praise songs, but I hope you know what I mean.

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  3. AnonymousJune 2, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Amen! All to HIM I owe! A wonderful hymn indeed :-)

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  4. mikew116June 2, 2011 at 9:54 AM

    That's an interesting story behind that hymn. We sang that last night in our assembly.

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  5. PetraJune 2, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I love reading about the events/thoughts that preceded a great hymn. And that's one of the reasons I love your blog--always so full of great information! Blessings!

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  6. RHYTHM AND RHYMEJune 2, 2011 at 4:57 PM

    Thanks for sharing Gregg, Daniel has included on his concerts quite a bit of inspirational songs I know you would love.

    Yvonne.

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  7. PersisJune 2, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    I like this story. Even though her mind drifted, she was still meditating on the truth.

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  8. KeenaJune 3, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    how neat!!!

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  9. RobinJune 4, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    I will remember this each and every time I hear this song! Thank you Gregg.

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THANK YOU, - Gregg Metcalf
gmetcalf73@gmail.com

Colossians 1:28-29

Gregg Metcalf has served as the Teaching Pastor of Surprise Valley Baptist Church (Cedarville, CA) and the Mirror Lake Baptist Church (Federal Way, WA.) He graduated from Shasta Bible College in 1989. Gregg is married to Irene and the Lord has blessed them with four daughters and six grandchildren, with a great grandchild on the way. Gregg invites your comments and interaction concerning his posts and this blog! Gregg enjoys reading, boating, song-poem writing, and his family.