WARREN SHIVER HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

Author: Civilla Martin

(1866-1948)

Composer: Charles Gabriel

(1856-1932)

King David said in the book of Psalms that, "If it were not for the Lord, who was on our side, when we stumbled and fell and our enemy rose up against us, we would have no hope." How many of us have felt at times that there was no hope, and that God had forsaken us? If you have ever felt that way take heart, for the Lord, Himself, has said that we are more valuable than the birds of the air, or the lilies of the field, and not one sparrow falls from the air that God does not know about it. How much more does he care for us?

Mr. And Mrs. Doolittle lived in Elmira, New York. Mrs. Doolittle had been an invalid for twenty years, bedfast for most of that time. Her husband, also a partial invalid, managed a business from a wheelchair. They had visitors to their home sent there by a mutual friend. The visitors were Rev. Stillman Martin and his lovely wife Civilla. Rev. Martin was a Baptist evangelist. Mrs. Martin, who was born in Nova Scotia, usually accompanied her husband on his evangelistic tours. Shortly before they met the Doolittles, they sat down and together wrotethe lovely hymn, " God Will Take Care of You". Mrs. Martin wrote the words and Rev. Martin composed the music. This hymn is so comforting when we are down in the valley.Just remember that God will supply all our needs if we put our trust in Him.

The visit to the Doolittle's home gave Rev. and Mrs. Martin a comfortable feeling because, although the Doolittles were both invalids, they always seemed happy. After several visits, Rev. Martin asked Mr. Doolittle why he and his wife always seemed so happy all the time. Mrs. Doolittle spoke up and the answer she gave inspired Civilla Martin to write a song that is just as comforting as "God Will Take Care of You". Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple, "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." Mrs. Martin was so overcome with these words that she could hardly contain herself. Many times she had failed to show the joy and faith that she should in the face of lesser trials.

Later that day in the quiet of her room, she thought over the words of Mrs. Doolittle. She had asked many times why

this or why that. Now she asked, "Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows come? Why should my heart feel lonely?" She thought again, "Why should I feel discouraged when Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me." She wrote the words on paper and the rest just seemed to follow.

Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe,NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. If you have questions or comments, he can be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by mail at PO BOX 775,Biscoe,NC 27209.

The 300-page softback book, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories, costs $14.95. The book will be shipped to Gaffney Ledger and Weekly Ledger readers postage free or books may be picked up at The Gaffney Ledger office on Floyd Baker Boulevard. Books may also be ordered on the website, www.myfavoritehymnstories.com., or by sending a check or money order to Warren Shiver, P.O. Box 775, Biscoe, N.C. 27209.

HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

This song was titled, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". The next day after writing the words, Mrs. Martin mailed them to music composer, Charles Gabriel, who wrote the music for this wonderful song. Miss Ethel Waters sang this song in several Billy Graham Crusades, and loved it so much that the title of her autobiography is "His Eye is on the Sparrow".

This hymn was written in 1905.
Verse 1
Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Chorus
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me
Verse 2
Let not your heart be troubled
His tender word I hear
And resting on his goodness
I lose my doubts and fears
Tho' by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see
And I know He watches me
And I know He watchs me.
Chorus:
Verse 3
Whenever I am tempted,
Whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing
When hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him,
From care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
And I know He watches me.
Chorus