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Stories Behind The Hymns
TAKE TIME TO BE HOLY
Author: William D. Longstaff (1822-1894) Composer: George Coles Stebbins (1846-1945) William D. Longstaff was born on November 26, 1822 in Sunderland, Durham, England. Not much information can be found about his childhood. There is no record of his schooling but from what is known about him, he received a great education. William's father was a wealthy ship owner in England. William inherited his father's fortune, so money was never a problem for him. William was reared with the elite people in his hometown. He had access to everything that money could buy. He had rich friends and associates, but he had an empty feeling in his heart. It seems as if God had singled out Longstaff to receive His message and His commission for his life. He attended church one day, and the sermon was preached by a missionary who was on furlough from China. The missionary chose, as his sermon text: 1 Peter 1:16 "Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV)" Although Longstaff was a businessman and very wealthy, this sermon struck a cord in his heart. He could not get the sermon out of his head or his heart, and he was convicted of his sin and accepted Christ as his Savior. He dedicated himself that day to do the will of God. William attended church services every Sunday and attended revivals when they were held in his hometown. He could not get enough of the truth from the gospel. He was a dedicated Christian and dedicated to the service of winning the lost to Christ. There was a spiritual awakening in England during his teens, and he had a chance to meet the Reverend Dwight L. Moody in a revival meeting while Moody was holding evangelistic services throughout England. William never let his wealth distract him from a life devoted to Christ and His work. He was also fortunate to meet William Booth, founder of the "Salvation Army." They became very good friends. William Longstaff wrote several hymns and poems to be printed in the periodical of the Salvation Army's War Cry. These hymns were published in the 1880's. William Longstaff's wealth was used by God, as William donated money to support the Salvation Army's causes and also the Reverend Dwight L. Moody's crusades across England. It is fitting that such a dedicated man of God would give the world such a beautiful hymn that is sung by Protestant churches today. The inspiration for this hymn was the sermon William heard preached by the missionary from China at his home church. The music for this hymn was written by composer, George Stebbins. He was born on February 26, 1846 in East Carlton, New York. He studied music in Buffalo and Rochester, New York. He then became a voice teacher. In 1869, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to join the Lyon and Healy Music Company. He was also called to be music director at First Baptist Church in Chicago. While in Chicago, he met other great hymn writers and composers: George Root, Phillip Bliss and Ira Sankey. At age 28, Stebbins moved to Boston, Massachusetts where he became music director at Claredon Street Baptist Church. He accepted a call to another church as music director at Tremont Temple in Boston, Massachusetts. Soon after, he went on the evangelistic circuit with Reverend Dwight L. Moody and others around 1900. Stebbins spent a year as an evangelist in India, Egypt, Italy, Palestine, France and England. Stebbins died on October 6, 1945, at age 99. 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. Take Time To Be Holy Verse 1 Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak, Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek. Verse 2 Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone. By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be; Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see. Verse 3 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide; And run not before Him, whatever betide. In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord, And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word. Verse 4 Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul, Each thought and each motive beneath His control. Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love, Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. This article may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the author. |
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