As I’ve been researching and writing about the history of some of our beloved hymns, I’ve been blown away to discover how God has gifted hymn writers and poets throughout the ages and moved them to pen lyrics and music that inspire others to a closer relationship with Christ Jesus. There are many songs in Scripture, from Moses song after the Exodus down through the ages to David’s many songs of praise and deliverance, and even to Mary’s song when she was chosen to bear and nurture God’s Son.
Yet, God didn’t stop there. Although music in the ages since has not been divinely inspired in the sense of the Holy Spirit moving someone to write canonized Scripture, God has still used many more people throughout the ages to write poetic lyrics of praise and worship as they were first moved in their own spirits by the precious love of God, and then blessing that work to encourage and inspire others.
I find that fascinating.
Today I’m introducing you to another famous hymn writer—although, she probably didn’t set out to become so, and if you’re like me, maybe you never noted her name until now, although you’re probably familiar with some of her hymns.
Priscilla Jane Owens was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1829 where she spent a lifetime dedicated to education as a school teacher and to Christian ministry. Raised in the Scottish and Welsh heritage of her parents, Priscilla held to the Methodist tradition and was committed to working with children and youths.
Yet, God didn’t stop there. Although music in the ages since has not been divinely inspired in the sense of the Holy Spirit moving someone to write canonized Scripture, God has still used many more people throughout the ages to write poetic lyrics of praise and worship as they were first moved in their own spirits by the precious love of God, and then blessing that work to encourage and inspire others.
I find that fascinating.
Today I’m introducing you to another famous hymn writer—although, she probably didn’t set out to become so, and if you’re like me, maybe you never noted her name until now, although you’re probably familiar with some of her hymns.
Priscilla Jane Owens was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1829 where she spent a lifetime dedicated to education as a school teacher and to Christian ministry. Raised in the Scottish and Welsh heritage of her parents, Priscilla held to the Methodist tradition and was committed to working with children and youths.
Besides spending most of her adult life as a school teacher in Baltimore, Priscilla also devoted over fifty years to Sunday school ministry, always looking for ways to teach and inspire youths to a faithful walk and greater love of their Savior Jesus. During those years, she wrote many hymns, most of them penned to use with her students. You can hear her training them in some repetitive lyrics such as “Jesus Save! Jesus Saves!”, a hymn in which she compels them toward God’s call to have a missionary spirit of their own.
Some of Priscilla’s poetry was published in The Methodist Protestant and The Christian Standard. Much of it was set to music with the help of William Kirkpatrick, a Pennsylvania musician and hymn compiler of some renown. Her most enduring piece, "Will Your Anchor Hold" (also called "We Have an Anchor") was written in 1882 and set to music by Mr. Kirkpatrick.
The hymn underwent modifications when it was adopted for use by Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey for use in revival meetings, asking rhetorical questions that would give the audience pause to consider the condition of their hearts.
Priscilla’s hymn spread far and wide, partly because of its use in those meetings, but also because it went on to have a long connection with The Boys’ Brigade.
The hymn underwent modifications when it was adopted for use by Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey for use in revival meetings, asking rhetorical questions that would give the audience pause to consider the condition of their hearts.
Priscilla’s hymn spread far and wide, partly because of its use in those meetings, but also because it went on to have a long connection with The Boys’ Brigade.
The Boys’
Brigade is an international, interdenominational Christian organization,
conceived by Sir William Alexander Smith, a Scottish businessman who envisioned
combining drill with fun, boyhood activities and Christian values. Thus, in 1883, the Boys' Brigade was formed in Glasgow and spread quickly across the United Kingdom. Within a decade, its popularity grew to where the organization had spread across the world, and even today boasts hundreds of thousands of members.
The motto of the club was adopted as "Sure & Fast" and its emblem was an anchor. Early on, the Boys' Brigade adopted Priscilla Owens's hymn as its standard. Here is a video pictoral history of the Boys' Brigade set to that hymn.
Boys' Brigade ~ Will Your Anchor Hold
Priscilla Jane Owens left a lasting legacy in the hundreds of hymns she wrote. You can find a compendium of her work containing 229 of them here. Priscilla died in 1907 at her home in Maryland, and she is interred in the Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland._______________________________________
Naomi Musch is an award-winning author from the pristine Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she and her husband Jeff live as epically as God allows, enjoying the families of their adult children. Amidst it, she writes about imperfect people who long to change the story. Along the way, her own is also sometimes changed. Visit her on social media and sign up for her monthly newsletter, Northwoods Faith & Fiction:
Website & Newsletter
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Bookbub
Thank you for posting. I am familiar with some of her songs.
ReplyDelete