By Darren Glenewinkle
revised by Pastor Clinton Macomber
A hymn written during a time of treat spiritual and physical despondency was this one of great comfort. It was written by Frank E. Graeff who was born on December 19th in the year 1860. He was reared in “Pennsylvania Dutch” Country in 1890; and was ordained in the Philadelphia conference of the Methodist Church. Graeff loved the little children so much that he wrote many stories for them. He also authored more than two hundred hymns and a novel, The Minister’s Twins. Graeff was known as a spiritual optimist and in 1901 penned this poem during a time of spiritual struggle. He died on July 29, 1919 in New Jersey.
The hymn was composed by J. Lincoln Hall who was born November 4th, 1866, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania and honored with a Music Degree from Harriman University. He helped found the Hall-Mack Publishing Company and edited a number of hymnals. Hall was a prominent song leader and died on November 29, 1930 in Pennsylvania.
This hymn first appeared in Gospel Songs in 1937. It is a hymn based on I Peter 5:7 and gives great comfort to all who believe solely on Jesus Christ.
Sources
Forrest McCann, Hymns and History (ACU Press, Abilene TX, 1997) pp. 101, 410, 414.
Ernest K. Emurian, Hymn Festivals (W. A. Wilde Company, U.S.A. 1961) p. 119
Alfred B. Smith, Living Hymns (Better Music Publications, Greenville, South Carolina, 1988) p.428
