By Gideon Edward Macomber: age 14
The Author of this hymn is Johnson Oatman, Jr. He was born near Medford, New Jersey, on April 21, 1856. When he was nineteen years old he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was soon ordained although he never actually pastored a church. He was actively involved in the family’s mercantile business, and, when his father died, he entered the insurance business. In 1892, he started writing gospel songs, and, from then until his death, in 1926, he wrote approximately 3000 hymn texts. He averaged about four to five texts a week though his life and he got about a dollar each hymn he wrote.
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The composer of this hymn is Charles Hutchinson Gabriel. He was born August 18, 1856, in Wilton, Iowa. Gabriel was generally the most popular song writer during the Billy Sunday-Homer Rodeheaver evangelistic crusade, from 1910-1920. In his association with the Rodeheaver Publishing Company as music editor, Gabriel continued his prolific musical output, until his death on September 15, 1932, in Los Angeles, California. Gabriel wrote about 8,000 hymns and was the editor of numerous others.
For more information on Charles Hutchinson Gabriel Click Here
Sources
Osbeck, K. W. Amazing Grace. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990.
Osbeck, K. W. 101 More Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1985.
Spencer, D. A. Hymn and Scripture Selection Guide. Revised and expanded edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1993.
