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W. S. Pitts

1830 - 1918 Person Name: William S. Pitts Hymnal Number: d82 Author of "The little brown church" in Glad Tidings in Song William Savage Pitts MD USA 1830-1918. Born at Yates, NY, the son of Puritans, he was the 8th of nine children. He had musical ability from an early age, taking formal music lessons from a graduate of the Boston Handel & Hadyn Society. At age 19, he traveled with his family to Rock County, WI, where he worked as a rural music schoolteacher in Union, WI. He taught for several years, there and at singing schools, and for brass bands, composing much of their music. In 1857 he traveled to Fredericksburg, IA, to visit his fiancee, Ann Eliza Warren, a teacher. Along the way he stopped his horse-drawn wagon at Bradford, IA, to rest. He walked across a field and saw a picturesque wooded valley formed by the Cedar River. Viewing the spot, he envisioned a church building there. He couldn’’t get the image out of his mind. Returning home to WI, he wrote out the words to a poem about the envisioned scene, calling it “Church in the wildwood”, for his own sake. He was then at rest about it. In 1862, he was married in Union, WI, and he and his wife moved to Fredericksburg to be near her elderly parents. Upon returning to Iowa, Pitts stopped along the route at the same location he had five years before to see it again. He was surprised to see a little church being built, and being painted brown. He met with the builders and asked why it was being painted brown, finding out that it was the cheapest paint they could find.. money being tight. The church builders, learning about his poem written several years earlier, asked him to bring his church choir to the dedication and sing a dedicatory song. In 1863 he did so. This was the first time the song was sung in public. The Pitts remained at Fredersicksburg, IA, for 44 years and had five children: Nellie, Grace, Alice, William, and Kate. Pitts served as mayor of Fredericksburg for seven years, as school treasurer for 26 years, wrote a biographical local history, and was a Master Freemason. In 1865 Pitts moved to Chicago to enroll at Rush Medical College. While there, to pay expenses, he offered several songs he had written to a music publisher, who chose his song “Little brown church in the vale”, and he sold the rights to his song for $25. He completed medical school, graduating in 1868, but the song was largely forgotten for several decades. Pitts practiced medicine in Fredericksburg until 1906. His wife died in 1886, and he remarried to Martha Amelia Pierce Grannis in 1887. They moved to Clarion, IA, in 1906. She died in 1909. Pitts then moved to Brooklyn, NY, to be with his son, William, who was working for the U. S. War Department. Pitts joined Fredericksburg’s Baptist Church in 1871, then the Congregational Church in Clarion, IA, in 1906, and later the Dyker Heights Congregational Church in Brooklyn, NY, in 1909. He occasionally performed his most famous song. He died at Brooklyn, NY, but was buried in Fredericksburg, IA. John Perry

Frank C. Huston

1871 - 1959 Hymnal Number: d89 Author of "A song of praise" in Glad Tidings in Song Huston, Frank C. (Orange, Indiana, September 12, 1871--October 14, 1959, Jacksonville, Florida). Both parents were musically inclined, and at the age of 12, he was playing cornet in a local concert band. By the age of 17, he was singing regularly in male and mixed voice units, and at 18, he was conducting church music. Education: Moody Bible Institute. Studied with W.M. Hackleman (a cousin), D.B. Towner, W.C. Caffin, and Charles H. Gabriel. On May 13, 1894, he married Bertha Martin. There were seven children. He spent a brief period as a public school teacher, then became a singing evangelist and traveled for a time with the Charles Reign Scoville Party. He served as Chaplain in the First World War and continued his interest and participation in patriotic organizations. He served a term as Commander-in-Chief of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War and a term as national president of the Federated Patriotic Societies. While in his eighties, he served as chaplain for the Jacksonville Chapter of the Coast Guard. He was ordained to the ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1915. He owned and operated his own publishing company in Indiana for a number of years and was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Frank Huston is credited with more than 400 songs, some patriotic. His two best-known hymns, for which he wrote both words and music, are: "It Pays to Serve Jesus," written in 1909, and "The Christ of the Cross," which was copyrighted in 1924. Among the several hundred others are: "Keep on Believing," "The Word of God Shall Stand," "Lead On, O Christ, Thou Holy One," and "O Holy Day of Pentecost." A book, On Hundred Hymns and Gospel Songs, was published in 1955. For the last 18 years of his life, Huston lived in Florida Christian Home in Jacksonville, a home for the aged maintained by the Christian Church. There, he was active with his music and voluminous correspondence. Funeral services were held in the Edgewood Avenue Christian Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and interment was in Knightstown, Indiana. --Carlton C. Buck, DNAH Archives ============================= During World War I, Governor Goodrich of Indiana appointed Huston chaplain of the 150th Field Artillery, Rainbow Division, but through some mistake he was never called to join the regiment before the war ended. His services, however, were in great demand in his home state and city, and he became widely known as the "Singing Chaplain." In World War II, Huston volunteered his services to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He was made a boatswain’s mate when he was 74 and given duty as a recruiter. He was discharged as an ensign. His works include: Selected Sacred Songs (Jacksonville, Florida: Frank C. Huston, 1937)

Hugh Stowell

1799 - 1865 Hymnal Number: d15 Author of "From every stormy wind [sense] that blows" in Glad Tidings in Song Stowell, Hugh, an able and popular minister of the Church of England, was born at Douglas, Isle of Man, December 3, 1799. He graduated at Oxford in 1822, and took holy orders the following year. He held various offices in his Church; became rector at Salford in 1831; was appointed honorary Canon of Chester Cathedral in 1845, and later Rural Dean of Eccles. He published several volumes. He also edited a book of hymns: A Selection of Psalms and Hymns Suited to the Services of the Church of England, 1831. To the several editions of this book most of his hymns were contributed. He died at Safford October 8, 1865. From every stormy wind that blows 495 Lord of all power and might 206 Hymn Writers of the Church, 1915 by Charles Nutter ================================== Stowell, Hugh, M.A., son of Hugh Stowell, Rector of Ballaugh, near Ramsey, was born at Douglas, Isle of Man, Dec. 3, 1799, and educated at St. Edmund Hull, Oxford, B.A. 1822; M.A. 1826. He was ordained in 1823, and held the curacy of Shepscombe, Gloucestershire; and then that of Holy Trinity, Huddersfield. Subsequently he was Curate in charge of St. Stephen's, Salford, and became rector of Christ Church, Salford, in 1831. In 1845 he was appointed Hon. Canon in Chester Cathedral; in 1851 Chaplain to the Bishop of Manchester; and Rural Dean of Eccles. He died at Salford, Oct. 8, 1865. His Memoir, by the Rev. J. B. Marsden, was published in 1868. Canon Stoweli was a popular and effective preacher. His publications included Tractarianism Tested, 1845; A Model for Men of Business, 1854 ; Pleasures of Religion and Other Poems, 1832; The Peaceful Valley, 1826 ; and a large number of single sermons, pamphlets, &c. His Selection of Psalms & Hymns was published as:— A Selection of Psalms & Hymns Suited to the Services of the Church of England. By the Rev. H. Stowell, M.A., Manchester. Printed by Henry Smith, St. Ann's Square, 1831. This Selection contained 233 hymns, in addition to versions of the Psalms. Of the hymns the following were by the compiler:— 1. Almighty Shepherd, Who didst give. (1828.) The Good Shepherd. 2. From every stormy wind that blows. 3. Gracious God, look down in kindness. Sunday School Anniversary. 4. Great God, we dare not bow the knee. Holy Communion. 5. Meek Lamb of God, on Thee. Lent. 6. To Thee, 0 God, we raise. Sunday School Anniversary. 7. Tune every heart, wake every tongue. Sunday School Anniversary. 8. When Jesus left the glorious sky. For an Infants’ School. 9. Yes, in the morning of our years. Sunday School Anniversary. The 12th edition of this Selection published by Canon Stowell in 1864, was increased to 273 hymns, the additional hymns being in nearly every instance his own compositions. In addition to those already given we have:— 10. Again our yearly strain we raise. 1864. 11. Another year has glided past. (Before 1846.) 12. Another year with mercies strown. (Before 1846.) 13. Before Thy throne, 0 Lord, we bend. (Before 1846.) 14. By pressing dangers compassed round. 1843 (?). 15. Come, raise we all the blessed strain. 1862. 16. Hail, hallowed day of heavenly rest. 1844 (?). 17. Hark, how sweet those infant voices. 1841 (?). 18. How fruitless is the ploughman's toil. 1854. 19. How gently in night's silent hours. 1850. 20. Jesus is our Shepherd, Wiping, &c. 1849. 21. Jesus, Lord, Who hast ascended. 1853. 22. Jesus, Lord, we wait on Thee. 1863. 23. Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord. (Before 1846.) 24. Jesus, Prophet of Thy Church. 1861. 25. Lord, if our land be great and free. 1851. 26. Lord, in this dark and stormy day. 1848. 27. Lord, in Thy mercy hear our cry. 1855. 28. Meek Lamb of God, Who dost impart. 1859. 29. 0 God, the liquid sign of grace. 1856. 30. Sailing o'er life's changeful ocean. (Before 1846.) 31. Saviour, guide this little band. (Before 1846.) 32. The day of rest is passed away. (Before 1846.) 33. The morn of our lifetime is fast gliding by. (Before 1846.) 34. Though our lot be poor and lowly. 1847. 35. Thy cross, 0 Lord, the holy sign. 1840. 36. Wake, wake our yearly strain anew. 1852. 37. Wake, wake the joyful song. 1844. 38. We, a little simple throng. (Before 1846.) 39. We, little pilgrims of a day. 1845. 40. We love the holy house of prayer. 1857. 41. We will not weep as others do. 1842. 42. What is your life? It glances by. 1860. 43. What though our earthly lot be low. 1858. These hymns were all written for the Anniversary Services of Christ Church Sunday Schools, Salford, and are included with others in a special Appendix in the 1877 ed. of the Selection as above. Other hymns by Canon Stowell are:— 44. Children of old, Hosannah sang. Sunday Schools. 1830. 45. Lord of all power and might, Father of love, &c. Missions. Written for the Jubilee of the B. & F. Bible Society, March 7, 1853. 46. Shepherd of the ransomed sheep. The Good Shepherd. 47. Pilgrims in the narrow way. Sunday School Anniversary. This was his last hymn, and was written for the Christ Church Sunday School Anniversary, 1865. Of Canon Stowell's hymns the most popular are Nos. 2, 3, 20 and 44. As a writer for children he was very successful. All the foregoing hymns are in the 15th ed. of his Selection edited by his son, Manchester, 1877; and in Hymns. By the late Rev. Canon Stowell, M.A. Manchester, 1868. -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

H. L. Hastings

1831 - 1899 Person Name: Horace L. Hastings Hymnal Number: d64 Author of "Shall we meet beyond the river, where the surges" in Glad Tidings in Song Hastings, Horace Lorenzo, was born at Blandford, Mass., Nov. 26, 1831; commenced writing hymns, and preaching, in his 17th year, and laboured as an evangelist in various parts of the U. S. In 1866 he established The Christian, a monthly paper, in which many of his hymns have appeared, and in 1865 the Scriptural Tract Repository in Boston. He published Social Hymns, Original and Selected, Boston, 1865; Songs of Pilgrimage, a Hymnal for the Churches of Christ, Part i., 1880; and in August, 1886, the same completed, to tho extent of 1533 hymns, 450 of which are original and signed "H." The best known of these is "Shall we meet beyond the river," written in N. Y. city, 1858, and lately published as a leaflet in 14 stanzas of 8 lines. The text in Gospel Hymns and elsewhere consists of the 1st half of stanzas i., iv., xi. and ix. The Hastings Birthday Book, extracts from his prose writings, appeared 1886. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

W. McDonald

1820 - 1901 Person Name: WIlliam McDonald Hymnal Number: d23 Author of "I am trusting, Lord, in thee" in Glad Tidings in Song McDonald, Rev. William. (Belmont, Maine, March 1, 1820--September 11, 1901, Monrovia, California). Becoming a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1839 he was admitted to the Maine Conference in 1843, being transferred to that of Wisconsin in 1855 and of New England in 1859. For a number of years he was editor of the Advocate of Christian Holiness. In addition to being a writer of biographies and religious books, he compiled, or assisted in compiling, a number of song books of the gospel song type, among them being the Western Minstrel (1840), Wesleyan Minstrel (1853), Beulah Songs (1870), Tribute of Praise (1874). This last book was that which had been compiled by McDonald and L.F. Snow, and re-edited by Eben Tourjée, appeared in 1882 as the official hymnal of the Methodist Protestant Church. From 1870 he spent many years in evangelistic work before his retirement to Monrovia. Sources: Metcalf, Frank J., American Writers and Compilers of Sacred Music; Tillett, Wilbur F., Our Hymns and Their Authors; Nutter and Tillett, Hymns and Hymn Writers of the Church; McCutchan, Robert G., Our Hymnody; Benson, L.F., The English Hymn. --Robert G. McCutchan, DNAH Archives

Edward Payson Hammond

1831 - 1910 Hymnal Number: d11 Author of "Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, Come to Jesus just now" in Glad Tidings in Song Hammond, Edward Payson, was born at Ellington, Connecticut, Sep. 1, 1831. He edited Hymns of Prayer and Praise, and is the author of a few pieces in that and other evangelistic hymnals, including "Christian [Children] go and tell Jesus," and "I feel like singing all the time." --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907) ================ Born: September 1, 1831, Ellington, Connecticut. Died: August 14, 1910. Payson was converted when he heard Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed. He was educated at various American schools, and finished his theological education in Edinburgh, Scotland. In Scotland, he started to preach in places with no Christian activity, and he could see fruit of his work. At the end of 1861 he returned to America and preached in Chicago, Illinois, where he met Dwight Moody. In 1866 he and his wife traveled to Egypt, Palestine and Europe. While in Palestine, he wrote the hymn Gethsemane. He was very fond of preaching to the children, and was called "The Children’s Evangelist." His works include: Hymns of Prayer and Praise (editor) Jesus the Children’s Friend, 1864 New Praises of Jesus, 1869 The Armor Bearer: a Choice Collection of New and Popular Hymns and Music, with Warren Bentley (New York: William A. Pond, circa 1876) --hymntime.com/tch

John Burton

1773 - 1822 Hymnal Number: d20 Author of "Holy Bible, book divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine" in Glad Tidings in Song Burton, John, born 1773, in Nottingham, where he resided until 1813, when he removed to Leicester, at which town he died in 1822. He was a Baptist, a very earnest Sunday School teacher, and one of the compilers of the Nottingham Sunday School Union Hymn Book, 1812. This book reached the 20th edition in 1861. The 1st edition contains 43 hymns which have his signature. He is known almost exclusively by one hymn, "Holy Bible, book divine" (q.v.). He was also author of The Youth's Monitor, and other similar productions for the young. Robert Hall wrote a recommendatory preface to one of his works. [Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M. A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Charles J. Butler

Hymnal Number: d68 Author of "Old Jordan's waves I do not fear" in Glad Tidings in Song Charles J Butler USA 1860- Butler, a Methodist, speaks of a voyage he took from his home, Camden, NJ, as a bachelor, to Britain around 1894, stating he roamed around the British Isles for 14 months through Scotland, Ireland, Britain, and Paris, dealing with ship stewards, street urchins, and visiting famous sights. He wrote about his trip in 1901. He later resided in Philadephia and was a salesman and musician. He wrote “Heart Melodies #3” with Charles Bentley (1897). He is possibly the listed secretary of the YMCA in Philadelphia in 1920. John Perry

Edna Randolph Worrell

Person Name: Edna R. Worrell Hymnal Number: d1 Author of "It's just like His great love" in Glad Tidings in Song

DeWitt Clinton Huntington

1830 - 1912 Person Name: D. W. C. Huntington Hymnal Number: d56 Author of "Over there" in Glad Tidings in Song Rv DeWitt Clinton Huntington USA 1830-1912. Born at Townsend, VT, one of nine siblings, he attended Syracuse University, NY, and was ordained a Methodist Episcopal minister in 1853. He married Frances Harriett Davis in 1853, and they had three children: Charles, Thomas, and Horace. After her death in 1866, he married Mary Elizabeth Moore in 1868, and they had a daughter, Mary Frances. He pastored in Rochester, NY, (1861-71 & 1876-79), Syracuse, NY, (1873-76), Olean, NY, (1885-89), Bradford, PA, (1882-85 & 1889-91), and Lincoln, NE, (1891-96), where he became a Methodist District Superintendent of relief work. At his pastorate he also personally designed and oversaw construction of a brick sanctuary seating over 1100 people. A depression in 1893 caused him to forego salary for a number of months while pastoring. As things improved, he designed an addition to the church that was finally built two decades later. He was prevailed upon to serve as Chancellor of Nebraska Wesleyan University (1898-1908), at first without pay, and asked more than once to stay after desiring to retire. In 1908 he became Chancellor emeritus and assumed the role of professor of English Bible & Ethics. He also wrote several books, one titled, “Is the Lord among us?”. Another: “Half century messages to pastors and people”. Another: “A documentary history of religion in America since 1877”. He also served on the boards of the local telephone company and Windom Bank. He contracted pleura-pneumonia and died in Lincoln, NE. A Lincoln, NE, street is named for him, as is an elementary school. He was opposed to football, thinking it had no place in a proper Christian institution, but football was re-instituted at the college after his death. John Perry