Nelson Bradford
16th July 2007, 05:04 AM (05:04)
Carl H. Lowden was born in 1883 into a musical family.
His father played the trumpet; his mother played the organ. At age 12, he
had sold musical compositions; as a teen directed the church choir. As an
adult, he was an editor, taught music, and for 28 years music minister at
Linden Baptist Church, Camden, New Jersey.
Thomas Chisholm was born in 1866 Franklin, Kentucky. He was educated in a
small country school and with no more training than this, proved he had a
God-given talent. His resume': associate editor of a newspaper; editor of
the Louisville Pentecostal Herald; ordained Methodist minister; sold
insurance for 37 years and wrote over 1200 poems, with 800 published and
many set to music, such as "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "O To Be Like Thee!"
and "I Want To Be Like Jesus."
In 1915 Lowden wrote "The Sunshine Song" for a Children's Day service. It
gained wide popularity. Many pastors liked the tune, but told Carl it needed
words with more depth. Two years later he came across it in his files and
played it. As he thought about the pastors' suggestion, a new title came to
him from the tempo and rhythm. The idea of a consecration theme came at the
same time.
Thought and prayer led him to send a copy of the music and a title
suggestion to Chisholm. He asked him to write the text. Chisholm returned it
saying that he was a poet and had no idea how to fit words to a melody.
Lowden sent the material back and told him that he was following God's
leading and to give it a try. Thomas couldn't read music so his daughter
hummed the melody until, in a few weeks he finished writing the words.
The resulting hymn first appeared in a 1917 hymnal, Uplifting Songs. More
than a million copies in sheet form have been sold. It has been included in
hymnbooks of all denominations. That which began with a melody and words for
a children's program became the "national anthem" for service.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true.
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free-
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou in Thine atonement didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master--my heart shall be Thy throne:
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Verse 2
Living for Jesus, who died in my place.
Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Verse 3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His Holy Name,
Willing to suffer affliction or loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Verse 4
Living for Jesus thru earth's little while,
My dearest treasure the light of his smile,
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
- Thomas O. Chisolm, 1917
Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Co.
Commentary by J. D. Sherrow
His father played the trumpet; his mother played the organ. At age 12, he
had sold musical compositions; as a teen directed the church choir. As an
adult, he was an editor, taught music, and for 28 years music minister at
Linden Baptist Church, Camden, New Jersey.
Thomas Chisholm was born in 1866 Franklin, Kentucky. He was educated in a
small country school and with no more training than this, proved he had a
God-given talent. His resume': associate editor of a newspaper; editor of
the Louisville Pentecostal Herald; ordained Methodist minister; sold
insurance for 37 years and wrote over 1200 poems, with 800 published and
many set to music, such as "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "O To Be Like Thee!"
and "I Want To Be Like Jesus."
In 1915 Lowden wrote "The Sunshine Song" for a Children's Day service. It
gained wide popularity. Many pastors liked the tune, but told Carl it needed
words with more depth. Two years later he came across it in his files and
played it. As he thought about the pastors' suggestion, a new title came to
him from the tempo and rhythm. The idea of a consecration theme came at the
same time.
Thought and prayer led him to send a copy of the music and a title
suggestion to Chisholm. He asked him to write the text. Chisholm returned it
saying that he was a poet and had no idea how to fit words to a melody.
Lowden sent the material back and told him that he was following God's
leading and to give it a try. Thomas couldn't read music so his daughter
hummed the melody until, in a few weeks he finished writing the words.
The resulting hymn first appeared in a 1917 hymnal, Uplifting Songs. More
than a million copies in sheet form have been sold. It has been included in
hymnbooks of all denominations. That which began with a melody and words for
a children's program became the "national anthem" for service.
Living for Jesus, a life that is true.
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free-
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou in Thine atonement didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master--my heart shall be Thy throne:
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Verse 2
Living for Jesus, who died in my place.
Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Verse 3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His Holy Name,
Willing to suffer affliction or loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Verse 4
Living for Jesus thru earth's little while,
My dearest treasure the light of his smile,
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
- Thomas O. Chisolm, 1917
Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Co.
Commentary by J. D. Sherrow