Nelson Bradford
7th February 2007, 06:03 AM (06:03)
Today's story is interesting on its own. However, you have to be a
long-time Nazarene for this story to have its fullest impact.
Byron Carmony is a name known to us old-timers. He was born in southern
Indiana in 1916. When he was four years old, he became very ill and an old
country doctor diagnosed meningitis.inflammation of the brain tissue. The
doctor didn't think he would live and if he did there was a strong
possibility that brain damage would limit normal development.
His parents did not take the doctor's word as final. They gathered family
and friends to lay hands on Byron and pray for his healing. God answered
their prayer and he gradually regained his health.
In March, 1930, his church was in revival. Because of severe winter weather
attendance was sparse. At 13 years of age, Byron was the only convert. He
began serving the Lord with his talents. At 17 he was Sunday School
Superintendent. He began attending Olivet Nazarene College in 1935 and was
asked to play piano for chapel services even though he had never taken a
piano lesson! He couldn't even read music until his junior year.
Olivet students and alumni still sing to this day, "Alma Mater, Olivet",
which he wrote before graduating in 1941. He went on to pastor for nearly
40 years and continued to write songs. His 1958 cantata, "Mine Is A Risen
Savior" was performed by 1000 choirs in one year alone. The widely sung,
"He Became Poor" was from that cantata.
He sent today's song to Haldor Lillenas for possible publication and was
rejected. His father paid to have sheet music printed and Byron used it
when he traveled with his college quartet. It became so popular that within
10 years Lillenas wrote and asked if he would sell it to Lillenas Publishing
Company!
It is one of my all-time favorites and get this.he wrote it when he was 13
YEARS OLD!!
- John Yeatts
I wandered o'er life's stormy road,
No hope in sight for me.
My eyes were blinded by my tears;
I could no shelter see.
Refrain:
Then I met Jesus, wonderful Friend!
He loved and saved me, love without end -
Now I am walking close by His side.
Storms may surround me; in Him I hide.
Verse 2
I tried the things that seemed a joy;
They did not satisfy
So burdened was my heart with sin,
"O save me!" was my cry.
Verse 3
I needed one to share my cares,
To lead when dark the way;
I prayed for one to take my hand
And guide me every day.
- Byron M Carmony, 1936
Copyright © 1936. Renewed 1964 by Lillenas Publishing Co.
long-time Nazarene for this story to have its fullest impact.
Byron Carmony is a name known to us old-timers. He was born in southern
Indiana in 1916. When he was four years old, he became very ill and an old
country doctor diagnosed meningitis.inflammation of the brain tissue. The
doctor didn't think he would live and if he did there was a strong
possibility that brain damage would limit normal development.
His parents did not take the doctor's word as final. They gathered family
and friends to lay hands on Byron and pray for his healing. God answered
their prayer and he gradually regained his health.
In March, 1930, his church was in revival. Because of severe winter weather
attendance was sparse. At 13 years of age, Byron was the only convert. He
began serving the Lord with his talents. At 17 he was Sunday School
Superintendent. He began attending Olivet Nazarene College in 1935 and was
asked to play piano for chapel services even though he had never taken a
piano lesson! He couldn't even read music until his junior year.
Olivet students and alumni still sing to this day, "Alma Mater, Olivet",
which he wrote before graduating in 1941. He went on to pastor for nearly
40 years and continued to write songs. His 1958 cantata, "Mine Is A Risen
Savior" was performed by 1000 choirs in one year alone. The widely sung,
"He Became Poor" was from that cantata.
He sent today's song to Haldor Lillenas for possible publication and was
rejected. His father paid to have sheet music printed and Byron used it
when he traveled with his college quartet. It became so popular that within
10 years Lillenas wrote and asked if he would sell it to Lillenas Publishing
Company!
It is one of my all-time favorites and get this.he wrote it when he was 13
YEARS OLD!!
- John Yeatts
I wandered o'er life's stormy road,
No hope in sight for me.
My eyes were blinded by my tears;
I could no shelter see.
Refrain:
Then I met Jesus, wonderful Friend!
He loved and saved me, love without end -
Now I am walking close by His side.
Storms may surround me; in Him I hide.
Verse 2
I tried the things that seemed a joy;
They did not satisfy
So burdened was my heart with sin,
"O save me!" was my cry.
Verse 3
I needed one to share my cares,
To lead when dark the way;
I prayed for one to take my hand
And guide me every day.
- Byron M Carmony, 1936
Copyright © 1936. Renewed 1964 by Lillenas Publishing Co.