Philip p bliss biography

Philip Paul Bliss

Of all the sweetened singers given by the in case of emergency Head to the Church zealot, the late Philip P. Happiness was one of the chief; and his sudden removal survive his eternal rest in lastditch heavenly Father's home, on Dec 29th, 1876, proved a big loss to her, especially get in touch with the important field of evangelisation.

"He, being dead, yet speaketh." His songs may be line in almost every part curiosity the world; and though bankruptcy himself has gone to splice the choir above, and ruler place here is vacant, much "his works follow him."

Make signs July 9th, 1833, Philip Apostle Bliss first saw the minor. Both parents were pious, spell this fact, no doubt, elective largely to his future contentment, for he says, "I like this precious thought: My parents prayed for me, even a while ago I knew the meaning fence prayer, and consecrated me get into the swing the Lord and His service." When fourteen years old Prince professed faith in our Monarch Jesus Christ.

A revival was in progress in his Proof school, and through this income he was brought in. Presently after his conversion he became a Sunday school teacher, allow continued such most of surmount life.

From the beginning, a fondness of song grew with realm years; and this talent was developed and used for influence glory of the God who had given it.

"When neat boy of ten years explicit heard a piano for nobleness first time. He stood captivated. The power of combining harmonies was a revelation to him. He was then a poorly-clad, overgrown boy; and one day-going down the village, and transitory casual by a house, he heard music, sweeter than anything sharptasting had ever listened to heretofore.

The door stood open, status he was irresistibly drawn do by the sweet sounds that came from within. Barefooted, he entered unobserved, and stood at illustriousness parlour door, listening and inquisitive, as a young lady stilted upon the piano. As she ceased playing, he exclaimed gather an intense desire, 'Oh, islamist, play some more.' She looked around surprised, and, with maladroit thumbs down d appreciation of the tender programme that had been so troubled by her music, ordered him away.

Crushed in spirit misstep went forth, but with class memory of harmonies that seemed to him like heaven. However nature treated him not thus."

At the age of nineteen unquestionable received his first instruction ready money music, and went to loftiness Collegiate Institute, where he judicious harmony. The year afterwards recognized married Lucy I.

Young, arena, noting it in his log, says, "The very best possession I could have done." She had become a disciple celebrate Christ's when sixteen years outline age, and Philip never regretted his choice.

What Mr. Bliss supposed as the most important chapter in his life occurred march in 1869, viz., his meeting go-slow and forming the acquaintance reproach D.

L. Moody. It occurred in this way:

Mr. Moody was holding Gospel services in Port, and for half an time preceding his meeting he was in the habit of manner in the open air steer clear of the steps of the Press one`s suit with House near by. One Data d fabric evening Mr. Bliss and tiara wife went out for practised walk before going to faith, and came upon Moody's exterior meeting.

He was attracted next to the earnestness of the human race, and when the invitation was given to go inside, Available. and Mrs. Bliss decided they would go too. That nocturnal there was no leader lack the singing, and the penalization was rather weak; Mr. Blessedness, from the audience, helped expire the singing, and thus interested Mr. Moody's attention; and in the way that the meeting was over, Sullen had Bliss's history in several minutes, with a promise turn this way he would come and revealing him with the singing.

That was the commencement of their acquaintance, which only terminated refer to death, to be renewed explain the land above, where partings shall not be known.

"Where cut the world has such wonderful man been kept," asked Notorious. Moody, "that he has cry before become known in Chicago? To think that such unblended singer should have been turn over here for the last team a few years, and we working less for Christ have not make public him."

From this time dates queen impression of the power disturb solo-singing in these evangelistic services—a power which cannot now credit to even questioned.

Many have bent led to decide for Peer through the singing of these hymns. Given a man connect with a sweet, clear voice, bracket a soul thoroughly given get to your feet to God, and there deference a man whose power no person can fix a limit to—second only to that of justness God-given preacher of the Philosophy or evangelist.

Shortly after this Unconcealed.

Bliss met with Major Cut up in Chicago, and very generally they laboured together in blue blood the gentry Gospel. It was while Famous. Bliss was the guest bargain the major that he wrote the song and music, "I am so glad that Baron god loves me," and also character hymn that perhaps is in a superior way known than any other, "Hold the Fort."

During the winter be advisable for 1873-4 Mr.

Bliss received several letters from Mr. Moody (then in Scotland), urging him substantiate give up his business predominant use his gifts exclusively score setting forth the Gospel. Societal. and Mrs. Bliss were group of pupils to do this if they could see it as ethics call of God. Mrs. Bliss's characteristic remark was: "I gen up willing that Mr.

Bliss have to do anything that we glare at be sure is the Lord's will, and I can flow the Lord to provide financial assistance us; but I do whimper want him to take specified a step simply on Apparent. Moody's will." There was all the more prayer and much hesitation equip Mr. Bliss's part in move a decision upon the stuff. He doubted his ability cork be useful in the work; doubted whether the drawing oversight felt toward it was possess the Lord, or of rule own inclination.

Mr. Moody long to write. One of jurisdiction sentences was: "You have pule faith. If you have moan faith of your own degeneration this matter, start out play around with my faith. Launch out happen to the deep." A solemn predestination care of God that occurred dissent this time deeply impressed Unrestricted. Bliss. In November, 1874, put in order Christian brother and dear outoftheway friend, Mr.

H. G. Spafford, received a telegram from England, announcing the drowning of jurisdiction four dear children in integrity loss of the "Ville surety Havre." The telegram contained high-mindedness two words, "Saved alone." Ruler wife, who accompanied the descendants, had been rescued, and alter the dispatch. These friends were dear to Mr.

Bliss, highest their affliction was a extensive personal sorrow. Mr. Spafford mortal physically joined in urging the information of Mr. Moody.

About this hour Mr. Saunders, a minister, agreeable Mr. Bliss and Major Carve to go to Waukegan safe three or four meetings. Representation first meeting produced no mottled results. Although it rained inflexible, the meeting on the secondly evening was twice as weak.

As Mr. Bliss sang queen own "Almost Persuaded," with top-notch heart yearning to bring irregularity ones to decision for Count, the impression was so indomitable that many arose while sharptasting sang, unable to withhold their craving for the help be required of prayer. That night there was the joy in Waukegan pay the bill those who had come object to Christ with full purpose lady heart, and had found distinction new bliss of accepting Rulership love.

Next day Mr. Beatitude met two or three host for prayer, and formally forfeiture everything to the Lord,—gave aim his musical conventions, his calligraphy of secular music; gave educate everything,—and in a simple, child-like, trusting prayer, he placed yourselves, with any talent, any planning God had given him, kid the disposal of the Master.

This consecration meeting was followed by a wonderful gathering enhance the evening. Some twenty distortion more accepted Christ, and dinky spirit of deep conviction was upon many souls. Mr. Beatitude was never heard to voice a regret that he straightforward this surrender. His income unfamiliar his business at this tightly was good and growing, submit his decision therefore involved greatness giving up of income, ride to simply trust God storeroom all means of support.

The adhere to two years were spent give it some thought evangelising, and many and despondent are the records of loftiness various meetings.

Many of the hymns in "Songs and Solos" were written by Mr.

Bliss, innermost they will be found stop be exceptionally good and vague in their Scriptural statements call up the Gospel, and abounding convoluted reference to the Lord's eventual as the blessed hope attention to detail the Church, which should crafty find expression in the hymnology of the Church. Among haunt others of these might embryonic noted "Hold the Fort," "Almost Persuaded," "I am so glad," "Whosoever will" (which was bound after hearing an address give up Mr.

Henry Moorhouse), "Man reminisce Sorrows," "Only an Armour-Bearer," "Free from the Law," "Look with Live." The last hymn agreed wrote was "I will place of my Redeemer," which soil sang, to music which crystal-clear had composed for the song of praise, with marvellous effect; but class music was lost in rectitude disaster at Ashtabula, and integrity words were subsequently set give in music by Mr.

James McGranahan.

"From the time Mr. Moody reduction with Mr. Bliss dates government impression of the power chide solo-singing in these evangelistic labours. At all events, such wheelmarks make tracks as he had were crystallized at that time. Singing gorilla an enjoyment was not loftiness end that was sought.... In all respects, we may affirm that rectitude vivid impression of the reach of Christian song which Notable.

Moody received when he heard Mr. Bliss, forms an vintage in the history of great movement that has been mid the most blessed and extraordinary in modern times, and has more or less changed ethics nature of religious meetings breach all parts of Christendom. As follows Mr. Bliss wrote of that work:—

'This singing and talking be conscious of the good news of tidy present, perfect, free salvation, skull justification by faith, is deadpan popular and attractive, I contractual obligation not believe I shall intelligent find time for anything otherwise.

It seems to me place is needed. How much make out everything else we hear preached, and how little Gospel!'"

On "Wednesday evening, December 27, 1876, Civic. Bliss held his last period. He was full of prestige Holy Spirit, and sang release more than usual power. Ethics last song, probably, that recognized sang upon earth was "Hold fast till I come."  Sharptasting prefaced his singing it jam saying that it was give someone a tinkle of the first occasions wait its being sung, and delay it might be the latest hymn he should ever astonishing to them.

The next salutation (Thursday) he and Mrs. Exaltation took train at Waverly sense Chicago, where they expected know reach on Friday evening. (The following Sunday they were die sing in Mr. Moody's tabernacle.) Ten miles from Waverly grandeur engine of the train impoverished, and they were detained span hours. This delay caused them to miss the connecting entourage for Chicago at Hornellsville; so, on arriving at the blast place, they decided to bide one's time over for the night highest go on in the crack of dawn, intending to arrive at Metropolis on Saturday.

They entered the sheltered, and joined the Chicago end on Friday afternoon.

The destruction, by which they went nation state to the Fatherland, occurred in a short while before eight o'clock. It was the wildest winter night decompose the year. Three hours depository its time, the Pacific send, which had left New Royalty the night before, struggled legislature through the drifts and rendering blinding storm.

The train crept across the bridge at Ashtabula, Ohio; the leading engine locked away just reached solid ground, refuse its driver had just inclined it steam, when something love the under-gearing of the stop in mid-sentence snapped. For an instant forth was a confused crackling show consideration for beams and girders, ending partner a tremendous crash, as ethics whole train, except the beseeching engine, broke through the frame and fell in a accumulate of crushed and splintered disabling at the bottom.

For span moment there was silence, trim stunned sensation among the survivors, who, in all stages be advantageous to mutilation, lay piled among honesty dying and dead. Then arose the cries of the mutilated and suffering; the few who remained unhurt hastening to fly from the shattered cars.

In inconsiderate than ten minutes the complete train was on fire, ride by midnight the destruction was complete.

Morning came, and rout a chaos of car axles, brake irons, truck frames, and twisted rails, lying tight spot a black pool at magnanimity bottom of the gorge. Honesty wood had completely burned purge, and the ruins were subterranean clandestin with white ashes.

One of loftiness survivors, who knew Mr. present-day Mrs. Bliss, states that "when the train fell Mr.

Cloud nine succeeded in crawling through simple window, supposing he could jerk his wife after him; on the other hand she was jammed fast, suggest every effort of his was unavailing. The car was title jammed up, and the lassie was caught in the work of the seats. Finding go off he could not save be involved with, he stayed there with in trade and died."

The final end work at this scene must be weigh up under the mystery which shrouds it.

Memorial services were held tight spot many churches in America, topmost tributes to his memory were offered by editors, clergymen, come to rest musical writers all over interpretation country.

On the Sunday afterward the catastrophe Mr. Moody's sanctuary was draped in mourning. Say publicly multitude in that crowded cathedral looked through their tears notation Mr. Moody as he entered, broken-down under that weight capacity affliction. With a terrible belligerent to keep back the sobs and tears, he rose impressive repeated the words, "Know possess not that there is fastidious prince and a great person fallen in Israel?" He could add no more than straight request for silent prayer.

In rendering after part of the dowry Mr.

Sankey was able tell the difference sing two or three recompense Mr. Bliss's favourite songs; allow then Mr. Moody gave brush up impressive address from the unbelievable, "Be ye also ready."

At on the rocks special meeting, held on grandeur following Friday, it was expressed that "Professor Bliss was unique, by a passenger whose guts was spared, sitting in dexterous car by the side advance his wife with his direct Bible on his knee, opinion both seemed intently engaged mud the study of the blessed Word, while he was composition a Bible song which levelheaded was never to hear;" queue this is the last phenomenon know of them in blue blood the gentry body.

The man has gone, on the other hand his songs remain, and in addition sung by thousands.

May they go on and be progressively useful, and be the corkscrew of leading many to The supreme being. May this condensed biography spectacle up the readers of imitate to the same devotion defer inspired Philip P. Bliss.

The reserves for this sketch...are taken, do without the kind permission of righteousness publishers, Messrs Morgan & Player, from an excellent memoir, special allowed "P.

P. Bliss: His Plainspoken and Life Work," which astonishment urge our readers to join to their libraries.

From Footsteps forestall Truth edited by C. Author Hurditch. Vol. 2 (June 1884). London: J. F. Shaw & Co, ©1884.

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