Room at the Cross for You

 

Ira F. Stanphill, writer of this hymn, traveled by covered wagon as a child from Arkansas to New Mexico, then later moved to Oklahoma and Kansas. He was born on February 14, 1914, in New Mexico. His parents were musical people and always active in church work.

The family settled in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he received his high school and college education. He was converted to Christ at the age of 12 and was called to the Christian ministry, while attending the Assembly of God church. At age 15 he became host of a radio program.

Even though he had only a year of piano instruction, Ira’s natural musical ability soon made him proficient in piano, organ, ukelele, and the accordion.

At 17 he wrote his first gospel song and traveled for several years with evangelists. Stanphill began preaching at 22 in revival meetings and later served pastorates in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

One of his unique practices during a meeting was to produce a new gospel song from suggested titles received from the audience. This one was penned in 1945, as a result of such a suggestion given to him on a Sunday morning. While he did not write the song during the sermon, he returned home that afternoon and when he cleaned out the scraps of paper from his pocket, he became impressed with this title, quickly writing both words and music.

Stanphill said that he wrote gospel songs because he loves God and God loves him; that most of his songs were the outgrowth of real experiences, and that he thought that they appealed to people because he also had trials, heartaches, and sorrows, so he knew what he wrote about. 

Stanhill retired in 1979 and became active in an itinerant music ministry.  A few of his titles that are familiar and still performed today include “Suppertime,” “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” “I Walk with His Hand in Mine,” and “We’ll Talk It Over.” His death occurred less than two months shy of his eightieth birthday in Overland Park, Kansas, on December 30, 1993. 

The hymn focuses our attention on the blessings of the cross. Stanza one points out that the cross brings to mankind the grace of God by which we can be saved. Stanza two points out that the cross brings us into friendship with Jesus by which He welcomes us. Stanza three points out that the cross brings us the love of Christ by which He cleanses us. The chorus lets us know that regardless of how many come to the cross, there is always room for all who wish to be saved.

The message of God’s great love displayed at Calvary is designed to move the lost to obey and receive salvation.  Christians should resolve to invite needy sinners to come, reminding them that there’s room at the cross for you.

“Room at the Cross for You” was used as the closing theme of the national broadcast Revival Time for many years. Only eternity will reveal the number who have been directed to Christ through this one gospel hymn that reminds us that there is always room at the cross for one more sinner.

Verse One

“The cross upon which Jesus died,

Is a shelter in which we can hide;

And its grace so free is sufficient for me,

And deep is its fountain as wide as the sea.”

 Psalm 143:9

“Rescue me from my enemies, Lord, for I hide myself in you.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: The Hebrew is, “I hide myself with Thee”; that is, I take refuge with Thee; I put myself under Thy protection; I make myself thus secure, as Thou art secure.

Studylight.org, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: David, upon perceiving the imminent danger to which he was exposed, betook himself to the covert of God’s shadow, and concealed himself under the protection of it. This seems a very natural rendering . . . that David, instead of having recourse to various quarters for relief, was satisfied to have God cognizant of his case, and called upon Him in a hidden manner and apart.

Studylight.org, Dr. Constables Expository Notes: David wanted guidance from God . . . deliverance from his enemies . . . teaching from God’s Spirit who would provide safe direction . . . and restoration from the attacks of his enemies. Each of these petitions also contains some reference to trust in God . . . Even when God’s people sin, they can appeal to the Lord for help and restoration on the basis of His faithfulness and righteousness. This psalm beautifully combines humble requests and appreciation for God’s character.

Verse Two

“Tho millions have found Him a friend,

And have turned from the sins they have sinned,

The Savior still waits to open the gates,

And welcomes a sinner before it’s too late.”

 

John 15:14

“You are my friends if you do what I command.”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: “Friend” is a relative term such as “abiding” or “fellowship.” A person can be a casual friend, a close friend, or an intimate friend depending on his or her love and loyalty. Likewise, all believers are God’s friends in one sense, but abiding believers are His friends on a deeper level because they seek to obey Him consistently . . . What is the difference between a servant of God and an intimate friend of God? Jesus proved to His disciples that they were His friends as well as His servants but pointing out that a master shares His plans with His friends but not with His slaves.

Psalm 118:20

“This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.”

Blueletterbible.com, Matthew Henry: The psalmist desires admission into the sanctuary of God, there to celebrate the glory of Him that cometh in the name of the Lord: Open to me the gates of righteousness . . . those that would enter into communion with God in holy ordinances must become humble suitors to God for admission. And when the gates of righteousness are opened to us, we must go into them, must enter into the holiest and praise the Lord. Our business within God’s gates is to praise God; therefore we should long till the gates of heaven be opened to us, that we may go into them to dwell in God’s house above, where we shall be still praising Him. 

Verse Three

“The hand of my Savior is strong,

And the love of my Savior is long;

Through sunshine or rain, through loss or in gain,

The blood flows from Calvary to cleanse every stain.”

 1 Peter 5:6

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Poole’s Commentary: The mighty hand of God means God’s omnipotence, which sometimes is called a strong hand, a mighty hand, the right hand of power, by which He is able to beat down those that are proud and high, and to defend or exalt those that are humble and lowly.

Jeremiah 31:3

“The Lord appeared to us [Israel] in the past saying: “[Yes] I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: God assured Israel of this by starting with “Yes” . . . the love it describes is God’s love for every believer. “You must go back beyond your birth, beyond Calvary and Bethlehem, beyond the fall of man and the Garden of Eden, and as you stand looking out into the immensity of eternity, dare to believe that you were loved and chosen in Christ, the object of God’s most tender solicitude and pity.” (Meyer)

Refrain

“There’s room at the cross for you,

There’s room at the cross for you,

Tho millions have come, There’s still room for one,

Yes, there’s room at the cross for you.”

John 14:2

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Studylight.org, Dr. Constable’s Expository Notes: There are many dwelling places, meaning “to abide” or “remain” in heaven. . . The picture that Jesus painted of heaven is a huge building with many rooms or suites of rooms in which people reside. The emphasis is not on the lavishness of the facility as much as its adequacy to accommodate all believers.

“There’s Room at the Cross for You” continues to live on and change lives. In the book, “Stories Behind 50 Southern Gospel Favorites” by Lindsay Terry, a story is told of Willard Cantelon, an evangelist, and Al Garr, his song leader. They were holding a crusade when a young man, lost in depression and having decided to end it all with suicide, walked by during the service on his way to a nearby bridge to take his life. He heard Garr singing “There’s Room at the Cross for You” and was so gripped by the message that he stopped and walked inside. His life was forever changed, and he gave his life to God. The man would later become an evangelist in his own right.

 

I am indebted to the following resources:

101 More Hymn Stories, Kenneth W. Osbeck

En.wikipedia.org

Dianaleaghmatthews.com

Collegeoftheopenbible.com

Hymmstudiesblog.wordpress.com

Amazing Grace, Kenneth W. Osbeck

By His Grace . . .

Majesty

 

There are many attributes of the Lord that should prompt our response of adoration and worship: His holiness, His power, His love, His mercy, His grace. This hymn reminds us that Christ’s dominion over principalities, His power, and His absolute majesty in heaven are for the benefit of all who trust and follow Him here and now.

This is a popular contemporary song by Jack Hayford. Most of us can remember hearing and singing it in earlier years.  It was written in 1977 on a trip to Great Britain.

Hayford and his wife, Anna, traveled through the land of Great Britain from the south country and Wales to the northern parts of Scotland. It was the year of Queen Elizabeth’s 25th anniversary of her coronation. Symbols of royalty were abundantly present.

Hayford left this account of the writing of the hymn: “In 1977 while traveling in Great Britain I developed interest in the actions and symbols of the royal family, relating them to Christ and His kingdom . . . I was completely caught up in the emotion of the occasion.

“As I walked among the people, I sensed a feeling of grandeur and nobility. And yet, as I looked about, I sensed that even though individuals are greatly used in the course of man's existence on this earth, there is a greater power, the one who is the Author of our destiny.

“I sensed the deep appreciation in the hearts of the people for their leaders who stood with them in dark hours. As I observed those things there came to my mind a feeling that Christ wants His church to have such a sense of loyalty and fellowship, because He must be our guide in good times and bad.

“One word seemed to continually charge to the forefront: MAJESTY! Yet, the things I saw seemed but a paltry reminder of the royal legacy we enjoy as we worship the majesty of our Risen Lord.”

“Majesty” describes the Kingly and Gloriously regal nature of our Savior. It is a statement of the fact that our worship, when begotten in spirit and in truth, can align us with His throne in such a way that His Kingdom authority flows to us—to overflow us, to free us and channel through us. We are rescued from death, restored to the inheritance of sons and daughters, qualified for victory in battle, against the adversary, and destined for the Throne forever in His presence.

We need to cultivate a sense of the Majestic Presence of God. He is a close Friend, but He is also the Majestic, Holy Awesome God of the universe and we need constant reminding not to take His Royal Presence lightly. In this short song we are called to recognize His Majesty and then ascribe the Glory due His name.”

Jack William Hayford was born in Los Angeles in 1934, the eldest child of Jack Hayford Sr. and Dolores Farnsworth Hayford. His parents were not Christians and didn’t turn to prayer when infant Jack developed a condition in the tendons of his neck that could have been fatal.

A Farnsworth cousin, however, walked into a Foursquare church in Long Beach, California, knowing the Pentecostal denomination founded by Aimee Semple McPherson believed in miracles and that one of the four “squares” of the gospel that the church taught was healing. The cousin gave the church a note with Hayford’s name and diagnosis and asked the people there to pray. They said they would.

“The next day, my parents began to notice that things had changed,” Hayford said, sharing his testimony 80 years later. “Within the next few days, the doctor said, ‘This baby is well. There is nothing wrong with him.’

“Not only did the doctor declare me well, he refused to take the money from my parents for the few payments he was going to charge, because, he said, ‘I had nothing to do with the healing of this baby.  This has to have been something God did.’

“Hayford’s parents praised God for the healing. A year later, they went to the same church and went forward to accept Jesus as the congregation sang, ‘Whoever Will May Come.’”

Hayford grew up in the Foursquare Pentecostal tradition, attending L.I.F.E. Bible College (now Life Pacific College), graduating in 1956 and completing his studies at Azusa Pacific University in 1970.

In 1969 Hayford became pastor of the First Foursquare Church of Van Nuys, California, which was then a struggling, aging congregation with only 20 members. He was also dean of students at L.I.F.E. and agreed to lead the congregation on a temporary basis for six months.

But after receiving a call to a much larger congregation, he decided to stay with the smaller church in Van Nuys. By 1980 it had been renamed “The Church on the Way” and membership was over 3,500.

Hayford retired as pastor in 1999. He was a prolific writer with at least 55 books. He’s received numerous awards as a pastor and author, and has received honorary doctorates from Oral Roberts University, California Graduate School of Theology and Life Pacific College. Hayford died at the age of 88 in 2023.

“Majesty, worship His Majesty,

Unto Jesus, be all glory, honor and praise!

Majesty, Kingdom authority, flows from His throne,

Unto His own, His anthem raise.

So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus the King.

Majesty, worship His Majesty,

Jesus who died, now glorified,

King of all kings."

Psalm 93:1

“The Lord reigns, He is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength; indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.”

Blueletterbible.com, David Guzik: This psalm was written in all likelihood after some deliverance Jehovah wrought for His people, but through the open window the singer, consciously or unconsciously, saw the far distance light of another day in which the Kingdom of God will be set up in His might, and the song of an established order shall be the anthem of His praise . . . God is adorned with the garments fitting His sovereignty; He is clothed with majesty and strength . . . Majesty has to do with dignity, authority of sovereign power, stateliness, and grandeur. God’s strength and majesty are not only displayed by His person, but also by what He does. In his strength, majesty, and genius, God has constructed a world that is firmly established and cannot be moved – unless He moves it.

Hebrews 1:3

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: The “radiance” of His glory in the Greek refers to the “shining or beaming forth of the glory, the display of it to the world.” Jesus, being the radiance of God’s glory, means He is a manifestation of the glory of God. He reflects the majesty of God; He perfectly reflects God’s “glory” meaning God’s “magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace.” He reflects majesty in the sense of the absolute perfection of the deity . . . Jesus makes the invisible God visible.

2 Peter 1:16

“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

Studylight.org, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: The “we” here refers to Peter, James and John, the three apostles with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration . . . Peter’s mention of the transfiguration in this context shows that he regarded it as “an event foreshadowing the power and majesty of the second advent and which could be regarded as a pledge of the glory to be revealed at the second coming.”

Micah 5:4

“He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: As John says, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only-Begotten of His Father”; and He saith, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth”; so that the divine glory should shine through the majesty of His teaching, the power of His Grace, upholding His own, and the splendor of the miracles wrought by Him and in His Name.

Isaiah 24:14

“They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.”

Studylight.org, Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible: The great devotion of this remnant [Israel]   . . . they shall lift up their voice; they shall sing for joy in their deliverance . . . Those that rejoice in the Lord can rejoice in tribulation, and by faith may be in triumph when all about are in tears. They shall sing to the glory and praise of God, shall sing not only for the mercy but for the majesty of the Lord . . . The majesty of the Lord, which is a matter of terror to wicked people, furnishes the saints with songs of praise . . . it is much for the honor of God if those who fear Him rejoice in Him, and praise Him, even in the most melancholy times.

Sing it with a full heart, filled with happiness and joy!

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Amazing Grace, by Kenneth W. Osbeck

Umcdiscipleship.org

Staugustine.com, Staff Writer

Wordandwork.org

Blueletterbible.orghristianitytoday.com

By His Grace . . .

The Little Brown Church in the Vale

 

Inspiration can strike anywhere, even during a stagecoach stop to change the horses. That’s what happened to William S. Pitts in 1857 traveling to see his soon-to-be bride.

The town was old Bradford, Iowa. Taking a walk while waiting for the stagecoach, Pitts came upon an empty lot surrounded by wildwoods and the Cedar River. He thought it would be a nice spot for a church.

When he was back home in Wisconsin, he penned a poem and put the manuscript away. He later set it to music and then forgot about the song. He called it, “The Church in the Wildwood.”

In the years of 1859 and 1860 the good people of Bradford were determined to build a church. Pitts returned to the area with his wife, Ann Eliza Warren, in 1862 and there discovered a church being erected where he had imagined it to be. The land had been donated by the family that owned it.

By the early winter of 1864 the building was ready for dedication. The church was painted brown because that was the cheapest paint to be found.

Pitts was holding a singing school nearby at Bradford Academy, and the class went there one evening. Pitts had them sing his song at the dedication of the new church. There were no seats, so rude seats were improvised. His song had never been sung before by anyone but himself.

Soon afterwards Pitts took the manuscript to Chicago, where it was published, and the hymn became known as, “The Little Brown Church in the Vale.”

William S Pitts was an American physician and composer, born in New York in the 1830. His parents were descended from New England Puritans of English and Scottish ancestry. Pitts was the eighth of nine children and had musical ability from an early age, taking formal music lessons from a graduate of the Boston Handel and Haydn Society.

At age nineteen Pitts traveled with his family to Wisconsin where he worked as a rural schoolteacher. He then moved to Chicago to enroll in Rush Medical College. To pay his enrollment fees, he sold the rights to the song to a music publisher for $25. He completed medical school, graduating in 1868, and practiced medicine in Fredericksburg until 1906.

Pitts joined Fredericksburg Baptist Church in 1871.  His first wife died in 1886, and Pitts remarried to Mrs. M.A. Grannis in 1887, and they moved to Clarion, Iowa in 1906.

His second wife died in 1909, and Pitts moved to Brooklyn, New York, to be with his son, William Stanley Bates. Pitts died in Brooklyn in 1918, and was buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Fredericksburg, Iowa.

The little brown church was open until 1888, and then closed due to an economic downturn in the town. The Society for the Preservation of The Little Brown Church was founded. By 1914, services were again held in the church. Shortly afterward, the small congregation experienced a revival that attracted new attention to it and the song.

The church has become a popular tourist spot and remains so today. It attracts thousands of visitors every year to see The Little Brown Church in the Vale. There have now been over 74,000 weddings performed there through the years.

Verse One

“There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood,

No lovelier spot in the dale;

No place is so dear to my childhood,

As the little brown church in the vale.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Studylight.org, Bridgeway Bible Commentary: From childhood he has been guided by the Scriptures, and his faith in those Scriptures gives him assurance in his salvation. He must maintain this confidence, knowing that the Scriptures are divinely given and that they are God’s means of instructing people in right belief and right living. Those who are well instructed in the Scriptures will always be ready when an opportunity arises to do good.

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: It is a maxim with the Jews, that when a child was five years of age, it was proper to teach him the Scriptures. Timothy’s mother being a Jewess, trained him up early in the knowledge of these writings, with which he became very conversant, and under divine influence and assistance, arrived at a large understanding of them.

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: It was as if Paul wrote this: “Timothy, you learned these things. Right now you firmly believe them. Now, you have to continue in the things which you have learned. The important thing is to abide in them, to continue in them, to never let them go.”

Verse Two

“How sweet on a clear, Sabbath morning,

To list to the clear ringing bell;

Its tones so sweetly are calling,

Oh, come to the church in the vale.”

Psalm 143:8

"Let the morning bring me a word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life.”

Studylight.org, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible: Early, speedily; with the first rays of the morning. Let it be, as it were, the first thing in the day; the first thing that is done. The idea is not that he would wait for another day, but that he would interpose as the very first act – as when one enters on a day.

Psalm 33:2

“Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.”

Biblestudytools.com, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Religious songs are the proper expressions of thankful praise . . . the best you have,  not that which by frequent use is worn, thread-bare, but that which being new, is most likely to move the affections, a new song for new mercies and upon every new occasion, for those compassions which are new every morning.”

Verse Three

“There, close by the church in the valley,

Lies one that I love so well;

She sleeps, sweetly sleeps, ‘neath the willow,

Disturb not her rest in the vale.”

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Here is comfort for the relations and friends of those who die in the Lord. Grief for the death of friends is lawful; we may weep for our own loss, though it may be their gain. Christianity does not forbid, and grace does not do away, our natural affections. Yet we must not be excessive in our sorrows; this is too much like those who have no hope of a better life. Death is an unknown thing, and we know little about the state after death; yet the doctrines of the resurrection and the second coming of Christ, are a remedy against the fear of death, and undue sorrow for the death of our Christian friends; and of these doctrines we have full assurance. It will be some happiness that all the saints shall meet and remain together for ever; but the principal happiness of heaven is to be with the Lord, to see Him, live with Him, and enjoy Him forever.

Verse Four

“There, close by the side of that loved one,

To trees where the wildflowers bloom.

When the farewell hymn shall be chanted,

I shall rest by her side in the tomb.”

Psalm 62:8

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.”

Ryan Owens, on Oldtimemusic.com tells it this way: The Little Brown Church in the Vale is not just a physical location; it represents a spiritual sanctuary where all are welcome, regardless of their backgrounds, struggles, or past mistakes. The hymn’s universal message of love and acceptance resonates with listeners, reminding them of the power of faith to unite and uplift even in the most challenging times . . . it represents a place where individuals can find refuge, fellowship, and unwavering love.

Verse Five

“From the church in the valley by the wildwood,

When day fades away into night,

I would fain from this spot in my childhood,

Wing my way to the mansions of light.”

John 14:2

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?”

Enduringword.com, David Guzik: Jesus spoke with complete confidence about heaven, here spoken of as His Father’s house. Jesus didn’t wonder about the life beyond this earth; He knew it and told His disciples that there was room for all in heaven . . . Whatever dwelling place God has for us in heaven, it will be as glorious as a mansion . . . many mansions . . . Love prepares a welcome. With love, expectant parents prepare a room for the baby. Jesus prepares a place for His people because He loves them and is confident of their arrival.

Refrain

“Come to the church in the wildwood,

Oh, come to the church in the dale,

No spot is so dear to my childhood,

As the little brown church in the vale.”

Hebrew 3:6

“But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.”

Biblehub.com, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary: Christ was the Master of this house, of His church, His people, as well as their Maker . . . Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is rightful Owner and sovereign Ruler of the Church.  There must not only be setting out well in the ways of Christ, but steadfastness and perseverance therein to the end. Every meditation on His person and His salvation will suggest more wisdom, new motives to love, confidence, and obedience.

Studylight.com, Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible: Think of the house of God. He laid the foundations of it, even before the world was, provided the blueprints of it in the dispensation of Moses, and extended it upward and outward to include all the families of man in the church of Christ; and, finally, He shall present all to Himself in the glorious fulfillment of the everlasting Kingdom at the last day.”

  

I am indebted to the following resources:

Worthydetours.com, Jeanette Simpson

Hymntime.com

Bluegrasstoday.com, Richard Thompson

En.wikipedia.org

Oldtimemusic.com, Ryan Owens 

By His Grace . . .

Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Haldor Lillenas was one of the most important twentieth century gospel hymn writers and publishers. He was born in 1885 in Bergen, Norway. His father was a farmer and storekeeper. The family farm was sold to allow the family to migrate to the United States

His father moved to America in 1886 where he bought a farm in South Dakota. After constructing a sod house, his mother, Anna Marie, and siblings, Paul, Johanes, Katrine and George, were re-united in 1887. They relocated to Astoria, Oregon.

Lillenas learned English and began attending school. In 1900 the family moved to Minnesota. Lillenas began a four-year correspondence course in chemistry and chemical analysis with private tutors. He worked as a labour most of the year, but during winter he concentrated on his studies.

His family was once again relocated to North Dakota when his mother died, but Lillenas decided to move back to Oregon where he finished his correspondence and found employment in a chemical factory.

Like most Scandinavians, he was raised in a Lutheran family. The family was devout in their religious life and attended community services when held in their area. He was confirmed into the Lutheran Church when he was 15; however, he had not experienced “the miracle of the new birth.”

As a young boy Lillenas had been befriended by an elderly woman who taught him English and told him about Jesus. Consequently, in 1906 he began attending meetings at the Peniel Mission where this woman was an active worker.

One summer evening he paused to listen to a street corner service. There he heard the gospel and made his decision to devote his life to Christian service. The singing and testimonies brought conviction to his heart. Later that year he was saved, and three weeks later his heart was cleansed. Soon he was helping in the mission, singing to his heart’s content, witnessing with joy to “the wonderful grace of Jesus,” and writing songs with increasing skill and volume.

He sold a few songs at age 19. At age 21 he began writing more songs, encouraged by some earlier ones becoming popular, such as “He Set Me Free.”

He joined a vocal group called the “Charioteers’ Brigade,” associated with the Salvation Army, which held street meetings and revival services, while continuing his ministerial studies at Deets Pacific Bible College in Los Angeles, CA.

Lillenas met his wife, Bertha, at college, and she, too, became a songwriter. They had two children.

For ten years Lillenas was also a song evangelist and travelled with Bertha holding revival services.

Additionally, Lillenas was an ordained Minister in the Church of the Nazarene, author, song evangelist, poet, music publisher and prolific hymnwriter. He and Bertha were elders in the church. He composed over 4,000 hymns, the most famous being "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." He produced the first hymnal for the Church of the Nazarene. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

In 1945 Bertha died of cancer, and later that year Lillenas remarried Lola Dell, and they lived in Melody Lane until 1955, when they moved to Pasadena, CA, attending the Nazarene Church there. They also made three trips to Norway after his retirement, and he wrote three books during that time: “Modern Gospel Song Stories (1952), “Down Melody Lane (an autobiography): (1953), “Motoring 11,000 Miles Through Norway-A Guide for Tourists” (1955). Lillenas had a full and interesting life. He died on August 18, 1959

Verse One

“Wonderful grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin;

How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin?

Taking away my burden, Setting my spirit free;

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.”

1 Corinthians 2:12

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”

Biblestudytools.com: The Holy Ghost, which proceeds from the Father and the Son, is the gift of God to His people, and whom they receive through the doctrine of faith into their hearts, as a spirit of illumination, faith, comfort, adoption, truth, and as a seal and earnest of future glory; God gave His Son, and all things freely along with Him, as a justifying righteousness, remission of sins, adoption, and eternal life; all which were provided for them in the council and covenant of peace, and made up that grace given unto them freely in Christ before the world began.

Psalm 119:172

“My tongue shall speak of Your Word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.”

Studylight.org, Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Here the Psalmist says, that when he shall have profited in God’s law he will also employ himself in teaching it to others. This order is undoubtedly to be observed, that divine truth take root in our hearts before we engage in the work to others. Yet every man, according to the measure of his faith, ought to communicate to his brethren what he has received, and that the doctrine, whose use and fruit God would have to be displayed for the common edification of the Church, may not be buried.

Verse Two

“Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching to all the lost,

By it I have been pardoned, Saved to the uttermost;

Chains have been torn asunder, Giving me liberty;

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.”

James 1:25

“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

Preceptaustin.org, MacArthur: By referring to the Word as the law of liberty, James focused on its redemptive power in freeing believers from the bondage of sin and then freeing them to righteous obedience. It allows us to serve God not out of fear or mere sense of duty, but out of gratitude and love. One day it also will free us from this world and its corruption from our fallenness; from our flesh; from temptation; and from the curses of sin, death, and hell.

Preceptaustin.org, Hiebert: The "liberty” points to the well-known Christian freedom from bondage that the believer knows through faith in Christ. As he submits himself to its transforming power, this law of liberty works in his life a disposition and ability to do God’s will joyfully.

Verse Three

“Wonderful grace of Jesus, Reaching the most defiled,

By its transforming power, Making him God’s dear child,

Purchasing peace and heaven, For all eternity—

And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.”

Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Studylight.org, Contending for the Faith: God wants His people to be changed from within. Scientists today use this same word, metamorphosis (from the Greek), to describe the changes a caterpillar undergoes in its chrysalis from which it emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Similarly, the Christian is to be changed from within rather than letting outside forces to shape his life. He is to be “metamorphosed.”

Refrain

"Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus, Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;

Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain, All-sufficient grace for even me!

Broader than the scope of my transgressions, Greater far than all my sin and shame,

Oh, magnify the precious Name of Jesus, Praise His Name!"

Psalm 84:11

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Blueletterbible.org, David Guzik: Grace is God’s first gift, and glory is His last gift.  “Glory never comes without grace coming first, but grace never comes without glory coming last; the two are bound together, and what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” (Spurgeon).

Biblestudytools.com: He gives converting grace, the first grace, and all future supplies of it; He gives sanctifying grace; He gives justifying, pardoning, adopting, and persevering grace, and all freely; He gives honor and glory among men, fellow creatures, and fellow Christians; and He gives eternal glory, the glory His Father gave Him, the crown of glory, life and righteousness; this is the gift of God through Christ.

Psalm 34:3

“Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together.”

Enduringword.com: David knew there was something magnetic about the true praise of God. When one genuinely praises God, he or she wants to draw others into the practice of praise. If it is good for one to exalt His name, then it is even better to do it together with His people . . . and [we] long for that day to come, when all nations and languages . . . shall make their sound to be heard as one, in magnifying and exalting their great Redeemer’s Name.

 

 I am indebted to the following resources:

En.wilipedia.org

Hymmnstudiesblog.wordpress.com

Hymnary.org, John Perry

By His Grace . . .