Blinded by light on the Damascus road: the conversion of Saul
In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of the early church, is travelling to Damascus to arrest believers when a light from heaven blinds…
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Feature Articles
Tongues of fire and 3,000 baptised: the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2
In Acts 2, the disciples are gathered in Jerusalem on the Jewish feast of Pentecost when a sound like a rushing wind fills the house, tongues…
Forgotten in America, revived in London: the unusual journey of “To God Be the Glory”
"To God Be the Glory", with words by Fanny Crosby and music by William Howard Doane, was first published in 1875. Ira Sankey used it in…
Written after a drowning: the story of “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
Louisa M. Stead wrote "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" in 1882, a few years after her husband drowned trying to save a boy in…
“Bread of heaven”: the Welsh journey of “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah”
"Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" began as a Welsh hymn by William Williams Pantycelyn, the greatest Welsh hymn writer, and was translated into English by…
The first Christian martyr prayed for his killers: the story of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7
Stephen was one of seven men chosen in Acts 6 to serve the widows of the early church. Accused of blasphemy, he gave a long speech…
“Count your blessings, name them one by one”: Johnson Oatman’s 1897 hymn for discouraged people
"Count Your Blessings" was written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman Jr., with music by Edwin O. Excell. Written to encourage people facing trouble and discouragement, it…
“On Christ the solid rock I stand”: the cabinet-maker pastor behind “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less”
Edward Mote, an English cabinet-maker who later became pastor of Rehoboth Baptist Church in Horsham, West Sussex, wrote "My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less" in…
Written to comfort two grieving husbands: the story of “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
"Leaning on the Everlasting Arms", published in 1887, began when music teacher Anthony J. Showalter received letters from two former pupils whose wives had died. Writing…
A young man’s testimony at a Moody meeting became a hymn: “Trust and Obey”
"Trust and Obey" was written in 1887 by John H. Sammis, with music by Daniel B. Towner. According to Towner's account, it was inspired by a…