Hymn Stories 2 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Amazing Grace

From life as a hardened slave trader to serving as a minister of the gospel, "Amazing Grace" was John Newton's life story.

From "The Complete Book of Hymns": "When it was suggested he retire at the age of eighty-two due to poor health and a failing memory, he responded, 'My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior'". (William J. Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, 2006).

Answer: All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name

E.P. Scott went into the mountains of India to evangelize one of the mountain tribes. Before he found the tribe he was looking for, the tribe found him. Seeing himself surrounded by the tribe with their spears pointing at him, he expected to die at any moment. He always carried his violin with him, so he took it out and began to play and sing "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name". When he finally opened his eyes, he saw the tribesmen on their knees, crying. He continued to minister among this tribe for two more years.

"All hail the power of Jesus' Name! Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all."

Edward Perronet (1726-1792), who authored the original verses of this hymn, was an Anglican minister who sometimes ministered with John and Charles Wesley.

Answer: What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Joseph left Ireland after the tragic death of his fiancee on the eve of their wedding. He went to Canada and settled in Port Hope, Ontario. Again tragedy stuck when a second fiancee died of pneumonia. He dedicated his life to helping those in need and is remembered as the "Good Samaritan of Port Hope".

"What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

Words: Joseph Scriven, 1855. Music: Charles Converse, 1868.

Answer: Keeps Me Singing

Luther Bridges, an evangelist, was away from home preaching at a revival meeting when he learned that his wife and three sons had been killed in a house fire. As he struggled with his loss and worked through his grief, he found something that many people of faith have found in their deepest trial and wrote the words to this hymn.

"There's within my heart a melody
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
Fear not, I am with thee, peace, be still,
In all of life's ebb and flow.

Refrain:
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,
Sweetest Name I know,
Fills my every longing,
Keeps me singing as I go."

Luther Bridges (1884-1948)

Answer: Just a Closer Walk with Thee

This hymn became popular in the 1930s and has been recorded by over a hundred artists through the years.

"Just A Closer Walk With Thee
I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be."

(Author unknown)

Answer: Jesus Paid it All

John T. Grape wrote the music that was later put to the words of this hymn.

"I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all."

Refrain:
"Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow."

Elvina Hall, John T. Grape (1865)

Answer: Tell Me Story of Jesus

Fanny Crosby was blinded by a doctor's error when she was just six weeks old. While many would have been bitter over such an affliction, Fanny considered it a blessing and once said, "If per­fect earth­ly sight were of­fered me to­mor­row I would not ac­cept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been dis­tract­ed by the beau­ti­ful and in­ter­est­ing things about me". She is credited with writing over 8,000 hymns.

"Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
"Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth."

Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)

Answer: Just As I Am

Charlotte Elliot took offense when a minister asked her if she had peace with God. She later came to the minister and asked him how she should come to Christ; he told her to come as she was. She wrote a number of hymns, but "Just As I Am" is her best-known hymn. Many have claimed that these lyrics were the secret that helped to bring them to peace with God.

"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come."

Charlotte Elliot (1789-1871)

Answer: A prison

William Doane wrote gospel music and many hymns with Fanny Crosby. When he asked her to write a hymn with the title "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior", she couldn't seem to find the right words. One day while she was speaking at a prison, one of the prisoners cried out, "Good Lord! Do not pass me by!" and she finally found the inspiration she needed for the hymn.

"Pass me not, O gentle Savior
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by."

Refrain
"Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by."

Words: Fanny Crosby, 1868. Music: Howard Doane, 1870

Answer: In the Garden

Austin Miles was a pharmacist, a photographer, a song leader at his church, and a hymn writer. On day, he was asked to write a tender but compelling hymn for an upcoming revival. As he meditated on Mary Magdalene's meeting with Jesus in the garden near his tomb, Austin wrote his reflections through the words of this hymn.

"I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses".

Refrain
"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known".

Austin Miles (1868-1945)