Published: September 23, 2008 05:24 pm            

Hymns – 'Hallelujah! What A Savior!'

Philip Bliss was born on July 9, 1838 in Rome, Pa. Philip was born in humble conditions to humble parents. His father was Isaac Bliss, an active Methodist layman, who taught his family to pray daily. Isaac loved music and allowed Philip to develop his love and passion for singing. Philip’s family moved to Ohio when he was just a boy. Things did not work out there, so they moved back to Pennsylvania, settling in Tioga County.

At age 10 Philip heard his first piano, played by a lady in a home, while going door-to-door selling vegetables from his father’s farm. At age 11, he left home to work in a lumber camp and sawmill, because his father could not afford to send him to school. Philip did not receive a proper education in these early years.

While working in the lumber camps, he would study at night and when given the opportunity during bad weather, when he could not work cutting logs, he would attend the local school. He had a deep desire to teach school himself, so he took to the books every night until, at age 17, he went to Bradford, Pa., and received his last requirement to receive his certificate to teach. The next year in 1856 he became a schoolmaster in Hartsville, N.Y.

After his stay in New York, he returned to Pennsylvania and accepted a position as a music teacher in 1857.

This was his first love, and he became a well-known vocalist throughout the area.

It was here that he met J.G. Towner, who gave him professional voice lessons.

He also met William Bradbury, the great hymn composer, who convinced him to accept this position as a teacher.

In 1858 he was appointed to teach at Rome Academy in Pennsylvania.

That same year, Philip met Lucy J. Young, and after a year’s courtship, they married on June 1, 1859.

Lucy came from a musical background in her family, and encouraged Philip to continue to develop his singing talent.

She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Philip joined her church so they could worship together.

At age 22, Philip became an itinerant music teacher.

He traveled by horseback and went from community to community taking his instrument with him, a “melodeon.”

He taught until his name was popular throughout the region and he was in great demand.

Philips’ wife’s grandmother loaned him $30 so he could attend the six-week program at the Normal Academy of Music of New York.

After this convention Philip turned to composing music for hymns.

At age 31, Philip was very successful with his music schools, writing compositions and hymns, and making personal appearances.

Philip came in contact with the Rev. Dwight L. Moody, and they formed a great friendship.

Moody and others urged Philip to give up his business and become a missionary singer.

In 1874, Bliss decided that he was called of God to win souls, and Philip surrendered his life to the service of the Lord.

He was making a lot of money from royalties from his music, so he decided to divide this money with his favorite charity and use the rest to help in his evangelistic expenses.

Unfortunately, Philip and his wife died two years later (1876) in a tragic train accident on Dec. 29.

They were returning home to Chicago from a Christmas vacation in Pennsylvania, to participate in a New Year’s Eve worship service that Reverend Moody was to preach and Philip was to lead the singing.

The accident happened near Ashtabula, Ohio.



Stories Behind the Hymns is taken from “104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories, Vols. I and II,” written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe. He can be reached by e-mail at wshiver99@embarqmail.com or by snail mail at P.O. Box 775, Biscoe, NC 27209. Visit www.myfavoritehymnstories.com for more information on purchasing the books.

        

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