Allow me to share a page from one of the books I am reading this year.
Day 20
Count Your Blessings
Words by Johnson Oatman (1897)
Music by Edwin O. Excell (1897)
Johnson Oatman was a busy man. While carrying out his responsibilities as a Methodist minister, he also ran a thriving mercantile business, served as an administrator for a large New Jersey insurance company, and wrote the words to five thousand hymns over his lifetime. “Count Your Blessings” is generally considered to be his finest.
The music was written by well-known gospel hymnist Edwin O. Excell, who first published it in his songbook for young people in 1897. Born in Stark County, Ohio, Excell left home at the age of twenty to become a singing teacher. He traveled around the country, setting up music schools. He composed the music for more than two thousand songs and published fifty songbooks.
Once published, “Count Your Blessings” quickly became a favorite both in America and abroad. During the time of the great revival in Wales, it was said to be sung at almost every service. While reporting on a revival meeting in the area, the London Daily said the hymn was introduced enthusiastically with these words, “In South London, the men sing it, the boys whistle it, and the women rock their babies to sleep on this hymn.”
When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Fact: Johnson Oatman also wrote notable hymns “Higher Ground” and “No Not One.”
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16
ABBA, thank You for these wonderful hymns, words and music to our souls that have been with us these many many years; songs penned by brothers to allow us to sing Your eternal Truths. Thank You. I pray that we will not only sing them, but live them for Your Name sake, LORD JESUS. I pray for us that even before this day is through each of us will have come up to Higher Ground, and for sure a means to get there is by Counting Your Blessings to us. ABBA, before we close this I ask that You minister truth, blessings, health and help to our folks listed at Praying for These and for our IDOK Troops we pray for peace and safety. And, HOLY SPIRIT, send us a great revival. We are so in need of You to pour out conviction, mellow and soften hearts, enabling us to repent. Thank You for hearing us; thank You for answering in JESUS name. Amen and amen.
Until Friday + + +
Kathie