“His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning:
Great is thy faithfulness.”
–Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
Thomas read the familiar words from his worn Bible.
Oh Father, he prayed. You have been generously compassionate to me all fifty-seven years of my life– through trial and disappointment, joys and sorrows.
Thomas allowed his thoughts to take him back in time, first to his boyhood home, a log cabin on a small farm in Franklin, Kentucky, where he and his older brother helped their father in the fields and attended a small country school. Neither boy received an education beyond the elementary level.
(Typical log cabin school,
this one in the Hensley Settlement of Kentucky)
Yet, in 1882 when Thomas was only sixteen, the school board hired him as the new teacher.
Imagine me—just a kid myself—a school teacher, thought Thomas.
He smiled, remembering his favorite part of the school day: reading stories and poems to his students, enriching all of their lives, his included. Thomas puttered at writing poetry himself—an avocation he would enjoy the rest of his life.
Six years later, Thomas’ proficiency with language led to the position of associate editor of his hometown newspaper.
(Thomas Obadiah Chisholm)
I enjoyed that work and being a contributing member of the community. But you and I both know, Lord, 1893 was when I really began living.
That was the year, at age twenty-seven, Thomas accepted Jesus into his life, through the ministry of Henry Clay Morrison, the founder of Asbury College and Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.
(Henry Clay Morrison)
Again, Thomas smiled, remembering the day when Dr. Morrison came to him with a surprising proposition: become the editor for his publication, The Pentecostal Herald. Thomas’ mind reeled at the idea of leaving his country community and living in the noise and crowds of Louisville, but in his heart Thomas felt led by God to accept Morrison’s offer.
I thought for sure I would spend the rest of my life in Louisville, but you, Lord, had other plans.
(Louisville, KY, ca 1900)
As Thomas worked at The Pentecostal Herald, he felt drawn to the pastorate. In 1903, at age thirty-seven, he was appointed to a small church in Scottsville, Kentucky. Thomas not only transitioned into parish life but married life as well, taking Catherine Vandervere as his wife.
I remember thinking, Well, God, you’ve finally planted me in the work you’ve prepared me to do.
But one year later ill-health demanded Thomas give up the ministry.
Catherine and I were heartbroken, weren’t we, Lord. No sooner had we settled into the Scottsville ministry, than it was over. But you, O God, provided that little farm in Winona Lake, Indiana, and employment with an insurance agency. And just as the scripture says here in Lamentations, your compassions failed not. The Christian community of Winona Lake warmly welcomed us, and you blessed us with the births of our girls, Ruth and Dorothy.
Then, twelve years later in 1916, God once again led the family to move—this time to New Jersey, where another position with an insurance agency awaited. Very quickly seven more years passed, and now Thomas was fifty-seven years old.
From Kentucky to Indiana to New Jersey you have cared for us, Lord.
Thank you for your great faithfulness, O God, my Father. Never have you forsaken or failed us. Day after day by your hand, everything we have needed you have provided.
And Thomas began to write:
Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not:
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
________________________________
In his later years, Thomas sometimes described himself as an old shoe. But look what God did:
Shortly after Thomas wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” (in 1923), he sent a collection of his poems to his good friend, William Runyan, who worked for a Christian music publisher. William was also associated with Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. This poem in particular caught his attention and William prayerfully sought to compose a worthy melody.
(William H. Runyan)
The resulting hymn became a favorite of Dr. Houghton, president of Moody Bible Institute. When he asked a young soloist, George Beverly Shea, to sing a selection of hymns on the Moody radio station. George included Dr. Houghton’s favorite, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
Some years later, the great evangelist, Billy Graham, invited George to join his ministry. In city after city, Billy preached and George Beverly Shea sang, frequently choosing Thomas Chisholm’s hymn.
It quickly grew in popularity. To this day, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” is a favorite hymn of many. (Hear Chris Rice sing it by clicking here.)
All told, Thomas wrote over 1200 poems over his lifetime, 800 of which were published—poems written by a man with only an elementary education. Among them were more beloved hymns such as “I Want to Be Like Jesus,” “O to Be like Thee!” and “Living for Jesus.”
(Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, 1866-1960)
His story proves: God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)—even with an old shoe.
(Sources: www.sharefaith.com; www.umcdiscipleship.org; www.lifeway.com; www.sermonwriter.com; www.worshipmatters.com; www.zianet.com.)
(Art & photo credits: www.flickr.com; http://www.wikipedia.org; http://www.hymnary.org; http://www.hymtime.com; http://www.oldlouisville.com; http://www.digging-history.com; http://www.hippostcard.com; http://www.cyberhymnal.org; Nancy Ruegg; hymntime.com.)
From the Inside Out 
I love hymn stories and you have done a great job with this one. One I didn’t know either. Very readable and interesting. Thanks!
Amen-Amein!! 💕
Thank you, Jean. This story in particular evoked a number of memories for me: 1) Moody Radio, since I grew up in the Chicago area, and my parents often listened to the programming, 2) hearing frequently George Beverly Shea’s rich bass voice on that station over the years, 3) Winona Lake, where my parents sang with their quartet for at least several Bible conferences, (They sang on Moody Radio, too.) 4) Asbury Seminary, where my husband received his M. Div. degree. As I learned about Thomas Chisholm’s life, it was great fun to discover these personal connections.
Nancy what a beautiful story…..I love that hymn.
In the third verse of the hymn Thomas wrote about “the peace that endureth,” God’s “presence to cheer and to guide,” and “strength for today.” The more I learned about him, the more evidence I saw: Thomas wrote what he lived. I’m so glad you found beauty here, Jody!
A magnificent hymn from one who walked the narrow way—an “old shoe” that was a centuries-spanning equivalent of one having his feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
An astute observation, Laurie! I do see him in my imagination as a man of peace.
I was just reading about Chisholm on christianity.com! I love the additional information that you added here, along with the pictures. It is wonderful to see how these Godly men crossed paths and interacted with each other. All because each of them followed God’s plan for their lives! I, too, love hymn stories and this was wonderful. Growing up in the Grace Brethren Church my family attended at least one summer Bible Conference at Winona Lake (home to Grace College). Is that the event at which your parents’ quartet performed? I believe that our Grace Brethren Church was affiliated with Grace College, at least back in the 1960s. Great post, Nancy!
Well, how about that–we were both introduced to Chisholm at the same time! My parents performed during several of the conferences sponsored by Moody. (They also sang frequently on their radio station.)
Nancy, your history ‘lessons’ are so engaging! (This from a NON-history buff!). Have you ever considered creating a series of essays in book form? Homeschoolers are constantly looking for interesting material like this. 😁
Hello, Rebeca! How delightful to hear from you. I’m so glad you find the history lessons engaging and worthy of compiling into a book. I greatly appreciate your encouragement. It may very well happen one of these days!
Dear Nancy,
My son Nathan (7 yo) and myself would like to let you know that your post has blessed us enormously. He is preparing a presentation on Thomas O Chisholm as part as our music appreciation class for our homeschool and I realized I wanted us to take the time to “meet” the author rather than focusing on having covered many authors at the end of our year.
It turns out, reading your post brought tears to my eyes, as you paused and allowed us to imagine what Mr Chisholm must have felt or thought and how his realization of God’s faithfulness was ever present at every step of the way.
I find myself thinking the same thought, and telling God the same thing and this hymn is my favorite.
This project started as a desire to intentionally teach my kids not only the hymns, but that the words behind those hymns become personal to them and their relationship with our Savior, Chris-Jesus.
Outside of my own life, I am a product of the faithfulness of God, who sent willing and obedient servants in the form of American missionaries in 1800s to preach the gospel to inhabitants of a remote tropical forest region called Mayombe, in the present Democratic Republic of the Congo.
My ancestors believed, my great grandfather was a village minister and my parents have loved and have given me the Lord as my most precious inheritance.
By the grace of God, after 3 strokes and diabetes for one, breast cancer and other ailments for the other, financial bankruptcy and many family challenges over the years, my parents are still singing loud and strong, with all the strength that they have “Dieu Ta Fidelite” which the french version of Great is Thy Faithfulness (DR Congo is a French speaker country).
I did not understand all of that growing up, but now as a “millenial” and 34 old African immigrant who arrived to the US at age 19 with $500 in my pocket and a burning desire to succeed, to love and to give back (now a nurse and homeschool mother of 2), I realize that God is ALL that ever mattered and will ever matter.
I long to discover heroes of faith who have influenced the world for Jesus and show them as example to my boys. I love you and all our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, for He is able to present us, without blameless, and with the exceeding joy to the presence of God the Father whenever our course on this side of life runs out. I’m sorry for writing so long. Be blessed.
Dear Sarah, I am honored this post proved a blessing to you, and of benefit to Nathan for his presentation. Praise God that Chisholm’s story will reach still more people through your son!
Thank you also for sharing YOUR testimony of God’s faithfulness to your family through four generations of believers, including your immigration to America with just $500 in your pocket. How miraculous that today you are a nurse and a homeschooling mother of two children!
If you check on my blog for the category, “Heroes of the Faith” (scroll down through the right column on the home page), you’ll find more stories of Christians who have influenced the world for Jesus Christ. I too thrill to learn of their faith, courage, and perseverance through difficulty. Researching for these posts is a sincere pleasure.
Sarah, if we never meet this side of heaven, I’ll look forward to knowing you there! For I am . . .
. . . Your sister in Christ,
Nancy
P.S. Your letter was not too long–I loved reading every word!
Thank you for sharing this story with me, Nancy. I love knowing the stories behind the great old hymns. I agree with what someone else said in the comments — a book of these stories would be awesome!
Oh, I’m delighted to find another member of the family that loves the stories behind the old hymns, the background of our heroes of faith! Thank you for reading, Linda! Yes, It’s in the back of my mind to collect these stories into a book. Another project is currently in the works!