IT IS NO SECRET

Sometimes it is hard to find anything about the writing of a Gospel song.  This time I found plenty and much of what I found ended up being parts of those eRumors that folks like to spread. Apparently over the years folks have added all sorts of incorrect details to embelish the story.  But after reading what some members of Billy Graham’s team had to say, here is what I think is the correct story.  Stuart Hamblen was a popular singer, songwriter, actor, poet, and radio personality from the 1930s through the 1950s.  Some have called him radio's first singing cowboy.  Billy Graham came to Los Angeles in 1949 for what became an historic evangelistic crusade.  Graham was asked to appear on Hamblen’s radio show to promote the crusade  Although Hamblen was known for his hard living and drinking, he had been reared as the son of a Methodist minister and he warmly welcomed Graham as a guest.  It was at that interview that Graham extended an invitation to Hamblen to attend the crusade and he accepted. Hamblen later contacted Graham at his hotel and asked to talk. The result was that he "surrendered his life to Christ.”  Hamblen's became the first publicized conversion from the 1949 crusade and contributed to the decision to extend the event, which lasted for 8 weeks and put Billy Graham on the map. On a street in Hollywood Hamblen later ran into John Wayne who asked him about the rumor around town that he'd changed his ways.  Hamblen told Wayne that it was no secret what God had done for him and that he could do it for Wayne too.  Wayne said it sounded like a song and suggested that he write one.  The result was one of Hamblen's best known tunes, It is No Secret What God Can Do.  It was a crossover song that is regarded as the first to have been #1 in the gospel, country, and pop categories.  The original manuscript of It is No Secret is buried in the cornerstone of one of the Copyright Buildings of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.  After his conversion Hamblen announced that he was going to devote his time to "serving Christ" and he started a new radio program titled The Cowboy Church of the Air which became nationally syndicated.  A confrontation developed with his sponsors, however, when he told them that he would refuse to advertise alcohol.  His much publicized departure from the program resulted in his being asked to run for President of the United States in 1952 under the banner of the Prohibition party.  He accepted and ran fourth to Republican Dwight Eisenhower who was elected president.  So to the best of my knowledge that is the story behind Hamblen and the writing of this week’s choice.  And his claim is still true today, God is still in the business of saving and changing people.  And it is no secret what He can do.

(1)    The chimes of time ring out the news

Another day is through

Someone slipped and fell

Was that someone you?

You may have longed for added strength

Your courage to renew

Do not be disheartened

For I have news for you

It is no secret what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

(2)   There is no night for in His light

You never walk alone

Always feel at home

Wherever you may go

There is no power can conquer you

While God is on your side

Take Him at His promise

Don't run away and hide

It is no secret what God can do

What He's done for others, He'll do for you

With arms wide open, He'll pardon you

It is no secret what God can do

Listen to it being sung here.    LISTEN