GLORY TO HIS NAME

          This week's hymn choice, also known as "Down At the Cross", was penned by Elisha A. Hoffman (1839-1929) in 1879.  It is said that Hoffman was reading about the crucifixion of Jesus in his Bible and he began to think about how God saved men from their sins by allowing Jesus to die on the cross.  His heart was filled with such gratitude that he wanted to give God all the glory and honor for this wonderful gift.  And so he quickly wrote the words of this poem.  And while he provided the music for most of the hymns that he wrote during his lifetime, this time it was John Stockton, a musician and member of Hoffman's church, who set the poem to music. And for almost 140 years this hymn has been a favorite of believers who desire to bring glory and praise to the Lord for the wonderful work of salvation that has transformed their lives.  Hoffman was born in Orwigsburg, in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. His father was a minister of the gospel in the Evangelical Association, and rendered over sixty years of service in preaching the Word.  Hoffman's musical education was limited, without any formal training, and was gained by personal application.  His first impressions of music came from hearing his parents sing in their home, especially during their times of family worship, both in the morning and evening. It was during these times of family worship that Hoffman developed a love for sacred music and a belief that song was "as natural a function of the soul as breathing was a function of the body." Under such an influence he came to use the gifts that God had given him in expression with words and song.  His first composition was made public at the age of eighteen.  His story should be a vivid reminder to parents of the importance of music and scripture in the home.  Over two thousand of his hymns are now in print.  Among these are "What a Wonderful Saviour!," "Enough for Me," "Are You Washed in the Blood?," "No Other Friend Like Jesus," "I Must Tell Jesus," and "Is Your All on the Altar?"  He also edited fifty song books.   Many of his hymns, like this week's choice, express the reality of how the sacrifice of Christ on the cross should impact our lives.  When His blood is applied to our sinful lives, we are forgiven and cleansed, we are saved from sin and He abides within.  He takes us into His family and He keeps us clean.  And having experienced this, our heart should cry out, just like Hoffman's did, "Glory to His Name!"  I hope that this is you testimony and song of praise today.  If it isn't, listen to the words of the fourth verse and come to this fountain today.  He will cleanse you and change you completely!  Glory to His Name!

1. Down at the cross where my Savior died,

Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name,

Glory to His Name:

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

2. I am so wondrously saved from sin,

Jesus so sweetly abides within,

There at the cross where He took me in;

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name,

Glory to His Name:

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

3. Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,

I am so glad I have entered in;

There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name,

Glory to His Name:

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

4. Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,

Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet;

Plunge in today, and be made complete;

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name!

Glory to His Name,

Glory to His Name:

There to my heart was the blood applied;

Glory to His Name!

You can listen to it here.   LISTEN