Saturday, April 16, 2011

"My Savior's Love"

The musical talent of Charles H. Garbriel was evident from the time he was a little boy. Born and raised on a farm in Wilton, Iowa in 1856, music was always a part of his life. His father led singing schools in their home, and the young Charles taught himself to play the new reed organ they had purchased.

Without any formal training, Charles began to travel and lead his own singing schools at the age of 17. In 1890 he took the position of music director of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, San Francisco, California. It was while he was there that he wrote the hymn "Send the Light" for a missions celebration the church was having. It was his first commercial success.

In 1912 Charles moved to Chicago, Illinois and began working with Homer Rodeheaver’s publishing company. While working there he edited many song books. He himself is said to have written and/or composed between 7,000 and 8,000 songs. Among them is the hymn "My Savior's Love"

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Refrain

O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!

For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.

Refrain

In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.

Refrain

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

Refrain

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

Refrain



Blessings,
Linda