Today in 1888 – Martin Hofford Died

Martin Lowrie Hofford, a graduate of Princeton, was an American Presbyterian clergyman who was also involved in evangelistic work, and served as both a professor and the president of a college. He has left us only one hymn, but it is wonderful. Based on the meeting of the risen Christ with a couple on the road to Emmaus (Lk. 24;13-32), Hofford’s hymn draws on two verses of Scripture in particular.

First come the words of the couple as they approach their home, inviting Christ to come in: “They constrained Him, saying, ‘Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent’” (vs. 29). And then we have their later assertion, after His departure: “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (vs. 32).

Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on!
Within my heart a welcome Guest,
Within my home abide.

O Saviour, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide!
O Saviour, stay this night with me;
Behold, ’tis eventide!

Abide with me, ’tis eventide!
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with Thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near Thy side.

(2) Today in 1921 Edgar Stites Died

Edgar Page Stites was a direct descendant of John Howland, who came to America on the Mayflower. He was a cousin of hymn writer Eliza Hewitt (who wrote More About Jesus and other gospel songs). Mr. Stites served during the Civil War, and afterward became a pilot on the Delaware River. He was also ordained as a Methodist preacher, and for a while served as a missionary in Dakota. Stites (often using the pen name Edgar Page) wrote a couple of songs that are still in use, Beulah Land, and Trusting Jesus.

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by;
Trusting Him whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.