Thomas Chisholm (songwriter)

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm[lower-alpha 1] (1866–1960) was an American hymnwriter, poet, and Methodist minister.

The Reverend

Thomas Chisholm
Born
Thomas Obadiah Chisholm

(1866-07-29)July 29, 1866
Near Franklin, Kentucky, US
DiedFebruary 29, 1960(1960-02-29) (aged 93)
Ocean Grove, New Jersey, US
Other namesT. O. Chisholm[1]
Occupations
Ecclesiastical career
ReligionChristianity (Methodist)
ChurchMethodist Episcopal Church, South
Ordained1903
Writing career
Genres
Notable works

Chisholm was born on July 29, 1866, in a log cabin near Franklin, Kentucky.[4] He became a teacher at the age of 16.[5] Circa 1893, aged 27, Chisholm had a Christian conversion experience during a revival in Franklin led by Henry Clay Morrison.[6] Following his ordination in 1903,[7] served as a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, for one year before resigning due to poor health.[8] After 1909 Chisholm began working as a life insurance agent in Winona Lake and later in Vineland, New Jersey.[5]

Chisholm wrote over 1,200 sacred poems over his lifetime, many of which appeared in various Christian periodicals, and he served as an editor of The Pentecostal Herald in Louisville for a period.[9] In 1923, Chisholm wrote the poem "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" which he submitted to William M. Runyan who was affiliated with the Moody Bible Institute and Runyan set the song to music.[10] He also wrote the lyrics "Living for Jesus", composed by C. Harold Lowden.[7] Towards the end of his life, Chisholm retired to the Methodist Home for the Aged in Ocean Grove, New Jersey.[5] He died on February 29, 1960, in Ocean Grove.[4]

Notes
  1. Pronounced /ˈtʃɪzəm/.

References

Footnotes
  1. Gabriel 1916, p. 76.
  2. Osbeck 1985, pp. 178–179.
  3. Reynolds 1976, pp. 80–81.
  4. Reynolds 1976, p. 281.
  5. Osbeck 1982, p. 84.
  6. Osbeck 1982, p. 84; Reynolds 1976, p. 281.
  7. Osbeck 1985, p. 178.
  8. Gabriel 1916, p. 76; Osbeck 1982, p. 84; Reynolds 1976, p. 281.
  9. Osbeck 1982, p. 84; Osbeck 1999, p. 15; Reynolds 1976, p. 281.
  10. Osbeck 1982, pp. 84–85; Osbeck 1999, p. 15.

Bibliography
  • Gabriel, Chas H. (1916). The Singers and Their Songs: Sketches of Living Gospel Hymn Writers. Chicago: Rodeheaver Company. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  • Osbeck, Kenneth W. (1982). 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications. ISBN 978-0-8254-3416-7. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  •  ———  (1985). 101 More Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications. ISBN 978-0-8254-3420-4. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  •  ———  (1999). Amazing Grace: Illustrated Stories of Favorite Hymns. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications. ISBN 978-0-8254-3433-4. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  • Reynolds, William J. (1976). Companion to "Baptist Hymnal". Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman Press. ISBN 978-0-8054-6808-3. Retrieved January 10, 2022.

Further reading
  • "Rev. Thomas Chisholm, 93, Dies; Wrote 1,200 Protestant Hymns". The New York Times. March 2, 1960. p. 37.


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