Author Bio Information
McGranahan, James's bio information
Saturday, July 4, 1840 - Tuesday, July 9, 1907
Born: July 4, 1840, West Fellowfield, Pennsylvania.
Died: July 9, 1907, Kinsman, Ohio.
Buried: Kinsman, Ohio.
Pseudonym: G. M. J.
The following article by Gladys Doonan, “To Reap for the Master,” appeared in Challenge, December 28, 1986. Used by permission of Regular Baptist Press, Schaumburg, Illinois.
Even the festivities of the Christmas season that December of 1876 couldn’t drive them from his mind—those notes his friend Philip had written to him just a few days before the holiday. He read them over and over again and almost decided to yield to the urging of their message—almost, but not quite. His dreams of personal ambition were still too precious. How could he give them up?
James McGranahan was a talented and cultured American musician who lived from 1840 to 1907. He was gifted with a rare tenor voice and studied for years with eminent teachers who urged him to train for a career in opera. Of course, this advice opened up to his imagination dazzling prospects of fame and fortune. And he was assured time and time again it was all within his grasp.
James McGranahan was a Christian, and he had a Christian friend Philip P. Bliss who was concerned about him. His friend was also a capable musician who had gone through many of the same experiences in his younger days as a singer. However, he had been sensitive to the claims of the Lord on his life and had yielded his talents to God for full-time Christian service.
Though only two years older than McGranahan, Philip Bliss, at 38, had a good dozen years of Christian work behind him. He was then serving as a gospel soloist with the great evangelist Major D. W. Whittle. How he thrilled to the response of the great crowds who gathered for their campaigns and to the working of the Holy Spirit through his music! He longed for his friend James to know that thrill as well!
Philip Bliss and his wife were preparing for a trip home to Pennsylvania for Christmas. There was much to be done, but in the midst of all the bustle and hurry Bliss felt strangely compelled to take time out to write McGranahan a letter. He kept thinking of his 36-year-old friend, who was still studying music, still preparing for—what? Would it be opera or would it be the Lord’s work?
Philip Bliss prayed as he wrote that he would know the right words to put down. He knew the Lord was dealing with James and was eager for his friend to make the right decision.
Finally the letter was done. Bliss, needing encouragement and approval for what he had said, read it to Major Whittle. In the letter he compared McGranahan’s long course of musical training to a man whetting his scythe for the harvest. The climax came as he strongly urged, “Stop whetting the scythe and strike into the grain to reap for the Master!”
The letter was sent on its way and quickly reached its destination. Those words touched James McGranahan as no others had before. He could think of nothing else. “Strike into the grain to reap for the Master…to reap for the Master…to reap for the Master!” Day and night those words were before him.
One week later, December 19, 1876, the man who had penned the words was dead. The train returning the Blisses from Pennsylvania to Chicago where Philip was scheduled to sing at Moody Tabernacle broke through a railroad bridge at Ashtabula, Ohio. It plunged into a 60-foot chasm and caught fire. Among the 100 who perished in the disaster were the 38-year-old gospel singer and his wife.
When James McGranahan received news of the tragedy he rushed immediately to the scene of the accident. And it was there, for the first time, that he met Major Whittle.
The evangelist later recorded his thoughts on the occasion: “Here before me stands the man that Mr. Bliss has chosen to be his successor.”
The two men made the return trip to Chicago together, and as they rode they talked. Before they reached the city James McGranahan decided to yield his life, his talents, his all to the service of his Savior. He would “strike into the grain to reap for the Master.”
The operatic world lost a star that day, but the Christian world gained one of its sweetest gospel singers. James McGranahan was greatly used in evangelistic campaigns throughout America, in Great Britain and in Ireland.
Sources
* Hall, pp. 191-5
* Hustad, p. 285
Hymns
1. Go Ye into All the World
2. O the Crown
3. Shall You? Shall I?
Music
1. Are You Coming Home Tonight?
2. Banner of the Cross, The
3. Behold, What Love!
4. Believe Ye That I Am Able?
5. Beloved, Now Are We
6. By Grace Are Ye Saved
7. Church of God Is One, The
8. Christ Liveth in Me
9. Christ Returneth
10. Come
11. Come Believing!
12. Crowning Day, The
13. El Nathan
14. Every Day Will I Bless Thee
15. Frances
16. Go Ye into All the World
17. Hallelujah for the Cross!
18. He Is Not Here, But Is Risen!
19. He Will Hide Me
20. I Find Thee So Precious
21. I Know Not the Hour
22. I Left It All with Jesus
23. I Will Pass Over You
24. I’ll Stand by until the Morning
25. Jesus Is Coming
26. Kinsman
27. McGranahan
28. My Redeemer
29. Neither Do I Condemn Thee
30. Neumeister
31. Oh, Revive Us by Thy Word
32. Preach the Gospel
33. Sometime We’ll Understand
34. There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
35. Thou Remainest
36. Thy God Reigneth!
37. Verily, I Say unto You
Source: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/c/g/mcgranahan_j.html
Died: July 9, 1907, Kinsman, Ohio.
Buried: Kinsman, Ohio.
Pseudonym: G. M. J.
The following article by Gladys Doonan, “To Reap for the Master,” appeared in Challenge, December 28, 1986. Used by permission of Regular Baptist Press, Schaumburg, Illinois.
Even the festivities of the Christmas season that December of 1876 couldn’t drive them from his mind—those notes his friend Philip had written to him just a few days before the holiday. He read them over and over again and almost decided to yield to the urging of their message—almost, but not quite. His dreams of personal ambition were still too precious. How could he give them up?
James McGranahan was a talented and cultured American musician who lived from 1840 to 1907. He was gifted with a rare tenor voice and studied for years with eminent teachers who urged him to train for a career in opera. Of course, this advice opened up to his imagination dazzling prospects of fame and fortune. And he was assured time and time again it was all within his grasp.
James McGranahan was a Christian, and he had a Christian friend Philip P. Bliss who was concerned about him. His friend was also a capable musician who had gone through many of the same experiences in his younger days as a singer. However, he had been sensitive to the claims of the Lord on his life and had yielded his talents to God for full-time Christian service.
Though only two years older than McGranahan, Philip Bliss, at 38, had a good dozen years of Christian work behind him. He was then serving as a gospel soloist with the great evangelist Major D. W. Whittle. How he thrilled to the response of the great crowds who gathered for their campaigns and to the working of the Holy Spirit through his music! He longed for his friend James to know that thrill as well!
Philip Bliss and his wife were preparing for a trip home to Pennsylvania for Christmas. There was much to be done, but in the midst of all the bustle and hurry Bliss felt strangely compelled to take time out to write McGranahan a letter. He kept thinking of his 36-year-old friend, who was still studying music, still preparing for—what? Would it be opera or would it be the Lord’s work?
Philip Bliss prayed as he wrote that he would know the right words to put down. He knew the Lord was dealing with James and was eager for his friend to make the right decision.
Finally the letter was done. Bliss, needing encouragement and approval for what he had said, read it to Major Whittle. In the letter he compared McGranahan’s long course of musical training to a man whetting his scythe for the harvest. The climax came as he strongly urged, “Stop whetting the scythe and strike into the grain to reap for the Master!”
The letter was sent on its way and quickly reached its destination. Those words touched James McGranahan as no others had before. He could think of nothing else. “Strike into the grain to reap for the Master…to reap for the Master…to reap for the Master!” Day and night those words were before him.
One week later, December 19, 1876, the man who had penned the words was dead. The train returning the Blisses from Pennsylvania to Chicago where Philip was scheduled to sing at Moody Tabernacle broke through a railroad bridge at Ashtabula, Ohio. It plunged into a 60-foot chasm and caught fire. Among the 100 who perished in the disaster were the 38-year-old gospel singer and his wife.
When James McGranahan received news of the tragedy he rushed immediately to the scene of the accident. And it was there, for the first time, that he met Major Whittle.
The evangelist later recorded his thoughts on the occasion: “Here before me stands the man that Mr. Bliss has chosen to be his successor.”
The two men made the return trip to Chicago together, and as they rode they talked. Before they reached the city James McGranahan decided to yield his life, his talents, his all to the service of his Savior. He would “strike into the grain to reap for the Master.”
The operatic world lost a star that day, but the Christian world gained one of its sweetest gospel singers. James McGranahan was greatly used in evangelistic campaigns throughout America, in Great Britain and in Ireland.
Sources
* Hall, pp. 191-5
* Hustad, p. 285
Hymns
1. Go Ye into All the World
2. O the Crown
3. Shall You? Shall I?
Music
1. Are You Coming Home Tonight?
2. Banner of the Cross, The
3. Behold, What Love!
4. Believe Ye That I Am Able?
5. Beloved, Now Are We
6. By Grace Are Ye Saved
7. Church of God Is One, The
8. Christ Liveth in Me
9. Christ Returneth
10. Come
11. Come Believing!
12. Crowning Day, The
13. El Nathan
14. Every Day Will I Bless Thee
15. Frances
16. Go Ye into All the World
17. Hallelujah for the Cross!
18. He Is Not Here, But Is Risen!
19. He Will Hide Me
20. I Find Thee So Precious
21. I Know Not the Hour
22. I Left It All with Jesus
23. I Will Pass Over You
24. I’ll Stand by until the Morning
25. Jesus Is Coming
26. Kinsman
27. McGranahan
28. My Redeemer
29. Neither Do I Condemn Thee
30. Neumeister
31. Oh, Revive Us by Thy Word
32. Preach the Gospel
33. Sometime We’ll Understand
34. There Shall Be Showers of Blessing
35. Thou Remainest
36. Thy God Reigneth!
37. Verily, I Say unto You
Source: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/m/c/g/mcgranahan_j.html
Hymns Composed (122)
A Light Upon The Shore Mens (TTBB) A Little While (GH 254) Mens (TTBB) Are You Coming Home To-Night Mens (TTBB) As Pants the Hart (McGranahan) Mens (TTBB) Be Ye Also Ready Mens (TTBB) Behold, What Love Mens (TTBB) Believe, And Keep On Believing Mens (TTBB) Beloved, Now Are We Mens (TTBB) Beseechings of Jesus Mens (TTBB) Bless the Lord Mens (TTBB) Blessed Hope Mens (TTBB) Carried by the Angels Mens (TTBB) Casting All Your Care Upon Him Mens (TTBB) Christ Liveth In Me Mens (TTBB) Christ Receiveth Sinful Men Mens (TTBB) Christ Returneth Mens (TTBB) Christ is My Redeemer Mens (TTBB) Come Mens (TTBB) Come Believing Mens (TTBB) Come Now Saith The Lord Mens (TTBB) Come unto Me, and Rest Mens (TTBB) Doers of the Word Mens (TTBB) Every Day Will I Bless Thee Mens (TTBB) Fear Thou Not Mens (TTBB) Fix Your Eyes Upon Jesus Mens (TTBB) Forever With Jesus There Mens (TTBB) Glory to God the Father Mens (TTBB) Go Ye Into All the World Mens (TTBB) God Bless You Mens (TTBB) God's Power Revealed In The Clouds Mens (TTBB) Good News Mens (TTBB) Hallelujah For The Cross Mens (TTBB) Hallelujah! Christ is Risen Mens (TTBB) Hallelujah, Bless His Name Mens (TTBB) Have Faith In God Mens (TTBB) He Came to Bethany Mens (TTBB) He Will Hide Me Mens (TTBB) Hear the Blessed Invitation Mens (TTBB) How Shall We Escape Mens (TTBB) I Am The Way Mens (TTBB) I Cannot Tell How Precious Mixed (SATB) I Know That My Redeemer Lives Mens (TTBB) I Know Whom I Have Believed Mens (TTBB) I Left It All With Jesus Mens (TTBB) I Looked To Jesus Mens (TTBB) I Shall Be Satisfied Mens (TTBB) I Will Mens (TTBB) I Will Pass Over You Mens (TTBB) I Will Praise Thee Mens (TTBB) I am the Door Mens (TTBB) I'll Stand by You Mens (TTBB) I've Passed The Cross Mens (TTBB) If God Be For Us Mens (TTBB) In Jesus' Face Mens (TTBB) Jesus Christ our Saviour Mens (TTBB) Jesus Is Coming Mens (TTBB) Jesus of Nazareth Mens (TTBB) Let Us Crown Him Mens (TTBB) Let Us Go Forth Mens (TTBB) Little Lights Mens (TTBB) Look Unto Me Mens (TTBB) Memories of Earth Mens (TTBB) Mine Mens (TTBB) My Offering Mens (TTBB) My Redeemer Mens (TTBB) My Saviour Tells Me So Mens (TTBB) Neither Do I Condemn Thee Mens (TTBB) None Of Self And All Of Thee Mens (TTBB) None but Christ can Satisfy Mens (TTBB) Not My Own Mens (TTBB) Not What These Hands Have Done Mens (TTBB) O Glad and Glorious Gospel Mens (TTBB) O Glorious Fountain Mens (TTBB) O Paradise Mens (TTBB) O Praise Him Mens (TTBB) O the Crown, the Glory-Crown Mens (TTBB) Oh, I am so Happy in Jesus Mens (TTBB) Oh, Revive Us By Thy Word Mens (TTBB) Only for Thee Mens (TTBB) Onward Go Mens (TTBB) Our Saviour King Mens (TTBB) Paradise Mens (TTBB) Pardon, Peace and Power Mens (TTBB) Pass It On Mens (TTBB) Peace, Peace Is Mine Mens (TTBB) Preach the Gospel Mens (TTBB) Redeemed (GH 259) Mens (TTBB) Redemption Ground Mens (TTBB) Rejoice in the Lord Alway Mens (TTBB) Revive Thy Work Mens (TTBB) Rise Up and Hasten Mens (TTBB) Shall You, Shall I Mens (TTBB) Sin No More Mens (TTBB) Sing Unto The Lord Mens (TTBB) Singing with Grace to the Lord Mens (TTBB) Sometime We'll Understand Mens (TTBB) Sound The High Praises Mens (TTBB) Tempted and Tried Mens (TTBB) That Will Be Heaven For Me Mens (TTBB) The Banner Of The Cross Mens (TTBB) The Crowning Day Mens (TTBB) The Gospel of Thy Grace Mens (TTBB) The Lord Keep Watch Between Us Mens (TTBB) The Love That Gave Jesus to Die Mens (TTBB) Thee Will I Love Mens (TTBB) There Is None Righteous Mens (TTBB) There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing Mens (TTBB) There's a Work for Each of Us Mens (TTBB) They That Wait Upon The Lord Mens (TTBB) Thou Art Coming Mens (TTBB) Thou Remainest Mens (TTBB) Thou Shalt Be Saved Mens (TTBB) Thy Will be Done (GH 229) Mens (TTBB) To Him Be Glory Evermore Mens (TTBB) Verily, Verily Mens (TTBB) Waiting for the Promise Mens (TTBB) We Are Going Home Mens (TTBB) We Praise Thee and Bless Thee Mens (TTBB) We Worship Thee Mens (TTBB) We'll Gather There in Glory By and By Mens (TTBB) What a Gospel Mens (TTBB) When We Get Home Mens (TTBB)The last 10 hymns uploaded.
- # 1 - At Evening Time (Stebbins) (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 06:41:59pm)
- # 2 - Awake! Arise (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 06:12:25pm)
- # 3 - The Christian's Good-Night 2 (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 04:51:51pm)
- # 4 - Memories Of Galilee (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 04:09:24pm)
- # 5 - The Mighty To Save (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 09:04:17am)
- # 6 - Where Shall I Be (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 08, 2024 at 07:31:34am)
- # 7 - Onward, Upward, Homeward 2 (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 07, 2024 at 06:22:54pm)
- # 8 - Go, Messenger of Peace (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 07, 2024 at 05:47:54pm)
- # 9 - Ye Christian Heralds (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 07, 2024 at 05:30:49pm)
- #10 - Ashamed Of Jesus (TTBB) (uploaded on Dec 07, 2024 at 04:46:39pm)