March 16, 2005

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Elisha Albright Hoffman, 1839-1929

   The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27.

    A minister’s son, Hoffman attended Union Seminary in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and was ordained in 1868. Afterward, he worked with the Evangelical Association’s publishing arm in Cleveland, Ohio for 11 years. He pastored in Cleveland and Grafton, Ohio, in the 1880s; at the First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan, around the turn of the century; and in Cabery, Illinois (1911-1922). In his lifetime, he wrote over 2,000 Gospel songs.
    When close friends or family members turn to us for comfort in their grief following the loss of a loved one, often we find it difficult to express just the right words of consolation. One day successful author, business man, and devout Presbyterian layman, Anthony J. Showalter, received sorrowful letters from two different friends, telling him of their recent bereavements. In sending messages of comfort to them, Mr. Showalter included Deuteronomy 33:27.
    As he concluded the letters the thought occurred to him that this verse would be a fine theme for a hymn. Almost spontaneously he jotted down the words and music for the refrain of this soon-to-be favorite.
    Feeling that he should have some assistance in completing a text based on this comforting verse from Deuteronomy, Mr. Showalter asked his friend Elisha Hoffman, a pastor and author of more than 2,000 gospel songs, to furnish the stanzas. The hymn then was published in 1887 in the Glad Evangel for Revival, Camp and Evangelistic Meetings Hymnal.
    It is not surprising that Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, with its assurance of God's steadfast care and guidance and the peace that is ours as we enjoy the intimacy of His fellowship, has been another of the gospel song favorites enjoyed by all ages.

    Hymns by Elisha Hoffman include:

• Are You Washed in the Blood?
• Down at the Cross
• Down Low at My Redeemer’s Feet
• Draw Me Closer, Lord, to Thee
• Enough for Me
• Give Him the Glory
• I Must Tell Jesus
• Is It Not Wonderful?
• Is Thy Heart Right with God?
• Is Your All on the Altar?
• It Is Mine
• Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
• Lord I am Fondly, Earnestly Longing
• Lord is Coming By and By, The
• No Other Friend Like Jesus
• Over the Rolling Sea
• Power for Service
• Speed the Light
• What a Wonderful Savior!
• Where Will You Spend Eternity?
• Would You Know Why I Love Jesus?

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Chorus:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.