"At Calvary"

At Calvary

The words for "At Calvary" were written by American hymn writer, William Newell (1868 – 1956). Song leader Daniel Towner wrote the musical portion of the hymn. One afternoon, Newell was walking to teach his next class while thinking about Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. When he got to his classroom, he grabbed the only paper around, an old envelope, and the lyrics began to flow out of him. He showed the poem to his friend at the school, Towner, and just as quickly the song leader penned the musical portion. Thus, " At Calvary" was born in a quick manner.

Both of these composers have Ohio roots. Newell was born in Savannah, Ohio and graduated from Wooster College. Towner served as the song leader for York Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1882 to 1884. They met at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. There, Newell served as an instructor and later assistant superintendent. Towner was director of music at Moody. Together their work, "At Calvary," has been loved by Christians worldwide for its testimony about Christ’s love for us.

At Calvary

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.

By God's Word at last my sin I learn,
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Now I've giv'n to Jesus everything;
Now I gladly own Him as my King;
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary.

O, the love that drew salvation's plan!
O, the grace that brought it down to man!
O, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty, At Calvary.

Together their work, "At Calvary," has been loved by Christians worldwide for its testimony about Christ’s love for us. Many churches sing this hymn before the Lord’s Supper services as well as during the Easter celebrations during the spring.

"At Calvary"

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