489 What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine
Elisha A. Hoffman
For comments on the author, Elisha A. Hoffman, see Hymn 464.
MUSIC. LEANING ON JESUS was composed by Anthony J. Schowalter, who was born at Cherry Grove, Pa., May 1, 1858. The following from his pen tells the story of the origin of this hymn and tune:
While I was conducting a singing-school at Hartsells, Alabama, I received a letter from two of my former pupils in South Carolina, conveying the sad intelligence that on the same day each of them had buried a wife. I tried to console them by writing a letter that might prove helpful in their hour of sadness. Among other Scriptures, I quoted this passage, “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” Before completing the writing of the sentence, the thought came to me that the fact that we may lean on these everlasting arms and find comfort and strength, ought to be put in a song; and before finishing that letter, the words and music of the refrain were written. The manuscript was sent to Elisha Hoffman... in a few days his completion of the poem was received.