He Leadeth Me O Blessed Thought

by Joseph Henry Gilmore (1834 - 1918)


It was in March of 1862, during the civil War that 28 year old Joseph Gilmore, son of a New Hampshire governor was supply preaching in an historic Philadelphia church, the First Baptist Church at Broad and Arch Streets.

Because of the dark depression of the war between the states, Reverend Gilmore selected as his sermon theme the Twenty-Third Psalm, emphasizing God's leadership during those dark days. Over and over again he repeated the phrase, "He Leadeth Me." Later, at the home of one of the deacons, Gilmore was so filled with the thought of his theme that he was unable to contain himself.

On a piece of paper, he jotted down these lines: "He leadeth me! O blessed thought; O words with heavenly comfort fraught." When he finisted there were four stanzas and a chorus. Gilmore promptly forgot all about what he had written; but his wife, recognizing something good, sent a copy to a Boston periodical. It was there that William Bradbury, famous composer and publisher of Church music, discovered it and set it to music.

Quoted from "101 Hymn Stories" by Kenneth Osbeck. Kregel Publishers, P.O. Box 2607, Grand Rapids, MI 49501, 1982.
Used by permission - duplication without permission is a violation of U.S. copyright law.

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