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17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your Word. 18 Open my eyes, that I  may behold wondrous things out of your law.

Philip P. Bliss ~ 1838-1876

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life; let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life.
Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty;  Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life; beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessed One, gives to all, wonderful words of life; sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life. All so freely given, wooing us to heaven;  Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life; beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life. Jesus, only Savior, sanctify for ever;  Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life; beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

 Philip was born July 9, 1838, in Rome, Pennsylvania.  His father was a dedicated Christian, loved music and lead daily family prayer, all well-remembered by Philip. Philip had little schooling, except for hearing his father sing, and learning from his mother’s teaching. Philip was 10 years old when he first saw and heard a woman playing the piano. In 1849, at the age of 11, he left home to make a living for himself and would spend the next five years of his life working at lumber camps and sawmills. At the age of 12, he made his first profession of faith and joined the Baptist Church of Cherry Flats, PA. He never remembered a time that he did not love Christ.

In 1857, he met J. G. Towner who gave Philip his first formal voice lessons. He also met William Bradbury, a noted composer of sacred music, at a musical convention.  One year later, he met Lucy Young, who later became his wife. They sang beautiful duets in service of Christ.  In 1860, he became a professional music teacher. Philip and Lucy held many singing schools, concerts, and conventions. He wrote many hymns and Sunday school songs. In 1869, he met D. L. Moody, who urged Philip to become a singing evangelist.  He also met Major Daniel Whittle.  The Blisses moved into an apartment at the Whittle house, where he wrote two of his most famous songs: "Hold the Fort", and "Jesus Loves Even Me". Bliss and Whittle teamed up and became a successful evangelistic duo and were well-known in the eastern and central states.

On November 24, 1876, Philip sang at a ministers' meeting conducted by Moody in Chicago, over 1000 preachers were present. Bliss introduced a new song that he had just written the music for, "It is Well with My Soul".  Philip now had one month left of his life. Next, he conducted a service for 800 inmates in Michigan State Prison, where he sang "Hallelujah! What a Savior!". Many of the inmates that heard this song wept, and repented of their sins. The Bliss family spent the Christmas holidays with Philip's mother and sister, now he had only days left. Philip received a telegram asking him to go to Chicago early and take part in a meeting the Sunday following Christmas. Philip and Lucy agreed and left their one-year-old and four-year-old sons with his mother. On December 29, 1876, the Pacific Express Train was struggling along in a blinding snowstorm.  The train had eleven coaches pulled by 2 engines, creeping through huge drifts, in Ohio. Passing over a bridge, the first engine reached solid ground before the bridge collapsed, but sadly for many, the rest of the train fell into cold, icy water. Five minutes later, fire broke out, the wooden coaches were ablaze fanned by the winds. Philip had succeeded in crawling to safety, unfortunately, his wife was trapped, pinned under the seat. Philip remained at Lucy's side, trying to free her. Tragically, they both died in the fire. No remains of their bodies were found. Mr. Bliss's trunk reached Chicago, and when it was opened, the last song written before his death was "I know not what awaits me. God kindly veils my eyes..." The funeral was held in Rome, PA. Memorial services were held throughout the nation.  On December 31, Moody held a song service for Philip and Lucy Bliss - 8000 filled the hall and 4000 were outside.