The Rev. George Phipps, composer of the tune, “Immanuel's Banner,” was born in Franklin, Mass., Dec. 11, 1838, was graduated at Amherst College, 1862, and at Andover Theological Seminary, 1865. Settled as pastor of the Congregational Church in Wellesley, Mass., ten years, and at Newton Highlands fifteen years.
He has written many Sunday-school melodies, notably the music to “My Saviour Keeps Me Company.”
CHAPTER V.
HYMNS OF SUFFERING AND TRUST.
One inspiring chapter in the compensations of life is the record of immortal verses that were sorrow-born. It tells us in the most affecting way how affliction refines the spirit and “the agonizing throes of thought bring forth glory.” Often a broken life has produced a single hymn. It took the long living under trial to shape the supreme experience.
—The anguish of the singer
Made the sweetness of the song.
Indeed, if there had been no sorrow there would have been no song.