Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Make Me a Blessing


HYMN WRITER: Ira Wilson                       

MUSIC BY: George Schuler

HYMN HISTORY: George Shuler and Ira Wilson were roommates at Moody Bible Institute in 1924. At the Institute, they combined their talents and gave the world a beautiful song of consecration, “Make Me A Blessing.” Wilson wrote the lyrics and Shuler the music. At first the song was rejected by music publishers, so Shuler had one thousand copies printed to distribute on his own.

One fell into the hands of George Dibble, an outstanding singer who was at that time music director for the International Sunday School Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. Dibble asked for permission to use the song and it was granted. Soon people everywhere were singing the song, and publishers were wanting to distribute copies.

Between the time Ira Wilson wrote the lyrics and the time the song began to be so well known, Wilson apparently forgot that he was the author! Until he died, he never remembered that he had written these famous words.

BIBLE VERSE:  Proverbs 11:11“By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.”

HYMN LYRICS:
Out in the high-ways and by-ways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

CHORUS:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing --
Out of my life May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,
Tell of His power to forgive;
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True, every moment you live.

CHORUS:

Give as 'twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true.

CHORUS: 

2 comments:

  1. I LOVE this hymn! Learned it as a teen in the 1970s at Miracle Camp in Ringgold, Louisiana. I was looking up another hymn by Schuler, "Overshadowed"-also as beautiful work for the Lord!
    Lord Bless your website!
    Myra

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mr. Boutot, can you tell me where you found the information concerning Ira B. Wilson's loss of memory concerning the authorship of Make Me a Blessing? Thank you.

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