Dwight L. Moody, Billy Graham, and other evangelists all had something in common that may go overlooked. When holding revival meetings, they all understood the power of music. Sam Jones was not an exception, and his choice for a singer/songwriter during his meetings was Edwin O. Excell. Excell wrote many hymns during his lifetime, including I'll Be a Sunbeam, Count Your Blessings, and Since I Have Been Redeemed. But what is the story behind this influential songwriter?
Edwin O. Excell was born in Uniontown, Ohio on December 13, 1851 to Reverand Joshua J. Excell and his wife, Emily. Although Excell would become a prolific songwriter and it is said that his father loved to sing, his first form of work was not in music. He started out working as a plasterer and bricklayer for twelve years.
After moving to Pennsylvania, in the year 1871, he married Eliza Jane Bell and began to teach singing schools in rural areas. During his residence in Pennsylvania, he began to sing for many various events. He would become a church choirmaster in 1881, where he continued for two years before moving to the city of Chicago, Illionois.
After some time in Chicago, Excell met Reverand Sam P. Jones, a Methodist preacher who held revival meetings across many states. Excell agreed to work with Jones and became the vocalist for these meetings for 20 years while still being involved in other services and putting together and publishing many songbooks. Along with this, Excell wrote over 2,000 songs, including I'll Be a Sunbeam, Count Your Blessings, and Since I Have Been Redeemed.
During a evangelistic tour, Excell became sick and, after spending several months in the hospital, passed away on June 10, 1921, at the age of 69. He is remembered as a strong leader in the evangelical world and his life reminds us of the memory and legacy we will one day leave for our own children and grandchildren. Let us strive to live a life of faithful service to our Lord!
Piano solo sheet music for hymns by Edwin O. Excell:
- Count Your Blessings (FREE; Late Elementary)
- Since I Have Been Redeemed (Intermediate)
Information adapted from:
https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bexcell.html
https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/eo-excell
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/e/x/c/e/excell_eo.htm
https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_e_x_excell_eo.cfm
https://hymnary.org/person/Excell_Edwin
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