A pastor's son who went on to become a Presbyterian minister himself is the name behind some of the best-loved gospel hymns. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Are You Washed in the Blood?, and Down at the Cross are all songs that this pastor wrote during his lifetime, just to name a few. Do you know the name of the author of these hymns?
In Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania on May 7, 1839, Elisha A. Hoffman was born to Francis and Rebecca Hoffman. He was the fifth of nine children in the family. Every morning and evening, the Hoffman family would have a time of worship together and they sang hymns during these times. This engrained in their children a love for hymns, one that Elisha Hoffman would carry with him through the rest of his life. In fact, he wrote his first composition when he was only 18.
Hoffman attended Union Seminary and graduated in 1860. In 1868, he was ordained. He went on to pastor churches in three different states over the years, including Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. This added up to over 60 years of ministry! In between his graduation and ordination, Hoffman married Susan Orwig in the year 1865. Interestingly, Orwigsburg (Hoffman's birthplace) was named after his wife's family. Sadly, Susan passed away in 1876 while still in her early thirties. Three years after her death, Hoffman married Emma Sayres Smith. He had three children (two sons and a daughter) who went on to be very successful themselves.
Hoffman became a prolific hymn writer, composing over 2,000 songs and helping to edit 50 song books. Whereas many hymn authors work together, one writing the music and the other the lyrics, a large portion of Hoffman's hymns were written entirely himself.
At the age of 90 on November 25, 1929, Elisha Hoffman passed away in Chicago. His story can remind us how important it is to train up our children right and teach them a love for the things of God. The hymns and lessons that we teach them can influence the course of their entire lives and even effect the lives of many others, as Hoffman himself has encouraged countless Christians through his hymns!
Piano solo sheet music for hymns by Elisha A. Hoffman:
- Are You Washed in the Blood? (Early Intermediate)
Information adapted from:
https://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bhoffman.html
https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/elisha-hoffman
http://hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/o/f/f/hoffman_ea.htm
https://www.blueletterbible.org/hymns/bios/bio_h_o_hoffman_ea.cfm
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9835/elisha_albright-hoffman
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127954751/susan_m-hoffman
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/208933899/emma_sayres-hoffman
Photo taken from: