Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 10 minutes ago
We sure loved it when this ensemble sang this classic hymn recently to celebrate Pastor Kemble’s 50 years of preaching.
This beloved hymn was written by William Dunn Longstaff, who was born in Sunderland, Durham, England in 1822, and was first published in 1890.
The son of a wealthy ship owner, Longstaff was a person of independent financial means. But even though he had everything he desired, he felt empty. He attended a church service one day in Keswick and was inspired by words of the preacher, Griffith John, who cited I Peter 1:16, which says, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” That very day, Longstaff surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and became a generous supporter of God’s Work in the UK for the rest of his life, helping fund the work of notable preachers of that day, including among others, William Booth and Dwight Moody.
Some of Langstaff’s hymns were published in the Salvation Army magazine, “The War Cry” during the 1880s. He never forgot that first sermon he heard, and it prompted the writing of this hymn, which he later showed to Ira Sankey during their crusade. Sankey showed it to George Stebbins, who set it to music in 1882.
He married Joice Burlinson in 1853 and they had eight children: William, Hannah, Rhoda, Amelia, Ernest, Nora, Marnia, and Minnie. Longstaff’s wife died in 1881, and he died in 1894.
Capac Bible Church is an old fashioned preaching, Bible believing, hymn singing, KJV church located in beautiful Saint Clair County in Southeast Michigan.
You can visit our internet site at capacbible.org
If God has blessed you in some way through this ministry, your financial support would be most welcome, and would be greatly appreciated. We cannot do what we do without the faithful support of God’s people. Thank you, and God bless you!
Capac Bible Church
Post Office Box 154
Capac, Michigan 48014
Check out our platforms:
youtube.com/@CapacBibleChurch
bitchute.com/channel/CapacBibleChurch
brighteon.com/channels/cbc154/home
facebook.com/capacbible.church.5
rumble.com/user/CapacBibleChurch
instagram.com/cbc206714
gab.com/CapacBibleChurch
capacbible.blogspot.com
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
We sure loved it when this ensemble sang this classic hymn recently to celebrate Pastor Kemble’s 50 years of preaching.
This beloved hymn was written by William Dunn Longstaff, who was born in Sunderland, Durham, England in 1822, and was first published in 1890.
The son of a wealthy ship owner, Longstaff was a person of independent financial means. But even though he had everything he desired, he felt empty. He attended a church service one day in Keswick and was inspired by words of the preacher, Griffith John, who cited I Peter 1:16, which says, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” That very day, Longstaff surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ, and became a generous supporter of God’s Work in the UK for the rest of his life, helping fund the work of notable preachers of that day, including among others, William Booth and Dwight Moody.
Some of Langstaff’s hymns were published in the Salvation Army magazine, “The War Cry” during the 1880s. He never forgot that first sermon he heard, and it prompted the writing of this hymn, which he later showed to Ira Sankey during their crusade. Sankey showed it to George Stebbins, who set it to music in 1882.
He married Joice Burlinson in 1853 and they had eight children: William, Hannah, Rhoda, Amelia, Ernest, Nora, Marnia, and Minnie. Longstaff’s wife died in 1881, and he died in 1894.
Capac Bible Church is an old fashioned preaching, Bible believing, hymn singing, KJV church located in beautiful Saint Clair County in Southeast Michigan.
You can visit our internet site at capacbible.org
If God has blessed you in some way through this ministry, your financial support would be most welcome, and would be greatly appreciated. We cannot do what we do without the faithful support of God’s people. Thank you, and God bless you!
Capac Bible Church
Post Office Box 154
Capac, Michigan 48014
Check out our platforms:
youtube.com/@CapacBibleChurch
bitchute.com/channel/CapacBibleChurch
brighteon.com/channels/cbc154/home
facebook.com/capacbible.church.5
rumble.com/user/CapacBibleChurch
instagram.com/cbc206714
gab.com/CapacBibleChurch
capacbible.blogspot.com
“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
