By Warren Shiver

Some of the greatest music in the form of hymns came from the Welsh people. We sing songs today that have survived since the eighteenth century.
William Williams was born February 11,1717 in Pantycelyn, Wales. He was a very intelligent child and was destined to achive great things.After Primary school he attended college and prepared himself for a career in medicine. God had other plans for his life. Sometimes we make a decision to yield to the desires of our hearts, and never seek Gods will for our lives. We are thankful that William followed God's will.
There was a young preacher, Rev. Howell Harris, that was stirring Wales with his evangelistic preaching. Revival fires were burning through out Wales, and William Williams attended one of the revival meetings. At the invitation, he came forth and surrendered his life to God. He immediately felt the call of God to preach. He forsook the training he had, to be a doctor and entered into the ministry in the chruch of England. William served two churches in two different parrishes, but never felt that he was in the will of God.

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The church of England worshipped with a set of forms and rituals. The congregation was not allowed to sing hymns. A special choir chanted the Psalms. The priest conducted the rituals and no one was allowed to pray or commune with God. After all, William had been saved by the Holy Spirit in a noncomformist revival. There were many that left the church of England so that they could worship God one on one. William believed that man had to have a personal relationship with Christ and that all the rites and rituals could not take you to heaven. He believed Jesus when he said, "You must be born again."
Several great men were preaching in Wales, England and through out Europe, such as Rev. John Wesley, Rev. George Whitefield and Rev. Howell Harris, who led William to the Lord. The Anglican church warned their congregation that these men were "Radicals." William Williams was challenged by that warning and sought out these "fanatics." William joined a group of dissenters called "Calvinistic Methodist." They were unrestrained by the rituals of the Anglican churchs.
Wiiliam traveled up and down the coast of Wales preaching revivals for forty three years. The mode of travel was by horseback. He traveled some ninety five thousand miles during his career. He drew crowds of over ten thousand at times and this was in the days before electricity and P.A.systems. He always prayed that God would give him the volumn so that all could hear, his message. God always provided. William traveled in heat,rain,snow and was beatened by mobs who opposed his nonconformist preaching but only death could silence him. He died at age seventy four in 1791.William wrote all all his hymns, some eight hundred of them, in his native tongue, Welch. Twenty seven years later the hymn was so popular that it was translated into English in 1772.
The music for this hymn was written by John Hughes in 1907, John was born on November 22,1873 in Dowlais, Wales. He worked at the coal mines at age twelve and eventually worked his way up to the position of Clerk at the great Western Colliery in Pontypridd, in Rhonndda Valley. He belonged to the Salem Baptist Chapel, where he was a deacon.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Verse 1
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.
Bread of heaven,Feed me till I want no more.

Verse 2
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing waters doth flow;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey thro;
Strong deliverer, Be Thou still my strength and shield.
Strong deliverer,Be Thou still my strength and shield.

Verse 3
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Bear me through the swelling current,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side;
Songs of praises,I will ever give to Thee.
Songs of praises,I will ever give to Thee.

Stories Behind The Hymns is written by Warren Shiver of Biscoe, NC. Shiver has been fascinated with the true stories behind the hymns since he was a 12-year old attending East Gaffney Baptist Church in Gaffney, S.C. He began studying the stories behind the hymns in 1957. Warren has wrote two books, the first is a 300-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 1 costs $14.95, the second book, 340-page soft back, 104 Of My Favorite Hymn Stories Vol. 2 costs $16.95. You may buy both books for $25.00. Warren may be reached by email at wshiver99@embarqmail.com, or by mail at PO Box 775, Biscoe, NC.27209, you may also purchase the books on his website www.myfavoritehymnstories.com. Shipping for both books is $4.00, for one book $3.00. If you would like for Warren to come speak at your church, Sunday school class or any meeting you may contract him at 910-428-9911 or 910-428-4078.