Philip Paul Bliss was born on this date in 1838 in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. His music is now better known than his name and life, and he's perhaps best remembered as the author of the music Ville de Havre for Horatio Spafford's great hymn It Is Well With My Soul.



Bliss died, with his wife, in tragic circumstances when the bridge at Ashtabula, Ohio collapsed under their train on December 29, 1876. A cenotaph was dedicated to their memory in the cemetery at Rome, Pennsylvania on July 17, 1877 and their home there is now the site of the Gospel Songwriters Museum.



Here are the words, and a link to the music, of Bliss's hymn on the text of Hebrews 12:14: Without holiness no one will see the Lord.



More Holiness Give Me



More holiness give me, more strivings within.

More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin.

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care.

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer.



More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord.

More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word.

More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief.



More purity give me, more strength to o’ercome,

More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home.

More fit for the kingdom, more useful I’d be,

More blessèd and holy, more, Savior, like Thee.