1885 JAMES McGRANAHAN. Charming Manuscript Holographic Hymn from Moody Revivals

A really charming little autograph - holographic MSs hymn in the hand of James McGranahan, and signed by both James McGranahan, and his wife and collaborator, Addie.

James McGranhan [1840-1907] loved music from his youth, attended music school and organized as a music teacher at just 19 years of age. His father was reluctant to let him pursue this career and required that his musical son earn enough money from his music to hire a replacement for the lost labor on the farm. He did.

Already successful as a local teacher, he entered the Normal Music School at Genesco, NY, under the famed William B Bradbury. There he met Miss Addie Vickery. They married in 1863 and spent their entire lives writing and singing hymns as individuals and collaboratively.

So gifted was James, he was offered a role as a lead with an established operatic company. It was a dazzling prospect, but his friend, Philip P. Bliss, who had given his wondrous voice to the service of song for Christ for more than a decade, urged him to do the same. Providentially, Bliss write McGranahan a letter in this direction while preparing to go on a Christmas vacation with his wife. He also mentioned that he might work with evangelist, and friend of Moody, D. W. Whittle. No action was taken. However, Whittle and McGranahan would meet in person as a result the fateful events at Ashtubula, OH, where the two, unbeknownst to each other, both traveled there to retrieve the bodies of their dear friends, the Bliss family, who died in a bridge-failed train wreck.

Whittle thought upon meeting McGranahan, that here is the man Bliss has chosen to replace him in evangelism. The men returned to Chicago together and prayed about the matter. McGranahan and his wife, and Major Whittle worked together for 11 years evangelizing in the U.S., Great Britain, and Ireland. They made two visits to the United Kingdom, in 1880 and 1883, the latter associated with Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey evangelistic work.

Music he published included: “The Choice”, “Harvest of song”, “Gospel Choir”, “Gospel Hymns #3,#4, #5, #6” (with Sankey and Stebbins), “Songs of the Gospel”, etc. 

The present holograph, measuring just 2 x 3 5/8 is dated to November 25, 1884 and contains the music and lyrics from their hymn, Our Lord is Now Rejected. Signed by both parties. Would be lovely presented with a vintage printed version of the same. 

Very good condition. And a scarce autograph.