This is my nephew's favourite hymn. I remembered the story I had read and wanted to post it with the hymn.
Taken from The Gospel Awakening Sermons Of D. L. Moody, from the chapters on D. W. Whittle and Philip Paul Bliss.
"Maj. Whittle," as his old army friends love to call him, has for many years been a well-known business man of Chicago, where his integrity, activity, and efficiency, earned for him a high regard in the consideration of his business associates... He is, perhaps, better known throughout the country as the companion of the "sweet singer" and author - Philip Paul Bliss. His first effort in connection with Mr. Bliss was made five years ago, in a small town near Chicago. It was on this occasion that he told the story, "Hold The Fort," which Mr. Bliss has rendered immortal.
“Hold the Fort” was founded on an incident of the late war, which has been thus graphically described by Mr. Moody: “I am told that when General Sherman went through Atlanta towards the sea — through the Southern States — he left in the fort on the Kenesaw Mountain a little handful of men to guard some rations that he brought there. And General Hood got into the outer rear and attacked the fort, drove the men in from the outer works into the inner works, and for a long time the battle raged fearfully. Half of the men were either killed or wounded; the general who was in command was wounded seven different times; and when they were about ready to run up the white flag and surrender the fort, Sherman got within fifteen miles, and through the signal corps on the mountain he sent the message: ‘Hold the fort; I am coming. W. T. Sherman.’ That message fired up their hearts, and they held the fort till reinforcements came, and the fort did not go into the hands of their enemies.” It was first narrated in public by Major Whittle in 1870, and was at once popularized by his companion. Six years later these yoke-fellows visited Kenesaw Mountain, where they read the promises of the Lord’s second coming, knelt in prayer, and then united in singing this battle-hymn of the Christian.
Hold The Fort
(Philip Paul Bliss)
1. Ho, my comrades, see the signal, waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing, victory is nigh.
Refrain:
“Hold the fort, for I am coming,” Jesus signals still;
Wave the answer back to heaven, “By Thy grace we will.”
2. See the mighty host advancing, Satan leading on,
Mighty ones around us falling, courage almost gone!
3. See the glorious banner waving, Hear the trumpet blow!
In our Leader’s Name we triumph over every foe.
4. Fierce and long the battle rages, but our help is near,
Onward comes our great Commander, cheer, my comrades, cheer!
