Can you name the author of the hymn titled “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power”? If you said “Andre Crouch,” you're partially correct, for that phrase is in the Gospel song that the well-known musician of our times (1942-2015) composed when only a teenager. But it's possible he was influenced by a song written several generations earlier, that also had that title. Its author was a Canadian-American pastor's wife, Civilla Durfee Martin (1866-1948)--her unusual name meaning “civil, respectful.” She was married to Walter Martin, who after his Harvard education became a Baptist minister but later switched to the Disciples of Christ. Civilla was the lyricist, and he the tune-writer of their hymn-writing team as they lived and served churches and colleges and did evangelistic work in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia.
Another hymn for which she is better-known was “God Will Take Care of You,” and which was prompted by a comment by their nine-year-old son. One Sunday Walter had a preaching assignment at some distance from their home. However, Civilla was very sick that day and Walter wondered if he should cancel the preaching trip. While they discussed their options, their little nine-year-old son piped up, “Father, don't you think that if God wants you to preach today, He will take care of Mother while you are away?” Walter decided to go ahead and preach. When he finally got home, Civilla was feeling much better. Plus, while he was away, she'd written a new hymn based on their son's remark. Within an hour, Walter had written a melody for it. Before the night ended, some teachers at the school where he taught came by and sang it. Later that week, it was sung at a school assembly. Its next stop was a hymnbook—the 1905 “Songs of Redemption.”
One story told of its impact concerned entrepreneur J.C. Penney, who had descended from a long line of Baptist preachers. When the Great Depression hit in 1929, Penney's businesses soured. His health suffered greatly, even to needing hospitalization. Filled with despair, one morning he heard singing from the hospital chapel. The lyrics, “Be not dismayed whate'er betide/God will take care of you.” He went to the chapel service and his worries were transformed to hope as he realized how much God cared for him. Eventually, the store bearing his name became an American retail giant.
Another song, written about 1903, was inspired by the faith of a bedridden saint in Elmira, New York, whom Civilla visited. While reading and singing to this person, Civilla asked if she sometimes got discouraged. The woman responded by referring to the Bible passage about God's care for even the sparrows. Soon after, Civilla found some paper and a pencil and quickly composed the lyrics. Well-known Gospel song composer Charles Gabriel set it to music. Half a century later, in 1958, Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson would make “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” her signature song. Ethel Walters also famously sang it in the 1952 film “The Member of the Wedding” and at Billy Graham Crusades.
Other lyrics by Mrs. Martin, better known in earlier times, included “The Breath of the Spirit,” “The Old-Fashioned Way,” and “Wonderful Love.” But it's her songs about the power of the Blood and God's watch-care that have endured for more than a century after they were penned.
Sing along with this You-Tube with beautiful scenery:
God Will Take Care of You - Hymn - Bing video
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