POTTER HYMNS

A monthly series on a hymn of the faith.

Sarah Pollard did not like her name—not at all. When she got to adulthood, she had it changed to Adelaide, at that time—the late 1800s—one of the most popular names given girls. A native of Iowa, she went to a women's college in Boston and then moved to Chicago to study at Moody Bible Institute. She taught in several girl's schools and eventually became known as a traveling Bible teacher, helping other evangelists. One emphasized healing, and the other the imminent return of Christ. She also taught at a missionary training school. But her heart was set on Africa, and she simply could not raise enough money for her support. One night, feeling discouraged by her failed missionary aspirations, she attended a little prayer meeting. She heard an elderly woman pray—not for blessings and things, but simply this: “It really doesn't matter what you do with us. Just have your own way with our lives.”

That simple prayer inspired Pollard to consider Jeremiah 18 and the potter deciding what to do with his lump of clay. The analogy, of course, was God's sovereignty in our lives. That evening, Adelaide wrote all four stanzas of a hymn before she went to bed.

Have thine own way, Lord, Have thine own way;

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after Thy will,

While I am waiting, yielded and still.

That poem would be set to music by George Stebbins, who for twenty-five years worked as an evangelistic musician with D.L. Moody's meetings. Many of his hymns or hymn tunes are still sung: “Saved by Grace,” “There is a Green Hill Far Away,” “Take Time to be Holy.” As for Miss Pollard's hymn output, it was also prodigious but largely unrecognized as she never wanted recognition for them. This is the only one still in use today. As for her desire to be a missionary in Africa, she did end up going there briefly, but had to leave when World War 1 broke out, relocating to Scotland. She later returned to America for ministry, but her health was broken. At age 72, she collapsed at a New York railroad station and died a few days later—reportedly of a ruptured appendix.

But her best-known hymn, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord,” birthed yet another hymn. This time it came to David Iverson, a native of the seaside Georgia town of Brunswick, whose education included—like Miss Pollard—time at Moody Bible Institute. He became a Presbyterian minister, serving throughout the southeastern United States. At age 36, he spent time with those holding citywide revival meetings in Orlando, Florida. A message by a doctor from Columbia, S.C., about the Holy Spirit, especially moved Iverson. That same day he went to a local Presbyterian church, sat down at the piano and composed the song while another musician wrote it in music manuscript form.

No doubt Iverson had learned Miss Pollard's hymn in years past, but he gave a fresh face to the potter image from Jeremiah. With a melody using only five notes, it proved to be a simple yet meaningful song to draw singers or listeners to an attitude of prayer. “Spirit of the Living God” was first published in 1929, then in numerous other hymnals.

Just a postscript: the year after writing this hymn, Pastor Iverson organized the Shenandoah Presbyterian Church in Miami. The first sanctuary was an old rustic dance hall. He would serve that congregation until his retirement in 1951. One of his sons would succeed him as pastor as the church grew and reached out to the needs of its Hispanic and Nicaraguan congregants. As has happened with many shrinking congregations in impoverished areas, the historic church structure was demolished in 2019.

But music that reaches into the soul doesn't go away as easily. Iverson's lyrics--"Melt me, mold me, fill me”--still quietly and profoundly describe the deepening soul.

For worshipful listening, visit these YouTube sites.

Sarah Pollard's hymn: Have Thine Own Way, Lord with Lyrics - YouTube

David Iverson's hymn: Spirit of the Living God ~ Invitation Music ~ lyric video - YouTube