Notes on Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love

Meaningful Sacred Song by Peter Bilhorn, an Assurance of Love

Dec 12, 2008

Notes on the hymn "Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love" by Bilhorn, a gospel musician and hymn-writer.

This hymn of faith "Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love" was written and composed by Peter P. Bilhorn. The desire for inner peace is a universal struggle for everyone, even for those who profess to be Christians and followers of the "Prince of Peace."

"Sweet Peace, the gift of God's Love" Background

One afternoon, Bilhorn had been invited to sing in Camp-Meeting at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. He sang one of his early popular songs, "I will sing the Wondrous Story." At the close of the service a friend, Mrs. Ida Stoddard Demerast, said to him, "Mr. Bilhorn, I wish you would write a song to suit my voice as 'I Will sing the Wondrous Story' seems to suit your voice." Bilhorn asked, "What shall it be?" She replied, "Oh, any sweet piece," which suggested the title. In the twilight hour, while seated at the piano, the music came to him, but he had no words except the title.

The following winter a call came from American evangelist and publisher, D.L. Moody, for Bilhorn to join Major Whittle in a meeting in Iowa. They went to Chicago together. When nearing Wheaton, Illinois, the engine gave a shrill whistle of warning, which gives a feeling something is wrong. The train came to a sudden stop and backed up a distance of about three hundred feet. Beside a telegraph pole, in a ditch, was found a mangled body of an old lady, which was carried across the street into cottage, but leaving a pool of blood where she had lain.

Major Whittle, placing one hand on Bilthorn's shoulder, said, "Do you know that is all Jesus Christ left on this earth? His body rose for our justification, but his blood was left to atone for our sins!" Bilhorn replid, "Yes, Major, and that is what gives me sweet peace, just to know for certain that his blood atones for my sins." When Bilhorn returned to the train, the thought of the song came to him again, and the words were written.

Composer and Hymn-writer Peter P. Bilhorn

Peter P. Bilhorn (1865-1936), a noted gospel musician and soul-winner, was born in Mendota, Illinois. At the age if eight, his father died and his was forced to leave school to helo support his mother and family. At the 15, he moved with his family to Chicago, where his voice became a great attraction in German concern halls and among his worldly friends in the taverns.

Five years later, at the age of 20, Peter was converted to Christ at one of the meetings conducted by Dr. George Pentecost and musician George Stebbins. Following his conversion, Bilhorn was greatly used by God in various forms of Christian service, including personal soul-winning. It is estimated that he wrote approximately 2,000 gospel songs.

His evangelistic ministry carried him not only to all the states of the union but to Great Britain and other foreign countries. He became widely-known for his evangelistic song-leading ability. His publishing company and the folding organ were also successful enough.

"Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love" first appeared in the hymnal Crowning Glory, No, 1, published in 1888, by the Bilhorn Publishing Company.

"Sweet Peace, the Gift of God's Love"

Words and Music

101 More Hymn Stories, by Kenneth W. Osbeck. Michigan: Kregel Publications, 1985

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