Spotlight Person Ira D. Sankey

Ira D. Sankey

Was a well-known singer song writer that partnered with D.L. Moody. Born and raised in Pennsylvania and converted at the age of 16, he grew up and and served in the Civil War before taking a position as with the IRS and YMCA.

He met DL Moody at a convention at the YMCA in Indianapolis. Sankey was already known as a gospel singer and after meeting Moody attended an evangelistic meeting with him and the two traveled together as Preacher and Singer after Sankey resigned from employers.

He traveled extensively with DL Moody around the US and even over sees to England. Where Moody preached, Sankey sang. Ira Sankey is known for many songs and song books. His most famous song is probably the Ninety and Nine.

From Wikipedia

Sankey and Moody were en route from Glasgow to Edinburgh, Scotland, in May, 1874, as they were to hold a three-day campaign there. This was at the urgent request of the Ministerial Association. Prior to boarding the train, Sankey bought a weekly newspaper for a penny. He found nothing of interest but a sermon by Henry W. Beecher and some advertisements. Then, he found a little piece of poetry in a corner of one column that he liked, and he read it to Moody, but only received a polite reply. Sankey clipped the poem and tucked it in his pocket. At the noon day service of the second day of the special series, Moody preached on The Good Shepherd. Horatius Bonar added a few thrilling words and then Moody asked Mr. Sankey if he had a final song. An inner voice prompted him to sing the hymn that he found on the train. With conflict of spirit, he thought, this is impossible! The inner voice continued to prod him, even though there was no music to the poem, so he acquiesced. As calmly as if he had sung it a thousand times, he placed the little piece of newspaper on the organ in front of him. Lifting up his heart in a brief prayer to Almighty God, he then laid his hands on the keyboard, striking a chord in A flat. Half speaking and half singing, he completed the first stanza, which was followed by four more. Moody walked over with tears in his eyes and said, "Where did you get that hymn?" 'The Ninety and Nine' became his most famous tune and his most famous sale from that time on. The words were written by Elizabeth Clephane in 1868. She died in 1869, little realizing her contribution to the Christian world.