P. P. Bliss: Chronology of Events
 P. P. Bliss (1838-1876) was an American
hymn writer and Gospel singer who wrote the words and music for
such hymns as "Almost Persuaded," "Hallelujah, What a Saviour!," and "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning." |
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| 1838 | Born Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, United States (July 9) |
| 1850 | Openly confessed Christ, baptized, joins a Baptist church. |
| 1851 | Works on a farm for $9 per month. |
| 1852 | Works as an assistant cook in lumber camp in Pine Creek,
Pennsylvania. Attends school as much as possible. |
| 1856 | Teaches school in Hartsville, New York. |
| 1857 | Attends Susquehanna Collegiate Institute in Towanda, Pennsylvania. Meets William B. Bradbury at Musical Convention in Rome, Pennsylvania. Teaches at Towner Hill schoolhouse in Rome Township, Pennsylvania. |
| 1858 | Teaches at the Academy in Rome, Pennsylvania. |
| 1859 | Marries Lucy Jane Young (June 1). |
| 1860-63 | Attends the Normal Academy of Music in Geneseo, New York. Conducts singing schools and musical conventions in northeastern Pennsylvania and adjacent New York. |
| 1864 | His first song, Lora Vale is published by Root & Cady. |
| 1865 | Goes to Chicago, Illinois; works for Root & Cady, music publishing company. |
| 1869 | Meets Dwight L. Moody in Chicago for first time. |
| 1870 | Meets Ira D. Sankey who had joined D. L. Moody in Chicago. Becomes choir director at First Congregational Church of Chicago. Becomes Superintendent of the Sunday School at First Congregational. Writes "Hold the Fort." The Prize, music book for children containing many Bliss songs published by Root & Cady. |
| 1871 | Compiles The Charm, a collection of Sunday School
music. Writes "Almost Persuaded," "Jesus Loves Even Me" and "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning." |
| 1872 | Son Paul born in Chicago. Compiles The Song Tree. |
| 1873 | Compiles The Joy for choirs and musical conventions. Compiles The Sunshine for Sunday Schools. |
| 1874 | Bliss and D. W. Whittle consecrate their lives to proclaiming
the Gospel in word and song (March 25th) Son George Goodwin born in Chicago. |
| 1875 | Bliss and Sankey compile Gospel Hymns and Sacred Songs. |
| 1876 | Bliss and Whittle hold evangelistic meetings in Wisconsin,
Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia (January
to April). Died, along with wife in train disaster at Ashtabula, Ohio (Dec. 29) |
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