Daily Companionship and the Christian Life

The gospel songwriter C. Austin Miles’s spiritual vision became the inspiration for the popular Christian hymn, ‘In The Garden.’
Daily Companionship and the Christian Life
A detail of "Christ and St Mary Magdalen at the Tomb," 1638, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Public Domain
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In March of 1912, gospel songwriter C. Austin Miles sat in his darkroom waiting for his film to develop. A photography hobbyist, he often used this time to read the Bible and search for song inspirations. When he opened the Bible to a random page—the Gospel of John, chapter 20—he was suddenly filled with inspiration and words and music began flowing through him.

The story chronicles Mary Magdalene’s discovery of the empty tomb after Jesus’s crucifixion. Weeping over Christ’s missing body, Mary heard a gentle voice calling her name. Realizing it was Jesus standing before her, she was filled with joy.

In Kenneth Osbeck’s “101 Hymn Stories,” Miles recounted his experience:

“I drew my Bible toward me; it opened at my favorite chapter ... whether by chance or inspiration let each reader decide. That meeting of Jesus and Mary had lost none of its power to charm. As I read it that day, I seemed to be part of the scene. I became a silent witness to that dramatic moment in Mary’s life.”

"Christ and St. Mary Magdalen at the Tomb," 1638, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Oil on panel. Royal Collection, UK. (Public Domain)
"Christ and St. Mary Magdalen at the Tomb," 1638, by Rembrandt van Rijn. Oil on panel. Royal Collection, UK. Public Domain

He continued, “I awakened in full light, gripping the Bible, with muscles tense and nerves vibrating. Under the inspiration of this vision I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed,” quoted Miles.

He wrote the song in one day. First, the words came to him in poem form. Then, he built out the poem with more complete lyrics and phrasings. That evening, he set the words to music.

What seemed like a random burst of inspiration ultimately turned into the gospel hymn “In The Garden”—one of the world’s most beloved Christian songs.

A Career Change Serving Divine Gifts

"In the Darkroom," 1894, published by Ernst Keil in "Die Gartenlaube" ("The Garden Arbor"). (Public Domain)
"In the Darkroom," 1894, published by Ernst Keil in "Die Gartenlaube" ("The Garden Arbor"). Public Domain

Before Miles became a professional songwriter, he was a practicing pharmacist. He studied at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and the University of Pennsylvania. A musician at heart, he spent some time working as a pharmacist until he felt a calling to use his divine gifts of words and music to comfort people.  In 1892, he made his professional career change.

Two years later, Miles’s gospel song “List! ‘Tis Jesus’ Voice” was accepted by the music publisher Hall-Mack Company. His initial success with the publishing firm turned into a business partnership that lasted almost four decades. For 37 years, he was the publishing firm’s editor and manager—in addition to one of their most productive writers.

Over the course of his life, the gospel songwriter penned about 398 songs. But none became as influential among the Christian community as his gentle, comforting hymn, “In The Garden.”

Spiritual Companionship Through Song

A garden scene at the Santa Barbara Mission in Calif., 1895. Library of Congress. (Public Domain)
A garden scene at the Santa Barbara Mission in Calif., 1895. Library of Congress. Public Domain
“In The Garden” offers comfort to Christians and it dwells on the lifelong relationship believers have with God. In regard to the spiritual meaning of his vision and song, Miles quoted, “This is not an experience limited to a happening almost 2,000 years ago. It is the daily companionship with the Lord that makes up the Christian’s life.”

According to the Nazarene pastor Luke Powell, “in the garden“ metaphorically refers to the quiet place each person can establish to reconnect with the divine. It’s also a connection that people can draw on once they leave ”their garden” and go out into the world. In one of his online devotional sessions, Mr. Powell said:

“As the song said in the chorus, ‘And he walks with me, and he talks with me, and he tells me I am his own.’ That’s not just for the garden. Of course we experience him in a special way in a quiet place like this but when we go out from the garden he keeps walking with us, and he keeps talking with us, and telling us that we are his.”

Since the first publication of “In The Garden,” it has become a gospel standard. It appeared in more than 210 hymnals. According to The St. Augustine Record, “More than a million recordings and printed copies of it have been sold.” Its popularity reaches far and wide—in America and abroad.

"The Evening Hymn," circa 1850, by G.A. Periam after Henry Richter. Royal Museums Greenwich. (Public Domain)
"The Evening Hymn," circa 1850, by G.A. Periam after Henry Richter. Royal Museums Greenwich. Public Domain

Miles once remarked in an interview when asked about the success he’s had as a songwriter:

“I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire.”

One of gospel’s most prolific American writers, “In The Garden” remains Miles’s signature contribution to the Christian community.

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Rebecca Day
Rebecca Day
Author
Rebecca Day is an independent musician, freelance writer, and frontwoman of country group, The Crazy Daysies.