Who was Harry Morse ?

[Scott Pitta]

The True Jesus Church had an American leader who promoted the Sabbath. His daughter was a student of Harry Morse.

The holiness movement had a significant impact on the Pentecostal movement.

[Steve Epley]

This thread is the main reason I come over here. I enjoy it very much. Thanks for your hard work.

[Graham]

How 'bout that. Thanks for the feedback.

[Scott Pitta]

10/9/1939 LA Times

Death of Herbert Buffum, internationally acclaimed hymn writer and evangelist, was being mourned yesterday by Southland workers.


Author of more than 1000 hymns, many of them translated into practically every foreign language for use in missionary work, Buffum, 59, died Monday of a heart attack.


An evangelist for 40 years, he early gained a reputation as a Bible verse and song author, becoming known in later years as the “King of Hymn Writers.”


First of his compositions to gain popularity was the still famous “I Am Going Through Jesus.” He also wrote ‘The Old Fashioned Meeting,” “I’m Going Higher Some Day,” “It Takes the Storm Clouds to Form the Rainbow” and “When I Take My Vacation in Heaven.”


Never a student of music or composition, the evangelist, who received his religious training in San Francisco with the Volunteers of America, came naturally by his talent.

At evangelistic meetings throughout the country for a suggestion for a song. On being given a title he would immediately, on a blackboard before the assembled group, write both the words and music to a new hymn.


Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver were included among evangelists to make use of his compositions, many of which were printed as sheet music and recorded on records.

The evangelist leaves his widow Mrs. Lillie Buffum of 1053 Ingraham St., and three daughters, Mrs. Ruth Anderson, Mrs. Naomi Bartlett and Mrs. Lois B. Marona, and a son, Herbert Buffum Jr.


Buffum had been in ill health less than a week when stricken, according to his family. Born in Lafayette, Ill., he came to California when 17, beginning his career shortly thereafter.

Songs Buffum wrote:


The obit says he was trained at the Volunteers of America in San Francisco. So was Harry Morse. Still looking for more connections. He did hold revivals at the Morse Mission in the 1920's. He also preached at Peniel Missions in the 1920's. Yet another connection with Morse.

[Scott Pitta]

Before Buffum was a song writer, he was known as a poet. Before that, he was known for being very well spoken. The earliest poem I found so far is from 1912. He did write one about the Titanic sinking, but I have not found it yet.

His dad was a Methodist preacher. He was also a traveling salesman. So every Sunday, he would preach in any church wherever he was. He was on the road for 40 years.

Herbert's daughter also was a minister. Lily Buffum, Herbert's wife, was also a minister.

Buff published a book or two of poetry. I hope to get my hands on one.

He primarily preached in Kansas and California.

Herbert passed away in 1939. Lily moved to Stockton and visited Apostolic churches on occasion.

[Scott Pitta]

A Buffum songbook from 1961 came in the post today. Another one is on the way. After that, a short bio Herbert Buffum himself wrote is coming my way.

Today's find is called Melodies of Treasure. Looks like a paperback songbook for a church to use. It contains 46 songs. It also has a sort biography of Herbert Buffum. It is penned by his son.

After Herbert passed away, his wife and son lived in Stockton, Ca.

It lists other songwriters he worked with. They were Charles Gabriel, Haldor Lillenas, Charles Tillman, DM Shanks, JM Henson and RE Winsett.

[Scott Pitta]

Lillie Buffum worked at the Fresno Peniel Mission in the late 1890's. Selma Nelson and Lydia Swinton were at the same Peniel Mission around 1910.

I wonder if Lillie Buffum knew the other ladies in the Fresno Peniel Mission ??

Fun fact for the day...

[Scott Pitta]

I now own 3 song books by Herbert Buffum. His earliest song seems to have been penned in 1905.

He was Oneness and then he was not. I have not figured all of that out yet. His descendants have his diary. Hopefully, I will make the connections necessary to see if he wrote about Harry Morse. He did preach at the Big Downtown Mission. Plus, he lived in Stockton, as did his son.

Still working the leads.....

[Scott Pitta]

Herbert Buffum penned two short autobiographies. Both came in the mail this week. They are long on emotion and short on theology, names or dates.

He was Oneness for a while. Still trying to figure out that part. He also had an unpublished diary. I'm still hunting his family down.

Buff knew Harry Morse and preached and sang in his church. Hopefully he wrote about him as well. Time to reexamine the 2 biographies that came in. They are dated from 1913 and 1936.

[Scott Pitta]

Both Buffum books had travel data about where and when. Buff lived in the same area as Harry Morse. Plus Buffum preached for Morse. But there is no mention of Morse in his books. Nor is there any theological stand one way or another.

Buffum does describe his relationship with other song writers of his day. Plus he is clear about collaborative efforts in terms of who wrote the lyrics and who wrote the music and who actually published the material.

Geographically, San Francisco, Stockton and Lodi are mentioned, but not other specific elements in the Harry Morse social circle. Herbert Buffum clearly had a much larger circle of friends and ministers.

Both Buffum and Morse came out west at the same time. They were both trained by the Volunteers of America. Buffum was then Nazarene, Morse was PAW and then PCI.

Buffum was ill most of his life with a variety of illnesses. He was married most of his life and had several children. A noted difference as Harry and Maud Morse had no children.

A black minister called the other day. He did not know Emma Cotton pastored in Oakland. He was quite excited about it and is excited about the book project.

Was Herbert Buffum Oneness for a time in his life ? Does anyone know ?