Lesson 288: Precious Lord
Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas
PRECIOUS LORD On occasion a man is born destined to fulfill his destiny. Even
when life seems to have dealt a fatal blow, you are rejected by others and you
doubt yourself, the spirit somehow triumphs. This is the saga on one
man’s tribulation and triumph. Thomas A. Dorsey, better known as ‘Georgia or Georgia
Tom’ was born on July 1, 1899, at Willa Rica (Carrroll County) Georgia.
He was the son of Thomas Madison Dorsey and Etta Plant Spencer Dorsey. He had
three siblings. He was blessed with a family of faith and the father traveled
exercising his faith in several southern states with his wife being an organist
and choir singer. Georgia grew up within this church environment. Because money was tight, young Dorsey was expected to work around
different towns to help pay the family expenses. One of the jobs he landed
helped mold him into a blues singer and then later as a gospel music composer.
While living in Atlanta, Georgia got a job at the famed 81 Theater selling
concessions. There he was exposed to the black entertainers of the day and he
having been taught the rudiments of music by his dear mother, learned to play
piano proficiently. He also learned how to read music. He began playing his
music under the name of ‘Barrelhouse’ Tommy. After years of hard work, Georgia came into his own as a singer,
composer and arranger. He began touring with a five piece band known as the
Wild Cats Jazz Band. As his reputation as a blues player grew, doors were
opened to him, as he played with more bands. Yet there was a longing in his
heart for his musical roots. Gospel music called. One night he noticed a
tremor in his hand and felt a breakdown coming. It lasted for two years. In 1925 he married Nellie Harper. They were happily married and
during times of inspiration, he once again penned classic gospel songs. A
pivotal point came in his life in August of 1932. During childbirth, his wife
died while delivering their first child. A day later the infant passed away.
Upon hearing the news in St Louis where he was performing, Dorsey plummeted
into a deep depression and returned to his family for consoling. The following
words are attributed to Thomas Dorsey: “The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd
called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a
messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram.
I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the
words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED. People were happily singing and clapping around
me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and
called home. All I could hear on the other end was 'Nettie is dead.
Nettie is dead.' Friend, have you ever experienced despair and unimaginable grief?
Have you felt your world turn upside down and you didn’t know what
direction to take? Has your faith ever been tested and shaken? You are not
alone dear heart. All of us have experienced the sting of the wasp, yet from
the experience we become stronger and a better person. God will not forsake
us. God promises us abundance but never has he stated that we would not have
trials and even tribulations in our life. Such is the testing of the metal by
fire. Daniel 6:16 states glorious news: "Thy
God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee". I Corinthians
10:13 offers us hope in the promise in the fulfillment of our destiny. “No
temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he
will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,
he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” II Corinthians 12:9 again testifies to the truth of
God’s promise: “But he said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses,
so that Christ's power may rest on me.” Remember He will pull you through anything if we lean on
Him in faith. He will lead you home. Remembering the promises of my Precious
Lord, I remain the old general Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A._Dorsey http://www.pbs.org/thisfarbyfaith/people/thomas_dorsey.html
“When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I
swung between grief and joy. Yet that same night, the baby died. I
buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell
apart.
“For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an
injustice. I didn't want to serve Him anymore or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that
jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark
apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went
to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie. Was that
something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have
stayed and been with Nettie when she died.
“From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I
was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially one friend. The
following Saturday evening he took me up to
Maloney's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late
evening sun crept through the curtained windows.
“I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.
Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach
out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, once into my head they just
seemed to fall into place: 'Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me
stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night,
lead me on to the light, take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.'
“The Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I
learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God,
this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power.
And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when
He will take me and gently lead me home.’ In 1939, he partnered
with the legendary Mahalia Jackson and a new era in music was born. It was
called the golden age of Gospel Music. Dorsey became known as the father of
gospel music. He continued his legacy until in 1993 his Precious Lord took his
hand and led him home.” During his life time he wrote over 400 gospel
songs including Peace in the Valley. What a tribute to his God, wife, son and
family.