Ira Sankey’s Life Was Spaired Because of a Song He Sang

Ira Sankey, traveling on a Delaware River steamboat, was asked to sing a Hymn., As he sang “Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” a man stepped from the shadows and asked, “Did you ever serve in the Union Army?” “Yes,” Mr. Sankey answered, “in the spring of 1860.” Can you remember if you were doing guard duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?” “Yes,” Mr. Sankey answered, very much surprised. The man answered “So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, ‘That fellow will never get away alive.’ I raised my musket and took aim. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing.’Let him sing his song I said to myself, ‘I can shoot him afterwards.’ The words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me. When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim again. And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side."(Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome, K Hughes, Tyndale, 1988, p. 69).