Will Your Anchor Hold?
Priscilla Jane Owens was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1829. Raised in the Scottish and Welsh heritage of her parents, Priscilla was committed to working with children and youths and spent a lifetime dedicated to education as a school teacher and to Christian ministry. Always looking for ways to teach and inspire youths to a faithful walk and greater love of their Savior Jesus, she wrote many hymns during those years. Her most enduring piece, "Will Your Anchor Hold" (also called "We Have an Anchor") was written in 1882 and set to music by William Kirkpatrick, a Pennsylvania musician and hymn compiler of some renown. The hymn underwent modifications when it was adopted for use by Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey for use in revival meetings, asking rhetorical questions that would give the audience pause to consider the condition of their hearts. Priscilla’s hymn spread far and wide, partly because of its use in those meetings, but also because it went on ...
