Marilyn's Musings
March 10, 2026
I hope most of you watched the service virtually or were with us for our worship service this past Sunday. We sang, what I am sure, is an old favorite for a lot of us. The hymn “In the Garden” is one of the beautiful old-time hymns. I can’t count the number of times I sat in the pew where I sit now and sang it with my mother. I often talk about my gardens in my musings so you know how much I love being outside and enjoying God’s beautiful world. When I walk around my garden sometimes, I am reminded of the first verse of this song. “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And he walks with me, and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own, and the joy we share, as we tarry there, none other has ever known.”
Sometimes I read the history of hymns and tell you about it in my own words but the story of this hymn deserves to be shared with you in the author’s own words.
Inspired by the gospel of John, chapter 20, this hymn celebrates the joyous companionship its author, C. Austin Miles, experiences with Jesus as he walks through the garden. Here is the account of how this beautiful hymn was written from the hymn writer himself, “One day in April 1912, I was seated in the dark room where I kept my photographic equipment, and also my organ. I drew my Bible toward me and it opened at my favorite book and chapter, John chapter twenty. I don’t know if this was by chance or by the work of the Holy Spirit. I will let you the reader decide. That story of Jesus and Mary in John 20 had lost none of its power and charm.
It was though I was in a trance, 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 when she knelt before her Lord and cried, “Rabboni”. I rested my hands on the open Bible, as I stared at the light blue wall. As the light faded, I seemed to be standing at the entrance of a garden, looking down a gently winding path, shaded by olive branches. A woman in white, with head, bowed, hand clasping her throat, as if to choke back her sobs, walked slowly into the shadows. It was Mary. As she came unto the tomb, upon which she placed her hand, she bent over to look in and ran away. John, in a flowing robe, appeared looking at the tomb. Then came Peter, who entered the tomb, followed slowly by John. As they departed, Mary reappeared leaning her head upon her arm at the tomb, she wept. Turning herself, she saw Jesus standing there, so did I. I knew it was He. She knelt before Him, with arms outstretched, and looking into His face cried, “Rabboni”.
I awakened in sunlight, gripping my Bible with my muscles tense, and nerves vibrating, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I wrote as quickly as the words could be formed the lyrics exactly as it is sung today. That same evening, I wrote the tune. It is sung today as it was written in 1912.”
During Pastor’s sermon she spoke about how the garden was a meeting place in biblical times. It could be an intimate place where people met to have quiet conversations or just sit in peace. We all know the story of Jesus meeting his disciples in the garden. And then, a few days later, Mary Magladene met the risen Lord in a garden. She didn’t recognize him at first. For all of us who take a few minutes to walk in our gardens, could Jesus be there with us and us not recognize him? I hope after reading my musing today and reading the story of the writing of this hymn, that when we walk in our gardens watching the seasons change with spring on its way, we will realize that Jesus is with us. Remember: “And He walks with me an He talks with me and He tells me I am His own and the joy we share as we tarry there, non-other has ever known. “Close your eyes as we sing this song again today, imagining what Mary saw on her early morning walk that one day long ago.
“In the Garden”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=3_dMzucjEaw&si=f0rD6JLSX5M-InwR
This version of “In the Garden” is done beautifully and is so peaceful to listen to or sing along with. Enjoy.
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