Face to Face
Carrie E. Breck and Grant C. Tullar
Many stories resulting in hymns Christians sing tell about a God who is continually working 'behind the scenes' to bring together people, circumstances and blessings. Such is the story of Carrie E. Breck (1855-1934 ) and Grant C. Tullar (1869-1950), and the beautiful song they penned, Face to Face
During a series of busy evangelistic meetings in 1898, several faithful and hungry workers were gathered in a pastor'ss home to grab a snack between sessions. Among the crowd was musician Grant Tuller.
As an almost empty jar of jelly was being passed around, the pastor and his wife, knowing how much Tullar liked the jelly, handed it over to him. Their thankful guest grinned and said 'So, this is all for me, is it?' As the words came out of his mouth, Tullar was inspired to go to the piano. The bantering words about the jelly became the beginning of a beautiful song.
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Tullar composed a beautiful melody to accompany the words All for me the Savior suffered, all for me He bled and died.. The pastor encouraged Tullar to sing the hymn during that evenings service, but Tullar knew the song was not quite finished.
The next day, Tullar received a letter from Carrie Beck. A mother of five small children, Beck would write poetry as she sat rocking one or more of her children. She wrote more than 2,000 poems during her lifetime. Beck was tone deaf, but several of her poems were set to music by various musicians. In her letter to Tullar, Beck asked him to compose a tune for a poem she had recently written. The meter and sentiment of the poem fit the melody Tullar had written the night before. God had brought together writer and musician; words and music to become a song that was destined for many a hymnbook; and to bring many a blessing.
Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face, what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ Who died for me?
Refrain:
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory;
I shall see Him by and by!
Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a bless'd day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.
Refrain
What rejoicing in His presence,
When are banished grief and pain;
When the crooked ways are straightened
And the dark things shall be plain.
Refrain
Face to face, oh, blissful moment!
Face to face, to see and know;
Face to face with my Redeemer,
Jesus Christ Who loves me so.
Refrain
“Now we see but a poor reflection, then we shall see face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
