| Sometimes it is hard to find anything about the writing of a Gospel song. This time I found plenty and much of what I found ended up being parts of those eRumors that folks like to spread. Apparently over the years folks have added all sorts of incorrect details to embelish the story. But after reading what some members of Billy Graham’s team had to say, here is what I think is the correct story. Stuart Hamblen was a popular singer, songwriter, actor, poet, and radio personality from the 1930s through the 1950s. Some have called him radio's first singing cowboy. Billy Graham came to Los Angeles in 1949 for what became an historic evangelistic crusade. Graham was asked to appear on Hamblen’s radio show to promote the crusade Although Hamblen was known for his hard living and drinking, he had been reared as the son of a Methodist minister and he warmly welcomed Graham as a guest. It was at that interview that Graham extended an invitation to Hamblen to attend the crusade and he accepted. Hamblen later contacted Graham at his hotel and asked to talk. The result was that he "surrendered his life to Christ.” Hamblen's became the first publicized conversion from the 1949 crusade and contributed to the decision to extend the event, which lasted for 8 weeks and put Billy Graham on the map. On a street in Hollywood Hamblen later ran into John Wayne who asked him about the rumor around town that he'd changed his ways. Hamblen told Wayne that it was no secret what God had done for him and that he could do it for Wayne too. Wayne said it sounded like a song and suggested that he write one. The result was one of Hamblen's best known tunes, It is No Secret What God Can Do. It was a crossover song that is regarded as the first to have been #1 in the gospel, country, and pop categories. The original manuscript of It is No Secret is buried in the cornerstone of one of the Copyright Buildings of the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. After his conversion Hamblen announced that he was going to devote his time to "serving Christ" and he started a new radio program titled The Cowboy Church of the Air which became nationally syndicated. A confrontation developed with his sponsors, however, when he told them that he would refuse to advertise alcohol. His much publicized departure from the program resulted in his being asked to run for President of the United States in 1952 under the banner of the Prohibition party. He accepted and ran fourth to Republican Dwight Eisenhower who was elected president. So to the best of my knowledge that is the story behind Hamblen and the writing of this week’s choice. And his claim is still true today, God is still in the business of saving and changing people. And it is no secret what He can do. Show (1) The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you? You may have longed for added strength Your courage to renew Do not be disheartened For I have news for you It is no secret what God can do What He's done for others, He'll do for you With arms wide open, He'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do (2) There is no night for in His light You never walk alone Always feel at home Wherever you may go There is no power can conquer you While God is on your side Take Him at His promise Don't run away and hide It is no secret what God can do What He's done for others, He'll do for you With arms wide open, He'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do Listen to it being sung here. LISTEN Hamblen was the son of a Methodist minister and is considered one of radio’s first “singing cowboys”. He lived a life of “destructive behavior” before attending a Billy Graham crusade in 1949. He met Rev. Graham when he appeared on Hamblen’s radio show. He was invited to attend a crusade and attended reluctantly.  Rev. Graham is reported to say “There is one man in this audience who is a big fake.” While many may have felt he was talking about them, Hamblen was sure he was talking about him. Several days later he arrived at the pastor’s door at 2pm. He was drunk and demanded the pastor pray for him. Rev. Graham said “This is between you and God and I’m not going to get in the middle of it.” The two men spoke, as the gospel was shared, and about three hours later Stuart Hamblen gave his life to Christ. Hamblen completed changed his life and ways, as he began to write Christian songs {with little success} and eventually lost his radio show when he refused to promote alcohol. When a friend asked if it was true he’d changed his ways he replied ” it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too.” The friend said “That’s a catchy phrase. You should write a song about it.” Hamblen tells the story behind one of his songs: “I wrote the song one night, shortly after midnight. My wife and I had been visiting one of Hollywood’s most famous movie stars. We had gone over to his home just to fill him in on some of the things that had happened in his recent absence.” “Somehow the discussion got around to how people can solve problems within themselves. I remember making a statement such as, ‘It’s no secret what God can do in a man’s life.’ About two hours later, as we were about to leave the actor’s home he said, ‘Stuart you ought to write a song about it is no secret what God can do. That is a beautiful thought.’” “As we walked across the lawn, back to our house, I began to think about it. When we arrived at home I walked into the living room and sat down at the organ. Our hall clock began to “chime” the hour of midnight. I grabbed a pen and started writing, ‘The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through’ and on and on until the song was finished. I then turned and glanced at the hall clock. It was only 17 minutes after midnight. I couldn’t believe it. I had never been able to write any musical composition in less than three or four hours. I thought the clock had stopped. I then looked and saw the big pendulum still swinging.” So who was the friend? Well, you’ll never believe it. It was none other than John Wayne. It Is No Secret {What God Can Do} has proven true, as the Lord has moved through this song proclaiming his promises. When Was It Is No Secret What God Can Write?It's No Secret 28th in 1950
Written after a conversation between Hamblen and his friend, actor John Wayne, about Hamblen's lifestyle changes following his conversion to Christianity in 1949.
Who was John Wayne's neighbor?But Wayne was an actor and not a cotton farmer, so he soon partnered with his neighbor and successful farmer Louis Johnson, who worked Wayne's fields and earned The Duke a handsome profit for years.
Who wrote song until then?Stuart HamblenUntil Then / Composernull
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Who wrote the song it is no secret what god can do
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