Charles Austin Miles (January 7, 1868March 10, 1946) was a prolific American writer of

gospel songs Gospel music is a traditional genre of Christian music and a cornerstone of Christian media. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music vary according to culture and social context. Gospel music is compo ...

, who is best known for his 1912 Easter story-based hymn " In the Garden". He studied at the

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

and the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (Penn or UPenn) is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. One of nine colonial colleges, it was chartered in 1755 through the efforts of f ...

. In 1892, he ceased to practice as a pharmacist. His first gospel song, "List! ’Tis Jesus’ Voice", was published by the Hall-Mack Company. He worked as editor and manager at Hall-Mack for 37 years. A resident of

Pitman, New Jersey Pitman is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 8,780, a decrease of 231 (−2.6%) from the 2010 Un ...

, Miles died on March 10, 1946, at Hahnemann Hospital in

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

. He said, "It is as a writer of gospel songs I am proud to be known, for in that way I may be of the most use to my Master, whom I serve willingly although not as efficiently as is my desire". He wrote at least 398 songs, and the music to at least 8 more. His best-known song may be " In the Garden" (1912); sometimes known by its first line, "I Come to the Garden Alone". It has been included in 210 hymnals, and recorded numerous times.

Songs

* " Dwelling in Beulah Land" ( " God Bless Fiji") (1911) * "List! ’Tis Jesus’ Voice" (a.k.a. "He's Watching and Waiting") (1894) * " In the Garden" (a.k.a. "I Come to the Garden Alone") (1912) * "Sweeter as the Years Roll By" (1914)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miles, C. Austin 1868 births 1946 deaths People from Lakehurst, New Jersey People from Pitman, New Jersey Gospel music composers 19th-century composers 20th-century American composers American Protestant hymnwriters National anthem writers Writers from Gloucester County, New Jersey Writers from Ocean County, New Jersey