I Come to the Garden Alone -- Charles Austin Miles

Talk about being in the moment, carried away by one’s imagination. That is what Charles Austin Miles could have said about how he came to write the words of “I Come to the Garden Alone” (also commonly known as “In the Garden”) in 1912, an episode in which he recalls being transported to a scene that left him trembling. You might use the word ‘imagination’, particularly if what one saw was only in one’s mind, a fantasy. Yet, what he imagined was based upon a very real event, in a real garden (perhaps not too different than one shown here, in Japan). And, Miles’ own awestricken recollection of his transportation to and return from this distant place suggests he was part of a very unique, perhaps even Spirit-led vision.  

Austin Miles had been pursuing his second career, in the music business, for about 20 years by the time he reached 44 years of age and was challenged by a publisher to come up with a new song. He’d given up his pharmaceutical profession in his early 20s, for perhaps the same reason that anyone changes his life’s vocational focus – more interest, and even passion for something else. Perhaps what happened to him at this time in 1912, twenty years hence, reaffirmed his decision. The song development method he employed on this occasion was probably not too different than ones he’d tried before. He’d given up on the pharmacy as a vocation, but still played at his photography avocation, and so he was reportedly in a dark room in his home that he used for developing pictures, most likely in the Philadelphia area. He had his bible too, turned to the 20^th chapter of the fourth account (John) of Jesus’ rising. It was a place where he’d probably sequestered himself at other times, but had he had similar experiences like this one? He remembers vividly the scene as Mary encounters the risen Son, a rapture that humans might describe as astonishment. Perhaps that is too tame. It’s an unparalleled experience, leaving the witness afraid and overjoyed at once. That probably explains why Miles says he found himself quivering, and though he’d chosen the room because of its dim light, he discovered himself in a fully illuminated place at this apparent vision’s conclusion. And so, the song’s words flowed effortlessly, and the music soon thereafter. Do you suppose Miles thanked his publisher-challenger (reportedly Dr. Adam Geibel) for soliciting his efforts to produce something ‘tender’ and ‘sympathetic’ for worshippers seeking to identify with Mary?      

Was it real, or not? We believers count on it, don’t we? I might see in my mind a place and an event--a dream—and then completely forget it all in my sleep. That’s different than what Austin Miles remembered in 1912. His ‘dream’ was his entry into an actual, history-making, life-changing, revolutionary, moment. Interesting how Miles’ objective was to create something gentle and touching for believers, and yet the experience left him quaking, isn’t it? Austin’s story shows that while I might be looking for a peaceful episode with Him, I should know that entering God’s life-story will also be unnerving. Especially if I’m a vessel for Him. You ready for that?

Information on the song was also obtained from the books  Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, 1990, Kregel Publications; 101 Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1982; The Complete Book of Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs, by William J. and Ardythe Petersen, 2006, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; and Then Sings My Soul – 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories, Robert J. Morgan, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

See following site also: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/i/t/g/itgarden.htm