Author—Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 Composer—Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876 Meter—8 5. 8 5. with Chorus Scripture Reference—Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. Revelation 2:25 As was true of so many of P. P. Bliss’s gospel songs, this stirring hymn was inspired by an illustration used by Major Whittle, an officer in the American Civil War, while addressing a YMCA meeting on the text from Revelation 2:25. Major Whittle’s illustration was about a small Northern