1871 - 1963 Composer of "[Like a cradle rocking, rocking]" in Glad Songs Marguerite Bixler Garrett was born in Hartville, Ohio. From her childhood days her heart was filled with song. During her public school days she and her two sisters were given careful training under the best teachers of the day. They appeared in over 300 public musical recitals. Marguerite was offered a good position with a New York musical company. She declined, feeling that the stage was not to be her place.
While living near Akron, Ohio, she attended and led the singing for an evangelistic series of meetings conducted by Elder I. D. Parker. His strong sermons and the wooing of the Spirit were too much for her to resist. She was received into the church by Christian baptism and dedicated her life to the service of the church. She attended Mt. Morris College for further preparation, but was soon offered the head of the music department, a position she held for three years. When Manchester College started, in 1895, she became the first music director.
During all this time she was becoming more widely known as a leader of song. She visited the Holy Land in 1906 with her Bible and hymn book. The inspiration received on this trip has helped her to inspire many bynew songs composed, and by greater meaning given to old songs.
While on her trip abroad she became intimately acquainted with Mr. O. D. Garrett, of Bluffton, Indiana. They were united in marriage in 1908 and made their home in Wells County, Indiana, in the bounds of the Prairie Creek church. She was given the authority to preach. She took great interest in District and Annual Meetings where she was frequently a delegate.
From History of the Church of the Brethren In Indiana by Otho Winger (Elgin, IL: Brethren Publishing House, 1917)
Margueritte Bixler Garrett
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