Windows open toward Jerusalem

Words by P. P. Bliss Music by P. P. Bliss

"Do you see the Hebrew captive kneeling,
At morning, noon and night, to pray?”

While attending a Sunday service at the State Prison in Joliet, Illinois, where he had gone to sing, P. P. Bliss heard H. G. Spafford of Chicago, who wrote ”It is well with my soul, ”address the prisoners, and use Daniel in Babylon as an illustration of Gospel truth, asking the question in closing, ”Are your windows open toward Jerusalem? ”This suggested the hymn to Mr. Bliss.

About a month before his death Mr. Bliss came to Chicago to attend a convention called by Mr. Moody, and there, at a morning meeting, where over a thousand ministers were present, he sang, ”Are your windows open toward Jerusalem?” with intense spiritual feeling. One minister cried out: ”God bless Mr. Bliss for that song! ”His face fairly shone as he sang, and half of those present were in tears under the influence of the song. Mr. Moody, filled with emotion, leaned his head forward upon the desk. It was the last time he heard his beloved friend and brother sing.

I often used to sing this song as a solo in connection with Mr. Moody's lectures on the prophet Daniel.