Although suffering a divorce in his marriage, Charles Weigel revealed a deep union with Jesus Christ. Hear the story of no one ever cared for me like Jesus in today's episode of Heritage Hymns. Welcome to the Hair to Tim's broadcast with our speaker, Danielle Cox. Join us as we travel back in time to learn of the great songwriters and the stories that they told us through music. Stay tuned at the end of this broadcast for more information. But for now, here's Pastor Cox. Charles Weigel was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on the 20th day of November, 1871. One of 12 siblings, young Charles grew up not only to the smells of his family's German bakery, but also to the sounds of his father's prayers. Bible reading was observed every morning after breakfast, and then he was sent off to the Lutheran school, where he would learn to use the German language fluently. Weigel said, I was born and reared in a Christian home. Every member of our family attended church services and went to Sunday school. We had family worship in the home every morning. Still yet, the Christian influences that surrounded him did not change the heart within him. While fighting with an older brother, young Charles lacerated him severely. There was also the time when playing with the neighborhood boys did not suit him. Accordingly, he knocked him down with a baseball bat. Warned and reproved by his parents, he insisted on his violence and hate. Eventually, his crimes landed him in court. Standing in awe and fear under the shadow of his judge, He quivered as the voice of the magistrate echoed powerfully through the courtroom. Witness after witness testified of his guilt and shame. Was he guilty of the crimes charged against him? Yes. And as the prosecutor rested his case, the court-appointed defense attorney stood to his feet in but a simple and humble plea, crying, The defendant pleads guilty to every charge brought against him, but he pleads for mercy. And as his attorney, I plead for him. I believe that if the court will grant mercy, this young man will live a new and holy life. Stunned and amazed at the endearing relationship the advocate had with the judge, the courtroom was once again silenced as the judge rose and said, but my son, if the defendant is guilty, there is a fine, a penalty that must be paid according to the law. I'll take care of that, said the attorney, and suffer the penalty myself. And these awesome words were uttered from the lips of the judge. It is the decision of the court that in response to the plea made by the attorney for this defendant, that he be pardoned and set at liberty with the understanding that he show by his manner of life and due respect for the law, a kindness toward his neighbors. Shockingly, graciously, gloriously, Weigel was set free. And in leaving the courtroom that day, his life was forever changed. I must be a bit honest about something here. The courtroom was, of course, not an imposing chamber of local laws broken, but the pew of an old Methodist revival meeting where that strong and overpowering realization of sin came flooding into his heart. Charles Weigel was born again. Having a keen interest in music, Weigel attended the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Here he trained for a lifetime of service in the ministry of music. Charles Weigel was headed for the evangelistic field, where his great love for the Word of God, coupled with his gracious personality and heartwarming musical ability, endeared him to believers and unbelievers nationwide. Said one authority on his life, Weigel was a master of pulpit eloquence, not a superficial, but a real eloquence that is filled with a combination of intense conviction of a present and abiding God brought to the world in the person of Jesus Christ. Weigel's gospel plow was also sharp and obstinate, even being worn by Billy Sunday, a fields not ripened for evangelistic endeavors. Even there, Weigel saw thousands of souls come to faith in Christ. Doors were opening all over the country for him. But as the Apostle Paul often remarked, a great door and effectual is open unto me, and there are many adversaries. Adversaries are typical, but the type that Weigel would endure are the kind that truly try men's souls. His wife and her family were upset greatly by his very busy schedule and usefulness. A graduate from the School of Sorrow, Weigel would go on to write a song eloquent of his time of great trials. Weigel's own testimony regarding his doomed marriage is best suited for our story. He said, I had been actively engaged in evangelistic work for quite a few years. To some it may have seemed a life of sacrifice, but to me the reward of seeing souls saved was worth more than money. God had given me a definite call. I was obeying Him and He promised to keep me and supply all my needs. In all of this, I thought I had the support of my wife, but somewhere along the way, she began to be influenced by relatives who cared not about the things of the Lord, nor understood the calling of God. One day, I found a note waiting for me. It said, Charlie, I've been a fool. I've done without a lot of things long enough. From here on out, I'm getting all I can from what the world owes me. I know you'll continue to be a fool for Jesus, but for me, It's goodbye." He said the bottom of my world seemed to fall out at that moment, for I loved my wife very much. I found her and tried to reason with her and pleaded with her not to go through with her plans, but it was to no avail. Weigel would eventually begin serving the Lord again. Knowing that his divorce would create a reluctance in many ministers to use him, the Lord slowly began to heal his heart and fill his schedule. Sadly, his wife had but five years to, quote, try the world. The bride of his youth died with a heart filled with remorse and pain. And as she lay dying, her thought was turned back to her days of joyous matrimony with Charles. She whispered to her daughter, who was alone by her bedside, if you know where your father is, please ask him to pray for me and see if God can forgive such a sinner as I. The sorrow that had filled Charles' heart had, in one time in Biscayne Bay, Florida, tempted him to end his life. Yet he heard a voice in Conscience Courtroom once again utter a word of grace, Charlie, I care about you. I haven't forgotten about you. Let not your heart be troubled." After five years of sorrow, and in but twenty minutes of time, Charles sat down at the piano and completed an anthem As useful today as it was the day it was penned, I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you how He changed my life completely. He did something no other man could do. No one ever cared for me like Jesus. In 1951, and at the invitation of Dr. Lee Roberson, Charles Weigel was invited to move to the campus of Tennessee Temple University, where he spent the last 15 years of his life. And on December 3, 1966, Charles Weigel went home to be with the Lord, and his song still brings the despairing joy to remember that regardless what life may throw our way, regardless of the relationships that may fall broken at our feet, No one ever cared for us like Jesus. What a Savior. What a story. Oh, what a heritage of His. I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus, since I found in Him a friend so strong and true. I would tell you that He changed my life completely. He did something that no other friend could do. Oh, my life was full of sin when Jesus found me. Oh, my heart was full of misery and woe. Then He placed His strong and loving arm Every day He comes to me with new assurance More and more I understand His words of love But I'll never know just why He came to save me Till someday I see His blessed face above like a Jesus. There's no other friend so kind as He. No one else could take my sin and darkness from Oh, how much He cared for me. If you enjoyed the broadcast and would like to access more information regarding the music ministry, please visit heritagehymns.info or pastordanielcox.com. God bless you and thanks for listening.