In 1913, gospel meetings were popular, spurring lagging faith with song, personal testimony, and shared experiences. Ina Duley Ogden's wish as a young woman was to join the Chautauqua circuit as an evangelist and bring to thousands her strongly felt message of love and Christian belief. Unfortunately, Mrs. Ogdon's father was an invalid who required constant care and attention. Ina abandoned her dreams and decided to spend her life caring for her father. She poured her heart into writing songs that would express her Christian faith. When she wrote the lines, "To the many duties ever near you now be true," she could well have been thinking of dishwashing, sweeping and cleaning, which to her became work God had assigned her.
Homer Rodeheaver, a famous evangelist, selected "Brighten The Corner Where You Are" as his theme song. Thus, though she never reached the attention of thousands of people as a Chautauqua speaker, her message has come to millions through music.
Brighten The Corner Where You Are
Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar,
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
REFRAIN
Brighten the corner where you are!
Brighten the corner where you are!
Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
Brighten the corner where you are!
Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and morning star;
Even from your humble hand the bread of life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.
