Among my personal archival items is a framed revival flyer of Sidney and Violet Cox with his signature attached to it. I located his signature in a songbook found in the library’s free bin when I was in training. Little did I know I would find this incredible treasure. 

You see, Sidney was a very rare officer of The Salvation Army. His life would be considered a “symphony of sacrament” and “sanctification of the Savior.” Born in Northampton, England on June 29, 1887, he emigrated to Canada in 1907, converted to Christ in 1908, and by 1909 became a Salvation Army cadet in Toronto. He met Violet Henderson at the training school and soon after their marriage, began their incredible journey of working with The Salvation Army in many ways. 

But it was in 1914 that the Lord pressed upon his heart to begin writing choruses and hymns. These songs and choruses, given to Sidney by the Holy Spirit, were the proverbial key that helped him to share the gospel wherever he went. Titles such as “I Love Him Better Every Day,” “Deep and Wide,” and “Give Me a Vision of Calvary” were just some of the many songs and choruses that the crowds hummed and sang from the training schools, seminaries and Bible conferences that he would lead. When asked about the popularity and influence of his songs, Sidney would describe them as “simple, singable and scriptural.” May the Lord raise up another Sidney to have a song as a signature in our heart for the Savior.