The Pearly White City

Arthur F. Ingler (1873–1935) was an American hymn writer, arranger, and Nazarene minister whose contributions to gospel and revival music reflected the vibrant spiritual life of early twentieth-century America. Born on May 12, 1873, in Montandon, Pennsylvania, Ingler began his adult life as a vocalist in Denver, Colorado, according to the 1900 census. By 1920, he had entered ministry as a Nazarene preacher in Tillamook, Oregon, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to both music and pastoral service.

After the death of his first wife, Amalia, Ingler moved east and married Lura Horton, herself a pastor at the People’s Church of the Nazarene in Providence, Rhode Island. Together, they served in joint pastorates across several states, including Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut, culminating in 1931 at Emmanuel Church in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. His ministry was characterized by an integration of preaching, teaching, and music, with hymns serving both as spiritual encouragement and tools for evangelism.

Ingler was also an editor and compiler of hymn collections. His published works include Burning Bush Songs No. 1 (1902), The Joy Bells of Canaan No. 2, Songs of the Blood-Washed (1909), and Canaan Melodies (1914). These collections highlight themes of redemption, assurance, and the joy of the Christian life, echoing passages such as Isaiah 35:10, where God promises, “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads.”

His hymn texts frequently focus on spiritual victory, the believer’s journey, and the hope of heaven. Among his notable works are “There’s a Holy and Beautiful City, Whose Builder and Ruler is God,” “Some Mother’s Child, Out in the Wild,” and “When Gabriel Blows His Trumpet Loud.” Many of his songs are characterized by accessible language, melodic simplicity, and devotional depth, making them suitable for congregational singing and Sunday school settings.

Arthur F. Ingler passed away on August 8, 1935, in Abington, Connecticut, and was buried in North Swansea, Rhode Island. His legacy endures through the hymns he wrote and arranged, which continue to inspire worshippers with themes of faith, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.