Oh the Depth and the Riches -- Tillit S. Teddlie

He had just passed the halfway point in his life.  His hair was no doubt thinning and graying, yet he still had several decades in the future to live and model the Christian life, although Tillit Sydney Teddlie could not have known that when he wrote “Oh the Depth and the Riches” in 1938. What was happening in his life in Texas (see seal of this great state here) during this year in the midst of the Great Depression? Was he watching war storm clouds build on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean? The world’s economy and geopolitical events probably didn’t escape his attention, but we don’t know if or how much he dwelled on these things. His own history was focused not on earthly matters, but of things that would be much more permanent.    

Teddlie’s motivation for “Oh the Depth and the Riches” could have sprung from a variety of circumstances, although the precise incident that spawned it during his long life is not recorded. He evidently was pondering the great sacrifice of Jesus and its significance in his own life, its personal nature. Tillit wasn’t shy about using ‘I’, ‘me’, and ‘my’ in his three verses and the chorus (nine times they appear), hinting that this sprang from a moment (perhaps several strung together) in which he was alone with His Lord. His preaching experience in at least six churches over his life might suggest that he often developed his hymns during a sermon preparation time. Was he confessing and marveling over his own redemption during one of these episodes in 1938? Perhaps so, but he didn’t keep it to himself. The text, if it was birthed from some of his sermon notes, didn’t remain for his eyes only. He urged others to join in, to embrace this personal space with Him, by writing and having this hymn published for wide use. This hymn’s development and its message was a microcosm of Teddlie’s life experience, really.  This came from a 53-year old who’d go on to write over 100 songs, preach messages across Texas, and play a key part in drawing 1,000 people into God’s family.  He taught in singing schools for six decades (!), and ministered in churches well into his seventh and eighth decades of life, and even on occasion in his 90’s. What a life he lived until 102 years of age!  If anyone had fire, it was Tillit S. Teddlie.        

What would make possible a life lasting over 100 years? If Teddlie’s experience is an answer, perhaps it could be said it was a focus that expressed itself in many venues.  His was a Christian life, expressed in several ways. From singing schools, to preaching, to music publishing, to song composition, Teddlie was a multitalented character, some might say with a Texas-sized talent. He was a vessel, strong and yet submissive at the same time.  He might say ‘Discover His purpose for you, and then don’t stop until He’s done!’ Teddlie might have earned a rest, wouldn’t you say? I wonder if God is really through using him, though – look at all those songs, all those people he drew toward the Holy One through schools and messages he delivered. He’s not done yet. Neither am I. How about you? Will any of us ever be done, or grow tired of being used by Him? Tillit might give you an answer someday, if you go to meet him.       

Biographic information on the composer found in the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillit_Sidney_Teddlie

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/t/e/d/teddlie_ts.htm

http://www.therestorationmovement.com/teddlie,ts.htm

Also, here’s a link to a celebration of the composer’s 100^th birthday:

http://www.dallaschristiansound.com/title.asp?title=TillitSTeddlieNationalTreasure

See this site for further biographic information on the composer: http://homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/629915/