IN THE GARDEN

 1912

1. Origins of the Hymn

“In the Garden” (sometimes called “I Come to the Garden Alone”) was written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles, an American gospel music composer and former pharmacist. It was first published in 1913.

The hymn was inspired by the resurrection narrative in John 20, particularly Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ in the garden tomb.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’”

— John 20:16

Miles wanted to capture the intimate, personal moment between Jesus and Mary—an encounter marked not by doctrine or proclamation, but by recognition, relationship, and tenderness.

2. The Author: C. Austin Miles (1868–1946)

Early Life

Born in New Jersey

Trained as a pharmacist

Later worked as an editor and songwriter for the Hall-Mack Company, a major publisher of gospel music

Musical Output

Wrote over 400 gospel songs

Most famous works:

In the Garden

A New Name in Glory

Dwelling in Beulah Land

Despite his prolific output, “In the Garden” eclipsed all his other compositions.

3. Inspiration and Writing Process

Miles described the hymn’s creation vividly. He said that as he read John 20, he imagined himself standing in the garden with Mary:

“I seemed to see Mary kneeling before Him, and then He spoke her name.”

He did not intend the hymn as a theological statement about resurrection doctrine, but as a devotional meditation—a poetic reflection on personal communion with Christ.

This explains why:

The resurrection is implied, not explained

The emphasis is on presence, voice, and relationship

4. Text and Meaning

Key Themes

Personal Relationship with Jesus

“And He walks with me, and He talks with me”

Spiritual Intimacy

The believer alone with Christ

Recognition of Christ’s Voice

Echoing Mary recognizing Jesus when He calls her name

Joy and Assurance

“And the joy we share as we tarry there”

Structure

Three stanzas + refrain

Written in simple, accessible language

Designed for congregational singing

The Garden Symbol

The “garden” operates on multiple levels:

Historical: The resurrection garden

Spiritual: The believer’s private place of prayer

Symbolic: Restoration (echoing Eden)

5. Musical Characteristics

Meter: C Major, simple and lyrical

Style: Gospel hymn, not classical hymnody

Easy melodic line, suitable for:

Congregational singing

Solo performance

Funerals and devotional services

Its emotional warmth made it especially popular in revival meetings and rural churches.

6. Reception and Controversy

Popularity

Hugely popular in the United States, especially among:

Evangelicals

Southern Protestants

Older congregations

Frequently sung at:

Easter services

Funerals

Personal devotionals

Criticism

Some theologians and hymn scholars criticized the hymn for:

Being overly sentimental

Focusing on individual experience rather than communal faith

Lacking explicit resurrection theology

Notably, British hymnals were slower to include it, viewing it as too subjective compared to traditional hymns.

Miles responded by stating that the hymn was never meant to be doctrinal—it was meant to be relational.

7. Enduring Legacy

Despite criticism, In the Garden has endured for over a century because:

It speaks to personal faith

It comforts people in grief and solitude

It expresses Christianity as a lived relationship, not just belief

The hymn remains:

A staple in American Protestant hymnody

One of the most requested hymns at funerals

A cultural marker of early 20th-century evangelical spirituality

8. Why It Still Matters

“In the Garden” survives because it answers a timeless spiritual longing:

To be known, called by name, and not alone.

Its power lies not in complexity, but in quiet intimacy—a whispered faith rather than a shouted creed.