It Is No Secret

It is No Secret

Stuart Hamblen was one of the original singing radio cowboys. He gained fame for his radio broadcast in the 1930s through the 1950s, and also had movie credits with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and John Wayne. He had a personal reputation as a hard drinker and a brawler.

In 1949, a young evangelist named Billy Graham came to Los Angeles for three weeks of revival meetings. As Billy was not yet a big name, he was disappointed when the newspapers of Los Angeles all refused to publicize the meetings. He did, however, get an invitation to the home of Bible teacher Henrietta Mears to meet a number of Hollywood personalities, including Stuart Hamblen. Stuart and Billy became quick friends at that meeting and Stuart offered his radio show to Billy to promote his crusades. Billy accepted and at the end of the radio interview, Stuart said on the air to “make sure you all come, ‘cause I’ll be there too!”

Stuart was given front-and-center seating through the meetings and, despite Billy’s prayers, did not seem to be responding to the message. As the three-week campaign was nearing the end, the local organizers asked Billy to extend the meetings. Billy had never done this before and prayed, asking God for a sign. At about 4:30 the next morning, the hotel phone rang. Billy answered and it was Stuart, under deep conviction. Billy invited him over right away, and Stuart gave his life to Christ that morning.

That incident was the ‘sign’ Billy needed to consent to extend his meetings.

Stuart went on his radio show, excitedly telling his listeners about his conversion, and the local media picked up the story, giving the Billy Graham revival its first major boost of publicity and launching him into the fame he enjoyed the rest of his life. The Los Angeles revival ended up lasting a full eight weeks.

Not long after Stuart met with his friend John Wayne who asked him, “What’s this I hear about you Stuart?” Stuart related the story to him, ending by saying, “John, it’s no secret what God can do.” The Duke replied to him by saying, “That sounds like a song!” Stuart went home and penned the words and music to “It’s No Secret.”

It is no secret, what God can do.
What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you.
With arms open wide, He’ll pardon you,
It is no secret, what God can do.

Then Sings My Soul, Morgan, Robert J., Nelson Publishers, 2003.
http://www.hamblenmusic.com/home/stuart-hamblen/pages