Not too far into The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library, guests enter a gallery called “The World Discovers.” Designed to resemble Billy Graham’s 1949 Los Angeles Crusade tent, the room houses a truly amazing artifact tucked to one side: the Bell piano. It was on this simple, upright piano that George Beverly Shea wrote his most famous piece, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

The Bell piano has a long history within the Shea family, originally owned by George Beverly Shea’s parents, Adam and Maude. The piano was moved from the family’s home in Ontario, Canada, to their new home in New York. Sadly, during the move, the piano was cracked, much to the dismay of Mr. Shea. However, it was restored and continued to be an important fixture in the family’s home.

In his book, How Sweet the Sound, George Beverly Shea remembers the watershed moment of his life centered around this piano:

“As mentioned in the story ‘Go Down, Moses,’ I met Fred Allen and was on the amateur portion of his program on NBC coast to coast. It was a great experience, but I felt a certain uneasiness that this was not right for me to pursue. This was a special time with important choices to make, choices that could affect the rest of my life.

At the age of twenty-three, I was living at home with my parents, continuing to work at Mutual Life and studying voice with Manley Price Boone, traveling by subway and the Hudson River ferry every day. Going to the piano one Sunday morning, I found a poem waiting for me there. I recognized my mother’s handwriting. She had copied the words of a poem by Rhea F. Miller, knowing her son would read the beautiful message, which speaks of choice. As I read these precious words: ‘I’d rather have Jesus than men’s applause; I’d rather be faithful to His dear cause,’ I found myself singing the words in a melody that expressed the feelings of my heart. What a joy it was to sing with fervent voice in the key of B-flat:

‘Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway.

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today.’

Soon a mother’s arms were around my shoulders. She had been in the next room having her devotions and now, joining me at the piano, there were tears in her eyes. She knew the words were having the desired effect—they were speaking to me about life’s choices.”

It was at this piano where George Beverly Shea committed to pursuing God’s plan for his life. That plan eventually led him to Chicago, where he sang for a Christian radio program and caught the ear of a young minister named Billy Graham. The rest, as they say, is history. George Beverly Shea’s ministry through music took him around the world, and many accepted Christ as they heard him share the Gospel through song.

But, it all began at a simple, wooden piano one Sunday morning. That piano, which encompasses so much history, now sits in the Library’s Journey of Faith tour.

The Journey of Faith tour is open Monday-Saturday, 9:30-5:00 p.m. The last tour begins at 3:30 p.m. daily. Admission is always free. Find out more and plan your visit today.