The composer of this hymn, Elisha A. Hoffman, was born in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania in 1839 the son of a minister. He grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps; after attending Union Seminary in New Berlin, he was ordained as a minister in the Presbyterian Church and pastored in Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. In addition to writing hymns and pastoring churches, Hoffman worked with the Evangelical Association’s publishing arm in Cleveland, Ohio, for 11 years and edited at least 50 hymn books.

The composer of this hymn, Elisha A. Hoffman, was born in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania in 1839 the son of a minister. He grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps; after attending Union Seminary in New Berlin, he was ordained as…