In 1879 Louisa Stead went on a picnic with her husband George and daughter Lily on New York’s Long Island Sound. As they were enjoying their quiet day at the beach, they heard cries from a young boy in the water. George dived into the ocean to rescue him. Both of them drowned.
Soon after Louisa reflected on the tragic event and wrote one of the best-known hymns of all time.
Louisa M.R. Stead (1850–1917) was born in Dover, England in 1850. She became a Christian when she was nine and soon had a desire to be a missionary.
“‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
Although in frail health, she emigrated to America at age 21 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending a camp meeting in Urbana, Ohio, she had a strong calling to become a missionary to China. However, because of her poor health she was unable to fulfill her dream.
In 1875 Louisa married George Stead and they had a daughter. In her grief after her husband’s death, Louisa turned to the faithful one in her life, her Savior, Jesus Christ. As she leaned on Him, she wrote the words of her most famous hymn, “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His word
Just to rest upon His promise
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord”
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!
The word “Jesus” is found 25 times in the hymn’s four stanzas and refrain.
Despite the tragic death of her husband, Louisa still had a desire to be a missionary, so in 1880 she and Lily traveled to South Africa where she served 15 years. While there, she married Robert Wodehouse.
In 1895 Louisa returned to America because of her health. Six years later the family went back to Africa, this time to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Louisa retired in 1911 and died in 1917, though Lily continued to serve for many years in Southern Rhodesia.
After Louisa’s death it was reported by Christians in Southern Rhodesia: “We miss her very much, but her influence goes on as our 5,000 converts continually sing her hymn in their native language.”
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