Hymn Story: Trust and Obey

John Sammis

John H. Sammis was born in 1846 in Brooklyn, New York.

Daniel Towner

He was a successful businessman, Presbyterian minister, taught at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and wrote more than 100 hymns.

He died in 1919 in Los Angeles, California.

Daniel Brink Towner composed the tune for Trust and Obey.  He explains the origins of the song:

“Mr. Moody [Dwight L.] was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts [presumably in 1886] and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, “I am not quite sure-but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.” I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with the little story to the Rev. John H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister. He wrote the hymn, and the tune was born.”

Can you think of a better life theme than to trust and obey?