In 1887, just following an evangelistic meeting held by Dwight L. Moody, a young man stood to share his story in an after-service testimony meeting. Daniel Towner was the song leader of that evening in 1886, and he asked people to share how they had been saved. One young man rose, and new to the faith said, “I am not quite sure, but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.”
Towner was struck by the power of those simple words and couldn’t forget that testimony. He jotted it down and sent it to John Sammis, who had recently left a career in business to enter the ministry. Towner asked Sammis to write a hymn text on trusting and obeying. Sammis wrote the chorus first and then the five stanzas. Later, Towner supplied the tune. To be happy in Jesus, we need to trust first, and then obey.
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Sources: William J. Petersen; Ardythe Petersen; The Complete Book of Hymns and Head of a Girl Looking Up; Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French, Tournus 1725–1805 Paris)