George Bennard wrote the first verses in 1912 and completed it in 1913 in Pokagon, Michigan. At the time, he was an evangelist for the Salvation Army. The song was probably performed for the first time in 1913 at the Pokagon Methodist Episcopal Church. The oldest confirmed mention is in the hymnbook “Heart and Life Songs” published by Institute Press, Chicago. Homer Alvan Rodeheaver (music publisher and record producer) acquired the copyright from Bennard in 1915 and ensured the widespread distribution of the song.