Trusting Jesus is a hymn that is completely erican in background. Edgar Stites, author of the words, was a direct descendant of John Howland, one of the Mayflower's passengers. Active in the Civil War, he was later a riverboat pilot and then a missionary to the frontier churches in South Dakota.

The hymn poem first appeared in a newspaper, and was handed to the American evangelist D.L. Moody. In turn, Moody gave it to his soloist and songleader, Ira D. Sankey, asking him to set it to music In his book, Sankey's Story of the Gospel Hymns, the singer says, 'I assented, on condition that he should vouch for the doctrine taught in the verses, and he said he would.'

This hymn was the favourite of Dr. W.B. Riley, and it expresses well the motivating purpose of his life. During the more than forty years that Dr. Riley was the beloved pastor of the First Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he was a pillar of strength in the evangelical movement.

The frequent theme of Dr. Riley's preaching was the grace of God. He both taught and lived a practical Christianity that is proclaimed in this motto and title: Trusting Jesus, That is All.

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

Brightly doth His Spirit shine
Into this poor heart of mine;
While He leads I cannot fall;
Trusting Jesus, that is all.