Worship Arts Notes ♫♫

Author Kenneth Osbeck wrote about ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus in his devotional book Amazing Grace 365 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions.      

Out of one of the darkest hours of her life – the tragic drowning of her husband – a young mother proclaimed through her tears, “’Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus…and I know that thou are with me, wilt be with me to the end.”  As Louisa Stead, her husband and their little daughter were enjoying an ocean side picnic one day, a drowning boy cried for help.  Mr. Stead rushed to save him but was pulled under by the terrified boy.   Both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched helplessly.  During the sorrowful days that followed, the words of this hymn came from the grief stricken wife’s heart.  

Soon after this Mrs. Stead and her daughter left for missionary work in South Africa.  After more than 25 years of fruitful service, Louisa was forced to retire because of ill health.  She died a few years later in Southern Rhodesia.  Her fellow missionaries had always loved “’Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus” and wrote this tribute after her death:    

We miss her very much, but her influence goes on as our five thousand native Christians continually sing this hymn in their native language.  

Out of a deep human tragedy early in life, Louisa Stead learned simply to trust in her Lord.  She was used to “the praise of His glory” for the remainder of her life.  Still today, her ministry continues each time we sing and apply the truth of these words.