In 1877, Stebbins (1846-1945; see Biographies) was assisting evangelist Pentecost in a campaign in Worcester, Massachusetts. One night the sermon was on John 3:7, “Ye must be born again,” and Stebbins was impressed with the idea that the words would make a good song. He asked the local pastor, W. T. Sleeper, to write the poem, and he set it to music. This collaboration on the creation of a gospel song was the start of a long friendship between the two men. When Sleeper wrote the words for “Jesus, I Come,” he sent them to Stebbins, who wrote this music. It was first printed in Gospel Hymns No. 5, 1887, under the Scripture text, “Deliver me, O my God” (Ps. 71:4).

       William True Sleeper was born February 9, 1819, at Danbury, New Hampshire, and received his education at the University of   Vermont and Andover Theological Seminary. After ordination to the Congregational ministry, he did pioneer mission work in Worcester, Massachusetts, and raised up three new churches in Maine. In 1876 he went back to Worcester and for 30 years pastored the first church that he had begun as a mission. In 1883 he published a book of poems, The Rejected King, and Hymns of Jesus. He died September 24, 1904, at Wellesley, Massachusetts.