Both words and music were written by William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921; see Biographies) and were prompted because he had a burden for a young man’s soul. He was the song leader at a camp meeting at Rawlinsville, Pennsylvania, in 1902 and had used a certain soloist frequently. This singer had a wonderful voice and used it very expressively and emotionally, but Kirkpatrick knew that this was merely outward form, for the soloist was by no means a Christian; the sermons and the appeals of the evangelist had failed to move him. Kirkpatrick longed for this talented voice to be wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause of Christ, and he prayed in his own private devotions that the singer would be convinced of his need of a Savior. He thought of his prodigal son who said, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18). While Kirkpatrick was still in prayer, the words of the refrain formed themselves in his mind. Concluding his prayer, he wrote down the words, and then the five stanzas followed in the quick succession. He soon composed a suitable tune and believed that this song was God’s answer to his prayer for the young singer. In the evening Kirkpatrick handed the manuscript to the singer, who rendered it with his customary fervor and interpretation. But the song reached his heart as well as his mind and voice, and caused him to surrender his life to God.

      The song was first printed in Winning Songs, 1892, compiled by Kirkpatrick and two colleagues.