These words have attributed to a consecrated Canadian lad, William Ralf Featherstone. The poem was supposed to have been written in 1858, but if that date is correct then he would have been only 12 years old, which hardly seems possible in consideration of the sophisticated language and spiritual concepts in the hymn. Recent research by Leonard Ellinwood, distinguished American hymnologist, reveals a letter from a colleague in London that states the first published form of this hymn is on page 640 of Primitive Methodist Magazine, London, October 1862. In light of this, William would have been 15 or 16 when he wrote the poem. He sent it to his aunt, Mrs. E. Wilson, then living in Los Angeles, who was instrumental in getting it published. According to David J. Beattie, in his The Romance of Sacred Song, London, 1931, “The original copy of the hymn, in the author’s handwriting, is still  a cherished treasure in the family.” It’s first printing in America was in D. L. Moody’s The Northwestern Hymn Book, 1868.

Featherstone (in some books Featherston) was born July 23, 1846. In Montreal, Canada, and spent his life there. He and his parents were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church ( now St. James United Church). He died on May 20, 1873.

Adoniram Judson Gordon found the words with a tune in The London Hymn Book, 1864, but marked anonymous. He felt that the tune was unsuitable, so after prayer and meditation he composed this one, which was later named after him. Born April 19, 1836, in New Hampton, New Hampshire, he was educated at Brown University and Newton Theological Seminary. Ordained to the Baptist ministry in 1863, Gordon served first in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and then in the Clarendon Street Baptist Church, Boston. He edited a monthly, The Watchword, and was the author of a devotional series titled Quiet Talks. He was one of the editors of The Service of Song for Baptist Churches, 1871, and edited The Vestry Hymn and Tune Book, 1872. When evangelist D.L. Moody came to town, Gordon became a good friend and helper in the public meetings. He died in Boston on February 2, 1895.