Hymn Story: 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

​​After moving from England to Ohio in 1871, young Louisa Stead (her maiden name is unknown) attended a camp meeting and officially dedicated her life to missionary service. She was eager to go to the mission field but her ill-health delayed her departure.

Louisa married in 1875 and the couple had a daughter they named Lily. 

One sunny day, the family went to the beach at Long Island Sound, New York and were enjoying a picnic when they heard the cries of a drowning boy. Mr. Stead jumped in to save the child but the frantic child pulled him under and both drowned before the eyes of Louisa and Lily.

During her grief, Louisa was inspired to write the words to “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”

Not long after this tragic incident, Louisa and Lily went to South Africa to begin missionary work. 

The remainder of Louisa’s life included one more marriage to a Mr. Wodehouse, off-and-on missionary service related to her off-and-on health, and the joy of seeing her daughter Lily dedicate her life to missionary service, too.