Cyrus Sylvester Nusbaum Grave

Hymn History: His Way with Thee & Author: Cyrus Sylvester Nusbaum

“Cyrus Sylvester Nusbaum … was one of the most outstanding evangelists of his time. He wrote these words [for ‘His Way with Thee’] at a time when economic need forced him to surrender
to the will of God.”
(Hinshaw Music)

The Origin of the Hymn “His Way with Thee”

Among the many beloved gospel hymns that have endured for generations, “His Way with Thee” stands out as a tender and deeply personal song of surrender. Written in 1905 by Cyrus Sylvester Nusbaum, this hymn continues to speak to the heart of the Christian experience — the yielding of one’s will to the will of God. Its simple yet profound message, paired with its gentle melody, has made it a cherished favorite in worship services, revival meetings, and personal devotion for over a century.

The Life of Cyrus S. Nusbaum

Cyrus Sylvester Nusbaum (1861–1937) was an American Methodist minister, evangelist, and hymn writer. Born in Middlebury, Indiana, Nusbaum grew up in a devout Christian home and was deeply influenced by the revivalist spirit of the late nineteenth century. After attending Fort Wayne Methodist College, he entered the ministry in the Kansas Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

For much of his life, Nusbaum served as a pastor in small congregations across Kansas, often traveling from one rural community to another. Those who knew him described him as a humble man, devoted to his calling and deeply compassionate toward others. He was not only a preacher but also a poet and musician, writing more than one hundred hymns during his lifetime.

Yet Nusbaum’s most enduring hymn, “His Way with Thee,” came from a period of personal testing and spiritual reflection.

The Inspiration Behind the Hymn

The early 1900s were years of hardship for many rural ministers. Nusbaum faced frequent illness, financial strain, and the discouragement that often accompanies faithful but unseen service. During one such season of difficulty, he began to meditate on what it truly meant to submit to God’s will.

He later described the moment as one of conviction and surrender: “I had been seeking my own way, trying to serve God, but holding on to my plans. Then the question came, ‘Would you let Him have His way with thee?’”

Out of that inner wrestling came the words of the hymn. The text is not a song of defiance or triumph, but of gentle invitation — asking the believer to consider what blessings might come from complete obedience to Christ.

The opening stanza begins with a question that frames the entire hymn:

“Would you live for Jesus and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?”

Each verse poses a spiritual question and then answers it in the refrain with assurance:

“His power can make you what you ought to be,
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.”

The structure of the hymn — question followed by answer — mirrors the journey of faith itself. It invites the listener to consider the cost and blessing of surrender, ultimately affirming that life is fullest when guided by divine will.

Publication and Early Use

“His Way with Thee” was first published in 1905 in Songs of Revival Power, a gospel collection produced by the Eaton & Mains publishing company, which served the Methodist Episcopal Church. The hymn quickly gained popularity across Methodist and Holiness circles for its gentle tone and deeply spiritual message.

Its melody, also written by Nusbaum, carries a calm and reflective quality that matches the text perfectly. The song’s moderate tempo and lyrical phrasing make it ideal for personal reflection or a quiet moment of commitment during worship services.

By the early twentieth century, the hymn was being sung in revivals and camp meetings across the American Midwest and South. Evangelists and song leaders found it especially effective during altar calls, when hearts were most open to the appeal of surrender.

Message and Theological Meaning

The enduring appeal of “His Way with Thee” lies in its simplicity and sincerity. Unlike some hymns that emphasize victory and triumph, this one focuses on humility, transformation, and submission — the quieter virtues of the Christian life.

Nusbaum’s message is not one of forced obedience but of willing trust. He reminds believers that Christ’s way is not only right but also “best.” The hymn’s refrain beautifully encapsulates the essence of Christian sanctification: the belief that God’s power can make a person what they are meant to be, His blood can cleanse from sin, and His love can fill the soul.

Each verse moves deeper into this theme. The first focuses on moral purity and faithfulness, the second on strength and service, and the third on joy and surrender. The hymn, therefore, forms a kind of spiritual progression — from desire, to action, to fulfillment — ending with the peace that comes when one yields completely to God’s will.

Legacy and Enduring Influence

Over a century later, “His Way with Thee” remains a beloved hymn in both traditional and evangelical hymnals. It has been recorded by numerous gospel artists and continues to appear in collections across denominations.

Its message continues to resonate because it speaks to a universal spiritual truth: that true peace and purpose come only when one’s life is aligned with God’s direction. In a world that often prizes self-determination and control, Nusbaum’s hymn stands as a quiet reminder of the joy found in surrender.

Cyrus S. Nusbaum continued to serve faithfully as a pastor and evangelist until his death in 1937. Though much of his work has faded from memory, “His Way with Thee” endures as his lasting contribution to Christian hymnody — a heartfelt prayer set to music, inviting believers to yield, trust, and find rest in the loving will of God.

In every generation, its message rings true:

“His power can make you what you ought to be…
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.”