Judson Wheeler Van DeVenter Grave

Hymn History: I Surrender All & Author: Judson W. Van DeVenter

“The author of this beautiful hymn … definitely struggled. However, from his struggles came a beautiful hymn that shares the sentiment of so many.”
(Diana Leagh Matthews)

The Origin of the Hymn “I Surrender All”

Among the great hymns of personal consecration, few have spoken more powerfully or more tenderly to the Christian heart than “I Surrender All.” Its gentle melody and heartfelt lyrics have accompanied countless souls to the altar, echoing the believer’s desire to yield fully to God. Written in 1896 by Judson W. Van DeVenter with music composed by Winfield S. Weeden, this beloved hymn was born out of a personal struggle of faith and surrender that mirrors its message.

A Man Torn Between Two Callings

Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855–1939) was born on a farm near Dundee, Michigan. From an early age, he showed great talent in the arts—especially in music and painting. After graduating from Hillsdale College, he became a successful art teacher and supervisor of art in the public schools of Sharon, Pennsylvania. His life seemed well-ordered and secure, and by worldly standards, he was a success.

However, behind this professional accomplishment lay a deep spiritual restlessness. Van DeVenter was a devoted Christian, active in his Methodist Episcopal Church, and often involved in evangelistic meetings. His musical gifts made him a valued song leader, and he felt increasingly drawn to a life of full-time Christian service. Yet the idea of giving up his promising career was something he struggled with for years.

In his own words, Van DeVenter later described this conflict:

“The time had come when deep within my soul I knew I must surrender my all to Christ. I struggled for five years, but at last the light came and I surrendered all. It was then that a new day was ushered into my life.”

That pivotal moment of surrender changed the course of his life—and inspired the hymn that would bear witness to his decision for generations to come.

The Birth of the Hymn

Following his decision to yield completely to God’s will, Van DeVenter left his teaching position and devoted himself to evangelistic work. He began traveling throughout the United States and abroad, assisting in revival meetings as a song leader and soloist.

It was during one of these campaigns, around 1896, that “I Surrender All” was written. Reflecting on his own spiritual experience of yielding everything to Christ, Van DeVenter penned the words as both a personal testimony and an invitation to others:

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Every line expresses the essence of Christian discipleship—total, joyful submission to the will of God. The hymn is not one of resignation but of victory, a song of freedom through surrender.

The Melody by Winfield S. Weeden

The music for “I Surrender All” was composed by Winfield S. Weeden (1847–1908), a friend and fellow evangelist who often accompanied Van DeVenter in his meetings. Weeden was a gifted musician and music teacher from Ohio who had dedicated his life to sacred music.

When Weeden read Van DeVenter’s lyrics, he immediately recognized their power and set them to a simple, tender melody that perfectly matched the spirit of the words. The song was first published in 1896 in Gospel Songs of Grace and Glory, a hymnal compiled by Weeden and others.

Weeden loved the hymn deeply and used it frequently in his evangelistic work until his death. When he passed away, the words “I Surrender All” were inscribed on his tombstone—a fitting testimony to his devotion to Christ and to the hymn that had become his life’s anthem.

A Message of Total Commitment

The strength of “I Surrender All” lies in its sincerity. Unlike many hymns of triumph or praise, it speaks quietly and personally, expressing the inward struggle of yielding every part of one’s life to God.

Each verse explores another aspect of surrender: love and trust, humility and obedience, joy and sanctification. The final stanza captures the result of this surrender—divine blessing and joy:

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

The refrain, repeated after each verse, reinforces the act of commitment with its simple yet powerful declaration:

I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

Through these lines, Van DeVenter captured the very heart of Christian consecration—the yielding of one’s will, ambitions, and affections into the hands of Christ, trusting Him completely.

Influence and Legacy

The hymn quickly became a favorite in revival meetings across America. Evangelists such as Dwight L. Moody and Billy Sunday often used it as an invitation hymn, and later, Billy Graham would include it in his crusades, where thousands responded to its call to full surrender.

One of Billy Graham’s associates, George Beverly Shea, often sang “I Surrender All” before Graham’s messages, and it became one of the most frequently used hymns during altar calls. Its influence extended far beyond the Methodist and Baptist circles of its origin, touching believers in every denomination.

In his later years, Van DeVenter taught hymn writing at the Florida Bible Institute—where one of his students was a young Billy Graham. Graham later acknowledged Van DeVenter’s influence, saying that the hymn writer’s testimony and his song had deeply impressed him.

Conclusion

“I Surrender All” stands as a timeless hymn of commitment, born not from theory but from experience. Judson W. Van DeVenter’s struggle between career and calling mirrors the conflict that every believer faces at some point—the question of who will truly rule the heart.

Out of that struggle came a song of peace and triumph, expressing the freedom found only in full surrender to Christ. With its gentle melody and heartfelt confession, “I Surrender All” continues to invite every listener to lay down the burdens of self-will and to find rest in the perfect will of God.

More than a century later, its message still rings true: the greatest victory in life is found not in holding on—but in letting go and trusting Christ completely.