Albert Benjamin Simpson Grave

Hymn History: What Will You Do with Jesus? & Author: Albert Benjamin Simpson

“Our God has boundless resources. The only limit is in us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying are too small. Our expectations are too limited.”
(Albert Benjamin Simpson)

The Origin of the Hymn “What Will You Do with Jesus?”

“What Will You Do with Jesus?” is a stirring gospel hymn that has echoed through countless evangelistic services, calling hearers to consider their personal response to Jesus Christ. Written in 1880, the hymn evokes a powerful question posed not only in the pages of Scripture but also throughout the ages: “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22). Known for its evangelistic appeal and penetrating message, “What Will You Do with Jesus?” remains a landmark hymn of decision and conviction.

Hymnwriter: Albert B. Simpson (1843–1919)

The author of “What Will You Do with Jesus?” was Albert Benjamin Simpson, a Canadian-born Presbyterian minister, missionary statesman, and founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). Born in Prince Edward Island in 1843, Simpson was called to the ministry at an early age and went on to serve in several prominent pastorates in Canada and the United States.

Simpson had a deep burden for the lost and was passionate about bringing the message of Christ to both domestic congregations and foreign missions. That sense of evangelistic urgency permeates his hymns, including “What Will You Do with Jesus?” which was written during the height of his ministry in the United States.

While Simpson is remembered primarily as a leader and theologian, he also composed or contributed to more than 120 hymns. His music was often published in collections he edited, such as the Hymns of the Christian Life, which helped shape worship within the early C&MA movement. His hymns were not merely artistic expressions but were tools of ministry—meant to challenge, uplift, and invite.

The Message and Meaning of the Hymn

“What Will You Do with Jesus?” is based on a pivotal moment in the trial of Christ. In Matthew 27:22, Pilate, the Roman governor, asks the crowd, “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” They respond violently: “Let Him be crucified!” Simpson’s hymn takes that question and invites every hearer to consider it personally—not toward condemnation, but toward salvation.

The hymn is structured as a series of pointed questions, each drawing the listener into deeper reflection:

“Jesus is standing in Pilate’s hall—
Friendless, forsaken, betrayed by all;
Hearken! what meaneth the sudden call?
What will you do with Jesus?”

Each stanza presents a different scene—Jesus deserted by friends, Jesus pleading before human hearts, Jesus offering grace—and with each, the refrain recurs:

“What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking,
‘What will He do with me?’”

The final line of the refrain is especially poignant, turning the question back upon the hearer: while we have a choice now, there will come a time when Jesus Himself will answer for how we responded to Him.

Historical Use and Evangelistic Impact

From its earliest publication, “What Will You Do with Jesus?” became a standard invitation hymn in revival meetings. Its earnest tone and direct appeal fit well with the evangelistic methods of the late 19th century, especially during the era of mass tent meetings and urban crusades. Churches and evangelists of various denominational backgrounds adopted it, buoyed by its simple yet probing melody and easy-to-sing structure.

The hymn’s effectiveness lay not only in its theological soundness but also in its emotional urgency. It appealed to the heart as well as the mind. For many years, it appeared in dozens of denominational and non-denominational hymnals, especially those with a strong emphasis on personal conversion.

Musical Setting

The tune for “What Will You Do with Jesus?” was composed by Philip P. Bliss, one of the most well-known gospel songwriters and composers of the 19th century. Bliss’s music was ideally suited to Simpson’s text, providing a melody that was both reflective and insistent—ideal for an invitation hymn. Bliss, who had also written music for classics like “It Is Well with My Soul” and “Almost Persuaded,” had a unique gift for creating tunes that reinforced the emotional thrust of a lyric.

Bliss’s untimely death in 1876 in a train accident confirmed his status as a martyr of the gospel song movement. “What Will You Do with Jesus?” entered the musical tradition in the years just after his passing, and his name—attached to the tune—only deepened the hymn’s sense of evangelical gravity.

Legacy

Though not as frequently sung in modern worship settings, “What Will You Do with Jesus?” continues to live in the hearts of believers who appreciate the traditional gospel hymn and its call to decision. It is regularly featured in hymnals that preserve the legacy of 19th-century revival music and remains beloved in churches committed to evangelistic preaching and singing.

This hymn reminds us that every soul, at some point, must grapple with the question: What will you do with Jesus? Neutrality, as Simpson’s text declares, is not an option. And in that realization lies the hymn’s enduring power—pointing to a Savior who asks, and a sinner who must answer.