John H. Stockton Grave

Hymn History: Only Trust Him & Author: John H. Stockton

“Methodist minister John H. Stockton … had the evangelistic spirit of the day: he worked with Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey in the Philadelphia meetings, writing invitation hymns for use in their revivals.”
(Dr. Hawn of Discipleship Ministries)

The Origin of the Hymn “Only Trust Him”

Few gospel hymns have carried the simple and enduring invitation to faith as beautifully as “Only Trust Him.” For more than a century, this hymn has been used in revival meetings, church services, and altar calls to remind hearers that salvation in Christ is both available and sure to all who trust Him. Its author, John Hart Stockton (1813–1877), wrote from a heart burdened for souls and filled with confidence in God’s mercy. The story behind the hymn reflects the evangelistic fervor of the 19th century and the personal faith of the man who penned its words.

The Author: John Hart Stockton

John H. Stockton was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania, in 1813. A Methodist minister and evangelist, Stockton served faithfully within the Methodist Episcopal Church, known for its itinerant preaching and focus on personal conversion. Like many Methodist preachers of his time, he traveled extensively throughout the northeastern United States, leading revivals and calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Stockton’s ministry was characterized by an earnest desire to see souls saved. He was deeply moved by the great revival movements that swept through America during the mid-19th century—often referred to as the Second Great Awakening. These revivals emphasized heartfelt religion, personal salvation, and the assurance that anyone could come to Christ by simple faith. It was within this spiritual climate that Stockton’s hymn was born.

The Birth of the Hymn

The story of “Only Trust Him” begins around 1869. While Stockton was attending a series of revival meetings led by Dwight L. Moody and his well-known song leader, Ira D. Sankey, he was stirred by the need for a hymn that expressed the simplicity of faith in Christ. The evangelistic meetings of that time relied heavily on song to prepare hearts for the message and to encourage response to the gospel invitation.

Stockton, inspired by a sermon that emphasized the verse John 6:37—“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out”—returned home and wrote the words that would become “Only Trust Him.” The hymn was born out of his meditation on that promise. He wanted to create a song that would express both the sinner’s need and the Savior’s readiness to receive.

The opening lines set the tone for the hymn’s message:

Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
There’s mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest
By trusting in His Word.

In just a few words, Stockton captured the essence of the gospel call—come as you are, trust in Christ, and receive mercy and rest.

The Music and Publication

Stockton not only wrote the words but also composed the tune. His melody was simple and singable, making it easy for congregations to learn and repeat. The refrain, with its rhythmic invitation, became particularly effective during revival services:

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.

The repetition was intentional—it reinforced the central message that faith, not works or ritual, was the way to salvation. The music’s gentle but confident tone seemed to mirror the assurance that Stockton himself found in the promises of Scripture.

The hymn was soon published in collections associated with revival work, including those compiled by Ira D. Sankey, whose singing popularized it on both sides of the Atlantic. It became a standard closing song at evangelistic meetings, often sung as people came forward to commit their lives to Christ.

Theological Simplicity and Evangelistic Power

One reason “Only Trust Him” has endured through generations is its theological clarity. It expresses, in the simplest possible language, the heart of the Christian gospel: salvation by faith alone. The hymn emphasizes three key themes—the mercy of God, the assurance of salvation, and the immediacy of faith.

Stockton’s refrain—“He will save you now”—underscores that salvation is not a distant or complicated process; it is available the very moment a person trusts in Christ. This sense of urgency made the hymn particularly powerful in evangelistic settings, where preachers and singers sought to bring hearers to immediate decision.

Moreover, the hymn carries a deep tenderness. There is no harshness or condemnation in its tone. Instead, it reflects the compassionate invitation of Christ Himself: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” Stockton’s words echo that promise, assuring the weary sinner of rest and forgiveness.

Influence and Legacy

From the late 19th century onward, “Only Trust Him” became a staple in American hymnals, especially those used by revivalists and gospel preachers. Dwight L. Moody and Ira Sankey frequently included it in their meetings across the United States and Great Britain, ensuring its widespread popularity. Many who attended those revivals remembered the hymn as the song that accompanied their moment of surrender to Christ.

Its appeal crossed denominational lines. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and others embraced it as a sincere and effective expression of faith. The song also became a favorite in rural churches and camp meetings, where its simple melody could be easily sung without accompaniment.

In later years, the hymn was included in nearly every major English-language hymnal. It was translated into several other languages, extending its message of trust and salvation around the world.

Conclusion

John H. Stockton’s “Only Trust Him” remains one of the most beloved invitations to faith in the history of Christian hymnody. Its message is timeless—salvation is found not in works, merit, or religious effort, but in trusting wholly in the Savior who promises to receive all who come to Him.

What began as the heartfelt expression of a Methodist preacher’s burden for souls has become an enduring anthem of the gospel’s simplicity and grace. Generation after generation has sung its invitation, and countless lives have been changed by the truth it proclaims:

Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.