An art teacher’s choice: the story behind “I Surrender All”
“All to Jesus I surrender, all to Him I freely give.” Few hymns are sung more often at the end of a sermon, as people walk forward to pray. The man who wrote it had wrestled for years with the very decision the hymn describes.
Van DeVenter's surrender
Judson W. Van DeVenter, who lived from 1855 to 1939, was an American art teacher and musician. He was talented in painting and music, and he taught art in schools. Van DeVenter was also active in church work and was encouraged to become an evangelist. For some time, he struggled between developing his talents in art and going into full-time evangelistic work.
Eventually, he decided to give up his plans and follow the call to ministry. He later said that after this decision, God had hidden a song in his heart and, touching a tender chord, caused him to sing.
Words and music
The hymn expresses complete surrender: “All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow, worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now.” The chorus repeats, “I surrender all”. The music was written by Winfield S. Weeden, who lived from 1847 to 1908. The hymn was published in 1896. Van DeVenter became a music minister and evangelist, travelling to lead revival meetings in the United States and abroad.
“I Surrender All” became closely associated with altar calls, the moment in evangelistic meetings when people are invited to respond to the message. Its slow, repeated chorus gives time for reflection.
Africa and modern versions
The hymn is widely sung in Ghanaian and Nigerian churches, in English and local languages, at crusades, communion services and times of rededication. Gospel and contemporary Christian artists have recorded new arrangements, keeping the hymn alive for younger congregations. The chorus is short and easy to learn: “I surrender all, I surrender all; all to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all.” Its repetition makes it suitable for moments of quiet prayer, when congregations may sing it several times.
Van DeVenter did not surrender something bad. He surrendered something good: a gift for art and a promising career. That is what makes the hymn searching: it asks singers what good things they are holding onto.
