I Surrender All

       For five years, Mr. Van de Venter wavered between the challenge of the Gospel ministry and that of becoming a recognized artist. Here is how he tells it:

       “For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all.

       “A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord. He caused me to sing.”

       Dr. Billy Graham, wrote this tribute to Mr. Van de Venter:

       One of the evangelists who influenced my early preaching was also a hymnist who wrote ‘I Surrender All’—the Rev. J.W. Van de Venter. He was a regular visitor at the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity Bible College) in the late 1930s. We students loved this kind, deeply spiritual gentleman and often gathered in his winter home at Tampa, Florida, for an evening of fellowship and singing.

       

I Surrender All

      

(1) All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him,

In His presence daily live.

      

CHORUS: I surrender all,

I surrender all,

All to Thee, my blessed Savior,

I surrender all.

      

(2) All to Jesus I surrender,

Humbly at His feet I bow,

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

Take me, Jesus, take me now.

      

(3) All to Jesus I surrender,

Make me, Savior, wholly Thine.

Let me feel the Holy Spirit,

Truly know that Thou art mine.

      

(4) All to Jesus I surrender,

Lord, I give myself to Thee;

Fill me with Thy love and power,

Let Thy blessing fall on me.