"I was praying for a full understanding for the cross and its plan in Christianity. I read and studied and prayed. I saw Christ and the Cross inseparably. The Christ of the Cross became more than a symbol . . it was like seeing John 3:16 (For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.") leave the printed page, take form and act out on the meaning of redemption. While watching this scene with my mind's eye, the theme of the song came to me, and with it the melody." —Rev. George Bennard
"My late husband began writing this song in 1912, and he wrote it over a period of a year. During that year he went through a very severe 'life test' which inspired him to write it. He told the story in every state of the Union, except two, Utah and Louisiana." —Mrs. Hannah Bennard
