Hymn Background:  The author of this hymn, George Young, was a carpenter and a pastor.  He would often say, "He does the leading and we do the following."  Mrs. Young would say years later, "Oh, sometimes we didn't have too much of this world's goods…but we always had so much of Jesus."  He didn't make much money in either profession.  Most of his life was spent in small farming communities. Finally, however, he and his wife were able to build their own home, the fulfillment of a life's dream. They moved in and shortly afterwards left town to hold a revival elsewhere. Upon returning to their dream home they found a heap of ashes. All their worldly goods and cherished possessions were gone. A thug, upset with George's preaching, had set fire to their house, and it was reduced to ashes.

As George gazed at the ruins, he recounted the precious possessions fire could never destroy - his family, his relationship with Christ, his ministry, his eternal home. Then and there, the words to "God Leads Us Along" began forming in his mind. Within a few days, he had written all three stanzas, The year was 1903. The refrain reminds us that we all experience trials that vary in origin and in intensity but His blood provides for our greatest need which gives us all a song even in the night season:

"Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood. Some through great sorrow but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long."

Around 1942, Haldor Lillenas decided to track down George Young’s widow and find out more. He got an address in a small town and, driving there, he stopped at a gas station to ask for directions. When the attendant saw the address, he said, "Why sir, that’s the County Poor House, up the road about three miles. And Mister, when I say poor house, I really mean poor house!

Not knowing what to expect, Lillenas made his way there. He found Mrs. Young, a tiny, elderly woman, in surroundings that were far from congenial. However, she radiated the joy of the Lord, and spoke of how He’d guided her and her husband over many years. Then, she exclaimed, "Dr. Lillenas, God led me here! I’m so glad He did, for you know, about every month someone comes into this place to spend the rest of their days…So many of them don’t know my Jesus. I’m having the time of my life introducing them to Jesus! Dr. Lillenas, isn’t it wonderful how God leads!" 

(Story background pulled from several sources including Robert B. Morgan, "Then Sings My Soul").