Edgar Page

Full Name: Edgar Page Stites (used Edgar Page)
Birth/Death: 1836–1921

Edgar Page, born Edgar Page Stites in 1836, was an American hymn writer whose contributions to sacred music have had lasting influence in Protestant worship. Many of his hymns were first published in I. D. Sankey’s Sacred Songs & Solos between 1878 and 1881, a prominent collection associated with the revivalist movement of that era. Among his best-known works are I've Reached the Land of Corn and Wine, which celebrates the believer’s hope and peace in God, and Simply Trusting Every Day, a hymn emphasizing daily reliance on Christ for guidance and strength. These hymns reflect Stites’ focus on personal faith, trust, and assurance, key themes in evangelical hymnody of the late 19th century.

Stites’ work was characterized by clear, devotional language and accessibility, making his hymns especially suitable for congregational singing and Sunday school settings. While he sometimes published under the pseudonym Edgar Page, later editions, including his own My Life and Sacred Songs (1906), clarify that these hymns were his creations. Beyond these two popular hymns, his corpus includes numerous others exploring themes of Christian perseverance, the hope of heaven, and trust in divine providence. Some of his hymns were adapted into other languages, including German, Hawaiian, and even Malayalam, illustrating their broad appeal and adaptability across cultures.

In addition to his writing, Stites’ collaboration with Sankey connected him to the larger evangelical and revival movements of his time, which sought to spread spiritual renewal through hymnody and song leading. His hymns, grounded in biblical imagery and practical Christian living, were widely sung in revivals, church services, and mission settings, helping to shape the spiritual experience of countless congregations. Edgar Page Stites died in 1921, leaving a rich legacy of devotional music that continues to inspire worshippers today.