I just discovered an earlier but identical version in Gospel Song Messenger, Edited and Published by R. E. Winsett, East Chattanooga, Tenn., 1914. Even at that earlier date it was attributed to Anon. and Arranged.

Giac, perhaps the reason Thoro Harris sounds familiar is that in later years he lived in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where he died in 1955. He was well known locally as he walked around with a canvas bag full of handbooks for sale. ~~ from the Cyber Hymnal.