"Jesus Bids Us Shine With a Clear Pure Light" was written as a poem by Susan Bogert Warner in 1868, and published in the children's magazine, The Little Corporal. It was put to music by Philip Phillips in 1875 in Australia and printed in one hymnal as "Let Your Light Shine," with lyrics credited to Alfred Taylor. It was not until 1921 when Edwin O. Excell wrote new music for it that it became one of the most popular hymns for children throughout the world, appearing in at least 268 hymnals.