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Jesus Loves Me
Mark 10:15,16
CHINA | Hymn History | Bible Passage
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Author: |  |
Anna B. Warner, 1820-1915 |
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Musician: | |
William B. Bradbury, 1816-1868 |
Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
Refrain:
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
Yes, Jesus loves me,
The Bible tells me so.
Jesus loves me! He who died,
Heaven's gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
That His child may enter in.
Jesus loves me! loves me still,
When I'm very weak and ill;
From His shining throne on high,
Watches o'er me where I lie.
Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
If I trust Him, when I die
He will take me home on high.
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HYMN HISTORY:
One of the most delightful things for any minister is to have a congregation with plenty of children and young people.
What life - and laughter - and fun they bring about the place! They seem to be always happy; they're so full of excitement; and - they're nearly always good!
I like their cute little faces, their wide excited eyes and their simple, trusting ways. I like their singing too. There's something very special about the lisping, lilting voices of children that touches the heart.
Of course the hymn which is most closely associated with children is "Jesus Loves Me."
It was written in 1859 by Susan and Anna Warner who were the daughters of a New York lawyer. The two young women were talented writers and in 1859 published a novel entitled Say and Seal. It became a best seller.
However, even the very best of novels remain popular for only a limited time, and "Say and Seal," was no exception. Eventually it went the way of all the others.
But as long as "Jesus Loves Me," is still sung by children it will never be entirely forgotten. As a poem it first appeared within the pages of the Warner girls' novel.
In the story, two of the characters, Faith Derrick and John Endecott Linden are greatly concerned for a very sick little fellow named Johnny Fax.
Johnny's condition becomes critical and, in his misery, he asks Mr. Linden, who was also the Sunday School teacher, to take him up in his strong arms and comfort him. Mr. Linden readily does so and, picking up the feverish boy, walks slowly back and forth across the room trying to console him.
Suddenly, Johnny pleads 'Sing!'
As Faith listens she hears John Linden sing a beautiful song which neither she nor Johnny has heard before.
Jesus loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so,
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak, but He is strong.
With this he sought to comfort the final moments of the dying lad. Indeed, a few hours later, little Johnny Fax went to be with the one who loved him so much.
The lines of the poem came to the attention of the famous composer William Bradbury, and in 1861 he set them to music and added the chorus...
Yes Jesus loves me! yes Jesus loves me!
Yes Jesus loves me! the Bible tells me so.
BIBLE PASSAGE:
15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
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