Jesus

Jesus Loves Me

/ Gail Johnson / 5 Comments

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love (John 15:9 KJV).

When I was growing up, I often heard the phrase ‘simple is best’ more times than I can count. It is still true today. Why create a masterpiece only to hide the truth amid clutter?

The classic hymn “Jesus Loves Me” is one of those songs with simple words and simple notes revealing profound truth to the reader, singer, and musician. Discovering how this treasure came to be was a thrilling journey.

I first read about the Warners in Robert J. Morgan’s Then Sings My Soul Book 3. If you haven’t read his books. Go purchase them. They will feed your heart, soul, and mind. I use them for devotions, private worship, and references. The background stories have lifted my flagging spirit many times.

Let’s get started.

Author

Henry Warner was a New York lawyer. He purchased land on the east side of the Hudson River called Constitution Island. He and his brother planned to build a resort hotel. When Henry lost his money in a financial disaster, he moved his family there instead. When he couldn’t pay his bills, the sheriff confiscated most of their personal belongings. His wife and several children passed, leaving two teenage daughters. His sister became a surrogate mom for Susan and Anna.

The girls spent their time learning as much as they could about nature, life, and the Bible. Both became prolific writers. Susan’s first book, The Wide, Wide World, was published by George Putnam and sold in bookstores. Anna’s first book, Dollars and Cents, was published under a pseudonym. Later they coauthored a Victorian Christian romance novel published in 1860. Anna wrote the first verse of Jesus Loves Me for a scene in that book. People loved it. When William B. Bradbury read the novel, he created a tune and added a chorus. The song became what we sing today.

That should inspire all writers!

Anyway, back to the story. Their ancestors fought in the American Revolution alongside George Washington. Susan and Anna taught Bible classes to West Point cadets. Both women were buried at West Point.

There is so much more about these ladies. I would love to see a historical novel based on their lives!

Song

Jesus Loves me! this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong,
They are weak but He is strong.

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,
Let His little child come in.

Jesus loves me! He will stay
Close beside me all the way;
Thou has bled and died for me,
I will henceforth live for Thee.

Anna B. Warner | William B. Bradbury | Public Domain | 1859

Note

My hymnals listed different verses. I included the ones that were in more than one book.

I hope you enjoyed finding out more about this beloved hymn. Do you still sing this song? Share in the comments.

He is Risen

/ Gail Johnson / 12 Comments

And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know you seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you (Matthew 28:4-7 KJV).

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

/ Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21 KJV).

While searching for the words of a song to go along with the Christmas story, I came across the beautiful words of another. “How Sweet the Name of Jesus” is not a carol, but it explains why we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Let me introduce you to the author.

The Author

When you hear the name John Newton, what is the first thing that comes to mind? I think of three things. Slave trader, abolitionist, and“Amazing Grace.” When I searched his name, I found the following:

He was a pirate.
He was pressed into the Navy.
He was flogged for his poor conduct.
He was given to a slave trader’s wife.
If not for other slaves feeding and clothing him, he could have perished.
He dealt in the slave trade.
He repented on a ship one night during a storm.
He became an abolitionist.
He wrote 281 hymns.

When I look at that list, I think of the above verse. “For he shall save his people from their sins.” One can clearly see God’s grace in Newton’s life. Let’s take a look at what the man thought about God’s grace and the gift of His Son.

The Song

How Sweet the Name of Jesus

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,
And drives away his fear,
And drives away his fear.

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5).

It makes the wounded spirit whole,
And calms the troubled breast;
’Tis manna to the hungry soul,
And to the weary rest,
And to the weary rest.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee (Isaiah 26:3).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Dear name! the rock on which I build,
My shield and hiding place;
My never-failing treasure, filled
With boundless grace!
With boundless grace!

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower (Psalm 18:2).

Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20).

Jesus, my Shepherd, Brother, Friend,
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
Accept the praise I bring,
Accept the praise I bring.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (John 14:6).

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

How Sweet the Name of Jesus | John Newton | Public Domain

Your Turn

How do you like the words to the song? Do they remind you of Christ’s birth? His gift of Salvation? What names would you add? What scripture?

Further Reading

To learn more about John Newton, visit:
museumofthebible.org
pbs.org
1517.org
christianhistoryinstitute.org
cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk
On Amazon: Out of the Depths, The Autobiography of John Newton