Come to Me.
Matthew 11:28
Words: George F. Root, in The Palm, edited by C. M. Wyman (Chicago, Illinois: Root & Cady, 1870), page 247.
Music: Invitation (Root) George F. Root, 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
In 1879 I was assisting in revival meetings in Danville, California, writes the pastor of a Presbyterian Church at Oakland.
The meetings were well attended and good interest was exhibited, but for a long time there were no conversions.
In the neighborhood there was a man who, with his wife and children, attended the church regularly, and he was one of its liberal supporters.
They were most excellent people, but could not be induced to profess Christ, and did not call themselves Christians.
One day, while the men were holding services in the church, the women were having a prayer-meeting in the manse near by.
In the course of the meeting they sang Come to the Saviour, make no delay.
The singing over, they were about to engage in prayer, when the lady above referred to asked them to sing the last verse of this hymn…The lady was greatly affected, and when the singing ceased she said with deep emotion: ‘Yes, I will not stay away any longer.’
The women were all deeply moved, and prayed and praised God with warm hearts.
When the word reached the men they were greatly encouraged at the good news. A revival followed, and at the close of a touching service a few days later, when a call was made for persons who desired to unite with the church, this lady and her husband were the first to respond.
They were followed by some of their own children and many other persons—in all twenty-one.
This hymn seemed to have been the means of reaching the wife’s heart, and of opening the way for the blessing which followed.
Sankey, pp. 145–46
Come to the Savior, make no delay;
Here in His Word He has shown us the way;
Here in our midst He’s standing today,
Tenderly saying, Come!
Refrain
Joyful, joyful will the meeting be,
When from sin our hearts are pure and free;
And we shall gather, Savior, with Thee,
In our eternal home.
Suffer the children!
oh, hear His voice!
Let ev’ry heart leap forth and rejoice;
And let us freely make Him our choice;
Do not delay, but come.
Refrain
Think once again, He’s with us today;
Heed now His blest command, and obey;
Hear now His accents tenderly say,
Will you, My children, come?
Refrain