Scripture Verse

Let the children come to Me. Don’t stop them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these. Matthew 19:14

Introduction

portrait
Charles Gabriel (1856–1932)

Words: Charles H. Ga­bri­el, in Pre­cious Jew­els, ed­it­ed by J. H. Les­lie & R. B. Ma­haf­fey (New York & Al­too­na, Penn­syl­van­ia: C. M. Ca­dy & R. B. Ma­haf­fey, 1878), page 57.

Music: Ca­mi­no Re­al Bren­nie Smith, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Smith (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Let the lit­tle child­ren come,
And for­bid them not the right,
As they jour­ney on their way,
Guided by the Sav­ior’s light.

Refrain

Hear the voice of Je­sus say,
Let the lit­tle child­ren come;
I will guide you on the way,
I will safe­ly lead you home.

Children, list­en to the call,
And ob­ey the Lord’s com­mand,
Come and go with Him to­day,
He will take you by the hand.

Refrain

In your child­hood turn away
From the paths that lead to sin;
Love the Sav­ior ev­ery day,
He will sure­ly take you in.

Refrain

illustration
Arlington Street Church
Boston, Massachusetts