Hymn 659
WHEN mothers of Salem
1 WHEN mothers of Salem
Their children brought to Jesus,
The stern disciples drove them back,
And bade them depart;
But Jesus saw them ere they fled,
And sweetly smiled and kindly said:
Suffer little children to come unto me.
2 For I will receive them
And fold them to my bosom;
I’ll be a shepherd to these lambs,
O drive them not away!
For if their hearts to me they give,
They shall with me in Glory live;
Suffer little children to come unto me.
3 How kind was our Saviour
To bid these children welcome!
But there are many thousands who
Have never heard his name;
O shine upon them from above,
And show thyself a God of love!
Teach the little children to come unto thee.
4 O soon may the heathen, Of every tribe and nation, Fulfill Thy blessed word, and cast their idols all away; O shine upon them from above, And show Thyself a God of love; Teach the little children To come unto Thee.