Hymns With A Message: WHEN HE COMETH (JEWELS)

Sunday, August 20, 2017

WHEN HE COMETH (JEWELS)

William Orcutt Cushing (1823-1902), who signed his name to his hymns simply "W. O. Cushing," wrote a large number of songs that especially found wide popularity in Sunday schools. Born in Massachusetts, at the age of eighteen years he decided to prepare for the ministry, feeling that he had a call from God to that work. For many years he did serve as a pastor in various churches. But, after the death of his wife, creeping paralysis attacked him, and he was compelled to retire from the ministry. After being incapacitated for active ministerial work, his prayer was, "Lord, still give me something to do for Thee!" In answer to this prayer he was permitted to write many of the world's best known gospel poems such as "Ring the Bells of Heaven", "Follow On," and "Hiding in Thee." These were set to music by some of the most distinguished composers of this country. One of these poems was this week's hymn choice, often called the "Jewel Song". It was written in 1856 and put to music by George F. Root in 1866. It was written by Pastor Cushing specifically for the children in his church's Sunday School. However, other than the first line of verse three, there's no particular focus on children. It's a hymn we all can sing and apply. The Lord Jesus called His disciples "little children" (John. 13:33). The text is based on a couple of Old Testament passages. One is Malachi 3:16-17, which says, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.'" An interesting story is told about the spread of this hymn. A minister, once returning from Europe on a British steamer, visited the steerage and proposed a song service there. The steerage was the lower deck of a ship, where the cargo was stored above the closed hold. In the late 19th and early 20th century, steamship steerage decks were used to provide the lowest cost and lowest class of travel. The minister started the song service with this "jewel song." There were hundreds there from all parts of Europe. Mr. Root's melody was at once caught up by the immigrants, and they soon learned the hymn, which was sung by these men and women of all nations during the rest of the voyage. When at Quebec they took their trains for their journeys to their new homes, the song burst from every car. And as a result, Cushing's hymn was carried to and sung in locations far and near. My experiences with this hymn have generally been in situations involving children, such as the dedication service of a child. But if we are true believers, redeemed by the Savior, we are His precious jewels, no matter how young or old we may be. We are His loved and His own. And someday He will come back to gather us, His gems, for His kingdom. What a precious hope. Are you ready should that gathering be today?

1. When He cometh, when He cometh

To make up His jewels,

All His jewels, precious jewels,

His loved and His own.

Like the stars of the morning,

His brightness adorning,

They shall shine in their beauty,

Bright gems for His crown.

2. He will gather, He will gather

The gems for His kingdom;

All the pure ones, all the bright ones,

His loved and His own.