IN TENDERNESS HE SOUGHT ME

          "Great are Thy tender mercies, O Lord." ( Psalm 119:156)  Praise God for His great tender mercies to His children - love that sought us when we strayed from Him, blood that bought us from the penalty of sin, and wondrous grace that brought us to His fold.    William Spencer Walton was born in London, saved when he was twenty-two, served the Lord first in evening evangelism, then served full time in the British Isles, and lastly in South Africa.  During his first trip to South Africa in 1888, hundreds were saved. Walton then returned to England where he established the Cape General Mission in 1889. While in England he married Kathleen Dixon, who also served in South Africa. Sadly, after only ten months together, Kathleen died in childbirth.   In 1893, Walton married Lena Gibson, and they continued giving the gospel of Christ in South Africa through war, famine, and plagues. In 1904, the mission sent the Waltons and their three children to North America and Britain. During their travels,Walton was taken ill and died at the age of fifty-six.   Walton's missionary work is known mainly through the books and pamphlets he wrote. He is also credited with one hymn, In Tenderness He Sought Me, published in 1894.  In this hymn he used references to  several Biblical examples to illustrate God's tender mercies.  He referred in the first verse to the parable (Luke 15:3-7) of the man who had a hundred sheep, lost one, and left the ninety-nine in the wilderness in order to seek after the one which was lost. This shows how God the Son went out of his way to find us and brings us home.  In the second verse he referred to the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10.  "He washed the bleeding sin-wounds, and poured in oil and wine."  And then in the third verse there are references to the sacrifice of Christ for us at Calvary.  Oh what love was demonstrated there.   And then verses four and five share what should be the experience of each believer as we wait for that glorious day when we shall be called to His side to be with Him eternally.  What a glorious hope is ours.  How great are His tender mercies - love, blood and grace - to His children.

1.     In tenderness He sought me,

Weary and sick with sin,

And on His shoulders brought me

Into His flock again.

While angels in His presence sang

Until the courts of heaven rang.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

2.     He washed the bleeding sin-wounds,

And poured in oil and wine;

He whispered to assure me,

"I've found thee, thou art Mine:"

I never heard a sweeter voice,

It made my aching heart rejoice.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

3.     He pointed to the nail-prints,

For me His blood was shed;

A mocking crown so thorny,

Was placed upon His head:

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

4.     I'm sitting in His presence,

The sunshine of His face,

While with adoring wonder

His blessings I retrace.

It seems as if eternal days

Are far too short to sound His praise.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

5.     So while the hours are passing,

All now is perfect rest,

I'm waiting for the morning,

The brightest and the best,

When He will call us to His side,

To be with Him, His spotless bride.

Oh, the love that sought me!

Oh, the blood that bought me!

Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold,

Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!

Listen to it here.   LOVE