Years ago most churches emphasized evangelism and bringing sinners to the Lord. They used special programs such as revival services, evangelistic campaigns, rally days, camp meetings and even contests to encourage members to share the gospel and especially to bring the unsaved to these services where they could be saved.
During those times church music often emphasized the need of a Savior. Hymns of invitation were usually a major part of most services. Altar calls were common. It was in times like that when this hymn was written.
"Bring Them In" is a hymn that originally had three stanzas and a refrain. This work was from the mind of Alexcenah Thomas (19th century) and complimented by William A Ogden's (1841-1897) music. The context of this hymn is about recruiting people to become believers in Christ. This imagery also includes believers who are going astray and need the guidance and help of the Lord to bring them back to the fold.
Little is known about this author. Based on records, this hymn is his only work. But It is different for William Augustine Ogden, who was an American composer and a native of Ohio. He was very young when he had musical training in his community's singing schools. Ogden was a member of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. After his service, he resumed his musical training under Lowell Mason and Thomas Hastings. His career included being a music teacher, a conductor of music conventions, and publisher of Sunday school hymn collections. Later on, he became the supervisor of music for the public schools of Toledo, Ohio.
The song was originally written, probably about 1885, for Sunday schools. However I can remember while growing up hearing adults singing this song with enthusiasm and conviction in worship services. It was a theme that all could relate to.
This song points to Jesus as the Shepherd who seeks the sheep who are going astray in hopes that they might return to Him. "Hark! 'Tis the Shepherd's voice I hear, Out in the desert dark and drear, Calling the sheep who've gone astray, Far from the Shepherd's fold away." The Shepherd is Jesus Christ: John. 10.11-14
In stanza 2 we sing about the Shepherd's call for assistance. "Who'll go and help this Shepherd kind, Help Him the little lambs to find? Who'll bring the lost ones to the fold, Where they'll be sheltered from the fold?"
In stanza 3 we sing about the Shepherd's command. "Out in the desert hear their cry, Out on the mountains wild and high; Hark! 'Tis the Master speaks to thee, 'Go find My lambs where'er they be.'"
The chorus continues to urge us: "Bring them in, bring them in, Bring them in from the fields of sin! Bring them in, bring them in, Bring the wandering ones to Jesus."
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 18:19-20.
And nothing has changed over the years. People are still lost and need the Lord. And the command to go is still the same. Maybe we need to recommit to sharing the good news to the many who need to hear it.
1 Hark! 'Tis the Shepherd's voice I hear,
Out in the desert dark and drear,
Calling the sheep who've gone astray,
Far from the Shepherd's fold away.
Refrain:
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wandering ones to Jesus.
2 Who'll go and help this Shepherd kind,
Help Him the wandering ones to find?
Who'll bring the lost ones to the fold,
Where they'll be sheltered from the cold?
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wandering ones to Jesus.
3 Out in the desert hear their cry,
Out on the mountains wild and high;
Hark! 'Tis the Master speaks to thee,
"Go find My sheep where'er they be."
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wandering ones to Jesus.
Listen to it here BRING
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