‘Children Coming to Jesus’
By John Lautermilch
April, 1861 was a busy month for
George Frederick Root.
He wrote a popular marching song for the Civil War, (Union)-
‘Tramp, Tramp, Tramp, the Boys are Marching’.
This music educator and composer also wrote,
‘Just Before the Battle, Mother’
‘The Shining Shore’
‘The Battle Cry of Freedom’
and following the first firing on Fort Sumter-
‘The First Gun is Fired’
Little did Mr. Root know he had started a musical phenomenon that would sweep around the world.
Miao children, Thailand.
Adapted by inkspired
Skip ahead to 1913.
Pastor Clarence H. Woolston was leading
the East Baptist Church of Philadelphia.
Besides being an ordained minister,
Rev. Woolston was also a gospel songwriter
and a magician!
He had a good friend named Mr. G. Root…
in fact he was Mr. Root’s favorite lyricist.
Adapted by inkspired from photo on Pinterest
Jesus calls the children dear,
“Come to Me and never fear,
For I love the little children of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the better land,
For I love the little children of the world.”
Rev. Woolston, drawing inspiration from Bible verses,
began penning these words:
(Refrain)
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world;
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Posted on Pinterest, Fine Art America
Rev. Woolston took inspiration from
Bible verses such as
Mark 10:13-16
(I have used the King James Translation as this is probably the version he used.)
for this KJV translation
Jesus is the Shepherd true,
And He’ll always stand by you,
For He loves the little children of the world;
He’s a Savior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong
For He loves the little children of the world.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1856,
Mr. Woolston was schooled in Camden, New Jersey, and also in Bridgetown, NJ at the South Jersey Institute.
He then entered the ministry
at the young age of 17, after being influenced by
evangelist H.G. DeWitt.
(Alternate refrain)
Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.
Here is another Bible verse Rev. Woolston drew from:
Matthew 19:14 (KJV)
‘But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me: for such is the kingdom of heaven.’
Mr. Woolston went on to the Crozier Theological Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania from 1877-79.
He devoted his time to training American Baptist ministers, and was himself ordained in 1880.
I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
And your soldier I will be,
For you love the little children of the world;
And Your cross I’ll always bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the little children of the world.
This song was first published as a three stanza hymn
in ‘The Gospel Message’ in November 1913.
Rev. Woolston wrote several books throughout
his life as a minister with the common
theme of ‘Object Lessons’.
(Alternate Refrain)
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Every color, every race,
All are covered by His grace;
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
As times change, and language adapts with new meanings and innuendos,
sometimes people feel the need to change words to reflect more current understanding.
This has been the case with
the refrain of this simple children’s song.
(Alternate refrain)
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world;
Stranger, friend and neighbor too,
He loves them as He loves you;
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
After a few years publishers stopped including the stanzas, and just included the refrain in their collections.
(Alternate refrain)
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Fat and skinny, short and tall,
Jesus loves them one and all,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Rev. Woolston dedicated one of his books to:
“The One Hundred Thousand Little Children who have both heard and seen these Object Lessons.”
(Alternate refrain)
Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Every color, shape and size,
They are precious in His eyes;
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
When Rev. Woolston was called to be pastor of East Baptist Church (Philadelphia) in 1887 there was a congregation of 176.
By 1927 it had grown to more than 1,000 members.
In celebration of his 50 years of ministry,
and 40th as their pastor, the congregation gave him $2,000 for a European trip!
(Alternate refrain)
Jesus wants the little children,
To be careful what they do;
Honor father, mother dear,
Keep their hearts so full of cheer;
Then He’ll take them home to glory
by and by.
(I doubt that last version would have been approved
(I doubt that last version would have been approved
by Rev. Woolston.)
This is a version of a painting I saw from mid-1970’s, on a
Current, Inc. card.
On Pinterest it was credited to Darrel Tank.
In a 1927 interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer
Rev. Woolston was quoted as claiming he had
“addressed many more than 1,000,000 children”.
He had a stroke after his big celebration
with his congregation, and died not long
after his 71st birthday.
I’m thinking he was greeted with a whole choir of children, singing
‘Jesus loves the little children…’
‘Til next time,
inkspired
I have made use of many websites for this blog. I have tried to copy each one down to share with you and give credit where it’s due:
In no particular order -
www.countrythangdaily.com
www.hymntime.com
www.allaboutgod.com
umcdiscipleship.org
www.dianaleighmatthews.com
makingmusicfun.net
shanebertou.wordpress.com
shawncasselberry.com
thegospelcoalition.org
JixiPix Software, LLC
Pinterest.com
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