I once spent several days at the United States Military Academy at West Point researching the lives of Anna and Susan Warner for a book about this hymn. The financial panic of 1837 had destroyed their family’s financial empire, forcing them into a ramshackle house on Constitution Island. There the sisters began writing novels to help pay bills; and in one of the novels, Anna crafted the words of this children’s hymn. Cadets arriving at West Point soon learned that the famous authors and hymnists lived just across the Hudson. Using a simple strategy of lemonade, cookies, and Bible study, Anna and Susan mentored a generation of these young men. Today their graves are side by side in the military cemetery at West Point. Jesus loves me! This I know, For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; They are weak, but He is strong. Jesus loves me! This I know, As He loved so long ago, Taking children on His knee, Saying, “Let them come to Me.” Jesus loves me! He who died Heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, Let His little child come in. Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so. Robert J. Morgan, Devotions for Advent (ebook Shorts): Meditations Based on Best-Loved Hymns (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2012). 21 Laws of Discipleship -- the book -- |
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