Many of our great hymns of the faith have heart-warming histories. Born out of the daily struggle, toil, and victory of saints before us, they ring through the ages with truth.
Here is the story behind the timeless hymn hymn “My Jesus, I Love Thee.”
With its poignant lyrics and simple melody, this sweet hymn has become a favourite with many Christians. But did you know that it was actually penned by a Canadian teenager?
A Young Convert
On July 24, 1846, William Ralph Featherston was born in Montréal, Canada, to Methodist parents. His family attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church. As a young man, William accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Join us at the local church’s prison ministries to learn how you can do this, too.
Even at his young age, William’s love for the Lord was unusually deep and mature. As you read through the first stanza of his famous hymn (first written as a devotional poem), you can see his desire to please God. He realized that, in order to love Jesus, he would have to give up personal sin and deny himself.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In the second stanza, he explored the wondrous truth of the gospel. He expressed his deep thankfulness for Jesus’ sacrifice.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
With all the strength and fervour of his youth, he purposed to praise his Saviour with every breath he took.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
As he closed the hymn, William looked forward with eyes of faith to the day when he’d see Jesus face to face.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
An Instant Favourite
According to some historians, young Featherston mailed the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles. Recognizing its potential, she submitted it for publication. It first appeared in print (though anonymously) in The London Hymn Book in 1864.
Sadly, William’s time on earth was short-lived. At the tender age of 27, he entered the presence of the One he loved so much, Jesus Christ. History tells us that he may have left behind a wife and young child. But he also gave us the legacy of a cherished hymn.
Several years after William’s death, Adoniram Judson Gordon (named after the famous missionary) added a melody and re-published it. Later, he composed a new melody for the lyrics and published it in its modern-day form in the 1876 hymnal The Service of Song for Baptist Churches.
Since then, it has become a favourite with believers across the world. Its clear and honest lyrics are the testimony of a heart that loves Jesus. At the local church’s prison ministries, we love singing this hymn.
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