Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
Luke 14:23
Words: Anna Shipton, 1862.
Music: Shipton Ira D. Sankey, 1876 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good picture of Shipton (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Call them in
—the poor, the wretched,
Sin-stained wand’rers from the fold;
Peace and pardon freely offer;
Can you weigh their worth with gold?
Call them in
—the weak, the weary,
Laden with the doom of sin;
Bid them come and rest in Jesus;
He is waiting—Call them in.
Call them in
—the Jew, the Gentile;
Bid the stranger to the feast;
Call them in
—the rich, the noble,
From the highest to the least:
Forth the Father runs to meet them,
He hath all their sorrows seen;
Robe, and ring, and royal sandals,
Wait the lost ones—Call them in.
Call them in
—the mere professors,
Slumbering, sleeping, on death’s brink;
Naught of life are they possessors,
Yet of safety vainly think;
Bring them in—the careless scoffers,
Pleasure seekers of the earth:
Tell of God’s most precious offers,
And of Jesus’ priceless worth.
Call them in
—the broken-hearted,
Cowering ’neath the brand of shame;
Speak Love’s message low and tender,
’Twas for sinners Jesus came:
See, the shadows lengthen round us,
Soon the day-dawn will begin;
Can you leave them lost and lonely?
Christ is coming—Call them in.