He heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth.
Mark 10:47
Words: Emma F. R. Campbell, 1864. She wrote this song after hearing R. J. Pardee preach at a revival meeting in Newark, New Jersey. Initially, the song was published under the pseudonym Eta
(the Greek letter), leading early hymnals to give the author as Miss Eta Campbell.
Decades later, Campbell wrote a book describing the song’s origin.
Music: Las Palmas Theodore E. Perkins (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
If you know where to get a good photo of Campbell (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
An officer of the English army sends me the following incident: “A soldier was stationed at Edinburgh Castle, and one evening left his post on a pass until midnight.
He had a week’s pay in one pocket and the washing money earned by his wife in the other, and was on his way to the public house to have a night in gambling. His eye caught the poster outside the Tolbooth Church, announcing your meetings. The officer liked the singing, and went in just to hear one song.
As he entered, Mr. Moody was preaching on ‘The Blood.’ That had no interest for him. After the address you sang, ‘Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.’ He listened with deep interest to the hymn. ‘Too late, too late,’ was God’s arrow to his soul.
An officer of his regiment and I went into the inquiry-room, and among a great crowd we saw this comrade’s red coat. He was in great distress. We spoke to him, holding to John 3:16.
That night the man went home instead of to the public house, and his wife was astonished to see him so early, and sober. He laid down all the money on the table, which astonished her still more.
Then he went to bed, but was in too great distress to be able to sleep. The wordsToo late, too laterang in his ears. About two o’clock in the morning John 3:16 gleamed into his soul. He leaped from the bed, pleaded that grand promise, and Jesus received him.
This was told the following morning by himself at the Castle. He held to his faith, and when the regiment left he was known throughout the camp as a man of God. The glorious Gospel with him began in song, and goes in song.Sankey, pp. 180–81
What means this eager, anxious throng,
Pressing our busy streets along?
These wondrous gatherings day by day,
What means this strange commotion, pray?
Voices in accents hushed reply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Voices in accents hushed reply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
E’en children feel the potent spell
And haste their new-found joy to tell.
In crowds they to the place repair
Where Christians daily bow in prayer,
Hosannas mingle with the cry,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Hosannas mingle with the cry,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Who is this Jesus? Why should He
The city move so mightily?
A passing stranger, has He skill
To move the multitude at will?
Again the stirring tones reply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Again the stirring tones reply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Jesus! ’tis He who once below
Man’s pathway trod ’mid pain and woe;
And burdened ones where’er He came,
Brought out their sick and deaf and lame;
Blind men rejoiced to hear the cry,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Blind men rejoiced to hear the cry,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Again He comes—from place to place
His holy footprints we can trace;
He pauses at our threshold, nay,
He enters, condescends to stay:
Shall we not gladly raise the cry
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Shall we not gladly raise the cry
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Bring out your sick and blind and lame,
’Tis to restore them Jesus came;
Compassion infinite you’ll find
With boundless power in Him combined.
Come quickly while salvation’s nigh,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Come quickly while salvation’s nigh,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Ye sin-sick souls, who feel your need,
He comes to you, a friend indeed;
Rise from your weary, wakeful couch,
Haste to secure His healing touch;
No longer sadly wait and sigh,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
No longer sadly wait and sigh,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Ho! all ye heavy laden, come!
Here’s pardon, comfort, rest, a home:
Ye wanderers from a Father’s face,
Return, accept His proffered grace;
Ye tempted ones, there’s refuge nigh:
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Ye tempted ones, there’s refuge nigh:
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Ye who are buried in the grave
Of sin, His power alone can save;
His voice can bid your dead souls live,
True spirit-life and freedom give.
Awake! Arise! for strength apply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
Awake! Arise! for strength apply,
Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
But if you still this call refuse,
And dare such wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for mercy spurn,
Too late! too late!
will be the cry—
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.
Too late! too late!
will be the cry—
Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.