When mothers of Salem their children brought to Jesus

1 When mothers of Salem
Their children brought to Jesus,
The stern disciples drove them back
And bade them depart;
But Jesus saw them ere they fled,
And sweetly smiled, and kindly said,
"Suffer little children
To come unto Me.

2 "For I will receive them
And fold them in my bosom;
I'll be a shepherd to these lambs,
O drive them not away;
For, if their hearts to Me they give,
They shall with Me in glory live:
Suffer little children
To come unto Me."

3 How kind was our Savior
To bid these children welcome!
But there are many thousands
Who have never heard His name;
The Bible they have never read;
They know not that the Savior said,
"Suffer little children
To come unto Me."

4 O soon may the heathen
Of every tribe and nation
Fulfill Thy blessed word,
And cast their idols all away;
O shine upon them from above,
And show Thyself a God of love;
Teach the little children
To come unto Thee.

Amen.

Source: African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal #543

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #7571