Will L. Thompson, in Sparkling Gems, Nos. 1 and 2, by bio J. Calvin Bushey (Chicago, Illinois: Will L. Thompson & Company, 1880) (MIDI, score).
When the world-renowned lay preacher, Dwight Lyman Moody, lay on his death bed in his Northfield, Massachusetts, home, Will Thompson made a special visit to inquire as to his condition. The attending physician refused to admit him to the sickroom, and Moody heard them talking just outside the bedroom door. Recognizing Thompson’s voice, he called for him to come to his bedside. Taking the Ohio poet-composer by the hand, the dying evangelist said, “Will, I would rather have written “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”
cite Emurian, p. 109
This hymn was sung in the 1985 Academy Award winning movie, “Trip to Bountiful,” and at a memorial service for American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, April 8, 1968.
Dear Friend,
Have you turned your back on Jesus? Were you close to Him at one time, but somehow slipped away? Do you know deep down in your heart that you need to return home? If so, listen closely, His still small voice is calling you right now. He is patiently waiting for you to come back to Him so He can be merciful and bless you.
Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.
Refrain
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!
Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?
Refrain
Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.
Refrain
O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.
Refrain
hatchcreek.com Bible blog 
Hi Bonnie!
I enjoyed so much the background information on these precious old hymns! Your ministry here is much needed! Thanks for taking the time to share the Truth in Love with us!
Blessings to you! Claudia
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Dear James,
Those are rather shocking words aren’t they? I suppose it is meant to get our attention, and it really does. When we think about how frail our lives actually are and how God gives us every breath we take it really sobers up our thinking.
As an older person I can tell you that life passes by quickly. And, as we age the time seems to speed up. Don’t put off getting right with God! It is the most important thing you can do.
God is loving and forgiving sheding upon us his mercy and grace.
Blessings,
Bonnie
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“Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming…” When my church uses this song as an invitation song I cringe. I’m always half tempted to turn around and see if anyone else expects to see the grim reaper or the men who burried Ananias and Sapphira…
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