I love to tell the story

Jesus instructed us to share our wonderful free gift of salvation. For too many years I felt awkward trying to initiate conversations of faith and “break the ice” in telling someone about Him. But I found that once I started, it is exhilarating to lead someone into relationship with God. Now I have been privileged to witness Him speak to countless people through the years. And this hymn has become so meaningful to me that I would like it sung at my funeral. To God be the glory. 🙌🏻

Arabella Katherine Hankey was born in Clapham, near London, in 1834. She and her family were part of the Clapham group of evangelicals in England. They worked toward the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in support of William Wilberforce. They were also proponents of missionary work. At age 18, Kate moved closer into London to teach a Bible class for young factory working women, and continued that work for more than a decade. Then at age 30, she became seriously ill. She was forced to rest in bed for a year. During that time of forced solitude, she wrote a long poem of 100 verses. Sometime later, the speaker at a convention happened to quote part of her poem. Musician William Doane who was in the audience at the time, became captivated by her poetry. After hearing Kate’s poem, Doan turned part of it into a hymn, “Tell me the old, old story“. Later, William Fisher did something similar with another part of Kate‘s poem. The result was the hymn, “I love to tell the story“. After recovering from her illness, Kate resumed her teaching ministry with factory girls, and later began a prison ministry. Her life bore testimony to the fact that she loved both to hear and to tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love. Kate had also traveled to Africa to help out her missionary brother before she became ill. She never married, but spent her adult years in serving the Lord .

Lewis Codington

I’m not good at preaching the gospel. The Lord has impressed me to do this more. I like this hymn because the author loves to tell the story of Jesus and His glory. It seems the story here is the gospel of initial salvation. I do love Jesus and should be talking about Him more.! This is such a good reminder of our commitment.

Mr. Cox-

I am sitting outside at 9:30 am in SC, and I have just finished my quiet time. I have written in my prayer journal a prayer for the Lord to reveal His will in my life and for me to be open to His will. Like you, for some reason, this hymn came to my mind. I also know the first verse but wondered about the others, so I looked it up. The words touched my heart. Below those words was your comment, and like the hymn of old, your words blessed me this morning. I prayed for you and your family on this most special day and for your appointment this week.

A faithful father and grandfather is a tremendous blessing and a gift. Thank you for taking the time at 2 am to write those words and share. I don’t think it was a coincidence. And may today be wonderful in every way as you celebrate with your family!

It's 2am, and at age 75 my first segment of sleep is over and I sit in my chair resting as my earthly father and grandfather did before me. Then the Holy Spirit brings this hymn to my mind and I sing the first verse from memory. But I desire to sing the other verses so I looked it up and found it here. Thank you! As I start to sing the second verse I can't continue because I begin to weep tears of joy! Why? He has done so much for me! Oh so much! How much? EVERYTHING!

Later today our oldest grandson is getting married and a number of people this week said to me that I was fortunate to be able to be alive to see this wonderful occasion. You see, unknown to them, I have been experiencing chest pains and just got the referral to see the heart doc this coming Tuesday. :-). So yes, I am blessed along with my dear wife of 52 years to part of it all. "He has done so much for me" and I do love to tell the story and do! It never grows old. And one DAY I will sing it in glory with family, friends and millions of God's people I will meet and enjoy in the New Heaven and New Earth. Come Lord Jesus my King! Amen.

I've sang this song forever.... Today as I read the lyrics, it hit me that I NEED to tell the story more. I need to engage with people that are lost and tell this wonderful story and what it did for me!

I love this song this is fav

There's nothing like the love of God

No greater love can a man know than the LOVE of God. Thank you Jesus!

It's a nice song.

The story of Lord Jesus is a healing and medicine to me.