One sat alone beside the highway begging

1
One sat alone beside the highway begging,
  His eyes were blind, the light he could not see;
He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows,
  Then Jesus came and bade his darkness flee.
  When Jesus comes the tempter’s pow’r is broken;
  When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away.
He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,
    For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.
2
From home and friends the evil spirits drove him,
  Among the tombs he dwelt in misery;
He cut himself as demon pow’rs possessed him,
  Then Jesus came and set the captive free.
3
“Unclean! unclean!” the leper cried in torment,
  The deaf, the dumb, in helplessness stood near;
The fever raged, disease had gripped its victim,
  Then Jesus came and cast out every fear.
4
Their hearts were sad as in the tomb they laid him,
  For death had come and taken him away;
Their night was dark and bitter tears were falling,
  Then Jesus came and night was turned to day.
5
So men today have found the Savior able,
  They could not conquer passion, lust and sin;
Their broken hearts had left them sad and lonely,
  Then Jesus came and dwelt, Himself, within.
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Patricia Ozen

Houston, TX, United States

Hearing this song for the first time sung by a senior client as she laid in bed recovering from minor hospital surgery.

She sang with such conviction that WHEN JESUS COMES, He'll SET Her Captured Soul-- Go FREE!


Nancy

Charlotte, NC, United States

I first heard this at Elysian fields Baptist Church in New Orleans when I was 13. The preacher sang it just before the sermon. It was wonderful.


Barbara S. Ragan

Benton, Ark., United States

Lister Rolloff, I think, sang it and my mother also taught it to me. It's been one of my favorites for many years.


Cheryl Schaffner

Van Wert, Ohio, United States

My dad was a singer at home and church. This song has had a place in my heart for 50 years! It comes to mind often, ministered to my broken, wounded heart in the early nineties, and I hope to share it with the ladies in jail church today. JESUS only!


Steve Miller

Detroit, MI, United States

Dr. Smith authored 35 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages. He has also written approximately 1,200 hymns, poems and gospel songs.

Another beloved hymn of his is "Deeper and Deeper", which was composed in this way:

"I was traveling secretary of the Pocket Testament League founded by Mrs. Charles Alexander. Arriving in Woodstock, Ontario, one day in the year 1911, I was invited to preach one Sunday morning in the largest Methodist Church in that city. As I walked along the street on my way to the church, the melody of this hymn suddenly sang itself into my heart and with it these words -

Into the heart of Jesus

Deeper and deeper I go,

Seeking to know the reason

Why He should love me so,

Why He should stoop to lift me

Up from the miry clay,

Saving my soul, making me whole,

Though I had wandered away.

I can still recall the joy and buoyancy of youth, the bright sunshine overhead, and the thrill with which I looked forward to my service that Sunday morning as again and again I hummed over the words. I wondered if I could retain the music in my mind until after the service was over. I was just 21 years of age. After preaching, I quickly returned to my rented room and the first thing I did was to write out the melody as God had given it to me. I had been able to remember it, and it has never changed from that day to this."

The writing of the remaining verses was much more difficult. Three years later, however, while pastoring the First Presbyterian Church of South Chicago, Dr. Smith completed his hymn.

"It was then 1914, and I was 24 years old. The writing of the hymn afforded me much joy, nor has it ever grown old. I still love it and always will, for it was the child of my youth. It proves conclusively that God can impart His deepest truths to the hearts of the young, for I doubt I have ever written anything more profound since." - '52 Hymn Stories Dramatized' by Kenneth W. Osbeck


David

Kaduna, State, Nigeria

I so much love this hymn. My spirit was lifted high when it was song in church fellowship


Sue Church

Potosi, MO, United States

Loved this song. Still do.


Michael

Willingboro, NJ, United States

This hymn reminds me that Gods grace through the blood of Christ is sufficient.

Is there anything too hard for God. Healer, Deliverer, Savior, Lord and the list goes on. Thank you for sharing this wonderful song of deliverance.


Doug Crabb

Phoenix, AZ, United States

My dad would often sin this song when I was a boy and it spoke to my heart about the grace, love, kindness, compassion and ability of our God. This song is truly rich with God's truth about he can help the sinful desperate souls among man. I will sing this son at the House of Refuge this evening.


Barb Weber

Myrtle Beach, SC, United States

I woke up with this whole song on my heart this morning, and I hadn't thought of it in years. What a blessing!