Today in 1671 – Erdmann Neumeister Born

The song Christ Receiveth Sinful Men sounds very much like the style of gospel songs written in the nineteenth century. It is a hymn of invitation, similar to Have You Any Room for Jesus? or Only Trust Him. But it was published more than a century earlier, in 1718. (For a bit about Emma Bevan, who translated it from German into English, see Today in 1827.)

Neumeister, the author of the original German hymn, was born in Hamburg, Germany. He became a pastor in 1698, and soon was known as an eloquent preacher and a defender of conservative Lutheranism. He wrote about 650 hymns, and is recognized as the originator of the church cantata. Pastor Neumeister wrote Christ Receiveth Sinful Men to be sung at the conclusion of a message on the parable of the lost sheep (Lk. 15:3-7).

Sinners Jesus will receive;
Sound this word of grace to all
Who the heavenly pathway leave,
All who linger, all who fall.

Sing it o’er and over again;
Christ receiveth sinful men;
Make the message clear and plain:
Christ receiveth sinful men.

Come, and He will give you rest;
Trust Him, for His Word is plain;
He will take the sinfulest;
Christ receiveth sinful men.

I’ve included the following video clip of Neumeister’s gospel song for a reason. The video will never win the group any recording contracts, or perhaps receive much attention beyond that of a few friends. A young pastor, and a tiny congregation, sincerely doing their best to testify to their faith in Christ. And their like is multiplied hundreds, and thousands of times, across North America and around the world. It’s the megachurches that get the press. But God is glorified whenever and wherever His people meet for praise and prayer, fellowship and the study of His Word.

Three Scriptures come to mind:

Jesus promised, “Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).

“The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Sam. 16:7).

“It may be that the Lord will work for us [or them]. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few” (I Sam. 14:6).

May God bless each congregation, large or small, where God’s people gather and His Word is faithfully taught.

(2) Today in 1873 – Arthur Ingler Born

Not too much is known of Arthur Ingler. He apparently began his ministry as a gospel soloist, and later became a pastor with the Church of the Nazarene denomination and served a number of congregations. In 1902 he published the one gospel song for which he is known today, The Pearly White City, which is based on the description of the heavenly city in the closing chapters of the book of Revelation. Pastor Ingler died in 1935.

There’s a holy and beautiful city
Whose builder and ruler is God;
John saw it descending from heaven,
When Patmos, in exile, he trod;
Its high, massive wall is of jasper,
The city itself is pure gold;
And when my frail tent here is folded,
Mine eyes shall its glory behold.

In that bright city, pearly white city,
I have a mansion, a harp, and a crown;
Now I am watching, waiting, and longing,
For the white city that’s soon coming down.

No heartaches are known in that city,
No tears ever moisten the eyes;
There’s no disappointment in heaven,
No envy and strife in the sky;
The saints are all sanctified wholly,
They live in sweet harmony there;
My heart is now set on that city,
And some day its blessings I’ll share.