The Savior Kindly Calls
The Savior kindly calls
The Savior Kindly Calls is a hymn text by Unknown (1800) in C.M. meter. Found in lw 228, tlh 302. Sung to JESUS LOVES ME.
The hymn reflects Lutheran theology emphasizing Christ's grace extended unconditionally to all believers, particularly children who represent faith in its purest form. It connects to the doctrine of baptism and childlike faith as essential to the Christian life.
History & Background
This hymn appears in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) as hymn 302 without attributed authorship. It became a standard children's hymn in Lutheran worship traditions emphasizing Christ's welcome of children.
Hymnal Appearances
- Lutheran Worship — 228
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 302
Bulletin Note
Anonymous hymn from 1800, set to the melody 'Jesus Loves Me.' Its emphasis on childlike faith and Christ's unconditional call reflects Lutheran conviction that God's grace precedes and enables all human response.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Gospel's triumph over the Law: Christ's loving summons to children and the simple-hearted teaches that grace operates not through achievement but through the gift of childlike trust in His Word.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel movement: human righteousness exposed as insufficient (stanzas 1-2), Christ's alien righteousness imputed and clothing the believer (stanzas 3-4), concluding in faith-alone boasting
Overview
A short Baptism hymn by Philip Doddridge, the English Congregational minister and educator, published after his death. Based on Jesus' blessing of the children (Mark 10:13-16), it confesses that the Savior calls children, takes them in his arms and declares them blessed (st. 1); that the kingdom belongs to such as these (st. 2); and the parents bring their children joyfully, praying that as they are the Lord's, their children may be his too (st. 3).
Central theme: Christ's welcome of little children, who are heirs of heaven, as the warrant for bringing them to him
Structure
Three short-meter quatrains. Christ calls and blesses (1) — 'such as these' (2) — parents bring (3).
Law & Gospel Shape
Pure Gospel: Christ calls, folds, blesses; the kingdom belongs to children.
Confessional Connections
AC IX: 'Baptism is necessary to salvation… children are to be baptized, who, being offered to God through Baptism, are received into God's grace.' LC IV.47-57 defends infant Baptism from Christ's command and promise, citing Mark 10:14. Lutheran note: 'devoting them to Thee' (st. 3) is our response, but the decisive act in Baptism is God's, who receives and regenerates the child through water and Word (SC IV; Titus 3:5). 'The promise is for you and for your children' (Acts 2:39).
Liturgical Use (Study Notes)
Holy Baptism (especially of infants); Christian family; children's services.
Historical Notes
Doddridge (1702-1751) wrote 'O God of Bethel' and 'Hark, the Glad Sound'; his hymns were published posthumously in 1755.
About the Tune
FRANCONIA (Harmonischer Liederschatz, Frankfurt, 1738; adapted by W. H. Havergal).
Scripture References
Mark 10:13-16 Matt 19:13-15 Luke 18:15-17 Isa 40:11 Acts 2:38-39 Gen 17:7 Ps 103:17-18
Stanza by Stanza
The Savior kindly calls our children to his heart; he folds them in his gracious arms and himself declares them blessed.
Mark 10:16: 'he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.' Isa 40:11: 'he will gather the lambs in his arms.' The blessing is Christ's own act.
- Scripture
- Mark 10:13-16, Isa 40:11
- Imagery & language
- Call; gracious arms; blessing.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — Christ blesses children.
- Connection to previous
- He calls.
'Let them come,' he cries, 'and do not scorn their humble claim; the heirs of heaven are such as these; I came for such as these.'
Mark 10:14: 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.' LC IV.47ff uses this text for infant Baptism. 'For such as these I came' — Christ's saving mission includes infants.
- Scripture
- Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16-17, Matt 18:3
- Imagery & language
- Humble claim; heirs of heaven.
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the kingdom belongs to them.
- Connection to previous
- Such as these.
We bring them to you joyfully, Lord, devoting them to you and praying that, as we are yours, our children may be yours too.
'The promise is for you and for your children' (Acts 2:39; Gen 17:7). In Baptism God himself makes the child his own (SC IV; Titus 3:5); the parents' 'devoting' is the faith that brings the child to God's gift.
- Scripture
- Acts 2:38-39, Gen 17:7, Ps 103:17-18, Titus 3:5
- Imagery & language
- Bringing children; 'Thine may our offspring be.'
- Law / Gospel
- Gospel — the promise to our children.
- Connection to previous
- We bring them.
Themes
Jesus and children Invitation and welcome Gospel inclusivity Faith and innocence