CHRISTIAN CHURCH >> Mission of the church
SDAH 367
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
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For Worship Leaders
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Hymn Spotlight: Rescue the Perishing
Born from a moment of compassion in a New York City mission, Rescue the Perishing reflects Fanny Crosby’s heart for the lost and forgotten. After hearing the stories of young men who had drifted far from faith and family, Crosby was moved to write this hymn in response to a request from composer William Doane. The lyrics—penned that very night—call believers to active compassion: not just to weep for the perishing, but to reach out and rescue them. The tune, composed by Doane, carries the urgency of the gospel call. This hymn is a reminder that every soul is precious, and no heart is too far gone for God’s restoring grace.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
In the summer of 1869, Frances Jane Crosby (1820- 1915; see Biographies) visited a city mission in one of the worst slum districts of the Bowery and New York City, here she heard about the needs of the perishing souls who were dying without hope and without God in the world. Her sympathies were aroused by the plight of these neglected people. Invited to speak to them, she appealed to any young man who had turned away from his mother’s teaching to have a chat with her after her talk. One of these human derelicts accepted their invitation. Crosby was reminded that a short time previously William Howard Doane (1832-1916; see Biographies) had asked her to write a hymn text on the topic “Rescue the Perishing.” While she was riding home, the lines of this hymn formed in her mind, and before retiring that evening, she had dictated them to a friend. The next morning she sent them to Doane, then and Cincinnati, who composed the tune, sometimes called RESCUE because of the words for which it was written. There is one other stanza:
3. Down in the human heart, crush’d by the temper,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.
The hymn first appeared in Doane’s Songs of Devotions, 1870.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Refrain
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
2
Though they are slighting him, still he is waiting,
waiting the penitent child to receive;
plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
he will forgive if they only believe.
3
Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
back to the narrow way patiently win them;
tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died.
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) Jude 23; Isa 63:1 (d) Matt 7:14
Author
Fanny J. Crosby (1820-1915)
Metrical Number
6.5.10.6.5.10.Ref.
Composer
W.H. Doane (1832-1915)
Year Composed
1869
