CHRISTIAN LIFE >> MEDITATION AND PRAYER
SDAH 494
“We would see Jesus;” for the shadows lengthen
Across the little landscape of our life;
We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen
For the last conflict, in this mortal strife.
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For Worship Leaders
Make each hymn more meaningful with these helpful tools: Short, ready-to-use hymn introductions for church bulletins, multiple ways to introduce a hymn based on your worship theme and in-depth history and insights to enrich your song service.
Hymn Spotlight: We Would See Jesus
Written in 1852 by Anna Bartlett Warner under her pen name “Amy Lothrop,” this hymn springs from the heartfelt request recorded in John 12:21: “Sir, we would see Jesus.” In her novel Dollars and Cents, Warner wove these words into a devotional poem that invites worshipers to look beyond earthly distractions and fix their gaze on Christ. The tune, composed in 1899 by Franklin E. Belden for his Christ in Song hymnal, gently supports the text’s reverent longing. Each stanza is a prayer to see Jesus more clearly—in His Word, His works, His sacrifice, and His coming glory—reminding us that the truest vision of life is found when our eyes are fixed on the Savior.
📖 Reference: Feel free to share but please cite hymnsforworship.org when reproducing.
Introductions for Sabbath School Song Service (based on specific lesson quarterlies):
Anna Bartlett Warner (1820-1915; see SDAH 190), wrote this hymn of seven stanzas in 1852. It appeared in her novel Dollars and Cents under her pen name, Amy Lothrop. The theme is based on the request of the Greeks who came to the Temple at Jerusalem after the Lord’s triumphal entry and expressed their desire to Philip: “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21). The hymn first appeared with six stanzas in Hymns of the Church Militant, which Warner edited in 1858.
The tune, unnamed, was composed in 1899 by Franklin Edson Belden (1858-1945; see Biographies) and appeared first in his Christ in Song, 1900.
📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.
Text
1
“We would see Jesus;” for the shadows lengthen
Across the little landscape of our life;
We would see Jesus, our weak faith to strengthen
For the last conflict, in this mortal strife.
2
“We would see Jesus,” Rock of our salvation,
Where on our feet were set with sovereign grace;
Not life, nor death, with all their agitation,
Can thence remove us, gazing on His face.
3
“We would see Jesus;” other lights are paling,
Which for long years we did rejoice to see;
The blessings of this sinful world are failing;
We would not mourn them, in exchange for Thee.
4
“We would see Jesus;” this is all we’re needing-
Strength, joy and willingness come with the sight;
We would see Jesus, dying, risen, pleading,
Soon to return and end this mortal night!
Hymn Info
Biblical Reference
(a) John 12:21; Luke 17:5 (b) Ps 89:26 (d) 1 Thess 1:10
Author
Anna B. Warner (1820-1915)
Metrical Number
11.10.11.10.
Composer
F.E. Belden (1858-1945)
