The Lewd Fellows that Changed the World

Prelude:

Acts 17:1–9

I. Turned from Idols by Turning to God

“The Ninety and Nine” Hymn History

Elizabeth Celphane

Born in Edinburg, Scotland Rased in Melrose

Suffered much with illness and live her life being sick

Nicknamed “the sunbeam”

she was a poet

She died at the age of thirty nine due to health

Before her death she wrote “The Ninety and Nine” for children

Published in a magazine “The Children’s Hour”

Five years later Moody and Sankey were in Britain

on a train heading to a meeting

Sankey purchased a newspaper to get news from America

Idly turned the page to read Celphane’s poem

Showed Moody but he was studying for a message

The title of Moody’s message was “The Good Shepherd” From Luke 15

At the end Moody looked to Sankey to sing a hymn

Sankey impromptly played the tune the hymn still has today

Wasn’t about the tune, it was about the Words

There were ninety and nine that safely lay In the shelter of the fold; But one was out on the hills away, Far off from the gates of gold. Away on the mountains wild and bare; Away from the tender Shepherd's care.

"Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for Thee?" But the Shepherd made answer: "This of Mine Has wandered away from Me. And although the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep."

But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry; 'Twas sick and helpless and ready to die.

"Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way, That mark out the mountain's track?" "They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back." "Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn?" "They're pierced tonight by many a thorn."

And all through the mountains, thunder-riv'n, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a glad cry to the gate of heav'n, "Rejoice! I have found My sheep!" And the angels echoed around the throne, "Rejoice, for the Lord brings back His own!"

Many were saved that day!

II. Spread the Gospel by Living an Example

The word “Christian”

III. Suffered great Affliction by Doing what’s Right

IV. Held peaceful Hope by Looking to Christ’s Return