I Think When I Read That Sweet Story

213 I Think When I Read That Sweet Story

1 I think when I read that sweet story of old,
   When Jesus was here among men,
   How He called little children as lambs to His fold,
   I should like to have been with them then.

Refrain:
   I should like to have been with them then,
   I should like to have been with them then;
   How He called little children as lambs to His fold,
   I should like to have been with them then.

2 I wish that His hands had been placed on my head,
   That His arm had been thrown around me;
   And that I might have seen His kind look when He said,
   "Let the little ones come unto Me."

3 Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go,
   And ask for a share in His love;
   And if I now earnestly seek Him below,
   I shall see Him and hear Him above.
                         Jemima T. Luke
                         Hymns for the Family of God

<idle musing>
A fairly popular hymn, occurring in more than 750 hymnals. I don't recall ever singing it. Hymnary.org adds a fourth verse:

4 In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare,
   For all who are washed and forgiven;
   And many dear children are gathering there,
   For "Of such is the kingdom of heaven."

</idle musing>