Call Them In

“Call them in”—the poor, the wretched,
Sin-stained wand’rers from the fold;
Peace and pardon freely offer;
Can you weigh their worth with gold?
“Call them in”—the weak, the weary,
Laden with the doom of sin;
Bid them come and rest in Jesus;
He is waiting—“Call them in.”

“Call them in”—the Jew, the Gentile;
Bid the stranger to the feast;
“Call them in”—the rich, the noble,
From the highest to the least:
Forth the Father runs to meet them,
He hath all their sorrows seen;
Robe, and ring, and royal sandals,
Wait the lost ones—“Call them in.”

“Call them in”—the mere professors,
Slumbering, sleeping, on death’s brink;
Naught of life are they possessors,
Yet of safety vainly think;
Bring them in—the careless scoffers,
Pleasure seekers of the earth:
Tell of God’s most precious offers,
And of Jesus’ priceless worth.

“Call them in”—the broken-hearted,
Cowering ’neath the brand of shame;
Speak Love’s message low and tender,
’Twas for sinners Jesus came:
See, the shadows lengthen round us,
Soon the day-dawn will begin;
Can you leave them lost and lonely?
Christ is coming—“Call them in.”

Author: Anna Shipton

Year: 1860

Also known as Anna or Annie L. Shipton (sometimes credited as A. L. Shipton). The hymn first appeared in her collection "Whispers in the Palms" (c. 1860) and was later included in many 19th-century hymnals. No strong alternate attributions exist.