“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.” Matthew 18:11-13 (KJV)
The parable of the lost sheep is one of almost 30 parables of Jesus recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke). This hymn by Judson W. Van De Venter dwells on the blessed truth that Jesus came to save sinners. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) When we were lost in a wilderness and wandering in the world without hope (Ephesians 2:12-13) Jesus not only sought us when we were rebels against Him, but took us to Himself and gave us eternal life when we believed in Him who shed His blood for us on the cross. (John 3:16-17)
The Loving Saviour Found Me Upon the Mountain Cold
by Judson W. Van De Venter *
The loving Saviour found me
Upon the mountain cold;
He threw his arms around me,
And brought me to the fold.
His love he freely gave me,
His precious blood applied;
He did it all to save me,
And I am satisfied.
Refrain
I’m satisfied, satisfied,
I’m satisfied with Jesus, the One who died for me;
I’m satisfied, satisfied,
I’m satisfied with Jesus, for he makes me free.
The Saviour lingered near me
When on the mountain wild;
When others seemed to fear me,
He owned me for his child.
With tenderness he took me,
When others turned aside;
He saved and ne’er forsook me,
And I am satisfied. [Refrain]
I’ll never, never leave him,
Forget, nor turn away;
I’ll love, adore, believe him,
I’ll trust him and obey;
I’ll go where’er he leads me,
Be ever at his side,
And work where’er he needs me,
For I am satisfied. [Refrain]
* Judson W. Van De Venter (1855–1939) was born in Michigan and following graduation from Hillsdale College, he became an art teacher and supervisor of art in the public schools of Sharon, Pennsylvania. Recognizing his talent for the ministry, friends urged him to give up teaching and become an evangelist. Van De Venter wavered for five years between becoming a recognized artist or devoting himself to ministry. Following his decision to surrender his life to the Divine, Van De Venter traveled throughout the United States, England, and Scotland, doing evangelistic work. Toward the end of his life, Van De Venter moved to Florida, and was professor of hymnology at the Florida Bible Institute for four years in the 1920s. Van De Venter published more than 60 hymns in his lifetime, but “I Surrender All” is his most famous.