Words: J. M. McCaleb (1861-1953)
Music: McIntoch’s Good News 1876
“And these good tidings of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a testimony unto all the nations; and then the end shall come.” (Matthew 24:14)
J. M. McCaleb was born and raised in Hickman County, Tennessee. At age fifteen, he was baptized into Christ in the Duck River. In 1892, McCaleb graduated from the College of the Bible in Lexington, Kentucky and set sail for Japan. He was sent out by the churches of Christ. He wrote two books about his mission experience, “On the Trail of the Missionaries,” and “Once Traveled Roads.” These were to help other learn how to succeed in mission work in foreign fields.
J.M. McCaleb wrote this song after living in another culture for thirty years. This song shows his mission heart. The song is not printed in all hymnbooks, (# 179, Great Songs of the Church,” so here are the verses:
- Of one the Lord has made the race, Thro’ one has come the fall.
Where sin has gone must go His grace:
The Gospel is for all.
- Say not the heathen are at home.
Beyond we have no call.
For why should we be blest alone?
The Gospel is for all.
- Received ye freely, freely give, from
Every land they call.
Unless they hear they cannot live:
The Gospel is for all.
Prayer Focus: The blessed gospel really is for all.
-Graham McKay lives in Spring Hill, TN