At Calvary – testimony of a wayward son

At Calvary – testimony of a wayward son

Dr R.A. Torrey was the first superintendent of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for a number of years.  While serving in that capacity, he received a letter from a very concerned pastor.  This pastor told him of a troubled son of his that was causing problems in his family and pleaded with Dr Torrey to allow him to Moody Bible Institute.  Torrey replied that he was leading a Bible College, not a reform school.  The father continued to plead with Torrey, however, and Torrey finally consented provided the boy meet with him every day and that he follow the rules of the Institute.

To Torrey’s surprise, the boy latched on to him and scrupulously followed the rules and found great fruit with his daily meetings with Torrey.    After many meetings, the boy, named William Newell, found answers to the questions that had been plaguing him for years and received Christ, answering the fervent prayers of his father. 

Newell became a minister, and later returned to Moody Bible Institute as a professor.  He authored a number of Bible commentaries, including a very famous verse-by-verse commentary on Romans.  He often said that, had he not gone through the years of difficulty, he would not know God’s grace as intimately as he did.

One day in 1895, he was reflecting on his life during some free time prior to class and penned a poem on the back of an envelope reflecting his testimony.  As he hurried to his lecture, he handed the envelope to Dr Daniel Towner, head of the music ministry for the university, for his evaluation.  By the time the lecture was over, Dr Towner had completed the tune and the men sang it together.  Dr Towner told him, “Bill, I think this may be the best song we have ever written in our lifetime.”

Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified;

Knowing not it was for me He did at Calvary.

Mercy was there was great, and grace was free.

Pardon there was multiplied to me.

There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary!

By God’s Word, at last my sin I learned.  Then, I trembled at the Law I’d spurned;

Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.

Now, I’ve gi’en to Jesus everything; Now I gladly own Him as my King;

Now my raptured soul can only sing, of Calvary!

O, the love that drew salvation’s plan; O, the grace that brought it down to man;

O, the mighty gulf that God did span, at Calvary!

Then Sings My Soul, Morgan, Robert J., Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

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