“Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter, Feelings lie buried that grace can restore: Touched by a loving heart, Wakened by kindness, Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.” The circumstances under which this hymn was written are worth recounting in her own words: “I recall the period of more than sixteen years ago when it was my privilege to be a humble worker in the Bowery Mission. The world is still, and I am holding communion with the past; sweet, hallowed communion, carrying me back to the fervent heartfelt testimonies of those who, evening after evening, told of the peace flowing like a river which had entered their stained lives, had washed away their sins, and made them clean through the precious blood of our Lord’s atonement. “One evening a man for whom we had been praying, said, his face radiant with joy, ‘Now I can meet mother in heaven, for I have found her God.’ That night I wrote my hymn, ‘Rescue the Perishing.’” Here is a remarkable case of one who, while Singing of Christ, She Accepted Him In the absence of the organist at East Northfield, Massachusetts, at one of the meetings during the summer gathering, a woman stepped forward and volunteered her services. She made a deep impression by her playing and also by the sweetness of her singing, with the result that she was in constant demand at the other services. When urgently requested she related her experience. She used to be one of the leading singers of New York, going from place to place, singing classical and operatic music, but hymns she disliked. One evening, while attending a mission service, she was invited to sing a solo, which she did with pleasure. Then someone asked her to sing a Gospel hymn. She first laughed at the idea, and refused. Later she consented. Opening the book at random, she began: “My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; For Thee all the follies of sin I resign.” The words caused her to think of her past life. She continued: “I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath.” These words struck her forcefully, and she began to wonder if she really meant them. The last verse followed: “In mansions of glory and endless delight I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright; I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.” It was enough. She arose from her seat at the organ a Christian woman, and henceforth served Christ whole-heartedly. The initiative is always taken by God, as seen in the story where God Was the Seeker “How long since ye sought and found God, Jamie?” said some of the friends of an old Scotch elder as he lay dying. “Oh, Robin, Robin, I never sought and found him,” answered the dying man. “Oh, his mind is gane, and he will never recognize us again,” remarked the friend sadly.