JESUS SAVES

Our hymn today is entitled, JESUS SAVES.  The author is Priscilla Owens who was born on July 21^st, 1829 in Baltimore, Maryland.  She was of Scottish and Welsh descent.  Her parents were Isaac Owens and Jane (Steuart) Owens.  She was the oldest of 7 children in her family, having 3 brothers and 3 sisters.

Priscilla was educated at the Patapsco Institute in Howard County, Maryland, and the Ladies’ Collegiate Institute in Baltimore.  For forty-nine years, she taught school in Baltimore, devoting her spare time to her local Methodist Episcopal Church.  For more than fifty years, Priscilla was a Sunday School teacher in her church.

In addition, Priscilla wrote prose and poetry, much of which was published in the "Methodist Protestant" and the "Christian Standard."  Many may remember a few of her poems and hymns, but one of her other well-known hymns of the church still used today is the Hymn, "Will Your Anchor Hold."

Priscilla wrote JESUS SAVES for the anniversary of the Union Square Methodist Sunday School in Baltimore. The year was 1882.  When the angel came to Mary and Joseph to tell them about the impending Christmas addition to their family, they were instructed to call his name “Jesus, for He will save the people from their sin.”

There is not a more important message in all this world then to be told that Jesus loves you so much that He has provided the path for you to be saved from eternal death and that you have been freely given eternal life!!  As Priscilla says in the last line of her hymn…”This our song of victory; Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves.”

Thank you, Lord, God for the sure hope we have in your Son, Jesus Christ!