SOFTLY AND TENDERLY

Will Thompson was born in 1847 in East Liverpool, Ohio.  His father, Josiah Thompson was a member of the Ohio State Legislature for two terms.  Will attended the Boston Music School and later did additional musical study in Germany.  His ambition was always to write music for the people.

After a very successful career of writing secular music, Thompson turned his talents to writing gospel hymns.  He started his own publishing and music store business in East Liverpool and Chicago which earned him a sizable income.  He was always known as a kind, quiet and unassuming Christian gentleman and was greatly loved and admired by his associates.  He was also known for his travels by horse and buggy from one small community to another to sing his songs to the people.

Will Thompson was a personal friend of D. L. Moody who favoured and used this particular hymn in his evangelistic services.  It is said that on his death bed and when Thompson visited him, Moody feebly whispered, “Will, I would rather have written ‘SOFTLY AND TENDERLY, than anything I have been able to do in my whole life.”

The truth is…as Will Thompson says in his hymn of invitation, “SOFTLY AND TENDERLY, Jesus is Calling” …is it time to answer His call and come home?  Jesus is calling all!