A Song Of Memories
There is a song which awakens sweet memories of the time seventy years ago, when my father led singing in the only congregation of the Lord's church then worshipping in Dallas. Again, I remember when my oldest daughter obeyed the gospel. Glen Wallace was preaching. Each night we sang the same song, and the front bench would not hold the young people and others who responded to the invitation.
There is a fountain filled with blood Drawn from Immanuel's veins
And Sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains.
Ages ago, Zechariah penned the promise of God, "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness." Years later, John witnessed that, "one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side and forthwith came there out blood and water." William Cowper has given us a most beautiful picture of baptism, "And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains." He has also given us the beautiful image of the blood of Christ as a "fountain" and a "flood."
Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood Shall never lose its power
Till all the ransomed church of God Be saved to sin no More.
The Lamb of God is dear to me. Why should I not love Jesus? He bore the cross for me. Why should I not adore the Hero of Calvary? The blood of Jesus is precious because its cost is immeasurable and because it is able to save every obedient soul from the very first man until the angel proclaims that time shall be no more. This blood was shed for me and my loved ones — for my children and my children's children as long as there is one upon this earth. This saving blood does not lose its power. It will not diminish with use. The last mortal to be washed in this blood will find the same power-that the first mortal experienced.
E'er since by faith I saw that stream Thy flowing wounds supply.
Redeeming love has been my theme and Shall be till I die.
By faith I have seen Jesus die in my place. Though I weep for his agony, I shout with joy for my salvation; and as long as there is breath in my body I must make his redeeming love the theme of my conversations with other people as I share my joy with many who need to find the joy of their salvation.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song I'll sing Thy pow'r to save
When this poor, lisping, stam'ring tongue Lies silent in the grave.
In my humble opinion, this song of William Cowper's is one of the "nobler, sweeter" songs of earth. When all the ransomed church of God is saved from sin, temptation, trial, and suffering, we will lift up our voices in the land of eternity and sing a more nobler and sweeter song than any mortal has ever known.
The dying thief rejoiced to see That fountain in his day,
And there may I, though vile as he, Wash all my sins away.
When I was a small child, I thought my guilt was too great for the Lord. Paul called himself the chief of sinners so that we may know that "whosoever will may come." When I come to the end of my journey, what will be my plea? Neither I nor the dying thief can claim a sinless life. My only plea will be the precious blood of my dear Redeemer. "Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to thy cross I cling."
The Bible says that "as many of you as were baptized into Christ were baptized into his death." Christ shed his blood in his death. If we are to reach that death through baptism, then we are to reach his blood through baptism. Any person who denounces the importance of baptism is, in essence, denouncing the blood of Jesus. Life is in the blood of Jesus; so we dare not deny the very act that will lead the believing sinner to that precious fountain.
"There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood" has been a powerful song for almost 150 years. Wherein lies the tremendous power of this song? Its power is to be found in its truthful proclamation of the cross of Christ. The appropriate music and the blending of human hearts and voices in a-capella singing are not to be overlooked. In what better way can a thousand hearts beat as one, and a thousand voices pour forth the "harmony of love?"