Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not (Mal. 3:16-18).
Most understand Malachi 3:16-18 to talk about the Lord’s gathering His children (jewels) at the end of time. Based on that understanding an American minister named William O. Cushing wrote the hymn WHEN HE COMETH to the tune of JEWELS by George F. Roof.
Cushing, returning from Europe on an English steamer, visited the steerage, and after some friendly talk, proposed a singing service if something could be started that “everybody” knew for there were hundreds of emigrants there from nearly every part of Europe.
“It will have to be an American tune, then,” said the steerage-master; “try ‘His Jewels.’”
The minister struck out at once with the melody and the words…and scores of the poor half-fare multitude joined voices with him. Many probably recognized the music of the old glee, and some had heard the sweet air played in the church steeples at home. Other voices chimed in, male and female, catching the air, and sometimes the words—they were so easy and so many times repeated—and the volume of song increased, till the singing minister stood in the midst of an international concert, the most novel that he had ever led.
He tried other songs in similar visits during the rest of the voyage with some success, but the “Jewel Hymn” was the favorite; and by the time port was in sight the whole crowd of emigrants had it by heart.
The steamer landed at Quebec, and when the trains, filled with the new arrivals, rolled away, the song was swelling from nearly every car.
Brown, pp. 315-6
WHEN HE COMETH
When He cometh, when He cometh
To make up His jewels,
All His jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
Like the stars of the morning,
His brightness adorning,
They shall shine in their beauty,
Bright gems for His crown.
He will gather, He will gather
The gems for His kingdom;
All the pure ones, all the bright ones,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
Little children, little children,
Who love their Redeemer,
Are the jewels, precious jewels,
His loved and His own.
Refrain
-Beth Johnson