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My Sins Rose as High as a Mountain
Colonel John Lawley
Colonel John Lawley (December 31, 1859 – September 9, 1922) was a British preacher and Salvation Army Commissioner whose dynamic ministry and songwriting left a lasting impact on the organization’s global outreach. Born in Foulden, Norfolk, England, to John Lawley, a farm laborer, and Anne Feetham, he was the youngest of four children in a family strained by poverty and his father’s heavy drinking, leading to their time in the Swaffham workhouse by 1871. After moving to Bradford for work, he labored in a mill as a bobbin ligger and engine cleaner until age 17, when he was converted in 1877 at a Christian Mission meeting led by James Dowdle, soon becoming its fortieth evangelist. Lawley’s preaching career began with his first command at Spennymoor Christian Mission Station in 1878, delivering fourteen sermons weekly, and by 19, he was a Salvation Army captain, rising to colonel by 1891. Known for unrestrained methods—like diving from platforms to illustrate God’s love or shredding songbooks to depict the devil’s work—he served as aide-de-camp to General William Booth from 1890 to 1912 and Bramwell Booth from 1912 to 1921, accompanying them on worldwide campaigns. Married to Harriet Charteris in 1887, with five children, he wrote 19 songs for the Salvation Army Song Book by 1916, including “Wanted, Hearts Baptized with Fire.” He died at age 62 in Watford, England, leaving a legacy chronicled in Commissioner John Lawley by Mrs. Colonel Carpenter (1924).
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Sermon Summary
Colonel John Lawley shares a heartfelt message about the overwhelming love of the Savior, who sacrificed everything to save sinners like us. He emphasizes the joy of salvation, illustrating how our sins, though towering like mountains, are washed away in the fountain of Christ's grace. The sermon invites the congregation to celebrate their redemption and the promise of eternal life, as their names are written for a heavenly inheritance.
Sermon Transcription
I've heard all the Saviour's love was strong. He loved poor sinner like me. He turned his back on the glory I sprung, so save poor sinner like me. The angels they sang him from glory. I'm glad they told me the story. He sang from life, so suffer and die and save poor sinner like me. Now everybody help me with the chorus and clap your hands with all the joy and soul you have. My name rose up high as a mountain. They all disappeared in the fountain. He put my name down for a palace and crown. Let me get there, I pray.
My Sins Rose as High as a Mountain
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Colonel John Lawley (December 31, 1859 – September 9, 1922) was a British preacher and Salvation Army Commissioner whose dynamic ministry and songwriting left a lasting impact on the organization’s global outreach. Born in Foulden, Norfolk, England, to John Lawley, a farm laborer, and Anne Feetham, he was the youngest of four children in a family strained by poverty and his father’s heavy drinking, leading to their time in the Swaffham workhouse by 1871. After moving to Bradford for work, he labored in a mill as a bobbin ligger and engine cleaner until age 17, when he was converted in 1877 at a Christian Mission meeting led by James Dowdle, soon becoming its fortieth evangelist. Lawley’s preaching career began with his first command at Spennymoor Christian Mission Station in 1878, delivering fourteen sermons weekly, and by 19, he was a Salvation Army captain, rising to colonel by 1891. Known for unrestrained methods—like diving from platforms to illustrate God’s love or shredding songbooks to depict the devil’s work—he served as aide-de-camp to General William Booth from 1890 to 1912 and Bramwell Booth from 1912 to 1921, accompanying them on worldwide campaigns. Married to Harriet Charteris in 1887, with five children, he wrote 19 songs for the Salvation Army Song Book by 1916, including “Wanted, Hearts Baptized with Fire.” He died at age 62 in Watford, England, leaving a legacy chronicled in Commissioner John Lawley by Mrs. Colonel Carpenter (1924).