Scripture Verse

The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Introduction

Words: Lu­cy M. Lew­is, in Songs of the Ev­en­ing Light, ed­it­ed by Bar­ney E. War­ren & An­drew By­ers (An­der­son, In­di­ana: Gos­pel Trum­pet Com­pa­ny, 1897), num­ber 118.

Music: An­drew L. By­ers (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Lew­is’ full name, or where to get a good pho­to of her (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Andrew L. Byers (1869–1952)

Lyrics

Oh, the cross! the pre­cious cross!
’Twas there I count­ed all but loss;
’Twas there I gave my heart to God,
’Twas there He washed me in His blood,
And spake the words, Thy sins for­giv’n,
And filled my soul with peace from Heav’n.

Oh, the cross! the pre­cious cross!
The on­ly way for sin­ners lost,
The on­ly way that we can gain
An en­trance to this heav’n­ly plane.
’Twas there my night was turned to day,
’Twas there I found the heav’n­ly way.

Oh, the cross! the pre­cious cross!
’Twas there I count­ed well the cost,
’Twas there my soul was sanc­ti­fied,
’Tis there I ev­er will abide;
’Tis there we find the pur­est gold,
And joys that ne­ver can be told.

Oh, the cross! the pre­cious cross!
To me this world is naught but dross.
I now am of the chos­en ones
Who up the shin­ing way do run.
When in that heav’n­ly land I’ll see
The One who bore the cross for me.