We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard.
Hebrews 2:1
Words: Edgar S. Buchanan, 1918.
Music: Victoria B. Demarest (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Buchanan (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Often had I heard the story
Thou didst die for me;
Thou didst leave Thy throne in glory,
That I might love Thee:
But with sense and sight perverted
By the subtle power of sin,
And with thoughts from God diverted,
All was dark within.
Thou didst call me to Thy glory,
Thou didst die for me;
But my heart repelled the story,
Shut the door to Thee.
Speak to me, O Holy Spirit;
Show my misery;
Show me my Redeemer’s merit,
As my only plea.
Fill my spirit with Thy shining,
Bid Thy fruits in me increase,
Give in place of past repining,
Love and joy and peace.
Thou didst call me to Thy glory,
Thou didst die for me;
Now my heart accepts the story,
Yields itself to Thee.
Let me live, O loving Jesus,
Witnessing Thy power;
Let me hear Thy sweet I love you,
Whispered every hour.
Make me deeper in my yearning,
For the world to know Thy grace,
For the joy of Thy returning,
For Thy glorious face.
Thou didst call me to Thy glory,
Thou didst die for me;
Quickly come; complete the story;
Take me up to Thee.