Once it was the blessing

Hymn 513

SUBJECT: Experience of Christ - As Everything

METER: 6.5.6.5.D with chorus

AUTHOR: A.B. Simpson

COMPOSER: A. B. Simpson, harmony by J.B.M

1.

Once it was the blessing,

     Now it is the Lord;

Once it was the feeling;

     Now it is His Word;

Once His gift I wanted,

     Now, the Giver own;

Once I sought for healing,

      Now Himself alone.

chorus

     All in all forever,

       Only Christ I'll sing;

     Everything is in Christ,

       And Christ is everything.

Once 'twas painful trying,

Now 'tis perfect trust;

Once a half salvation,

Now the uttermost;

Once 'twas ceaseless holding,

Now He holds me fast;

Once 'twas constant drifting,

Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning,

Now 'tis trustful prayer;

Once 'twas anxious caring,

Now He has the care;

Once 'twas what I wanted,

Now what Jesus says;

Once 'twas constant asking,

Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working,

His it hence shall be;

Once I tried to use Him,

Now He uses me;

Once the pow'r I wanted,

Now the Mighty One;

Once for self I labored,

Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus,

Now I know He's mine;

Once my lamps were dying,

Now they brightly shine;

Once for death I waited,

Now His coming hail;

And my hopes are anchored

Safe within the veil.