Scripture Verse

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. John 15:16

Introduction

portrait
Josiah Conder (1789–1855)

Words: Jo­si­ah Con­der, 1836.

Music: Sa­voy Cha­pel John B. Cal­kin, 1870 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

  • Aulé ar­ranged from Old Me­lo­dy by Eli­as H. John­son, The Bap­tist Hym­nal (Phi­la­del­phia Penn­syl­van­ia: Am­er­ican Bap­tist Pub­li­ca­tion So­cie­ty, 1883), page 47 (🔊 pdf nwc)
  • Crucifix Greek me­lo­dy (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cal­kin (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
John B. Calkin (1827–1905)

Lyrics

’Tis not that I did choose Thee,
For Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
Hadst Thou not chosen me.
Thou from the sin that stained me
Hast cleansed and set me free;
Of old Thou hast ordained me,
That I should live to Thee.

’Twas sovereign mercy called me
And taught my opening mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.
My heart owns none before Thee,
For Thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
Thou must have loved me first.