Scripture Verse

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

Introduction

portrait
William T. Dale (1845–1924)

Words: H. F. James, 1901.

Music: Will­iam T. Dale (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know James’ full name, or where to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), or a bet­ter one of Dale,

Lyrics

As you strive for the world,
For its fame and its joy,
Have you care­ful­ly count­ed the cost?
Is the prize rich enough
All your strength to em­ploy,
When to win it the soul must be lost?

Refrain

Are you care­ful­ly count­ing the cost?
Have you thought what it means to be lost?
For the joys that de­cline,
Do you Hea­ven re­sign?
Are you count­ing the ter­ri­ble cost?

In the crav­ing for wealth,
For its glit­tering show,
Into grief and des­pair you are cast;
And you know not the peace
Heav’n alone can be­stow,
While your soul will be lost at the last.

Refrain

Leave the rich­es of earth;
Seek the trea­sures above,
And thro’ years that un­ceas­ing­ly roll,
Heav’nly pow’rs shall be yours
With the full­ness of love,
And the life, end­less life of the soul.

Refrain