Scripture Verse

What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matthew 16:26

Introduction

Words: Min­nie B. John­son, in The Gos­pel Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by Ed­win O. Ex­cell (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: Jenn­ings & Pye, 1899), num­ber 18, alt.

Music: Ran C. Sto­ry (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

In the life of plenty,
He wasted in sin,
And the fold of Jesus
He would not enter in;
In the day of judgment
With the weeping he stood,
No more time for repentance:
He knew not his God.

Refrain

Eternity’s beggar,
Eternity’s beggar,
Eternity’s beggar was he.

In the world of pleasure,
Great riches had he,
But the poor and needy,
He never could see;
In the day of judgment,
When his record was known,
A pauper it showed him:
His riches had flown.

Refrain

In the world where banquets
And great feasts are made,
He was found with the mighty,
As a Pharisee prayed;
In the day of judgment,
Into guilt he did sink,
With the drunkard and gambler,
And those who sold drink.

Refrain