What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Matthew 16:26
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-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
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