Not Half Has Ever Been Told

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

A young skeptic in Ohio, writes Dr. O. F. Presbrey, “was wasting away with consumption. His family were greatly distressed, for nothing seemed to awaken in him an interest regarding his soul.

“One day, as he lay on the sofa, his sister, sitting at the organ, sang, ‘Not half has ever been told.’ He seemed much affected, and said, ‘Oh, sister, sing that hymn again. I never had anything touch my heart like that before.’

The hymn was sung again, and day by day he listened to it. Within two months his spirit took its flight, singing as it went,

Not half of that city’s bright glory,
To mortals has ever been told.

A clergyman had a son who was sent up into the north woods of Canada in search of health. After a few weeks his father was summoned, and found him in a dying condition. On the evening before his death they sang together Not half has ever been told.

The father says that he can never forget the joy and peace which filled the soul of his dying boy as they sang of that beautiful city of which he was soon to be an inhabitant.

Sankey, pp. 203–04

I have read of a beautiful city,
Far away in the kingdom of God;
I have read how its walls are of jasper,
How its streets are all golden and broad;
In the midst of the street is life’s river,
Clear as crystal and pure to behold;
But not half of that city’s bright glory
To mortals has ever been told.

Refrain

Not half has ever been told;
Not half has ever been told;
Not half of that city’s bright glory
To mortals has ever been told.

I have read of bright mansions in Heaven,
Which the Savior has gone to prepare;
And the saints who on earth have been faithful,
Rest forever with Christ over there;
There no sin ever enters, nor sorrow,
The inhabitants never grow old;
But not half of the wonderful story
To mortals has ever been told.

Refrain

I have read of white robes for the righteous,
Of bright crowns which the glorified wear,
When our Father shall bid them, Come, enter,
And My glory eternally share;
How the righteous are evermore blessèd
As they walk through the streets of pure gold;
But not half of the wonderful story
To mortals has ever been told.

Refrain

I have read of a Christ so forgiving,
That vile sinners may ask and receive
Peace and pardon for every transgression,
If when asking they only believe.
I have read how He’ll guide and protect us,
If for safety we enter His fold;
But not half of His goodness and mercy
To mortals has ever been told.

Refrain

Scripture Verse

Introduction

Anecdotes

Lyrics