Scripture Verse

The kingdom of Heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. Matthew 13:45–46

Introduction

Words: Bir­die Bell, in Good­ly Pearls, by John R. Swe­ney & John J. Hood (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: John J. Hood, 1875), num­ber 1.

Music: Pe­kan­ba­ru J. Stan­ley Bird (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

Lyrics

There is a gift of wondrous price,
God has within His keeping;
But we forget this goodly pearl,
While earthly treasures heaping.

Refrain

Oh, seek this pearl, this precious pearl,
For it can ne­ver perish;
The Word of God makes known its worth,
And bids us own and cherish.

The gems of earth soon fail to charm,
They satisfy no yearning—
Then let us prize this gift of God,
Its value rare discerning.

Refrain

For having this, the pearl of price,
Its pure delight possessing,
Ours souls enjoy an endless peace,
And God’s eter­nal blessing.

Refrain