Songs

Once, it was the blessing,

257
				6.5.6.5.D.
1	Once, it was the blessing,
	Now it is the Lord;
	Once it was the feeling,
	Now it is His Word;
	Once His gifts I wanted,
	Now the Giver own;
	Once, I sought for healing,
	Now Himself alone.

		All in all for ever,
		Jesus will I sing;
		Ev’rything in Jesus,
		And Jesus ev’ry thing.

2	Once ‘twas painful trying,
	Now ‘tis perfect trust;
	Once a half salvation,
	Now the uttermost;
	Once ‘twas ceaseless holding,
	Now He holds me fast;
	Once ‘twas constant drifting,
	Now my anchor’s cast.

3	Once ‘twas busy planning,
	Now ‘tis trustful prayer;
	Once ‘twas anxious caring,
	Now He has the care;
	Once ‘twas what I wanted,
	Now what Jesus says;
	Once ‘twas constant asking,
	Now ‘tis ceaseless praise.

4	Once it was my working,
	His it hence shall be;
	Once I tried to use Him,
	Now He uses me;
	Once the power I wanted,
	Now the Mighty One;
	Once for self I laboured,
	Now for Him alone.

5	Once I hoped in Jesus,
	Now I know He’s mine;
	Once my lamps were dying,
	Now they brightly shine;
	Once for death I waited,
	Now His coming hail;
	And my hopes are anchored
	Safe within the vail.

								A.B. Simpson