A. B. Simpson

6.5.6.5.D.Ref.

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 forever,

Only Christ I’ll sing;

Everything is in Christ,

And Christ is everything.

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.