221 Almost Persuaded. P.M.
(475) "Almost," but Lost.
"Almost persuaded" now to believe;
"Almost persuaded" Christ to receive;
Seems now some soul to say,
"Go, Spirit, go thy way;
Some more convenient day
On thee I'll call."
2 "Almost persuaded," come, come to-day;
"Almost persuaded," turn not away,
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are ling'ring near,
Pray'rs rise from hearts so dear;
Oh, wand'rer, come!
3 "Almost persuaded," harvest is past!
"Almost persuaded," doom comes at last!
"Almost" cannot avail;
"Almost" is but to fail!
Sad, sad that bitter wail,--
"Almost," but lost!
P. P. Bliss.
222 To-Day. 6s & 4s.
(476)
To-day the Savior calls!
Ye wand'rers, come,
Oh, ye benighted souls,
Why longer roam?
2 To-day the Savior calls!
Oh, hear him now;
Within these sacred walls
To Jesus bow.
3 Today the Savior calls!
For refuge fly!
The storm of justice falls,
And death is nigh.
4 The Spirit calls to-day;
Yield to his power;
Oh, grieve him not away,
'Tis mercy's hour.
223 Greenville. 8s, 7s, & 4s.
(463) Invitation Hymn.
Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love, and pow'r;
He is able,
He is willing, doubt no more.
2 Now, ye needy, come and welcome;
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy.
3 Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness he requireth
Is to feel your need of him;
This he gives you;
'Tis the Spirit's glimmering beam.
4 Come, ye weary, heavy laden,
Bruised and mangled by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all;
Not the righteous,--
Sinners Jesus came to call.
Joseph Hart, 1759.
CHO.--Turn to the Lord and seek salvation,
Sound the praise of his dear name:
Glory, honor, and salvation,
Christ, the Lord, is come to reign.
CHO.--I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in his arms,
In the arms of my dear Savior,
Oh, there are ten thousand charms!
224 Greenville. 8s, 7s, & 4s.
(466) The Voice of Mercy.
Listen, sinner! mercy hails you;
With her sweetest voice she calls;
Bids you hasten to the Savior,
Ere the hand of justice falls:
Listen, sinner!
'Tis the voice of mercy calls.
2 See! the storm of vengeance gathering
O'er the path you dare to tread!
Hark! the awful thunders rolling
Loud and louder o'er your head!
Flee, oh, sinner!
Lest the lightnings strike you dead.
3 Haste, ah! hasten to the Savior;
Sue his mercy while you may;
Soon the day of grace is over;
Soon your life will pass away,
Hasten sinner!
You must perish, if you stay.
Andrew Reed, 1817.
225 Rhinehart. 7s & 6s.
(458) Penitents Encouraged.
Dropping souls! no longer mourn,
Jesus still is precious;
If to him you now return,
Heav'n will be propitious;
Jesus now is passing by,
Calling wand'rers near him;
Drooping souls! you need not die,
Go to him and hear him!
2 He has pardons full and free,
Drooping souls to gladden;
Still he cries--"Come unto me,
Weary, heavy laden!"
Tho' your sins, like mountains high,
Rise, and reach to heaven,
Soon as you on him rely,
All shall be forgiven.
3 Precious is the Savior's name,
All his saints adore him;
He to save the dying came;--
Prostrate bow before him!
Wand'ring sinner! now return;
Contrite souls! believe him!
Jesus calls you; cease to mourn;
Worship him; receive him.
Thomas Hastings. 1831.
226 Are You Ready? 8s & 7s.
Judgment Day.
Soon the evening shadows falling
Close the day of mortal life;
Soon the hand of death appalling
Draws thee from its weary strife.
CHO.--Are you ready? are you ready?
'Tis the Spirit calling, why delay?
Are you ready? are you ready?
Do not linger longer, come to-day.
2 Soon the awful trumpet sounding
Calls thee to the judgment throne;
Now prepare, for love abounding
Yet has left thee not alone.
3 Oh, how fatal 'tis to linger!
Art thou ready--ready now?
Ready should Death's icy finger
Lay its chill upon thy brow?
4 Priceless love and free salvation
Freely still are offered thee;
Yield no longer to temptation,
But from sin and sorrow flee.
J. W. Slaughenhaupt.