O Jesus Christ, if sin there be

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O Jesus Christ, if sin there be

Author: Edward Caswall
Tune: THE HAVEN
Published in 6 hymnals

Representative Text

1 O Jesus Christ, if sin there be,
In all our former years,
That wrings the soul with agony,
And chokes the heart with tears;
It is the deep ingratitude,
Which we to thee have shown,
Who didst for us in tears and blood
Upon the cross atone.

2 Alas, how with our actions all
Has this defect entwined;
And poisoned with its bitter gall,
The spirit, heart, and mind!
Alas, through this, how many gems
Have we not cast away,
That might have formed our diadems
In everlasting day!

3 Yet though the time be past and gone;
Though little more remains;
Though naught is all that can be done,
Ev'n with our utmost pains:
Still, Jesus, in thy grace we try
To do what in us lies;
For never did thy loving eye
The contrite heart despise.

Source: Laudes Domini: a selection of spiritual songs ancient and modern #638

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Author: Edward Caswall

Edward Caswall was born in 1814, at Yately, in Hampshire, where his father was a clergyman. In 1832, he went to Brasenose College, Oxford, and in 1836, took a second-class in classics. His humorous work, "The Art of Pluck," was published in 1835; it is still selling at Oxford, having passed through many editions. In 1838, he was ordained Deacon, and in 1839, Priest. He became perpetural Curate of Stratford-sub-Castle in 1840. In 1841, he resigned his incumbency and visited Ireland. In 1847, he joined the Church of Rome. In 1850, he was admitted into the Congregation of the Oratory at Birmingham, where he has since remained. He has published several works in prose and poetry. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >

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