Welcome!  Hymns have been and continue to be a real source of inspiration to me.  My desire in this blog is to share special hymns with my readers hoping that the words will minister to them, especially in times of great personal need.  If one of these hymns ministers to you, please take time to leave a comment so that I know that my blog is helping others as much as it helps me. Sometimes I will also provide a link where you can go to hear the hymn played.  So, please join me here each week and sing along as we praise God together.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

NO NOT ONE


As a youngster growing up I used to enjoy singing Gospel songs that had backtime parts or had a repetitive phrase that could be sung heartily.  At that time of life I probably didn't pay too much attention to the words, but I certainly remember singing out when those parts came up.  This week's choice is one in which I remember belting out "No, not one!"  And as I grew older the words began to have a greater impact than the melody.  The words teach the preeminence of the Lord and His nearness to us in every situation of our life.  He is our ever present friend, He's with us every hour, He knows all about our struggles, He will guide us, He's with us in the darkness of night, His love can cheer us, He won't forsake us, He'll give us a home in heaven and He is the best gift that could ever be given.  What simple, but powerful truths.  There is none like Him, no not one!  The words were penned by Johnson Ortman Jr. (1856 - 1922), an ordained Methodist preacher who actually spent most of his life in the insurance business.  However, it is said that he wrote lyrics for 5,000 Gospel songs.  This one was penned in 1895.  The composer was George C. Hugg, an active lay musician-choir director in various churches in the Philadelphia area.  I could find no details about the writing of this week's choice.  While you seldom hear it sung anymore today, those who remember it will find that the words will still minister to you today, especially in times of stress and loneliness.  And you are welcome to belt out the truth as I used to do - no not one!

(1)   There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul's diseases,
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

(2)    No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

(3)   There's not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

(4)   Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

(5)    Was ever a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! No, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in Heaven?
No, not one! No, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!

You can hear it sung here.    LISTEN
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