[img align=left]http://www.hymntime.com/tch/img/m/o/mote_e.jpg[/img]One morning it came into my mind as I went to labour, to write an hymn on the Gracious Experience of a Christian. As I went up Holborn I had the chorus,On Christ the solid Rock I stand,All other ground is sinking sand.In the day I had four first verses complete, and wrote them off. On the Sabbath following I met brother King as I came out of Lisle Street Meet ing who informed me that his wife was very ill, and asked me to call and see her. I had an early tea, and called afterwards. He said that it was his usual custom to sing a hymn, read a portion, and engage in prayer, before he went to meeting. He looked for his hymn-book but could find it no where. I said, I have some verses in my pocket; if he liked, we would sing them. We did, and his wife enjoyed them so much, that after service he asked me, as a favour, to leave a copy of them for his wife. I went home, and by the fireside composed the last two verses, wrote the whole off, and took them to sister King As these verses so met the dying womans case, my attention to them was the more arrested, and I had a thousand printed for distribution. I sent one to the Spiritual Magazine, with out my initials, which appeared some time after this. Brother Rees, of Crown Street, Soho, brought out an edition of hymns [1836], and this hymn was in it. David Denham introduced it [1837] with Rees name, and others after Your inserting this brief outline may in future shield me from the charge of stealth, and be a vindication of truthfulness in my connection with the Church of God.Edward MoteLetter to the Gospel HeraldMy hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus blood and righteousness.I dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly trust in Jesus Name.RefrainOn Christ the solid Rock I stand,All other ground is sinking sand;All other ground is sinking sand.When darkness seems to hide His face,I rest on His unchanging grace.In every high and stormy gale,My anchor holds within the veil.RefrainHis oath, His covenant, His blood,Support me in the whelming flood.When all around my soul gives way,He then is all my Hope and Stay.RefrainWhen He shall come with trumpet sound,Oh may I then in Him be found.Dressed in His righteousness alone,Faultless to stand before the throne.Refrainhttp://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/m/y/myhopeis.htm
O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,This is my constant longing and prayer;Gladly Ill forfeit all of earths treasures,Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.[i]RefrainO to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.[/i]O to be like Thee! full of compassion,Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,Seeking the wandering sinner to find.RefrainO to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,Holy and harmless, patient and brave;Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,Willing to suffer others to save.RefrainO to be like Thee! Lord, I am comingNow to receive anointing divine;All that I am and have I am bringing,Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine.RefrainO to be like Thee! while I am pleading,Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,Fit me for life and Heaven above.Refrain~Thomas O. Chisholmhttp://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/o/t/o2belike.htm
This hymn was one of my dad's favourites!"His oath, His covenant, His blood,Support me in the whelming flood.When all around my soul gives way,He then is all my Hope and Stay."What blessed assurance!It reminds me of heartsong's recent post, even when we're falling and hope seems absent, there is a wonderful Saviour in Christ Jesus, who will carry us safely back to His promise of grace and salvation! Halleluyah... What a Saviour!