Christ Is All

I entered once a home of care,

For age and penury were there,

Yet peace and joy withal;

I asked the lonely mother whence

Her helpless widowhood’s defense,

She told me, "Christ was all."

I stood beside a dying bed,

Where lay a child with aching head,

Waiting for Jesus' call;

I marked his smile, 'twas sweet as May,

And as his spirit passed away,

He whispered, "Christ is all."

I saw the martyr at the stake,

The flames could not his courage shake

Nor death his soul appal,

I asked him whence his strength was given,

He look triumphantly to heaven,

And answered, "Christ is all."

I saw the gospel herald go,--

To Afric's sand and Greenland's snow,

To save from Satan's thrall,

Nor home, nor life he counted dear,

'Midst wants and perils owned no fear,

He felt that "Christ was all."

I dreamt that hoary time had fled,

And earth and sea resigned their dead,

A fire dissolved this ball:

I saw the Church’s glorious throng;

I heard the burden of their song,—

'Twas Christ is all in all!

Then come to Christ, oh, come to-day,

The Father, Son, and Spirit say;

The Bride repeats the call,

For he will cleanse your guilty stains,

His love will soothe your weary pains,

For "Christ is all in all."