Handfuls of Purpose - Poems by Fanny Crosby
compiled by Stephen Ross

Jesus, Saviour, once betrayed,
Sacrifice for sinners made,
Wretched, lost, to thee I fly;
Save, O save me, or I die!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Saviour all the day long.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Jesus in our trials, Jesus in our cares,
Jesus in our praises, Jesus in our prayers,
Jesus in our sorrows, Jesus in our song,
O 'tis always Jesus all our way along.

Blessed Bible, sacred treasure,
  Precious book, of all the best,
There is comfort never failing,
  And a calm abiding rest.
Read with reverence, and commit it,
  Verse by verse, and day by day;
'Tis the word that God has spoken,
  And it cannot pass away.

Hearts and hands to Jesus gladly we will give,
In the path of duty walking while we live;
Cheering on the sad ones, lifting those that fall,
Shining like the sunbeams, doing good to all.

My song shall be of Jesus,
His mercy crowns my days,
He fills my cup with blessings
And tunes my heart to praise.

Some day the silver cord will break,
And I no more as now shall sing.
But, O, the joy when I shall wake
Within the palace of the King!
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story — saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall,
I cannot tell how soon ‘twill be,
But this I know — my All in All
Has now in heaven a place for me,
And I shall see Him face to face,
And tell the story — saved by grace.

I cannot sing the old songs,
For me their charm is o'er,
My earthly harp is laid aside,
I wake its chords no more.
The precious blood of Christ my Lord
Has cleansed and made me free;
And taught my heart a new song
Of His great love for me.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.

Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above.

More like Jesus would I be,
Let my Saviour dwell in me;
Fill my soul with peace and love,
Make me gentle as a dove.

More like Jesus while I go,
Pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be;
Let my Saviour dwell in me.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me,
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Jesus, my heart's dear refuge, Jesus has died for me!
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience, wait 'til the night is o'er,
Wait 'til the blissful morning breaks on the golden shore.

I am Thine, O Lord; I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me,
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.

Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope
And my will be lost in Thine.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Refrain:
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying!
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Oh the wondrous gospel story!
There is life in every word;
There is hope and consolation
Where the message sweet is heard;

Let us tell it to the weary,
And its beauties all unfold;
'Tis the only guide to heaven,
And the story must be told.

O wonderful words of the gospel!
O wonderful message they bring,
Proclaiming a blessed redemption
Through Jesus, our Saviour and King.

Believe, oh believe in His mercy
That flows like a fountain so free,
Believe and receive the redemption
He offers to you and to me.

Behold, behold the wondrous love
That ever flows from God above
Through Christ His only Son who gave
His precious blood our souls to save.

The "Spirit and the Bride say, Come"
And find in Him sweet rest and home;
Let Him that heareth echo still,
The blessed "whosoever will."

All praise and glory be unto Jesus,
For He hath purchased a full salvation;
Behold how wondrous the proclamation,
"Whosoever will may come."

Pass me not, O gentle Saviour,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

Trusting only in Thy merit
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit;
Save me by Thy grace.

Thou, the spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me!
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heaven but Thee?

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the Bright and Morning Star
Sheds its beams around me.

We praise Thee, we bless Thee, Our Saviour divine,
All pow'r and dominion forever be Thine;
We sing of Thy mercy with joyful acclaim;
For Thou hast redeemed us; all praise to Thy name.

All honour and praise to Thine excellent name;
Thy love is unchanging, forever the same;
We bless and adore Thee, O Saviour and King;
With joy and thanksgiving Thy praises we sing.

Blessed Bible, book of gold
Precious truths thy pages hold,
Truths to lead me day by day
All along my pilgrim way.

Word of God, thy love impart,
Fire my zeal, and cleanse my heart;
Keep me earnest, keep me true,
Every day my strength renew.

To the work! to the work! there is labor for all
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud swelling chorus, "Salvation is free."

Speed away, speed away on your mission of light
To the lands that are lying in darkness and night;
'Tis the Master's command; go ye forth in His name,
The wonderful Gospel of Jesus proclaim.
Take your lives in your hand,
To the work while 'tis day,
Speed away, speed away, speed away.

O child of God, wait patiently
When dark thy path may be,
And let thy faith lean trustingly
On Him who cares for Thee;
And though the clouds hang drearily
Upon the brow of night,
Yet in the morning joy will come,
And fill thy soul with light.

O child of God, He loveth thee,
And thou art all His own;
With gentle hand He leadeth thee,
Thou dost not walk alone;
And though thou watchest wearily
The long and stormy night,
Yet in the morning joy will come,
And fill thy soul with light.

O child of God, how peacefully
He calms thy fears to rest,
And draws thee upward tenderly,
Where dwell the pure and blest;
And He who bendeth silently
Above the gloom of night,
Will take thee home where endless joy
Shall fill thy soul with light.

In the morn of Zion's glory,
When the clouds have rolled away,
And my hope has dropped its anchor
In the vale of perfect day,
When with all the pure and holy
I shall strike my harp anew,
With a power no arm can sever,
Love will hold me fast and true.

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white
He will lead me where no tears shall ever fall;
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight,
But I long to see my Saviour first of all.
I shall know Him; I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand.
I shall know Him; I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand.