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Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past
by Author unknown1



ivy

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call,
I know I'll say "'twas worth it all";
Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.

  —Author unknown


1This poem has been attributed to C. T. Studd, but I have found no conclusive evidence to support his authorship. He did write the following in A Farewell Letter to his Grandchildren the last year (1931) of his life:
"My loving advice to you is summed up in a few lines which I want you to learn by heart:
Only one life, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Jesus will last."

It is interesting to note that William S. Dillion composed the melody (©1942) for the following chorus, which was published in Choice Hymns of the Faith, #340 (Gospel Perpetuating Fund, Fort Dodge, IA, 1944):
"Only one life for Jesus, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Jesus, forever will last;
Only one life for Jesus, 'twill soon be past;
Only what's done for Jesus, forever will last."
—Anonymous

"Hymns [and poems] attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many years."—hymnary.org

The following biographies contain no reference to the "Only One Life, 'Twill Soon Be Past" poem:
C. T. Studd: Cricketer & Pioneer by Norman P. Grubb (son-in-law to C.T.). Fort Washington, PA: Christian Literature Crusade, 1982 (first published in 1933).

No Sacrifice Too Great [by] Eileen Vincent. 2nd rev. ed. Gerrards Cross, Eng.: WEC Publications ; Bromley, Eng. : OM Publishing, ©1992.

—Stephen Ross

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