Two little lines I heard one day, Only one life, yes only one, Only one life, the still small voice, Only one life, a few brief years, When this bright world would tempt me sore, Give me Father, a purpose deep, Oh let my love with fervor burn, Only one life, yes only one, |
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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