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    5. “Turn with Me to Song Number One!”

    Retrospective #62(e) February 17, 2018 Randy C. Hicks
    And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
    And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days

    Does anyone recall when the first song in a Salvation Army Song Book was one that came from the pen of the founder himself?

    The first line of that song is “O Boundless Salvation! Deep Ocean of love”

    Compiled and published by Rev. William Booth, General, in 1904 - its title was THE SALVATION SOLDIER’S – SONG BOOK! Above this song at the top of the page you will find the following:

    SALVATION SONGS

    But on the cover, immediately under the crest you will find this question:

    “ARE YOU READY TO DIE?”

    ****************************************************************************************************
    1.
    O boundless salvation! Deep ocean of love,
    O fullness of mercy, Christ brought from above.
    The whole world redeeming, so rich and so free,
    Now flowing for all men, come, roll over me!

    My sins they are many, their stains are so deep.
    And bitter the tears of remorse that I weep;
    But useless is weeping; thou great crimson sea,
    Thy waters can cleanse me, come, roll over me I

    My tempers are fitful, my passions are strong,
    They bind my poor soul and they force me to wrong;
    Beneath thy blest billows deliverance I see,
    O come, mighty ocean, and roll over me!

    Now tossed with temptation, then haunted with fears,
    My life has been joyless and useless for years;
    I feel something better most surely would be
    If once thy pure waters would roll over me.

    O ocean of mercy, oft longing I've stood
    On the brink of thy wonderful, life-giving flood!
    Once more I have reached this soul-cleansing sea,
    I will not go back till it rolls over me.

    The tide is now flowing, I'm touching the wave,
    I hear the loud call of the mighty to save;
    My faith's growing bolder, delivered I'll be;
    I plunge 'neath the waters, they roll over me.

    And now, hallelujah! the rest of my days
    Shall gladly be spent in promoting his praise
    Who opened his bosom to pour out this sea
    Of boundless salvation for you and for me.

    There’s more to follow – stay “tuned!”

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