Rev. James L. Thomas (Psalm 73:25,26)
The following is a poem that Pastor Minnick loved and quoted quite often. He now knows the very reality of these precious words.
I have a Friend whose faithful love
Is more than all the world to me;
Tis higher than the heights above,
And deeper than the soundless sea;
So old, so new, so strong, so true--
Before the earth received its frame
He loved me. Blessed be His name
His was the highest place above,
Adored by all the sons of flame.
Yet, such His self-denying love,
He laid aside His crown, and came
To seek the lost: And at the cost
Of heavenly rank and fame,
He sought me. Blessed be His name!
It was a lonely path trod,
From every human soul apart;
Known only to Himself and God
Was all the grief that filled His heart:
Yet from the track He turned not back
Till, where I lay in want and shame,
He found me. Blessed be His name!
Then dawned at last that day of dread
When, desolate, yet undismayed,
With wearied frame and thorn-crowned head
He, now forsaken and betrayed,
Went up for me to Calvary;
And, dying there in grief and shame,
He saved me. Blessed be His name!
Long as I live my song shall tell
The wonders of His matchless love.
And, when at last I rise to dwell
In the bright home prepared above,
My joy shall be His face to see,
And bowing then with loud acclaim
I'll praise Him. Blessed be His name!
-C.A. Tydeman