August 8, 2014 (Friday)
Most of my blogs this week have been about hymns and gospel songs. I mentioned several songs that are well-known.
Some hymns gradually fall into disuse, and are seldom, if ever, sung in some churches. One such hymn I first heard in 1949, when I was a freshman student, at Baylor Religious Hour (better known as “BRH”) on a Wednesday evening. Dick Baker was the music director and he began the service by leading us in singing this song: “Look and Live!” It is a hymn based on Moses’ experience with the brass serpent during the wilderness wanderings of Israel. Jesus referred to it in the New Testament, illustrating his death on the cross. The song was composed by William A. Ogden in 1887.
I’ve a message from the Lord, hallelujah!
This message unto you I’ll give,
‘Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
Refrain:
“Look and live,” my brother, live,
Look to Jesus now, and live;
‘Tis recorded in His word, hallelujah!
It is only that you “look and live.”
I’ve a message full of love, hallelujah!
A message, O my friend, for you,
‘Tis a message from above, hallelujah!
Jesus said it, and I know ’tis true.
Life is offered unto you, hallelujah!
Eternal life thy soul shall have,
If you’ll only look to Him, hallelujah!
Look to Jesus who alone can save.
I will tell you how I came, hallelujah!
To Jesus when He made me whole–
‘Twas believing on His name, hallelujah!
I trusted and He saved my soul.