"Jesus! And Shall It Ever Be"
                         by Joseph Grigg, c. 1722-1768
                   Altereded by Benjamin Francis, 1734-1799
                                  Text From:
                      THE HANDBOOK TO THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL
               (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1942)p.248



	1. Jesus! and shall it ever be
	A mortal man ashamed of Thee?
	Ashamed of Thee, whom angels praise,
	Whose glories shine through endless days?

	2. Ashamed of Jesus? Sooner far
	Let evening blush to own a star.
	He sheds the beams of light divine
	O'er this benighted soul of mine.

	3. Ashamed of Jesus? Just as soon
	Let midnight be ashamed of noon.
	'Tis midnight with my soul till He,
	Bright Morning Star, bids darkness flee.

	4. Ashamed of Jesus, that dear Friend
	On whom my hopes of heaven depend?
	No; when I blush, be this my shame,
	That I no more revere His name.

	5. Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may
	When I'v no guilt to wash away,
	No tear to wipe, no joy to crave,
    	No fears to quell, no soul to save.

	6. Till then--nor is the boasting vain--
	Till then I boast a Savior slain.
	And oh, may this my portion be,
	That Christ is not ashamed of me!

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        Notes:
        Hymn #346 from _The Handbook to the Lutheran Hymnal_
        Text: Mark 8:38
        Author: Joseph Grigg, 1765
        Altereded by Benjamin Francis, 1787
        Composer: Henry K. Oliver, 1832
        Tune: "Federal Street"
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        This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
           by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may
        freely distribute, copy or print this text. Please direct any
           comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the
              Walther Library at Concordia Theological Seminary.

                         E-mail: bob_smith@ctsfw.edu

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