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Most of the hymns that we sing in worship service today are old. There are many greatest hymns. The hymn considered by many as the best in the English language is “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” written by Isaac Watts in 1707. This hymn was taken from Paul’s words, “Far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Another well-known hymn is “Almost Persuaded” written by Phillip Bliss. Mr. Bliss, who knew absolute poverty in his early days, got married, bought a ramshackle buggy and a horse named Fanny. He went around the countryside teaching music. His average income was thirteen dollars a month. In better times he was waiting for a train in Ohio and slipped into a church and sat on the back seat. The preacher was reading from the book of Acts. This is what he heard: “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuade me to be a Christian.’” During the rest of his sermon the preacher said, “To be almost saved is to be entirely lost.” Thus the hymn “Almost Persuaded” was born.
These and other great older hymns were sung by our great-great grandparents and are still a part of Christian worship.