On a hot summer Sunday morning in 1865, Mrs. Elvina Hall (1820-1889) was found in her accustomed place in the church choir loft. But as the minister Reverend Schrick’s prayer continued, her thoughts drifted to other things. She pondered the meaning of the cross, and wrote the first lines in the back of her hymnal. Afterward, she presented the pastor with some simple lines of poetry which reminded the pastor that the church organist, John Grape (1835-1915) had composed a new hymn tune, with no words in mind. Stepping into his study, the pastor laid Mrs. Hall’s poem next to the lines of music. In surprise, he saw they fit one another like hand in glove. “Indeed, God works in mysterious ways!” he thought. The words and tune have been partners ever since, in the hymn, “Jesus Paid It All.”¹

I hear the Saviour say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.

Refrain

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb.

Refrain

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat.

Refrain

¹independentbaptist.com/jesus-paid-it-all1/