Adventist Pioneer Library

The Sinner — Warning and Invitation

Why should we boast of time to come

  • No. 401
  • Words M. Wilkes.
  • 4 stanzas
  • Words only in the original

Words

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1

Why should we boast of time to come,Though but a single day?This hour may fix our final doom,Though strong, and young, and gay.

2

The present we should now redeem;This only is our own;The past, alas! is all a dream;The future is unknown.

3

O think what vast concerns dependUpon a moment's space,When life and all its cares shall endIn vengeance or in grace.

4

O for that power which melts the heart,And lifts the soul on high!Where sin and grief and death depart,And pleasures never die.

About this hymn

As printed Words only. As printed: hymn number «401» (large) with the reference line «354, 175, 581.» in italics beside it (sing to the tune of hymn 354, 175 or 581); the hymn stands at the top of the right column of p. 130 and ends with «M. Wilkes.» in italics. The first word «WHY» is set in capitals and small capitals («W» + «HY»). The print sets a thin space before «;» and «!» («redeem ;», «own ;», «alas !», «dream ;», «high !»); it is closed up here. The printer's curly apostrophe is written straight («moment's»). Lines 2 and 4 of each stanza are indented in the print. Spelling, punctuation and capitals are the print's. No meter is printed (the text is C. M., 8.6.8.6, like the three tunes of the reference line).

Source
The Seventh-day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book (Battle Creek: Review & Herald, 1886/1888)
Where
The Sinner — Warning and Invitation · No. 401 · printed page 130
Checked
lyrics verified (fork reading; parent check pending) · 2026-10-01