O Why Not Tonight?

 1  

O do not let the word depart,  

And close thine eyes against the light;  

Poor sinner, harden not your heart;  

Be saved, O tonight.   

2  

Tomorrow’s sun may never rise  

To bless thy long deluded sight;  

This is the time, O then be wise,  

Be saved, O tonight. 

3  

Our Lord in pity lingers still,  

And wilt thou thus His love requite?  

Renounce at once thy stubborn will,  

Be saved, O tonight.  

4  

Our blessed Lord refuses none  

Who would to Him their souls unite;  

Believe, obey, the work is done;  

Be saved, O tonight.  

Refrain:  

O why not tonight?  

O why not tonight?  

Wilt thou be saved?  

Then why not tonight? 

 Author: Eliza Holmes Reed  

The song O Why Not Tonight, because it says specifically "tonight", evokes images of old fashioned tent revivals, in which services were generally held in the evenings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYGoFmXFHbQ&list=RDpYGoFmXFHbQ&start_radio=1

Hebrews 3:15

Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.  

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.    

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

This is one of our family photos (I added the text for this post). On this occasion my great grandparents, Ulys and Annie Hicks, and Ulys' brother Felix and his wife Ida, were baptized. This was around 1910.

Almost Persuaded

1  

“Almost persuaded” now to believe;  

“Almost persuaded” Christ to receive;  

Seems now some soul to say,  

“Go, Spirit, go Thy way,  

Some more convenient day  

On Thee I’ll call.”  

2  

“Almost persuaded,” come, come today;  

“Almost persuaded,” turn not away;  

Jesus invites you here,  

Angels are ling’ring near,  

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;  

O wand’rer, come!  

3  

  “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past!  

“Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last;  

“Almost” cannot avail;  

“Almost” is but to fail!  

Sad, sad that bitter wail—  

“Almost—but lost!”  

Author: Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876) 

This song was usually used as the "invitation" after the sermon -- an opportunity for anyone in the assembly to come forward to make a confession of sin and/or be baptized. In some other denominations this is sometimes known as an "altar call". This first video does not include the last verse, which is pertinent to the invitation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9oVppVnS6g&list=RDg9oVppVnS6g&start_radio=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNgKNNdRru0&list=RDQNgKNNdRru0&start_radio=1

Acts 26:24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.    

Prepare to Meet Thy God

 1  

Careless soul, why will you linger,  

Wand’ring from the fold of God?  

Hear you not the invitation?  

Oh, prepare to meet thy God.  

2  

Why so thoughtless are you standing,  

While the fleeting years go by,  

And your life is spent in folly?  

Oh, prepare to meet thy God. 

3  

Hear you not the earnest pleadings  

Of your friends that wish you well?  

And perhaps before tomorrow  

You’ll be called to meet your God. 

4  

If you spurn the invitation  

Till the Spirit shall depart,  

Then you’ll see your sad condition,  

Unprepared to meet thy God. 

Refrain:  

Careless soul, oh, heed the warning,  

For your life will soon be gone;  

Oh, how sad to face the judgment,  

Unprepared to meet thy God.      

Author: James H. Stanley    

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.    

Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.    

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:    

This song, along with many others, is often used as an "invitation" song at the end of the sermon in many Christian churches, especially those of the baptist/pentecostal varieties. Sometimes known as the "altar call," this is an opportunity for congregants to come forward and make a confession of sin and ask for prayers, or request to become a member of the church, or to rededicate themselves to their original commitment to Christ. The invitation song is a sort of pregnant pause, an anticipatory moment in evangelical churches, with their focus on "winning souls for Christ." It is often fraught with emotion, particularly in special worship services such as "revival" meetings

* * *

Background information --

THE PLAN OF SALVATION

In the New Testament book of Acts, in chapter 16, is an account of the apostles Paul and Silas, having been arrested and put into prison:    25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.  

This passage of scripture is frequently used in the Church of Christ as indicative of "the plan of salvation." I don't know if any other churches have this particular terminology or theology, but in the Church of Christ it is basic dogma. The Plan of Salvation consists of five steps:    

 PLAN OF SALVATION   

 1. HEAR the Gospel  Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  

 2. BELIEVE the Gospel   Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.    

 3. REPENT of past sins   Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.  Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:    

 4. CONFESS faith in Jesus Christ   Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.    

 5. BE BAPTIZED   Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

There's Power in the Blood

1  

Would you be free from the burden of sin?  

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  

Would you o'er evil a victory win?  

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.  

2  

Would you be free from your passion and pride?  

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  

Come for a cleansing to Calvary's tide–  

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. 

3  

Would you be whiter, yes brighter than snow?  

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  

Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow–  

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood. 

4  

Would you do service for Jesus, your King?  

There's pow'r in the blood, pow'r in the blood;  

Would you live daily His praises to sing?  

There's wonderful pow'r in the blood.   

Refrain:  

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r  

In the blood of the Lamb;  

There is pow'r, pow'r, wonder-working pow'r  

In the precious blood of the Lamb.   

 

Hymn lyrics: Lewis E. Jones (1899)    

Why "pow'r" and not "power"? This is a Southern Gospel song, and if you are from the South, "power" is a one-syllable word that sounds very much like "par"...  

Here's a fun performance of this great old gospel song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNzJf8_ZGTM&list=RDcNzJf8_ZGTM&start_radio=1

Psalm 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.    Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

1  

What can wash away my sin?  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  

What can make me whole again?  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.   

2  

For my pardon this I see:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  

For my cleansing this my plea:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

3  

Nothing can for sin atone:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  

Naught of good that I have done:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

4  

This is all my hope and peace:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.  

This is all my righteousness:  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

Refrain:  

O precious is the flow  

That makes me white as snow;  

No other fount I know;  

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Author: Robert Lowry (1876)    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIvgOuj-AA0&list=RDUIvgOuj-AA0&start_radio=1

We have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. ~Colossians 1:14

Hebrews 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. 

10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

When I See the Blood

1  

Christ, our Redeemer, died on the cross  

Died for the sinner, paid all his due;  

All who receive Him need never fear,  

Yes, He will pass over you  

2  

Chiefest of sinners Jesus can save,  

As He has promised, so will He do;  

O sinner, hear Him, trust in His word.  

Then He will pass, will pass over you.  

3  

Judgment is coming, all will be there,  

Who have rejected, who have refused,  

O sinner, hasten, let Jesus in,  

Then God will pass, will pass over you  

4  

O what compassion, O boundless love,  

Jesus hath power, Jesus is true;  

All who believe are safe from the storm,  

O He will pass, will pass over you.  

REFRAIN  

When I see the blood  

When I see the blood  

When I see the blood  

I will pass, I will pass over you    

 

Author: John G. Foote 

Sometimes I love to hear a good ol' Baptist church pianist just go to town on a song that might otherwise be kind of boring...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?=8RWiPa7xDZw&list=RD8RWiPa7xDZw&start_radio=1

Exodus 12:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house...  5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it...  11 And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. 13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. 14 And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever...  21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.  24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.  28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said...  37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle...  40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.    

 

 [There's an interesting notation on this hymn in our songbooks: Hymn lyrics -- "Foote Bros., not copyrighted. Let no one do so. May this song ever be free to be published for the glory of God."]

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

Another song on the theme of the blood of Jesus. In this hymn there is a reference to Immanuel...  

1  

There is a fountain filled with blood  

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;  

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,  

Lose all their guilty stains. 

2  

The dying thief rejoiced to see  

That fountain in his day;  

And there may I, though vile as he,  

Wash all my sins away. 

3  

Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood  

Shall never lose its power,  

Till all the ransomed ones of God  

Be saved, to sin no more. 

4  

E’er since by faith I saw the stream  

Thy flowing wounds supply,  

Redeeming love has been my theme,  

And shall be till I die. 

5  

When this poor lisping, stammering tongue  

Lies silent in the grave,  

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,  

I’ll sing Thy power to save. 

Author:William Cowper (1731-1800)    

This was one of the late great Vestal Goodman's trademark songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PasK3ZFAOPE&list=RDPasK3ZFAOPE&start_radio=1

 Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.