Jesus Paid it All

This hymn arose from a truly ‘tri-part-effort’ as  author of the chorus was North Carolina Methodist minister, Henry Bradford (late 18thC. to early 19th C.), composer of the music was church organist, Mr John Grape, (late 19th C) and authoress of the verses was, choir member, Elvina Hall (late 19th C.). Grape would not ordinarily have had an organ at home to explore hymn writing as he was a poor coal merchant, but the Methodist church in which he served was being renovated and they had moved the church organ to his own house for a short period of time. Bradford’s poem, ‘Jesus Paid It All’ had long pressed on Grape’s heart and he was inspired to put it to music. His wife thought it beautiful but when he shared it with the choir, they were not very enthusiastic about it! However, the pastor heard it and encouraged Grape to add Hall’s verses which she had doodled in the front flap of her hymnal. This he did and the hymn became popular very quickly. 

A very short time after being completed this hymn was used in an open-air meeting on New Year’s Evening 1866. The sweet melody attracted a young runaway house maid which stopped her in her tracks. A missionary gave a short address on the subject of the hymn, and then departed to attend a tent meeting. The young maid was drawn to follow him to and upon hearing footsteps following him the missionary turned around when the maid begged him, “Sir, do you think Jesus could save a sinner like me?” to which he replied that there was no doubt that Jesus could and would. He took her into the tent meeting and on hearing the Gospel preached that night, she was made aware of the wretchedness of her soul and repented and gave her life to Christ. Not long after her conversion she became sick unto death and the same missionary was able to visit her in hospital. After reading some Scripture to her, he read the words of the hymn which was dearest to her heart. She was captivated by the coming glory of Christ who had paid it all and went to glory a mere two hours after the  missionary’s visit.

I hear the Saviour say, thy strength indeed is small 
Child of weakness watch and pray, 
Find in me thine all in all

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow
 
Yet nothing good have I, whereby Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary’s Lamb 

And now complete in Him, my robe His righteousness
Close sheltered ’neath His side, I am divinely blest
 
Lord, now indeed I find, Thy power and Thine alone
 Can change the leper’s spots, and melt the heart of stone  

When from my dying bed, my ransomed soul shall rise
‘Jesus paid it all’ shall rend the vaulted skies. 
 
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete
I’ll lay my trophies down; All down art Jesus’ feet