1948 7. 8 7. 7 7
ONE there is, above all others,
   Well deserves the name of Friend:
His is love beyond a brother’s:
    Costly, free, and knows no end;
They who once His kindness prove,
Find it everlasting love.
 
2  Which of all our friends, to save us,
    Could, or would, have shed his blood?
But the Saviour died to have us
    Reconciled in Him to God:
This was boundless love indeed!
Jesus is a Friend in need.
 
3  When He lived on earth abasèd,
    ‘Friend of sinners’ was His name;
Now, above all glory raisèd,
    He rejoices in the same:
Still He calls them brethren, friends,
And to all their wants attends.
 
4  Could we bear from one another
    What He daily bears from us?
Yet this glorious Friend and Brother
    Loves us though we treat Him thus;
Though for good we render ill,
He accounts us brethren still.
 
5  O, for grace our hearts to soften!
    Teach us, Lord, at length to love:
We, alas! forget too often
    What a Friend we have above:
But, when home our souls are brought,
We shall love Thee as we ought.
 
John Newton, 1725-1807