1 I have often heard the story of the Savior’s precious love,
How it brought Him from the portals of the Paradise above;
To atone for helpless sinners on the cross of Calvary,
But the best of the sweet story is, that there He died for me.
Yes, there He died for me on the cross of Calvary,
That He might my loving Savior be;
I rejoice in His great mercy, so abundant, rich and free,
But the best of the sweet story is, that there He died for me.
2 I have often read of Jesus, as He walked from day to day,
With His faithful few disciples, how He cheered them on the way;
What a feast of rich communion such a fellowship must be,
But the best of the sweet story is, He walks and talks with me.
Yes, the Savior is my friend, and communes with me each day,
As we walk along the narrow way;
Oh, my happy heart is thrilling with the purest ecstasy,
As along my pilgrim journey Jesus walks and talks with me.
3 I shall meet with many trials, as I go my pilgrim way,
Strong temptations will assail me to allure my feet astray;
But there’s One who can deliver, and from sin can keep me free,
And the best of all is, Jesus will be such a friend to me.
He will be a friend to me and from sin will keep me free,
And His love my help and strength shall be;
He is mighty to deliver, yes, a strong defence is He,
And the best of all is, Jesus will be such a friend to me.
Source: Triumphant Songs No.4 #84
Elisha Hoffman (1839-1929) after graduating from Union Seminary in Pennsylvania was ordained in 1868. As a minister he was appointed to the circuit in Napoleon, Ohio in 1872. He worked with the Evangelical Association's publishing arm in Cleveland for eleven years. He served in many chapels and churches in Cleveland and in Grafton in the 1880s, among them Bethel Home for Sailors and Seamen, Chestnut Ridge Union Chapel, Grace Congregational Church and Rockport Congregational Church. In his lifetime he wrote more than 2,000 gospel songs including"Leaning on the everlasting arms" (1894). The fifty song books he edited include Pentecostal Hymns No. 1 and The Evergreen, 1873.
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