Richard's Bible
Richard's Bible was a very important part of his life. He read and studied it daily, and tried to live by it's words. There were several loose pieces of paper that were found in it we want to share on this memorial webpage because they were very unique and special.
One of the pieces found in Richard's Bible was a page listing the 13 verses of the song, "Amazing Grace". This was the first time we had ever known that there were more than four verses of this song. The extra verses were something Richard must have enjoyed reading over and over. They are:
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
In evil long I took delight,
Unwed by shame or fear;
Till a new object met my sight,
And stopped my wild career.
I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood;
Who fixed His languid eyes on me
As near His cross I stood.
Sure, ne'er till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to change me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.
My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair;
I saw my sins His blood has shed,
And helped to nail Him there.
At last, I knew not what I did,
But all my tears were vain;
Where could my trembling soul be hid,
For I the Lord had slain.
A second look He gave that said:
"I freely all forgive!
This blood is for thy ransom paid,
I died that thou mayest live."
Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
Tis grace hath bro't me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures,
He will my sheild and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall posess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
And the sun forbear to shine,
But God, Who called me here below,
Shall be forever mine.
When we've been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun;
We've no less days to sing God's praise,
Than when we first begun.
Amen
Another special page we found in Richard's Bible was a list of all his favorite hymns from the Baptist hymnal. He went through the hymnal and wrote down the song and page number of each hymn he loved. Here is his list:
1. Higher Ground,
2. Heavenly Sunlight,
12. In the Garden,
13. I shall Not be Moved,
14. Love Lifted Me,
19. Just a Closer Walk with Thee,
27. Mansion Over the Hilltop,
28. Bringing in the Sheaves,
36. The Old Rugged Cross,
37. Standing on the Promises,
44. When We All Get to Heaven,
45. When the Saints Go Marching In,
48. When the Battle's Over,
54. I'll Fly Away,
64. Just Over in the Glory-land,
67. Blessed Be the Name,
89. Take My Hand, Precious Lord,
92. Victory in Jesus,
98. Throw Out the Lifeline,
99. Trust and Obey,
101. There's Power in the Blood,
104. Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus,
105. Softly and Tenderly,
109. I Surrender All,
110. O Why Not Tonight?
113. Lord I'm Coming Home,
116. Jesus Saves,
119. Are You Washed in the Blood?
122. Nothing But the Blood,
123. Only Trust Him,
124. Just As I Am,
126. At the Cross,
131. Oh How I Love Jesus,
132. There Is a Fountain,
144. Glory To His Name,
146. Come and Dine,
148. The Way of the Cross Leads Home,
151. Stand' in the Need of Prayer,
156. Blessed Assurance
158. I Dreamed and Searched Heaven For You,
160. The Promised Land,
164. Leaning On the Everlasting Arms,
179. Do Lord,
194. On the Jerico Road,
195. The Old Time Religion,
203. Amazing Grace,
204. When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,
207. Sweet By and By,
208. Farther Along,
209. Precious Memories,
210. Where We'll Never Grow Old,
213. Shall We Gather at the River,
219. The Unclouded Day,
225. Rock of Ages,
239. Christ Arose,
250. Send the Light
251. Stand up, Stand up for Jesus,
257. Sunlight,
258. Since Jesus Came Into my Heart,
262. Tell Me the Old Old Story,
269. Sweet Hour of Prayer,
311. I'm Bound for the Promise Land,
324. All Hail the Power of Jesus Name,
The last page of Richard's song list, started over again, we are thinking it may be a newer version of the hymnal.
2. Holy, Holy, Holy,
10. How Great Thou Art,
54. Great is Thy Faithfulness,
134. Jesus Paid it All,
138. At Calvary,
139. At the Cross,
142. There is a Fountain,
149. Blessed Redeemer,
151. The Way of the Cross Leads Home,
156. Were you There?
160. Low in the Grave He Lay,
182. What a Friend We Have in Jesus
189. The Lily of the Valley
203. His Name is Wonderful,
206. Blessed Be the Name,
261. Wonderful Words of Life,
269. There is a Balm in Gilead,
275. I Surrender All,
282. Living for Jesus,
285. Wherever He leads, I'll go,
295. Have Thine Own Way Lord,
301. I am Resolved,
308. Pass Me Not, Oh Gentle Savior,
309. Lord, I'm Coming Home,
311. Let Jesus Come Into your Heart
We found a poem in Richard's Bible about Christmas. Richard just loved Christmas. We don't know who wrote the poem, but it was special enough for him to carry it in his Bible.
Christmas Love
As our Lord's birthday comes our way,
Let us with love His words remember,
and fill our hearts with joy delight,
like the holidays in December.
My love for each of you,
through this time has endured,
cherish the love you have today,
and thank God that it is secured.
Let my poem bring to each of you,
a joyest Christmas Day filled with cheer,
and may you all know His love and mine,
is already with you all so Dear.
