The Rich Fool Surprised

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Deluded souls, who think to find

Author: John Needham
Published in 24 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Deluded souls! who think to find
A silid bliss below:
Bliss! the fair flower of Paradise,
On earth can never grow.

2 See how the foolish wretch is pleas'd,
T' increase his wordly store;
Too scanty now he finds his barns,
And covets room for more.

3 "What shall I do?" distrest he cries,
"This scheme will I pursue:
"My scanty barns shall now come down,
"I'll build them large and new."

4 "Here will I lay my fruits, and bid
"My soul to take tis ease:
"Eat, drink, be glad, my lasting store
"Shall give what joys I please."

5 Scarce had he spoke, when lo! from heaven
The Almighty made reply:
"For whom dost thou provide, thou fool?
"This night thyself shall die."

6 Teach me, my God, all earthly joys
Are but an empty dream;
And may I seek my bliss alone,
In thee the good supreme!

Source: A Selection of Hymns: from the best authors, intended to be an appendix to Dr. Watt's psalms and hymns. (1st Am. ed.) #CD

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Author: John Needham

Needham, John, was the son of John Needham, Baptist Minister, of Hitchin, Herts, but the date of his birth is unknown. He would doubtless be educated by his father, who was a tutor and in repute as a learned man. In 1750 Needham became co-pastor with John Beddome at the Baptist meetinghouse in the Pithay, Bristol; but, two years later, Beddome having retired through age, a violent controversy arose in the Church with regard to a continuance of the plan of co-pastorship. As the result, Needham and a number of his friends removed to a Baptist meetinghouse in Callowhill Street, where a Mr. Foot was pastor. For a time the two societies used the same builing at different hours, but in 1755 they were united, with Mr. Needham and Mr. Foot as co-pa… Go to person page >

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