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The Great Advantage L.M.D.

By William Cleary

Key
G major
Time signature
2
4
Composed
2020
Text
Elhanan Winchester, 1794

Description

Some inspiration from 'Bowen' (p. 260b in The Shenandoah Harmony).

The 'doctrine' referred to is Christian universalism: Winchester subtitled this hymn 'The great and inconceivable Advantages arising from the Belief of the Universal Restoration'.


Text

The various sects enquire to know,
Why do I love this doctrine so?
What great advantage should we gain,
If we believed what you maintain?
The first advantage that I proved,
I found that God was more beloved,
And all hard thoughts of him were fled,
Nor troubled more my heart or head.

Here wisdom, love and power combine,
In full perfection to design,
And execute the glorious plan,
To help and save poor ruined man.
This system makes us love mankind,
Makes us to all good works inclined,
It teaches us for all to pray,
And seek their welfare every day.