Colossians 2 9. In Him dwelleth all the fullness

“THE LORD JESUS CHRIST—ALL IN ALL”

Colossians 2, 9. “In Him dwelleth all the fullness”

I need no other plea

With which to approach my God

Than His own mercy, boundless, free,

Through Christ on man bestowed,

A Father’s love, a Father’s care

Receives and answers every prayer.

I need no other priest

Than One High Priest above;

His intercession ne’er has ceased

Since first I knew His love;

Through that my faith shall never fail

E’en when I pass through death’s dark vale.

I need no human ear

In which to pour my prayer;

My great High Priest is ever near,

On Him I cast my care;

To Him, Him only, I confess,

Who can alone absolve and bless,

I need no works by me

Wrought with laborious care,

To form a meritorious plea

The bliss of heaven to share:

Christ’s finished work, through boundless grace,

Has there secured my dwelling place.

I need no prayers to saints,

Beads, relics, martyrs’ shrines;

Hardships ‘neath which the spirit faints,

Yet still, more burdened pines;

Christ’s service yields my soul delight,

Easy His yoke, His burden light.

I need no other book

To guide my steps to heaven,

Than that on which I daily look,

By God’s own Spirit given;

For this when He illumes our eyes,

Unto salvation makes us wise.

I need no holy oil

To anoint my lips in death;

No priestly power my guilt to assoil,

And ease my parting breath;

Long since, those words made fear to cease,

“Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace”.

I need no priestly mass,

No purgatorial fires,

My soul to anneal, my guilt to efface,

When this brief life expires.

Christ died my endless life to win,

His blood has cleansed me from all sin.

I need no other dress,

I urge no other claim,

Than His imputed righteousness;

In Him complete I am.

Heaven’s portals at that word fly wide,

No passport do I need beside.

Charlotte Elliott (1863).