THE public work of Jesus Christ lasted less than four years and ended in apparent failure on a Roman cross, yet for 2,000 years more songs have been written about Him than anybody else.

Even in Britain about a tenth of the population enjoy BBC TV's 'Songs of Praise' which is full of songs of praise to Jesus. Today Christian music circles the earth because the life of Jesus did not stop at Calvary. Three days later He came alive again and now millions are experiencing the joy of His pardon and peace. It's impossible to count the total number of Christian hymns. Charles Wesley alone composed some 6,000. But perhaps the greatest writer was Isaac Watts.

When he was a little boy Isaac often spoke in poetry. On one occasion he began giggling during family prayers. Afterwards his father sternly asked why he had been so irreverent. Isaac explained that he had seen a mouse run up a rope by the fireplace and he immediately composed this rhyme.

"There was a mouse, for want of stairs.

Ran up a rope to say his prayers."

His father was still intent on punishing his son so Isaac cried out, "Father, father mercy take and I no more will verses make!" Isaac did continue composing and here are two verses from his greatest work:

When I survey the wondrous cross,

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

And may this be our response:

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small,

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.