Hymn Story: No, Not One by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Johnson Oatman Jr’s father was well-known as the best singer in Medford, New Jersey — a talent young Johnson hoped for yet never attained.

But while Johnson Jr. couldn’t sing hymns beautifully, he certainly could write hymns beautifully.

The young man eventually took on his father’s insurance business, writing hymns in his spare time.

From 1892 until the end of his life, Johnson Jr. wrote nearly 200 hymns a year including “Count Your Many Blessings” and his personal favorites, “Higher Ground” and “No, Not One.”

Published in 1895, “ No Not One” became an instant favorite, published in 35 different books and translated into both Japanese and Chinese.

No, Not One

by Johnson Oatman, Jr.

There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus–
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our soul's diseases–
No, not one! no, not one!

Refrain:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus–
No, not one! no, not one!

No friend like Him is so high and holy–
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly–
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]

There's not an hour that He is not near us –
No, not one! no, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us–
No, not one! no, not one! [Refrain]

Was e'er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! no, not one!
Will He refuse us a home in heaven?*
No, not one! no, not one!

*Jesus will never refuse any of His ransomed children a home in Heaven. Here's how you can know for sure you're going to Heaven.