What is the thing of greatest price

Verse 1

What is the thing of greatest price, The whole creation round?-- That which was lost in Paradise, That which in Christ is found.

Verse 2

The soul of man--Jehovah's breath-- That keeps two worlds at strife; Hell moves beneath to work its death, Heaven stoops to give it life.

Verse 3

And is this treasure borne below, In earthen vessels frail? Can non its utmost value know, 'Till flesh and spirit fail?

Verse 4

Then let us gather round the cross, That knowledge to obtain; Not by the soul's eternal loss, But everlasting gain.