As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 2:26
Words: Thomas T. Lynch, The Rivulet (London: Robert Theobald, 1855), number 2.
Music: Brunswick adapted from George F. Handel (1685–1759) (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tune:
Dismiss me not Thy service, Lord,
But train me for Thy will;
For even I, in fields so broad,
Some duties may fulfill;
And I will ask for no reward,
Except to serve Thee still.
How many serve, how many more
May to the service come;
To tend the vines, the grapes to store,
Thou dost appoint for some;
Thou hast Thy young men at the war,
Thy little ones at home.
All works are good, and each is best
As most it pleases Thee;
Each worker pleases, when the rest
He serves in charity;
And neither man nor work unblest
Wilt Thou permit to be.
O ye who serve, remember One
The worker’s way who trod;
He served as man, but now His throne,
It is the throne of God:
The scepter He hath to us shown
Is like a blossoming rod.
Firm fibers of the tree of life
Hath each command of His,
And each with clustering blossoms rife
At every season is;
Bare only, like a sword of strife,
Against love’s enemies.
Our Master all the work hath done
He asks of us today;
Sharing His service, every one
Share too His sonship may:
Lord, I would serve and be a son;
Dismiss me not, I pray.