Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.
1 Chronicles 28:9
Words: Carrie E. Breck, 1898. Appeared in the Gospel Herald in Song, by William S. Nickle, George F. Meyer & Owen F. Pugh (Chicago, Illinois: Meyer & Brother, 1899), number 127.
Music: Altamira E. F. Darling, 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Darling’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O Father of love, unto Thee I belong,
Thy love and Thy labor to share;
Whate’er Thou commandest
My soul shall be strong,
Courageous to do and to dare.
Refrain
I’m ready, O Father,
To be or to bear;
I’m ready to go or to stay;
Wherever my duty,
I know Thou art there,
And there I will sweetly obey.
I see not the future,
So plain unto Thee,
But safely in Thee will I trust;
Thou knowest my frame,
And Thou comfortest me,
Remembering I am but dust.
Refrain
No service I render,
Dear Father, for Thee,
Shall ever seem hard, by Thy side;
The burdens too heavy
Thou takest from me,
And I in Thy peace shall abide.
Refrain
I shall not be lonely, or weary, or sad,
For Thou art my tenderest friend;
To shelter and guide me
And make my heart glad,
And I in Thy peace shall abide.
Refrain