Felix trembled, and answered,
Acts 24:25Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Words: Miss B. E. Merrill, in Living Praise, edited by Charles Gabriel & William W. Dowling (St. Louis, Missouri: Christian Publishing, 1902).
Music: Hormozgan Charles H. Gabriel (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Merrill’s full name, or where to get a good photo of her (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Not now, O God! and shall I say
Thy time must wait for mine,
I’ll at some more convenient day
Exchange my will for Thine?
Refrain
Not now! not now! still Jesus waits
With outstretched arms of love;
Not now! yet soon may close the gates
That lead to life above.
Not now! not now! yet, while I wait,
Death’s angel rides abroad,
And ushers to their final state
The souls unknown to God.
Refrain
Not now, O God! and shall I spend
My life’s best days in sin,
Then claim Thee for my Savior Friend
When failing powers begin?
Refrain
No! Thou, O God, hast work for me
Along life’s rugged way;
Just now I yield myself to Thee,
Nor wait another day.
Just now! just now! still Jesus waits
With outstretched arms of love;
Just now! for soon may close the gates
That lead to life above.