Scripture Verse

In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good. Ecclesiastes 11:6

Introduction

portrait
Charles Case (1843–1918)

Words: Charles E. Poll­ock, in Won­drous Love, ed­it­ed by George F. Root & Charles Case (Cin­cin­na­ti, Ohio: John Church, 1885), num­ber 61.

Music: Charles C. Case (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Poll­ock (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

Only a word for the Mas­ter,
Lovingly, qui­et­ly said;
Only a word, yet the Mas­ter heard,
And some faint­ing hearts were fed.

Refrain

Only a word, on­ly a word,
Only a word, yet the Mas­ter heard.

Only some act of de­vo­tion,
Willingly, joy­ful­ly done;
Surely ’twas naught, so the proud world thought,
But yet souls for Christ were won.

Refrain

Only an hour with the child­ren,
Pleasantly, cheer­ful­ly giv’n;
Yet seed was sown in that hour alone,
Which would bring forth fruit for Heav’n.

Refrain

Only—but Je­sus is look­ing
Constantly, ten­der­ly down
To earth, and sees those who strive to please,
And their love He loves to crown.

Refrain