Scripture Verse

The business of the Lord, and in the service of the king. 1 Chronicles 26:30

Introduction

portrait
John Clements (1868–1946)

Words: Will­iam Shaw & John R. Cle­ments, Ser­vice Songs (Bos­ton, Mas­sa­ch­usetts: Unit­ed So­ci­ety of Chris­tian En­dea­vor, 1913), num­ber 1.

Music: Ca­li­for­nia Ed­win O. Ex­cell (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Edwin O. Excell
(1851–1921)

Lyrics

Service is our watch­word,
Service for our king;
Service, fruit­ful ser­vice,
Daily ours to bring.
Service for the needy,
Service for the lost,
Self up­on the al­tar;
Counting not the cost.

Service in the home­land
Where’er sounds the call;
Sacrificial ser­vice
Reaching un­to all;
Service pure, ex­alt­ed;
Loyal and un­priced;
Living, lov­ing chan­nels,
Bearing forth the Christ.

Service o’er the ocean,
Serving not for gain;
Meeting ev­ery du­ty,
Be it toil or pain;
Service that is Christ­ly,
Giving up to God
Every self­ish mo­tive;
Treading where Christ trod.