A fountain opened…for sin and for uncleanness.
Zechariah 13:1
Words: Emma F. Fisk, 1889. Appeared in Songs of Joy and Gladness No. 2, edited by William McDonald, Joshua Gill, John Sweney & William J. Kirkpatrick (Boston, Massachusetts and Chicago, Illinois: McDonald & Gill, 1890), number 4.
Music: John R. Sweney (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Fisk (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Step into the fountain,
O sin-burdened heart,
Nor think to grow better,
But plunge as thou art;
Around thou hast waited
While others have come;
Now hasten and venture,
For yet there is room.
Refrain
Step into the fountain,
The precious cleansing fountain;
Step into the fountain,
’Tis flowing for thee.
Step into the fountain,
Thou longest to feel
Its uttermost power
To cleanse and to heal;
Oh! tarry no longer
While mercy is free;
Step into the fountain,
’Tis flowing for thee.
Refrain
Step into the fountain,
What! lingering still?
Canst thou not surrender
To Jesus thy will?
He tenderly calls thee,
Why shouldst thou delay?
Step into the life-giving
Fountain today.
Refrain
Step into the fountain,
Thou needest not fear;
Step boldly, and count not
Thy life to thee dear;
’Tis only to die
Unto self and to sin,
To bury the burdens,
Then dare to step in.
Refrain
Step into the fountain,
The hours fly apace;
Then waste thou no longer
These moments of grace;
Just now let its cleansing
Wave over thee roll,
And thou shalt find gladness
And rest for thy soul.
Refrain