Scripture Verse

Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:14

Introduction

Words: Wil­hel­mi­na Crousaz, Heart’s Thoughts (Brook­lyn, New York: John H. Mac­Cor­mack, 1912), pag­es 34–35. Ap­peared in Im­ma­nu­el’s Praise, ed­it­ed by Charles M. Al­ex­an­der, J. Fred Scho­field & George Steb­bins (New York; Chi­cago, Il­li­nois; and Tor­on­to, Canada: Flem­ing H. Re­vell, 1914), num­ber 134, alt.

Note: The five stan­zas be­low are from Im­ma­nu­el’s Praise. The orig­in­al po­em fol­lows them.

Music: George C. Steb­bins, 1914 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
George C. Stebbins (1846–1945)

Lyrics

Which way are you traveling, my brother?
Which way are you going tonight?
The broad road which leads to destruction,
Or the narrow which leads into light?

Refrain

Which way? which way?
Which way are you going, my brother?
The broad road leads to an endless night;
But the narrow way leads to realms of day;
The narrow way leads to realms of day.

The Sav­ior is calling you, brother,
To journey with Him on life’s road;
He’ll guide you, protect you, and keep you;
He’ll lighten your life’s weary load.

Refrain

When footsore and lonely and weary,
He’ll whisper, My child, I am near;
Just cast upon Me every bur­den,
Press onward, have faith, do not fear.

Refrain

He’ll walk ever closely beside you,
And lovingly guard to the end;
Through danger and trial, and sorrow,
His presence will ever attend.

Refrain

And then He will lead you on safely,
To Canaan’s fair, glittering shore,
Where you, with the ransomed in glo­ry,
Shall all dwell with Him ev­er­more.

Refrain

Poem

Which Road?

Which road are you traveling, my brother,
Which way are you going to-night?
The broad road which leads to destruction,
Or the narrow which leads unto light?

Your Saviour is calling you, brother,
He calls you from darkness to-night.
Oh, why not just now heed His message,
Oh, why not turn now toward the right?

Your Saviour is calling you, sister,
To journey with Him on life’s road.
He’ll guide you, protect you, and keep you,
He’ll lighten this life’s weary load.

He leads you, dear sister, then follow
The Master, nor evermore roam
Away from the side of thy Shepherd,
Till safely He gathers thee home.

Then journey with Jesus life’s pathway,
For He is your staff and your stay.
The hard, thorny path He has traveled,
His love now will brighten your way.

When footsore, and lonely, and weary,
He whispers, “My child, I am near;
Just cast upon Me every burden,
Press upward, have faith, do not fear.

“For closely I’ll e’er walk beside thee,
And lovingly guard till the end;
Through danger, and trial, and sorrow,
My presence will ever attend.

“And then I will guide you on safely
To Canaan’s blest glittering shore,
Where all of this life’s faithful pilgrims,
Shall rest with Me evermore.”

There with all the saints in Heav’n’s glory
Forevermore, child, thou shalt be,
To sing there His unending praises,
His blessed face ever to see.

Wilhelmina Crousaz
Heart’s Thoughts, 1912