The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
2 Timothy 4:3–4
Words: Richard Slater, in The Salvation Soldiers’ Song Book (Toronto, Canada: Salvation Army (Canada), 1889), number 213.
Music: Robert Harkness, 1903 (🔊 pdf nwc). Appeared in Alexander’s Gospel Songs, edited by Charles M. Alexander (New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1908), number 35.
If you know where to get a better photo of Slater,
Afar from Heav’n thy feet have wandered;
Afar from God thy soul has strayed;
His gifts in sin thy hand has squandered,
Yet still in love He calls thee home.
Refrain
Thy God is near thee—tell thy story,
For He will hear thy tale of sorrows;
Thy God is near thee—full of mercy,
And He will welcome thy return.
Thy feet have found sin’s way is thorny;
Thy heart has found its pleasures vain;
Thou hast grown weary, and about thee
The gloom has spread of dark despair.
Refrain
The broken heart the Lord will favor;
The contrite spirit He will bless;
He came to be the lost one’s Savior;
He came to be the sinner’s friend.
Refrain
Tell out thy need, and He’ll befriend thee;
Pour out thy heart’s deep grief to Him;
His boundless love, unmeasured mercy,
His free forgiveness, are for thee.
Refrain