Scripture Verse

The Spir­it of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound. Isaiah 61:1

Introduction

Words: Jen­nie Wil­son, in Song Land Mes­sen­ger No. 2, by An­th­ony J. Sho­wal­ter et al. (Dal­las, Tex­as & Dal­ton, Geor­gia: Sho­wal­ter-Lin­coln & A. J. Sho­wal­ter, 1898), num­ber 245.

Music: Sap­po­ro W. M. Stuck­ey (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know Stuck­ey’s full name, or here to get a good pho­to of him (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Jennie Wilson (1856–1913)

Lyrics

Be a mes­seng­er for Je­sus,
Speaking words that cheer and bless,
In the name of Him who pi­ties
Hunger, weak­ness, and dis­tress.

Refrain

Be a mes­sen­ger for Je­sus,
Utter words of hope di­vine;
Be a mes­seng­er for Je­sus,
And rich bless­ing shall be thine.

To the toil worn and the wea­ry,
Weighted with a load of care,
Say the lov­ing Mas­ter bids them
In His ho­ly rest to share.

Refrain

To the weak and sore­ly tempt­ed,
Striving to re­sist the wrong,
Speak the help­ful words of Je­sus,
That thro’ faith they may be strong.

Refrain

To the sad and hea­vy heart­ed,
Round whom drea­ry sha­dows be,
Oft re­peat the Sav­ior’s pro­mise
Of a joy­ous life on high.

Refrain