Scripture Verse

Go and make disciples of all nations. Matthew 28:19

Introduction

Words: W. H. Brooks, in the Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Hymn and Tune Book (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Af­ri­can Me­tho­dist Epis­co­pal Book Con­cern, 1898), num­ber 644.

Music: Stew­ard John T. Lay­ton, 1898 (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
John T. Layton, Sr. (1847–1916)

Lyrics

Go, mes­sen­ger of Christ, pro­claim
The glo­ries of Em­ma­nu­el’s name;
The na­tions wait to hear thee tell
Of Him who saves from death and hell.

Go, armed with truth and filled with love,
Go, harm­less as the gen­tle dove,
In wis­dom and with burn­ing zeal,
Go, and the way of life re­veal.

Go, clothed in ma­jes­ty di­vine,
Go, and thy grace with glo­ry shine;
Go, while the Spi­rit’s quick­en­ing pow­er
Doth fit thee for each try­ing hour.

And when against thee foes shall rise
And for­mer friends shall thee des­pise;
Remember that the Lord will be
A com­fort and de­fense for thee.

And when thy work on earth is o’er,
And thou shalt preach to men no more,
Unceasing joys shall thee await
In thine eter­nal blest es­tate.