Introduction
Words: Washington Gladden, 1879.
Music: Maryton H. Percy Smith, in Church Hymns with Tunes (London: 1874) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Smith (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
1836–1918
What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
Words: Washington Gladden, 1879.
Music: Maryton H. Percy Smith, in Church Hymns with Tunes (London: 1874) (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Smith (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
This hymn,[Gladden] related,was written forThe Still Houra corner in Sunday Afternoon, a paper which was filled with good reading. In March 1879, it was published in three eight-line stanzas. The lines unsuitable for worship were left out and the poem became a hymn. The poem was not written for a hymn; it was my friend, Rev. C. H. Richards, who saw in the lines their suitability and adapted it so.Blanchard, p. 69
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
O Master, let me walk with Thee,
Before the taunting Pharisee;
Help me to bear the sting of spite,
The hate of men who hide Thy light.
The sore distrust of souls sincere
Who cannot read Thy judgments clear,
The dullness of the multitude,
Who dimly guess that Thou art good.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer, company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong.
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.