Scripture Verse

Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 13:24

Introduction

Words: Al­bi­na L. Bean, in Songs of Grace and Glo­ry, ed­it­ed by Will­iam Sher­win & Si­las J. Vail (New York: Hor­ace Wa­ters & Son, 1874), num­ber 48.

Music: Will­iam F. Sher­win (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Bean (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els), would you ?

portrait
William F. Sherwin
1826–1888

Lyrics

O brother, strive! thy crown is not yet won;
Strive! for the night is coming on apace!
The day will soon be gone,
Soon will be closed the race—
O brother, strive!

Refrain

Strive, strive, strive,
Strive for the narrow way,
Strive, strive, strive;
Strive for eternal day.

Strive! for a cloud of witnesses surround,
Each step is marked, of victory or defeat;
Then leave no vantage ground
For Satan’s wary feet—
O brother, strive!

Refrain

Strive! tho’ thy way be darkened, rough and steep,
Thy Father’s hand shall guide thee thro’ the night;
Thy faltering footsteps keep,
Make all thy darkness light;
O brother, strive!

Refrain

Strive! for the world ne’er offered prize like this,
A crown whose glory ages shall not dim!
God holds for thee such bliss,
Live thou for Him, for Him!
O brother, strive!

Refrain