Watch and pray: for you do not know when the time will come.
Mark 13:33
Words: Ellen McAfee, in Near the Cross, edited by George W. Bacon (Hudson, North Carolina: Teachers’ Music Publishing, 1917), number 163.
Music: W. S. Hess (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Hess’ full name, or where to get a good photo of him or McAfee (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Let us watch and pray in our master’s name,
For we know not when ’twill be
That the Lord will come all His own to claim,
And we shall from sin be free.
Refrain
O what joy shall await
All the blest in that coming day;
Christ will be at the gate
To receive us to Heav’n for aye!
Time is flying fast, oh! ’twill not be long
Till our souls shall take their flight,
And if true to Christ, we shall join the throng,
Where can come no shades of night!
Refrain
Let’s not idle be, but with love untold
Strive some precious souls to win;
Tho’ they’ve stayed afar from the Shepherd’s fold,
Let us help to bring them in.
Refrain
When this life is o’er, in that coming day,
We shall stand before God’s Son,
From His throne of light may we hear Him say:
Good and faithful one, well done!
Refrain