Scripture Verse

Go…teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19

Introduction

Words: George T. S. Far­quhar, in The Church­man’s Trea­su­ry of Song, ed­it­ed by John Hen­ry Burn (Lon­don: Me­thu­en, 1907), pages 219–20.

Music: Top­la­dy Tho­mas Hast­ings, 1830 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tunes:

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Far­quhar (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Thomas Hastings (1784–1872)

Lyrics

Wide the com­pass of the world,
Peopled by a count­less host;
And the flag of sin un­furled
Waves in pride o’er ev­ery coast!
Therefore, Lord, we said: In vain
Strive we to en­large Thy reign!

Yet we hear Thy sure com­mand:
Go and make your voic­es ring
With My Gos­pel in each land,
Till the na­tions own Me king!

Therefore woe be on us, Lord,
Should we fail to preach Thy Word!

Something great­er, too, than fear
Sways us now with fond con­trol:
Moved by love, we know how dear
Is Thy ser­vice to the soul!
Therefore, Lord, we will pro­claim
Joyfully Thy bless­èd name!

What though we our­selves are weak
And the task be­yond our pow­er?
Thou, O Lord, to those who seek,
Givest grace from hour to hour.
Therefore we ad­vance to fight,
Sure of vic­to­ry by Thy might!