Scripture Verse

Night is coming, when no one can work. John 9:4

Introduction

Words: Da­ni­el D. Buck, in Gar­lands of Praise, by Asa Hull (Phi­la­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia: Asa Hull, 1876), num­ber 53.

Music: Tan­gier Asa Hull (🔊 pdf nwc).

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

portrait
Asa Hull (1828–1907)

Lyrics

If we can not plant our cottage
’Mid an Eden’s blooming bowers,
Whiling life’s delightful summer
Gaily ’mid unfading flowers,
We with holy love can labor,
Tilling Zion’s fertile land,
We can consecrate to duty
Willing hearts and rea­dy hands,

If we can not win a title
To enwreathe our humble name;
If we boast not birth or beauty,
Wealth nor wisdom, might nor fame,
We can still be kindly hearted,
Acting well our lowly part;
And, tho’ men may be ungrateful,
God will prize the humble heart.

If we cannot read the future,
Whether weal or woe betide,
If within the veil of darkness
Mercy from our vision hide—
We can understand our mission,
What is here to do or bear;
We can love and help each other,
And the cross with Je­sus share.

Let us, then, be ever doing,
Day declineth, night is near;
Short the time of toil and suffering,
Jesus numbers every tear.
See! the pearly gates are opening,
Lo! the splendor from above;
List to loved ones yonder singing,
Welcome to the land of love.