Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Words & Music: John M. Whyte, in The Joyful Sound, edited by John R. Sweney & William J. Kirkpatrick (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: John J. Hood, 1889), number 27 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Whyte (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Oh, why thus stand with reluctant feet
Just on the verge of the rest so sweet?
While God invites, and your steps will greet,
Will you come to Jesus now?
Refrain
Will you come to Jesus?
Will you come to Jesus?
Will you come to Jesus?
Will you come to Jesus now?
The Spirit strives, and yet there you stand
In sight of bliss and the glory-land;
Retreat is death in the sinking sand,
Will you come to Jesus now?
Refrain
Your loved ones gone to the other shore
With unseen hands seem to beckon o’er;
Their voices hushed, yet they still implore,
Will you come to Jesus now?
Refrain
The touch of death is upon your frame,
The marble slab soon will bear your name;
Lest you should suffer eternal shame,
Will you come to Jesus now?
Refrain