I Cannot Be Idle

I cannot be idle

for Je­sus says

Go

And work in My har­vest to­day;

And then at the ev­en­ing when la­bor is done

Whatever is right I will pay.

Then away to the work I will go

And join in the reap­ing of grain

And back from the har­vest with beau­ti­ful sheaves

I’ll come with re­joic­ing again.

I can­not be idle

the fields are so white

And num­ber­less sheaves will be lost;

They per­ish for want of more reap­ers to save—

How aw­ful to think of the cost!

I can­not be idle

soon time will be o’er

And reap­ing be end­ed for aye;

I’ll ga­ther the lost from the by­ways of sin

To walk in the beau­ti­ful way.

I can­not be idle

no time for re­pose

My rest­ing shall be ov­er there

Where all of the faith­ful in Heav­en ab­ove

A crown of bright glo­ry shall wear.