In Life’s Earnest Morning

In life’s ear­nest morn­ing

When our hope was high:

Came Thy voice to sum­mons

Not to be put by;

Nor in toil nor sor­row

Weakness nor dis­may

Need we ever fal­ter—

Art not Thou our stay?

Teach us

Lord

Thy wis­dom

While we seek men’s lore;

May the mind be hum­bled

As we know Thee more;

Let the larg­er vi­sion

Bring the child­like heart

And our deep­er know­ledge

Holier zeal im­part.

Should our faith be pal­sied

By the touch of doubt

Should our hearts grow emp­ty

Faithless

un­de­vout

Lord

in mer­cy lead us

To our springs in Thee

Where are heal­ing wa­ters

Plentiful and free.

Should Thy face be cloud­ed

To our spir­its’ sight

Speak thro’ hu­man kind­ness

Shine thro’ na­ture’s light

In the face of loved ones

Or the ties of home—

Only

gra­cious Fa­ther

To Thy child­ren come.

Save us

Lord

from seek­ing

Earth’s un­hal­lowed goals;

May our life­long pas­sion

Be the love of souls;

Let us live and la­bor

Father

in Thy sight

Thro’ the grace of Je­sus

By the Spir­it’s might.