Go—messenger of peace and love!

To nations plunged in shades of night;

Like angels sent from fields above,

Be thine to shed celestial light.

2 Go—to the hungry food impart;

To paths of peace the wanderer guide,

And lead the thirsty, panting heart,

Where streams of living water glide.

3 Go—bid the bright and morning-star

From Bethlehem’s plains resplendent shine,

And, piercing through the gloom afar,

Shed heavenly light and love divine.

4 From north to south, from east to west,

Messiah yet shall reign supreme;

His name by every tongue confessed—

His praise—the universal theme.

Father of mercies, bow thine ear,

Attentive to our earnest prayer:

We plead for those who plead for thee;

Successful pleaders may they be.

2 How great their work! how vast their charge!

Do thou their anxious souls enlarge:

Their best endowments are our gain;

We share the blessings they obtain.

3 O, clothe with energy divine

Their words; and let those words be thine;

To them thy sacred truth reveal;

Suppress their fears, inflame their zeal.

4 Teach them to sow the precious seed;

Teach them thy chosen flock to feed;

Teach them immortal souls to gain—

And thus reward their toil and pain.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, thy presence now,

Direct us in thy fear;

Before thy throne we humbly bow,

And offer fervent prayer.

2 Give us the men whom thou shalt choose,

Thy house on earth to guide;

Those who shall ne’er their power abuse,

Or rule with haughty pride.

3 Inspired with wisdom from above,

And with discretion blessed;

Displaying meekness, temperance, love—

Of every grace possessed;

4 These are the men we seek of thee,

O God of righteousness:

Such may thy servants ever be,

With such thy people bless.

With joy we own thy servant, Lord,

Thy minister below,

Ordained to spread thy truth abroad,

That all thy name may know.

2 O may he now, and ever, keep

His eye intent on thee:

Do thou, great Shepherd of the sheep,

His bright example be.

3 With plenteous grace his heart prepare

To execute thy will;

And give him patience, love, and care,

And faithfulness and skill.

You messengers of Christ,

His sovereign voice obey;

Arise and follow where he leads—

And peace attend your way.

2 The master whom you serve

Will needful strength bestow;

Depending on his promised aid,

With sacred courage go.

3 Mountains shall sink to plains,

And hell in vain oppose;

The cause is God’s, and must prevail

In spite of all his foes.

4 Go, spread a Saviour’s fame,

And tell his matchless grace,

To the most guilty and depraved

Of Adam’s numerous race.

5 We wish you, in his name,

The most divine success;

Assured that he who sends you forth

Will your endeavors bless.

Go with thy servant, Lord,

His every step attend;

All needful help to him afford,

And bless him to the end.

Ye servants of the Lord,

Each in his office wait;

With joy obey his heavenly word,

And watch before his gate.

2 Let all your lamps be bright,

And trim the golden flame;

Gird up your loins, as in his sight;

For awful is his name.

3 Watch! ’tis the Lord’s command;

And while we speak, he’s near;

Mark the first signal of his hand,

And ready all appear.

4 O happy servant he,

In such a posture found!

He shall his Lord with rapture see,

And be with honor crowned.

Lord of the harvest! hear

Thy needy servants’ cry;

Answer our faith’s effectual prayer,

And all our wants supply.

2 Convert and send forth more

Into thy Church abroad;

And let them speak thy word of power,

As workers with their God.

Give the pure gospel-word,

The word of general grace;

Thee let them preach, the common Lord,

The Saviour of our race.

3 O, let them spread thy name;

Their mission fully prove;

Thy universal grace proclaim,

Thy all-redeeming love.

On all mankind, forgiven,

Empower them still to call,

And tell each creature under heaven,

That thou hast died for all.

You servants of God,

Your Master proclaim,

And publish abroad

His wonderful name:

The name all victorious

Of Jesus extol;

His kingdom is glorious,

And rules over all.

2 Christ ruleth on high,

Almighty to save:

And still he is nigh—

His presence we have:

3 Salvation to him,

Who sits on the throne—

Let all cry aloud,

And honor the Son;

Our Saviour’s praises

The angels proclaim,

They fall on their faces

And worship the Lamb.

4 Him let us adore,

And give him his right;

All glory and power,

And wisdom and might;

All honor and blessing

With angels above,

And thanks never ceasing,

For infinite love.

Son of God, our glorious Head!

On us now thy blessing shed;

From thy throne let mercy flow

To thy waiting flock below.

2 Taught by thee, with prayer sincere,

We have called thy servants here,

For thy needy ones to care,

And thy holy feast to bear.

3 May the Spirit from above

Fill their hearts with faith and love;

Make them humble, zealous, wise,

Strife to shun, and good devise.

Ho, reapers of life’s harvest,

Why stand with rusted blade,

Until the night draws round thee,

And day begins to fade?

Why stand ye idle, waiting

For reapers more to come?

The golden morn is passing,

Why sit ye idle, dumb?

2 Thrust in your sharpened sickle,

And gather in the grain:

The night is fast approaching,

And soon will come again.

Thy Master calls for reapers;

And shall he call in vain?

Shall sheaves lie there ungathered,

And waste upon the plain?

3 Come down from hill and mountain,

In morning’s ruddy glow,

Nor wait until the dial

Points to the noon below;

And come with the strong sinew,

Nor faint in heat or cold;

And pause not till the evening

Draws round its wealth of gold.

4 Mount up the hights of wisdom,

And crush each error low;

Keep back no words of knowledge

That human hearts should know;