A Missionary Hymn

William Henry Westcott.

Extracted from Scripture Truth magazine Volume 1, 1909, page 70.

Tune — 723 Bristol Tune Book.

Father, in days gone by

Thy people sought Thy face

Longing that souls might be

Reached by Thy saving grace.

Thou gav'st the answer then

In blessing far and near;

Saving the souls of men

From sin and guilt and fear.

Father, save!

Bowing together here,-

Thy people of to-day,-

Thou dost, in Jesu's name

Drive unbelief away.

Faith's holy confidence

Is resting now on Thee

O Thou that hearest prayer

We would Thy blessing see.

Father, save!

Think of those distant lands

Where lived Thy saints of old

Let Naaman's leprous home

Again of grace be told.

Let Israel's captive souls

Hear of Thy gospel free

And Zion's hills resound

With songs of liberty.

Father, save!

Let Egypt's ebbing grace,

As tidal waters turn

Nor let her rulers now

Thy gracious dealing spurn:

Let Pharaoh's starving land

Again her Joseph see,

In Jesus Who has died,

And risen again to Thee.

Father, save!

Down Eden's valleys Lord,

Let living waters flow:

And Adam's fallen race

Thy full salvation know

And 'midst the thorny woes,

Euphrates knows so well

May those who know its balm

The Saviour's mercy tell.

Father, save!

And, oh! not there alone

But far across the wave

How China's plaint awakes

The prayer that Thou wilt save!

Her millions passing on

Approach a fearful end

O God! stretch forth Thine hands

And mighty blessing send!

Father, save!

But how the heart grows faint,

And then o'erflows in grief

Thinking of India's sons

So long without relief

While Africa's weary hosts

Down-trodden and oppressed

Seem silently to stand

Yearning for heavenly rest.

Father, save!

Let all our hearts arise

Alive with heavenly glow

Moved by Thy Spirit, Lord,

With love's deep stream to flow

And if in foreign lands

Or this, Thou bid'st us roam,

Oh! for Thy mighty power,

To call Thy wanderers home.

Father, save!