Strive to make the day seem lighter

September 30

Strive to make the day seem lighter
When the shadows round you play;
Strive to make the world seem brighter,
As you’re passing down life’s way.

There are hearts with grief distressing
Need your help from day to day;
Strive to make yourself a blessing,
As you’re passing down life’s way.

Daily like the Master growing,
Ask not if your toil will pay;
Trust the gospel seed you’re sowing,
As you’re passing down life’s way.

There is great reward in heaven,
Waiting at the close of day,
If your life for Christ is given,
As you’re passing down life’s way.

Chorus
Do your best some joy to heighten;
Do your best some load to lighten;
Do your best the world to brighten,
As you’re passing down life’s way.
     Johnson Oatman, Jr.

In the darkest hour

September 29

In the darkest hour
That my heart may know,
Out of Satan’s power,
Whither shall I go?

Here there is no refuge
For the soul opprest:
Whither shall I journey,
Whither seek for rest?

Poor and weak and wretched,
Full of fears and woe,
To be free from torment
Whither can I go?

Bound in cords of anguish,
By my sins dismayed,
Whither, then, ah, whither
Can I look for aid?

Joy in tribulation!
Hope that sets me free!
Jesus, my salvation,
Lo, I turn to Thee.

Chorus
To Jesus! to Jesus!
Only unto Jesus,
The Savior so compassionate,
The sinner’s only Friend,
The Savior so compassionate,
The sinner’s only Friend.
     Josephine Pollard

We shall walk the realms of glory

September 28

We shall walk the realms of glory,
Where eternal beauty reigns,
There, with seraph hosts unnumbered,
Join the grand, immortal strains.

We shall walk the realms of glory
With the blood-washed, mighty throng;
We shall join the angel harpers
In their everlasting song.

We shall walk the realms of glory
And by Jesus’ side sit down;
Clad no more in robes of sorrow,
We shall wear a fadeless crown.

We shall walk the realms of glory,
Where no tears can ever come,
Where the sunlight is not needed,
In that sweet, eternal home.

Chorus
We shall walk the realms of glory
With the loved ones gone before;
We shall sing the sweet old story
Over on the other side.
     Emma Pitt

There’s a place in the ranks to be filled today

September 27

There’s a place in the ranks to be filled today;
Who will stand with the “Tried and True?”
‘Mid the battle’s din and the cannon’s roar,
Can the Master count on you?

Will you stay in the fight when the battle’s on,
When your comrades are falling fast?
Can He count on you till the battle’s o’er,
To be true to the very last?

Will you join our ranks as we march along,
To the mansions prepared on high,
To adore our King ‘mid the blood-washed throng,
Where the saints shall never die?

Chorus
Can the Master count on you?
Are you one of the “Tried and True?”
Hear the battle cry, “You must fight or die;”
Can the Master count on you?
     C. B. Widmeyer

My life, my love I give to Thee

September 26

My life, my love I give to Thee,
Thou Lamb of God, who died for me;
O may I ever faithful be,
My Savior and my God!

I now believe Thou dost receive,
For Thou hast died that I might live;
And now, henceforth I’ll trust in Thee,
My Savior and my God!

O Thou who died on Calvary
To save my soul and make me free,
I’ll consecrate my life to Thee,
My Savior and my God!

Chorus
I’ll live for Him who died for me,
How happy then my life shall be!
I’ll live for Him who died for me,
My Savior and my God!
     R. E. Hudson

I wandered in sorrow and sin

September 25

I wandered in sorrow and sin,
My heart it was heavy and sore,
When I heard a voice saying-
“Arise, and come in! O wander in sorrow no more!”

I struggled in doubt and in fear,
Not knowing to whom I could go,
When the voice again spake, saying-
“Be of good cheer,” So soothingly, tender and low.

I heard it again and again,
So patiently pleading for room,
Till it melted my heart with its pitying strain,
And lighted my soul of its gloom.

I turned to my Father above,
Who maketh His grace to abound
Unto those who believe in His cross and His love,
And O what a Friend I have found!

I’m groping in darkness no more,
His glory illumines my way;
I am walking by faith, and His promises are
My solace and joy ev’ry day.

Chorus
Who could it be, O who could it be,
Tenderly calling, calling to me?
Who could it be, O who could it be,
Who could it be but Jesus?
     W. A. Ogden

Nothing to pay, for atonement’s made

September 24

Nothing to pay, for atonement’s made,
The blood has been shed and the debt is paid.

Nothing to pay, for the blotted scroll
Was nailed to the cross where He saved my soul.

Nothing to pay; yet my all I owe,
Unto the dear Lord who hath loved me so.

Nothing to pay, but myself I’ll bring
To serve Him forever, my Savior King.

Nothing to pay; but our thanks we’ll raise,
With rapture we’ll render immortal praise.

Chorus
Nothing to pay, nothing to pay,
For Jesus has taken my debt away.
     L. H. Edmunds

The trusting heart to Jesus clings

September 23

The trusting heart to Jesus clings,
Nor any ill forbodes,
But at the cross of Calv’ry sings;
Praise God for lifted loads!

The passing days bring many cares;
“Fear not,” I hear Him say;
And when my fears are turned to prayers,
The burdens slip away.

He tells me of my Father’s love,
And never slumb’ring eye;
My everlasting King above
Will all my needs supply.

When to the throne of grace I flee,
I find the promise true;
The mighty arms supporting me
Will bear my burdens too.

Chorus
Singing I go along life’s road,
Praising the Lord, praising the Lord;
Singing I go along life’s road,
For Jesus has lifted my load.
     E. E. Hewitt

Answer “Yes” to Jesus

September 22

Answer “Yes” to Jesus,
His sweet will obey;
With a loving spirit
Serve Him while you may;
Toil within His vineyard,
Faithful to your task;
Do whate’er He bids you,
More He will not ask.

Answer “Yes” to Jesus
In life’s morning hours;
Trust the Master’s leading,
Yield Him all your pow’rs.
Let not courage fail you,
Let not faith grow dim;
You belong to Jesus,
Naught can conquer Him.

Answer “Yes” to Jesus:
Faithful be and true
To your dear Redeemer,
Who hath died for you.
He who thus hath loved you
Ought to have your best;
Do your duty gladly,
Leave to Him the rest.

Answer “Yes” to Jesus:
You are His by right;
Yet He is so royal,
Serving is delight.
Called no longer servant,
You are now His friend;
Walk the shining pathway,
Faithful to the end.

Chorus
Answer “Yes” to Jesus,
Harken to His call;
To His blessed service
Consecrate your all.
Answer “Yes” to Jesus,
Harken to His call;
To His blessed service
Consecrate your all.
     Thoro Harris

Nothing to pay! Ah, nothing to pay

September 21

Nothing to pay!  Ah, nothing to pay!
Never a word of excuse to say!
Year after year thou hast filled the score,
Owing thy Lord still more and more.

Nothing to pay!  The debt is so great!
What will you do with the awful weight?
How shall the way of escape be made?
Nothing to pay! yet, it must be paid!

Nothing to pay!  Yes, nothing to pay!
Jesus has cleared all the debt away,
Blotted it out with His bleeding hand!
Free, and forgiv’n, and loved you stand.

Refrain
Hear the voice of Jesus say,
“Verily, thou hast nothing to pay,
Nothing to pay, nothing to pay;
Verily thou hast nothing to pay.”
     Frances R. Havergal

Beyond the smiling and the weeping

September 20

Beyond the smiling and the weeping,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon;
Beyond the waking and the sleeping,
Beyond the sowing and the reaping,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon.

Beyond the blooming and the fading,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon;
Beyond the shining and the shading,
Beyond the hoping and the dreading,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon.

Beyond the parting and the meeting,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon;
Beyond the farewell and the greeting,
Beyond the pulse’s fever beating,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon.

Beyond the frost chain and the fever,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon;
Beyond the rock waste and the river,
Beyond the ever and the never,
I shall be soon, I shall be soon.

Refrain
Love, rest and home,
Sweet, sweet home!
Lord, tarry not,
Lord, tarry not, but come.
     Horatius Bonar

Ye loit’rers in the marketplace

September 19

Ye loit’rers in the marketplace,
Why do ye idle stand?
Come forth unto the harvest field,
There’s work on ev’ry hand!
The ripened grain is bending low,
And soon it may be lost,
The kernels fair be quick to save,
Wait not to count the cost.

A field, the Master calls this world,
And grains, the souls of men;
Each one is precious in His sight,
Tho’ hid in lonely glen.
He fain would gather ev’ry grain,
But laborers are few;
Come forth and help Him save His own,
There’s work for you to do.

If idle still ye longer stand,
Nor heed the Master’s call,
How shall ye answer for the loss,
If grains to earth shall fall?
Then hasten to the harvest field,
The Master’s call obey,
And labor with a willing hand
Until the close of day.

Chorus
Come forth, come forth, the Master’s call obey!
Come forth, come forth,
He bids you come to day;
Come forth, come forth, the Master’s call obey!
Come forth, come forth,
He bids you come today.
     Effie Wells Loucks

O’er hill and dale, where sweetest flow’rs are growing

September 18

O’er hill and dale, where sweetest flow’rs are growing,
Thro’ sunlit vale, where softest winds are blowing,
Where fountains bright make music in their flowing,
He leads, and we follow.

When Satan with his wiles the soul is trying;
When sweetest smiles are turned to saddest sighing;
When hope and faith within our hearts are dying,
He leads, and we follow.

Thus all the way our footsteps He is leading,
And day by day our souls with manna feeding;
Thus He supplies whatever we are needing-
He leads, and we follow.

Chorus
He leads, and we follow,
He leads, and we follow;
We cannot stray-
He knows the way!
Jesus leads, and we follow.
     Ada Blenkhorn

Blessed Bible! how I love it

September 17

Blessed Bible! how I love it!
How it doth my spirit cheer!
What on earth like this to covet?
Oh! what stores of wealth are here!
Man was lost, and doomed to sorrow,
Not one ray of light or bliss
Could he from earth’s treasures borrow,
Till his way was cheered by this.

Yes, I’ll to my bosom press thee;
Precious word, I’ll hide thee here;
Sure my very heart will bless thee,
For thou ever say’st “Good cheer!”
Speak, poor heart, and tell thy ponderings,
Tell how far thy rovings led,
When this book bro’t back thy wanderings,
Speaking life as from the dead.

Blessed Bible!  I will hide thee
Deep, yes deeper in my heart;
Thou thro’ all my life wilt guide me,
And in death we will not part:
Part in death? no, never, never!
Thro’ death’s vale I’ll lean on thee;
Then, in worlds above for ever,
Sweeter still thy truths shall be.
     Mrs. Phoebe Palmer

O what a wonderful Savior

September 16

O what a wonderful Savior,
In Jesus my Lord I have found!
Tho’ I had sins without number,
His grace unto me did abound.

When a poor sinner He found me,
No goodness to offer had I;
Often His law I had broken,
And merited naught but to die.

Nothing of merit possessing,
All helpless before Him I lay;
But in the precious blood flowing
He washed all my sin stains away.

In Him, my gracious Redeemer,
My Prophet, my Priest and my King,
Mercy I find and forgiveness;
My all to His keeping I bring.

How can I keep from rejoicing?
I’ll sing of the joy of my soul,
Praising the love of my Savior,
While years of eternity roll.

Chorus
His grace aboundeth more,
His grace aboundeth more;
Tho’ sin abounded in my heart,
His grace aboundeth more.
     Kate Ulmer

O stubborn will of mine that ever asks to see

September 15

O stubborn will of mine that ever asks to see,
To know and understand the way God leadeth me;
Since He omniscient is, in Him my trust shall be-
God’s promise is enough for me.

No need of heart or soul but in His Word I see
Some precious hope made known as if alone for me;
Then if the way be dark I’ll shout triumphantly,
God’s promise is enough for me.

Above the storms of life secure my soul shall sing,
While here in peace I rest beneath His mighty wing;
His Word my refuge is, to it my faith shall cling-
God’s promise is enough for me.

Chorus
God’s promise is enough for me,
Enough for me, enough for me;
I’ll ask no more that I may see-
God’s promise is enough for me.
     Mrs. C. H. Morris

Take time to be holy

September 14

Take time to be holy,
Speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always,
And feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children;
Help those who are weak;
Forgetting in nothing
His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy,
The world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret
With Jesus alone-
By looking to Jesus,
Like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct
His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy,
Let Him be thy Guide,
And run not before Him,
Whatever betide;
In joy or in sorrow,
Still follow thy Lord,
And, looking to Jesus,
Still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy,
Be calm in thy soul;
Each thought and each motive
Beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit
To fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted
For service above.
     W. D. Longstaff

To the Lord who loved and saved us

September 13

To the Lord who loved and saved us,
Our hearts, our all we humbly bring;
We will spend each day He gives us
In business for our gracious King.

By the cross which He accepted,
And by His holy suffering,
We beseech you now to enter
The service of our gracious King.

By His glorious resurrection,
And by the boundless love we sing,
We will tell the world the pleasure
Of service for our gracious King.

There’s a home for all His people,
A song “His own” at last shall sing;
And we welcome you this moment
To service for our gracious King.

Chorus
“Be ye reconciled to God,”
Is the message now we bring;
All our life and ev’ry moment we will give
To the business of our King.
     Mrs. C. D. Martin

If the Savior helps you bear

September 12

If the Savior helps you bear
All your sorrow, all your care,
If your skies are always fair,
Help the world to love Him!
Serve Him with a purpose strong;
Fill your heart with joy and song;
Live for Him amidst the throng;
Help the world to love Him!

If He helps you to defeat
All the enemies you meet-
If He keeps you pure and sweet,
Help the world to love Him!
Ev’ry day your Savior own;
Make your joy to others known;
Keep it not for self alone;
Help the world to love Him!

If He turned your wayward feet
Into paths of pardon sweet,
If you find His love complete,
Help the world to love Him!
Let your heart be filled with praise;
Strive His standard high to raise;
Love Him, serve Him all your days;
Help the world to love Him!

Chorus
Serve Him with a purpose strong,
Fill your heart with joy and song,
Live for Him amidst the throng;
Help the world to love Him!
     James Rowe

For many years I wandered

September 11

For many years I wandered
In paths so dark and drear;
My soul was filled with sadness,
My heart was filled with fear:
But since I’ve found the Savior,
And at His feet I bow,
All things are O, so different!
And it’s all right now.

My heart is now rejoicing,
Filled with a Savior’s love;
I’m in the narrow pathway
That leads to life above;
I’ll follow Him forever,
Who died on Calv’ry’s brow;
For He’s my loving Savior,
And it’s all right now.

My Savior walks beside me,
And cheers me in the way;
His strong arm is around me,
Upholding day by day;
I know He saves and keeps me,
I cannot tell you how;
But if you’ll only trust Him,
‘Twill be all right now.

Refrain
It’s all right now, it’s all right now,
For Jesus is my Savior,
And it’s all right now.
     N. H. Lines

Cast thy bread upon the waters

September 10

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Ye who have but scant supply;
Angel eyes will watch above it,-
You shall find it by and by!
He who in His righteous balance
Doth each human action weigh,
Will your sacrifice remember,
Will your loving deeds repay.

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Poor and weary, worn with care;
Often sitting in the shadow,
Have you not a crumb to spare?
Can you not to those around you
Sing some little song of hope,
As you look with longing vision
Thro’ faith’s mighty telescope?

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Ye who have abundant store;
It may float on many a billow,
It may strand on many a shore;
You may think it lost forever,
But, as sure as God is true,
In this life or in the other,
It will yet return to you.

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Far and wide your treasure strew;
Scatter it with willing fingers,
Shout for joy to see it go!
For if you do closely keep it,
It will only drag you down;
If you love it more than Jesus,
It will keep you from your crown.

Cast thy bread upon the waters,
Waft it on with praying breath;
In some distant, doubtful moment
It may save a soul from death.
When you sleep in solemn silence,
‘Neath the morn and evening dew,
Stranger hands, which you have strengthened,
May strew lilies over you.
     Phoebe J. Hanaford

When the harvest waves in the ripened field

September 9

When the harvest waves in the ripened field,
There is work for all who will a sickle yield;
There’s a place for you-lift your eyes and see-
And I know there’s a place and work for me!

In the Church of God there is work for all;
There are dying souls to rescue-hear the call!
Tho’ I may not preach, nor a leader be,
Yet, I know there’s a place and work for me!

To His home above, far beyond the sky,
God will call His faithful servants by and by;
Where the palm trees wave by the crystal sea,
I am sure there’s a home and crown for me!

Chorus
Yes, O yes, there’s work that ought to be done;
Harvest days are swiftly passing, there’s no time for delay;
Who’ll go forth with joy to gather the grain,
Who will bear the precious sheaves away?
     Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Without measure, abundantly, Christ the Lord

September 8

Without measure, abundantly, Christ the Lord
Will the spirit of love unto us afford;
‘Tis a promise recorded in His own Word,
The Spirit of God without measure.

Without measure He’ll fit us His work to do,
And His marvelous grace will our strength renew;
For the pow’r that will carry us safely thro’
Is the Spirit of God without measure.

Without measure He’ll fill us with light divine,
And His glory and beauty thro’ us shall shine,
As we gladly our wills unto Him resign,
The Spirit of God without measure.

Chorus
Without measure our all at Thy feet we lay;
We claim the promise, dear Lord; we pray,
Fill us with the Spirit from day to day-
The Spirit of God without measure.
     Mrs. C. D. Martin

When we follow earthly splendor

September 7

When we follow earthly splendor,
Seeking only selfish ease,
Blessed Lord, we hear Thee saying,
“Do you love Me more than these?”

When the crowns of human glory
We, in blindness, try to seize,
We can catch the tender question:-
“Do you love Me more than these?”

Leaving home, and friends, and country,
Over land and over sea,
We would follow when Thou callest:-
“Do you love Me more than these?”

Chorus
More than these, more than these,
Do you love Me more than these?
More than these, more than these,
Do you love Me more than these?
     Jessie H. Brown

In a world so full of weeping

September 6

In a world so full of weeping,
While the years are rolling on,
Christian souls the watch are keeping,
While the years are rolling on.
While our journey we pursue,
With the haven still in view,
There is work for us to do,
While the years are rolling on.

There’s no time to waste in sighing,
While the years are rolling on;
Time is flying, souls are dying,
While the years are rolling on.
Loving words a soul may win,
From the wretched paths of sin;
We may bring the wand’rers in,
While the years are rolling on.

Let us strengthen one another,
While the years are rolling on;
Seek to raise a fallen brother,
While the years are rolling on.
This is work for ev’ry hand,
Till, throughout creation’s land,
Armies for the Lord shall stand,
While the years are rolling on.

Friends we love are quickly flying,
While the years are rolling on;
No more parting, no more dying,
While the years are rolling on.
In the world beyond the tomb
Sorrow nevermore can come,
When we meet in that blest home,
While the years are rolling on.

Chorus
Are rolling on, are rolling on,
O the joy that we may scatter,
While the years are rolling on.
     Harriet B. McKeever

“Kept by His pow’r”-no human arm upholding

September 5

“Kept by His pow’r”-no human arm upholding,
No human hand outstretched to point the way;
But God’s great love, His feeble child enfolding,
Is all sufficient for thy need each day.

“Kept by His pow’r”-when sun is brightly shining,
And glory crowns thy pathway with its light;
“Kept by His pow’r”-when daylight is declining,
And length’ning shadows tell of coming night.

“Kept” when the world for thee its smile is wreathing,
When skies are fair, and life with roses spread;
“Kept” when its frown to thee is bequeathing,
And clouds are massing darkly overhead.

His pow’r to keep is strong and true as ever;
No length of years can e’er its force abate;
His will to keep can never fail-no, never,
While Mercy stands at heav’n’s wide open gate.

Refrain
Kept by the pow’r of God unto salvation,
Ready to be revealed, revealed in the latter day;
Kept by the pow’r of God unto salvation,
Ready to be revealed in the latter day.
     Charlotte Murray

Since I gave myself to Jesus

September 4

Since I gave myself to Jesus,
Since His call I did obey,
O a brighter joy is dawning
On my soul from day to day!
More and more of love and goodness
In my Savior I can see,
More and more of richest blessing
Does His mercy give to me.

Since I gave myself to Jesus,
Placed my life ‘neath His control,
In the service of my Master,
Swift the happy moments roll.
Since I gave myself to Jesus,
Toil’s become a blessed thing,
For each task, however lowly,
Is a service for my King.

Since I gave myself to Jesus,
I have found a Friend so dear;
One who loves the same forever,
Always faithful, always near.
He has never failed nor left me
Since I took Him for my Guide;
Since I gave myself to Jesus,
I am fully satisfied.

Chorus
Since I gave myself to Jesus,
Since I chose the better part,
O there’s a song of glad thanksgiving
Ever ringing in my heart.
     Maud Frazer

Have a blessing ready

September 3

Have a blessing ready,
As you pass along,-
Have a word of kindness,
Or a cheering song;
Many dread the morrow,
With its frowning sky;
Give them hope and courage
Ere you pass them by.

Have a blessing ready
Sent from heav’n above;
Have a tender message,
Or a look of love;
There are souls that wander-
Do not question why;
Warn them of their danger
Ere you pass them by.

Have a blessing ready
With you all the while;
Have a precious promise,
Or a happy smile;
There are hearts that sorrow,
Tell them help is nigh;
Give them words of comfort
Ere you pass them by.

Chorus
Have a blessing ready
As you pass along;
Have a word of kindness,
Or a cheering song;
Bear another’s burden-
God has made you strong;
Have a blessing ready
As you pass along.
     James Rowe

In the warfare that is raging

September 2

In the warfare that is raging
For the truth and for the right,
When the conflict fierce is raging
With the powers of the night;
God needs people brave and true:
May He then depend on you?

See, they come on sable pinions,
Come in strong Satanic might,-
Powers come, and dark dominions,
From the regions of the night;
God requires the brave and true:
May He then depend on you?

From His throne the Father sees us;
Angels help us to prevail;
And our leader true is Jesus,
And we shall not, cannot fail:
Triumph crowns the brave and true,-
May the Lord depend on you?

Chorus
May the Lord depend on you?
Loyalty is but His due;
Say, O spirit, brave and true,
That He may depend on you.
     W. C. Martin

Smiles for the weary, smiles for the sad

September 1

Smiles for the weary, smiles for the sad,
Smiles for the lonely, making them glad;
Smiles like the sunshine, warming the heart,
Bidding the shadows softly depart.

Smiles full of kindness, born of His grace,
Deep hidden blessings shine in the face;
Coupled with action, helpful and true,
Winning the wand’rer, keeping him, too.

Smiles, because Jesus, reigning above,
Pardons and loves us,-wonderful love!
Smiles, for the Spirit comforts and cheers,
Wondrously forming rainbows from tears.

Chorus
Scattering smiles, sweet, sunny smiles,
Bringing to others the joy we sing;
Scattering smiles, sweet, sunny smiles,
Telling the love of Christ, our King.
     E. E. Hewitt