I need not trouble for the morrow

December 31

I need not trouble for the morrow,
For I am in my Father’s care;
He will go with me as I journey,
For all my need He will prepare.

I need not either thirst or hunger;
His grace will never be denied;
He leads me to the living waters;
His daily manna is supplied.

I need not an abiding city,
For “I can tarry but a night;”
My heart, my treasures, are in Heaven,
My raiment is a robe of white.

O may my faith increase before Him,
My service here His blessing gain;
Let me seek first my Father’s kingdom,
For all beside must be in vain!

Chorus
I know that He provides the lilies,
His eye each falling sparrow sees;
And so my soul will fear no evil,
For I am more to Him than these.
     Ina Duley Ogdon

Along life’s rugged, thorny way

December 30

Along life’s rugged, thorny way,
Keep praying, toiling on;
There soon will dawn a brighter day,
Keep praying, toiling on.
The trials you have had are past;
Bear patiently the ones thou hast;
If others come, they will not last,
Keep praying, toiling on.

All fears and gloomy doubts discard,
Keep praying, toiling on;
Faith never fails of its reward,
Keep praying, toiling on.
Hold firm and steadfast to the end;
From duty do not swerve or bend;
For help, on Him you can depend;
Keep praying, toiling on.

If griefs seem more than you can bear,
Keep praying, toiling on;
For praying lightens every care,
Keep praying, toiling on.
The Saviour has great sympathy
For struggling mortals such as we;
And He will give us victory-
Keep praying, toiling on.

Chorus
Keep praying, toiling,
Praying, toiling on;
There soon will dawn a brighter day,
Keep praying, toiling on.
     J. T. Latta

Oh, sometimes the shadows are deep

December 29

Oh, sometimes the shadows are deep,
And rough seems the path to the goal;
And sorrows, how often they sweep,
Like tempests, down over the soul!

Oh, sometimes how long seems the day,
And sometimes how heavy my feet;
But, toiling in life’s dusty way,
The Rock’s blessed shadow, how sweet!

Oh, near to the Rock let me keep,
Or blessings, or sorrows prevail;
Or climbing the mountain way steep,
Or walking the shadowy vale.

Chorus
Oh, then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I;
Oh, then to the Rock let me fly,
To the Rock that is higher than I.
     E. Johnson

More like Jesus would I be

December 28

More like Jesus would I be;
Let my Saviour dwell with me,
Fill my soul with peace and love,
Make me gentle as a dove;
More like Jesus, while I go,
Pilgrim in this world below;
Poor in spirit would I be-
Let my Saviour dwell in me.

If He hears the raven’s cry;
If His ever watchful eye
Marks the sparrows when they fall,
Surely He will hear my call,
He will teach me how to live,
All my sinful tho’ts forgive;
Pure in heart I still would be-
Let my Saviour dwell in me.

More like Jesus when I pray,
More like Jesus day by day,
May I rest me by His side,
Where the tranquil waters glide;
Born of Him, thro’ grace renewed,
By His love my will subdued,
Rich in faith I still would be-
Let my Saviour dwell in me.
     Fanny J. Crosby

O eyes that are weary and hearts that are sore

December 27

O eyes that are weary and hearts that are sore!
Look off unto Jesus, now sorrow no more!
The light of His countenance shineth so bright,
That here, as in heaven, there need be no night.

While looking to Jesus my heart can not fear;
I tremble no more when I see Jesus near;
I know that His presence my safeguard will be,
For “why are you troubled,” He saith unto me.

Still looking to Jesus, oh, may I be found,
When Jordan’s dark waters encompass me round;
They bear me away in His presence to be:
I see Him still nearer whom always I see.

Then, then shall I know the full beauty and grace
Of Jesus, my Lord, when I stand face to face;
Shall know how His love went before me each day,
And wonder that ever my eyes turned away. 
     John N. Darby

My heart is in the Homeland

December 26

My heart is in the Homeland,
Where every storm shall cease,
Where blooms eternal summer,
And all is love and peace;
There dwell the tried and faithful,
No more with care oppressed,
For sorrow can not enter
The golden land of rest,
For sorrow can not enter
The golden land of rest.

My heart is in the Homeland,
That realm of endless day,
Where He, my Lord and Saviour,
Will wipe all tears away;
My tho’ts are in the Homeland
Among the pure and blest,
No sin nor night can enter
The golden land of rest,
No sin nor night can enter
The golden land of rest.

My heart is in the Homeland,
And there I soon shall be;
My friends are in the Homeland,
They wait and watch for me;
Oh, joyful, joyful meeting,
With those forever blest,
No parting in the Homeland,
The golden land of rest,
No parting in the Homeland,
The golden land of rest.
     Fanny J. Crosby

Tho’ the night be dark and dreary

December 25

Tho’ the night be dark and dreary,
Tho’ the way be long and weary
Morn shall bring thee light and cheer;
Child, look up, the dawn is near.

Tho’ thine eyes are sad with weeping,
Thro’ the night thy vigils keeping,
God shall wipe thy tears away,
Turn thy darkness into day.

Tho’ thy spirit faints with fasting
Thro’ the hours so slowly wasting,
Morn shall bring a glorious feast,
Thou shalt sit an honored guest.

Chorus
There’ll be joy by and by;
There’ll be joy by and by,
In the dawning of the morning,
There’ll be joy by and by.
     Mrs. E. C. Ellsworth

Sometime, I can not tell how soon

December 24

Sometime, I can not tell how soon,
My Lord to me will say:
“It is enough, thy task is done,
Come thou from earth away.”
Sometime, I know not when ‘twill be;
But this, O Lord, I ask of Thee,
May I, when Thou shalt call for me,
Be ready in that day.

Somewhere, to me it is not known,
Where that blest place may be;
I shall behold Him on His throne,
And all His beauty see.
Somewhere, but where I can not tell;
Yet He who doeth all things well,
To that fair hav’n where He doth dwell,
My faithful guide will be.

Somewhere, sometime, the cares and woes
That rise like phantoms grim,
Shall vanish in the light that glows
Beyond earth’s shadows dim.
Then let no doubt or fear molest;
My Father knoweth what is best;
Enough for me that I shall rest,
Somewhere, sometime with Him.

Chorus
Somewhere, I know not where,
Tho’ where or when I can not tell,
I shall in peace forever dwell,
With Him, somewhere, sometime.
     Mrs. Ida M. Budd
 

Hear the words of consolation

December 23

Hear the words of consolation,
Floating down the aisles of time,
Sounding mid earth’s tribulations,
Like a sweet celestial chime.
‘Tis the tender voice of Jesus
Bringing comfort sweet and true;
“In the house of many mansions
I’ll prepare a place for you.”

What a blessed rest He giveth!
Rest from care and fear and sin;
Trust in Him who “ever liveth,”
Peace, a welcome guest, within,
Letting Jesus bear our burdens,
While His promise rings anew;
“In the house of many mansions
I’ll prepare a place for you.”

Take the precious consolation;
Come to Him, and there abide;
Oh, the joy of His salvation
When we tarry at His side.
Still above the fleeting shadows
Smiles the radiant, changeless blue;
“In the house of many mansions
I’ll prepare a place for you.”

Chorus
I’ll prepare a place for you,
I’ll prepare a place for you;
In the house of many mansions,
I’ll prepare a place for you.
     E. E. Hewitt

December 22

There is a blessed home
Beyond this land of woe,
Where trials never come,
Nor tears of sorrow flow;
Where faith is lost in sight,
And patient hope is crowned,
And everlasting light
Its glory throws around.

Oh, joy all joys beyond,
To see the Lamb who died,
And count each sacred wound
In hands, and feet, and side!
To give to Him the praise
Of every triumph won,
And sing thro’ endless days
The great things He hath done.

Look up, ye saints of God!
Nor fear to tread below
The path your Savior trod
Of daily toil and woe!
Wait but a little while
In uncomplaining love!
His own most gracious smile
Shall welcome you above.
     H. W. Baker

Oh, think of the home over there

December 21

Oh, think of the home over there,
By the side of the river of light,
Where the saints, all immortal and fair,
Are robed in their garments of white.
Refrain
Over there, over there,
Oh, think of the home over there;
Over there, over there, over there,
Oh, think of the home over there.

Oh, think of the friends over there,
Who before us the journey have trod;
Of the songs that they breathe on the air,
In their home in the palace of God.
Refrain
Over there, over there,
Oh, think of the friends over there;
Over there, over there, over there,
Oh, think of the friends over there.

I’ll soon be at home over there,
For the end of my journey I see,
Many dear to my heart over there,
Are watching and waiting for me.
Refrain
Over there, over there,
I’ll soon be at home over there;
Over there, over there, over there,
I’ll soon be at home over there.
     D. W. C. Huntington

We praise Thee, O God; in Thy name we rejoice

December 20

We praise Thee, O God; in Thy name we rejoice,
We worship before Thee with the harp and the voice;
For favors unnumbered sweet anthems we sing,
For bounties unmeasured glad offerings we bring;
Thou Father, all gracious, who heedest our call,
Thou King of all kindness, Thou Ruler of all.
We praise Thee, O God, we praise Thee, O God.

We praise Thee, O God, for the gifts of Thy hand,
So free and so precious over all this fair land;
Thou givest the sunshine, Thou sendest the rain,
Thou gladdenest the pasture, Thou ripenest the grain;
The harvest Thou bringest in billows of gold,
The glad year Thou crownest with goodness untold.
We praise Thee, O God, we praise Thee, O God.

We praise Thee, O God, for the light of Thy word,
The message of mercy we in gladness have heard;
For Jesus, Thy Son, who for sinful man came,
For joys of salvation thro’ faith in His name;
For strength in the conflict victorious to be,
For hope of the glory of heaven with Thee.
We praise Thee, O God, we praise Thee, O God.
     Palmer Hartsough

Oh, scatter seeds of loving deeds

December 19

Oh, scatter seeds of loving deeds,
Along the fertile field,
For grain will grow from what you sow,
And fruitful harvest yield.

Tho’ sown in tears thro’ weary years,
The seed will surely live;
Tho’ great the cost it is not lost,
For God will fruitage give.

The harvest-home of God will come,
And after toil and care;
With joy untold your sheaves of gold,
Will all be garnered there.

Chorus
Then day by day along your way,
The seeds of promise cast,
That ripened grain from hill and plain,
Be gathered home at last.
     Jessie H. Brown

Sooner or later the wrong will be righted

December 18

Sooner or later the wrong will be righted,
Sooner or later the wicked will fail;
Sooner or later the dark will be lighted,
Sooner or later the good will prevail.

Sooner or later the load will be lighter,
Sooner or later the struggle will cease;
Sooner or later the sky will be brighter,
Spanned by the beautiful rainbow of peace.

Sooner or later the doubts and the dangers,
All will be over, forever and aye;
Sooner or later will travel-worn strangers
Enter the home at the end of the way.

Refrain
Sooner or later, ah, sooner or later,
Heaven will show us the false and the true;
Sooner or later, ah, sooner or later,
God will reward us for all that we do.
     Jessie H. Brown

Put your hand to the plow and go straight ahead

December 17

Put your hand to the plow and go straight ahead,
But never, never look back!
For you can not again live the years that are fled,
So never, never look back.
Before you is work for the Crucified One,
Before you is rest when your day’s work is done;
Before you a crown, when the race you have run,
So never, never look back.

Put your hand to the plow, the goal is in sight,-
But never, never look back!
You must trust in the Lord, and be true to the right,
So never, never look back.
Behind is the past, with its sin and despair;
Behind are the years, filled with sorrow and care;
Before you is life in that country so fair,
Then never, never look back.

Put your hand to the plow, there’s much to be done,
But never, never look back!
For the work of the Master is only begun,
So never, never look back.
Before you are tears you may help wipe away;
Before you are hearts filled with doubt and dismay;
Go, point them to Jesus and help on the way,
But never, never look back.

Chorus
Never, no, never look back!
Never, no, never look back!
If a crown you would wear,
There’s a cross you must bear,
So, never, never look back!
     Johnson Oatman, Jr.

Jesus knows earth’s cares and sorrows

December 16

Jesus knows earth’s cares and sorrows,
Thro’ Death’s valley has He been;
At the bench He toiled and suffered,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”

His great heart will bear our burdens,
On Him you can ever lean;
He knows all our hopes and longings,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”

Comfort gives He to the beggar,
Freely as unto a queen,
For His love indeed is boundless,
Christ, the “Lowly Nazarene.”

Chorus
Lord of earth and sky forever,
Christ, the Lord, with power supreme!
Born of woman in a manger,
Once a “Lowly Nazarene.”
     William H. Gardner

O soldier of the living God

December 15

O soldier of the living God,
Press on, His victories win!
Tho’ principalities and powers
You fight without, within.
A bloodstained banner goes before,
Once borne by martyred throng;
And, while a cross of shame they bore,
Their lips proclaimed the song

O soldier of the living God,
Pray on! prayer is the power
That nerves the heart with bravery
In each unguarded hour.
When Satan and his mighty host
Their toils around you fling,
Mount on the wings of faith and prayer,
Triumphantly to sing

O soldier of the living God,
Fight on, nor fear the foe;
Led by a mighty Conqueror,
Defeat you cannot know.
Go forth His power to proclaim,
To battle for your King;
And, as you conquer in His name,
The song of triumph sing,

Chorus
Of “victory! victory!”
Loudly in triumph sing;
Victory! victory thro’
Jesus, Immanuel, King.
     Effie S. Black

O Lord, be with us when we sail

December 14

O Lord, be with us when we sail
Upon the lonely deep,
Our guard, when on the silent deck
The nightly watch we keep.

We need not fear, tho all around
‘Mid rising winds we hear
The multitude of waters surge;
For Thou, O God, art near.

The calm, the breeze, the gale, the storm,
The ocean and the land,
All, all are Thine, and held within
The hollow of Thy hand.

As when on blue Gennesaret
Rose high the angry wave,
And thy disciples quailed in dread,
One word of Thine could save;

So when the fiercer storms arise
From man’s unbridled will,
Be Thou, Lord, present in our hearts
To whisper, “Peace, be still.”
     E. A. Dayman

There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master’s feet

December 13

There is rest, sweet rest, at the Master’s feet,
There is favor now at the mercy-seat,
For atoning blood has been sprinkled there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

There is grace to help in our time of need,
For our Friend above is a friend indeed,
We may cast on Him every grief and care;
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

When our songs are glad with the joy of life,
When our hearts are sad with its ills and strife,
When the powers of sin would the soul ensnare,
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

There is perfect peace tho the wild waves roll;
There are gifts of love for the seeking soul;
Till we praise the Lord in His home so fair,
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.

Refrain
There’s a blessing in prayer, in believing prayer;
When our Saviour’s name to the throne we bear,
Then a Father’s love will receive us there;
There is always a blessing, a blessing in prayer.
     E. E. Hewitt

A light shines on my pilgrim way

December 12

A light shines on my pilgrim way,
That once to me was dim,
And earth seems bright where’er I stray
Since I am led by Him,
By Him in whom I place my trust;
For shelter now I flee
To Him who knows I am but dust-
Jesus who died for me!

Oh, boundless is His love divine,
Amazing is His grace;
Lo, I am His, and He is mine,
And I shall see His face!
Oh, blessed thought, when day is done
My spirit shall be free;
Through Him the vict’ry shall be won,
For Jesus died for me!

At morn, or noon, or yet at night,
Perchance His voice shall call;
And when my spirit takes its flight
To where no tears shall fall,
Still trusting in the love divine,
Through all eternity,
I’ll sing His praise, whose peace is mine,
For Jesus died for me!

Chorus
Oh, wondrous love, vouchsafed for me,
When Jesus died on Calvary!
In Him I trust, to Him I flee,
And ‘tis enough, He died for me!
     Laura E. Newell

The Saviour is summoned to trial again

December 11

The Saviour is summoned to trial again,
Depending, my brother, on you
To speak as His witness to perishing men,
And tell what His power can do.

Thy heart is the home where He deigneth to dwell,
He reaches lost sinners through thee;
He uses thy lips the good tidings to tell:
Thy faithfulness setteth men free.

Your hope of o’ercoming the arch foe is through
The blood of the Lamb and thy word,
Confessing the grace He extended to you,
Acknowledging blessings conferred.

The Master is waiting to hear you confess
His goodness and mercy, so great;
Your word may save others from sin and distress;
Some future time may be too late.

Chorus
Tell it, tell it,
Lest Jesus should trust you in vain!
Did He die in your place,
Did He grant you His grace,
And can you in silence remain?
     Charles Wesley Fletcher

All glory to my Saviour

December 10

All glory to my Saviour,
For He hath made me free;
There’s joy among the angels,
They’re singing over me;
The precious blood of Calv’ry
Is cleansing me from sin,
And in my ransomed spirit
The songs of heav’n begin.

There’s joy among the angels,
They sweep their harps of gold
O’er one poor sinner turning
To seek the Shepherd’s fold;
O come, dear friend, to Jesus,
And you’ll be happy too,
And set the blessed angels
A singing over you!

Sing on, sing on, bright angels,
There’s purer bliss above!
My Saviour’s joy is greater,
For greater is His love;
When one repentant sinner
He welcomes to His breast,
In raptured hallelujahs
He leadeth all the rest!

Chorus
Glory, glory, glory to my Saviour!
Glory, glory, sing His grace so free!
There’s joy among the angels
Around the crystal sea;
All glory to my Saviour-
They’re singing over me!
     L. H. Edmunds

I want no other hand, O Lord

December 9

I want no other hand, O Lord,
But Thine my guide to be,
For well I know thro’ all my life
Thou wilt remember me.

No tongue can tell the joy I feel
Since I am one with Thee;
And this my song the whole day long:
Thou wilt remember me.

Thy Spirit’s seal is on my heart,
Thy image there I see;
And ev’ry hour the witness have
Thou wilt remember me.

No pow’r shall break my firm resolve
To live and die in Thee;
For grace thro’ faith has taught my soul
Thou wilt remember me.

Chorus
Thou wilt remember me, O Lord,
Thou wilt remember me!
Thy Word has said, and I believe,
Thou wilt remember me.
     Fanny J. Crosby

He came from the bosom of God

December 8

He came from the bosom of God,
He exiled Himself from His throne;
The path of affliction He trod
Was trodden by Jesus alone.

Despised and rejected of men,
Acquainted with sorrow was He;
Dishonored again and again
The Sinless consented to be.

His back to the smiters He gave,
His face unto mocking and shame;
Obedient e’en to the grave
Our lowly Redeemer became.

But hark!  He arose from the dead;
The battle with sin has been won;
The price of the blood that He shed
Is glory already begun.

Chorus
There is glory enough for us all,
Glory already begun!
In the victory Jesus has won
There is glory, glory, there is glory,
Yes, glory enough for us all!
     James M. Gray

Uncounted years may not suffice

December 7

Uncounted years may not suffice
To understand the grace
Which furnished me a sacrifice
To suffer in my place.

Not worlds of wealth or human worth
Could e’er redeem the lost;
The love which brought God’s Son to earth
Alone could meet the cost.

In Him God’s grace and justice meet,
The smitten Rock of God;
I take the living water, sweet,
He takes the smiting rod.

And can I look upon that face,
Still scarred with wounds for me,
And e’er forget that loving grace
Alone has set me free?

Chorus
Grace, wonderful grace,
Providing a pardon for me;
Grace, wonderful grace,
Offered so free on Calvary!
     Charles Wesley Fletcher

If raindrops fall when most you wish for sunshine

December 6

If raindrops fall when most you wish for sunshine,
Grieve thou no more;
Behind the clouds the sun is ever shining,
Storms will pass o’er.

If sorrow deep in heaven’s love and mercy
Should us enshroud,
Be sure God’s wisdom sees the silver lining
Behind the cloud.

If o’er the new-made grave tears are falling,
Faith points above
To where the light of His dear face is shining
On those we love.

What though the cares of life press thick upon you,
Never despair:
For since God watches, nothing shall befall that
You cannot bear.

Chorus
God’s skies are blue,
And shine with heaven’s radiance
Each gloomy day;
Although His hand lets fall a cloudy curtain,
It will pass away!
     Ella Lauder

Glory to God for the joy to meet

December 5

Glory to God for the joy to meet
Here at the hour of prayer;
Welcome the bliss of communion sweet
Here at the hour of prayer!

Far from the world we may turn away
Here at the hour of prayer;
Gladly we rest from the toils of day
Here at the hour of prayer.

Rich are the blessings that all may seek
Here at the hour of prayer;
Grace for the weary, the faint, the weak,
Here at the hour of prayer.

Oh, what a holy and calm repose
Here at the hour of prayer!
Love in its fulness the heart o’erflows
Here at the hour of prayer.

Chorus
Nearer the gate to the soul’s bright home,
Nearer the vales where the faithful roam,
Nearer to God and the Lamb we come,
Here at the hour of prayer.
     Fanny J. Crosby

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord

December 4

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
And to praise in cheerful lay,
For His faithfulness ev’ry night shows forth,
And His mercy ev’ry day.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
On the harp of solemn sound,
On an instrument of the sweetest strings,
For His works the wide world round.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
For His tho’ts are very deep;
Lo!  His enemies shall be scattered far,
But the righteous shall He keep.

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord,
And to let His fruit be seen,
For the trees of God are like Lebanon,
And their leaf is ever green.

Chorus
Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!
And His wondrous name adore!
Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!
For He is Most High forevermore!
     James M. Gray

Needful strength for me each day

December 3

Needful strength for me each day,
Strength to walk in duty’s way;
For my Saviour says to me:
“As thy days thy strength shall be.”

Strength the heavy yoke to wear,
Strength my daily cross to bear;
In the battle fought with sin,
Strength the victory to win.

Strength when beams of pleasure glow,
Love’s surpassing joy to show;
When the shadows gather dim,
Strength because I lean on Him.

Wouldst thou have this blessed strength,
Offered all the journey’s length?
Close to Jesus ever be,
He will give this strength to thee.

Chorus
“As thy days thy strength shall be”-
Oh, what grace His words display!
All along my pilgrim way
Jesus gives me strength each day.
     E. E. Hewitt

Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face

December 2

Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face
As along life’s rough highway you pass;
It will brighten and cheer many souls that are dear,
If you carry the sunshine of grace.

Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face
When the wind’s of temptation blow hard;
It will quell ev’ry blast, and give vict’ry at last,
If you carry the sunshine of grace.

Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face
When the dark clouds of sorrow hang low;
It will brighten the gloom, bringing happiness soon,
If you carry the sunshine of grace.

Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face
When the death angel knocks at your door;
It will banish death’s sting, and triumphant you’ll sing
As you soar to the kingdom of grace.

Chorus
Just carry the sunshine of grace in your face;
It will brighten and cheer many souls that are dear,
If you carry the sunshine of grace.
     E. A. Shewell

Thro’ toil and sorrow, thro’ pain and strife

December 1

Thro’ toil and sorrow, thro’ pain and strife,
Thro’ days of blessing and all thro’ life,
His Word is faithful:  where’er we roam
He will be with us till we get home.
Chorus
Till we get home, till we get home,
He will be with us till we get home!

Tho’ oft the journey seems dark and drear,
And rough the pathway we travel here,
Still He is leading where’er we roam,
His pow’r will keep us till we get home.
Chorus
Till we get home, till we get home,
He will be with us till we get home!

He will not suffer us to be tried
More than we’re able, and will provide
A way more blessed for us who roam,-
His presence with us till we get home.
Chorus
Till we get home, till we get home,
He will be with us till we get home!

All thro’ the journey of life below,
His blessed Spirit He will bestow,
And wondrous glory is yet to come
After the struggle, when we get home.
Chorus
When we get home, when we get home,
And wondrous glory when we get home!
     E. O. Sellers