Commissioning Hymn

Today and next week I'm being commissioned by the elders at The Bible Talks (tonight) and Christ Church Mayfair (next Sunday morning, DV). At both services we'll be singing this great hymn - which I commend to all of our attentions.

I'm trying to memorise it - which is comparatively easy because the tune helps out. Then, of course, there's the business of trying to live it...

(Tune = Aurelia, often used for The Church's One Foundation)

Facing a task unfinished,
That drives us to our knees,
A need that, undiminished,
Rebukes our slothful ease:
We, who rejoice to know Thee,
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known.

We bear the torch that flaming
Fell from the hands of those
Who gave their lives proclaiming
That Jesus died and rose.
Ours is the same commission,
The same glad message ours;
Fired by the same ambition,
To Thee we yield our powers.

Where other lords beside Thee
Hold their unhindered sway,
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today;
With none to heed their crying
For life, and love, and light,
Unnumbered souls are dying,
And pass into the night.

O Father who sustained them,
O Spirit who inspired,
Saviour, whose love constrained them
To toil with zeal untired,
From cowardice defend us,
From lethargy awake!
Forth on Thine errands send us
To labour for Thy sake.

Frank Houghton.
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