"My Father, can I learn so hard a task?”
“You must. No more, my child, of you I ask
Than He has done—
‘My well-beloved Son!”
“Must I be nothing? Must I nothing do?”
“Nothing, my child; Christ has done all for you.
You cannot buy—
The price is all too high.
Freely I give,
Only ` Believe and live.'”
Enough! Give Thou the humble heart and I consent.
Oh, make me nothing, and therewith content.
My gain is loss,
My trust is in the cross.
Hold me; I'm weak, I fall;
Be Thou mine all in all.
Here give me, Lord, some quiet place,
Where I can work, and yet behold Thy face.
While Thou shalt bid me stay,
Keep my feet steadfast in Thy way;
They must not tire
Till Thou shalt bid me "Come up higher";
I will be nothing still,
That Christ alone the heaven of heavens may fill.
Yet set me, Lord, a little glowing gem
Upon His diadem,
To shed my tiny ray,
Among the splendors of His crowning day;
Though unperceived, I still should like to shine
A tribute glory on that brow divine.
And let me raise
One little note of praise,
Though hardly heard among the myriad voices
When the redeemed church in Christ rejoices,
That it may blend
With angel hallelujahs that ascend,
A lowly offering to my Saviour friend.
Lord, I am nothing: Christ in all must shine,
Do with me as Thou wilt, for I am Thine.