THE CHURCH
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS

(87.87. D.) R. C. H. 378

by HENRY DOWNTON, 1818 85

Lord, her watch Thy church is keeping
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few". Matt 9:37
Lord, her watch Thy church is keeping;
When shall earth Thy rule obey?
When shall end the night of weeping
When shall break the promised day?
See the whitening harvest languish,
Waiting still the labourers' toil;
Was it vain, Thy son's deep anguish?
Shall the strong retain the spoil?
Tidings, sent to every creature,
Millions yet have never heard;
Can they hear without a preacher?
Lord Almighty, give the word.
Give the word; in every nation
Let the gospel trumpet sound,
Witnessing a world's salvation,
To the earth's remotest bound.
Then the end, -Tthy church completed.
All Thy chosen gathered in,
With their king in glory seated,
Satan bound, and banished sin,
Gone for ever parting, weeping.
Hunger, sorrow, death, and pain
Lo! her watch Thy church is keeping:
Come, Lord Jesus, come to reign