MHB 158 – THOU say’st : Take up thy cross

Methodist-Hymns-158

1: THOU say’st : Take up thy cross,
O man, and follow Me.
The night is black, the feet are slack;
Yet we would follow Thee.

2: But, O dear Lord, we cry,
That we Thy face could see:
Thy blessèd face one moment’s space—
Then might we follow Thee.

3: Dim tracts of time divide
Those golden days from me;
Thy voice comes strange o’er years of change;
How can we follow Thee?

4: Comes faint and far Thy voice
From vales of Galilee;
Thy vision fades in ancient shades;
How should we follow Thee?

5: O heavy cross—of faith
In what we cannot see:
As once of yore Thyself restore,
And help to follow Thee

6: If not as once Thou camest
In true humanity,
Come yet as Guest within the breast
That burns to follow Thee.

7: Within our hearts of hearts
In nearest nearness be;
Set up Thy throne within Thine own;
Go, Lord-we follow Thee.