Through The Hymnbook

Reverend Bert Jones: The beautiful chimes have been ringing "Work for the night is coming, when man's work is o'er." And with the ringing of the chimes, we invite you into the organ loft to enjoy some special music entitled "Through the Hymnbook." These words of the song "Work for the Night is Coming" are based on the words of Jesus Christ, and this song sets the theme for the music you will hear.

And so it behooves the child of God to work while there is yet time. Work before the night comes. And this time, we're going through the hymnbook looking for songs which speak of Christian service, Christian labor, Christian work.

And certainly, as we look for these songs of Christian service, Christian labor, Christian work, "Work for the Night is Coming" is one of those. Here's another song that uses the word work. It's the song that says "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes." And I begin by playing the chorus, which says exactly those words. We'll work till Jesus comes.

We'll work till Jesus comes and we'll be carried home. Here's a great gospel song. It used to be used a great deal in evangelistic services. It's called "I'm Happy in the Service of the King."

Great to be busy in the service of the King. Here's a great hymn of the church written long years ago by Horatius Bonar. He wrote a number of great songs, and this one shall live for a long time.

And as we're going through the hymnbooks looking for songs about Christian service, Christian labor, Christian work, certainly this is one that is an important song: "Go, Labor On, Spend and Be Spent." Thy joy to do the Father's will. It is the way the Master went. Should not the servant tread it still? Go, labor on.

Go, labor on. Enough while here if he shall praise thee. If he designs and deigns thy willing heart to mark and cheer, no toil for him shall be in vain. Toil on and in thy toil rejoice, for toil comes rest. Isn't that beautiful? For toil comes rest, for exile home. Soon shalt thou hear the Bridegroom's voice, the midnight peal, "Behold, I come." And so, go, labor on.

A great hymn by Charles Wesley fits into the category of hymns of service and work and labor. It's the song that says "A Charge to Keep I Have," a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save and fit it for the sky.

And then this great stanza used often at ordination services for ministers of the gospel: To serve the present age, my calling to fulfill. Oh, may it all my powers engage to do my Master's will. Help me to watch and pray and on thyself rely, assured if I my trust betray, I shall forever die.

You see, these authors considered it a matter of grave importance that we shall serve and do the Master's will when we should do it. Going through the hymnbook and we're looking for songs that speak of Christian service, Christian labor, Christian work.

It's good to be busy about the Master's business. Good to be working for him, and what a thrill. Give of the best to your Master. Give of the strength of your youth. What a thought.

Help me to bear the fret of toil and the heaviness of care. One thing is sure as we study these great old hymns on service and work and labor, none of these authors expected working for the Lord always to be easy.

They knew there would be hardships as good workmen of the Lord Jesus Christ. All right, continuing, looking through the books, several books, looking for songs of service and labor and Christian work.

And here's an interesting song. What an interesting song this is. When I've done the best I can, when the world doesn't even seem to understand, then the Lord will carry me home.

How good to know he'll understand and he will say well done. Another song says when my life work is ended and I cross that tide, I shall know him, I shall know him.

And still another looking forward says, "When all my labors and trials shall cease and all the trials are o'er, then it will be glory for me." Say, we're inspired, aren't we, to keep on keeping on?

Inspired by the hymns and the gospel songs of the church to keep true and faithful, to keep working in spite of the problems. Bye-bye, and you keep singing and keep working too.