1 He liveth long who liveth well;
All else is being flung away;
He liveth longest who can tell
Of true things truly done each day.
2 Be what thou seemest; live thy creed;
Hold up to earth the torch divine;
Be what thou prayest to be made;
Let the great Master's steps be thine.
3 Fill up each hour with what will last;
Use well the moments as they go;
The life above, when this is past,
Is the ripe fruit of life below.
4 Sow truth, if thou the truth wouldst reap;
Who sows the false shall reap the vain;
Upright and sound thy conscience keep;
From hollow words and deeds refrain.
5 Sow love, and taste its fruitage pure;
Sow peace, and reap its harvest bright;
Sow sunbeams on the rock and moor,
And find a harvest-home of light.
Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #362
Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >| First Line: | He liveth long who liveth well |
| Author: | Horatius Bonar (1864) |
| Language: | English |
| Copyright: | Public Domain |
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