How Shall I Follow Him I Serve?

Verse 1

How shall I follow Him I serve? How shall I copy Him I love? Nor from those blessed footsteps swerve, Which lead me to His seat above?

Verse 2

Privations, sorrows, bitter scorn, The life of toil, the mean abode, The faithless kiss, the crown of thorn,-- Are these the consecrated road?

Verse 3

'Twas thus He suffered, though a Son, Foreknowing, choosing, feeling all, Until the perfect work was done, And drunk the bitter cup of gall.

Verse 4

Lord, should my path through suffering lie, Forbid it I should e'er repine; Still let me turn to Calvary, Nor heed my griefs, remembering Thine.

Verse 5

O let me think how Thou didst leave Untasted every pure delight, To fast, to faint, to watch, to grieve, The toilsome day, the homeless night:--

Verse 6

To faint, to grieve, to die for me! Thou camest, not Thyself to please; And, dear as earthly comforts be, Shall I not love Thee more than these?

Verse 7

Yes, I would count them all but loss, To gain the notice of Thine eye: Flesh shrinks and trembles at the cross, But Thou canst give the victory.