Acknowledging God’s Claims
It was at one of the anniversaries of the London Missionary Society at Queen’s Hall, London. There were present a number of young men and women who were about to leave for their several mission fields. Instead of some modern hymns which are convicted of false sentiment, there was selected Doddridge’s hymn for this notable occasion. The first verse is:
“My gracious Lord, I own Thy right
To every service I can pay,
And call it my supreme delight
To hear Thy dictates and obey.”
One can imagine the enthusiasm of those prospective missionaries as they sang:
“’Tis to my Saviour I would live
To Him who for my ransom died;
Nor could all worldly honor give
Such bliss as crowns me at His side.”
The courage of conviction was strikingly exhibited in connection with a well-known chorus,