A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) ‎#386

386. Ordination

Thy servant’s sandals, Lord, are wet
With Jordan’s wave but lately met,
And in that sacred river fall
The olden thoughts, the spirit’s pall.

He stands upon the holy land,
And angels take his trustful hand;
The Jordan sanctifies his breast,
And Christ now leads him to his rest.

His rest? his battle! he must win
Fair Zion’s gate through ranks of sin;
Why are these words, this solemn show,
If sin be not his deadly foe?

There gathers here no heavenly host;
No fiery tongues of Pentecost,—
No gentle dove with winnowing wings
The spirit to thy servant brings.

The still, small voice hath called him here,
And thus is God himself most near:—
My people, lift your hearts in prayer,
And keep your God forever there.

Text Information

• First Line: Thy servant's sandals, Lord, are wet
• Title: Ordination
• Meter: L. M.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1866

Tune Information

(No tune information)