Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?

Representative Text

1 “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him,
Must I empty-handed go?

2 Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow. [Refrain]

3 Oh, the years in sinning wasted,
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow. [Refrain]

4 Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may. [Refrain]

Timeless Truths

Author: Charles C. Luther

(no biographical information available about Charles C. Luther.) Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Must I go, and empty handed
Title: Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?
Author: Charles C. Luther (1877)
Meter: 8.7.8.7 D
Language: English
Notes: Swahili translation: See "Mbele yake Mwokozi wangu"
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

After a month only of Christian life, nearly all of it upon a sick bed, a young man of nearly thirty years lay dying. Suddenly a look of sadness crossed his face, and to the query of a friend he exclaimed: "No, I am not afraid, Jesus saves me now; but oh, must I go, and empty handed?" —Crowning Glory No. 1, 1890, Hymn 138.

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 7 of 7)

Church Gospel Songs and Hymns #143

Praise for the Lord (Expanded Edition) #437

Audio

Small Church Music #2906

Page Scan

Soul-stirring Songs and Hymns (Rev. ed.) #387

TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #4388

TextPage Scan

Worship and Service Hymnal #456

TextAudio

Timeless Truths #603

Include 110 pre-1979 instances
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us