254 How blessed from the bonds of sin

1 How blessed from the bonds of sin And earthly fetters free, In singleness of heart and aim Thy servant, Lord, to be! The hardest toil to undertake With joy at Thy command, The meanest office to receive With meekness at Thy hand! 2 With willing heart and longing eyes To watch before Thy gate, Ready to run the weary race, To bear the heavy weight; No voice of thunder to expect, But follow calm and still, For love can easily divine The One Beloved's will. 3 Thus may I serve Thee, gracious Lord! Thus ever Thine alone, My soul and body given to Thee, The purchase Thou hast won: Through evil or through good report Still keeping Thee by side, And by my life or by my death, Let Christ be magnified! 4 How happily the working days In this dear service fly! How rapidly the closing hour, The time of rest, draws nigh! When all the faithful gather home, A joyful company, And ever where the Master is, Shall His best servants be.