Wesley Corpus

While we labour for him And each moment redeem, His service we own Our freedom indeed, and our heaven begun: If he give us a smile We are paid for our toil, If our work he approve, 'Tis a work of the Lord, and a labour of love. Page 141 Our wages are sure Who his burthen endure: And we cannot complain Of our daily delight as a wearisome pain; The labour is o're And fatigues us no more When a moment is past, But the blessed effect shall eternally last. The Master's Hymn. Jesus, my Master in the sky, Govern and guide me with thine eye, And teach me to fulfil With strict fidelity and just, The charge committed to my trust, And answer all thy will. Not harsh, imperious, or austere, But gentle to my servants here I would thy word obey, Render to each his lawful right, And rule my house, as in thy sight, With mild paternal sway. To persons thou hast no respect: And shall I scornfully reject My meanest servant's plea! Is he not (by my Maker made, And in the sacred balance weigh'd,) As dear to God as me? Brethren in our Creator's eyes, I dare not injure, or despise The workmanship of God, Who me their earthly lord confess, Heirs of my Saviour's righteousness, And bought with all his blood. Page 142 Then let me tenderly intreat, And give them what is right and meet, As thou to me hast given; But make their souls my chiefest care, Their souls as in my bosom bear, And train them up for heaven. I would in Abraham's footsteps go, Instruct my house their God to know, And walk in all thy ways, Till each th' allotted work hath done, And wafted to the land unknown Appears before thy face. Master supreme, I look to thee For grace and wisdom from above! Vested with thy authority Indue me with thy patient love; That taught, according to thy will To rule my family aright, I may th' appointed charge fulfil With all my heart and all my might. Inferiors as a sacred trust I from the sovereign Lord receive, That what is suitable and just Impartial I to each may give; Ore'look them with a guardian's eye, From vice and wickedness restrain, Mistakes or lesser faults pass by, And govern with a looser rein.