O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee
O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee
O Master, let me walk with Thee
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear
The strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
By some clear, winning word of love;
Teach me the wayward feet to stay,
And guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me Thy patience; still with Thee
In closer, dearer company,
In work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
In trust that triumphs over wrong,
In hope that sends a shining ray
Far down the future’s broadening way,
In peace that only Thou canst give,
With Thee, O Master, let me live.
WASHINGTON GLADDEN believed that Christians should be involved in the world’s problems—and he wasn’t afraid to say so. A newspaperman-turned-clergyman, he crusaded against injustice. He fought against the infamous Tweed Ring that controlled New York City politics. He objected to John D. Rockefeller’s gift to his denomination’s foreign mission board because of the millionaire’s policies at Standard Oil. In his various churches, he often preached a social gospel, trying to rouse his congregation to the social and labor problems that were engulfing the country.
When Gladden wrote this hymn in 1879, he said the poem had no theological significance, but that it was an honest cry of human need and of the need for divine companionship. If our friendship with Jesus does not lead us to concern for our fellowman, then we’d better check to see how closely we are walking with the Master.
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2
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