BLESS Thy servants, Lord, uphold them, Called in other lands to sow; Guide, protect, inspire and help them, O assure them as they go; Be Thou with them: All Thy comforts may they know.
Friends and home and all forsaking, Lord, they go at Thy command; As their stay Thy promise taking, While they traverse sea and land; O be with them: Lead them safely by the hand.
When no fruit appears to cheer them, And they seem to toil in vain, Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them, Then their sinking hopes sustain: Thus supported, Let their zeal revive again.
In the midst of opposition, Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee: When success attends their mission, Let Thy servants humble be: Never leave them, Till Thy face in Heaven they see . . .
There to reap in joy for ever Fruit that grows from seed here sown; There to be with Him, Who never Ceases to preserve His own, And with triumph Sing the Saviour’s grace alone.
Thomas Kelly, 1769-1855‡