The Seventh-Day Adventist Hymn and Tune Book ‎#1253

1253. O Christian, idle all the day!

1 O Christian, idle all the day!
'Tis not enough to wait and pray;
The time is short, the labor great,
O work for Jesus while you wait.

Chorus:
Work and wait, work and wait,
Eternity of rest is near.
The time is short, the labor great,
O work and wait till Christ appear,
O, work and wait till Christ appear.

2 O, stand not idly waiting by
When sounds abroad the harvest cry!
Go forth into the ripened field
And there for God the sickle wield. [Chorus]

3 O, work in earnest for the Lord
And trust him for the great reward;
'Tis he who labors wins the prize,
No idler ever gains the skies. [Chorus]

4 Then to thy task! no more delay!
Lest others bear thy sheaves away;
Lest some one wear eternally
The crown of life that was for thee. [Chorus]

Text Information

• First Line: O Christian, idle all the day!
• Author: F. E. Belden
• Refrain First Line: Work and wait, work and wait
• Publication Date: 1886
• Scripture:
  John 9:4
• Topic: Bible Songs: Missionary Songs

Tune Information

• Name: WORK AND WAIT
• Composer: J. H. Tenney
• Key: A Major