1 Ask not to be excused,
There's earnest work to do;
Stand ready to be used
Where God may station you.
His invitation kind
To thee has oft been giv'n;
Accept, and thou shalt find
'Tis sweet to work for Heav'n.
Chorus:
Come, O come!
Ask not to be excused;
Come, O come!
Stand ready to be used.
Ask not to be excused,
This answer may be giv'n:
Thou hast my love abused,
Thou art excused from heav'n.
2 Ask not to be excused,
The Master calls today;
Too long hast thou refused,
Now hasten to obey.
The harvest fields are white,
The laborers are few;
Let this be thy delight,
The Master's work to do [Chorus]
3 Ask not to be excused,
There's danger in delay;
That wondrous love abused,
Forever turns away.
While Mercy gently pleads
And points the way to heav'n,
While Jesus intercedes,
O come and be forgiv'n! [Chorus]
Source: Christ in Song: for all religious services nearly one thousand best gospel hymns, new and old with responsive scripture readings (Rev. and Enl.) #513
Belden was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1858. He began writing music in his late teenage years after moving to California with his family. For health reasons he later moved to Colorado. He returned to Battle Creek with his wife in the early 1880s, and there he became involved in Adventist Church publishing. F. E. Belden wrote many hymn tunes, gospel songs, and related texts in the early years of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Belden was able to rapidly write both music and poetry together which enabled him to write a song to fit a sermon while it was still being delivered. He also wrote songs for evangelist Billy Sunday. Though Belden’s later years were marred by misunderstandings with the church leadership over his royal… Go to person page >
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