White Already For Harvest

1 Lo! forth into the field! the harvest brightens,--
The fruit of souls,--and every man is keeper.
On, onward to the work! the meadow whitens!
It waiteth for the sickle of the reaper.
The lone, the weary,
The poor, the dreary,
Do thou heed in their need,
Do thou heed in their need.
Awake, and lift thine eyes! the dayspring lightens!
And life hath not a corner for the sleeper.

2 Lo! round on every side, despairing voices,
Implore a brother's help and love uniting!
On every side the tumult and the noises
Of woe and wrong and evil plead for righting,
The weak, the falling,
For help are calling;
Do thou heed in their need,
Do thou heed in their need.
Oh see that some sad heart by thee rejoices,
Some lonely lot hath somewhat more delighting!

3 O joy divine! O sweetest, purest pleasure!
A golden ray from courts celestial beaming--
Lo! o'er the soul descends thy perfect measure,
On all the things of earth divinely gleaming.
When sorrow cheering,
For weakness caring,
Love doth heed every need,
Love doth heed every need,
O then the heavens outpour their richest treasure,
And gathered blessings over earth are streaming.


Source: The Morning Stars Sang Together: a book of religious songs for Sunday schools and the home circle #116