1 Samuel 3
3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
1. Still as of old thy precious word
Is by the nations dimly heard;
The hearts its holiness hath stirred
Are weak and few.
Wise men the secret dare not tell;
Still, in thy temple slumbers well
Good Eli. Oh! like Samuel,
Lord, here am I!
2. Few years, no wisdom, no renown,
Only my life can I lay down;
Only my heart, Lord, to thy throne
I bring, and pray
A child of thine I may go forth,
And spread glad tidings through the earth,
And teach sad hearts to know thy worth.
Lord, hear am I!
3. “Young lips may teach the wise,” Christ said;
Weak feet sad wanderers home have led;
Small hands have cheered the sick one’s bed
With freshest flowers.
O teach me, Father! heed their sighs,
While many a soul in darkness lies,
And waits thy message; make me wise—
Lord, here am I!
4. And make me strong, that staff, and stay,
And guide, and guardian of the way,
To theeward I may bear each day
Some fainting soul,
Speak, for I hear; make pure in heart
Thy face to see; thy truth impart,
In hut and hall, in church and mart—
Lord, here am I!
5. I ask no heaven till earth be thine,
Nor glory-crown, while work of mine
Remaineth here; when earth shall shine
Among the stars,
Her sins wiped out, her captives free,
Her voice a music unto thee,
For crown, new work give thou to me—
Lord, here am I!
– Anonymous (printed in an early Advent Review magazine)
