Forth in Thy Name

Forth in Thy Name was commissioned in 2003 by Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in honor of Hamline University’s 150th Anniversary.

Beneath the surface of Charles Wesley’s quiet prayer is an ardent joy, a passionate commitment to live life with the Lord as guide and master.

Forth in thy Name, O Lord, I go
My daily labor to pursue;
Thee, only thee, resolved to know,
In all I think, or speak, or do.

The task thy wisdom hath assigned,
O let me cheerfully fulfill;
In all my works thy presence find,
And prove thy good and perfect will.

Thee may I set at my right hand,
Whose eyes my inmost substance see:
And labor on at thy command,
And offer all my works to thee.

Give me to bear thy easy yoke,
And every moment watch and pray;
And still to things eternal look,
And hasten to thy glorious day.

Fain would I still for thee employ
Whate’er thy bounteous grace hath given,
Would run my course with even joy,
And closely walk with thee to heaven.
Charles Wesley (1749)