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Ingathering

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 57.

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Ingathering

By Lula Phiper McCalister

LULA PHIPER MC CALISTER
LIST to the pleading and call of the Master, Who’ll work in my vineyard? I’ll richly repay. The fields are all white, and the harvest is ready. Who’ll enter the service and work while he may?
Arouse, ye that slumber, for day is fast passing, And night, when none labor, too soon will be here; Just gather the grain that already has ripened, And then will the Master of harvests appear.
Go gather them in from the lanes and the alleys, The sheep that are straying, the lambs that are mine; Go tell them the Shepherd in mercy is waiting, With love manifold and with pity divine.
Go gather them in from the dens of foul gambling, Where they barter their souls for the things that decay; Convince them that riches are laid up in glory For all who’ll believe and accept them today.
Go gather them in from the halls where they’re dancing, Where lost is respect in frivolity’s whirl, Where deaf ears are turned to each fond parent’s pleading, And homes are forsaken for things of the world.
Go gather them in from the dives of the ale house, Where children are sold for the price of a drink. Where crimes are enacted, and wives are made homeless; Go teach them a better way; help them to think.
Go gather them in from the homes of dishonor, Where vows are forgotten and lights are turned low, Where lives have been wrecked for the pleasures that perish; Go help to reclaim them; go, laborer, go!
Go gather them in from the hate of the races, Where each strives and plans that his brother may fall; Go teach them that God from one blood made all nations, And he is the infinite Father of all.
Go gather them in from the beast and its worship, Where thousands in ignorance bow at its shrine; Go give them the word that is rightly divided, And teach them to keep God’s commandments divine.
Go gather them in, and let none cease to labor, For thousands are lost by neglect and repose; Go gather them in; haste to tell the glad story Before the blest day of salvation shall close.
With voice, tongue, and pen let the message be carried, With power like Paul’s may the story be told, Till all countless peoples who now sit in darkness, Shall see the glad light and haste into the fold; Till China shall waken,—those millions who slumber,— And Africa pleadingly stretch forth her hands; Till isles of the sea and caves in the mountains Shall sing and rejoice at Jehovah’s commands; Till India sees that her gods have no power, And temples are reared to the God that’s unknown; Till idols have vanished, and nations, rejoicing, Shall see heathen kneel at Jehovah’s great throne.
Our God does not force nor compel us to labor, For angels most gladly this call would obey; But sinful men surely should count it an honor To labor together with Jesus today.
O, joy will be great when we each have been gathered All safe in the kingdom when life’s course is run, To rest at the feet of the Master forever, And hear those blest words, “Faithful servant, well done.”
Then let us go forth to each task that’s assigned us; With faith that’s unfailing let’s work for the Lord; Let’s gather our sheaves and then bind them up quickly, For Jesus is coming to bring our reward.
With blest harps of gold and with robes of pure whiteness, We’ll rest evermore on heaven’s fair plain; And sing earth’s glad song to the wonder of angels: “All glory to Jesus, the Lamb that was slain!”