The Student Missionary Volunteer
By Earl N. Bergerstock
HARK! I hear their voices calling,
Coming far across the wind,
Bidding me to leave the homeland,
Other scenes and faces find;
Strong the spell is cast upon me,
Sways my spirit to and fro,
For the voice of the unknown calls me;
It calls, and I must go. Other hands would hold me ever,
Other voices bid me stay,
Fondest ties of life would bind me;
O the pain to say them nay!
Loving arms reach out to keep me,
Eyes with love-light all aglow,
But the voice of the unknown calls me;
It calls, and I must go. Dearest hopes and fondest memories,
Each would hold me to my home,
And life's cares would be the sweetest,
Did I never need to roam;
But the homeland does not need me,
And the Message seems to grow,
As the voice of the unknown calls me;
It calls, and I must go. To the land beyond the ocean,
E'en to Afric's farthest shore,
Where the millions sit in darkness;
Shall I take them light—and more?
Sit I idle? List the message:
Go to all the world, and lo!
The voice of the dying calls me,
It calls, and I must go. Dying for the love of Jesus,
Blessed name so dear to me.
More like Thee, O Father, make me;
Lift me upward unto Thee.
Give me grace and give me power,
Ah, Thou wilt not say me no.
'Tis Thy voice, O God! that calls me,
It calls, and I must go. “Here am I, send me,” O Saviour!
I will go where Thou dost lead,
To the millions, weeping, praying,
Where there is the greatest need;
To Thy voice my spirit answers;
I have chosen, Lord; I know
'Tis Thy voice, O God! that calls me,
And I answer: “I must go.”