As God Will

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 5, 1912

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 39, No. 43.

There is a hymn of Benjamin Schmolke's whose true beauty can be understood only by knowing the circumstances in which it was written. This Lutheran pastor first suffered from a fire that devastated his parish; then from a bereavement that emptied his home; then from a paralysis that left him a blind and helpless cripple. It was on his bed, after these accumulated afflictions, that he dictated that hymn, in which are indicated all these forms of sorrow. How exquisitely pathetic, yet how gloriously triumphant!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! O, may Thy will be mine! Into Thy hand of love I would my all resign. Through sorrow, or through joy, Conduct me as Thine own, And help me still to say, My Lord, Thy will be done!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! Tho seen through many a tear, Let not my star of hope Grow dim or disappear. Since Thou on earth hast wept, And sorrowed oft alone, If I must weep with Thee, My Lord, Thy will be done!

My Jesus, as Thou wilt! All shall be well for me; Each changing future scene I gladly trust with Thee. Straight to my home above I travel calmly on, And sing, in life or death, My Lord, Thy will be done!

—Selected.