There is work to be done in the vineyard,
There are sheaves to be garnered in,
There are souls to be saved, and the Master saith,
"Go, gather my lambs from the paths of death,
From the broad highway of sin!"
Go, gather them in from the hedges,
Go, gather them young and old.
Go, tell how the Shepherd, in wondrous love,
Is waiting to welcome, in mansions above,
The poor, wayward lambs of the fold.
Then work for the glorious Master,
Oh! why wilt thou longer delay,
When he promises strength if we ask aright,
When his yoke is so easy, his burden light,
And he pledges the best of pay?
The reward shall be life eternal,
With pleasures and joys untold.
Bright mansions in glory shall ever be thine,
And for every soul thou hast saved shall shine
A star in thy crown of gold.
Then work! there is rest hereafter—
How sweet will the resting be,
When forever free from the blight of sin,
Through the pearly gates we are ushered in,
To eat of life's healing tree.
The harvest of earth is ripening,
And we long for the gathering day,
And when with the angels so pure and bright,
The King shall descend from the realms of light,
With joy may we hear him say,
"Thou hast faithfully worked in my vineyard,
Now the home of the just is thine,
Receive for thy labors a rich reward,
For they that turn souls to the pitying Lord,
As bright as the stars shall shine."