August 14, 2005

Have faith in God –
Like the man in the sea;
Have faith in God –
Christ careth for thee;
Have faith in God –
Wherever you be.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Take Time to be Holy

William Dunn Longstaff, 1822-1894

    Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16.

    William Longstaff, though financially independent, (son of a wealthy English ship owner) was a humble and devout Christian layman and a close friend and supporter of the Moody-Sankey evangelistic team that stirred England with great revival campaigns during the late 19th Century. After hearing a sermon on I Peter 1:16--"Be ye holy, for I am holy"--with reference to the book of Leviticus from which it was originally taken, young William began to make the achievement of holiness his life's goal. Although this was his only hymn, these words have since been an invaluable influence for sincere believers everywhere who truly desire to live a genuinely holy Christian life.

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.

Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission