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Lyrics and Information

Facing a Task Unfinished

Words by Frank Houghton (1894–1972)
Tune: AURELIA, by Samuel S. Wesley (1810-1876), 1864
Key signature: E flat major (3 flats)
Time signature: 4/4
Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
Public Domain
Organ Performance at Hymns Without Words
1. Facing a task unfinished That drives us to our knees, A need that, undiminished, Rebukes our slothful ease, We who rejoice to know you renew before your throne The solemn pledge we owe you To go and make you known.
2. Where other lords beside you Hold their unhindered sway, Where forces that defied you Defy you still today, With none to heed their crying for life and love and light, Unnumbered souls are dying And pass into the night.
3. We bear the torch that flaming Fell from the hands of those Who gave their lives proclaiming That Jesus died and rose; Ours is the same commission, the same glad message ours; Fired by the same ambition, To you we yield our pow’rs.
4. O Father, who sustained them, O Spirit, who inspired, Savior, whose love constrained them To toil with zeal untired, From cowardice defend us, from lethargy awake! Forth on your errands send us To labor for your sake.