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BLESS Thy servants, Lord, uphold them,
   Called in other lands to sow;
Guide, protect, inspire and help them,
    O assure them as they go;
        Be Thou with them:
    All Thy comforts may they know.
 
2  Friends and home and all forsaking,
    Lord, they go at Thy command;
As their stay Thy promise taking,
    While they traverse sea and land;
        O be with them:
    Lead them safely by the hand.
 
3  When no fruit appears to cheer them,
    And they seem to toil in vain,
Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them,
    Then their sinking hopes sustain:
        Thus supported,
    Let their zeal revive again.
 
4  In the midst of opposition,
    Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee:
When success attends their mission,
    Let Thy servants humble be:
        Never leave them,
    Till Thy face in Heaven they see . . .
 
5  There to reap in joy for ever
    Fruit that grows from seed here sown;
There to be with Him, Who never
    Ceases to preserve His own,
        And with triumph
    Sing the Saviour’s grace alone.
 
Thomas Kelly, 1769-1855‡