Lord Christ, who on thy heart didst bear
the burden of our shame and sin,
and now on high dost stoop to share
the fight without, the fear within;

thy patience cannot know defeat,
thy pity will not be denied,
thy loving-kindness still is great,
thy tender mercies still abide.

O brother Man, for this we pray,
thou brother Man and sovereign Lord,
that we thy brethren, day by day,
may follow thee and keep thy word;

that we may care, as thou hast cared,
for sick and lame, for deaf and blind,
and freely share, as thou hast shared,
in all the sorrows of mankind;

that ours may be the holy task
to help and bless, to heal and save;
this is the happiness we ask,
and this the service that we crave.
Amen.


Arnold Thomas (1848-1924)