CHRIST'S DISCIPLES DIVIDE THE FIELD.
Before each of the first three verses, the following recitative is
rendered.
“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send,
and who will go for us?’”
Response by Some Destined to Foreign Lands.
From dear New England's happy shore,
Where all our kindred dwell,
We hasten, to return no more,—
Our native land, farewell!
Response by Others Destined to Domestic Missions.
And we, where seldom on the ear
Salvation's tidings swell,
Go forth, to dry the mourner's tear,—
Our pleasant home, farewell!
Response by Others Destined to Home-Service.
Where all our earthly friendships blend,
Bound by affection's spell,
We, in God's work, our lives will spend,—
Brothers, a short farewell!
All, in Unison.
From these dear cherished scenes we go,
The home of praise and prayer,
To meet earth's gladness, or earth's woe,
For Christ, to do and bear.
Farewell, beloved, who shared our joy,
In whose fond hearts we dwell;
A noble work shall now employ
All that we are—farewell.
Brethren, we press the parting hand,
Our songs of parting tell;
Then, till we reach Heaven's holy land,
A sweet, but brief, farewell!
