The Cyber Hymnal ‎#16122

16122. How Painful Is The Task

1 How painful is the task,
A member to disown;
Once by the church esteemed and loved,
And as a brother known.

2 Could aught prevent the deed,
The solemn deed declared,
How happy it for us had been,
From such a duty spared.

3 But oh, the love of Christ,
The love of truth demands,
This needful, painful sacrifice,
This duty at our hands.

4 Should we at sin connive,
Or any evil spare,
How could we give account at last,
When Jesus shall appear.

5 His eyes as flames of fire,
Search all the churches through,
Naught can be hidden from His sight,
Though veiled from mortal view.

6 To Him may we ourselves,
In faithfulness approve;
And while we mourn our humbled state,
Wait His reviving love.

Text Information

• First Line: How painful is the task
• Title: How Painful Is The Task
• Author: Benjamin Beddome, 1717-1795
• Meter: SM
• Language: English
• Source: Hymns Adapted to Public Worship (London: Burton and Briggs,1818)
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: BADEA (German tune), BOYLSTON by Lowell Mason, BRUNEAU DUNES by George N. Fenn

Tune Information

• Name: AYLSEBURY
• Composer: John Chetham
• Meter: SM
• Key: e minor or modal
• Copyright: Public Domain