The Evergreen ‎#60

60. Fruit For Jesus

1 God comes to His vineyard seeking for fruit,
The fig-tree so barren stands by the way;
Already "the axe is laid at the root,"
But Jesus still pleads — Oh! spare it, I pray.
The Lord of the vineyard goeth His way,
But soon will return its fruitage to claim;
And think you His hand will spare as today
The branches so bare, will rescue from flame.

Chorus:
All blessings are ours, both sunshine and show'rs,
The Keeper ne'er sleeps, nor ceases His care;
The Lord draweth near, He soon will be here,
Bear fruit for the Lord, Oh! hasten and bear.

2 On lowliest path our fig-tree may stand,
Yet many will pass with blessing half said,
And God will be praised for works of his hand,
By hungry and faint who, resting, were fed.
We never may know their number or name,
Nor where as they passed they scattered the seed,
For we may be dead, unmentioned by fame,
When these may be springing, others to feed. [Chorus]

3 The "fruit of the Spirit," God would increase,
"Long-suff'ring and meekness, temp'rance and love,
With gentleness, goodness, faith, joy and peace,
Which make us true heirs to mansions above.
Tho' children, rich fruit for God we may bear,
By some gentle word, by some loving deed,
And many long years his mercy may spare
The fruitful who give where seemeth most need. [Chorus]

Text Information

• First Line: God comes to His vineyard seeking for fruit
• Title: Fruit For Jesus
• Author: M. Antoinette Barnard
• Refrain First Line: All blessings are ours, both sunshine and show'rs
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1873
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [God comes to His vineyard seeking for fruit]
• Composer: C. T. Dondore
• Incipit: 55651 55653 34321
• Key: C Major
• Notes: Public Domain.