The Utmost for the Highest

1 From highest heav’n the Master calls,
And down the stormy ages;
On humble hearts the music falls,
And rings from written pages.
The holy voice we all must hear,
To heed the call we need not fear—
“The utmost for the highest,”
The utmost, the utmost, the utmost for the highest”

2 Beneath the best we may not live,
Our Master’s cause is holy;
Less than our utmost dare not give
To Him, who claims us fully;
The sanctity of gracious dow’r,
The farthest reach of ev’ry pow’r;
“The utmost for the highest,”
The utmost, the utmost, the utmost for the highest”

3 Who labor thus the highest serve,
Where’er the toil is given—
In field or hall, with soul or nerve—
The work is done for heaven;
The white, wide field is ours to reap,
God’s tow’rs and walls are ours to keep;
“The utmost for the highest,”
The utmost, the utmost, the utmost for the highest”

4 O Jesus Christ, we see in Thee
Our motto’s incarnation;
Thy life was one sweet ministry
For man and his salvation;
Thine utmost for the worst was giv’n,
Thy grace doth lift from earth to heav’n;
“The utmost for the highest,”
The utmost, the utmost, the utmost for the highest”

5 We seek Thee in our time of need,
And ask the Spirit’s filling;
We offer all by act and deed,
For Thou hast made us willing;
We covet to be strong and free;
We crave the pow’r to do and be
“The utmost for the highest,”
The utmost, the utmost, the utmost for the highest”

Source: The Praise Book: for Young People's Societies, Church Prayer Meetings and Sunday Schools #272

• MIDI file from The Praise Book: for Young People's Societies, Church Prayer Meetings and Sunday Schools #272