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Make haste, O man, to live

Representative Text

1 Make haste, O man, to live,
For thou so soon must die;
Time hurries past thee like the breeze;
How swift its moments fly!

2 Make haste, O man, to do
Whatever must be done;
Thou hast no time to lose in sloth,
Thy day will soon be gone.

3 Up, then, with speed, and work;
Fling ease and self away;
This is no time for thee to sleep,
Up, watch, and work, and pray!

4 Make haste, O man, to live,
Thy time is almost o'er;
O sleep not, dream not, but arise,
The Judge is at the door.

Source: Methodist Hymn and Tune Book: official hymn book of the Methodist Church #312

Author: Horatius Bonar

Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions. --Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Make haste, O man, to live
Author: Horatius Bonar (1857)
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Make haste, O man, to live, p, 161, ii, This is altered in the Public School Hymn Book, 1903, to "Make haste, my soul, to live."

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #4153
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Spiritual Songs and Worship Hymnal #213-2

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The Cyber Hymnal #4153

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