1 Near thy cross assembled, Master,
At thy feet we fall,
Seeking power to send us faster,
Hear, Lord, while we call.
Soul and body consecrating,
Leaving every sin,
Longing for a full salvation,
Victory we would win.
2 Fire that changes earthly craving
Into pure desire,
Fire destroying fear and doubting,
Fills and saves us higher;
Fire that takes its stand for Jesus,
Seeks and saves the lost;
Fire that follows where he pleases,
Fearless of the cost.
3 Fire that turns men into heroes,
Makes of weakness, might;
Fire that makes us more than conquerors,
Strengthens us to fight.
Crosses bearing, dangers daring,
By the fire set free,
In my Master’s suffering sharing,
Send this fire on me.
Source: The Song Book of the Salvation Army #197
Born: December 31, 1859, Foulden, Norfolk, England.
Died: September 9, 1922, Watford, Hertfordshire, England.
At his memorial service, Salvation Army General Bramwell Booth said, "He sang his way through this life and he will sing his way through Eternity."
Buried: Abney Park Cemetery, London, England.
Son of farm worker John Lawley, young John worked on farms until his family moved to Bradford, where he became an "engine-lad." He came to a Christ at a meeting in Pullan’s Theater in Bradford, and a few months later became a Christian Missions evangelist. He wrote his first Gospel song in 1878 while serving at Jarrow-on-Tyne. He went on to work at Salvation Army (SA) corps and divisions, with SA founder William Booth for over 20… Go to person page >
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