1 Try to be a blessing ev’rywhere you go,
Doing good like Jesus, and His spirit show,
Speaking words of kindness, words of hope and cheer,
Making others happy while you journey here.
Refrain:
Try to be a blessing, if like Jesus you would be,
Helping souls around you His salvation here to see;
Try to be a blessing if a heav’nly crown you’d wear,
Decked with shining stars you’ve won for Jesus here.
2 Try to be a blessing to the careless throng,
Bravely stand for Jesus, show where you belong;
Let them see the beauty of a life of love,
Always live for Jesus, and the home above. [Refrain]
3 Try to be a blessing where there’s pain and woe,
Carry love’s sweet message ev’rywhere you go,
Tell the lost of Jesus, cheer the sad and lone,
Freely help the needy, as the Lord has shown. [Refrain]
4 Try to be a blessing, do not longer wait,
Life is swiftly passing, soon ‘twill be too late,
Keep the gospel banner over you unfurled,
Live to honor Jesus, and to bless the world. [Refrain]
Source: Worship and Service #76
Rufus H. McDaniel was ordained in the Christian church in 1873. He found much joy in church music. He began writing hymns in the 1880's. He wrote, "I feel in my soul that God has something for me to do in brightening the experience of struggling souls. My chief desire is to be a blessing, if possible, to my fellow-men through these hymns and thereby glorify God in the name of his dear son 'whose I am and whom I serve.'"
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (Chicago: The Rodeheaver Company, 1916) Go to person page >
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