All the Way

Within my heart was fond ambition

Author: Clara McAlister Brooks
Tune: [Within my heart was fond ambition]
Published in 4 hymnals

Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1 Within my heart was fond ambition,
Vain pride, and hopes of worldly fame;
But still remained a place so vacant,
Unfilled by highest earthly aim.
Then Jesus reached His hand to help me—
“Come, seek My love,” I heard Him say;
I quickly left the world behind me,
To follow Jesus all the way.

2 He led me through the verdant valleys,
Where flowers bloomed by waters fair;
The sunbeams glory showered o’er me,
And fragrant odors filled the air.
Then through the shadowed vale I followed,
Where entered not a brilliant ray;
I felt His touch, though could not see Him,
Then whispered softly, “All the way.”

3 And then the furnace door was opened:
Within its fiery walls enclosed,
The Son of God was still beside me,
Upon His bosom I reposed.
When in my heart He saw reflected
His image pure—as bright as day—
He led me forth with joy abounding;
Again I whispered, “All the way.”

4 I stood all ready for His service,
With gold refined and dross removed;
The flames had left my soul uninjured,
But they my faithfulness had proved.
In dismal night or brightest noonday,
If Thou wilt near me ever stay,
Where’er Thou leadest me, O Savior,
I’ll meekly follow all the way.

Source: Timeless Truths #1059

Author: Clara McAlister Brooks

Birth: Oct. 9, 1882, Parke County, Indiana, USA Death: Mar. 20, 1980, Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida, USA Clara McAlister Brooks was one of our early songwriters and four of her pieces are in the current hymnal. From the earliest days of the movement we have had women prominent in all forms of our ministry—missionaries, evangelists, teachers, pastors, and God has honored their sacrificial labors. For that reason we can stand in amazement when here, in the 1970s, such old-line denominations as the Episcopal church are being racked with controversy over whether the ordination of women is permissible. But before we gather Pharisaic robes about ourselves, perhaps we need to look candidly at the way in which we, too, succumbed to so… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Within my heart was fond ambition
Title: All the Way
Author: Clara McAlister Brooks
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

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Instances (1 - 2 of 2)
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Evening Light Songs #158

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Timeless Truths #1059

Include 2 pre-1979 instances
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