the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
(Gospel of St Matthew 11:28-30; all scripture quoted is from the Authorized King James Version)
Click here to listen to the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47rWYPN3XGE
This tender hymn by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1851-1920) was published near the end of her life. Miss Hewitt was a shut-in for much of her adult life and took up the practice of hymn writing for her Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. This particular hymn was published by Rodheaver in 1916. This is my favorite hymn simply because it is the last I read today. It is so to me of every classical hymn of the Church.
GO, CARRY YOUR BURDEN TO JESUS
1 Go, carry thy burden to Jesus,
And lay down thy load at His feet,
Where Calvary’s cross is uplifted,
Find pardon and comforting sweet.
Refrain:
O, steal away softly to Jesus,
To Him let thy heart be outpoured;
Thy Father, who seeth in secret,
Shall give thee a gracious reward.
2 Rejoice in His wonderful mercy,
Thy soul from its sorrow relieved,
Then, turning in love to thy neighbor,
Give freely, as thou hast received. [Refrain]
3 Let Christ be thy gracious Companion,
Keep close to His side, day by day;
The Fountain, unseen, of the blessings
That brighten and gladden the way. [Refrain]
4 O, fellowship precious and holy,
His life, overflowing in love,
Shall bring to the needy around thee
Fair sunbeams and bloom from above. [Refrain]
1 Go, carry thy burden to Jesus, And lay down thy load at His feet, Where Calvary’s cross is uplifted, Find pardon and comforting sweet. How may we approach the Sovereign of Life – Jesus Christ – with our burden of sin? We approach with an humble and contrite heart. “6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7) We are the children of God and, as such, God expects us to humble approach as little children. “17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17
2 Rejoice in His wonderful mercy, Thy soul from its sorrow relieved, Then, turning in love to thy neighbor, Give freely, as thou hast received. Just as we have placed our grievous burden (sin is a burden – not burdens) on our Lord Jesus Christ, so must we carry a burden for others since we act with, and in, the heart of our Lord in showing mercy to our brothers and sisters. Remember the second half of the Great Commandment – “To love thy neighbor as thyself.” Love compels compassion. We have been recipients of a boundless love from Christ. Sharing that love, in no wise, diminishes the gift.
3 Let Christ be thy gracious Companion, Keep close to His side, day by day; The Fountain, unseen, of the blessings That brighten and gladden the way. Even when the shadows lengthen, and the gloom of clouds shade our path, we march along in gladness and joy for we have no regrets in our salvation – all is swept clean and made righteous in Christ. He does not come to us and ask us for our burden, we must be the ones who cast them upon His broad shoulders. As it is written: “ 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) The Lord wants to hear our prayers even if He knows our needs before the asking. We love to hear our children ask for ice cream, and then we happily provide. Our Lord begs no one to be saved, it must be a response to the calling of the Holy Ghost. “37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)
4 O, fellowship precious and holy, His life, overflowing in love, Shall bring to the needy around thee Fair sunbeams and bloom from above. Love expects fellowship. How could we ever neglect fellowship with the darlings of our soul and, especially for the One who gave so much for us. That is a debt we can never repay. His love is an effulgent fountain of Living Waters gushing forth from the hearts of all who believe, because He, Himself, is the source of all Living Waters.
REFRAIN: Refrain: O, steal away softly to Jesus, To Him let thy heart be outpoured; Thy Father, who seeth in secret, Shall give thee a gracious reward. We do not bang on the Gates of Splendor for admission, for it is the Highest Dignitary whom we seek for entrance. We come softly and humbly bearing the emblems of contrition, humility and love in our hearts; otherwise, He has no need of us in the calling. Those works of love and kindness we do for the sake of love and in secret will be rewarded openly before all the righteous in the last day. Hold this thought: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
