Speed Thy servants, Saviour, speed them:
Thou art Lord of winds and waves;
They were bound, but Thou hast freed them;
Now they go to free the slaves;
Be Thou with them,
'Tis Thine arm alone that saves.
Friends and home and all forsaking,
Lord, they go at Thy command;
As their stay Thy promise taking,
While they traverse sea and land:
Oh, be with them,
Lead them safely by the hand!
Where no fruit appears to cheer them,
And they seem to toil in vain —
Then in mercy, Lord, draw near them,
Then their sinking hopes sustain;
Thus supported,
Let their zeal revive again.
In the midst of opposition
Let them trust, O Lord, in Thee;
When success attends their mission,
Let Thy servants humble be:
Never leave them,
Till Thy face in heaven they see;
There to reap in joy for ever,
Fruit that grows from seed here sown;
There to be with Him, who never
Ceases to preserve His own,
And with triumph
Sing a Saviour's grace alone.