The similar phrase 'Worldly Christianity' is one used by Bonhoeffer. It's J Gresham Machen that I want to line up most closely with. See his Christianity and culture here. Having done commentaries on Proverbs (Heavenly Wisdom) and Song of Songs (Heavenly Love), a matching title for Ecclesiastes would be Heavenly Worldliness. For my stance on worldliness, see 3 posts here.

Hymn of the week 4


J E Bode (1816-1874) [not to be confused with the 18th Century German scientist] at­tend­ed Eton, Charter House and Christ Church, Ox­ford graduating BA, 1837. He be­came rector of West­well, Ox­ford­shire, 1847 then Castle Camps, Cam­bridge­shire, 1860. He delivered the Bampton Lectures in 1855 and was for a time tu­tor and Classical Ex­am­in­er at his college. He wrote several poetical works. This, his best known hymn, was written for his children's confirm­ation serv­ice when he was at Castle Camps. It was published in the append­ix of Psalms and Hymns of the SPCK, 1869.


O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Saviour and my Friend.

2 comments:

Alan said...

The line "My hope to follow duly is in thy strength alone" was a particular favourite of my old college friend from Northern Ireland, Jim.

Jim Duly.

Gary Brady said...

Jim Duly - now there's a name from the past. The line is most usually connected with girls called Julie. I suppose a lot depends on pronounciation. Really missed you at Banner.