What Are You Going to Do, Brother?
[The following hymn was sung by Mr. Sankey at one of Mr. Moody's meetings in Chicago, in such touching tones as visibly affected many in the congregation. The Methodist says: "The hymn has been blessed to many young men, and we hope some who read it—some who are drones in God's bee-hive—will carefully ponder the question it asks:"] Oh, what are you going to do, brother,
Say, what are you going to do?
You have thought of some useful labor,
But what is the end in view?
You are fresh from the home of your boyhood,
And just in the bloom of youth;
Have you tasted the sparkling waters
That flow from the fountain of truth?
Is your heart in the Saviour's keeping?
Remember he died for you. Chorus.—Then what are you going to do, brother?
Say, what are you going to do? Will you honor His cause and His kingdom,
Wherever your faith may be,
And stand as a bright example,
That others your Lord may see?
Are you willing to work for Jesus,
And readily the cross to bear?
Are you willing to meet reproaches,
The friends of the world to spare?
Your lot may perhaps be humble,
But God has a work for you. Oh, what are you going to do, brother?
The morning of youth is past;
And vigor and strength and manhood,
My brother, are yours at last.
You are rising in worldly prospects,
And prospered in worldly things,
Your path of duty He's favored
And smiles of happiness brings.
O, prove that your heart is grateful,
The Lord has a work for you. Oh, what are you going to do, brother?
Your sun at its noon is high;
It shines in Meridian splendor,
And rides through a cloudless sky.
You are holding high position,
Of honor, of trust, and of fame;
Are you willing to give the glory
And praise to your Saviour's name?
The regions that sit in darkness
Are stretching their arms to you. Oh, what are you going to do, brother?
The twilight approaches now;
Already your locks are silvered,
And winter is on your brow.
Your talents, your time and your riches,
To Jesus, the Master, give;
Then ask if the world about you
Is better because you lived.
You are nearing the brink of Jordan,
But yet there is work to do.