I remember the boy's quartet and Ms. Wade practicing this song over and over again on several occasions, never to sing it in a service or concert. I think she was having trouble with the bass singer (me) learning his part or singing it the way she would like to have it sung. Or perhaps as young Christian teenage boys, she wanted us to realize and appreciate through the words of this song the importance of us leading others to know our Savior.
Even though, we soon stopped attempting to learn this song and rarely have I heard it sung, I am glad it has "stuck" with me throughout the years. "The harvest is truly plenteous, but the labourers are few" (Matthew 9:37) "I'm not afraid of dying, Jesus saved me; but oh, must I go and empty handed?" These are the words heard by Charles Luther of a young 30 year old, a Christian of only a month and living his final days on earth. A short time later, in 1877, Mr. Luther penned the words to this song.
Can you imagine, if all of us as Christians had the same passion as this young dying man to see others come to Christ? The third verse hits home for me. It says. "Oh the years, in sinning wasted, Could I but recall them now, I would give them to my Savior, To His will I'd gladly bow."
My prayer this morning is I hope this song will serve as a constant reminder to me of my greatest role as a Christian always.
I could not decide on a link to share. Each one has a special meaning to me. The first link is of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. I remember buying this album sometime around 1973 primarily because of "Must I Go, and Empty Handed". The second link is from The Inspirations third album released about 1967. And finally a live performance by Archie Watkins and Smoky Mountain Reunion (The Inspirations kind of lol) recorded more recently.
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