Take Time to Be Holy

HYMN WRITER: William Longstaff              
                               

HYMN HISTORY: Hearing a sermon on the text, "Be ye holy, for I am holy," Longstaff was inspired to write a poem, "Take Time to Be Holy."  Being a good businessman, Longstaff had a practical mind.  That is reflected in this hymn, which offers many practical suggestions for becoming holy.  Longstaff managed to get his poem published in a Christian newspaper, but that was the end of it –– or so it seemed.  But as it turned out, George Stebbins, a Christian musician, had seen the poem and had clipped and filed it.  Years later, needing a hymn on the subject of holy living, he remembered the poem and set it to music.  It has been a favorite now for more than a century.

BIBLE VERSE:  1 Peter 1: 16 – “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

HYMN LYRICS:

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Find rest in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Much time spend in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.