1 Lord, make my heart so pure and true,
That, by thy grace, one thing I’ll do;
That whether days be bright or dark,
I’ll, step by step, press tow’rd the mark.
Refrain:
O blessed mark! O glorious prize!
O crown beyond the starry skies!
Lord, be it mine thro’ joy or pain,
That mark to reach, that prize to gain!
2 Forgetting now things left behind,
Still may I seek, with humble mind,
The gracious gifts “which are before,”
That I may love thee more and more. [Refrain]
3 In silent hours of secret prayer,
In busy scenes, amid life’s care,
My faith increase, my hope renew,
To live for thee, “One thing I do.” [Refrain]
4 I’ll linger at my Savior’s feet,
To know the joy so full and sweet,
Of fellowship, of guidance true,
Then shall I sing, “One thing I do.” [Refrain]
Source: The Finest of the Wheat No. 3 #45
Pseudonym: Lidie H. Edmunds.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia 28 June 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher. However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. she went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.
Dianne Shapiro, from "The Singers and Their Songs: sketches of living gospel hymn writers" by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (… Go to person page >
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