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Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?
By Charles C. Luther (1877)
Lyrics
1. “Must I go, and empty handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Refrain:
“Must I go, and empty handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty handed go?
“Must I go, and empty handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty handed go?
2. Not at death I shrink or falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
3. O 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.
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.
4. O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake you,
Strive for souls while still you may.
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake you,
Strive for souls while still you may.
Bible Reference
1 John 2:28
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Hymn scripture: 1 John 2:28
About This Hymn
Must I Go, and Empty-Handed? was inspired by the testimony of a young man who had come to faith but passed away shortly after, with regret that he had no opportunity to serve Christ. Charles Luther, a former journalist and pastor, wrote the poignant lyrics reflecting on the sorrow of entering eternity with no souls won for Christ. George Stebbins, a prominent gospel composer, added the moving melody shortly afterward.
The hymn became a compelling call to Christian service and soul-winning, often used in evangelistic meetings and revival settings.
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