Master, speak: Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for Thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth;
Master, let it now be heard.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee;
What hast Thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me.
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock
In the shadow of the rock.
Master, speak! Though least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart.
Master, speak, for oh, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need;
Speak and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak, and make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady
Still to follow every word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee;
Master, speak: O speak to me!
Frances Ridley Havergal, an English woman, is the author of several songs in our Song Book. She was the daughter of the Reverend William Henry Havergal, Vicar of Astley. Although her name of “Ridley” was from her godfather, she preferred to connect it with that of a Reformation martyr. Frances received her education first at home, then at some small private schools and later, in Germany. She taught Sunday School at the young age of nine, and was known to have kept a record of her students. She used her early teaching experience to become a governess to some of her nieces. Ms Havergal helped in missions and spoke at YWCA meetings, as well as supporting the work of the Mildmay Institution in London. A prolific writer, she contributed poetry to several publications and helped Reverend Snepp compile Songs of Grace and Glory . She prepared her father’s music in Havergal’s Psalmody . Frances also had her own publications: The Ministry of Song, Under the Surface, Loyal Responses and Under His Shadow . The words the Lord spoke to Frances have spoken to many Christian believers through the years, giving both challenge and encouragement, perhaps most notably through her Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee . Surely Frances’ life exemplified this total consecration.
