TO THE WORK
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
Refrain
Toiling on, toiling on,
Toiling on, toiling on,
Let us hope and trust,
Let us watch and pray,
And labor till the Master comes.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) wrote the words to this engaging old hymn. As a blind poet, Fanny wrote much in the way of hymns for the Church. To The Work, written in 1869 represents her view of the Christian walk; daily and consistent. William H Doane (1832-1915) composed the music in 1871. Doane was an industrial leader who composed in the evenings at his home.
Ira Sankey, music leader for the Moody-Sankey Revival team said, “I sang this song for the first time in the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Cornell at Long Branch.  The Servants gathered from all parts of the house while I was singing, and looked into the parlor where I was seated.  When I was through, one of them said: “That is the finest hymn I have heard for a long time; won’t you please sing it over again?”  I felt that this was a test case, and that if the hymn had such power over those servants it would be useful in reaching other people as well, so I published it in “Gospel Hymns” in 1875, where it became one of the best work-songs for our meetings that we had.”
Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:15, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for you,” Referring to the Corinthian church.  Jesus said in John 9:4, “We must do the works of Him who sent Me while it is day.”
Work can be hard and laborious, hence the word “toil” or Toiling on, as in the hymn. We must not allow toil to wear us down. Toiling and laboring till the Master comes is done in the strength of our Savior who gave Himself for us. As God gives us strength “let us do with our might what our hands find to do.”

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