THE FULL REWARD

Seven Mennonite revivalists, under pressure from their bishops to give up their style of evangelism, huddled at a farm house in Milford Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It was Friday, September 24, 1858, just two weeks before the next high council. Should they acquiesce to restrictions upon the freedom of expression they enjoyed in their revival and prayer meetings? No, they would not. And so they established the Evangelische Mennoniten Gemeinschaft (Evangelical Mennonite Society). In their new fellowship which would remain Mennonite in doctrine, they would continue enthusiastic evangelism. This was the birth of what would become the Mennonite Brethren In Christ Church. In 1959 the denomination would change its name to Bible Fellowship Church. I was born while I lived in the parsonage of its church in Sunbury and later I became a charter member of the church in Lancaster. My great-great-grandfather, two of my grandfathers, and my uncle all served as pastors in this church, and in fact, my great-great-great-grandfather donated for land for the first church structure. Music has always been an important part of the worship in this denomination, even though during the early years most was sung acappella or accompanied by guitars. During the early years one song was used so often in services that it became the unofficial anthem of the denomination. I have searched, unsuccessfully, for information about who wrote the words or the music or some history behind its writing. It does have a tremendous theme - the rewards that await God's children in heaven. But the final verse is especially stirring with the thought of sitting with Jesus at His coronation and then casting our crowns at His feet in adoration. We should live each day in anticipation of that event. It is also stirring with a refrain that is usually sung with the male voices singing the back time. I was reminded again of this hymn when I sang it with a quartet this summer at Pinebrook. Then, a month ago, a Pastor's Quartet sang it at my uncle's funeral - a tradition when our pastors are called home to heaven. While you may not know the music, meditate upon the words and be reminded of the full reward that awaits God's faithful children.

(1) There's a full reward awaiting us in glory;

'Tis for service given unto God's dear Son;

It will make the joys of heaven all the brighter;

We'll receive it when the victory is won.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(2) There's a crown of life for humble service rendered;

There's a crown unfading given for our zeal;

Crowns of joy and glory for the hosts unnumbered,

And thro' faith we all may have them if we will.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(3) There's a crown of righteousness awaits our wearing;

It shines brighter than all others in His Word,

'Tis for all who wait and look for His appearing,

And have crowned Him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.

(4) But to sit with Jesus in His coronation,

Will be better than to wear the crowns above,

So we'll cast them at His feet in adoration;

'Twill be heaven just to realize His love.

Refrain:

Crown of life and Crown of glory,

Crown of righteousness, and joy.

Crown unfading, full of splendor,

And to see Him by and by.