Take Time to be Holy

My recent deep dive into Holy and Holiness has yielded another interesting memory.   This morning, the hymn "Take Time to be Holy" surfaced from my childhood days of singing old hymns.  Looking for the history and lyrics is an easy search, but the top YouTube search result was not how I remembered singing the song.  

So, was my memory wrong?   Luckily, my Android phone has the ability to find songs by just humming the tune - which I did.  Only to discover the result was "Take Time to be Holy" with a link to a piano version just as I remembered.  I had happened upon two different arrangements - the modern SATB choral version by John Longhurst which was very different from the 1890 George C. Stebbins hymn (also known as Holiness).  

Also - my joy of research lead me to Luke Powell's analysis of the history and commentary on lyrics.  

1 Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
abide in Him always, and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

2 Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.

3 Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide,
and run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
and, looking to Jesus, still trust in His word.

4 Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

Source: Our Great Redeemer's Praise #316

From the inspiration of 1 Peter 1:15-16 and Leviticus 11:44 - the goal aligns with my personal mission!