Labor on in vain

630 L. M.
No success without God’s blessing.

EXCEPT the Lord our labours bless,
   In vain shall we desire success;
   Except his guardian power restrain,
   The watchman waketh but in vain.

2 'Tis useless toil our stores to keep,—
   Early to rise and late to sleep,—
   Unless the Lord, who reigns on high,
   His providential care supply.

3 Grant, Lord, that we may ever flee
   For guidance and for help to thee ;
   Thy blessing ask, whate’er we do,
   And in thy strength our work pursue.
                        William Hiley Bathurst
                        Methodist Episcopal hymnal (1870 edition)