Howard Benjamin Grose Grave

Hymn History: Give of Your Best to the Master & Author: Howard Benjamin Grose

“This hymn calls believers to wholehearted devotion to Christ. Grose … was known for his passionate dedication to missions and Christian service, and this hymn reflects that same spirit.”
(Bible Exchange)

The Origin of the Hymn “Give of Your Best to the Master”

Among the hymns that call believers to wholehearted service, few are as stirring and earnest as “Give of Your Best to the Master.” Its message is both practical and devotional: that Christians should not offer Christ the leftovers of their time and energy, but the very best of their life—its vigor, talent, and love. Written at the turn of the twentieth century by Howard B. Grose and Charlotte A. Barnard, this hymn reflects the spirit of dedication and missionary zeal that characterized much of Protestant hymnody of that era.

The Hymn Writer: Howard B. Grose

Howard Benjamin Grose (1851–1939) was an American Baptist minister, author, educator, and editor whose life reflected the very principles he urged in his hymn. Born in Millerton, New York, Grose graduated from the University of Chicago in 1876 and later received a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester. He served as a pastor and educator before joining the faculty of the University of Chicago as Professor of History and Political Science.

Yet Grose’s deepest calling was Christian service. In 1904, he became editorial secretary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, a role that gave him a platform to promote evangelism, education, and mission work throughout the United States. He also served as editor of The Home Mission Monthly and The Missionary Review of the World, publications that encouraged believers to give their time, resources, and lives for the cause of Christ.

It was in this spirit that Grose wrote “Give of Your Best to the Master.” His words were first published in 1902 in The Home Mission Monthly, a magazine of the Baptist Home Mission Society. The hymn was later included in a 1904 missionary song collection and quickly gained popularity for its straightforward call to Christian service.

The Composer: Charlotte A. Barnard

The tune most often associated with “Give of Your Best to the Master” was composed by Charlotte A. Barnard (1830–1869), an English musician known for her tender, expressive melodies. She lived several decades before Grose, and her tune—originally titled “Barnard” or “Silver Street”—had been composed earlier for other hymns. Its strong, melodic line and rhythmic vitality made it a fitting musical partner for Grose’s vigorous text.

In many modern hymnals, however, the tune “Barnard” is replaced by an arrangement more directly tied to American gospel traditions. Regardless of the tune used, the hymn’s musical setting emphasizes confidence, movement, and determination—qualities that reinforce its central message of dedicated service.

The Message and Meaning of the Hymn

“Give of Your Best to the Master” opens with a call to wholehearted devotion:

Give of your best to the Master,
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.

From the first lines, Grose challenges believers to offer their finest efforts to Christ—not merely out of duty, but as an act of love and gratitude. The imagery of battle and strength reflects the hymn-writing style of its era, when Christian life was often portrayed as a spiritual struggle requiring courage, energy, and steadfastness.

The second stanza deepens the appeal by pointing to Christ’s example:

Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.

Here the hymn shifts from action to devotion, reminding the singer that service without love is hollow. The motivation for giving one’s best lies in the Savior’s own self-giving:

Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion,
Give Him the best that you have.

In the final stanza, Grose brings the hymn to a triumphant close, connecting present service to eternal reward:

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above.

This theme of reciprocal giving—Christ offering Himself for us, and believers offering their best in return—captures the essence of Christian discipleship.

The Historical Context

When Grose wrote “Give of Your Best to the Master,” the missionary movement was at its height. Churches across America and Britain were sending workers to distant lands, and songs of consecration were often used to inspire both financial giving and personal commitment.

Grose, as a leader in the Baptist Home Mission Society, was deeply involved in this work. He saw firsthand the need for passionate, well-trained Christian workers and the importance of giving one’s best years—not merely one’s later ones—to the Lord’s service. His hymn became a natural expression of that conviction.

At the same time, “Give of Your Best to the Master” resonated with ordinary believers who might never travel abroad. It reminded them that Christian service begins at home and that every talent, however small, can be offered to Christ.

Publication and Enduring Use

After its publication, the hymn appeared in numerous American hymnals and missionary songbooks throughout the early 20th century. It became especially popular in Baptist and evangelical circles, where its message of consecration and youthful zeal struck a deep chord.

Missionary rallies, Sunday school conventions, and revival meetings often used “Give of Your Best to the Master” as a closing or invitation hymn. Its tone of dedication made it ideal for encouraging personal commitment to Christian service.

Though written more than a century ago, its message remains timeless. In an age of distraction and divided priorities, the hymn continues to remind believers that Christ deserves not what is left over, but what is best.

Legacy

Howard B. Grose lived to see his hymn widely used in churches across the United States and abroad. In his long ministry, he embodied its message—offering his own best years and gifts to the cause of Christ.

Today, “Give of Your Best to the Master” stands as a hymn of consecration and devotion, urging every believer, young and old, to serve God with vigor, love, and gratitude. Its simple refrain still speaks with conviction: that the One who gave His best for us is worthy of our best in return.