A Song of Constancy by ARTHUR W. SPAULDING

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1915

A Song of Constancy

By ARTHUR W. SPAULDING

ARTHUR W. SPAULDING

Ho, comrades, I will sing a song of cheer to you, Because the way is weary, and the way is long; And for that a lilt of joy will help to bear you through, Listen now, I pray you, listen to my song.

Oh, the fathers long and long ago, they trod this weary road, They dragged the tired, dusty feet, they bore the heavy load, They went through waters and through fires, they faced bloodthirsty foes, In dungeons foul, in deserts drear, in trials, in bonds, in woes; But when they fainted, faltered, fell, they paused to praise and pray,— And the God who answered to their need is just the same today.

The world was young when crime was old; the earth was drenched in blood Before the God of justice whelmed its sinners in the flood, And Noah and his household true were launched upon that sea That raved and raced ’twixt heaven and earth in death-decked panoply. But o’er the ark a glory gleamed that fenced the spume and spray,— And the God who rode upon the storm is just the same today.

When Israel’s servile hosts, led out from Egypt’s sorrow-land And camped beside the sea, beheld again proud Pharaoh’s band, They cried in fear, “There is no way but slavery or death.” But through the sea a way of life was opened by God’s breath. ’Twixt watery walls, its pathway firm, that host went on its way,— And the God who clove the crimson sea is just the same today.

On rocky heights ten thousand foes, in Israel’s dreadful hour, Stretched forth the oppressor’s heavy hand and vaunted of their power; But two, with God, went up those heights, and all the heathen faced, And one his thousand put to flight, and two ten thousand chased. The armies of the aliens fled in terror from that day,— And the God who smote on Michmash heights is just the same today.

On Dura’s plain the golden form of Babylon’s king uprose, And they who feared a fiery doom a heathen homage chose. But to the fire the sons of God a welcome freely gave, Content if he they served should slay them or should save. But One came down and made that pit a bower where zephyrs play,— And the God who cooled the fiery blast is just the same today.

Sorrowful, sorrowful, were the men who walked along the road That led from crushed and mangled hopes to their forlorn abode. They talked of grief, they wept o’er Love that dwelt no more with men, They scarcely welcomed One who joined and cheered them up again. But ah, the wonder and the joy when they had bid him stay!— And the God who walked on Emmaus road is just the same today.

Oh, there was joy, transcendent joy, that dwelt in every tone, When Jesus gathered round his band, and led them out alone To Olives’ height, and bade them there a comforting farewell, That they till his returning should his coming soon foretell. For in glory-clouds he cometh as in clouds he went away,— And the God who rose from Olives’ crest is just the same today.

Then, comrades, let us sing the song of joy and cheer; For though the load be heavy, and the way be long, Yet a psalm of joy and triumph we will echo clear, Till the earth and heaven listen to our song.