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The Voice of Freedom

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 19, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 3.

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The Voice of Freedom

By Lillian S. Connerly

The voice of liberty no more is heard; The Roman law no longer holds its sway; The mighty power of Rome — that kingdom iron — Is now forevermore to pass away.
The pall of medieval midnight hangs above; The land is cursed by feudalism’s reign; Man, God’s most noble handiwork, has come To be a serf beneath the system’s bane.
The shrines, once reverenced, are forsaken now, Monastic rites no longer satisfy; The plowman’s happy songs are changed to sighs, Nor love, nor war, nor satire makes reply.
The British yeomanry live on through weary years, Their hearts still hoping, e’en in dull despair; Their ears forever listening for the note Of freedom, which inspires their only prayer.
Past are the reigns of Clovis, Charlemagne, And William the Conqueror; but still The people sit unsolaced and uncheered, Their prayers unanswered, hopes all unfulfilled.
God answers prayer, though long be the delay; No baron, serf, nor yeoman cries in vain. As truly as God lives, will freedom come, And liberty begin her glorious reign.
King John, compelled by power he does not know, Through fear of death a worthy deed performs. The noble Magna Charta, God inspired, Brings liberty and freedom from the storms.
In Runnymede the barons find their law; All men find equal hearing at the bar: “Justice may not be sold, refused, delayed;” The planter’s plow no man may seize or mar.
The seed is sown, and in the Western world The flower of liberty soon blooms in beauty rare: ’Tis “Time’s most noble offspring” that is born, That all mankind may equal freedom share.
O, God forbid that in this noble land, Where freedom has so many years held sway, Foul tyranny should e’er a foothold gain, To curse and blacken with its dread decay.
O men! look well to how you make our laws! Take heed that justice breathes in every line; Religious legislation turn aside, Upholding freedom and man’s rights divine.
LILLIAN S. CONNERLY.