The Watch of the Church by Horatius Bonar

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 14, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 27.

The Watch of the Church

By Horatius Bonar

Is the Bridegroom absent still? Watch, O blood-bought Church of God, Severed from an evil world, Walk thou in the heavenly road. Keep thy garment undefiled, Of the flesh abhor each spot, Cast behind thee all of self, Be time’s vanities forgot. Let the cry be heard, “How long?” Lord, how long shall evil reign? When shall sin be swept away, And this earth be clean again? Lord, how long shall error spread, Truth be trodden in the dust, Hatred flow from tongue and pen, Hatred of the good and just! Hatred of the Christ of God, Of His true and holy word! Mockery of His holy crown, Scorn of His uplifted sword? This the burden of thy cry: When shall end the age of wrong, Error, pain, misrule, and lust, Righteous King and Lord, how long?

— Horatius Bonar.